cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Race on Presidential Leadership and Polarization

Lee (2008) shows that roll call votes become more polarized in the senate when a president takes a position on the issue. In this paper we extend that analysis to encompass almost all of the Obama administration. The question is how having a black president impacted the relationship between presidential leadership and polarization. We also extend Lee's work by examining the impact of presidential leadership for roll call votes on black issues.
EVIDENCE OF WEALTH MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL PLANNING BY WOMEN IN 2nd CENTURY CE: CONTRACTS FROM DEAD SEA CAVES

This research offers a glimpse into how a few women in the 2nd century CE managed and protected their financial resources to aid in securing their financial future. Our focus is on contractual actions taken by women or their families of this period. We explore contracts from the Babatha and Salome Komaise Archives found in the Dead Sea region to provide insight into how women were able to plan and secure their financial future while at the same time supporting their husbands. These texts provide us with an awareness of the nature of Jewish life around the Dead Sea in ancient times and how the financial future for women might have been safeguarded.
A radial line slot array antenna for deep space missions

A prototype Radial Line Slot Array (RLSA) antenna for deep space missions was developed, fabricated, and tested. The antenna was designed for the X-band Deep Space Network (DSN) frequencies of 7.2 and 8.4 GHz. A pareto genetic algorithm was used to determine the optimal trade-offs in performance at 7.2 and 8.4 GHz, and two antennas were fabricated and tested. The antenna was fed by a septum polarizer with a transition to radial waveguide.
Residual Activity Limits for Decommissioning

The Plan for the Reevaluation of NRC Policy on Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities, NUREG-04361, identified the need for specifying acceptable criteria for residual radioactivity following decommissioning for both surface and volumetric facility component contamination and for residual radioactivity in soil. The plan also identified the need for an NRC staff report on specific criteria for residual radioactivity levels following decommissioning. This paper presents the approach and considerations of an NRC staff technical task group, with particular focus on reactor decommissioning. These considerations have not been completed and have not been reviewed by the NRC. A technical report on residual activity limits for decommissioning various facilities operated under NRC license as well as a Regulatory Guide on this subject are scheduled to be issued by calendar year 1980.
The Timing of Transcriptional Regulation in Synthetic Gene Circuits

Transcription factors and their target promoters are central to synthetic biology. By arranging these components into novel gene regulatory circuits, synthetic biologists have been able to create a wide variety of phenotypes, including bistable switches, oscillators, and logic gates. However, transcription factors (TFs) do not instantaneously regulate downstream targets. After the gene encoding a TF is turned on, the gene must first be transcribed, the transcripts must be translated, and sufficient TF must accumulate in order to bind operator sites of the target promoter. The time to complete this process, here called the “signaling time,” is a critical aspect in the design of dynamic regulatory networks, yet it remains poorly characterized. In this work, we measured the signaling time of two TFs in Escherichia coli commonly used in synthetic biology: the activator AraC and the repressor LacI. We found that signaling times can range from a few to tens of minutes, and are affected by the expression rate of...
Maternal effect and interactions with philopatry in subadult female American black bear, Ursus americanus, den selection

The selection of suitable locations to fulfil life history requisites is an important process that can influence the survival and development of individuals and the persistence of populations. The impacts of site selection are well documented across taxa, but the driving forces behind site selection, especially regarding transgenerational behaviour, are less well understood. Philopatry (the tendency for an individual to remain near its natal home range) and maternal effect (a nongenetic transfer of phenotypes from mother to offspring) are two factors often thought to influence birth site selection behaviours. We investigated black bear, Ursus americanus, transgenerational den type selection behaviour by analysing a long-term data set containing den selection data of 168 2-year-old subadult females during 1984–2013 at four study sites in Maine, U.S.A. to determine whether there is evidence of philopatry and maternal effect on den type selection. Using logistic regression and model selection, we found evidence that both mechanisms play a role in subadult den type selection. Bears that spent the last winter with their mother in a high-protection den were more likely to select that den type as a subadult. Furthermore, in instances of differences in transgenerational den type selection, most subadults (79%) transitioned from a yearling den of lower protection to a subadult den of higher protection. Transitional behaviour might indicate that subadult black bears also account for environmental plasticity and mediate their den selection accordingly, without the benefit of prior independent denning experience. Future research should evaluate the relationship between den type and offspring recruitment to examine whether an individual-level maternal effect is manifested at the population level. Our results suggest that behavioural maternal effects, in part, influence transgenerational den type selection in black bears, and by extension may influence the behavioural phenotypes of other species with extended periods of maternal care.
Marker-Assisted Selection

The concept of indirect selection is attractive to plant breeders working to improve complex traits. For the successful application of indirect selection, a high level of correlation and/or linkage must exist between the trait of agronomic interest and the trait being directly selected. The selectable trait must be under simpler genetic control than the trait of interest and methodologies must be available that would favor its selection. For many years, indirect selection for yield has been practiced by breeders using selection based on yield components. With the discovery that visual polymorphisms were under simple genetic control, the concept of using these single gene traits as markers for more complex economic traits, became a reality. Basically there are three marker types: morphological (traits), biochemical (seed storage proteins and isozymes), and molecular or DNA-based polymorphisms, that can be used to establish linkages with traits of economic importance. A review of these markers will show that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based molecular markers currently have the greatest application for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and therefore will predominate discussions within this chapter.
Negative Feedback Regulation in Hierarchically Organized Tissues: Exploring the Dynamics of Tissue Regeneration and the Role of Feedback Escape in Tumor Development

Hierarchically organized tissues are tightly regulated to maintain homeostasis under normal conditions and promote the rapid regeneration after injury. Negative feedback from the tissue itself plays an important role in establishing this control. In particular differentiated cells emit signals that down-regulate cell division and inhibit stem cell self-renewal. The mathematical analysis of how these two feedback mechanisms affect tissue regeneration and stability can provide important insights into the dynamics of tissue regulation. This topic is also important for the study of carcinogenesis, given that cancer development requires an escape from feedback control. Here we discuss various aspects of tissue regulation and the phenotypic evolutionary pathways that lead to escape from these feedback mechanisms. Furthermore, we discuss the various tumor growth patterns that arise through different feedback inactivations. Finally, by examining published clinical data we propose that the majority of tumor growth patterns found in the literature can be classified into five categories, which by themselves could reflect the different evolutionary events that drive tumor progression in different types of stem-cell-driven cancers.
Summary Report of “Biostatistical Analysis of the Collaborative Glaucoma Study”

Each of you should have received by mail a copy of the final report entitled, “Biostatistical Analysis of the Collaborative Glaucoma Study”. I hope you have had a chance to study this voluminous and detailed report so that only a brief summary will be needed at this time. The Collaborative Glaucoma Study, included the following investigators and centers during the period 1959–1973: Mansour F. Armaly, M.D., University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa Bernard Becker, M.D., Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri Ralph Levine, M.D., New York University, New York, New York Irvin Pollack, M.D., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland Robert Schaeffer, M.D., University of California, San Francisco
It’s Not Just for Public Libraries: An Academic Library’s Journey to Become a PA Forward Star Library

Over 200 libraries across the commonwealth participate in the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) PA Forward Star Libraries program. Only five of those are academic libraries. While it may seem like PA Forward initiatives and its Star Library program are only for public libraries, academic libraries offer an array of programs related to the literacies. This article describes how the Seraph Foundation Learning Commons at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences supported each of the five basic literacies with current and new programming to earn silver star status.
How information about perpetrators' nature and nurture influences assessments of their character, mental states, and deserved punishment.

Evidence of perpetrators’ biological or situational circumstances has been increasingly brought to bear in courtrooms. Yet, research findings are mixed as to whether this information influences folk evaluations of perpetrators’ dispositions, and subsequently, evaluations of their deserved punishments. Previous research has not clearly dissociated the effects of information about perpetrators’ genetic endowment versus their environmental circumstances. Additionally, most research has focused exclusively on violations involving extreme physical harm, often using mock capital sentences cases as examples. To address these gaps in the literature, we employed a “switched-at-birth” paradigm to investigate whether positive or negative information about perpetrators’ genetic or environmental backgrounds influence evaluations of a perpetrator’s mental states, character, and deserved punishment. Across three studies, we varied whether the transgression involved direct harm, an impure act that caused no harm, or a case of moral luck. The results indicate that negative genetic and environmental backgrounds influenced participants’ evaluations of perpetrators’ intentions, free will, and character, but did not influence participants’ punishment decisions. Overall, these results replicate and extend existing findings suggesting that perpetrators’ supposed extenuating circumstances may not mitigate the punishment that others assign to them.
The Redox Theory of Development.

Significance: The geological record shows that as atmospheric O2 levels increased, it concomitantly coincided with the evolution of metazoans. More complex, higher organisms contain a more cysteine-rich proteome, potentially as a means to regulate homeostatic responses in a more O2-rich environment. Regulation of redox-sensitive processes to control development is likely to be evolutionarily conserved. Recent Advances: During early embryonic development, the conceptus is exposed to varying levels of O2. Oxygen and redox-sensitive elements can be regulated to promote normal development, defined as changes to cellular mass, morphology, biochemistry, and function, suggesting that O2 is a developmental morphogen. During periods of O2 fluctuation, embryos are "reprogrammed," on the genomic and metabolic levels. Reprogramming imparts changes to particular redox couples (nodes) that would support specific post-translational modifications (PTMs), targeting the cysteine proteome to regulate protein function and development. Critical Issues: Major developmental events such as stem cell expansion, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell fate decisions are controlled through oxidative PTMs of cysteine-based redox nodes. As such, timely coordinated redox regulation of these events yields normal developmental outcomes and viable species reproduction. Disruption of normal redox signaling can produce adverse developmental outcomes. Future Directions: Furthering our understanding of the redox-sensitive processes/pathways, the nature of the regulatory PTMs involved in development and periods of activation/sensitivity to specific developmental pathways would greatly support the theory of redox regulation of development, and would also provide rationale and direction to more fully comprehend poor developmental outcomes, such as dysmorphogenesis, functional deficits, and preterm embryonic death.
Patellofemoral Joint Stress during Running with Added Load in Females.

Patellofemoral joint (PFJ) pain syndrome is a commonly reported form of pain in female runners and military personnel. Increased PFJ stress may be a contributing factor. Few studies have examined PFJ stress running with added load. Our purpose was to analyze PFJ stress, PFJ reaction force, quadriceps force, knee flexion angle, and other kinematic and temporospatial variables running with and without a 9 kg load. Nineteen females ran across a force platform with no added load and 9.0 kg weight vest. Kinematic data were collected using 3D motion capture and kinetic data with a force platform. Muscle forces were estimated using a musculoskeletal model, and peak PFJ loading variables were calculated during stance. Multivariate analyses were run on PFJ loading variables and on cadence, step length and foot strike index. Differences were shown in PFJ stress, PFJ reaction force, peak knee flexion angle and quadriceps force. Joint specific kinetic variables increased between 5–16% with added load. PFJ loading variables increased with 9 kg of added load without changes in cadence, step length, or foot strike index compared to no load. Added load appears to increase the PFJ loading variables associated with PFJ pain in running.
Analysis of Eradication, Recurrence and Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and Interleukin-1β in paediatric patients with Helicobacter Pylori Infection-related Gastritis.

Objective: To study whether the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-(OH)D3) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are correlated to the eradication and recurrence of helicobacter pylori (Hp) in paediatric patients with Hp infection-related gastritis. Methods: A total of 142 paediatric patients with Hp infection-related gastritis from November 2017 to March 2018 in Baoding Children’s Hospital were selected as study subjectswere selected as study subjects and were followed up for one year. Paediatric patients were grouped and analyzed according to the effect of follow-up treatment and recurrence. Results: The levels of 25-(OH) D3 in the non-eradication group were lower than those in the eradication group and the control group (F=27.087, P<0.05); the levels of IL-1β were higher than those in the eradication group and the control group (F=16.610, P<0.05). Recurrence during follow-up visits: The levels of 25-(OH) D3 in the recurrence group were lower than those in the non-recurrence group and the control group (F=33.837, P<0.05); the levels of IL-1β in the recurrence group were higher than those in the non-recurrence group and the control group (F=7.896, P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed the levels of 25-(OH) D3 and IL-1β in the eradication group and the non-eradication group were negatively correlated (r=-0.232, P<0.05); the levels of 25-(OH) D3 and IL-1β in the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group were negatively correlated (r=-0.225, P<0.05). Conclusion: Relatively high levels of IL-1β may be correlated to the difficulty in eradicating the Hp infection in paediatric patients. Relatively low levels of 25-(OH) D3 may be correlated to the difficulty in eradicating the Hp infection and recurrence in paediatric patients. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2292 How to cite this:Zhang Y, Bi B, Guo X, Zhang S. Analysis of Eradication, Recurrence and Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and Interleukin-1β in paediatric patients with Helicobacter Pylori Infection-related Gastritis. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):1377-1381. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2292 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Current distribution in a slit connecting two graphene half planes

We investigate the joint effect of viscous and Ohmic dissipation on electric current flow through a slit in a barrier dividing a graphene sheet in two. In the case of the no-slip boundary condition, we find that the competition between the viscous and Ohmic types of the charge flow results in the evolution of the current density profile from a concave to convex shape. We provide a detailed analysis of the evolution and identify favorable conditions to observe it in experiment. In contrast, in the case of the no-stress boundary condition, there is no qualitative difference between the current profiles in the Ohmic and viscous limits. The dichotomy between the behavior corresponding to distinct boundary conditions could be tested experimentally.
Species interactions have predictable impacts on diversification

A fundamental goal of ecology is to reveal generalities in the myriad types of interactions among species, such as competition, mutualism and predation. Another goal is to explain the enormous differences in species richness among groups of organisms. Here, we show how these two goals are intertwined: we find that different types of species interactions have predictable impacts on rates of species diversification, which underlie richness patterns. On the basis of a systematic review, we show that interactions with positive fitness effects for individuals of a clade (e.g. insect pollination for plants) generally increase that clade's diversification rates. Conversely, we find that interactions with negative fitness effects (e.g. predation for prey, competition) generally decrease diversification rates. The sampled clades incorporate all animals and land plants, encompassing 90% of all described species across life. Overall, we show that different types of local-scale species interactions can predictably impact large-scale patterns of diversification and richness.
Monthly measurement of daily timers

This paper addresses the bias associated with parametric measurement of timing skill based on monthly timer returns when timers can make daily timing decisions. Simulations suggest that the classic Henriksson-Merton parametric measure of timing skill is weak and biased downward when applied to the monthly returns of a daily timer. The paper proposes an adjustment that mitigates this problem without the need to collect daily timer returns. Four tests of timing skill, carried out on a sample of 558 mutual funds, show that very few funds exhibit statistically significant timing skill. More encompassing, the adjusted-FF3 test (based on the specification that incorporates both the proposed adjustment and the Fama-French three-factor model) is the least biased measure of timing skill among the four—it provides for a sharper inference regarding timing skill and helps mitigate biases associated with the choice of investment style.
Long COVID symptoms from Reddit: Characterizing post-COVID syndrome from patient reports

Objective To mine Reddit to discover long-COVID symptoms self-reported by users, compare symptom distributions across studies, and create a symptom lexicon. Materials and Methods We retrieved posts from the /r/covidlonghaulers subreddit and extracted symptoms via approximate matching using an expanded meta-lexicon. We mapped the extracted symptoms to standard concept IDs, compared their distributions with those reported in recent literature and analyzed their distributions over time. Results From 42,995 posts by 4249 users, we identified 1744 users who expressed at least 1 symptom. The most frequently reported long-COVID symptoms were mental health-related symptoms (55.2%), fatigue (51.2%), general ache/pain (48.4%), brain fog/confusion (32.8%) and dyspnea (28.9%) amongst users reporting at least 1 symptom. Comparison with recent literature revealed a large variance in reported symptoms across studies. Temporal analysis showed several persistent symptoms up to 15 months after infection. Conclusion The spectrum of symptoms identified from Reddit may provide early insights about long-COVID.
Effect of edible coating on physical and chemical properties of potato tubers under different storage conditions

Abstract Storage is known to change the physical and chemical properties of produce. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of applying edible coatings on freshly harvested potatoes under different storage conditions. The effects of seven edible coating combination formulations with zein, alginate, potato starch, and essential oil on three potato tuber cultivars, Rio Grande Russet (RG), Yukon Gold (YG), and Purple Majesty (PM), were studied over two seasons (2017 and 2018). The treated tubers were stored in three conditions: high relative humidity storage conditions (HRHSC) at 90% ± 5% RH and 5 °C ± 1 °C; low relative humidity storage conditions (LRHSC) at 55% ± 5% RH and 5 °C ± 1 °C; and room temperature. Most of the edible coatings used for potatoes have limited effects on quality properties in the HRHSC, reasonable effects in RG and PM (weight loss and firmness) in LRHSC, and noticeably favorable effects at room temperature in RG and PM (weight loss and sprout inhibition). Alginate with essential oil and potato starch with alginate formulation significantly improved sensory properties in all cultivars. There was no significant change in the levels of total phenolics and reducing sugars due to the application of coatings.
SEGREGATION, COMMUNITY CONSCIOUSNESS, AND BLACK POWER

According to Carmichael and Hamilton (1967: 44), the "fundamental premise" of the black power thesis is that: "Before a group can enter the open society, it must first close ranks. By this we mean that group solidarity is necessary before a group can operate effectively from a bargaining position of strength in a pluralistic society." As they see it, in order to radically improve economic and social well-being, black people must act to deliberately separate themselves from the larger society, acquire a firm consensus as to their common interests, and work to gain and exercise political control over their own communities and institutions. Once these tasks are accomplished, black people will be in a position to begin the long drive to bend, and, if need be, break and replace the discriminating institutional structure of American society. Though not for the calculated reasons Carmichael and Hamilton have in mind, black people have been physically and socially separated from the life of the larger society. The fact of involuntary "ghettoization" is, after all, a basic
Presidential transitions during capital campaigns

In the past few decades, capital campaigns at institutions of higher education have increased in duration, while collegiate presidential tenures have been doing just the opposite. Turnover in the top post was frequent, even during major fundraising campaigns. Before this study, presidential transitions during campaigns had not been previously analyzed. Therefore, the objective of this exploratory study was to better understand presidential transitions during capital campaigns from the perspective of the chief development officer (CDO) who maintained continuity. Nine CDOs, who experienced presidential transitions during campaigns were interviewed to better understand their experience. The strategies for dealing with a presidential transition during a campaign included (a) providing input in the selection of the new president; (b) communication with constituency; (c) education of the incoming president; (d) involving the new president in the campaign right away; and (e) creating new funding priorities. Recommendations for a CDO dealing with a change in leadership during a campaign have been outlined in this paper.
The accuracy of search heuristics: an empirical study on knapsack problems

Theoretical models for the evaluation of quickly improving search strategies, like limited discrepancy search, are based on specific assumptions regarding the probability that a value selection heuristic makes a correct prediction. We provide an extensive empirical evaluation of value selection heuristics for knapsack problems. We investigate how the accuracy of search heuristics varies as a function of depth in the search-tree, and how the accuracies of heuristic predictions are affected by the relative strength of inference methods like pruning and constraint propagation.
Sensor placement for optimal estimation in power distribution grids

The problem of placing sensors in distribution grids for optimal state estimation is studied. An improved formulation is proposed where the estimation error of any resulting electrical quantity is optimised, as opposed to traditional methods optimising the estimation quality in the state variables only. As a result, the solution is more robust, since the result is not specific to the arbitrary choice of the state variable, and more flexible, since any desired weight can be assigned to the estimation error of all possible electrical quantities in the network. A greedy algorithm with convergence guarantees is also introduced based on general results on submodular functions.
Insider Trading Around Stock Split Announcements

This research examines the trading behavior and motives of corporate insiders around announcements of firms' stock splits. Our empirical analyses document significant increases in insider sales prior to the announcement. Further, pre-announcement insider sales are found to be positively related to pre-announcement-period abnormal returns. These findings suggest that insider trading before stock split announcements is motivated mainly by portfolio diversification needs rather than by the information content of the announcements.
Reduced satellite cell population may lead to contractures in children with cerebral palsy.

Aim Satellite cells are the stem cells residing in muscle responsible for skeletal muscle growth and repair. Skeletal muscle in cerebral palsy (CP) has impaired longitudinal growth that results in muscle contractures. We hypothesized that the satellite cell population would be reduced in contractured muscle. Method We compared the satellite cell populations in hamstring muscles from participants with CP contracture (n=8; six males, two females; age range 6–15y; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels II–V; 4 with hemiplegia, 4 with diplegia) and from typically developing participants (n=8; six males, two females, age range 15–18y). Muscle biopsies were extracted from the gracilis and semitendinosus muscles and mononuclear cells were isolated. Cell surface markers were stained with fluorescently conjugated antibodies to label satellite cells (neural cell adhesion molecule) and inflammatory and endothelial cells (CD34 and CD4 respectively). Cells were analyzed using flow cytometry to determine cell populations. Results After gating for intact cells a mean of 12.8% (SD 2.8%) were determined to be satellite cells in typically developing children, but only 5.3% (SD 2.3%; p 0.05) suggesting the isolation procedure was valid. Interpretation A reduced satellite cell population may account for the decreased longitudinal growth of muscles in CP that develop into fixed contractures or the decreased ability to strengthen muscle in CP. This suggests a unique musculoskeletal disease mechanism and provides a potential therapeutic target for debilitating muscle contractures.
Sexual dimorphism in the vertebrate nervous system.

Many sex differences in the structure of vertebrate nervous systems have been discovered in the past twenty years. The recency of these discoveries is not due to any technological advance; indeed, many of the most interesting of these neural sexual dimorphisms can be detected with nineteenth century methods. Nor can there be much doubt that when the behavior of the sexes differs markedly, there must be sex differences in neural structure mediating those behavioral differences. If previous neuroanatomists assumed that sex differences in brain structure would be too subtle to be detected by current analytical tools, they were proved quite wrong-sex differences appear to be both frequent and prominent features of the nervous system in a wide variety of vertebrates (for surveys of neural sexual dimorphism, see Arnold and Gorski, 1984; Fishman and Breedlove, 1988; Kelley, 1988; De Vries, 1989). In this essay, I discuss progress in the understanding of how these neural sex differences arise, with the twin hopes of identifying those issues that remain unanswered or unaddressed and of convincing readers that the answers to these questions will shed light on the neurosciences beyond the field of sexual differentiation itself. Steroid hormones play a crucial role in the sexual differentiation of the vertebrate periphery. Whether an individual will develop as a male or female is determined by the parental contribution of sex chromosomes or, for some vertebrates, via environmental stimuli such as incubation temperature (Bull and Vogt, 1979). In either case, the direct consequence of this early, sex-determining event is that the initially indifferent gonads will develop as either testes or ovaries. For example, in male mammals this decision is executed by the testis determination factor (TDF) gene on the Y chromosome. If the TDF gene is expressed by the early, indifferent gonads, then testicular development is induced (Berta et al., 1990). In the absence of TDF function, the gonads develop as ovaries. From that point on, hormonal secretions of the gonad direct whether the rest of the organism, including the brain, develops in a male or female fashion. For mammals, testicular secretions provide active guidance for differentiation as a male, while ovarian secretions may assist but are not necessary for differentiation as a female (Wilson et al., 198 1). In other words, in the absence of gonadal secretions, the body, nervous system, and behavior of the animal will develop in a primarily female fashion. The testes, on the other hand, secrete at least two hormones crucial for male development: the peptide Mullerian regression hormone and the androgenic, steroid hormone testosterone (T). Mullerian regression hormone has not been shown to exert any influence on the CNS, but T
Taking a distributed perspective: Epistemological and methodological tradeoffs in operationalizing the leader-plus aspect

Purpose – This paper is concerned with the epistemological and methodological challenges involved in studying the distribution of leadership across people within the school – the leader‐plus aspect of a distributed perspective, which it aims to investigate.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the entailments of the distributed perspective for collecting and analyzing data on school leadership and management. It considers four different operationalizations of the leader‐plus aspect of the distributed perspective and examines the results obtained from these different operationalizations. The research reported in this paper is part of a larger study, an efficacy trial of a professional development program intended to prepare principals to improve their practice. The study involved a mixed method design. For the purpose of this paper a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, including an experience sampling method (ESM) principal log, a principal questionnaire (PQ), and a school staff qu...
The non-coding RNA, miR-126, suppresses the growth of neoplastic cells by targeting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling and is frequently lost in colon cancers

B16 MicroRNAs (miRNA/miR) are a class of small non-coding RNAs implicated in the pathogenesis of various malignancies. In the current study, using micro(RNA)arrays, we found a ubiquitous loss of miR-126 expression in colon cancer lines when compared to normal human colon epithelia. Reconstitution of miR-126 in colon cancer cells resulted in a significant growth reduction as evidenced in clonogenic assays. A search for miR-126 gene targets revealed p85β, a regulatory subunit involved in stabilizing and propagating the PI3K signal, as one of the potential substrates. Restoration of miR-126 in cancer cells induced a ≥3-fold reduction in p85β protein levels, with no concomitant change in p85α, a gene that is functionally related to p85β but not a supposed target of miR-126. Additionally, using reporter constructs, we show that the p85β-39 UTR is directly targeted by miR-126. Furthermore, this miR-126 mediated reduction of p85β was accompanied by a substantial reduction in phosphorylated AKT levels in the cancer cells, suggesting an impairment in PI3K signaling. Finally, in a panel of matched normal colon and primary colon tumors, each of the tumors demonstrated miR-126 down-regulation together with an increase in the p85β protein level. Taken together, we propose that miR-126 regulates PI3K signaling partly by targeting p85β, and that the loss of miR-126 may provide a selective growth advantage during colon carcinogenesis.
Cross-Sectional Differences in Nerve Conduction in the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This study explored the degree to which various signal components present in Nerve Conduction Testing (NCT) could identify subjects across a wide age range with, and without carpal tunnel syndrome. Results revealed strong age-related differences in the different signals from different nerves which suggest the potential for enhanced diagnosis and evaluation for different age cohorts. Age was not confounded with diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome arguing against a qualitatively based “age adjustment” of the various signal components that comprise the NCT. The results of this study argue for the development of individual signal components for differential diagnosis. The aging of the population and the disabling consequences of work-related hand disorders argue strongly for the increased use of differential diagnosis to prevent, or reduce the development of syndromes such as carpal tunnel.
Information Valuation for Information Lifecycle Management

The foremost crucial step towards a fully automated information lifecycle management (ILM) is to differentiate information by values in an unbiased manner and understand how values change over time. This paper presents an information valuation approach that quantifies the value of a given piece of information based on its usage over time. Our case study based on several real world NFS file server traces collected from Harvard University shows that such a model is simple, effective, and tangible since it relies on measurable metrics and observable facts. It captures the changing nature of the file value throughout their lifecycles, reflects the value differences among different files, and hence allows one to compare and classify files. More importantly, through additional analysis of the model outputs one can gain new insights into files, e.g., what files are most valuable and when. We show that files in different value classes exhibit different characteristics and can be characterized by unique sets of attributes. By devising algorithms to extract such attributes automatically for different classes of files, storage systems can predict what class a file would belong to early in its lifecycle, e.g., at the creation time. The file valuation, classification, and class membership prediction can then guide a wide range of new optimizations, e.g., data placement across tiered storage and data protection
The rate of solidification and the effects of local composition on the subsequent nucleation of Al2Cu2Mn3 dispersoid phase in Al-4Cu-0.3Fe-0.4Mn-0.2Si alloys

Following solidification, an aluminum alloy microstructure is highly segregated. The microstructure consists of cored dendrites with various soluble and insoluble phases present in the inter-dendritic regions. The solidification rate has a marked effect on the amount of coring as well as grain dimensions and second phase particle size and spacing. Post-solidification cooling rates as well as subsequent heat treatments also affect the evolution of the microstructure. Understanding the effects of these thermal treatments is important in explaining differences in microstructures that are observed in alloys of identical compositions. The focus of this study is to determine the interaction between the coring of copper across dendrites during solidification and the precipitation of dispersoids during the homogenization treatments of an alloy. An aluminum alloy whose composition is in the range of Al-4Cu-0.3Fe-0.4Mn-0.2Si is ideally suited for this study for several reasons. First it is similar to a host of commercial aluminum copper alloys, and the presence of Mn, Fe, and Si affect the distribution of particles that control grain morphology in these alloys. Preliminary experimental results are discussed. Current numerical analysis techniques will be examined and possible methods to treat the problem will be presented.
Leveraging nonvolatility for architecture design with emerging NVM

Emerging nonvolatile memory (NVM), such as spintransfer torque magnetic Memory (STT-RAM), phase-change memory (PCM), and resistive memory (ReRAM), are widely expected to become the next generation cache and main memory, in order to migrate the “power wall” and overcome the DRAM stability challenge. Previous effort has well explored NVM’s feature of ultra-low leakage and high density at various memory hierarchy. Furthermore, challenges such as asymmetric read/write, expensive write operation, and limited lifetime have also been tackled. However, the benefit from NVM’s nonvolatility has never been fully exploited. This paper points out the potential benefit by leveraging nonvolatility for architecture design. Two case studies are described. The first one is to leveraging multi-level cell (MLC) STT-RAM for ultra-low overhead local checkpointing. The second one is persistent memory design, which support persistency in NVM based main memory. Potential benefit and design challenge for those two cases are described. Future research topic around exploring NVM’s nonvolatility is also discussed.
Altered cytokine export and apoptosis in mice deficient in interleukin-1 beta converting enzyme

The interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) converting enzyme (ICE) processes the inactive IL-1 beta precursor to the proinflammatory cytokine. Adherent monocytes from mice harboring a disrupted ICE gene (ICE-/-) did not export IL-1 beta or interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Export of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from these cells was also diminished. Thymocytes from ICE-/- mice were sensitive to apoptosis induced by dexamethasone or ionizing radiation, but were resistant to apoptosis induced by Fas antibody. Despite this defect in apoptosis, ICE-/- mice proceed normally through development.
Cardiovascular effects of a nifedipine infusion during fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia in dogs.

Abstract The hemodynamic effects of a nifedipine infusion were investigated in eight dogs given fentanyl/ pancuronium/nitrous oxide/oxygen anesthesia. Nifedipine (20 μg/kg) was given intravenously over two minutes immediately prior to each 30-minute infusion at 2 μg/kg/min, 4 μg/kg/min, and 6 μg/ kg/min. The range of plasma nifedipine levels obtained was 52.1 to 113.7 ng/mL. The predominant hemodynamic effects were significant reductions systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and mean aortic pressure (MAP), accompanied by a rise in cardiac index and heart rate (HR). Administration of calcium chloride (20 mg/kg) after the nifedipine infusion had no effect on SVR or MAP, but HR was significantly reduced. Serum epinephrine and norepinephrine levels increased after the infusion of nifedipine and suggested that fentanyl did not completely overcome the sympathetic response to the profound vasodilatation. The resulting tachycardia in combination with diastolic hypotension from nifedipine could have a detrimental effect on the myocardial oxygen balance.
A comparison of religious thinking of freshmen and seniors in a liberal arts college.

(1947). A Comparison of Religious Thinking of Freshmen and Seniors in a Liberal Arts College. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 121-123.
Immunology: The pick of the nibbled bits

How does the immune system avoid potentially damaging responses against the body's own molecules? The answer lies partly in the ability of dendritic cells to sample their surroundings selectively.
Randomized Intraclass-Distance Minimizing Binary Codes for face recognition

A new algorithm for learning binary codes is presented using randomized initial assignments of bit labels to classes followed by iterative refinement to minimize intraclass Hamming distance. This Randomized IntraclassDistance Minimizing Binary Codes (RIDMBC) algorithm is introduced in the context of face recognition, an area of biometrics where binary codes have rarely been used (unlike iris recognition). A cross-database experiment is presented training RIDMBC on the Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW) and testing it on the Point-and-Shoot Challenge (PaSC). The RIDMBC algorithm performs better than both PaSC baselines. RIDMBC is compared with the Predictable Discriminative Binary Codes (DBC) algorithm developed by Rastegari et al. The DBC algorithm has an upper bound on the number of bits in a binary code; RIDMBC does not. RIDMBC outperforms DBC when using the same bit code length as DBC’s upper bound and RIDMBC further improves when more bits/features are added.
Ab initio calculations of the uranium–hydrogen system: Thermodynamics, hydrogen saturation of α-U and phase-transformation to UH3

Abstract Total energy calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) have been performed for various uranium–hydrogen configurations relevant to the uranium hydriding reaction. Herein, we investigate the transformation of the supersaturated α-U lattice to the α-UH 3 lattice, where α-UH 3 is believed to be a precursor to the formation of β-UH 3 , the stable phase of UH 3 . The total energy DFT calculations for α- and β-UH 3 were validated by comparing the predicted and measured decomposition temperatures of the hydride at standard pressure. Calculated energies also confirm the metastability of α-UH 3 vs. β-UH 3 . Computational group theory and DFT calculations elucidate this transition, and indicate that the transformation itself is kinetically facile. On the basis of this work, it is proposed that the formation of the volume-expanded, H-saturated α-U phase is the primary kinetic barrier to hydride formation.
A study of immunoreactive calcitonin (CT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in lung cancer and other malignancies

Levels of immunoreactive ACTH and calcitonin (CT), as well as CEA, were determined serially in 144 patients with lung cancer and in 62 patients with metastatic carcinoma to the lungs. Patients with neoplasms not involving the lungs, with nonmalignant blood dyscrasias, and with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were studied, as were normal control subjects. In 55-91% of lung cancer patients, elevated values of CT were detected; the frequency of elevation varied with cell type and stage. The highest values (mean 1346 +/- 2534 pg/ml) were found in patients with extensive small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and were significantly greater than the values for patients with SCLC confined to one hemithorax (196 +/- 287.7 pg/ml, P less than 0.005). ACTH levels were elevated less frequently (24-46%) and were highest (192 +/- 200.9 pg/ml) in patients with extensive small cell carcinoma, although Cushing's syndrome was observed only once. Agreement between all three tumor markers was seen in 25-50% of lung cancer patients; the percentage depended on cell type. Calcitonin levels paralleled changes in the clinical status and tumor burden in 89% of SCLC patients, while ACTH levels reflected the clinical course in 67%. In six patients with small cell carcinoma in remission, rising levels of CT, ACTH, and CEA preceded clinical evidence of relapse, in oe patient, by as long as five months. Among 129 patients with conditions other than primary lung cancer, CT levels were highest (232 +/- 328 pg/ml) in those with cancer metastatic to the lungs and/or pleura; there was no; association between CT levels and the presence of bone metastases.
THE BARRINGTON MOORE THESIS AND ITS CRITICS

The critical response to Moore's Social Origins may reveal as much about the present state of social science as it does about the book itself. While the critics accused Moore of an excessive emphasis on economic factors, the economists and economic historians virtually ignored the book; while Moore's case studies were all historical, national historians have tended to overlook them. The academic group which showed the greatest interest was the new field of “comparative modernization,” which consists mostly of sociologists and sociologically-oriented historians. Critics of this school were enthusiastic about the interdisciplinary and comparative aspect of the book, but tended not to discuss the theoretical issues presented by Moore, except for a vigorous defense of non-Marxist and anti-Marxist positions. In general the critics did not defend value neutrality, which Moore attacked, and were impressed by Moore's case for progressive violence, but eager to move on to other topics, instead of considering the implications of these issues. There were only a few committed cold warriors; Stanley Rothman described Moore as a former fellow traveller, and Gabriel Almond indicated that Moore was soft on communism, but these arguments were the exception rather than the rule.
Is it reasonable to refuse to be seen by a nurse practitioner in the emergency department

Gregory Larkin and Roderick Hooker (2010) report that prospective patients’ willingness to be cared for by nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants, and residents in the emergency department...
Separability, functional form and regulatory policy in models of interfuel substitution

Abstract Counter-intuitive results, such as positive own-price elasticities, have been found in some studies of interfuel substitution. This paper examines three possible reasons for this problem. First, including energy materials in petroleum and coal aggregates is found to contribute to incorrect signs. Second, the mathematical properties of the translog function contribute to concavity violations. In contrast, the linear logit model of cost shares is found to provide more sensible estimates of own-price elasticities across alternative model specifications. Finally, natural gas curtailment policies and environmental regulations are found to be significant factors influencing US industrial fuel demand, although omission of these factors does not directly contribute to curvature violations.
Single-Molecule Biophysical Imaging, Nanophotonics and Trapping

Single-molecule fluorescence imaging provides a powerful tool to explore individual biophysical systems, even in cells. Metallic nanoantennas improve the interaction between light and molecules, and a new electrokinetic trap improves single-molecule observation times in solution.