cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ending Discriminatory Damages

Anti-discrimination laws that discriminate? It sounds crazy. Yet, the different remedial models of our federal employment discrimination laws can (and often do) yield discriminatory damages. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) share one model: victims of intentional sex-, race-, religion-, national origin-, color-, or disability-based discrimination may recover monetary damages for lost wages (or back pay), plus “compensatory and punitive damages” subject to statutory caps ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 (depending on the number of the employer’s employees). In contrast, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) uses a different model: victims of intentional age-based discrimination may recover monetary damages for lost wages (or back pay), plus “liquidated damages” that equal, dollar-for-dollar, the lost wage amount. While innocent in appearance, these different models create an ironic phenomenon: the “Discriminatory Damages Paradox,” whereby victims with certain federally protected characteristics can be (and often are) monetarily favored over those with other federally protected characteristics. In some Paradox situations, a prevailing Title VII or ADA plaintiff can recover substantially more monetary damages than an otherwise identically situated ADEA plaintiff. In other Paradox situations, the opposite is true. This article proposes a “Uniform Title VII/ADA-Based Damages Model” to solve this Discriminatory Damages Paradox. This uniform model is warranted for three reasons: (1) it embraces Congress’s philosophy of promoting reasonably comparable and consistent (rather than unfairly disparate) monetary damages for victims of intent-based discrimination, as evidenced by the Civil Rights Act of 1991; (2) it better serves the ADEA’s purposes and interests by (a) more effectively promoting its remedial purpose of deterrence and (b) expanding its remedial purposes to include harm compensation and claim incentive; and (3) it serves to fully advance federal employment discrimination policy.
A Game Theoretic Analysis of Secret and Reliable Communication With Active and Passive Adversarial Modes

Secret and reliable communication presents a challenge involving a double dilemma for a user and an adversary. One challenge for the adversary is to decide between jamming and eavesdropping. While jamming can be quite effective in preventing reliable communication of the user, it can also be quite harmful for the adversary since he/she can be detected. On the other hand, eavesdropping is quite safe for the adversary; however, it sometimes may not be so efficient compared to jamming, if the adversary cannot respond to the information gleaned from eavesdropping in a timely manner. The user can either transmit, thus becoming vulnerable to malicious activity, or be in a silent mode in turn delaying his/her transmission. However, by combining these modes properly the user can assist an intruder detection system in detecting the adversary, since transmission can provoke the adversary into a jamming attack, and a strategically allocated silent mode while the jammer continues jamming can increase the probability of detecting the adversary. In this paper, to get insight into this problem, two simple stochastic games are proposed. Explicit solutions are found that lead to the characterization of some interesting properties. In particular, it is shown that under certain conditions, incorporating in the transmission protocol a time slot dealing just with the detection of malicious threats can improve the secrecy and reliability of the communication without extra transmission delay.
Clinical experiences with carboplatin (paraplatin) in lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer in the United States, with 143,000 deaths predicted for 1991. The cure rate is extremely low (approximately 13%), in part because the propensity for early spread precludes surgical cure in most patients. Thus, chemotherapy or other systemic therapies are the only way to improve the dismal results. Cisplatin is an active agent in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and perhaps the most active agent in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The toxicities and inconvenience of cisplatin make it less than ideal for lung cancer therapy. Carboplatin was developed to provide a less toxic, more convenient alternative to cisplatin. The data presented in this review suggest that carboplatin may be substituted for cisplatin in the treatment of extensive-stage SCLC. In limited-stage SCLC, there are insufficient data to determine whether it should replace cisplatin when used simultaneously with chest irradiation and etoposide. It may be substituted for cisplatin in cycles not using irradiation. In NSCLC, carboplatin may be used alone or with etoposide for the palliative management of metastatic disease. Its role in earlier stages of NSCLC needs investigation.
School Factors and Alcohol Use: The Moderating Effect of Nativity in a National Sample of Latino Adolescents.

ABSTRACTBackground: School is an important developmental context for adolescents and may be related to adolescent alcohol use. Less is known as to whether the relationships between school factors and alcohol use differ between Latino youth born outside of the United States versus those born in the United States. Objective: The aim of this study is to test nativity as a moderator of the relationship between school factors and alcohol use among Latino adolescents. Methods: This study used data from Waves I and II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to test nativity as a moderator of the relationship between school factors and alcohol use in a subsample of Latino adolescents. Results: Results found that during adolescence, nativity moderates the relationship between school connectedness and Wave I alcohol use. For those born outside of the United States, school connectedness was not related to alcohol use. Significant main effects emerged for grades in school and truancy. Bet...
An Improved Time Integration Algorithm: A Collocation Time Finite Element Approach

A time collocation finite element approach is employed to develop one- and two-step time integration schemes with algorithmic dissipation control capability. The newly developed time integration schemes are combined to obtain a new family of time integration algorithms using the concept employed by Baig and Bathe. The newly developed algorithm can effectively control the algorithmic dissipation by relating the collocation parameters with the spectral radius in the high frequency limit. The new algorithm provides better accuracy compared with the generalized-α method for highly dissipative cases and includes the Baig and Bathe method within its family as a special case.
Environmental Cost Model of Material Product and its Application

In order to solve ordinary problems of incomplete data and transferring environmental loads to environmental cost, environmental-cost-assessment model of material industry is designed and created reasonably based on inventory analysis. Furthermore, there is a case study about a kind of mixed thing of material factory in northwest region. The model has been proved scientific and reasonable by compared the output result of the model with the result directly surveyed.
Relationship between body surface area and arterial concentrations of bupivacaine following lumbar epidural anesthesia.

Background and Objectives Most prior studies have shown no relationship between body mass or body surface area (BSA) and maximum plasma concentration of local anesthetic agent (Cmax) following neural block. Methods Forty-nine patients, aged 55 or older, undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty, had arterial plasma bupivacaine concentrations measured (gas chromatography) at 10-minute intervals for the first 60 minutes following lumbar epidural injection of 25 mL 0.75% bupivacaine plain. Hemodynamic stability was maintained with either low-dose epinephrine (EPI) or phenylephrine (PHE) intravenous infusions. Results A significant relationship between arterial bupivacaine concentration and BSA was noted for both EPI and PHE groups at each observation point (P Conclusions Between 20% and 40% of the variability in the arterial concentrations of bupivacaine following lumbar epidural injection in elderly patients can be accounted for by differences in BSA.
Efficacy of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate supplementation in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Introduction Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients suffer from a number of co-morbidities including declines in muscle mass and physical function. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine that has been shown to improve lean mass and physical function in elderly and clinical populations, but had not been studied in MHD patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of HMB in this population. Methods We performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to assess the effects of daily HMB supplementation on co-morbidities in MHD patients. MHD patients were recruited and assigned to either daily supplementation with HMB (n = 16) or placebo (n = 17) for 6 months. Measurements of body composition, bone density, strength, physical function, fall risk, quality of life, and blood parameters were measured at baseline and 6 months. Blood was drawn at baseline, 3, and 6 months to measure compliance. Findings No significant effects of HMB on body composition, bone density, strength, physical function, fall risk, quality of life, or blood parameters were observed. On analysis of plasma HMB concentrations, 5 of 16 patients (31%) in the HMB group were found to be noncompliant at 3 or 6 months. Therefore, we performed a per-protocol analysis with compliant participants only and observed no significant differences in our outcomes of interest. Discussion These results do not support the efficacy of HMB to attenuate co-morbid conditions in MHD patients. Moreover, this highlights the need for future interventions targeted at reducing pill burden and improving pill compliance in this population.
The Evolved Psychology of Time Perspective

This chapter is a review of the theoretical and research evidence of the premise that a more hedonistic time perspective is a facet of a fast Life History (LH) strategy and a stronger future time perspective is a facet of a slow LH strategy. While the evidence for these two ideas is mixed; new data is presented that is consistent with the hypothesized association between a fast LH strategy and a hedonistic time perspective. Asking participants to imagine shorter life expectancies increased their hedonistic time perspective. Suggestions for future research are made with the hope that refinements in the measurement of both LH strategy and time perspective will allow for greater integration between the two constructs.
Effect of the Ancillary Ligand on the Mechanism for CO Migratory Insertion in High-Valent Oxorhenium Complexes

Several oxorhenium complexes bearing an SSS pincer ligand were isolated and characterized, and their reactivity with carbon monoxide was explored. The corresponding oxorhenium(V) acyl derivatives were also isolated and characterized. Carbonylation reactions required high pressures (400 psi) and temperatures (50 °C). The mechanism for carbonylation was explored with DFT (M06) calculations and revealed that the most likely mechanism for carbonylation involved stepwise formation of CO adducts followed by migration of the carbonyl ligand to the alkyl/aryl groups.
Blacks and Asians in a White City: Japanese Americans and African Americans in Seattle, 1890–1940

In 1909, against a backdrop of rising racial tension in Seattle, a Japanese restaurant that previously accepted black customers refused servce to city residents Powell and Katherine Barnett. Powell Barnett described the incident in an interview thirty years later: "We went into this place and were told that management had changed their [sic] policy and we couldn't be served because we were colored. I never went back."
Simulation and measurement of through-the-earth (TTE), extremely low-frequency signals using copper-clad, steel ground rods

The underground mining environment can greatly affect radio signal propagation. Understanding how the earth affects signal propagation is a key to evaluating communications systems used during a mine emergency. One type of communication system is through the earth (TTE) that can utilize extremely low frequencies (ELF). This paper presents the simulation and measurement results of recent National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) research aimed at investigating current injection at ELF , and in particular ground contact impedance. Measurements were taken at a surface testing location, outside. The results obtained from modeling and measurement are characterized by electrode impedance and the voltage received between two distant electrodes. The paper concludes with a discussion of design considerations found to affect low-frequency communication systems utilizing ground rods to inject a current into the earth.
Using Integer Manipulatives: Representational Determinism

Teachers and students commonly use various concrete representations during mathematical instruction. These representations can be utilized to help students understand mathematical concepts and processes, increase flexibility of thinking, facilitate problem solving, and reduce anxiety while doing mathematics. Unfortunately, the manner in which some instructionally employ representations potentially leaves students confounded and mathematical ideas unlearned. From the perspective of representational determinism, this paper explores the appropriate uses and misuses of concrete representations in respect to integer operations.
A mobilidade enraizada: contradições do cinema africano

According to Gilles Deleuze, mid-20th century has opened unprecedented perspectives related to oral tradition and nomadic lifestyle. Following Deleuze’s lead, this article aims to analyze West Africa’s cinema by proposing a path drawn from a number of movies in which the affirmation of an original identity alternates with the movement of an ever changing identity: contradictory forces that express themselves through rooting figures (the Baobab tree) and nomadic figures (the winds of the Sahel).
Rationale and design of the ranolazine PH–RV study: a multicentred randomised and placebo-controlled study of ranolazine to improve RV function in patients with non-group 2 pulmonary hypertension

Introduction A major determining factor on outcomes in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is right ventricular (RV) function. Ranolazine, which is currently approved for chronic stable angina, has been shown to improve RV function in an animal model and has been shown to be safe in small human studies with PAH. We aim to study the effect of ranolazine on RV function using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (non-group 2 patients) and monitor the effect of ranolazine on metabolism using metabolic profiling and changes of microRNA. Methods and analysis This study is a longitudinal, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre proof-of-concept study in 24 subjects with pulmonary hypertension and RV dysfunction treated with ranolazine over 6 months. Subjects who meet the protocol definition of RV dysfunction (CMR RV ejection fraction (EF) Ethics and dissemination The trial protocol was approved by Institutional Review Boards. The trial findings will be disseminated in scientific journals and meetings. Trial registration numbers NCT01839110 and NCT02829034;Pre-results.
Nasopharyngeal electrode recording of somatosensory evoked potentials as an indicator in brain death.

Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials were recorded in 28 comatose patients, eight of whom were progressing from coma to eventual brain death and in 11 brain dead patients using electrodes o...
Current treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus has a variety of clinical presentations, but treatment is similar for the different forms. The antimalarials remain the cornerstone of treatment because of their effectiveness and safety. Optimal use of the antimalarials as well as alternative therapy options are discussed.
Comparable Safety of Blood Collection in “High-risk” Autologous Donors Versus Non-High-risk Autologous and Directed Donors in a Hospital Setting

The safety of autologous blood donation by "high-risk" patients (those with some preexisting medical conditions) has been questioned. The authors reviewed 1393 consecutive blood donation records (207 high-risk autologous [HRA], 665 non-high-risk autologous [NHRA], and 521 directed donors [DD]) to determine the safety and outcome of blood donation by HRA patients as compared with other donors at their center. The HRA group included patients with a history of significant coronary artery on cerebral vascular disease, recent seizures, cardiac arrhythmia, chronic heart failure, valvular or congenital heart disease, symptomatic dyspnea, insulin-dependent diabetes and/or current therapy with two or more antihypertensive medications. Those designated NHRA were all other autologous donors; DD met all criteria for homologous donation. Donor characteristics including predonation hematocrit, pre- and postdonation mean arterial pressure and heart rates were similar in all groups. Eight HRA donors (3.9%) had reactions, compared with 21 NHRA (3.2%) and 23 DD (4.4%), a difference that was without statistical significance. The reaction rate in all autologous donors (HRA and NHRA) was 3.4%. No differences in symptoms reported, hemodynamics or reaction severity were observed among the three groups (P > .05). A multiple logistic regression was performed within and among the groups with the risk factor categories listed above and medication classes including beta blockers, cardiac glycosides, calcium-channel blockers, antihypertensive agents, nitrates, and antiarrhythmic agents (chi 2 = 14.9; P = .0006). Only first-time donation (P = .0001) and cardiac glycoside usage (P = .04) were positively associated with an untoward reaction. The authors conclude that donation by HRA donors is at least as safe as that by donors who meet homologous donation criteria in their population and setting.
A Gentle Majority Clause for the Apportionment of Committee Seats

The divisor method with standard rounding (Sainte-Lague/Schepers) is amended by a gentle majority clause, in order to map the government majority in parliament into a seat majority in committees.
Queering medical education: systematically assessing LGBTQI health competency and implementing reform

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) individuals face well-established health disparities. American medical schools have been inconsistent in their training in the care of LGBTQI-identified patient, and many have not formally assessed their curriculums for content related to the care of LGBTQI-identified patients. From 2015 to 2016, the authors systematically evaluated Georgetown University School of Medicine's preclinical curriculum for its LGBTQI competency using video lecture capture, LGBTQI health competencies published by the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) and learning objectives developed by Vanderbilt University. Based on the results of the curricular audit, the authors have created didactic content targeted at the identified curricular gaps that has been implemented throughout the preclinical curriculum at Georgetown. The curricular auditing process described here could be replicated at other medical schools, which would allow educators to develop targeted content to address unmet competencies. Abbreviations AAMC: Association of American Medical Colleges; LGBTQI: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex.
A lower extremity model for muscle-driven simulation of activity using explicit finite element modeling.

Abstract A key strength of computational modeling is that it can provide estimates of muscle, ligament, and joint loads, stresses, and strains through non-invasive means. However, simulations that can predict the forces in the muscles during activity while maintaining sufficient complexity to realistically represent the muscles and joint structures can be computationally challenging. For this reason, the current state of the art is to apply separate rigid-body dynamic and finite-element (FE) analyses in series. However, the use of two or more disconnected models often fails to capture key interactions between the joint-level and whole-body scales. Single framework MSFE models have the potential to overcome the limitations associated with disconnected models in series. The objectives of the current study were to create a multi-scale FE model of the human lower extremity that combines optimization, dynamic muscle modeling, and structural FE analysis in a single framework and to apply this framework to evaluate the mechanics of healthy knee specimens during two activities. Two subject-specific FE models (Model 1, Model 2) of the lower extremity were developed in ABAQUS/Explicit including detailed representations of the muscles. Muscle forces, knee joint loading, and articular contact were calculated for two activities using an inverse dynamics approach and static optimization. Quadriceps muscle forces peaked at the onset of chair rise (2174 N, 1962 N) and in early stance phase (510 N, 525 N), while gait saw peak forces in the hamstrings (851 N, 868 N) in midstance. Joint forces were similar in magnitude to available telemetric patient data. This study demonstrates the feasibility of detailed quasi-static, muscle-driven simulations in an FE framework.
Waveguide-fed Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna using an Antipodal Finline Transition

In this paper, a new waveguide-fed Antipodal Vi-valdi Antenna (AVA) for mm-wave imaging applications is presented. A waveguide-to-broadside coupled Antipodal finline transition is designed to couple the dominant mode of a WR-12 waveguide into the AVA. The transition provides a wideband and low insertion loss in the entire E - band. A dielectric lens is added in front of the AVA to increase the directivity in the endfire direction of the antenna. The performance of the designed antenna is evaluated in the E - band in terms of its return loss, gain, and radiation pattern.
A rendezvous with asteroid Bennu

The OSIRIS-REx mission has reached its target, asteroid Bennu, and is engaging in reconnaissance and early science observations in preparation for sample collection. Principal investigator team Heather Enos and Dante Lauretta provide an overview.
Scenario analysis with arena simulation

Arena Simulation Software from Rockwell Automation is used to analyze and compare scenarios to ensure the optimal configuration of business processes. Customers use this tool globally to make informed decisions and avoid wasteful spending. In this session, Rockwell Automation will review how they used Arena Simulation to develop a digital twin, analyze a production line, and cut down on changeover times to meet customer demands. During the discussion, Rockwell will also introduce the newest features used to make this powerful simulation.
The Hajdu Cheney mutation sensitizes mice to the osteolytic actions of tumor necrosis factor α.

Hajdu Cheney syndrome (HCS) is characterized by craniofacial developmental abnormalities, acro-osteolysis, and osteoporosis and is associated with gain–of–NOTCH2 function mutations. A mouse model of HCS termed Notch2tm1.1Ecan harboring a mutation in exon 34 of Notch2 replicating the one found in HCS was used to determine whether the HCS mutation sensitizes the skeleton to the osteolytic effects of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). TNFα injected over the calvarial vault caused a greater increase in osteoclast number, osteoclast surface, and eroded surface in Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice compared with littermate WT controls. Accordingly, the effect of TNFα on osteoclastogenesis was greatly enhanced in cultures of bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMMs) from Notch2tm1.1Ecan mice when compared with the activity of TNFα in control cultures. TNFα induced the expression of Notch2 and Notch2 mutant mRNA by ∼2-fold, possibly amplifying the NOTCH2-dependent induction of osteoclastogenesis. The effect of TNFα on osteoclastogenesis in Notch2tm1.1Ecan mutants depended on NOTCH2 activation because it was reversed by anti-NOTCH2 negative regulatory region and anti-jagged 1 antibodies. The inactivation of Hes1 prevented the TNFα effect on osteoclastogenesis in the context of the Notch2tm1.1Ecan mutation. In addition, the induction of Il1b, but not of Tnfa and Il6, mRNA by TNFα was greater in Notch2tm1.1Ecan BMMs than in control cells, possibly contributing to the actions of TNFα and NOTCH2 on osteoclastogenesis. In conclusion, the HCS mutation enhances TNFα-induced osteoclastogenesis and the inflammatory bone-resorptive response possibly explaining the acro-osteolysis observed in affected individuals.
Renal outcomes of neonates with early presentation of posterior urethral valves: a 10-year single center experience.

Evaluate renal outcomes and early predictive factors in infants with congenital posterior urethral valves who required catheter or surgical urinary tract decompression within the first 7 days of life. A 10-year retrospective study at a single hospital. Primary outcomes were estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and development of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Of 35 infants, 50% developed eGFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 15% progressed to ESRD. Nadir creatinine, need for invasive ventilation in the newborn period, and need for surgical diversion after catheter diversion were associated with worse outcomes. 50% of infants requiring invasive ventilation as neonates developed eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 in childhood. Half of infants with early presentation and intervention developed significant renal insufficiency in childhood, similar to children with later presentation or who had fetal intervention. Invasive ventilation in the newborn period and need for surgical urinary diversion are associated with worse outcomes.
On Mathematical Ways of Knowing: Musings of a Humanistic Mathematician

Humanistic mathematics is a perspective on mathematics that emphasizes the ways our species creates, interacts with, and lives through it. I summarized this idea elsewhere (see Karaali 2015) by asserting that mathematics is the way our species makes sense of this world and that it is inherent in our thinking machinery; our mathematics in turn is dependent on the way we view our universe and ourselves. Lakoff and Nunez (2000) argue carefully and eloquently for a mathematics inherently based on human cognition.
RNA‐binding protein PUM2 regulates mesenchymal stem cell fate via repression of JAK2 and RUNX2 mRNAs

The differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into unwanted lineages can generate potential problems in clinical trials. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms, involved in this process, would help prevent unexpected complications. Regulation of gene expression, at the posttranscriptional level, is a new approach in cell therapies. PUMILIO is a conserved posttranscriptional regulator. However, the underlying mechanisms of PUMILIO, in vertebrate stem cells, remain elusive. Here, we show that depletion of PUMILIO2 (PUM2) blocks MSC adipogenesis and enhances osteogenesis. We also demonstrate that PUM2 works as a negative regulator on the 3'-untranslated regions of JAK2 and RUNX2 via direct binding. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene silencing of Pum2 inhibited lipid accumulation and induced excessive bone formation in zebrafish larvae. Our findings reveal novel roles of PUM2 in MSCs and provide potential therapeutic targets for related diseases.
Synthesis and Spectral Properties of 8-Anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic Acid (ANS) Derivatives Prepared by Microwave-Assisted Copper(0)-Catalyzed Ullmann Reaction

For decades, the dye 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) has been used to study biological systems due to its environmentally sensitive fluorescent nature and propensity to bind to hydrophobic pockets of proteins. However, the syntheses of ANS and its derivatives have been low yielding, requiring harsh reaction conditions and long reaction times. We have developed efficient, mild microwave-assisted copper(0)-catalyzed Ullmann coupling conditions to synthesize ANS derivatives with yields of up to 74%. Many of these derivatives have spectral properties distinct from ANS, including improved and diminished quantum yields, different absorption and emission maxima, and complete loss of fluorescence. ANS derivatives with these unique fluorescence properties are useful tools to study biological systems.
Attitudes toward Concealed Carry of Firearms on Campus: A Systematic Review of the Literature

ABSTRACTGun control is a highly debated and divisive social issue. In recent years, this issue has been thrust into the academic arena with the advent of campus carry legislation and policies. Rese...
Adherence and Persistence with DPP-4 Inhibitors Versus Pioglitazone in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Retrospective Claims Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adherence and persistence with diabetes medication play an important role in glycemic control and may differ by medication class. However, there is a lack of research comparing diabetes...
Consistency and Raw Scores Survive Another Test: A Last Response to Prediger and His Colleagues.

Prediger confuses observations about the data with Holland's theoretical statement, performs some uninterpretable analyses, omits much relevant data, and provides an incomplete account of what psyc...
Impact of VLSI on Pattern Recognition and Image Processing

Publisher Summary Pictorial pattern analysis and image processing have applications in many areas, including character recognition, remote sensing, target tracking, biomedical image analysis, fingerprint analysis, industrial automation, and robotics. There are two approaches to very large-scale integration (VLSI) design for image processing, parallel-processing cellular arrays, and special-purpose image-processing chips. LSI/VLSI cellular arrays are being developed and implemented for image processing. The arrays are flexible and programmable, and each processing element (PE) in an array is connected to its neighboring PEs to perform neighbor-dependent operations. Parallel streams of pixel values are piped into the array and computed results flow out of the array synchronously without branching. In the future, hierarchical and reconfigurable general-purpose image-processing and pattern-recognition systems would be implemented using VLSI components. The lowest level would be the cellular array or the systolic array to handle low-level and parallel-image-processing tasks. The second level could be a number of multiprocessors that handle intermediate- and high-level processing tasks and call upon the first-level processors to perform the necessary low-level operations.
Personality concomitants of autonomic balance. II. Inventory measures.

(1963). Personality Concomitants of Autonomic Balance, II: Inventory Measures. Journal of Projective Techniques and Personality Assessment: Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 20-22.
Interaction of Lateral Electromagnetic Waves at Microwave Frequencies with Metallic Surfaces

Electromagnetic wave techniques have been used extensively for materials characterization. Microwaves have been used for the measurement of degree of cure in composite materials, eddy current methods have been used for the detection of surface breaking cracks in metal alloys and radio waves have been used as a probe of the earth’s crust. For techniques that use propagating waves, there are actually three modes for electromagnetic wave transmission from the source to the receiver: direct waves, reflected waves and lateral waves (also known as surface waves). An interesting characteristic of lateral waves is that they propagate along the boundary between two different materials with the interaction being confined to the boundary region. In this work, the use of lateral waves for remote and noncontacting sensing is considered with an emphasis on characterization of metallic surfaces. The interaction of these waves with near surface microstructural features such as cracks, voids and inclusions is considered showing that lateral waves can be used to detect these features using microwave-based techniques. While the lateral field strength is small compared to other modes, it is shown that this field is sufficiently large to be useful for crack detection purposes. Experiments on stainless steel plates with slit type defects show model system results for the detection of surface breaking defects using this lateral wave method.
Consistent individual behavior: evidence of personality in black bears

Personality is defined as consistency in individual differences in organismal behavior across time or context, a phenomenon of interest within behavioral and evolutionary ecology. Empirical data have revealed an ever-increasing number and diversity of taxa that display these phenotypic patterns in both wild and captive settings. Moreover, these behavioral traits are frequently linked to wild behavior, life history strategies, and measures of individual fitness. Understanding personality is of particular importance for some animals, such as large carnivores, which may express maladaptive behavior that can lead to conflict with humans. To date, few studies of personality exist on large carnivores and none have investigated the presence of personality in black bears (Ursus americanus). Through focal animal sampling, and open field, novel object, and startle object tests, we investigate the potential for personality in captive black bear cubs. Results indicate the presence of personality, with consistency in behavior across five metrics for the bold-shy axis, and eight sampling events measuring responses for the activity axis. Information presented here reveals the presence of personality in black bear cubs, and may provide a framework for future investigations into relationships of personality with ecology and life history.
Cancer Chemotherapy Related Cognitive Impairment and the Impact of the Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factor APOE.

Cancer related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a serious impairment to maintaining quality of life in cancer survivors. Cancer chemotherapy contributes to this condition through several potential mechanisms, including damage to the blood brain barrier, increases in oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, and impaired neurogenesis, each of which lead to neuronal dysfunction. A genetic predisposition to CRCI is the E4 allele of the Apolipoprotein E gene (APOE), which is also the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. In normal brains, APOE performs essential lipid transport functions. The APOE4 isoform has been linked to altered lipid binding, increased oxidative stress and inflammation, reduced turnover of neural progenitor cells, and impairment of the blood brain barrier. As chemotherapy also affects these processes, the influence of APOE4 on CRCI takes on great significance. This review outlines the main areas where APOE genotype could play a role in CRCI. Potential therapeutics based on APOE biology could mitigate these detrimental cognitive effects for those receiving chemotherapy, emphasizing that the APOE genotype could help in developing personalized cancer treatment regimens.
Role of endolysosome function in iron metabolism and brain carcinogenesis

Iron, the most abundant metal in human brain, is an essential microelement that regulates numerous cellular mechanisms. Some key physiological roles of iron include oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production, embryonic neuronal development, formation of iron-sulfur clusters, and the regulation of enzymes involved in DNA synthesis and repair. Because of its physiological and pathological importance, iron homeostasis must be tightly regulated by balancing its uptake, transport, and storage. Endosomes and lysosomes (endolysosomes) are acidic organelles known to contain readily releasable stores of various cations including iron and other metals. Increased levels of ferrous (Fe2+) iron can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) via Fenton chemistry reactions and these increases can damage mitochondria and genomic DNA as well as promote carcinogenesis. Accumulation of iron in the brain has been linked with aging, diet, disease, and cerebral hemorrhage. Further, deregulation of brain iron metabolism has been implicated in carcinogenesis and may be a contributing factor to the increased incidence of brain tumors around the world. Here, we provide insight into mechanisms by which iron accumulation in endolysosomes is altered by pH and lysosome membrane permeabilization. Such events generate excess ROS resulting in mitochondrial DNA damage, fission, and dysfunction, as well as DNA oxidative damage in the nucleus; all of which promote carcinogenesis. A better understanding of the roles that endolysosome iron plays in carcinogenesis may help better inform the development of strategic therapeutic options for cancer treatment and prevention.
Invariant Filtering for Bipedal Walking on Dynamic Rigid Surfaces with Orientation-based Measurement Model.

Real-world applications of bipedal robot walking require accurate, real-time state estimation. State estimation for locomotion over dynamic rigid surfaces (DRS), such as elevators, ships, public transport vehicles, and aircraft, remains under-explored, although state estimator designs for stationary rigid surfaces have been extensively studied. Addressing DRS locomotion in state estimation is a challenging problem mainly due to the nonlinear, hybrid nature of walking dynamics, the nonstationary surface-foot contact points, and hardware imperfections (e.g., limited availability, noise, and drift of onboard sensors). Towards solving this problem, we introduce an Invariant Extended Kalman Filter (InEKF) whose process and measurement models explicitly consider the DRS movement and hybrid walking behaviors while respectively satisfying the group-affine condition and invariant form. Due to these attractive properties, the estimation error convergence of the filter is provably guaranteed for hybrid DRS locomotion. The measurement model of the filter also exploits the holonomic constraint associated with the support-foot and surface orientations, under which the robot's yaw angle in the world becomes observable in the presence of general DRS movement. Experimental results of bipedal walking on a rocking treadmill demonstrate the proposed filter ensures the rapid error convergence and observable base yaw angle.
Distributed Computation of Persistent Homology from Partitioned Big Data

Topological Data Analysis is a machine learning method that summarizes the topological features of a space. Persistent Homology (PH) can identify these topological features as they persist within a point cloud; persisting in respect to the connectedness of the point cloud at increasing distances. The utility of PH is apparent in several fields including bioinformatics, network security, and object classification. However, the memory complexity of PH limits the application to relatively small point clouds for low-dimensional topological feature identification. For this reason, numerous approaches to optimize and approximate the PH have been introduced for providing results over large point clouds. One solution, Partitioned Persistent Homology (PPH), has shown favorable approximation on a single node with significant performance improvement. However, the single-node approach is limited by the available system memory, leading to the need for a distributed approach for additional (especially memory) resources. This paper studies a distributed version of PPH for use with large point clouds over a high-performance compute cluster. Experimental results of the distributed algorithm against previous studies is presented along with scalability of the distributed library.
Rights and Revolution: The Rise and Fall of Nicaragua's Sandinista Movement

This book (Vandeplas 2013 available now at Amazon.com) argues that during the decade long rule of the Sandinista movement in 1980s' Nicaragua, discussion of the origins and development of that nation's revolution was greatly hindered by a polarization between two basic points of view. On the one hand, an anticommunist worldview rooted in the Cold War fueled outright opposition to the Sandinista movement. On the other, a defense of the politics of the Sandinistas was motivated by a tendency on the left and within some currents of liberalism to support, almost without criticism, any third world political movement which stood up to the United States government. There were many shades of opinion between these two poles - but no third pole opposed to both. This study is an attempt to break through the intellectual stalemate that is a legacy of the Cold War. By reconsidering the dynamics of the Nicaraguan revolution I believe it is possible to come to a deeper understanding of conflicts in the developing world. In particular, I believe a close study of the relationship between democratic rights and revolutionary movements within the revolutionary process itself is a fruitful means to achieve this understanding.
Derivation and application of the energy dissipation factor in the design of fishways

Reducing turbulence and associated air entrainment is generally considered advantageous in the engineering design of fish passage facilities. The well-known energy dissipation factor, or EDF, correlates with observations of the phenomena. However, inconsistencies in EDF forms exist and the bases for volumetric energy dissipation rate criteria are often misunderstood. A comprehensive survey of EDF criteria is presented. Clarity in the application of the EDF and resolutions to these inconsistencies are provided through formal derivations; it is demonstrated that kinetic energy represents only 1/3 of the total energy input for the special case of a broad-crested weir. Specific errors in published design manuals are identified and resolved. New, fundamentally sound, design equations for culvert outlet pools and standard Denil Fishway resting pools are developed. The findings underscore the utility of EDF equations, demonstrate the transferability of volumetric energy dissipation rates, and provide a foundation for future refinement of component-, species-, and life-stage-specific EDF criteria.
The chemistry of human transcortin. Improved affinity matrices for the purification of transcortin

Abstract While spacer arms have been shown to play an important role in affinity chromatography, no systematic investigations of spacer arms in the purification of transcortin have been reported. Among the five cortisol-agaroses, cortisol-21-succinyl-1,6-hexanediamidoagarose achieved the highest extraction efficiency of transcortin from plasma. The optimal length of the spacer arm for extraction is ca. 12–13 A. Cortisol-succinyl-agaroses having hydrophobic spacer arms extract transcortin better then those having hydrophilic arms of approximately equal length. Affinity supports are usually synthesized sequentially; cortisol-agaroses thus prepared were found to complicate the purification of transcortin. The problems of nonspecificity and instability associated with these agaroses were eliminated by using reverse addition. A complete ligand-spacer arm, synthesized in a single step by displacing the tosyl group from cortisol-21-tosylate with 1,6-hexanediamine, was coupled with cyanogen bromide-activated agarose. Although the 21-deoxy-21-(ω-amidohexyl) aminocortisol-agarose ranked second in extraction efficiency, its superior stability and low nonspecific adsorption of other proteins make it the prime choice for affinity chromatography of transcortin.
Chromogranin A staining as a prognostic variable in newly diagnosed Gleason score 7-10 prostate cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy.

PURPOSE To demonstrate the association of neuroendocrine differentiation, as identified by chromogranin A (CgA) staining, with clinical outcomes in newly diagnosed prostatic adenocarcinoma treated with definitive radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS/METHODS Patients with Gleason score ≥7 adenocarcinoma were identified from our outcomes database. RT consisted of external beam, brachytherapy, or external beam with brachytherapy boost. Biopsy specimens were stained for neuroendocrine differentiation with CgA. Results were interpreted by a single pathologist. CgA staining was quantified as 0%, 10% of tumor cells. Clinical outcomes were blinded at the time of pathologic evaluation. RESULTS CgA staining was performed on 289 patients. 149 patients had Gleason score 7, and 140 were Gleason score 8–10. Median follow-up was 6.5 years. For patients with 1% CgA staining, pretreatment characteristics were well-balanced. CgA staining was detected in 90 cases (31%). 58 patients had focal positive ( 1% of tumor cells CgA positive. Patients with >1% CgA staining had inferior biochemical control, clinical failure, distant metastases (DM), and cause-specific survival (CSS) rates. Ten-year rates of DM were 8% versus 48% for patients with 1% CgA positive cells, respectively (P < 0.001). CSS at 10 years was 95% versus 76%, respectively (P < 0.001). Local control was equivalent in the two patient cohorts. Patients with <1% CgA staining had similar outcomes to those patients with 0% staining. CONCLUSIONS Neuroendocrine differentiation involving >1% of tumor cells on prostate cancer biopsies is a predictor of DM and CSS in patients treated with primary RT. Prostate 74:520–527, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
U.S.-Japan automobile trade

Abstract Using Bayesian procedures for gradual switching regression models we estimate shifts in production and demand functions. We find that by 1970 the Japanese automobile industry had attained an efficient mass production process and was ready to meet the shift in the U.S. demand for Japanese cars.
Trans-Tec Asia v. M/V Harmony Container: Should American Judges Put On Foreign Hats (or Wigs)?

The application of foreign law in U.S. federal courts is often spotty at best. Many decisions pay lip-service to the need for international comity and the fair application of foreign law, but this requires extensive research into a wholly unfamiliar body of law which courts and parties are rarely willing to do. This article examines the Ninth Circuit's recent decision in Trans-Tec Asia v. M/V Harmony, a case which is indicative of this problem. Next, it argues that a more faithful application of foreign law is both increasingly possible and increasingly necessary. A petition for certiorari has been filed in Trans-Tec, underscoring this growing necessity.
Pervasive Developmental Disorders

SUMMARY The pervasive developmental disorders are behaviorally deﬁned syndromescharacterized by speciﬁc patterns of behavioral characteristics. Given that thesedisorders are quite complex and affect virtually every area of functioning, it isthe case that the development and utilization of assessment have proven to bemost challenging. Accordingly, accurate, detailed, and comprehensive assessmenthas proven to be exceptionally important and has been the focus of a great dealof research. The development of diagnostic assessments has been particularlyhelpful, in that diagnostic precision is important for epidemiological studies,various areas of research, and the determination of appropriate services and place-ments. Diagnostic assessment typically includes interviews with parent or othercaregiver, a medical evaluation, direct behavioral observation, cognitive assess-ment, and assessment of adaptive behavior. Ongoing research continues toimprove our ability to diagnose these disorders accurately and at a younger age,which is essential, given the importance of early screening and early interven-tion. Assessments developed and used for these populations must reﬂect an appre-ciation for developmental issues that may affect their interpretation. Finally,appropriate and detailed assessment can be crucial to the identiﬁcation of treatment and educational programming as well as the evaluation of such interventions.