cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-scale modelling of effects of microstructure and thermomechanical properties on dynamic performance of an aluminium alloy

Influences of microstructure and properties of an aluminium alloy on resistance to dynamic perforation are predicted using a decoupled multiscale modelling approach. At the scale of individual grains, a crystal plasticity model is developed accounting for finite elastic and plastic deformations, thermal softening and energy storage mechanisms linked to microscopic residual stress fields induced by line defects and second-phase particles. An averaging scheme is invoked to compute macroscopic stress-deformation responses corresponding to various microstructures. The results of the averaging process motivate choices of parameters entering a macroscopic plasticity model, with different parameter sets corresponding to different microstructures. This macroscopic model, with various parameter sets, is in turn used to simulate impact and perforation of a thin plate of the aluminium alloy by a cylindrical projectile. The results provide quantitative assessments of possible benefits of texturing, insertion of strengthening and energy storage mechanisms and enhancement of ductility on performance of the alloy.
Substance abuse treatment utilization, HIV risk behaviors, and recruitment among suburban injection drug users in Long Island, New York.

Prevention and treatment of injection drug use remains a public health concern. We used data from the 2005 Centers for Disease Control and prevention National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system to assess substance abuse treatment utilization, risk behaviors, and recruitment processes in a respondent driven sample of suburban injectors. Twelve service utilization and injection risk variables were analyzed using latent class analysis. Three latent classes were identified: low use, low risk; low use, high risk; and high use, moderate/high risk. In multivariate analysis, annual income <$15,000 (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 8.19 [95 % confidence interval (CI), 3.83–17.51]) and self-reported hepatitis C virus infection (aOR = 4.32, 95 % CI (1.84–10.17)) were significantly associated with class membership. Homophily, a measure of preferential recruitment showed that injectors with recent treatment utilization appear a more cohesive group than out-of-treatment injectors. Preferentially reaching injection drug users with high risk behaviors and no recent drug treatment history via respondent driven sampling will require future research.
Application of Meshless Pore-Level Model to Pyrolysis and Synthesis of Nuclear Fuels

Uranium-ceramic nuclear fuels can be fabricated through pyrolysis-based materials processing technique. This technique requires lower energy compared to sintering route. During the fabrication process, the source material changes composition continuously and chemical reactions and transport phenomena vary accordingly. Therefore, to obtain such nuclear fuel materials with high uniformity of microstructure/species without crack, transport phenomena in the material processing needs to be better understood. A system-scale model has been developed to account for the pyrolysis-based uranium-ceramic nuclear material processing in our prior work. In this study, a pore-scale numerical model based on Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) will be described for modeling the synthesis of SiC matrix and U3 O8 . The system-level model provides thermal boundary conditions to the pore-level model. The microstructure and compositions of the produced composites will be studied. Since the control of process temperature plays an important role in the material quality, the effects of heating rate and U3 O8 particle size and volume on species uniformity and microstructure are investigated.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Rent Theory as a Teaching Problem on the Undergraduate Level

SOME TEACHERS OF ECONOMICS on the undergradute level, and perhaps even many of them, may lose any initial interest they may have thought they had in this article as soon as they realize what it is driving at. They may admit that it is worthwhile to ponder how to make college students understand the operation of the law of rent, although certain of the teachers have now twisted the very word "rent" out of all semblance to its earlier-indeed, its traditional-meaning among economists. But toward any special inquiry into how to make students really understand wherein the rent of natural resources, sites and tracts differs from the interest yielded by constructed capital, and, especially, into how to make students understand the analyses involved in the case for appropriating rent by taxation, if one may judge by past attitudes, a considerable number of economists will be altogether indifferent and some will even be antagonistic. For the fact is that in a large number of our colleges and universities, students in the beginning course in economics-indeed, often, in all the courses in economics put together-learn nothing at all about the subject. No effort is made to explain it. Even when the textbook used mentions the land-value tax proposal, its exposition is usually extremely brief, perhaps only a page or half a page. And this page or half-page is followed by a stereotyped adverse criticism that takes no account at all of important considerations in rebuttal which have been emphasized over and over again by those of us who believe this reform to be an essential one. Especially is one of the stereotyped objections to this reform, as presented in antagonistic texts, viz., that it involves unjustifiable infringement of vested rights, presented always with no accompanying mention of the most cogent and impressive points which have been made in reply.'
Money, persuasion and American values:

This article reviews the relationship between money and influence in civic life. It looks at the contemporary conditions of civic speech and discussion and explores how far these are based on spending power. The question of the regulation of the relationship between money and communicative opportunity is raised and some of the norms and assumptions underlying present regulatory measures explored. The issues are placed in the context of the author's ideas about the character of `the new public', transformed by the economic and cultural terms of television, and the way in which the USA differs from other countries in its civic culture is briefly discussed.
Effects of inhaled fine particles and ozone on pulmonary macrophages and epithelia

AbstractThe health effects of oxidant gas mixtures containing fine particles from dilute diesel exhaust were examined using the rat as a laboratory model to determine if the presence of diesel soot particles would worsen the effects observed following exposures to oxidant gases alone. The study was designed to simulate an environmental scenario of acute and repeated exposures to polluted ambient atmospheres such as those that occur in southern California, where automotive emissions contribute to the production of oxidant gases such as ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Dilute diesel exhaust (scrubbed of sulfur dioxide, SO2, and carbon monoxide, CO), containing 250 or 500 μglm3 diesel soot particles and nitric oxide (NO), was mixed with 0.4 or 0.6 ppm O3, respectively. Chemical reactions within the mixture converted all NO to NO2 and nitric acid (ranging from 110 to 260 uglm3). Therefore, to determine the potential health impact of the particles, the effects of the diesel soot mixture were compared wit...
Linking the micro and macro in cultural evolution [Review of "Pattern and Process in Cultural Evolution" by Stephen Shennan (Ed.)]

The study of cultural evolution has a history as deep as that of the study of organic evolution. Darwin speculated that technological and linguistic evolution are both subject to selection-like forces [1]. However, despite much empirical and theoretical research since then, no general theory of cultural evolution has yet developed to rival the contemporary theory of genetical evolution. This slower speed of progress is largely due to the complexity of cultural evolution: unlike genetical evolution, transmission of cultural variants occurs repeatedly throughout the lifespan and cultural ‘parents’ are numerous, with non-additive influences on behavior.
Solution 1H NMR of the Active Site of Substrate-bound, Cyanide-inhibited Human Heme Oxygenase COMPARISON TO THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF THE WATER-LIGATED FORM

Abstract The majority of the active site residues of cyanide-inhibited, substrate-bound human heme oxygenase have been assigned on the basis of two-dimensional NMR using the crystal structure of the water-ligated substrate complex as a guide (Schuller, D. J., Wilks, A., Ortiz de Montellano, P. R., and Poulos, T. L. (1999) Nat. Struct. Biol. 6, 860–867). The proximal helix and the N-terminal portion of the distal helix are found to be identical to those in the crystal except that the heme for the major isomer (∼75–80%) in solution is rotated 180° about the α-γ-meso axis relative to the unique orientation in the crystal. The central portion of the distal helix in solution is translated slightly over the heme toward the distal ligand, and a distal four-ring aromatic cluster has moved 1–2 A closer to the heme, which allows for strong hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyls of Tyr-58 and Tyr-137. These latter interactions are proposed to stabilize the closed pocket conducive to the high stereospecificity of the α-meso ring opening. The determination of the magnetic axes, for which the major axis is controlled by the Fe-CN orientation, reveals a ∼20° tilt of the distal ligand from the heme normal in the direction of the α-meso bridge, demonstrating that the close placement of the distal helix over the heme exerts control of stereospecificity by both blocking access to the β, γ, and δ-meso positions and tilting the axial ligand, a proposed peroxide, toward the α-meso position.
Garnet-bearing Xenoliths from Salt Lake Crater, Oahu, Hawaii: High-Pressure Fractional Crystallization in the Oceanic Mantle

The focus of this study is a suite ofgarnet-bearing mantle xenoliths from Oahu, Hawaii. Clinopyroxene, olivine, and garnet constitute the bulk of the xenoliths, and orthopyroxene is present in small amounts. Clinopyroxene has exsolved orthopyroxene, spinel, and garnet. Many xenoliths also contain spinel-cored garnets. Olivine, clinopyroxene, and garnet are in major element chemical equilibrium with each other; large, discrete orthopyroxene does not appear to be in major-element chemical equilibrium with the other minerals. Multiple compositions of orthopyroxene occur in individual xenoliths. The new data do not support the existing hypothesis that all the xenoliths formed at 1� 6^2� 2G Pa, and that the spinel-cored garnets formed as a consequence of almost isobaric subsolidus cooling of a spinel-bearing assemblage.The lack of olivine or pyroxenes in the spinel^garnet reaction zones and the embayed outline ofspinelgrains inside garnet suggest that the spinel-cored garnets grew in the presence of a melt.The origin of these xenoliths is interpreted on the basis of liquidus phase relations in the tholeiitic and slightly silica-poor portion of the CaO^MgO^Al2O3^SiO2 (CMAS) system at pressures from 3� 0t o 5� 0 GPa. The phase relations suggest crystallization from slightly silica-poor melts (or transitional basaltic melts) in the depth range � 110^150 km beneath Oahu. This depth estimate puts the formation of these xenoliths in the asthenosphere. On the basis of this study it is proposed that the pyroxenite xenoliths are high-pressure cumulates related to polybaric magma fractionation in the asthenosphere, thus making Oahu the only locality among the oceanic regions where such deep magmatic fractional crystallization processes have been recognized.
Adaptive power management for mobile agent-based information retrieval

Mobile agent technology has been used in wireless distributed information retrieval for many years. However, the energy-efficiency issue in such systems remains unexplored. In this paper, we proposed an adaptive application-driven power management (AADPM) protocol for mobile agent-based applications within the IEEE 802.11b infrastructure WLAN environment. Our goal is to minimize energy while achieving low round trip time (RTT) delay. We discuss the protocol and evaluate its effectiveness using the network simulator NS2. We also draw horizontal comparisons among a variety of PM methods reported in the literature. Experimental results show that, compared to the power save mode supported by 802.11b, AADPM reduces the network interface card energy consumption by 65% while only introducing 3% RTT delay.
Estrogen Attenuates Integrin-β3–Dependent Adventitial Fibroblast Migration After Inhibition of Osteopontin Production in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Background—Previous in vitro studies have suggested that estrogen attenuates the vascular injury response by modulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) expression of soluble factor(s) directing migration of adventitial fibroblasts. Previous in vivo studies have established a role for osteopontin (OPN) and its integrin receptors after vascular injury. In this study, we examined OPN expression in activated VSMCs, its modulation by estrogen, and its effects on adventitial fibroblast migration. In addition, the relative functional roles of β1- and β3-integrin–matrix interactions were examined. Methods and Results—Primary cultures of VSMCs and adventitial fibroblasts were derived from female Sprague-Dawley rats. Serum-activated VSMCs expressed high levels of OPN mRNA and secreted protein that was effectively inhibited by estrogen treatment (10−7 mol/L). Compared with VSMCs, fibroblasts expressed similar levels of integrins αν and β1 and higher levels of integrin-β3. Exogenous OPN (5.0 to 40 μg/mL) directed ...
A Monte Carlo based method for the dynamic “fragility analysis” of tall buildings under turbulent wind loading

Abstract This paper presents a numerical algorithm for the simulation of the along-wind dynamic response of tall buildings under turbulent winds, using Monte Carlo (MC) integration methods. The proposed MC numerical procedure was used to compute the power spectral density of the buffeting loads, and to derive the statistics of the dynamic response in the presence of uncertainty in the wind loading. The CAARC prototype building was utilized to validate the proposed algorithm. This paper also presents the computation of the structural fragility curves of the CAARC building under extreme winds; preliminary investigations were conducted to assess the applicability of the proposed algorithm to a performance-based assessment. The results of these studies validated the appropriateness of the developed algorithm through comparison to reference values obtained from the literature for the CAARC building. Furthermore, structural “fragility curves” were utilized for a preliminary performance analysis, based on simulated along-wind response serviceability limit states.
Technology, Television, and Competition: The Politics of Digital TV

Preface Acknowledgments List of acronyms 1. Introduction 2. The institutional setting for advanced TV 3. Digital convergence: consumer electronics 4. HDTV in Japan 5. HDTV in the United States 6. HDTV in Europe 7. Digital television in the United States 8. Digital television in Europe and Japan 9. Examples of global standards 10. Conclusions Index.
Autoimmune pancreatitis: more than just a pancreatic disease? A contemporary review of its pathology.

Abstract Context.—Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the pancreas constituting one quarter of Whipple resections performed for benign conditions in North America. Objective.—We review the clinical, radiologic, and characteristic histopathologic patterns of this disease and discuss the extrapancreatic manifestations of AIP. Design.—We searched the literature using MEDLINE and OVID, related conference abstracts, and bibliographies of selected studies. Results.—Autoimmune pancreatitis predominantly affects elderly individuals, frequently presenting as obstructive jaundice and occasionally in association with other autoimmune diseases. The histology is characterized by a collar of periductal inflammation, obliterative phlebitis, and the absence of stigmata of alcoholic pancreatitis. A prepancreatectomy diagnosis can be rendered using a combination of clinical findings, radiologic features, elevated immunoglobulin G4 levels, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration ...
Effect of Vaccination with a Recombinant Fusion Protein Encoding an Astacinlike Metalloprotease (MTP-1) Secreted by Host-Stimulated Ancylostoma caninum Third-Stage Infective Larvae

Laboratory dogs were vaccinated intramuscularly with a recombinant fusion protein (expressed and isolated from Escherichia coli) formulated with the Glaxo SmithKline Adjuvant System 02 (AS02). The fusion protein encoded Ac-MTP-1, a developmentally regulated astacinlike metalloprotease secreted by host-stimulated Ancylostoma caninum third-stage larvae (L3). Control dogs were injected intramuscularly with an equivalent amount of AS02 adjuvant alone. The vaccinated and control dogs were then challenged by s.c. injection of 500 L3 of the canine hookworm A. caninum. The vaccinated dogs developed prechallenge immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) antibody responses specific to anti-Ac-MTP-1-fusion protein with titers ranging between 1:40,000 and 1:364,000, whereas they developed antigen-specific immunoglobulin E antibody responses with titers ranging between 1:500 and 1:1,500. By immunoblotting, canine sera obtained from the vaccinated dogs recognized a protein of the estimated apparent molecular weight of Ac-MTP-1 in activated L3 secretory products. Spearman rank order correlations between the canine intestinal adult hookworm burden and quantitative egg counts at necropsy and anti-Ac-MTP-1 IgG2 antibody titers revealed a statistically significant inverse association (r = -0.89; P = 0.04), suggesting that this molecule offers promise as a recombinant vaccine.
The Impact of Transit-oriented Development on Housing Prices in San Diego, CA:

This research measures the influence of transit-oriented development (TOD) on the San Diego, CA, condominium market. Many view TOD as a key element in creating a less auto dependent and more sustainable transport system. Price premiums indicate a potential for a market-driven expansion of TOD inventory. A hedonic price model is estimated to isolate statistically the effect of TOD. This includes interaction terms between station distance and various measures of pedestrian orientation. The resulting model shows that station proximity has a significantly stronger impact when coupled with a pedestrian-oriented environment. Conversely, station area condominiums in more auto-oriented environments may sell at a discount. This indicates that TOD has a synergistic value greater than the sum of its parts. It also implies a healthy demand for more TOD housing in San Diego.
Targeted inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum CaMKII activity results in alterations of Ca2+ homeostasis and cardiac contractility.

Transgenic (TG) mice expressing a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitory peptide targeted to the cardiac myocyte longitudinal sarcoplasmic reticulum (LSR) display reduced p...
Emerging legal concerns in the Arctic: sovereignty, navigation and land claim disputes

With global warming, the clearance of the Northwest Passage and the rising demands for new energy resources, the sovereignty of Canadian and other national land claims in the Arctic north is coming into question by those wishing to control access to this region. The present paper examines issues involving emerging landmasses, maritime rights, strategic control and navigation, perhaps the most important variable, and the consequences in terms of commercial economies and geopolitical impacts. We consider many variables such as the 1982 Falkland Islands war as a demonstrative example that may have translatable impact in future years. Our purpose in this paper is to raise awareness of impending geopolitical activities that are inevitable during the 21st century as the Arctic pack ice retreats.
Multiple adaptive mechanisms affect asparagine synthetase substrate availability in asparaginase-resistant MOLT-4 human leukaemia cells.

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is treated by combination chemotherapy with a number of drugs, almost always including the enzyme L-asparaginase (ASNase). Although the initial remission rate is quite high, relapse and associated drug resistance remain a problem. In vitro studies have demonstrated an adaptive increase in asparagine synthetase (AS) expression in ASNase-resistant cells, which is believed to permit ASNase-resistant human leukaemia cells to survive in vivo. The present results, obtained with ASNase-sensitive and -resistant human MOLT-4 leukaemia cell lines, illustrate that several other adaptive processes occur to provide sufficient amounts of the AS substrates, aspartate and glutamine, required to support this increased enzymic activity. In both cell populations, aspartate is derived almost exclusively from intracellular sources, whereas the necessary glutamine arises from both intracellular and extracellular sources. Transport of glutamine into ASNase-resistant cells is significantly enhanced compared with the parental cells, whereas amino acid efflux (e.g. asparagine) is reduced. Most of the adaptive change for the amino acid transporters, Systems A, ASC and L, is rapidly (12 h) reversed following ASNase removal. The enzymic activity of glutamine synthetase is also enhanced in ASNase-resistant cells by a post-transcriptional mechanism. The results demonstrate that there are several sites of metabolic adaptation in ASNase-treated leukaemia cells that serve to promote the replenishment of both glutamine and asparagine.
Octonions and isospin

The Cayley algebra or algebra of octonions is used to extract the square root of the classical Hamiltonian, in place of the Dirac-Clifford algebra. The resulting wave equation is linear and covariant and possesses a positive definite conserved probability density, and a Lagrangian. The wave function is an octonion, and may be represented as a pair of quaternions. The wave function then possesses an internal degree of freedom which corresponds to multiplication from theright by the Pauli matrices. Lorentz transformation of the wave function is effected byleft multiplication, which does not mix up isospin eigenstates. The wave equation seems appropriate for a dynamical description of an isospin doublet. The electromagnetic properties of the objects described by the wave function are those of a Dirac particle with the usual magnetic moment.
Suppression of shear-induced hemolysis by three plasma proteins.

Hemolysis was induced in erythrocyte suspensions by shearing between rotating metal disks 10 cm in diameter at 325 rev/min; stresses did not exceed 100 dynes/cm2. The role of proteins (y-globulin, G; albumin, A; fibrinogen, F) in the environment was tested in two ways. First, disks were precoated by exposure to protein solutions of physiologic concentration and then used to hemolyze the suspensions. Tests carried to 104 sec showed protective effects, relative to shearing with virgin disks, with a ranking G > A > F. Second, proteins were dissolved in the suspension media and hemolysis compared to the case without protein. Large suppression of hemolysis was found during storage (G > A > F) but only G offered significant protection against shear.
New strategies for detecting and treating problem drinking.

Alcohol use is now seen as a continuum from total abstinence to alcohol dependence, rather than an all-or-nothing condition.
Vulnerabilities to misinformation in online pharmaceutical marketing

Given the large percentage of Internet users who search for health information online, pharmaceutical companies have invested significantly in online marketing of their products. Although online ph...
Formula Dimension Process of Regression Analysis While Editing

Regression analysis of formula is presented in technical journal frequently and coefficient is generally disposed as non-dimensional factor.Most of this kind of formula comes from experiment,so the coefficient of attending algebra calculus should be a dimension.According to the coefficient formula during the regression analysis,an example is given.The process of coefficient dimension and the method of mark are given.The rest may be deduced by analogy,remind of editors to pay attention to the editing of coefficient dimension during processing regression analysis of formula.
Hypnose et analgésie : du laboratoire à la clinique

L’hypnose et l’analgesie hypnotique sont des phenomenes qui ont ete particulierement bien etudies en laboratoire. La distinction entre contexte hypnotique et hypnotisabilite nous aide a mieux comprendre l’utilite de l’hypnose dans la gestion de la douleur. Une breve revue de quelques etudes cliniques demontre le bien-fonde d’utiliser cette approache dans la gestion de la douleur.
Cholinesterases in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a relatively common, relentlessly progressive and currently untreatable condition of unknown cause. Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are the two major neuropathological lesions in AD. Histochemical experiments with acetylthiocholine or butyrylthiocholine as the substrate indicate that plaques as well as tangles contain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity (Friede, 1965; Mesulam, et al., 1987; Mesulam, et al., 1987; Perry, et al., 1978). As expected, the AChE activity in these lesions is inhibited by BW284C51 whereas the BChE activity is inhibited by Iso-OMPA. Electronmicroscopic studies indicate that this cholinesterase activity is associated with the paired helical filaments of neurofibrillary tangles and with the neuritic as well as the amyloid component of plaques (Carson, et al., 1991).
Inhibition by Reinforcement: Effects of Reinforcer Magnitude and Timeout on Fixed-Ratio Pausing

Rats were trained on fixed-ratio schedules with different reinforcer magnitudes (concentrations of sweetened milk), using procedures in which responding was allowed to stabilize at each magnitude. A 30-sec timeout followed reinforcement in some conditions. Analysis of postreinforcement pauses on a ratio-by-ratio basis revealed no effect of raising the reinforcer concentration beyond the minimal value required to maintain behavior. The timeout, however, sharply skewed the distribution of pauses by increasing the proportion of short (2 sec or less) pauses. The effect of timeout supports the theory that pausing reflects an inhibitory aftereffect of reinforcers, but the absence of magnitude effects is inconsistent with this theory. A suggested resolution of these conflicting outcomes views pause duration as the joint result of the unconditioned inhibitory function of the prior reinforcer and the conditioned excitatory function of stimuli correlated with the current schedule and upcoming reinforcer.
Gradient descent with fast gliding over flat regions: a first report

We present a new type of error backpropagation gradient descent algorithm. In the new algorithm, unless the error is already very small, we move along quickly ("glide") in flat regions. This algorithm seems intuitively appealing because flat regions should be "safe" regions where the error doesn't usually change much over distance. Using a simple 2-layer, 3-neuron neural network that computes the XOR function as a test bed, we find that for small to moderate learning rates, this algorithm converges significantly faster than conventional backpropagation gradient descent with the same learning rate outside of flat regions. For example, at eta=0.5 the new algorithm converges about 3 times as fast as the conventional one. However, the new algorithm is riskier than the conventional one and tends to diverge at higher learning rates. While the new algorithm already has some practical value, it could be even more useful if the divergence problem can be solved. Some ideas that may lead to its solution are given at the end of the paper. This work represents an early attempt to conquer the vast flat regions in an error curve, turning the known properties of flat regions to our advantage.
Mechanical properties of beryllium copper at subzero temperatures

Tests have been conducted to determine the mechanical properties of several beryllium copper alloys down to liquid air temperatures. The materials investigated include beryllium copper, beryllium-cobalt-copper, and beryllium-zinc-copper in the wrought and cast conditions. As a means of evaluation, the influence of cold work and age hardening treatment upon subzero behavior has been observed. The effects of temperature upon both elastic and plastic deformation are also considered.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis Alternative: Free, Accessible CBID Software:

New software that performs Classical and Bayesian Instrument Development (CBID) is reported that seamlessly integrates expert (content validity) and participant data (construct validity) to produce...
Traveling with Charlie: The Voyage of the Beagle as an Introduction to the Natural History of South America

Abstract Charles Darwin's Voyage of the Beagle is a very readable, insightful travelogue that provides a detailed description of the habitats, organisms, and people he encountered on the five-year journey. In this exercise, students read passages corresponding to one of Darwin's principal inland expeditions in South America and write short response papers about the passage, which they then discuss in class. Through this exercise, students gain an appreciation for the diversity of terrestrial habitats and organisms in South America as well as for the young Darwin's interpretations of his experience. His insights include the negative impact of invasive and introduced species on native organisms and the anthropogenic effects on species' distributions. Thus students will also recognize the foundations of many important principles of modern ecology and conservation biology in this historic narrative.
RNA Biomarker Discovery

A major research and development goal of many in the medical community, and many organizations in the biopharma sector, is the expedient identification of biological molecules that are indicative of the threat, presence, and progression of a disease state. Such molecules, known as molecular biomarkers, can be DNA, RNA, or proteins. With the ability to assay quantitatively for the presence of a biomarker, it is easier for the medical community to diagnosis a disease state earlier and with greater accuracy. Given the currently high level of sensitivity associated with many molecular assays, biomarker screening has the potential to signal a potential health problem well before the onset of any clinical manifestation. Biomarkers, in general, are not limited to molecules; biomarkers can also be physiological manifestations, such as blood pressure. With early detection come earlier medical intervention and, hopefully, a significantly better prognosis for the patient. It makes perfect sense to investigate the transcriptome for novel biomarkers because it is the RNA expression profile of a cell that drives its phenotype. For this reason, molecular biomarkers are occasionally referred to as “signature molecules.” While many very well-respected assays measure proteins using a variety of platforms, there is always an important concern protein abundance does not always correlate directly with RNA abundance, and nucleic acids screening methods, e.g., RT-PCR, are often more sensitive than protein detection assays. Moreover, protein assays are simply not possible in the case of many of the important, recently uncovered RNA biomarkers because they are noncoding transcripts.
The Probabilistic Evaluation of Net Present Value of Electric Power Distribution Systems Based on the Kaldor–Hicks Compensation Principle

The decision to proceed with a distribution engineering expansion project is often preceded by some form of cost to benefit analysis. The Kaldor–Hicks compensation principle is a criterion that assists in this analysis by the evaluation of net present value over the expected project life. This paper discusses this principle applied to power distribution systems. A probabilistic formulation is proposed to capture uncertainty in cost and benefit data. In effect, the approach models ranges of value of project parameters. While the method does not determine whether to proceed with a given project, it does give a measure of the value of the engineering economic efficiency. The method is especially valuable for cases of “next generation” systems, and this is illustrated in this paper.
Relativism about interpretation

Since the topic of this symposium is "Relativism and Interpretation," I will begin by setting out a relativism regarding the acceptability of interpretations of art and literature [hat I wholeheartedly endorse, while contrasting this with what I will call "standard relativism," as well as Professor Margolis's "robust" relativism. Next, I will explain my reservations about these alternatives. Finally, since Professor Margolis's paper is, in part, a criticism of my "Incompatible Interpretations,"' and the fact, or appearance, of acceptable incompatible interpretations of the same artwork is an important motivation for relativistic accounts of interpretation, I will conclude by responding to those criticisms, defending my non-relativistic account of what such incompatibility comes to.
Supervised earth mover's distance learning and its computer vision applications

The Earth Mover's Distance (EMD) is an intuitive and natural distance metric for comparing two histograms or probability distributions. It provides a distance value as well as a flow-network indicating how the probability mass is optimally transported between the bins. In traditional EMD, the ground distance between the bins is pre-defined. Instead, we propose to jointly optimize the ground distance matrix and the EMD flow-network based on a partial ordering of histogram distances in an optimization framework. Our method is further extended to accept information from general labeled pairs. The trained ground distance better reflects the cross-bin relationships, hence produces more accurate EMD values and flow-networks. Two computer vision applications are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm: first, we apply the optimized EMD value to face verification, and achieve state-of-the-art performance on the PubFig and the LFW data sets; second, the learned EMD flow-network is used to analyze face attribute changes, obtaining consistent paths that demonstrate intuitive transitions on certain facial attributes.
The impact of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury on stem cell mobilization, migration, adhesion, and proliferation

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy continues to be a significant cause of death or neurodevelopmental delays despite standard use of therapeutic hypothermia. The use of stem cell transplantation has recently emerged as a promising supplemental therapy to further improve the outcomes of infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. After the injury, the brain releases several chemical mediators, many of which communicate directly with stem cells to encourage mobilization, migration, cell adhesion and differentiation. This manuscript reviews the biomarkers that are released from the injured brain and their interactions with stem cells, providing insight regarding how their upregulation could improve stem cell therapy by maximizing cell delivery to the injured tissue.
Structure of Parton Quasi-Distributions and Their Moments

Abstract We discuss the structure of the parton quasi-distributions (quasi-PDFs) Q ( y , P 3 ) outside the “canonical” − 1 ≤ y ≤ 1 support region of the usual parton distribution functions (PDFs). Writing the y n moments of Q ( y , P 3 ) in terms of the combined x n − 2 l k ⊥ 2 l -moments of the transverse momentum distribution (TMD) F ( x , k ⊥ 2 ) , we establish a connection between the large- | y | behavior of Q ( y , P 3 ) and large- k ⊥ 2 behavior of F ( x , k ⊥ 2 ) . In particular, we show that the 1 / k ⊥ 2 hard tail of TMDs in QCD results in a slowly decreasing ∼ 1 / | y | behavior of quasi-PDFs for large | y | that produces infinite y n moments of Q ( y , P 3 ) . We also relate the ∼ 1 / | y | terms with the ln ⁡ z 3 2 -singularities of the Ioffe-time pseudo-distributions M ( ν , z 3 2 ) . Converting the operator product expansion for M ( ν , z 3 2 ) into a matching relation between the quasi-PDF Q ( y , P 3 ) and the light-cone PDF f ( x , μ 2 ) , we demonstrate that there is no contradiction between the infinite values of the y n moments of Q ( y , P 3 ) and finite values of the x n moments of f ( x , μ 2 ) .
Safety of limited dose modifications for palbociclib associated neutropenia in ER+ metastatic breast cancer.

e13033Background: The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib (P) improves outcomes in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). P has a consistent side effect profile with a high incidence o...
Health literacy, sociodemographic factors, and cognitive training in the active study of older adults.

Objective Health literacy is critical for understanding information from health-care providers and correct use of medications and includes the capacity to filter other information in navigating health care systems. Older adults with low health literacy exhibit more chronic health conditions, worse physical functioning, and poorer mental health. This study examined the relationship between sociodemographic variables and health literacy, and the impact of cognitive training on change in health literacy over 10 years in older adults. Methods Participants (N = 2,802) aged 65 years and older completed assessments, including reading and numeracy health literacy items, as part of the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) study. We evaluated baseline sociodemographic variables and change in health literacy over a 10-year period in individuals exposed to cognitive training in reasoning, processing speed, memory, or a no-contact control condition. Results Age, sex, race, education level, and general cognitive functioning at baseline were all associated with baseline health literacy in older adults. Predictors of change in health literacy over the 10-year follow-up were age, race, education level, general cognitive functioning, and neighborhood income; disparities in health literacy because of race attenuated over time, while the effect of age increased over time. Health literacy was generally stable across the ACTIVE intervention groups over 10 years. Conclusions The present study showed important disparities in health literacy level and change over 10 years. Cognitive training did not significantly impact health literacy, suggesting that alternative approaches are needed to reduce the disparities.
Spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis

Abstract Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and lumbar spondylolisthesis (DS) can lead to significant disability and impaired quality of life. In select patients with predominantly leg-dominant symptoms that have exhausted nonoperative treatment, surgical treatment can provide significant improvement in symptoms. The present paper reviews the clinical evaluation, radiographic findings, and surgical decision making of both spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis using the current best available evidence.
Facile syntheses of 3-halo and mixed 3,5-dihalo analogues of N-acetyl-l-tyrosine via sulfonic acid-catalysed regioselective monohalogenation

Abstract The combination of catalytic amounts of p -toluenesulfonic acid and 1 equiv of N -halosuccinimide afforded highly selective ring-halogenation of N -acetyl- l -tyrosine, furnishing either N -acetyl-3-halo- l -tyrosine analogues or mixed 3,5-dihalo derivatives in a one-pot reaction with excellent yields at room temperature.
Dampening and brooding jointly link temperament with depressive symptoms: A prospective study

Integrated affective-cognitive models of depression suggest that the effects of trait temperament (low positive affectivity (PA) and high negative affectivity (NA)) on depressive symptoms may be mediated by maladaptive cognitive strategies. Research and theory suggest that the effect of NA on depression is mediated by brooding and the effect of PA on depression is mediated by dampening. Despite correlations among these constructs, no studies have examined joint contributions of PA, NA, brooding, and dampening on depression. The present study examined the effects of NA and PA on prospective increases in depressive symptoms, and whether effects were mediated by brooding and dampening. Hypotheses were tested in an eight-week study of 333 young adults; depressive symptoms were assessed at weeks one and eight. Participants reported their use of dampening and brooding in response to ideographically identified weekly events in weeks two through seven. Results suggest that the effect of PA on increases in depressive symptoms was mediated by use of dampening and the effect of NA on increases in depressive symptoms was mediated by use of both brooding and dampening. Future research should consider temperament traits and cognitive strategies jointly to understand the development and maintenance of depression.
Questionable Value of Concomitant Tricuspid Valve Procedure with Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Purpose Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common in end stage heart failure patients receiving left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), but the value of intervention is uncertain. This study examined the impact of tricuspid valve procedures (TVP) at time of LVAD implantation on clinical outcomes and quality of life metrics. Methods We included patients in the INTERMACS database with TR who received continuous-flow LVADs from the 2008 to 2017. TR was stratified by severity. Patients receiving concomitant TVP were compared to those without intervention in a stratified analysis. Survival analyses and Andersen-Gill hazard models were used to examine associations with clinical outcomes. Results Our analysis included 8263 (53.1%) mild, 4252 (33.3%) moderate, and 2100 (13.5%) severe TR cases. TVP rate increased with severity: 13.0% of mild cases underwent TVP versus 55.2% of severe cases. TVP was not associated with survival difference for mild (median 57.8 months for TVP vs. 55.6 months for non-TVP, P=0.69, HR 1.10 [95%: 0.87-1.50]), moderate (47.5 vs. 51.1 months, P=0.23, HR 1.20 [0.99-1.50]), or severe TR (43.3 vs 46.3 months, P=0.09, HR 1.30 [0.99-1.60]). TVP was associated with increased risk of bleeding, arrhythmia, stroke, renal failure, and respiratory failure (P Conclusion TVP at time of LVAD implantation was not associated with differences in survival or KCCQ scores. However, there were associations with increased risk of adverse events. Further studies are needed to understand appropriateness criteria for TVP with LVAD implantation.
Chapter 12 – Clinical Enzymology

Publisher Summary Clinical enzymology has made great advances since the introduction of serum alkaline phosphatase as a diagnostic aid. Advancement in bioengineering and computer technology linked enzymology, immunology, and molecular genetics to produce new clinical diagnostic procedures. Qualitative and quantitative nonradioisotopic immunodiagnostics with enzyme-linked monoclonal antibodies enhances the specificity and sensitivity of assays for metabolites, hormones, and infectious agents. Immunocytochemistry has advanced the specificity and sensitivity of light and electron microscopic histology and cytology. Endonucleases combined with DNA probes enable the diagnostician to detect the fingerprints of prepatent genetic defects and infectious agents before or without the aid of endogenous antibody development. Although enzymes appear to have only a passive part in these forms of biotechnology, understanding their fundamental action is essential to clinical diagnostics and basic research. This chapter is intended to be an introduction to enzymes as primary clinical diagnostic aids and their secondary role in other diagnostic techniques.
Eco-Driving Algorithm with a Moving Bottleneck on a Single-Lane Road:

Eco-driving strategies have been applied to smooth traffic flow and reduce greenhouse gas emissions along with air pollution. In this paper, we propose an eco-driving strategy to reduce traffic osc...
Hair cortisol in captive corral-housed baboons.

Abstract Hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs) are measures of long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) activity and can be used as indicators of chronic stress. However, intrinsic factors such as an animal’s age and sex can also have an impact on resulting HCCs. Although baboons are commonly studied in captivity, little is known about baseline HCC in this population. Here we measured HCC in two same-sex groups of captive olive (Papio hamadryas anubis) baboons and olive/yellow baboon (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus) crosses housed in large outdoor corrals, and we assessed the impact of age and sex on HCC as major variables of interest. Hair was gently shaved from the back of the neck when the animals were sedated for routine physicals. Subjects were divided into three age categories: juvenile (2–4 years), adult (9–12 years), and senior (13–19 years). The “senior” category contained only males. Results confirm an effect of sex and age on HCCs. Females had higher levels of hair cortisol than males, and juveniles had higher levels than adults. There was also a significant sex × age interaction. There were no sex differences in HCCs in juveniles, but there was a greater decline in HCCs in adult males than in adult females. Within males, there was a significant difference in levels of hair cortisol across the three age categories. Juveniles had higher levels than did adults and seniors, but adults and seniors were not significantly different from one another. These results provide baseline measures of hair cortisol in captive baboons and demonstrate effects of sex and age on HCCs.
A 64-Year-Old Man With Multifocal Infiltrates.

Case Presentation A 64-year-old previously healthy man presented with 8 weeks of progressive dyspnea on exertion and cough. Prior to presentation, the patient was able to bicycle > 60 miles per week and work full-time in a home improvement store. He was up-to-date with age-appropriate cancer screening and immunizations, and home medications included famotidine for reflux and nonsteroidal antiinflammatories for osteoarthritis, both as-needed. He had no significant respiratory exposure, aside from previous work as an electrician. His symptoms began in mid-February 2020 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, although he had no known exposure to the virus.
The FIMA NFIP’s Redacted Policies and Redacted Claims Datasets

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created in 1968 and allows homeowners, renters, and businesses to purchase flood insurance from the federal government. During the summer of 2019, wi...
Reading the Literary Canon through Manga in the Twenty-First Century

This special section of Japanese Language and Literature , “Heian Literature in Manga,” attempts to offer tools for understanding the multiple functions that manga appropriations of literary texts written over a millennium ago perform in present-day Japan. Focusing on manga adaptations of six Heian-period (794-1185) works, the contributors examine how and why these classical writings have been rewritten for readers in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. They present six international perspectives on the influence manga has had in popularizing Heian classics by exploring modern interpretations as well as which aspects of the ancient texts have been promoted for readers in Japan today.