cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atypical responsiveness of the orphan receptor GPR55 to cannabinoid ligands.

The cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, associated with drugs of abuse, may provide a means to treat pain, mood, and addiction disorders affecting widespread segments of society. Whether the orphan G-protein coupled receptor GPR55 is also a cannabinoid receptor remains unclear as a result of conflicting pharmacological studies. GPR55 has been reported to be activated by exogenous and endogenous cannabinoid compounds but surprisingly also by the endogenous non-cannabinoid mediator lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI). We examined the effects of a representative panel of cannabinoid ligands and LPI on GPR55 using a β-arrestin-green fluorescent protein biosensor as a direct readout of agonist-mediated receptor activation. Our data demonstrate that AM251 and SR141716A (rimonabant), which are cannabinoid antagonists, and the lipid LPI, which is not a cannabinoid receptor ligand, are GPR55 agonists. They possess comparable efficacy in inducing β-arrestin trafficking and, moreover, activate the G-protein-dependent signaling of protein kinase CβII. Conversely, the potent synthetic cannabinoid agonist CP55,940 acts as a GPR55 antagonist/partial agonist. CP55,940 blocks GPR55 internalization, the formation of β-arrestin GPR55 complexes, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2; CP55,940 produces only a slight amount of protein kinase CβII membrane recruitment but does not stimulate membrane remodeling like LPI, AM251, or rimonabant. Our studies provide a paradigm for measuring the responsiveness of GPR55 to a variety of ligand scaffolds comprising cannabinoid and novel compounds and suggest that at best GPR55 is an atypical cannabinoid responder. The activation of GPR55 by rimonabant may be responsible for some of the off-target effects that led to its removal as a potential obesity therapy.
Computation of Engine Noise Propagation and Scattering off An Aircraft

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the feasibility of computing the fan inlet noise field around a real twin-engine aircraft, which includes the radiation of the main spinning modes from the engine as well as the reflection and scattering by the fuselage and the wing. This first-cut large-scale computation is based on time domain and frequency domain approaches that employ spectral element methods for spatial discretization. The numerical algorithms are designed to exploit high-performance computers such as the IBM SP4. Although the simulations could not match the exact conditions of the only available experimental data set, they are able to predict the trends of the measured noise field fairly well.
Computer-Assisted Second Language Teaching, Learning, and Research

Bhatia and Ritchie’s (2009) book chapter provided preliminary answers to the following questions: (1) In what way(s) has computer technologies impacted second language (L2) teaching and learning inside and outside of classroom? (2) In what way(s) has computer technologies shaped the field of second language acquisition (SLA)?
Chemical composition of Salicornia arabica (L.), a potential halophyte for arid rangelands

This assessment of the chemical composition of Salicornia arabica (L.) (Amaranthaceae) for grazing ruminants was carried out in the arid steppe of Algeria. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to determine the levels of some essential (Na, K, Ca, Fe, Zn and Co) and potentially toxic elements (Ba, Cs and Sc). Results showed that S. arabica had sufficient levels of Ca, K, Co and Fe to meet the requirements of small ruminants. However, this halophyte shrub also had a high Na content (~7%) exceeding the requirements of the animals, and which could limit its DM intake and digestibility. Consequently, provided fresh drinking water is readily available, then mixing this halophyte with other succulent plants like Cactus sp., is a promising strategy to enhance livestock intake. Toxic elements were within the safety baseline of all the assayed elements recommended by the National Research Council.
Can Sex Be Considered in Promotion Determinations

The Court takes a look at a state agency's use of gender in the operation of an affirmative action plan and determine that it is permissible under the correct circumstances. Johnson v. Santa Clara Transportation.
Many-Overlapping-Body (MOB) Expansion: A Generalized Many Body Expansion for Nondisjoint Monomers in Molecular Fragmentation Calculations of Covalent Molecules.

A common approach to approximating the full electronic energy of a molecular system is to first divide the system into nonoverlapping (disjoint) fragments and then compute the two-body or three-body fragment–fragment interactions using a many-body expansion. In this paper, we demonstrate that, by using a set of fragments which overlap with each other, a many-body expansion converges much faster than using nonoverlapping fragments. A new hierarchical fragmentation scheme is therefore proposed which generalizes the many-body expansion expressions and describes a simple procedure for generating the set of overlapping monomers. This method is referred to as the many-overlapping-body (MOB) expansion and is evaluated with two example systems: four dendritic isomers of C29H60 and 10 conformational isomers of a polypeptide molecule. In both examples, the MOB methodology significantly improves the two-body corrected energies.
Correcting inflow measurements from hawts using a lifting-surface code

Aerodynamic performance data from a rotating HAWT blade is typically correlated with measurements of a local inflow angle, obtained by flow angle sensors attached to the leading edge of the blade section. In order to provide accurate performance data for 2D bladeelement/momentum codes, the 3D field data must be corrected in terms of the section angle of attack. A 3D Lifting-Surface Inflow Correction Method (LSIM) has been developed with the aid of a vortex-panel code in order to calculate the relationship between the local flow angle and the angle of attack. Sets of intlow correction curves were produced for each spanwise station of interest. The method has been tested using hypothetical 3D input data, based on measurements from the Combined Experiment Rotor at the National Renewable Energy Laboratories and wind tunnel tests at Deli% University of Technology. The method was shown to successfully produce a converged solution for the inflow correction curves. The results show the importance of using the 3D LSIM correction instead of a 2D correction, particularly at the inboard sections of the blade where the upwash at the sensor is affected by post stall effects and changes in spanwise circulation distribution on the blade. Copyright
Broadband noise exposure does not affect hearing sensitivity in big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus).

In many vertebrates, exposure to intense sounds under certain stimulus conditions can induce temporary threshold shifts that reduce hearing sensitivity. Susceptibility to these hearing losses may reflect the relatively quiet environments in which most of these species have evolved. Echolocating big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) live in extremely intense acoustic environments in which they navigate and forage successfully, both alone and in company with other bats. We hypothesized that bats may have evolved a mechanism to minimize noise-induced hearing losses that otherwise could impair natural echolocation behaviors. The hearing sensitivity of seven big brown bats was measured in active echolocation and passive hearing tasks, before and after exposure to broadband noise spanning their audiometric range (10-100 kHz, 116 dB SPL re. 20 µPa rms, 1 h duration; sound exposure level 152 dB). Detection thresholds measured 20 min, 2 h or 24 h after exposure did not vary significantly from pre-exposure thresholds or from thresholds in control (sham exposure) conditions. These results suggest that big brown bats may be less susceptible to temporary threshold shifts than are other terrestrial mammals after exposure to similarly intense broadband sounds. These experiments provide fertile ground for future research on possible mechanisms employed by echolocating bats to minimize hearing losses while orienting effectively in noisy biological soundscapes.
Outcomes associated with ablation compared to combined ablation and transilluminated powered phlebectomy in the treatment of venous varicosities

BackgroundPatients with painful varicose veins and venous insufficiency can be treated by eliminating axial reflux only or by eliminating axial reflux plus phlebectomy with transilluminated powered phlebectomy. This study was undertaken with the aim of determining and improving signs and symptoms of venous disease (measured by venous clinical severity score) and complications (by routine surveillance ultrasound and long-term post-operative follow up) for each treatment strategy.MethodsWe performed a retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected data from 979 limbs undergoing procedures for significant varicose veins and venous insufficiency from March 2008 until June 2014 performed at a single tertiary referral hospital. Patient demographics, Clinical Etiology Anatomy and Pathophysiology classification, venous clinical severity scores pre- and post-procedure, treatment chosen, and peri-operative complications were collected; descriptive statistics were calculated and unadjusted surgical outcomes for...
Civic and Ethnic Nationalism

Ethnic and civic nationalism denote, respectively, nationalism based on claims of kinship as manifested in shared culture, and nationalism rooted in shared citizenship and political values. The former has commonly been associated with authoritarian and intolerant movements and regimes, the latter with the liberal–democratic rule of law. Yet the simplistic dichotomy between these ideal types proves hard to sustain when looking empirically at the complex, contested, and ever evolving forms of national identity across the globe and over the course of history. Keywords: citizenship; minorities; nationalism; postcolonialism; violence
Creating Continuous Innovation

(2001). Creating Continuous Innovation. Quality Management Journal: Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 22-26.
Pattern and prevalence of sinus disease as detected with FDG PET/CT

2712 Objectives Each year approximately 37 million Americans suffer from sinus related diseases. Cancer patients are at an increased risk of infection secondary to acute sinus disease and their immunocompromised state. Due to the sinus???s close proximity to various structures, the infection should be monitored and treated aggressively to prevent spread, especially to the brain. The objective of this study is to determine the pattern and prevalence of sinus disease on CT and sinusitis on PET in cancer patients who have undergone PET/CT. Methods PET/CT reports from 1,438 patients from July 2014 to August 2015 were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of sinus disease and/or sinusitis. Patients who were reported to have abnormal CT findings in the sinus area were categorized as having sinus disease and patients who exhibited increased FDG uptake in a sinus region were considered to have sinusitis. Results Of the 1,438 cases, 127 (8.8%) demonstrated sinus disease; 91 male (71.7%) and 36 female (28.3%). Of the 127, 26 (20.5%) demonstrated FDG-avid sinusitis and the remaining 101 (79.5%) demonstrated CT only sinus disease. Of the 26 with sinusitis, SUV max values ranged from 0.7-7.8 (mean 3.22). In addition, 78 of the 127 (61.4%) had undergone either chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment and the remaining 49 presented at baseline. Conclusions Incidental sinus disease is not uncommon among cancer patients imaged with PET/CT and occurs in approximately 9% of cases. While sinus disease may not be a major concern, sinusitis is and should be monitored and/or treated to prevent the disease from progressing and/or spreading to surrounding structures. In cancer patients with sinus disease, PET is better than CT in the diagnosis of sinusitis.
Laser-Driven Calorimetry of Single-Component Liquid Hydrocarbons.

A novel laser-heating technique, referred to as the laser-driven thermal reactor (LDTR), was used to determine sample thermal (exothermic/endothermic) behavior, specific heat release rate, and total specific heat release of three volatile single-component liquid hydrocarbons, i.e., n-decane, n-butylcyclohexane, and n-butylbenzene. The objective was to demonstrate measurement repeatability and extend the LDTR model from earlier investigations. The experimental apparatus consists of a copper sphere-shaped reactor mounted within a vacuum chamber, with sample and substrate supported on a thermocouple near the center of the reactor. The reactor is heated from opposing sides by a near-infrared laser to achieve nearly uniform sample temperature. The change in temperature with time (i.e., thermogram) is compared to a previously recorded baseline (no liquid sample) thermogram. A model, based on thermal energy conservation, is used to evaluate the thermograms for the thermochemical characteristics of interest. This...
Utilizing Computational Techniques to Accelerate Discovery in Peanut Allergenicity: A Case Study

Computational tools and techniques are attractive due to the low-cost and scope of application and are becoming more prevalent and accepted across a variety of fields. With the advancement of high performance computing resources and the recent utility of GPU architecture, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have become a nearly ubiquitous tool to interrogate protein structure-function relationships. Understanding these structure-function relationships is fundamental to protein biochemistry and facilitates avenues to modulate activity in disease states. Herein, we studied and compared the ability of several GPU- and CPU-based clusters to accelerate mechanistic and therapeutic discovery with MD simulations. MD simulations on the peanut protein Ara h 2, the causative agent of peanut allergenicity, from 10 different species of the genus Arachis were conducted in triplicate for 1 μs to probe structural dynamics and epitope solvent accessibility relevant to allergenicity. These simulations provide molecular insight into the causes and potential potency of the allergenic response. Ultimately, these computational findings and insights can guide experimental design, increasing the impact of therapeutics and understanding of disease states. Further, integrating GPUs into these parallel computing operations accelerates computations and provides researchers with tools to perform MD simulations without large CPU centers. We have thus provided an increased understanding of protein structure-function relationships through the usage of high performance computing and have shown GPU scaling power with MD simulations.
Leachable diphenylguanidine from rubber closures used in pre-filled syringes: A case study to understand solid and solution interactions with oxytocin.

Leachables derived from multi-component drug-device syringe systems can result in changes to the quality of drug products. Diphenylguanidine (DPG), a leachable released from styrene butadiene rubber syringe plungers, interacts with Oxytocin to form protein-adducts. This study investigated the mechanism and kinetics of this interaction in both solid and solution states through in-vitro tests and spectroscopic methods For solid state interaction, the protein-adducts with DPG were characterized using SEM, XRD, DSC, FTIR, 13C ss NMR, and dissolution analysis. For solution state interaction, LC-HRMS was used to assess stability of Oxytocin solutions in presence of various concentrations of DPG at 25°C and 40°C for 4 weeks. Moreover, molecular docking analysis was used to identify possible molecular configurations of the interaction.Results were consistent with the formation of a new solid state with distorted surface morphology for oxytocin-DPG adducts, in which the oxytocin carbonyl group(s) and the secondary amine groups of DPG interact. This interaction was also confirmed by molecular docking analysis through hydrogen bonding (2.31A) and Van der Waal attraction (3.14A). Moreover, LC-HRMS analysis revealed an increase in Oxytocin stability and suppression of Oxytocin dimerization by DPG. A potential reduction in the rate of Oxytocin dissolution from the formed adducts was indicative of its strong association with DPG. Hence, the leaching potential of DPG from rubber closures and plungers should be monitored and controlled to maintain the quality and stability of the pharmaceutical product.
Using formal methods to reason about taskload and resource conflicts in simulated air traffic scenarios

In complex environments, like the modern air traffic system, interactions between human operators and other system agents can profoundly impact system performance. System complexity can make it difficult to determine all of the situations where issues can arise. Simulation and formal verification have been used separately to explore the role of humans in complex systems. However, both have problems that limit their usefulness. In this paper, we describe a method that allows interesting conditions related to human taskload and resource conflicts between agents to be discovered and evaluated in high fidelity through the synergistic use of formal verification and simulation. The core of this method is based on a formal modeling architecture that represents original, agent-based simulation constructs using computationally efficient abstractions that ensure the temporal and ordinal relationships between simulation events (actions) are represented realistically. Taskload for each agent is represented using a priority queue model where only a limited number of actions can be performed or remembered by a human at a given time. Resources affected by agent behaviors are associated with actions so that resources can be reasoned about at the action level. We discuss our method and its formal architecture. We describe how the method can be used to find taskload and resource conflict conditions through the use of formal, checkable specification properties. We then use a simple air traffic example to demonstrate the ability of our method to find interesting taskload and resource conflict conditions around a simulation trace. The implications of this method are discussed and directions for future work are explored.
Green marketing consumer-level theory review: A compendium of applied theories and further research directions

Abstract Marketing green products requires different approaches than marketing non-green products (e.g., to counteract consumer prioritization of self-interest and focus on the short-term vs. long-term). As a result, green marketing has a substantial body of academic research. The purpose of our paper is to synthesize and provide a comprehensive overview of individual-level consumer behavior theories in green marketing. We begin by defining the term green marketing. Next, we conduct a large-scale review of more than 20 consumer-level theories grouped into six categories. For each theory, we present its definition, application in green marketing, and suggestions for future areas of research. Despite the breadth of theories that we uncovered, most studies indicate that few consumers will pay more for green products and that behavior in one environmental context does not necessarily translate into comparable behavior in another context. Another important finding is a great disconnect between consumer green purchasing intention and actual green purchasing behavior. To address this challenge, we provide two groups of additional applicable theories that have not yet been applied to green marketing. These theory groups are behavioral intentions, or non-economic green purchase influencers, and instantiaters, which moderate the motivation – green purchase behavior link. Managers can use our conceptual framework illustrating the relationship among these theories to help understand the stages in a consumer's green purchase process. Our study also can aid managers in developing tools to achieve a competitive marketplace advantage.
The Data Protection Commissioner and Facebook Ireland Limited and Maximillian Schrems, Affidavit of Peter Swire

This testimony of 300 pages explains U.S. surveillance law to a non-U.S. audience. The testimony was provided to the Irish High Court in litigation brought by Max Schrems against Facebook, challenging the use of standard contract clauses for transfers of personal data to the U.S. Under Irish rules, the author was selected by Facebook and required to provide his independent expert opinion to the court on U.S. law. The comprehensively footnoted testimony makes conclusions in four areas: (1) US systemic remedies. As found by a team of Oxford experts, “the US now serves as a baseline for foreign intelligence standards.” Chapter 3 of the testimony provides a detailed explanation documenting systemic protections under US law for foreign intelligence surveillance. Chapter 4 documents strong safeguards for law enforcement surveillance. Based on the Oxford study, Chapter 6 shows how well the US safeguards compare with EU safeguards. (2) US individual remedies. Chapter 7 documents how the US legal system provides numerous ways for an individual to remedy violations of privacy, including individual suits against service providers, Federal Trade Commission and other agency enforcement, state law protections, and class action litigation. Chapter 8 explains reasons for a national security exception to individual access to surveillance records, where such access would threaten national security by revealing sources and methods. (3) Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court oversight. Chapter 5 presents original research, based on a review of all of the FISC opinions and related materials that were declassified between 2013 and the filing of the testimony in November 2016. The overall conclusion is that the FISC provides far stronger oversight than many critics have alleged. (4) Broader implications of the SCC case. Standard contract clauses are used pervasively for transfers of personal data out of the European Union. An inadequacy finding in the current case would have a great impact even if the finding applies only to a single country (transfers to the US) under a single basis for cross-border data flows (SCCs). Chapter 1 of the testimony, however, explains why an inadequacy finding in this case likely would have far greater implications. The implications appear greater geographically, as shown by analysis of surveillance rules in the BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia, India, and China. For those and other countries whose safeguards are less than in the US, it would appear that a finding of inadequate protections in the US would logically mean that transfers from the EU to these countries would similarly be prohibited. The testimony also explains why an inadequacy finding for SCCs may also apply to other legal bases for transfer of personal data, including Privacy Shield and Binding Corporate Rules. Taken together, a finding of inadequacy in the current case in Ireland could have far more sweeping ramifications than many observers have contemplated.
Susceptibility to the rare Phytophthora tentaculata and to the widespread Phytophthora cactorum is consistent with host ecology and history

We evaluated the susceptibility of three California endemic plant species Heteromeles arbutifolia, Platanus racemosa and Quercus agrifolia to the two congeneric soilborne pathogen species: Phytophthora tentaculata and Phytophthora cactorum. These pathogens were recently introduced in ecosystems east of the San Francisco Bay, where the three plant species above are dominant. Phytophthora cactorum has a worldwide distribution inclusive of California, and a broad host range. Phytophthora tentaculata, in contrast, is suspected to be a “new” exotic to California and has been described on relatively few hosts. By separately challenging the roots and the stems of the three plant species above, we show that: (a) Both were equally pathogenic, but the type of disease differed based on host; (b) disease was consistent with host ecology and with previous disease reports, even if caused by different Phytophthora spp. and; (c) there were intraspecific differences in virulence. This study provides the following significant information regarding the management and early modelling of polyphagous soilborne Phytophthoras: (a) Endemic species can be as problematic as recently introduced exotics. (b) Multiple introductions should be avoided due to varying virulence levels among genotypes. (c) Riparian species like P. racemosa may develop disease tolerance in their root systems, but remain susceptible in their aerial portions, and thus, diseases could be facilitated by flooding or splash of infectious structures of soilborne pathogens onto aerial plant portions.
Evaluation of Particle Effects in Portland Cement Systems

AbstractVarious filler materials were evaluated to identify and differentiate chemical reactions from physical particle reactions during hydration within a portland cement system. Laboratory teasti...
Biochemistry and Physiology of Bilirubin

Early work on the biochemistry of bilirubin was conducted by Nobel Laureate Hans Fischer. Hemoglobin is an important constituent of the pyrrole group of molecules, and Fisher studied hemoglobin. Hemoglobin breaks into heme and globin in its first degradation step. The combination of heme and globin possesses the unique ability to loosely bind oxygen, enabling it to be released to body tissues. Heme bound to iron is termed hemin, which has the chemical formula: C34 H32 O4 N4 FeCl. When iron is removed from hemi, porphyrins are the result.
Temperature Increase in SMC Fatigue Testing

The temperature increase in sheet molding compound SMC-R30 subjected to fatigue loading is investigated. The frequency range varies from 20 to 40 Hz. Using dimensional analysis, a formulation is obtained which enables the prediction of the temperature increase at different frequencies and different locations on the specimen, knowing the temperature increase at one frequency at one location.
Cellulose: Elusive Component of the Plant Cell Wall

It has been repeated often that plant cellulose is the most abundant natural material on this earth. At approximately 50 percent of all biomass, annual production is about 50 billion tons (Goldstein 1981). Because it is natural and thus potentially available in perpetuity assuming that plants are managed properly, and because it is abundant, cellulose should be an increasingly important resource for our material, energy and food needs. However, cellulose for the most part remains a somewhat elusive resource. Why?
Nonuniqueness of the Effective Potential Energy and Wave Function in Quantal Density Functional Theory

Since its advent, a key precept of Kohn–Sham density functional theory (KS-DFT) [1, 2] has been the uniqueness of the local effective potential energy function v s (r), or equivalently of the electron-interaction potential energy function vee(r) of the model S system of noninteracting fermions. Nondegenerate ground state KS-DFT maps an interacting system in its ground state to an S system that is also in its ground state. As the density ρ(r) of the interacting and noninteracting fermions is the same, it then follows from the first Hohenberg–Kohn theorem, as explained in Chap. 4, that the potential energy vee(r) is unique. In Kohn–Sham terms, there is only one such potential energy function because vee(r) is the functional derivative \(\delta E^{{{\rm KS}}}_{{{\rm ee}}}[\rho ]/ \delta \rho (r)\) taken at the ground state density, where \(E^{{{\rm KS}}}_{{ee}}\left[ \rho \right]\) is the unique KS ground state electron-interaction energy functional. It is evident, however, from quantal density functional theory (Q-DFT) [3], that one is not limited to constructing S systems only in a ground state. One can equally well construct S systems in an excited state such that the ground state density ρ(r), energy E, and ionization potential I of the interacting system are reproduced [3, 4]. The state of the model S system is arbitrary. This means that there exist, in principle, an infinite number of local effective potential energy functions that generate the density, energy and ionization potential of the interacting system in its ground state. Furthermore, it is solely the Correlation-Kinetic components of these potential energy functions that differ.
Classroom Resilience: Practical Assessment for Intervention

Resilience research has proven to be helpful to those committed to improving academic and psychosocial outcomes for students within schools. Empirical descriptions of children who succeed despite growing up in very adverse living conditions have been used as an undergirding foundation to applied practice in schools (Doll & Cummings, 2008; Doll et al., 2009; Werner, 2006). However, a major challenge has been the translation of diverse resilience constructs and research (described in detail in Chap. 1) into practical assessments of resilience that are meaningful in schools. School practitioners require assessment strategies that capture the foundations of developmental resilience research, while also relating in important ways to the empirical precursors to school success and using procedures that are resource efficient and highly beneficial for educational planning.
Reviews of Recent Publications by Aspray and Nelson

Reviews of William Asprays Women and Underrepresented Minorities in Computing: A Historical and Social Study and Andrew Nelsons The Sound of Innovation: Stanford and the Computer Music Revolution.
Challenges Facing New Educators: Expanding Teaching Strategies for Clinical Reasoning and Evidence-Based Medicine

Context: It is the educator's responsibility to prepare the students to be clinicians who think and reason critically while integrating research evidence into practice. Those new to the role of faculty member, who lack clinical and teaching experience, face challenges in the classroom application of those concepts. Objective: To discuss the challenges facing new faculty members and present strategies for addressing them. Specific faculty challenges addressed include learning their roles as educators and teaching multifaceted concepts, such as clinical reasoning and evidence-based medicine. Background: Experience provides a framework for a professional to balance multiple demands, whether as a new instructor teaching or a clinician synthesizing information to determine a course of action. Many new educators do not have extensive experience either clinically or in the classroom. This can cause anxiety as educators are confounded by their roles and responsibilities. Students likewise lack experience and may ...
Efficient Mining of Maximal Frequent Itemsets Based on M-Step Lookahead

We propose a new maximal frequent itemset mining algorithm, named m-step lookahead. This is a variant of the Max-Miner algorithm that, instead of counting the support of the largest possible superset of each candidate itemset, counts the support of a superset with a predetermined length. This is designed to circumvent the weakness in the Max-Miner algorithm that the probability of finding a frequent superset is extremely low for the first several passes. By looking for a smaller superset, m-step lookahead may find long frequent patterns more quickly than Max-Miner. Our experimental results demonstrate that this is the case for certain datasets and user-defined parameters.
Relationships Between Social Support, Identity, Anxiety, and Depression Among Young Bisexual People of Color

Bisexual People of Color (POC) may experience greater barriers in connecting to social support compared to White sexual minority people and heterosexual racial or ethnic minority people due to mult...
Sharing and Caring: Prosocial Behavior in Young Children Around the World

Young children around the world help others. Yet, the ways in which they help and the conditions under which they provide assistance differ by age and cultural context. Prosocial behavior can be defined as instrumental, empathic, or altruistic, or conceptualized as helping, sharing, or comforting. In this chapter, we explore the developmental trends and diversity behind young children’s helpfulness. For example, instrumental helping is most common among younger children and empathic helping becomes more frequent with age; altruism is rare, likely due to its costliness. In addition to developmental patterns, a major focus of our chapter is the role of cultural context in shaping children’s helping behavior. Although most of the laboratory research on children’s prosocial behavior has been conducted in the minority world, the literature outside of those contexts reveals noteworthy cross-cultural differences in a variety of domains including: what constitutes helping, the available opportunities to help, and the necessity of developmental milestones like self-recognition as precursors to prosocial behavior. Given that helping behavior is such a positive component of social relationships, we suggest circumstances that may promote helping across cultures like insuring there are sufficient developmentally appropriate opportunities to help and the role of cultural values (e.g., autonomy, relatedness). Lastly, we argue for the need to understand the mechanism(s) driving cultural differences, using the developmental niche to frame future research in this area.
Distributed Sequential Detection: Dependent Observations and Imperfect Communication

In this paper, we consider the problem of distributed sequential detection using wireless sensor networks in the presence of imperfect communication channels between the sensors and the fusion center. Sensor observations are assumed to be spatially dependent. Moreover, the channel noise can be dependent and non-Gaussian. We propose a copula-based distributed sequential detection scheme that takes the spatial dependence into account. More specifically, each local sensor runs a memory-less truncated sequential test repeatedly and sends its binary decisions to the fusion center synchronously. The fusion center fuses the received messages using a copula-based sequential test. To this end, we first propose a centralized copula-based sequential test and show its asymptotic optimality and time efficiency. We then show the asymptotic optimality and time efficiency of the proposed distributed scheme. We also show that by suitably designing the local thresholds and the truncation window, the local probabilities of false alarm and miss detection of the proposed memory-less truncated local sequential tests satisfy the pre-specified error probabilities. Numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Examination of commercially available bird feed for weed seed contaminants

In 2016 and 2017, 98 separate commercially available bird feed mixes were examined for the presence of weed seed. All weed seed contaminants were counted and identified by species. Amaranthus species were present in 94 of the 98 bags of bird feed. Amaranthus species present in bird feed mixes included waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer], redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson), smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.), and tumble pigweed (Amaranthus albus L.). Amaranthus palmeri was present in 27 of the 98 mixes. Seed of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.), kochia [Bassia scoparia (L.) A.J. Scott], grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], wild buckwheat (Fallopia convolvulus L., syn: Polygonum convolvulus), common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.], and Setaria species were also present in bird feed mixes. A greenhouse assay to determine Amaranthus species seed germinability and resistance to glyphosate revealed that approximately 19% of Amaranthus seed in bird feed mixes are readily germinable, and five mixes contained A. tuberculatus and A. palmeri seed that were resistant to glyphosate. Results from linear regression and t-test analysis indicate that when proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.), grain sorghum, and corn (Zea mays L.) were present in feed mixes, Amaranthus seed contamination was increased. The presence of proso millet and grain sorghum also increased contamination of grass weed species, while sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) increased A. artemisiifolia contamination and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) increased contamination of Bassia scoparia.
Attitudes Toward Medication Prescription Rights: A Survey of Chiropractic Students and Faculty at D'Youville College.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to ascertain the general attitudes of students and faculty in the chiropractic department of D'Youville College, Buffalo, New York, toward the inclusion of medication prescription rights in the chiropractic scope of practice. Methods A 15-item questionnaire was adapted from a previous instrument used in assessing chiropractors’ opinions toward medication prescription rights. Invitations were sent by e-mail to all 123 chiropractic students and faculty at D'Youville College in September 2018. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results A total of 113 questionnaires were completed for a 92% response rate. Ninety percent of respondents agreed that chiropractors should be authorized to prescribe medications such as over-the-counter and prescription-based analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants. Respondents were less in favor of chiropractors prescribing opioids or having full prescribing rights. Over half indicated that their knowledge of musculoskeletal medications was high, whereas a similar number indicated that their knowledge of nonmusculoskeletal medications was low. Most respondents indicated that further education in pharmacology should be necessary for those in the profession wishing to prescribe medications. Conclusion Chiropractic students and faculty at D'Youville College endorsed expanding the chiropractic scope of practice to include limited medication prescription. Surveys and qualitative studies of students and faculty from other chiropractic educational institutions are warranted.
Altered A-type potassium channel function impairs dendritic spike initiation and temporammonic long-term potentiation in Fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading monogenetic cause of cognitive impairment and autism spectrum disorder. Area CA1 of the hippocampus receives current information about the external world from the entorhinal cortex via the temporoammonic (TA) pathway. Given its role in learning and memory, it is surprising that little is known about TA long-term potentiation (TA-LTP) in FXS. We found that TA-LTP was impaired in fmr1 KO mice. Furthermore, dendritic Ca2+ influx was smaller and dendritic spike threshold was depolarized in fmr1 KO mice. Dendritic spike threshold and TA-LTP were restored by block of A-type K+ channels. The impairment of TA-LTP coupled with enhanced Schaffer collateral LTP may contribute to spatial memory alterations in FXS. Furthermore, as both of these LTP phenotypes are attributed to changes in A-type K+ channels in FXS, our findings provide a potential therapeutic target to treat cognitive impairments in FXS.
From Program to Performance Budgeting

Many emerging market economies are trying to improve their budget processes and move to performance-based budgeting. This paper first reviews the evolution of the "new" performance budgeting model, increasingly being applied in industrial countries. By identifying its main components, the tasks faced by emerging market economies when converting their present budget systems to this model are determined. It is recognized that this conversion will not be easy and will require four major reform elements. First, any existing program structure must be set in the wider context of strategic budget planning and medium-term budget frameworks. Second, this typically involves redesigning and refining existing program structures. Third, existing budget-costing systems and associated skills will probably need to be improved. Fourth, and perhaps most difficult, a new system of accountability and budget incentives needs to be introduced. For emerging market economies, these should be viewed as the prerequisites for a successful introduction of the new performance-budgeting model.
The relationship of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion to cerebral glucose metabolism and cognition in healthy middle-aged and older adults

Insulin resistance (IR) has been related to reduced cerebral glucose metabolism in regions identified as hypometabolic in Alzheimer's clinical syndrome. Insulin secretion (IS) has been less studied than IR despite findings that decreased IS is an early indicator of future type 2 diabetes and a potential predictor of Alzheimer's clinical syndrome. We investigated whether higher IR and lower IS would be associated with greater age-related reductions in regional cerebral glucose metabolism and worse cognitive performance. Two-hour oral glucose tolerance testing and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography were performed on 1-2 occasions on a sample of healthy middle-aged and older adults from the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Neuropsychological tests were completed during Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Clinical Core visits. Pattern of findings suggested that lower (not higher) IS was related to higher regional cerebral glucose metabolism in middle aged but not older adults, and lower (not higher) IS was also related to better immediate recall. In the context of healthy insulin sensitivity, lower IS may be beneficial to brain health.
Capturing Organizational Knowledge Through Modeling

Acquiring organizational knowledge from managers and subsequently representing that knowledge in forms such as rules are vital to the building of an organization model. It would be possible to integrate expert systems based on such an organization model with existing organizational information systems. This paper introduces the Structured Object Model (SOM) as a means to acquire and represent organizational knowledge to build expert systems. The benefits of SOM and the application of SOM to the expert system development process are discussed. The paper concludes with the limitations of this method and future research directions.
Perceptions of content authoring methodologies in technical communication: The perceived benefits of single sourcing

Increasingly, technical communicators have adopted single-source authoring as an efficient approach to content authoring. However, the integration of single-source authoring has been widely debated, and technical communicators cannot agree on the need for DITA and other content authoring tools for producing high quality and user-focused documentation. I single out DITA because it is the latest and most widely used and discussed method of single-source authoring. As a framework and corresponding technology within technical communication, many technical communicators accept DITA-based authoring as the best approach to content authoring; however, the technical communication field needs to investigate this supposition. My research examines this approach to content authoring by looking at some of the components of DITA authoring such as the following: organizational efficiency; content reuse; creating consistent content; and separating content from formatting. The primary goal of this paper is to determine the perceptions of use from the current literature and from practitioners that participate in discussions on this topic in online communities. This paper reports the data from a pilot study of online technical communication communities that discuss authoring methodologies. The preliminary data suggests that technical communicators corroborate what the literature of the field says regarding the most discussed components of DITA authoring, but also intimates that the perceptions may not match the professed value for creating effective documentation. This research can help inform the results of future user experience studies on the documents produced from alternative authoring methodologies. Additionally, this combined research can also apprise academia for how programs develop curricula to address the theoretical “craft or commodity” question, how to teach content authoring in courses, and which tools academic programs should teach.
Retirement Security Through Asset Protection: The Evolution of Wealth, Privilege, and Policy

This Article examines post-1974 progressions in congressional and judicial thinking about asset protection as it relates specifically to the attainment of federal retirement policy goals. The Article first considers the link between historical trust protections and modern federal retirement policy. That analysis reveals a more recent trend towards defining the scope of retirement plan asset protection by reference to statutory rules that grant favorable treatment to certain retirement savings devices. Those rules provide an incentive for funding future retirement through current savings. This Article explains how, and why, asset protection could be similarly tailored to foster retirement income security goals. Inconsistencies in the protections currently afforded, however, call into question the logic of the existing retirement plan asset protection framework. This Article ultimately argues that Congress should incorporate a more comprehensive view of asset protection into federal retirement policy. After explaining the objectives of federal retirement policy and the modern evolution of retirement plan asset protection, the author develops this argument by evaluating the usefulness of retirement policy objectives as a benchmark for establishing asset protection boundaries - both within the retirement plan setting and in the context of more traditional trust devices.
Geometric Structure and Output Feedback

This note ties together a new geometric theory and the previous algebraic results for the closed-loop eigenstructure assignment by output feedback in multivariable systems. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the closed-loop stabilization, eigenstructure assignment are presented. A bilinear generalized Sylvester equation is introduced, the solutions of which completely characterize the closed-loop eigenstructure problem via output feedback.
Ethical Business Culture

In characterizing ethical business culture, a Model of Ethical Business Culture (MEBC) has been created through research conducted by the Center for Ethical Business Cultures. It is composed of five distinct elements: values driven, leadership effectiveness, stakeholder balance, process integrity, and long-term perspective. The empirically derived model is based on the perspectives of business executives and academics of business ethics, who were asked what dimensions they believe frame an ethical business culture. It is not meant to be prescriptive. Each “ethical” organization is unique in how it expresses or constitutes the five elements. Keywords: Center for Ethical Business Cultures; business ethics; ethical business cultures; corporate culture; Model of Ethical Business Culture; organizational culture
Gas formation in the pleural space of a child with an anaerobic streptococcal pneumonia and empyema.

Anaerobic pleuropulmonary infections are common in adults1 but are unusual in children.2 Since the advent of antimicrobial chemotherapy, intrathoracic gas formation associated with these infections in children has not, to our knowledge, been reported.3 The purpose of this report is to describe a severe anaerobic streptococcal pneumonia and empyema with gas formation in a 9-year-old child and to review the diagnostic considerations stimulated by the presence of intrathoracic air-fluid levels. CASE REPORT A 9-year old white girl was transferred to the Primary Children9s Medical Center, University of Utah for treatment of an apparent lung abscess. Thirteen days prior to transfer this previously healthy girl had been admitted to another hospital with a one-day history of lower midabdominal pain.