cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of Epstein-Barr virus with systemic lupus erythematosus: effect modification by race, age, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 genotype.

Objective Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is hypothesized to play a role in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is important in regulating T cell–mediated immunity, encompassing the first line of response to viral infections, and genetic variation in CTLA-4 has been associated with SLE. This study examined the seroprevalence of EBV in a population-based study of SLE patients from the southeastern United States, and potential interactions with CTLA-4 polymorphisms were assessed. Methods Cases comprised 230 subjects recently diagnosed as having SLE (144 African American and 86 white) from university and community-based clinics, and controls comprised 276 age-, sex-, and state-matched subjects (72 African American and 204 white) recruited from driver's license registries. Antibodies to EBV capsid antigen were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, with results expressed as positive or negative using the international standardized ratio (ISR) (a ratio of the sample absorbance to a known standard). CTLA-4 genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction–based methods. Results In African Americans, EBV-IgA seroprevalence was strongly associated with SLE (odds ratio [OR] 5.6, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.0–10.6). In whites, the modest association of SLE with EBV-IgA (OR 1.6) was modified by age, in that the strongest association was observed in those older than age 50 years (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.6–10.4). The seroprevalence of EBV-IgM and that of EBV-IgG were not associated with SLE. Higher EBV-IgG absorbance ratios were observed in SLE patients, with a significant dose response across units of the ISR in African Americans (P < 0.0001). Allelic variation in the CTLA-4 gene promoter (−1661A/G) significantly modified the association between SLE and EBV-IgA (P = 0.03), with a stronger association among those with the −1661AA genotype. Conclusion These findings suggest that repeated or reactivated EBV infection, which results in increased EBV-IgA seroprevalence and higher IgG antibody titers, may be associated with SLE, and that the CTLA-4 genotype influences immune responsiveness to EBV in SLE patients. The observed patterns of effect modification by race, age, and CTLA-4 genotype should be examined in other studies and may help frame new hypotheses regarding the role of EBV in SLE etiology.
INHIBITION OF FOODBORNE BACTERIAL PATHOGENS BY NATURALLY OCCURRING FOOD ADDITIVES

In this study, diacetyl (DI), benzaldehyde (BE), pyruvic aldehyde (PY) and piperonal (PI) were tested for activity against Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, Shigella flexneri, Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, and proteolytic Clostridium botulinum spores. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) required to inhibit pathogens ranged from 0.05 to 7.81 mM. The only exception was C. botulinum which was least sensitive, with DI or PY MIC of 25 mM; the MIC of BE or PI was 125 mM. A 30 min 56.8C heat treatment, of the organism/inhibitor mixture, reduced the MICs of BE and PI by 50-87%, and 77% less PY was required to inhibit E. coli 0157:H7. BE or PI reduced C. botulinum spore 80C thermal- and radio-resistance. To determine whether antibacterial plant components exist naturally at inhibitory concentrations, EtOH-extracts of asparagus (As), carrots (Ca), radishes (Ra), shallots (Sh), and turnips (Tu) were tested for antibotulinal activity. As or Ca extracts were antigerminative at 0. 07%. When combined equal quantities of As and Ca were tested, ≤ 0.03% delayed germination, however. Although no activity was observed when Ra and Sh were test singly, 0.13% AsCaRa, AsCaRaSh or AsCaRaShTu combinations were inhibitory. These data indicate that the naturally occurring food additives may be employed to control the foodborne pathogens assessed in this study.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Male Sexual Assault in a Criminological Database

Sexual assault among males, compared with females, is understudied, and may also be significantly underreported. Past studies have relied primarily on population-based survey data to estimate the prevalence of sexual assault and associated health outcomes. However, survey-based studies rely primarily on self-reports of victimization and may not accurately estimate the true prevalence of male sexual assault victimization. In order to obtain a detailed assessment of sexual assault among males, criminological databases like the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) may provide an important and unique source of information. The objective of the current study was to use data from the 2001-2005 NIBRS to construct an epidemiological profile of sexual assault among males. Our results suggest that the incidence of sexual assault was higher among young males (less than 19 years of age), with approximately 90% of all cases being reported among members of this age group. Among males of all ages, forcible fondling and sodomy were the most prevalent forms of sexual assault. Results from additional analyses include age- and race-specific rates of male sexual assault, the prevalence and severity of injury, and time trends detailing incidence by time of the day and location of the incident. Our analyses show that sexual assault is experienced by males of all age groups. However, the rate of sexual assault is higher among younger males. Despite some limitations, results from this study suggest that NIBRS data may provide a important complement to survey data for understanding breadth and consequences of male sexual assault.
The Buckingham Catastrophe in multiscale modelling of fracture

Two original/modified Ball-Grimes models and one original/modified Lewis-Catlow models, are used in multiscale modelling of mixed mode fracture of Magnesia. The specimen is decomposed into a far field (modelled by linear elastic fracture mechanics), a near field (modelled by Atomistic Field Theory) and a crack-tip region (modelled by molecular dynamics). When two atoms get too close during the simulation of crack propagation, the attraction force artificially overcomes the repulsive barrier (Buckingham Catastrophe). The numerical results of three original models show significantly different phenomena. To demonstrate the sensitivity of interatomic potential and to prevent the catastrophe, three modified models are used. Numerical results of three modified models are compared and discussed.
Probing interactions between viral DNA and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase using dinucleotides

Retroviral integrases are essential for viral replication and represent an attractive chemotherapeutic target. In the current study, we demonstrated the activity of micromolar concentrations of dinucleotides against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), HIV type 2 (HIV-2), simian immunodeficiency virus, and feline immunodeficiency virus integrases. The structure-activity relationship indicates that 5'-phosphorylation enhances potency and that phosphodiester and sugar modifications affect the inhibition of HIV-1 integrase. Base sequence selectivity was observed: pAC, pAT, and pCT were the most potent inhibitors, whereas pAA, pGA, and pGC showed low activity at 100 microM. The inhibition by pAC is consistent with the interaction of the enzyme with the 5' end of the noncleaved strand (5'-AC-3'). The linear and cyclic dinucleotides released by the 3'-processing reaction did not affect enzymatic activity at physiological concentrations. An increase in the length to trinucleotides or tetranucleotides enhanced potency by only 2-3-fold, suggesting that two neighboring bases may be sufficient for significant interactions. Inhibition of a truncated (50-212) integrase mutant and global inhibition of all nucleophiles in the 3'-processing reaction suggest that dinucleotides bind in the catalytic core. All of the active dinucleotides inhibited enzyme/DNA binding in their respective IC50 range. Although the dinucleotides tested showed no antiviral activity, these observations demonstrate the usefulness of dinucleotides in elucidating enzyme mechanisms and as potential ligands for cocrystallization and as lead structures for development of antivirals.
Teacher Perceptions of Teacher Leadership: Examining Differences by Experience, Degree, and Position

Researchers for this multisite quantitative study examined the relationships between teacher perceptions of the extent of teacher leadership in a school and the grade level, degree level, and leadership status of the respondents. Data for this study were collected in two administrations in 43 schools in seven U.S. states. To test for differences among the variables and the four factors of the Teacher Leadership Inventory, a one-way ANOVA was conducted for each variable. Findings indicated significant differences between elementary school teachers and middle/high school teachers, teachers with a bachelor’s degree and teachers with graduate degrees, and formal teacher leaders and teachers in no leadership position. Attention to these results will allow school districts to better align leadership training with the needs of specific teachers and support principals in school improvement.
The biology of somatotropin in adipose tissue growth and nutrient partitioning.

During the past 20 years, much has been learned about how porcine somatotropin (pST) affects growth and nutrient partitioning in growing pigs. The development of techniques to produce large quantities of recombinantly de- rived pST enabled numerous long-term studies to be con- ducted in which the effects of daily pST administration could be evaluated. Collectively, these studies established that treatment of growing pigs with pST markedly stimulated mus- cle growth and, concurrently, reduced fat deposition. In grow- ing pigs, maximally effective doses of pST increase average daily gain as much as 10-20%, improve feed efficiency 15- 30%, decrease adipose tissue mass and lipid accretion rates by as much as 50-80% and concurrently increase protein deposition by 50%. These effects are associated with a de- crease in feed intake of ;10-15%. These responses occur because pST has a wide array of biological effects that mod- ulate nutrient partitioning between adipose tissue and skele- tal muscle. The decrease in adipose tissue growth is due to a reduction in lipogenesis that is the consequence of pST blunt- ing the effects of many insulin-dependent events. With re- spect to fatty acid synthase (FAS), a pace-setting enzyme in the lipogenic pathway, enzyme activity is markedly reduced by pST. This is the result of a pST-mediated decrease in FAS mRNA levels that occurs because FAS gene transcription is decreased. The consequence of the decrease in lipid synthe- sis is that adipocyte hypertrophy is impaired and, hence, tis- sue growth. This review will provide an overview of some of the biological effects of pST in adipose tissue and will discuss what is known about the underlying mechanisms that ac- count for these effects. J. Nutr. 130: 2623-2625, 2000.
Brief Report: Rheumatoid Arthritis Response Criteria and Patient‐Reported Improvement in Arthritis Activity: Is an American College of Rheumatology Twenty Percent Response Meaningful to Patients?

Objective To examine the association of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria (20% improvement [ACR20], ACR50, and ACR70) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria with patient-reported improvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity. Methods Two hundred fifty patients with active RA were studied prospectively, before and after escalation of antirheumatic treatment. Patients were asked to report if they subjectively judged that they had experienced important improvement with treatment, and the proportion of patients who reported improvement was compared with the proportion who met the ACR20, ACR50, ACR70, and EULAR response criteria. Results Improvement in overall arthritis status was reported by 167 patients (66.8%), while 107 patients (42.8%) had an ACR20 response, 52 (20.8%) had an ACR50 response, 24 (9.6%) had an ACR70 response, and 136 (54.4%) had a EULAR moderate/good response. ACR20 response had a sensitivity of 0.57 and a specificity of 0.85 for clinically important improvement as judged by patients. Sensitivities of the ACR50, ACR70, and EULAR moderate/good responses were 0.30, 0.14, and 0.68, respectively, while their specificities were 0.97, 0.99, and 0.73, respectively. The ACR hybrid score with the highest sensitivity and specificity for important improvement was 19.99. Conclusion Among patients with active RA, ACR20 responses are highly specific measures of improvement as judged by patients, but exclude a substantial proportion of patients who consider themselves improved. Response criteria are associated with, but not equivalent to, patient-perceived improvement.
Optimizing foliar activity of glyphosate on Bidens frondosa and Panicum maximum with different adjuvant types

The influence of non-ionic (X-77) and organosilicone (L-77) adjuvants and of methylated seed oil (MSO) on the uptake, translocation and efficacy of glyphosate was investigated in Bidens frondosa L. and Panicum maximum Jacq. In addition, the physicochemical properties of adjuvants and adjuvant + glyphosate aqueous solutions were determined. Significantly lower surface tension and contact angle values were obtained with aqueous solutions of L-77 alone and with glyphosate. Over a 48-h time course, it was observed that > 50% of applied 14 C-glyphosate was absorbed within 15 min in B. frondosa with L-77. At 6 h and thereafter, 14 C glyphosate absorption was significantly higher with MSO compared with X-77 in B. frondosa. In P. maximum, uptake and translocation of 14 C-glyphosate + adjuvant were increased in general up to 48 h after treatment application, except with L-77, which showed no improvement in uptake instead there was a significant reduction compared with no treatment with L-77. This indicated its antagonistic effect on this grass species. The lower values of 14 C-glyphosate in P. maximum also confirmed that adjuvant effects were species specific. In the efficacy studies, glyphosate formulated with L-77 achieved significantly higher control of B. frondosa, while there was no control of P. maximum with this treatment. This confirmed antagonism in glyphosate absorption into P. maximum by L-77. Furthermore, significantly higher control of tested plants was recorded with MSO in comparison to X-77, which confirms the solubilizing or humectant nature of MSO.
Inhibition of growth of Euglena and Astasia by primycin and prevention of the effect by polynucleotides.

Abstract Primycin, an antibiotic isolated from a species ot Actinomycetes , inhibits the growth of Euglena gracilis and Astasia longa , but adaptation occurs after a lag whose duration depends sensitively on primycin concentration. A low concentration of actinomycin D, which by itself scarcely inhibits growth of these cells, enhances the growth inhibition caused by primycin. Low concentrations of primycin prevent formation of an induced acid phosphatase. The inhibitory effect of primycin can be prevented by heat-killed cells and by DNA, RNA, and polynucleotides. Primycin interacts with polynucleotides in vitro by forming easily sedimentable aggregates under certain conditions. Primycin does not appreciably affect the melting curve of DNA, but it prevents the return of hypochromism on cooling the heated DNA. These results suggest that this antibiotic inhibits growth by interacting with the nucleic acids of the cells, perhaps preferentially with the single stranded forms.
Evolutionary-based association analysis using haplotype data.

Association studies, both family-based and population-based, can be powerful means of detecting disease-liability alleles. To increase the information of the test, various researchers have proposed targeting haplotypes. The larger number of haplotypes, however, relative to alleles at individual loci, could decrease power because of the additional degrees of freedom required for the test. An optimal strategy would focus the test on particular haplotypes or groups of haplotypes, much as is done with cladistic-based association analysis. First suggested by Templeton et al. ([1987] Genetics 117:343-351), such analyses use the evolutionary relationships among haplotypes to produce a limited set of hypothesis tests and to increase the interpretability of these tests. To more fully utilize the information contained in the evolutionary relationships among haplotypes and in the sample, we propose generalized linear models (GLM) for the analysis of data from family-based and population-based studies. These models fully account for haplotype phase ambiguity and allow for covariates. The models are encoded into a software package (the Evolutionary-Based Haplotype Analysis Package, EHAP), which also provides for various kinds of exploratory data analysis. The exploratory analyses, such as error checking, estimation of haplotype frequencies, and tools for building cladograms, should facilitate the implementation of cladistic-based association analysis with haplotypes.
Increasing the Diversity of Your Graduate Program: Translating Best Practices into Success

AbstractDespite awareness in the geosciences that our field has a substantial lack of diversity in our workforce and student body, and countless efforts to broaden participation, graduate enrollment in the atmospheric sciences by students who are from traditionally underrepresented groups (i.e., African American, Hispanic, and American Indian students) is only slowly increasing, from 6% in 2005 to about 8.5% currently. In 2005, the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University (CSU) had a minority enrollment of 3.5%, which was lower than the national enrollment statistics of 6.0%. Through a concerted effort to better reflect the demographic makeup of the United States, the department now boasts a figure closer to 16%. Our students do cutting-edge research, participate in field campaigns, and are actively involved in professional societies, such as the American Meteorological Society (AMS). We expect that many of our students will become faculty or researchers and hopefully will mentor stu...
Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome and bilateral renal cortical necrosis in meningococcal sepsis

Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome and bilateral renal cortical necrosis (BRCN) are rare complications of meningococcal sepsis associated with high mortality rates. We describe a 20-year-old man who presented with a 1-day history of fever, chills, malaise, and vomiting. He collapsed in the emergency room, requiring mechanical ventilation and intravenous vasopressors for resuscitation. He was noted to be anuric, and computed tomography showed adrenal hemorrhage and BRCN. Blood cultures later confirmed Neisseria meningitidis sepsis, and a biopsy confirmed renal cortical infarction. The patient was treated aggressively with intravenous antibiotics, corticosteroids, and immunoglobulins, in addition to plasmapheresis, dialysis, and supportive measures. He recovered his adrenal function and was discharged from the hospital, but he remains dialysis dependent. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of concomitant Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome and BRCN in a patient with meningococcal sepsis.
Cloud Computing hosting

Cloud Computing is a paradigm in which data, applications or software are accessed over a network. This network of servers is called as “Cloud”. Using a client such as desktops, entertainment centers, tablet computers, notebooks, wall computers, handhelds etc, users can reach into the cloud for resources as they need them. Cloud computing is on-demand access to virtualized IT resources that are housed outside of your own data center, shared by others, simple to use, paid for via subscription, and accessed over the Web. The main work in this project is to host Permit System as an application in the GoGrid cloud to analyze cloud services and architecture.
Studies on Supplements for High Soybean Oil Meal Rations for Early Poult Growth

Abstract SOYBEAN oil meal as a source of protein for turkeys has been found to be satisfactory (Funk and Kempster, 1940; Hammond et al., 1944; and Fritz et al., 1947). These workers reported principally upon the general value of soybean oil meal. Bird et al. (1948) reported that fish meal and meat scraps supplemented soybean oil meal for starting and growing turkeys. Dried cow manure was also found to have a supplementary value. Lillie et al. (1949) obtained supplementary value from the use of fish meal in turkey rations and attributed this growth promoting value to be due to the vitamin B12 content of the fish meal and also surmized that the vitamin B12 requirement of the turkey poult appears to be less, per unit feed, during the latter than during the early stages of growth. McGinnis et al. (1949), Patrick (1950) and Singsen et al. (1950) reported that vitamin B12 . . .
Robot-assisted tapered ureteral reimplantation for congenital megaureter.

Objective To discuss the clinical implications of primary obstructed congenital megaureter in the adult and illustrate a minimally-invasive approach for surgical intervention. Methods We present the case of a 51-year-old man with a longstanding history of symptomatic congenital megaureter, illustrating an approach for robot-assisted tapered ureteral reimplantation. Ureteral dissection, tapering, and nonrefluxing ureteroneocystostomy were all completed using a robot-assisted laparoscopic technique. Results The total operative time was 262 minutes, with an estimated blood loss of 150 mL. The patient's hospital course was uneventful, with discharge on postoperative day 4 without a Foley catheter or drain. A diuretic renal scan was performed at 5 months that showed good preservation of renal function with rapid clearance of tracer on the reconstructed side. The patient was pain free at his last follow-up visit without any symptoms. Conclusions We have demonstrated a technique for robot-assisted tapered nonrefluxing ureteral reimplantation for congenital megaureter. Robotic assistance provided a safe and effective approach for complex ureteral reconstruction while minimizing morbidity.
A Numerical Method for Studying Modulation Effects in Radar Observations of the Sea Surface

A numerical method for performing detailed investigations of modulation effects in sea backscattering is presented. The method is based on a combination of numerical hydrodynamic and electromagnetic codes as well as repeated simulations as the spectral content of the sea surface is varied. The results obtained can be useful in separating ldquotiltrdquo and hydrodynamic modulations in computed sea backscattering cross sections, and help to provide some insight into the need for ldquothree-scalerdquo modeling of sea surface returns. Sample results are presented to illustrate the basic process.
CaMKII Negatively Regulates Calcineurin–NFAT Signaling in Cardiac Myocytes

Rationale: Pathological cardiac myocyte hypertrophy is thought to be induced by the persistent increases in intracellular Ca2+ needed to maintain cardiac function when systolic wall stress is increased. Hypertrophic Ca2+ binds to calmodulin (CaM) and activates the phosphatase calcineurin (Cn) and CaM kinase (CaMK)II. Cn dephosphorylates cytoplasmic NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), inducing its translocation to the nucleus where it activates antiapoptotic and hypertrophic target genes. Cytoplasmic CaMKII regulates Ca2+ handling proteins but whether or not it is directly involved in hypertrophic and survival signaling is not known. Objective: This study explored the hypothesis that cytoplasmic CaMKII reduces NFAT nuclear translocation by inhibiting the phosphatase activity of Cn. Methods and Results: Green fluorescent protein–tagged NFATc3 was used to determine the cellular location of NFAT in cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) and adult feline ventricular myocytes. Constitutively...
LED-based multi-wavelength phase imaging interference microscopy

LED-based multi-wavelength phase imaging interference microscopy combines phase-shifting interferometry with multi-wavelength optical phase unwrapping. This technique consists of a Michelson-type interferometer illuminated with a LED. The reference mirror is dithered for obtaining interference images at four phase quadratures, which are then combined to calculate the phase of the object surface. The 2pi ambiguities are removed by repeating the experiment using two or more LEDs at different wavelengths, which yields phase images of effective wavelength much longer than the original. The resulting image is a profile of the object surface with a height resolution of several nanometers and range of several microns. The interferographic images using broadband sources are significantly less affected by coherent noise.
Ion beam probe for measurement of wiggler errors

Precise characterization of wiggler field errors is needed in order to perform compensations. The traditional method, which relies solely on Hall probe data acquired from a field map, suffers due to cumulative noise effects and is inadequate for long wigglers. The proposed instrument avoids this problem by directly measuring an equivalent trajectory of a low energy ion beam which is momentum and emittance matched to the electron beam. The ion beam is injected into the wiggler where it is imaged onto the screen of a miniature CCD camera which travels through the wiggler bore. By combining data from the camera and the Hall probe, the instrument achieves a resolution superior to that of a Hall probe alone. >
Selective induction of mitogen-activated protein kinases in human lens epithelial cells by ultraviolet radiation.

The present study investigates the effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells. Irradiation of HLE cells with ultraviolet B and ultraviolet C radiation activates the stress-response MAPK proteins, p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), in a dose- and time-dependent manner, while the extracellular-regulated signal kinase (ERK 44/42) cascade was not altered by UVR exposure. Ultraviolet A radiation failed to elicit a MAPK response. UVR-induced MAPK activation does not require protein kinase C or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity, suggesting that this is not a receptor-mediated event. Inhibition of ribosomal translation completely abolished UVR-induced MAPK activation, while treatment with the antioxidant, N-acetyl cysteine, and mild heat shock had no effect on this activation. These data demonstrate for the first time the selective activation of MAPK cascades in a lens epithelial cell line. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 16:33–40, 2002; DOI 10.1002/jbt.10016
On Building Constructive Formal Theories of Computation Noting the Roles of Turing, Church, and Brouwer

In this article I will examine a few key concepts and design decisions that account for the high value of implemented constructive type theories in computer science. I'll stress the historical fact that these theories, and the proof assistants that animate them, were born from a strong partnership linking computer science, logic, and mathematics. I will recall how modern type theory researchers built on deep insights from the earliest pioneers: Turing -- the first computer scientist, Church -- the patriarch of logic in computer science, and Brouwer -- a singular pioneer of intuitionism and constructive mathematics. They created solid intellectual ground on which to build a formal implemented constructive theory of computation whose influence will be felt well beyond computing and information science alone. All generations of constructive type theory researchers since this beginning have had leaders from all three disciplines. Much of the seminal modern work creating these type theories and their proof assistants was presented in LICS proceedings, and LICS could be a natural home for future work in this flourishing area which is the epitome of logic in computer science.
Locally Weighted Online Approximation-Based Control for Nonaffine Systems

This paper is concerned with tracking control problems for nonlinear systems that are not affine in the control signal and that contain unknown nonlinearities in the system dynamic equations. This paper develops a piecewise linear approximation to the unknown functions during the system operation. New control and parameter adaptation algorithms are designed and analyzed using Lyapunov-like methods. The objectives are to achieve semiglobal stability of the state, accurate tracking of bounded reference signals contained within a known domain , and at least boundedness of the function approximator parameter estimates. Numerical simulations are included to illustrate the effectiveness of the learning algorithm.
Taking General Education Seriously: Expanding The Boundary Of A Principles Of Macroeconomics Course

Does teaching a course that “counts” for general education credit carry with it any responsibilities beyond discipline content? How might you entice students to view a discipline specific course in more general terms? What might be done to link a course in one discipline to courses in related disciplines so that students see connections? These are some of the questions that I have been attempting to answer within the context of a Principles of Macroeconomics course at the University of North Dakota. This paper describes two initiatives undertaken over the past two years. The first initiative occurred during the Spring 2003 semester within two sections of Principles of Macroeconomics. In one section students were given a traditional lecture-based course. In the other section, in addition to lectures, students were asked to read, think about, discuss, and write about how economics relates to other disciplines and how economic thinking might be applied when examining issues beyond economics. The main vehicle used for this latter aspect of the course was to have the students explore the book Dollars and Change: Economics In Context by Louis Putterman. The second initiative took place during the Spring 2004 semester. During this semester, within two sections of Principles of Macroeconomics, all students were asked to read, think about, discuss, and write about general education (liberal learning). The main vehicle used for this initiative was to have the students explore the book A Student’s Guide to Liberal Learning by James V. Schall and the description of general education in the University catalog. A detailed description of each of these two initiatives is provided, including copies of assignment sheets and grading rubrics. A discussion of the outcomes of each of these initiatives is presented, from the perspective of the students as well as of the faculty member. The analysis presented is primarily qualitative.
Self-Modeling Agents and Reward Generator Corruption

Hutter's universal artificial intelligence (AI) showed how to define future AI systems by mathematical equations. Here we adapt those equations to define a self-modeling framework, where AI systems learn models of their own calculations of future values. Hutter discussed the possibility that AI agents may maximize rewards by corrupting the source of rewards in the environment. Here we propose a way to avoid such corruption in the selfmodeling framework. This paper fits in the context of my book Ethical Artificial Intelligence. A draft of the book is available at: arxiv.org/abs/1411.1373.
Sustainable hydrophobic thermosetting resins and polycarbonates from turpentine

Carvacrol is a renewable phenol that can be derived from abundant components of pine resin. To demonstrate the utility of carvacrol for polymer applications, a bisphenol was synthesized from carvacrol and converted to both a cyanate ester resin (CarvCy) and polycarbonate. A cured resin disk prepared from CarvCy exhibited a Tg of 224 °C and a water uptake of only 0.7% after being immersed in 85 °C water for four days. The wet Tg of the material was only 3 °C lower than the dry Tg showing that the cured resin was virtually unaffected by exposure to hot water. Despite the presence of aliphatic groups on the aromatic rings, the cured resin exhibited good thermal stability with only 5% weight loss at 390 °C. The polycarbonate prepared from carvacrol had Mn = 10 200, Mw/Mn = 1.60, Tg = 119 °C, and even better thermal stability than the cyanate ester with 5% weight loss observed at 421 °C. The results provide compelling evidence that the sustainable phenol carvacrol can be used as a platform molecule for the generation of high performance polymers with exceptional properties.
Many-Body Theory of Atom Optics

We present a many-body theory for a system of N identical two-level atoms interacting with classical and quantum mechanical electromagnetic fields. We derive a master equation for the density operator. From that master equation we derive a BBGKY-hierarchy for the reduced density matrices, and show that the reduced one-particle density matrix contains a new term in the form of a complex potential.
Record Models with Trend

Weather patterns are constantly changing, athletic performances improve over time, and crime rates in cities increase or decrease over the years—in other words, populations change, and sometimes quickly! These situations, however, are typical of the ones for which we want to predict the next record. As examples, consider the following. Florence Griffith Joyner holds the record for the fastest speed for the women’s 100-meter dash at the Olympics, clocking in at 10.62 seconds in 1988. Who is going to break her record and by how much? Inge De Bruijn from the Netherlands set the 100-meter record for both the backstroke and the butterfly at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Is he going to break his own record at the next Olympics? Is he going to clock in at less than 50 seconds for the backstroke the next time?
Optimal Structural Design with Plate Finite Elements

This paper describes a general resizing procedure applicable to structures modeled by plate (bending) finite elements. This type of finite elements when used in optimization procedures presents difficulties because of the nonlinear dependence of the stiffness matrix on the plate thickness. Assumed stress field triangular and quadrilateral elements are considered in the present work. Explicit expressions for the derivatives of the stiffness matrix with respect to the plate thickness are obtained and these are used to find derivatives of displacements and stresses. The optimization procedure is based on the Sequence of Unconstrained Minimization Technique (SUMT) with an extended interior cubic penalty function. Each unconstrained minimization is performed using Newton’s method with approximate second derivatives. Optimum design for two plate example problems are presented.
Direct spectrophotometric measurement of supra-physiological levels of ascorbate in plasma.

Abstract Background Supra-physiological concentrations of ascorbate, vitamin C, in blood, greater than 1 mM, achieved through intravenous administration (IV), are being tested in clinical trials to treat human disease, e.g. cancer. These trials need information on the high levels of ascorbate achieved in blood upon IV administration of pharmacological ascorbate so appropriate clinical decisions can be made. Methods Here we demonstrate that in the complex matrix of human blood plasma supra-physiological levels of ascorbate can be quantified by direct UV spectroscopy with use of a microvolume UV–vis spectrophotometer. Results Direct quantitation of ascorbate in plasma in the range of 2.9 mM, lower limit of detection, up to at least 35 mM can be achieved without any sample processing, other than centrifugation. Conclusions This approach is rapid, economical, and can be used to quantify supraphysiological blood levels of ascorbate associated with the use of IV administration of pharmacological ascorbate to treat disease.
Magnitude-frequency relation and deep-focus earthquakes

abstract Investigation of the magnitude-frequency realtion for earthquakes in island arcs has revealed lower values of the slope for deep earthquakes in New Hebrides, Solomon Islands and Japan as compared to the values of the slope for shallow and intermediate earthquakes. A very low value of the slope is revealed for the deep Andean earthquakes. The slope is the same for Tonga-Fiji for all depth ranges.
The State Apparatus

If the function of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union is to make policy, control appointments to influential positions, and oversee the implementation of policy, what then is left for the Government to do? In the Soviet Union, more than in any Western political system, there is a blurring of the Party and the State, a tendency for the Party to subsume the role and functions normally associated with governments. The USSR Constitution reveals the contradiction. Article 2 reads: All power in the USSR belongs to the People. The people exercise state power through Soviets of People’s Deputies, which constitute the political foundation of the USSR.1
David Oliver: Celebrating the expert generalist

In 2011 the Royal College of General Practitioners led a commission on medical generalists.1 Definitions vary, but I like the response from the Medical Schools Council: “doctors prepared to deal with any problem presenting to them, unrestricted by particular body systems and including problems with psychological or social causes as well as physical ones.”2 The Royal College of Physicians has emphasised the key role of generalist training.3 4 Increasingly, patients have several long term and acute conditions simultaneously. They value personalised continuity and coordination, not piecemeal care by multiple medics.5 6 Medical generalism …
The ‘Autonomous’ Mission

In strategic terms, Romania’s fate was settled at the Tehran Conference of Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill at the end of November 1943. Soviet victories against the Germans had brought them to the western bank of the Dnieper River and convinced the American chiefs of staff of the wisdom of liberating Europe by invading Germany from the west, to meet the Red Army invading from the east. Churchill’s preference for a strategy of liberation based on the Mediterranean was rejected, and with it any hope of getting US and British troops into the Balkans before the Russians. The insistence on the ‘west-east’ strategy ensured that Stalin would be in a position to impose his will wherever the Red Army advanced. The basic problem for Britain and the United States after Tehran was what limits would Stalin observe, or could be persuaded to observe, on his newly acquired freedom of action. Unlike Stalin, neither Churchill nor Roosevelt could call upon military force to support their arguments in respect of Eastern Europe. Their alternatives were therefore either to acquiesce to Stalin’s demands, or to try to stay his hand by concluding agreements to which he could be held. In fact, they tried both.1
Abstract 18406: Ulk1 Induces Mitochondrial Autophagy Through Rab9-dependent Phagophore Formation in Cardiomyocytes (Best of Basic Science Abstract)

Rationale: Mitochondrial quality control mediated by mitochondrial autophagy (MA) is essential for cardiac homeostasis. Although the role of the Parkin-Pink1 pathway in MA is well established, recent reports have uncovered the existence of unconventional autophagy in mediating MA in embryonic reticulocytes and fibroblasts. Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism of MA in cardiomyocytes (CMs) during energy stress. Methods and Results: MA in CMs was evaluated with mitochondria-targeted (Mito)-Keima, which fluoresces with a high 560nm/440nm ratio after lysosomal translocation. In control CMs, high ratio dots represented 1.1±0.3 % of the area in cells at baseline, and glucose deprivation (GD) upregulated this area to 6.7±0.6 % (p Conclusions: Ulk1 regulates Rab9-dependent phagophore formation and induces MA during energy stress in CMs.
Field-Cage Evaluation of Survival, Reproduction, and Feeding Behavior of Adult Scymnus coniferarum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), a Predator of Adelges tsugae (Hemiptera: Adelgidae).

The hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand, is an invasive pest of eastern ( Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriere) and Carolina hemlock ( Tsuga caroliniana Engelmann) forests in the eastern United States. Scymnus ( Pullus ) coniferarum Crotch (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a lady beetle that preys on A. tsugae in the western United States, where A. tsugae infestations on western hemlocks are not lethal. It is thought that S. coniferarum could be an important predator that helps keep A. tsugae populations from reaching damaging levels in this region. This study assesses the potential of this predator as a biological control agent for A. tsugae in the eastern United States. S. coniferarum predation, reproductive potential, and survival were evaluated in field-cages on adelgid-infested T. canadensis at two sites in southwestern Virginia. Sampling was conducted between December 2012 and June 2014 to evaluate the impact of S. coniferarum on both generations of A. tsuage (sistens and progrediens). Adult S. coniferarum fed on both generations and all life stages of A. tsugae during both field trials at rates comparable to other adelgid-specific predators. Evidence of S. coniferarum oviposition was minimal, and may be attributed to low temperatures and prey availability. S. coniferarum mortality was greatest when exposed to winter temperatures at the higher elevation site in 2013, and least throughout the 2014 spring sample period. S. coniferarum demonstrated a high predation rate on A. tsugae and survived for extended periods of time at sites in southwest Virginia, indicating that this species could be an effective predator of hemlock woolly adelgid in similar climates.
High resolution energy dispersive spectroscopy with high purity germanium detectors and digital pulse processing

Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) has traditionally been performed with analytical instrumentation systems comprised of cryogenically cooled lithium-drifted silicon (Si(Li)) X-ray spectrometers and analog amplification electronics. Improved X-ray microanalysis systems have been developed and are commercially available that utilize high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors and digital pulse processing. HPGe offers several distinct advantages over lithium-drifted silicon for the detection and quantitative measurement of X rays in the 100 eV to 100 keV energy range: superior detection efficiency for X rays above 20 keV, increased sensitivity for the detection of low energy photons in an environment of high energy radiation, and superior energy resolution at all X-ray energies. Optimized semiconductor processing techniques developed at Princeton Gamma-Tech, Inc. (PGT) have resulted in HPGe spectrometers with exceptionally thin entrance windows that do not exhibit incomplete charge collection, peak distortions or peak shifts. Since the replacement of lithium-drifted Ge with HPGe in 1974, PGT HPGe detectors can be thermally cycled or stored at room temperature for long periods without degradation. In addition, digital amplification and shaping electronics have been developed which were introduced in the spring of 1993. Compared to traditional amplification and shaping with analog electronics, digital signal processing with adaptive shaping provides enhanced low energy sensitivity, improved pile-up rejection of photons below 1 keV, and superior throughput versus resolution. Adaptive pulse shaping utilizing asymmetric weighting functions allows the processing time for each pulse in the data stream to be optimized to obtain superior resolutions at high count rates and low dead times. The X-ray microanalysis system described offers the best combination of resolution and throughput of any commercially available EDS system. >
Adverse events and treatment discontinuations of antimuscarinics for the treatment of overactive bladder in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Introduction Antimuscarinics should be used with caution in older adults with overactive bladder (OAB) due to anticholinergic adverse events (AEs). Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) have analyzed safety-related outcomes but have not specified risk in the elderly, the population at highest risk for AEs. The aim of this review is to explore and evaluate AEs and treatment discontinuations in adults 65 or older taking antimuscarinics for OAB. Methods Keywords were searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) along with sub-analyses and pooled analyses that compared antimuscarinics to placebo or another antimuscarinic were performed in February 2015. Studies assessing AEs or treatment discontinuations in a population of adults 65 or older were included. The Jadad Criteria and McHarm Tool were used to assess the quality of the trials. Results A total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. Eighty AEs and 27 reasons for treatment discontinuation were described in the included studies and further explored. Anticholinergic AEs were more common in antimuscarinics compared to placebo. Incidence of dizziness, dyspepsia, and urinary retention with fesoterodine, headache with darifenacin, and urinary tract infections with solifenacin were significantly higher compared to placebo. Treatment discontinuation due to AEs and dry mouth were higher in the antimuscarinics when compared to placebo in older adults. Conclusions Treatment for overactive bladder using antimuscarinics in adults aged 65 or older resulted in significant increases in risk for several AEs compared to placebo including anticholinergic and non-anticholinergic AEs.
Arterial Hypoxemia Syndrome in Sickle Cell Disease.

Abstract Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the most common cause of death during hospitalization of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). ACS includes symptoms referable to the chest and a new infiltrate on chest X-ray. Adults over age 20 years have more symptoms of the disease and are at increased risk of early death compared to children. ACS may be the presenting diagnosis for a patient with SCD, but equally as often, develops while the patient has a painful vascular occlusive crisis. Notably, 35% of SCD patients have a normal lung exam upon presentation to the hospital. Previous research studies indicate that nearly three-fourths of SCD patients who die present during painful crises in an extremity, and about 50% conclusively by autopsy died of massive fat embolism syndrome (FES). Unfortunately, definitive diagnostic tests with rapid turn-around for FES and other acute vascular occlusive lung events do not exist. Earlier identification of the danger that this event may be evolving can be life saving. Clinicians who adhere to the strict definition of ACS may prematurely dismiss the likelihood of a subsequent fatal event. This alarming rate of adverse events may represent a “pre-chest syndrome” prodromal phase of ACS. Arterial hypoxemia syndrome (AHS) or pre-chest syndrome is defined as any sign or symptom referable to the chest, an oxygen saturation (Sp02) of
Iterative reconstruction with monte carlo based system matrix for dedicated breast PET

Increasing sensitivity by reducing the ring diameter of breast PET system may degrade image performance at field of view periphery. In this work, the authors present a framework for computing and incorporating an accurate system model of breast PET utilizing GATE Monte Carlo simulation to compensate for this performance degradation. The system matrix (SM) generation count statistics was maximized by taking into account the geometric symmetry of the scanner. The SM was incorporated into MLEM reconstruction and compared with the Siddon ray-tracing algorithm to evaluate point source resolution and contrast recovery coefficient (CRC) of hot spheres at various radial locations. Both spatial resolution and CRC using SM based MLEM was approximately position invariant, whereas the CRC and spatial resolution with Siddon based MLEM was substantially lower for locations near the periphery of the FOV. The CRC vs noise tradeoff was markedly better with the SM based MLEM.