cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
APOPTOSIS AND DISEASE: Regulation and Clinical Relevance of Programmed Cell Death

Regulation of the homeostatic balance between cell proliferation and cell death is essential for development and maintenance of multicellular organisms. Physiologic, or programmed, cell death is dependent on a genetically encoded and evolutionarily conserved pathway that induces a form of cellular suicide known as apoptosis. In the past decade, it has become clear that the regulatory mechanisms controlling programmed cell death are as fundamental, and as complex, as those regulating cell proliferation. Perturbation of the signaling cascades regulating apoptosis, whether by extracellular triggers, acquired or germline genetic mutations, or viral mimicry of signaling molecules, can result in a wide variety of human diseases. Analysis of these regulatory pathways has led to a better understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of many human diseases, notably cancers, infectious diseases including AIDS, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative/neurodevelopmental diseases. Our understanding of the regulation of programmed cell death in health and disease is far from complete, and the challenge of converting that understanding into new therapeutic modalities has only begun to be approached.
Software licensing for installations with multiple microcomputers

Abstract Mass marketed software for microcomputers, either by hardware vendors or by an increasing number of independent software vendors, is an important segment of today's computer industry. In an effort to maintain trade secrecy protection and to deter copying, the software is usually licensed, not sold, to users. Microcomputer users should certainly be aware of the software licensing requirements they face. This paper examines software licensing to installations with more than one microcomputer. First, common software licensing practices are presented. Next, various settings for employing multiple micros are considered. Included in these settings is the description of a microcomputer lab for a college of business. Then, a discussion of the applicability of the common licensing practices to such settings points out that such practices may, in certain instances, be inappropriate. The microcomputer lab example is used to provide realistic cases of circumstances where standard software licensing practices are impractical. Finally, to rectify the dilemmas identified, recommendations for more practical licensing requirements that still allow software vendors to protect their interests are provided.
Empirical Evidence for Correct Iris Match Score Degradation with Increased Time-Lapse between Gallery and Probe Matches

We explore the effects of time lapse on iris biometrics using a data set of images with four years time lapse between the earliest and most recent images of an iris (13 subjects, 26 irises, 1809 total images). We find that the average fractional Hamming distance for a match between two images of an iris taken four years apart is statistically significantly larger than the match for images with only a few months time lapse between them. A possible implication of our results is that iris biometric enrollment templates may undergo aging and that iris biometric enrollment may not be "once for life." To our knowledge, this is the first and only experimental study of iris match scores under long (multi-year) time lapse.
Cationic UV‐Curable Conductive Composites from Exfoliated Graphite

Electrically conductive, cationically UV-cured composites were prepared using exfoliated graphite plates (EGP) with cycloaliphatic epoxy resin and polyalcohol binder system. Exfoliated graphite (EG) was obtained from natural flake graphite through chemical and thermal treatment. Sonication of EG in solvent produced EGP. Characterization of graphite samples by XRD showed structural similarity between original graphite and EGP. UV curing behavior was characterized using photoDSC. Electrical resistivity measurements of the composites as a function of EGP concentration showed that at low filler concentration the binder system can influence the electrical percolation behavior. Some formulations showed electrical percolation at less than 1 vol.-% of EGP filler.
Thermal Hall conductivity and long-lived quasiparticles in CeCoIn5

Abstract In CeCoIn 5 , the thermal conductivity κ xx and Hall conductivity κ xy below T c display large anomalies below T c . The strong suppression of the anomalies in weak fields implies the existence of long-lived quasiparticles. We also discuss briefly the Wiedemann–Franz ratio and the existence of a strongly field-dependent spin-fluctuation heat current.
Mugwump Cartoonists, the Papacy, and Tammany Hall in America’s Gilded Age

In the Gilded Age of extreme partisan politics, Puck magazine, the nation9s premier journal of graphic humor and political satire, played an important role as a non-partisan crusader for good government and the triumph of American constitutional ideals. Its prime targets, however, were not just corrupt machine politicians. The magazine included as well what it, like the letterpress, condemned as the nefarious political agenda of the Catholic church, especially its new pope, Leo XIII. Indeed, New York9s infamous Tammany Hall, committed to spoils and patronage as the means of dominating the body politic, was all the more dangerous to Puck because, beginning in the 1870s, Irish Catholics dominated it. The hall9s Irish Catholic base enabled the magazine to rationalize more completely its conviction that the Catholic church, ruled by a foreign potentate dressed in the irrational garb of infallibility, was a menace not only to the nation9s body politic but also to its democratic soul. If allowed to proceed unimpeded, the pope and his minions, along with Tammany9s bosses and supporters, would convert the nation into their personal fiefdom. Puck was not about to let that happen. In cartoons and editorials spanning two decades, the magazine blasted and often conjoined both Tammany and the papacy with invidious comparisons that left few readers in doubt as to their complicity. Although scholars have noted how the American letterpress also alluded to a connection between Tammany and the Catholic church, Puck 9s unparalleled comprehensive strategy to perpetuate and strengthen that connection has never been scrutinized. This essay redresses that oversight of an age when the public and its politicians reckoned very seriously the editorial artistry of great political cartoonists, especially those who drew for Puck.
The Work Cognition Inventory Initial Evidence of Construct Validity for the Revised Form

We present evidence of the construct validity of a revised version of the Work Cognition Inventory (WCI-R). With the addition of three new scales and the reforming of two from the WCI, the WCI-R contains 12 subscales to measure the cognitive factors associated with employee work passion. Across the majority of scales, the WCI-R was found to produce scores that were conceptually distinct from the preexisting measures. The WCI-R also uniquely demonstrated factor construct validity across the full set of constructs.
On the excitation of higher harmonic electrostatic dust cyclotron waves

In a magnetized plasma containing charged dust whose motion is magnetized, one of the fundamental collective modes that could occur is the electrostatic dust cyclotron (EDC) wave with frequency near the dust cyclotron frequency. The EDC wave propagates nearly perpendicular to the magnetic field with a small parallel wave number, so that it can be driven unstable by ion flow along the magnetic field. Because unstable parallel wavelengths can be relatively large, this places constraints on the plasma device size. In this paper, we use linear kinetic theory to investigate the excitation of higher harmonic EDC waves that have wavelengths smaller than that of the fundamental mode. Collisions of charged particles with neutrals and Coulomb collisions including dust–dust collisions are taken into account. Constraints on possible parameter ranges arising from collisional effects or from requiring stability of other waves are discussed. Numerical results are presented for possible sets of laboratory dusty plasma parameters.
Social Influence Online: The Impact of Social Validation and Likability on Compliance

Text-based communication via the Internet has provided new opportunities to study social influence and persuasion. Specifically, Guadagno and Cialdini (2005) contend that the effectiveness of social influence attempts have yet to be thoroughly investigated online. To test Guadagno and Cialdini’s contention, the present study examined whether the social influence principles of likability and social validation impacted individuals’ willingness to comply with a request when the setting is online. Results revealed that social validation affected compliance, but communicator likability did not. Thus, our results indicate that contrary to previous work in offline contexts, not all social influence principles are effective online. Explanations for these differences are discussed.
High Mobility Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide for Transparent Conductive Contacts and Thin Film Transistors

Thin amorphous films of high electron mobility, optically transparent indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) were deposited by pulsed laser deposition. Electrical conductivity was controlled allowing high performance, optically transparent thin film transistors to be fabricated.
Environmental Proteomics: Changes in the Proteome of Marine Organisms in Response to Environmental Stress, Pollutants, Infection, Symbiosis, and Development

Environmental proteomics, the study of changes in the abundance of proteins and their post-translational modifications, has become a powerful tool for generating hypotheses regarding how the environment affects the biology of marine organisms. Proteomics discovers hitherto unknown cellular effects of environmental stressors such as changes in thermal, osmotic, and anaerobic conditions. Proteomic analyses have advanced the characterization of the biological effects of pollutants and identified comprehensive and pollutant-specific sets of biomarkers, especially those highlighting post-translational modifications. Proteomic analyses of infected organisms have highlighted the broader changes occurring during immune responses and how the same pathways are attenuated during the maintenance of symbiotic relationships. Finally, proteomic changes occurring during the early life stages of marine organisms emphasize the importance of signaling events during development in a rapidly changing environment. Changes in p...
Structure, Agency, and Context: The Contributions of Geography to World‐Systems Analysis

The interaction of geography and world-systems theory has created two groups of work. The first body of work uses world-systems theory as its theoretical framework with minor levels of critique or change. The second body of work attempts to inform world- systems theory by explicitly including a geographical perspective. Human geographers attracted to world-systems theory provide a perspective that highlights the role of agency in what is widely perceived to be a rigid structuralist approach. Key geographical concepts of region and place are viewed as social constructs created within an overarching context of structural imperatives. By conceptualizing places, states, and the macroregions of core, semiperiphery, and periphery as geographical scales, the role of agency in creating and maintaining the important structures and institutions of the capitalist world-economy, such as hegemony, is illustrated. The geographer's interest in the creation of geographical scales results in analysis of the dynamism of the contemporary world-system.
Social Science in the Courts: The View from Michigan

The University of Michigan cases1 are interesting and provocative case studies on the role of social science in the law, but I think they cut in quite a different direction than suggested by Professors Killenbeck and Crosby in their chapters. Professors Killenbeck and Crosby both argue that social science was quite central to the decisions. I think that social science was relegated to a very minor role. Moreover, on balance, I think this minor role is probably good both for the law and for social science. The most important contribution to affirmative action jurisprudence made by the University of Michigan cases is the holding in Grutter v. Bollinger (2003) that diversity is a compelling interest that can justify the use of race in making university admissions decisions.2 Justice Powell had said as much in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) decades earlier, but in an opinion that only he joined and that was controlling only because the Court was so fractured.3 Before Grutter, the lower courts had split on how much weight to place on his decision.4 The Court in Grutter decided not to rely on Justice Powell’s decision as a major justification for its decision. The Court said it would not be “useful” to analyze Bakke closely to try to determine the precedential value of Powell’s decision. Instead, the Court decided to endorse his position, not because of precedent, but instead based on a new and fresh analysis.5 The Court was very clear about the principal reason for its decision that diversity was a compelling interest: deference to the judgment of the university.
Developing concentrations in big data analytics and software development at a small liberal arts university

In this paper, the authors share their experiences with the creation and implementation of two concentrations in an undergraduate Computer Science degree program -- one in Big Data Analytics and one in Software Development. We describe the reasoning behind these two concentrations and how these two concentrations came to exist. All Computer Science majors must choose one of these 12 credit hour concentrations after completing the core Computer Science courses. Though there have been many model undergraduate programs and graduate programs in Data Science in the nation [14], [15], [16] we believe that our concentration in Big Data Analytics is a unique offering, especially in our state. The concentration in Big Data Analytics covers predictive analytics, cloud and distributed computing and data mining. The concentration in Software Development follows a modified version of the IEEE/ACM software engineering curriculum recommendations [3]. Both concentrations finish with a semester-long capstone course.
Agrobacterium -Mediated Insertional Mutagenesis in Histoplasma capsulatum

Genome-wide mutagenesis is a powerful method for identifying new genes that contribute to a phenotype of interest. For many fungal pathogens of plants and animals, Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT) serves as an efficient insertional mutagen. In Histoplasma capsulatum, the T-DNA element transferred by Agrobacterium stably integrates into the genome, and the majority of mutants contain single copies of the inserted sequence. The T-DNA sequence facilitates the determination of the genomic sequence flanking the insertion through hemi-specific PCR techniques, plasmid rescue, or inverse PCR. We present optimized procedures for generating insertional mutants in H. capsulatum using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and using this for forward and reverse genetic approaches.
Some Reflections on The Moral Dimensions of Human Rights: A Review of Carl Wellman's The Moral Dimensions of Human Rights by Nicole Hassoun

(2012). Some Reflections on The Moral Dimensions of Human Rights. Jurisprudence: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 253-262.
Association of somatic burden of disease with age and neuropsychological measures in attenuated mucopolysaccharidosis types I, II and VI

Introduction The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of rare genetic lysosomal disorders with progressive multisystem involvement. An MPS-specific physical symptom scale was developed and introduced a Physical Symptom Score (PSS) to quantify the somatic disease burden across MPS I, II and VI.
Studies of the blue to red phase transition in polydiacetylene nanocomposites and blends

The conjugated polymeric backbone of polydiacetylenes (PDAs), comprising of alternating ene-yne groups, undergo intriguing stress-, chemical- or temperature-induced chromatic phase transitions associated with the disruption of the backbone structure and shortening of the conjugation length. PDAs, such as polymerized 10, 12 pentacosadiynoic acids (PCDA), when incorporated with inorganic oxides form nanocomposites and uniform blends with polymers. Blends of poly-PCDA with polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene fluoride and cellulose increase the blue to red transition temperature without affecting the irreversibility of the red phase. However, the addition of zinc oxide to pure poly-PCDA makes the red phase highly reversible and substantially increases the blue to red transition temperature. The addition of TiO2 to poly-PCDA on the other hand does not affect the irreversibility of the red phase and the chromatic transition temperature. In order to understand the atomic scale interactions associated with these changes in the chromatic transitions, we have investigated both the nanocomposites and polymer blends using Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements.
A Reevaluation Of The Derivation Of Quercus Margaretta From Quercus Gambelii

In an earlier issue of this journal a hypothesis was presented by one of us (Muller, 1952) to explain the origin of Quercus margaretta, an oak ranging from central and northern Texas eastward to Florida and Virginia, and Q. dr-unimondii, a closely related species which occurs at the western extremity of the range of the former in central Texas. According to this hypothesis Q. gambelii, of the Rocky Mountain region, and Q. stellata, of the southeastern quarter of the United States, were the ancestral stocks from which nargaretta and drunmmondii were derived. Stated briefly, the main points were these: (a) During "a period of increased precipitation at the close of the Tertiary and in the Pleistocene . . . the spread of Q. Garnbelii stock eastward over the southern plains area woLuld have been possible. Simultaneously, the westward extension of Q. stellata from an eastern center could have occurred. The two prototypes would have met either on the plains or to the east of that area" (op. cit.: 158). (b) The ancestral Q. gamnbelii stock migrated along the Gulf Coastal Plain eastward to the Atlantic. (c) ". . . dessication of the entire region has resulted in recession of the prototypes fromi the sonthern Great Plains and consequent isolation of the Gulf Coast populations from those of the Rocky Mountains" (op. cit.: 158). (d) The western end of the Gulf Coast population, through introgression from Q. stellata, has been modified to formi the population known as Q. drni-oiitondii. "The lesser gene flow in the east has left the Q. Gambehii stock relatively tunchanged so that the speciation of this population (as Q. Margaretta) has in large part resulted from its isolation from the ancestral Q. Gamtbelii and only slightly from-i hybridization with Q. stellatt" (op. cit.: 159). Current studies (by Tucker) of Qttercuts uindulata, a hybrid complex centered in the Rocky Mountain region and undoubtedly involving Q. gaibelii as one parent, have inspired great interest in the extent and time of past migrations of Q. ganibelii stock. Continued study (by Muller) of the relations amnongst Q. stellatca, Q. margaretta, and Q. drunimmondii similarly retain the origins of these species as foci of interest. The question of
Evaluation of the scientific underpinnings for identifying estrogenic chemicals in nonmammalian taxa using mammalian test systems

The US Environmental Protection Agency has responsibility for assessing endocrine activity of more than 10 000 chemicals, a task that cannot reasonably be achieved solely through use of available mammalian and nonmammalian in vivo screening assays. Hence, it has been proposed that chemicals be prioritized for in vivo testing using data from in vitro high-throughput assays for specific endocrine system targets. Recent efforts focused on potential estrogenic chemicals-specifically those that activate estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα)-have broadly demonstrated feasibility of the approach. However, a major uncertainty is whether prioritization based on mammalian (primarily human) high-throughput assays accurately reflects potential chemical-ERα interactions in nonmammalian species. The authors conducted a comprehensive analysis of cross-species comparability of chemical-ERα interactions based on information concerning structural attributes of estrogen receptors, in vitro binding and transactivation data for ERα, and the effects of a range of chemicals on estrogen-signaling pathways in vivo. Overall, this integrated analysis suggests that chemicals with moderate to high estrogenic potency in mammalian systems also should be priority chemicals in nonmammalian vertebrates. However, the degree to which the prioritization approach might be applicable to invertebrates is uncertain because of a lack of knowledge of the biological role(s) of possible ERα orthologs found in phyla such as annelids. Further, comparative analysis of in vitro data for fish and reptiles suggests that mammalian-based assays may not effectively capture ERα interactions for low-affinity chemicals in all vertebrate classes. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2806-2816. Published 2016 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Genomic evidence that resource-based trade-offs limit host-range expansion in a seed beetle

Trade-offs have often been invoked to explain the evolution of ecological specialization. Phytophagous insects have been especially well studied, but there has been little evidence that resource-based trade-offs contribute to the evolution of host specialization in this group. Here, we combine experimental evolution and partial genome resequencing of replicate seed beetle selection lines to test the trade-off hypothesis and measure the repeatability of evolution. Bayesian estimates of selection coefficients suggest that rapid adaptation to a poor host (lentil) was mediated by standing genetic variation at multiple genetic loci and involved many of the same variants in replicate lines. Sublines that were then switched back to the ancestral host (mung bean) showed a more gradual and variable (less repeatable) loss of adaptation to lentil. We were able to obtain estimates of variance effective population sizes from genome-wide differences in allele frequencies within and between lines. These estimates were relatively large, which suggests that the contribution of genetic drift to the loss of adaptation following reversion was small. Instead, we find that some alleles that were favored on lentil were selected against during reversion on mung bean, consistent with the genetic trade-off hypothesis.
Evaluation on new drug registration system in America and its illumination for China

Drug registration is the first part of marketing an innovative drug.Its regulatory system has significant effect on drug research and development.Based on the introduction about new drug registration system in America,an appraisal system about regulatory procedure and pattern was established to find characteristics about this system.The final goal is to give some suggestions about promoting our new drug registration system.
The Difference on Optimization Methods Between GSM system and TD-SCDMA system

TD-SCDMA network is under phase 2 construction. The difference on architecture and optimization of GSM and TD-SCDMA network is important for related technicians and operators. It analyzes the network architecture, channel change and the difference of optimization method.
The Visibility Fitting and Forecast Model Based on Split Plot Design

Through collecting and analyzing the data characteristics and impact factor of Guangzhou visibility,take use of R-project statistical software as the modeling tool,choose multiple split plot design experiment to build the basic framework,make variable treatment to the significant factors,split design the year,month,day,hour of data in layers,introduce dummy variables meaning the time to the corresponding block to raise the level of the model representation,add the quadratic terms,cross terms to improve the accuracy of the model,get the higher fit and applicability model for visibility fitting and forecast.
The Emergence of Lightning in Severe Thunderstorm Prediction and the Possible Contributions from Spatial Science

Thunderstorms capable of producing dangerous weather are common in different regions throughout the world. Identifying particular thunderstorms that will become hazardous is a considerable forecasting challenge for meteorologists making warning decisions. The goal of more accurate and earlier severe thunderstorm warning has led to the idea of using a storm's lightning behavior – a reflection of storm intensity to predict imminent storm severity. Researchers have found that storms producing severe weather are often preceded by a rapid increase in lightning frequency, or a “jump”, prompting attempts to develop a quantitative lightning-based indicator of storm severity as a forecasting aid. Although recent studies have produced promising results, this initiative is rife with opportunities for geographers as lightning continues to evolve into a reliable operational tool. Technological advances in lightning detection have enabled the research, but the inherent volume of lightning data and their time-space nature represent an obstacle and an opportunity for spatial scientists. Increasingly robust lightning-jump algorithms will require extensive thunderstorm databases, the development of which involves identification of time-space clusters of lightning that represent discrete thunderstorms of varying types, which need to be aligned with geo-referenced severe weather reports. The spatial analytical tools and techniques inherent to geography can facilitate the meteorological analyses that are needed to advance the lightning jump concept toward an operational tool. Forecasters within the USA are particularly hopeful, as they look to capitalize on data generated by the Geostationary Lightning Mapper sensor mounted aboard a key satellite for weather and climate monitoring expected to be launched in 2016.
Analysis on Technical Strategies for Smart High Voltage Equipment

According to the demand of smart grid construction in China,a neo-type of equipment,namely the smart high-voltage equipment,is proposed.The technical ideas of the smart high-voltage equipment are presented in brief and main functions of the smart high-voltage equipment,such as supporting self-optimization control,supporting optimal grid operation and supporting optimized maintenance strategy,are put forward and analyzed individually.Smart high-voltage equipment is still a being developed technology,for this reason several key technical problems,which should be solved during the development of smart high-voltage equipment and the implementation of its technical strategies,are analyzed.Finally,the application prospects of the smart high-voltage equipment are looked ahead.
Pigeons and children: what are the differences?

A partir de l'article de Bijou (1955) consacre a son application a l'enfant, revue des articles concernant l'analyse experimentale du comportement et les differences constatees entre les especes humaines et non humaines
The Effect of Positive End-Expiratory Pressure on Intracranial Pressure and Cerebral Hemodynamics

Background Lung protective ventilation has not been evaluated in patients with brain injury. It is unclear whether applying positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) adversely affects intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). We aimed to evaluate the effect of PEEP on ICP and CPP in a large population of patients with acute brain injury and varying categories of acute lung injury, defined by PaO2/FiO2.
DualBlink: A Wearable Device to Continuously Detect, Track, and Actuate Blinking For Alleviating Dry Eyes and Computer Vision Syndrome

Increased visual attention, such as during computer use leads to less blinking, which can cause dry eyes—the leading cause of computer vision syndrome. As people spend more time looking at screens on mobile and desktop devices, computer vision syndrome is becoming epidemic in today's population, leading to blurry vision, fatigue, and a reduced quality of life.One way to alleviate dry eyes is increased blinking. In this paper, we present a series of glasses-mounted devices that track the wearer's blink rate and, upon absent blinks, trigger blinks through actuation: light flashes, physical taps, and small puffs of air near the eye. We conducted a user study to evaluate the effectiveness of our devices and found that air puff and physical tap actuations result in a 36% increase in participants’ average blink rate. Air puff thereby struck the best compromise between effective blink actuations and low distraction ratings from participants. In a follow-up study, we found that high intensity, short puffs near the eye were most effective in triggering blinks while receiving only low-rated distraction and invasiveness ratings from participants. We conclude this paper with two miniaturized and self-contained DualBlink prototypes, one integrated into the frame of a pair of glasses and the other one as a clip-on for existing glasses. We believe that DualBlink can serve as an always-available and viable option to treat computer vision syndrome in the future.
Mitochondrial Organization and Transport in Neurons

Mitochondria provide the essential functions of ATP production and Ca2+ buffering. The extended processes of neurons and the need for local energy production make the transport of mitochondria essential. Neuronal mitochondria are enriched in regions of high energy demand, including active synapses. Many mitochondria are in motion within neurites and are observed to start, stop, and switch directions. This movement is mediated primarily by kinesin and dynein. An adaptor complex including the proteins milton and miro links the heavy chain of kinesin-1 to the mitochondrial surface. The mechanisms of regulation of mitochondrial movement are beginning to be elucidated.
Intrinsically Hierarchical Nanoporous Polymers via Polymerization-Induced Microphase Separation

The synthesis of microporous polymers generally requires postpolymerization modification via hyper-cross-linking to trap the polymeric network in a state with high void volume. An alternative approach utilizes rigid, sterically demanding monomers to inhibit efficient packing, thus leading to a high degree of free volume between polymer side groups and main chains. Herein we combine polymers of intrinsic microporosity with polymerization-induced microphase separation (PIMS), a versatile methodology for the synthesis of nanostructured materials that can be rendered mesoporous. Copolymerization of various styrenic monomers with divinylbenzene in the presence of a poly(lactide) terminated with a chain-transfer agent (PLA-CTA) results in kinetic trapping of a microphase-separated state. Subsequent etching of PLA provides a bicontinuous mesoporous network. Using equilibrium and kinetic nitrogen sorption experiments as well as positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), we demonstrate that variations in ...
First to Flush: The Effects of Ambient Noise on Songbird Flight Initiation Distances and Implications for Human Experiences with Nature

Throughout the world, birds represent the primary type of wildlife that people experience on a daily basis. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that alterations to the acoustic environment can negatively affect birds as well as humans in a variety of ways, and altered acoustics from noise pollution has the potential to influence human interactions with wild birds. Birds respond to approaching humans in a manner analogous to approaching predators, but the context of the interaction can also greatly influence the distance at which a bird initiates flight or escape behavior (i.e., flight initiation distance or FID). Here, we hypothesized that reliance on different sensory modalities to balance foraging and threat detection can influence how birds respond to approaching threats in the presence of background noise. We surveyed 12 songbird species in California and Wyoming and categorized each species into one of three foraging guilds: ground foragers, canopy gleaners, and hawking flycatchers and predicted FIDs to decrease, remain the same and increase with noise exposure, respectively. Contrary to expectations, the canopy gleaning and flycatching guilds exhibited mixed responses, with some species exhibiting unchanged FIDs with noise while others exhibited increased FIDs with noise. However, FIDs of all ground foraging species and one canopy gleaner decreased with noise levels. Additionally, we found no evidence of phylogenetic structure among species’ mean FID responses and only weak phylogenetic structure for the relationship between FIDs and noise levels. Although our results provide mixed support for foraging strategy as a predictor of bird response to noise, our finding that most of the species we surveyed have shorter FIDs with increases in noise levels suggest that human observers may be able to approach ground foraging species more closely under noisy conditions. From an ecological perspective, however, it remains unclear whether these mixed responses translate into lost foraging opportunity for hypervigilant birds that flee a threat too soon or greater predation risk due to impaired surveillance for those that only respond once approaching threats are near.
Fonderia Del Piemonte S.P.A

The managing director of this specialty foundry must decide whether to approve a major investment to automate part of her plant's production process. The case presents information sufficient to build cash-flow forecasts of production costs incremental to this investment. Discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis reveals that this investment project is attractive but that the benefits hinge on important assumptions about the plant's business volume, the manager's ability to lay off workers over the objections of a labor union, and the hurdle rate. This case provides an update for the case Fonderia de Torino (UVA-F-1350). Excerpt UVA-F-1764 Rev. Apr. 3, 2017 Fonderia del Piemonte S.p.A. In November 2015, Martina Bellucci, managing director of Fonderia del Piemonte S.p.A., was considering the purchase of a Thor MM-9 automated molding machine. This machine would prepare the sand molds into which molten iron was poured to obtain iron castings. The Thor MM-9 would replace an older machine and would offer improvements in quality and some additional capacity for expansion. Similar molding-machine proposals had been rejected by the board of directors for economic reasons on three previous occasions, most recently in 2014. This time, given the size of the proposed expenditure of nearly EUR2 million, Bellucci was seeking a careful estimate of the project's costs and benefits and, ultimately, a recommendation of whether to proceed with the investment. The Company Fonderia del Piemonte specialized in the production of precision metal castings for use in automotive, aerospace, and construction equipment. The company had acquired a reputation for quality products, particularly for safety parts (i.e., parts whose failure would result in loss of control for the operator). Its products included crankshafts, transmissions, brake calipers, axles, wheels, and various steering-assembly parts. Customers were original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs), mainly in Europe. OEMs were becoming increasingly insistent about product quality, and Fonderia del Piemonte's response had reduced the rejection rate of its castings by the OEMs to 70 parts per million. . . .
Longitudinal Examination of Resilience After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Study

Abstract Objectives To evaluate (1) the trajectory of resilience during the first year after a moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI); (2) factors associated with resilience at 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury; and (3) changing relationships over time between resilience and other factors. Design Longitudinal analysis of an observational cohort. Setting Five inpatient rehabilitation centers. Participants Patients with TBI (N=195) enrolled in the resilience module of the TBI Model Systems study with data collected at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Results Initially, resilience levels appeared to be stable during the first year postinjury. Individual growth curve models were used to examine resilience over time in relation to demographic, psychosocial, and injury characteristics. After adjusting for these characteristics, resilience actually declined over time. Higher levels of resilience were related to nonminority status, absence of preinjury substance abuse, lower anxiety and disability level, and greater life satisfaction. Conclusions Resilience is a construct that is relevant to understanding brain injury outcomes and has potential value in planning clinical interventions.
Instructor outcomes of teaching a STEM MOOC

Despite the remarkable expansion of massive open online courses (MOOCs) over the last decade, the extent to which they achieve their potential as a “disruptive force” in education is questionable, with limited evidence of true impact. There is a wide range of desired outcomes from both learners themselves and those that invest in MOOCs. Therefore, to truly evaluate the effectiveness of a MOOC, it is necessary to understand the needs and goals of all stakeholder groups involved. While some studies have explored these factors for students who take MOOCs and the institutions offering MOOCs, little research has investigated what the instructors who choose to teach advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) MOOCs hope to gain from the experience. In order to inform this component of a contextual evaluation framework of MOOCs, this study seeks to answer the question, “What factors drive teaching a MOOC?” in the context of advanced STEM courses. This study explores instructor perspectives through semi-structured interviews with 14 instructors of advanced STEM MOOCs who were identified through purposive sampling. Following transcription, we performed thematic analysis to identify underlying themes. A set of nine themes fell into two main categories: personal factors and situational factors. While the expression of these themes varied from one instructor to the next, the consistent presence of each theme suggests the value of incorporating the themes into a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of a MOOC.
Compiler and language design for quantum computing (keynote)

Quantum computing, once merely a curious concept discussed within the field of theoretical physics, has long-since become of practical interest in numerous fields and caught the attention of mainstream media. The reason for the widespread interest stems from the tremendous impact it could have on today’s technology. Quantum computing could revolutionize how we develop new materials, how we approach machine learning and optimization tasks, and provide answers to some of the most intriguing questions in physics, chemistry and biology. Despite having been conceived as early as 1981, quantum computers remained beyond the realms of possibility until recently. Building a scalable programmable universal device to this day is one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. Such an endeavor entails a set of unique requirements for the design of classical software. In my talk I will discuss the particularities of compiling for quantum hardware compared to classical machines, and what advantages a well designed quantum computing language can provide. I will outline the architecture of the software stack involved in translating high level mathematical concepts into machine instructions, and elaborate on the role of classical computing in this new age of quantum.
Levodopa improves response inhibition and enhances striatal activation in early-stage Parkinson's disease

Abstract Dopaminergic medications improve the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), but their effect on response inhibition, a critical executive function, remains unclear. Previous studies primarily enrolled patients in more advanced stages of PD, when dopaminergic medication loses efficacy, and patients were typically on multiple medications. Here, we recruited 21 patients in early-stage PD on levodopa monotherapy and 37 age-matched controls to perform the stop-signal task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. In contrast to previous studies reporting null effects in more advanced PD, levodopa significantly improved response inhibition performance in our sample. No significant group differences were found in brain activations to pure motor inhibition or error processing (stop success vs. error trials). However, relative to controls, the PD group showed weaker striatal activations to salient events (infrequent vs. frequent events: stop vs. go trials) and fronto-striatal task-residual functional connectivity; both were restored with levodopa. Thus, levodopa appears to improve an important executive function in early-stage PD via enhanced salient signal processing, shedding new light on the role of dopaminergic signaling in response inhibition.
Designed Host-Guest Relationships

Complexing partners conveniently divide into two important classes. Hosts contain convergently-arranged binding sites, and are synthetic counterparts of the receptor sites of enzymes, nucleic acids, proteins of the immune system, or ionophores. Guests posses divergently-arranged binding sites, and are the synthetic counter-parts of substrates, inhibitors, or drugs. Metal cations also serve as guests. Complexes are composed of hosts and guests held together in solution in a definite structural relationship. Solvation is usually non-structured complexation which competes with structured complexation between hosts and guests. Forces available for complexation are: hydrogen-bonding; ion-pairing; pi-acid to pi-base attractions; metal ion-to-ligand attractions; van der Waals attractions; and the entropic component of desolvation.
Spatial Distribution of Earthworms in an East Texas Forest Ecosystem

Abstract Earthworms were collected and identified in different ecological habitats of the Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest (SFAEF) in the Piney Woods Ecoregion (PWE) of Texas. Earthworm spatial distribution data were collected over four distinct ecological habitats with a range of soil conditions and vegetative cover. A total of 128 sampling plots were surveyed in two different, broadly defined locations (mesic slope = 68 plots, dry-mesic upland = 60 plots). Using multivariate classification/ordination (TWINSPAN) and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of overstory vegetation data, these two locations were further divided into four distinct habitats: dry-mesic mixed upland, transitional zone, mesic slope and wet forested seeps. By using TWINSPAN and principal component analysis (PCA), it was found that earthworm species assemblages and understory vegetation corresponded to these discrete ecological habitats. ArcGIS10 was then used to create spatial distribution maps of earthworm species throughout these delineated ecological habitats in the SFAEF. Six earthworm species from the native North American genus Diplocardia were collected at SFAEF: D. caroliniana Eisen (1899), D. eiseni Michaelsen (1894) , D. komareki Gates (1977); D. macdowelli Murchie (1963) , D. mississippiensis Smith (1924) and D. ornata Gates (1943). Two earthworm species from the native North American genus Bimastos were collected: B . heimburgeri Smith 1928 and B . longicinctus Smith and Gittins 1915. The collection of B . longicinctus is a new state record for Texas. Amynthas corticis Kinberg (1867) specimens were collected, which represent a non-native genus from Southeast Asia. Ocnerodrilidae, a megadrile family first described by Beddard in 1891, were also collected likely representing non-native species originating from intertropical America and Africa ( Christoffersen, 2008 ).
Exercise interventions for smokers with a history of alcoholism: Exercise adherence rates and effect of depression on adherence

This study examined the adherence rates and the effect of depression on adherence in two studies conducted among smokers with a past history of alcoholism. In both studies, subjects participated in a 12-session group-based exercise intervention for smoking cessation. The target quit date (TQD) was Session 8. Participants in Study 1 were 73 smokers (43% female). Exercise instructions began at Session 8 and continued through Session 12. Mean frequency and number of minutes of exercise decreased during the 4 weeks of exercise treatment (P<.001). Study 2, conducted with 18 smokers (50% female), examined the feasibility of commencing exercise at Session 1, well before the TQD. The mean number of minutes exercised increased from Sessions 1 to 12 (P=.013). In both studies, average session attendance was high (82%). Combining subjects from both studies, depressed smokers at baseline reported greater mean frequency of exercise per week than nondepressed smokers (P=.05). The results suggest that depressed smokers can be engaged in an exercise program. Further research is needed to determine if commencing exercise early during treatment, prior to the TQD, improves adherence.
The Neural Basis of Deception and Credibility Assessment: A Cognitive Neuroscience Perspective

Abstract Although all credibility assessment measures, whether behavioral, cognitive, or emotional, arise from brain activity in the central nervous system, little was known about the neural basis of deception. The chapter describes how research in the new discipline of cognitive neuroscience, which aims to unify psychology and neurobiology, can reveal the neurocognitive basis of a complex function like deception. This research uses powerful new brain-imaging techniques, both electrophysiological and hemodynamic, to observe where and when different brain areas are activated when persons are engaged in deception. Despite the fact that this research only began a little over a decade ago, many new and important insights into how the cognitive and brain processes used during deception are instantiated in the brain have already been obtained. The chapter provides an integrated review of both the basic and applied neurocognitive studies conducted to date.
A Variation-Tolerant, Sneak-Current-Compensated Readout Scheme for Cross-Point Memory Based on Two-Port Sensing Technique

A variation-tolerant and sneak-current-free readout technique for cross-point non-volatile memory is presented. The proposed readout circuit has a sneak current compensation port, which collects sneak current information from multiple unselected cells, and efficiently cancels it out without delay and area overhead. In addition, this scheme averages out the random mismatches in the unselected cells so that the variation in sneak current does not affect the random read-current distribution. The proposed technique is verified using a generic device model, and the results show that the sneak current is completely compensated without sacrificing variation of the sensing current.