cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Applying the Hájek Approach in Formula-Based Variance Estimation

The variance formula derived for a two-stage sampling design without replacement employs the joint inclusion probabilities in the first-stage selection of clusters. One of the difficulties encountered in data analysis is the lack of information about such joint inclusion probabilities. One way to solve this issue is by applying Hajek's approximation of the joint probabilities in variance estimation. To assess the Hajek approach, several estimators of Hajek's c and d are proposed. The application is illustrated with simulation and real data. A Monte Carlo simulation is employed to compare the results of joint inclusion probabilities yielded from the probability-proportional-to-size sampling methods with the results from Hajek's approximation. Empirically estimated variances from the jackknife procedure are also compared with the formula-based variances with incorporated Hajek's approximation.
Dental optical tomography with upconversion nanoparticles—a feasibility study

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have the unique ability to emit multiple colors upon excitation by near-infrared (NIR) light. Herein, we investigate the potential use of UCNPs as contrast agents for dental optical tomography, with a focus on monitoring the status of fillings after dental restoration. The potential of performing tomographic imaging using UCNP emission of visible or NIR light is established. This in silico and ex vivo study paves the way toward employing UCNPs as theranostic agents for dental applications.
Background and Motivation

Since time immemorial ensuring the dependability of machines and buildings was felt to be a normal duty by engineers. Manufacturers systematically made sure that mechanisms created by them would operate when expected. In the medical field, the basic service offered by doctors was to ensure good health to the patient. In literature and in professional practices one can see a long term concern regarding good-functioning systems—animate as well inanimate—but the concept of ‘reliability’ did not have scientific status for centuries and emerged with a precise meaning only in the twenties of the past century when it was used in connection with various industrial issues.
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of O2 Sensing

Molecular oxygen is required for mitochondrial energy generation, and all eukaryotic organisms have the capacity to sense the abundance of cellular O2. When oxygen levels decrease, these sensors activate a wide range of transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational responses that protect the cell and the organism from the consequences of severe oxygen deprivation and O2-limited metabolism. A number of different mechanisms of oxygen sensing have been proposed, and it is likely that diverse cell types employ multiple means of sensing changes in molecular oxygen. However, growing evidence points to the mitochondria as an important site of O2 sensing in diverse cell types. These organelles release reactive oxygen species (ROS) signals to the cytosol where they trigger transcriptional and posttranslational adaptive responses. Although the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the increase in ROS generation under low O2 conditions are not fully understood, these signals appear to originate from complex III of the electron transport chain. The responses regulated by this mechanism include the stabilization of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α and the acute vasoconstrictor response to alveolar hypoxia in the lung. Future studies of prolonged hypoxia are still needed to determine whether the responses to chronic hypoxia are also regulated by this pathway.
Impaired Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Signaling in the Pathogenesis of Neonatal Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Abstract Of diverse growth factors that contribute to normal lung development, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an especially prominent role in the normal growth and development of the pulmonary circulation in the fetus and newborn. Strong experimental and clinical data support the role of impaired VEGF signaling in the pathogenesis of two major clinical disorders of the developing lung circulation: persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). These disorders are each characterized by impaired vascular growth, structure and reactivity, which are at least partly due to endothelial cell dysfunction. This chapter will briefly discuss VEGF signaling during normal lung development and how disruption of VEGF signaling contribute to the pathogenesis of neonatal pulmonary vascular disease in these settings.
The expression of the complement regulators CD46, CD55, and CD59 by human sperm does not protect them from antisperm antibody- and complement-mediated immune injury * †

Objectives To investigate whether membrane-bound regulators of the initial (C3) and terminal (C5b-9) complement (C) pathway components are expressed on human sperm and to evaluate the protective effects of these regulators in restricting antisperm antibody and C-mediated injury. Design Sperm surface C inhibitors were quantitated by indirect immunofluorescence flow cytometry using murine monoclonal antibodies to detect C3 regulatory proteins, C3b/C4b receptor type (CRI, CD35), membrane cofactor protein (CD46), and decay-accelerating factor (CD55), and C5b-9 inhibitor, P18 (CD59) on acrosome-intact human sperm and sperm induced to undergo acrosomal loss. The susceptibility of sperm to antisperm antibody- and C-mediated immobilization was evaluated by sperm motility loss in the presence of antidecay-accelerating factor and/or anti-P18. Setting University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, a tertiary care referral center. Results Both decay-accelerating factor and P18 were detected on acrosome-intact and sperm induced to undergo acrosomal loss; neither expressed CR1. Membrane cofactor protein was detected on only acrosome-reacted sperm. The time course of sperm motility loss in antisperm antibody-negative sera in the presence of antidecay-accelerating factor, anti-P18, or both had a cumulative effect and brought about a time-dependent enhancement of sperm motility loss by serum C. However, sperm motility loss in C-fixing antisperm antibody-positive sera was unaffected by sperm membrane bound C3 and C5b-9 regulators. Conclusions The susceptibility of human sperm to antisperm antibody- and C-induced motility loss may reflect a low potency of the sperm membrane C regulators membrane cofactor protein, decay-accelerating factor, and P18 in inhibiting serum C. Therefore, the use of serum C in the traditional assay for the diagnosis of cytotoxic antisperm antibody in infertile couples may have limitations. The inefficiency of these proteins in restricting serum C activity also suggested a secondary function in restricting localized proteolytic damage at the site of fertilization.
Utilizing NACA Ducts and an Inner Turbine System in a High-Power Rocket to Generate an Electric Current

During the 2016-2017 Collegiate Rocket Launch (CRL) competition, teams were required to design and construct a high-power rocket that would complete a safe flight that would reach as close as possible to a target apogee height of 3,000 feet, as well as generate an electric current during the pre-apogee portion of the rocketâ€™s flight. The UW-Fox Valley team, the Rocketeers, designed a three-inch diameter, thin-walled fiberglass airframe at a final length of 188cm that was able to achieve safe flights. In order to generate electricity during the flight, the team used a ducting system that allowed air through an inner turbine system. On competition day, three safe flights were completed, with altitude, velocity, and acceleration data recorded. Electric generation data was recorded during the first flight, but due to environmental factors data was not recorded for voltage generation on the second and third flight. Â
Neurotrophic Factor Therapy: GDNF and CNTF

Trophic factors are endogenous proteins that support the viability and phenotypic expression of select populations of neurons; many such populations are vulnerable in neurodegenerative disease. The hope has been that delivery of trophic factors could prevent neurons from degenerating and thus prevent the emergence or progression of clinical symptoms in these diseases. This article discusses the ability of two potent trophic factors, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor and ciliary neurotrophic factor, to preserve neuronal circuitry and prevent functional disability in animal models of neurodegeneration.
Dimensionality Reduction and Forecasting on Streams

We consider the problem of capturing correlations and finding hidden variables corresponding to trends on collections of time series streams. Our proposed method, SPIRIT, can incrementally find correlations and hidden variables, which summarise the key trends in the entire stream collection. It can do this quickly, with no buffering of stream values and without comparing pairs of streams. Moreover, it is any-time, single pass, and it dynamically detects changes. The discovered trends can also be used to immediately spot potential anomalies, to do efficient forecasting and, more generally, to dramatically simplify further data processing.
Thermal-Aware Design and Flow for FPGA Performance Improvement

To ensure reliable operation of circuits under elevated temperatures, designers are obliged to put a pessimistic timing margin proportional to the worst-case temperature (T worst ), which incurs significant performance overhead. The problem is exacerbated in deep-CMOS technologies with increased leakage power, particularly in Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) that comprise an abundance of leaky resources. We propose a two-fold approach to tackle the problem in FPGAs. For this end, we first obtain the performance and power characteristics of FPGA resources in a temperature range. Having the temperature-performance correlation of resources together with the estimated thermal distribution of applications makes it feasible to apply minimal, yet sufficient, timing margin. Second, we show how optimizing an FPGA device for a specific thermal corner affects its performance in the operating temperature range. This emphasizes the need for optimizing the device according to the target (range of) temperature. Building upon this observation, we propose thermal-aware optimization of FPGA architecture for foreknown field conditions. We performed a comprehensive set of experiments to implement and examine the proposed techniques. The experimental results reveal that thermal-aware timing on FPGAs yields up to 36.5% performance improvement. Optimizing the architecture further boosts the performance by 6.7%.
Platform-Independent Gene-Expression Based Classification-System for Molecular Sub-typing of Cancer

Molecular stratification of cancer patients is driving the development of precision medicine-targeted therapies. Clustering of tumor samples based on gene expression profiles from high-throughput platforms, such as microarrays or NextGen sequencing, has resulted in distinct tumor subtypes for numerous cancers. However, the majority of the derived classifiers or gene signatures have not reached clinical utility. Therefore, informatics methods to accurately translate the derived gene-signature from the high-throughput platform to a clinically adaptable low-dimensional platform are critical. In this chapter, we discuss a workflow to derive and then transfer gene signatures from one analytical platform to another for cancer patient stratification. We summarize the results of the workflow on two different cancers. Finally we discuss the importance of data-discretization in dealing with the cross-platform data and incorporating the splice-variant or isoform-level gene expression profiles in the statistical analyses.
The one about resilience, energy, culture, and crafting

Joreen Arigye, a data analyst at Fenix International, shares her perspective on the importance of culture in the workplace. Having grown up directly connected to the typical Fenix customer, she has the ability to contribute knowledgeably to validating results from models, analysis, recommendations, and intervention strategies.
There’s Much Ruin in a Nation: An Analysis of Modern Monetary Theory

This paper analyzes the first macroeconomic textbook based on modern monetary theory (MMT) written by Mitchell, Watts and Wray. MMT is a heterodox theory that a government need not worry about budget and monetary constraints and excessive inflation until a country achieves its goals of full employment, first-class healthcare for all citizens, and other desirable policies. Their textbook, Macroeconomics, leaves out major sections that are standard in macroeconomic textbooks, such as AS-AD analysis and economic growth theory. I argue that MMT is a dangerous theory that can lead to a bloated government, runaway inflation, and slow growth. Furthermore, MMT is unnecessary given that many advanced economies have moved in the opposite direction and achieved full-employment growth without adopting MMT, such as Sweden, Canada, Singapore, and Chile.
Chapter 5 – Contextual Environments

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a definition of the NUI. NUIs are not thoughtless applications of new modalities of input that either mimic actions in the real world or mimic existing interface paradigms. The challenge of the NUI is to move users from a clumsy and self-conscious novice performance to an accomplished, fluid and comfortable performance as quickly as possible. The NUI enhances those interactions. So, the NUI works well for tightly “coupled” tasks, where multiple people are working closely together toward a common goal. The NUI is defined by three elements: enjoyable, leading to skilled practices, and appropriate to the context. These elements are joined by “and.” A NUI must have all of these elements in varying degrees. The chapter considers the relationship of environmental context to a gestural NUI and describes the characteristics of environments where a gestural NUI would be successful. It also considers the environment inside the application itself.
Technical note: comparison of techniques for measurement of oxygen uptake by cattle.

The objective of this study was to compare techniques for measuring whole-body O2 uptake of steers. Oxygen uptake provides a basis for evaluating metabolic energy expenditure. We measured O2 uptake as the product of the difference in O2 contents of incoming and exhaust air times air flow through a respiration calorimeter (head box). Additionally, we used catheters and thermistors placed into the blood vessels near the heart to measure cardiac output and whole-body O2 uptake. The cardiac output measurement system used thermodilution to measure the blood flow rate through the pulmonary artery. Catheters placed in the pulmonary artery and in the aorta provided respective samples of oxygen-depleted and oxygen-enriched blood. The product of blood flow rate times blood oxygenation by the lungs provided the basis for calculating total O2 uptake. Four sets of simultaneous measurements with the two techniques were made on eight steers weighing from 272 to 528 kg. Oxygen uptake was not different (P > .20) for the two techniques. Overall (mean +/- SEM) O2 uptake measured by cardiac output (117.2 +/- 7.0 L/h) was 97 +/- 3% of O2 uptake measured by respiration calorimetry.
Dynamic changes in RNA–protein interactions and RNA secondary structure in mammalian erythropoiesis

Two features of eukaryotic RNA molecules that regulate their post-transcriptional fates are RNA secondary structure and RNA-binding protein (RBP) interaction sites. However, a comprehensive global overview of the dynamic nature of these sequence features during erythropoiesis has never been obtained. Here, we use our ribonuclease-mediated structure and RBP-binding site mapping approach to reveal the global landscape of RNA secondary structure and RBP-RNA interaction sites and the dynamics of these features during this important developmental process. We identify dynamic patterns of RNA secondary structure and RBP binding throughout the process and determine a set of corresponding protein-bound sequence motifs along with their dynamic structural and RBP-binding contexts. Finally, using these dynamically bound sequences, we identify a number of RBPs that have known and putative key functions in post-transcriptional regulation during mammalian erythropoiesis. In total, this global analysis reveals new post-transcriptional regulators of mammalian blood cell development.
The Psychological Influence of African Americans: The Advancement of Socially Economics in United States

This study examines events within African American history of the United States. It explains how traumatic events in the history of African Americans in the United States have affected the decisions they make today, which directly affects the national and kitchen table economies. This study is based on the premise that African Americans have been impacted generationally by traumatic events in history which affects their economies and advancement. This study examines how the lives of African Americans have impacted the advancement in the modern national and kitchen table economy. The primary focus of this study is to question a major social ill within the African American community of having a weak kitchen table economy that's defined as "Surviving Americans" and the role that it plays on national economics in the United States. In this research, the results will show that African Americans kitchen table economies have an immense influence on the national economy, and the economic advancement of those Surviving Americans. Events in history have subconsciously created a mindset within the African American community and everyday decision making that affects their kitchen table economy and their lack of advancement within the national economy. The results show that African Americans are an essential component to the advancement of the national economy but the decisions made within their kitchen table economies affect the advancement which is directly related to previous traumatic events within African American history. The conclusion drawn is historical events have created a "Surviving American" mentality within the African American community affecting the advancement of kitchen table economies resulting in a great influence in the national economy. This study will challenge the ideas of what creates a thriving economy in the United States. This study is instrumental because it will address why African American homes, communities and kitchen table economies are not thriving.
Islamophobia and Europhobia in Europe: Politics in the Digital Age

The internet has made it possible for more people than ever before to publicize their political views. As a result, unfiltered voices have proliferated. This paper assesses the impact of the surge in opinion-making on the political discourse regarding European Muslims. I highlight the predominance of Islamophobic views mainly from non-Muslims and ex-Muslims as well as Europhobic voices of extremist Muslims. The rivals aggressively disseminate dualistic and essentializing portraits of Islamic civilization and of European (Western) civilization. Islamophobes deftly manipulate images of Islam as anti-democratic, misogynistic and militaristic and Europe as democratic, egalitarian and peace-loving to support their xenophobic political agenda. With equally shrewd appreciation of the power of symbolic politics, Europhobes essentially invert this stereotype common in mainstream European media. They portray Europe as hedonistic, hypocritical and sadistic and Islam as pious, genuine and just. I contend that, despite their expressed antipathy, Islamophobes and Europhobes actually depend on and feed off one another. Their mutual recriminations mutate into a largely hermetically sealed discourse and counter-discourse in which the outlandish distortions of the foe become the supporting evidence for the opposing adversary’s equally outlandish distortions and vice versa. Sadly, these purveyors of fear-mongering and scapegoating receive so much attention from the sensationalizing media that soberer voices go largely unheard.
Properties of Software Measures

Software measures (or metrics) are important in managing software development. Selecting which metrics to use is difficult. This paper describes desireable properties of software metrics that have been mentioned in the literature. The subsumes relationship between properties is investigated. A partial order of the properties is presented. Knowledge of these properties should help in selecting software metrics.
The Mortera-Cognitive Screening Measure (M-CSM)

Description The Mortera-Cognitive Screening Measure (M-CSM) is a non-standardized screening instrument used to assess selected cognitive processes in adult individuals with acquired brain injury. Screening of cognitive function involves the structured observation and documentation of an individual’s behaviors during the performance of a functional task. A functional task is a complete activity that is familiar to the individual and part of his or her daily routine. The M-CSM is designed to assess cognitive processes in the following categories: sustained attention, shifting attention, visual-attention scanning, awareness of disability, judgment relative to safety, recall, and planning/problem-solving. The M-CSM is used to identify general areas of function and dysfunction in order to determine what cognitive processes are in need of further assessment. Initial content validity has been demonstrated in the M-CSM for the areas of sustained attention, shifting attention, visual-attention scanning, recall, awareness of disability, judgment relative to safety, and planning/problem-solving. Initial interrater reliability for the M-CSM has been demonstrated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of .83.
Current Status and Future Directions of Botulinum Neurotoxins for Targeting Pain Processing

Current evidence suggests that botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) A1 and B1, given locally into peripheral tissues such as skin, muscles, and joints, alter nociceptive processing otherwise initiated by inflammation or nerve injury in animal models and humans. Recent data indicate that such locally delivered BoNTs exert not only local action on sensory afferent terminals but undergo transport to central afferent cell bodies (dorsal root ganglia) and spinal dorsal horn terminals, where they cleave SNAREs and block transmitter release. Increasing evidence supports the possibility of a trans-synaptic movement to alter postsynaptic function in neuronal and possibly non-neuronal (glial) cells. The vast majority of these studies have been conducted on BoNT/A1 and BoNT/B1, the only two pharmaceutically developed variants. However, now over 40 different subtypes of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) have been identified. By combining our existing and rapidly growing understanding of BoNT/A1 and /B1 in altering nociceptive processing with explorations of the specific characteristics of the various toxins from this family, we may be able to discover or design novel, effective, and long-lasting pain therapeutics. This review will focus on our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms whereby BoNTs alter pain processing, and future directions in the development of these agents as pain therapeutics.
Bronchiolitis: A Four-Year Comparative Evaluation of the Impact of a Clinical Care Pathway on Patient Outcome and Resource Utilization Using a Large National Dataset

Bronchiolitis: A Four-Year Comparative Evaluation of the Impact of a Clinical Care Pathway on Patient Outcome and Resource Utilization Using a Large National Dataset
On the use of strategies for programming generalization during functional communication training: A review of the literature.

We conducted a review of the literature pertaining to Functional Communication Training (FCT) and the principles and tactics for programming generalization. Ten studies of FCT and generalization were identified, analyzed, and summarized using the framework provided by Stokes and Osnes (Behavior Therapist 20:337–355, 1989) that detailed principles and tactics programming generalization. In addition to the tactic of recruiting natural consequences which is inherent to FCT, several studies evaluated additional strategies for programming generalization during FCT including modification of maladaptive consequences, reinforcement of occurrences of generalization, training sufficient stimulus exemplars, programming common physical stimuli, and programming common social stimuli. The results of these studies suggest that a) FCT and the tactic of recruiting natural consequences is sometimes sufficient to produce generalization but not in every case, and b) generalization of the treatment effects of FCT can be enhanced through the use of specific tactics for programming generalization. Overall, the results of this review suggest that a relatively small number of studies of FCT have systematically evaluated generalization. Thus, future research should continue to evaluate specific strategies for programming generalization with FCT. This includes combining procedures such as recruiting natural consequences with other strategies outlined by Stokes and Osnes.
Comparison of Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Thermal Models of the LENS® Process

A new two-dimensional (2D) transient finite element model was developed to study the thermal behavior during the multilayer deposition by the laser engineered net shaping rapid fabrication process. The reliability of the 2D model was evaluated by comparing the results obtained from the 2D model with those computed by a previously developed three-dimensional (3D) model. It is found that the predicted temperature distributions and the cooling rates in the molten pool and its surrounding area agree well with the experiment data available in literature and with the previous results calculated with the 3D model. It is also concluded that, for the geometry analyzed in this study, the 2D model can be used with good accuracy, instead of the computationally much more expensive 3D model, if certain precautions are taken to compensate for the 3D effects of the substrate. In particular, a 2D model could be applied to an in situ calculation of the thermal behavior of the deposited part during the fabrication, allowing dynamic control of the process. The 2D model is also applied to study the effects of substrate size and idle time on the thermal field and size of the molten pool.
Connective tissue changes in the cervix during pregnancy and labor.

Research has led experts to the conclusion that the human cervix which becomes softer and increasingly dilatable is basically a connective tissue structure. Such tissue is composed of formed elements and the ground substance both of which are described. The histological changes of the cervix during pregnancy are described and pictured from microscope photography. The ultrastructure of cervical connective tissue is described as are changes in the water hydroxyproline and hexosamine concentrations during pregnancy. The connective tissue action which is responsible for the dilatability of the cervix during pregnancy and delivery is explained. The concentration of water in the cervix increases significantly during pregnancy reaching a peak just before labor. This increase in water does not seem adequate to cause the cervical softening occurring during pregnancy. Relaxin administered during a study produced no histological or chemical changes in the cervix. It is believed that major changes occur in all connective tissue structures during pregnancy. A general study of pregnancy and a particular study of the cervix might increase scientific understanding of both cervical and connective tissue changes in general.
First Report on White Smut of Gaillardia × grandiflora Caused by Entyloma polysporum in Virginia

Disease samples of Gaillardia × grandiflora cvs. Goblin and Baby Cole were received at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Virginia Beach in early April 2002. Samples were from a nursery in eastern Virginia, and most diseased plants had several to more than a dozen, round, flat, white to tan spots with indistinct margins up to 1 cm in diameter on their leaves. The spots later turned brown and necrotic, followed by necrosis of the entire leaf. Leaves of 'Baby Cole' were beginning to wilt and were more spotted than those of 'Goblin'. Fungal fruiting bodies were not observed on the surface of diseased leaves. However, microscopic examination of internal leaf tissues revealed masses of round, double-walled, pale green-to-yellow spores approximately 12 μm in diameter and typical of the ustilospores of Entyloma polysporum (2,3). Inoculum for pathogenicity tests was prepared by blending 10 diseased leaves in 200 ml of sterile distilled water (SDW) for 2 min in a blender at low speed. The spore suspension was adjusted to 5 × 105 spores per ml with SDW. Healthy 'Goblin' gaillardia plants were obtained from a nursery where smut symptoms had never been seen. Four plants in one-gallon containers were inoculated by spraying them to runoff with the spore suspension. Four control plants were sprayed with SDW only. All plants were maintained in a greenhouse (15 to 35°C) and covered with a clean polyethylene plastic sheet overnight (14 h) to maintain high humidity and separated to avoid potential cross contamination. Inoculated and uninoculated plants were hand-watered separately, with application of water to the foliage to enhance spread of the disease. Typical white smut symptoms were observed on inoculated plants 2 weeks after inoculation, and numerous spores of E. polysporum were observed in the diseased tissues. No disease symptoms were seen on control plants. White smut has been reported on gaillardia in a few other states (1), but to our knowledge, this is the first report of the disease on gaillardia in Virginia. Growers at the affected nursery reported observing white smut symptoms on gaillardia in previous years, but in the spring of 2002, almost the entire gaillardia crop was destroyed. The disease has not been seen on gaillardia in any other nurseries, but it could have significant impact on production if it spreads. References: (1) D. F. Farr et al. Fungi on Plants and Plant Products in the United States. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1989. (2) W. Fischer. Manual of the North American Smut Fungi. Ronald Press, New York, 1953. (3) D. B. O. Savile. Can. J. Res. 25(C):109,1947.
Determining Vascular Parameters from Light Transport Measurements

A simple derivation of the effects of vessels is given which demonstrates a concentration dependence not been previously shown. Probe pressure effects on in vivo vascular parameters of the uterine cervix are assessed.
Formative experiences of emerging physicians: gauging the impact of events that occur during medical school.

AbstractPurposeEmotional development, an important component of nascent professional competence, is likely to be shaped by specific formative experiences. This study sought to identify and gauge the impact of highly evocative experiences occurring during medical school.MethodA 34-item list of candid
Toward reducing processor simulation time via dynamic reduction of microarchitecture complexity

As processor microarchitectures continue to increase in complexity, so does the time required to explore the design space. Performing cycle-accurate, detailed timing simulation of a realistic workload on a proposed processor microarchitecture often incurs a prohibitively large time cost. We propose a method to reduce the time cost of simulation by dynamically varying the complexity of the processor model throughout the simulation. In this paper, we give first evidence of the feasibility of this approach. We demonstrate that there are significant amounts of time during a simulation where a reduced processor model accurately tracks important behavior of a full model, and that by simulating the reduced model during these times the total simulation time can be reduced. Finally, we discuss metrics for detecting areas where the two processor models track each other, which is crucial for dynamically deciding when to use a reduced rather than a full model.
Direct Assessment of Information Literacy Using Writing Portfolios.

An investigation into the effectiveness of information literacy instruction for undergraduates at a technological university suggested some deficiencies in students' information literacy skills. Also shown is that a careful and rigorous approach to assessment can provide the basis for improvement.
Transparency, communication and mindfulness

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the idea of transparency of understanding from a communications perspective, and mindful listening as a mode of communication to achieve it.Design/methodology/approach – Provides a discussion and Analysis.Findings – Practical methods to achieve mindful listening are described. Transparency of understanding is publicly and interactively achieved through carefully orchestrated visible and audible behaviors. Drawing on spiritual traditions and language and social interaction research, the author suggests that our active and verbal input, our receptivity and embodied presence, including body orientation, facial expression, and eye behavior are significant factors in creating and displaying transparency of understanding.Originality/value – The author suggests that if we could actually be present to listen to each other in the workplace with close attention we might minimize much misunderstanding and confusion, and maybe reduce the amount of time and energy we...
Randomize evaluations to improve health care delivery

The medical profession has long recognized the importance of randomized evaluations; such designs are commonly used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of medical innovations such as drugs and devices. Unfortunately, innovations in how health care is delivered (e.g., health insurance structures, interventions to encourage the use of appropriate care, and care coordination approaches) are rarely evaluated using randomization. We consider barriers to conducting randomized trials in this setting and suggest ways for overcoming them. Randomized evaluations of fundamental issues in health care policy and delivery should be—and can be—closer to the norm than the exception.
On Disk Braking of T Tauri Rotation

The rotation of T Tauri stars is thought to be slowed by coupling between the stellar magnetosphere and the circumstellar disk. Stassun and collaborators have recently questioned this picture, based on their observations of young stars in and near the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC) that indicate little evidence for disk-mediated spin-down. However, stellar spin-down can occur no faster than the rate at which angular momentum is removed from the inner disk, either through viscous processes associated with accretion or by a wind. Observational estimates of these processes suggest that the timescales for angular momentum loss may be comparable to the ages of the ONC stars, so that disk braking may not be completely effective, at least among the lowest mass stars. Testing this hypothesis will require further measurements of mass accretion and mass-loss rates as well as determinations of rotational periods as a function of age.
Anesthesia and the developing brain: are we getting closer to understanding the truth?

Purpose of reviewDue to increased frequency of surgical interventions, infants and young children are exposed to anesthesia, often repeatedly, during an extremely delicate period of brain development. We review new evidence that continues to challenge the safety of this practice.Recent findingsIn an
Epidural Glucocorticoid Injections in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Epidural injections are common. An estimated 10 million to 11 million injections (2.2 million in the Medicare population) are administered annually in the United States.1 Although many injections are used for indications other than spinal stenosis, epidural injections have become almost an expected part of a comprehensive nonoperative treatment protocol in patients with this condition. Yet, evidence to support this practice is incomplete and conflicting.2–4 In a January 2013 review and recommendation statement, the North American Spine Society2 concluded that “there is insufficient evidence to make a recommendation for or against the efficacy of transforaminal epidural steroid injections in . . .
The Brain's Response to an Essential Amino Acid-Deficient Diet and the Circuitous Route to a Better Meal

The essential (indispensable) amino acids (IAA) are neither synthesized nor stored in metazoans, yet they are the building blocks of protein. Survival depends on availability of these protein precursors, which must be obtained in the diet; it follows that food selection is critical for IAA homeostasis. If even one of the IAA is depleted, its tRNA becomes quickly deacylated and the levels of charged tRNA fall, leading to disruption of global protein synthesis. As they have priority in the diet, second only to energy, the missing IAA must be restored promptly or protein catabolism ensues. Animals detect and reject an IAA-deficient meal in 20 min, but how? Here, we review the molecular basis for sensing IAA depletion and repletion in the brain's IAA chemosensor, the anterior piriform cortex (APC). As animals stop eating an IAA-deficient meal, they display foraging and altered choice behaviors, to improve their chances of encountering a better food. Within 2 h, sensory cues are associated with IAA depletion or repletion, leading to learned aversions and preferences that support better food selection. We show neural projections from the APC to appetitive and consummatory motor control centers, and to hedonic, motivational brain areas that reinforce these adaptive behaviors.
Is the good corporation dead? the community social responsibility of small business operators

Abstract This study examined whether social responsibility is a meaningful characteristic with which to differentiate businesses given its supposed demise in the new global economy. The analysis focuses on small businesses and the social responsibility of businesses toward their community. Community social responsibility and competitive strategies were measured by the self reports of 675 small business operators in 10 Iowa cities. Cluster analysis revealed four categories of business operators designated as civic leaders, alienated business operators, followers in high collective action communities, and followers in low collective action communities. Findings demonstrate that business owners and managers can be differentiated on the basis of community social responsibility. The clusters so created are associated with meaningful business and operator demographic features and with the operator’s belief in the importance of community support as a strategy for business success. This analysis shows that in spite of changes in the economy, a significant segment of small business operators believe in tenets of the enlightened self interest model of business social responsibility, that is, that doing good is good business.
Cardiopulmonary responses in spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rats exposed to concentrated ambient particles from Detroit, Michigan

Toxicological effects have been observed in rats exposed to concentrated ambient particles (CAPs) from different regions of the United States. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cardiopulmonary and systemic effects of CAPs in Detroit. The authors stationed a mobile concentrator at a location near major traffic and industrial sources. Spontaneously hypertensive (SH) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were exposed to fine CAPs (diameter < 0.1-2.5 microm) 8 h/day for 13 consecutive days. Animals were implanted with telemeters, and electrocardiogram data were recorded continuously. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and plasma were analyzed. Comprehensive exposure monitoring was conducted, including CAPs components. CAPs exposure concentrations were 103-918 microg/m(3) (mean = 502 microg/m(3)). The authors found no statistically significant differences in heart rate or SDNN (standard deviation of the normal-to-normal intervals), a measure of heart rate variability, between CAPs-exposed and control rats. The authors found significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein in the serum of CAPs-exposed SH rats compared with air-exposed animals. Protein in BAL fluid was elevated in WKY rats exposed to CAPs. Measurement of trace metals in lung tissue showed elevated concentrations of V, Sb, La, and Ce in CAPs-exposed SH animals versus controls. These elements are generally associated with oil combustion, oil refining, waste incineration, and traffic. Examination of wind rose data from the exposure period confirmed that the predominant wind direction was SSW, the direction of many of the aforementioned sources. These results indicate that ambient particles in Detroit can cause mild pulmonary and systemic changes in rats, and suggest the importance of local PM(2.5) sources in these effects.
Trace quality in the temporal ordering of events.

The hypothesis was tested that the degree to which an event is recognized as having occurred before acts as a cue in determining when that event occurred in relation to a second event. It was assumed that a high association value (AV) nonsense syllable would be forgotten less rapidly than a low AV syllable. S saw a mixed list of high and low AV trigrams. Periodically S was asked which of two syllables he had seen first in the list. All four possible combinations of AV were used in the questions about order of occurrence. As predicted, more errors were made on High-Low pairs than on Low-High pairs. However, this relationship was found only for Ss who reported having used memory as a cue in ordering the syllables (13 of the 24).
Enhanced Anti-tumor Activity by the Combination of the Natural Compounds (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate and Luteolin: POTENTIAL ROLE OF p53*

Natural dietary agents have drawn a great deal of attention toward cancer prevention because of their wide safety margin. However, single agent intervention has failed to bring the expected outcome in clinical trials; therefore, combinations of chemopreventive agents are gaining increasingly popularity. In the present study, we investigated a combinatorial approach using two natural dietary polyphenols, luteolin and EGCG, and found that their combination at low doses (at which single agents induce minimal apoptosis) synergistically increased apoptosis (3–5-fold more than the additive level of apoptosis) in both head and neck and lung cancer cell lines. This combination also significantly inhibited growth of xenografted tumors in nude mice. The in vivo findings also were supported by significant inhibition of Ki-67 expression and increase in TUNEL-positive cells in xenografted tissues. Mechanistic studies revealed that the combination induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in some cell lines and mitochondria-independent apoptosis in others. Moreover, we found more efficient stabilization and ATM-dependent Ser15 phosphorylation of p53 due to DNA damage by the combination, and ablation of p53 using shRNA strongly inhibited apoptosis as evidenced by decreased poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and caspase-3 cleavage. In addition, we observed mitochondrial translocation of p53 after treatment with luteolin or the combination of EGCG and luteolin. Taken together, our results for the first time suggest that the combination of luteolin and EGCG has synergistic/additive growth inhibitory effects and provides an important rationale for future chemoprevention trials of head and neck and lung cancers.
Atomic Arrangements at Metal Surfaces

The termination of a solid induces changes in the locations of the outermost atoms of the solid. The changes can be minor or as dramatic as the rearrangement of the atoms into a different crystallographic group. Surface crystallography studies have determined that all surfaces are altered by forces induced at the solid-vacuum interface. At the least, the outermost atomic layers are displaced away from positions that they would have had in the bulk environment. Results from experimental and theoretical investigations for the Al(110) surface are discussed to illustrate present understanding of the surface atomic displacements. Some effects that the truncation- induced forces have on the surfaces of binary metal alloys are also discussed.
A TEST FIXTURE FOR MAPPING THERMAL CONDUCTION IN COMPOSITES UNDER TRANSIENT AND STEADY‐STATE CONDITIONS

Summary A test fixture has been designed that allows the measurement of steady-state and transient temperature profiles in composites or other types of anisotropic or orthotropic materials under pure conduction in a vacuum. The uniqueness of this approach is the ability to study heat source to composite interface techniques by comparison of surface temperature contours and temperature versus time profiles. Localized changes in these conditions can be evaluated and the most successful technique can be adapted to larger parts, i.e., printed wiring boards (PWBs), electronic enclosure thermal walls, etc.
Metalloproteinases and cancer

The present series of Cancer Metastasis Reviews focuses on metalloproteinases (MPs) and their inhibitors in cancer. These reviews written by recognized leaders in the field focus on the families of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the a desintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAMS) and their inhibitors the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). The reviews come in a time when the field of MPs, in particular the MMP field, is at a crossroad. In the last few years, accumulating evidence from experimental models of cancer, knockout mice and proteomics studies has challenged our views on how MMPs function in cancer progression. This challenge has been compounded by the fact that the clinical trials with MMP inhibitors failed to show therapeutic efficacy in cancer patients. All these tribulations are not unique to the MMP field and are clear evidence of the complexities of proteolytic systems and their substrate targets in disease conditions. The present reviews cover some of the most significant advances in the field of MPs and also provide some provocative ideas and views that we hope will promote discussion. The study of the role of MMPs in cancer metastasis has been greatly benefited by the development of animal models and the use of transgenic and knockout mice. The emerging picture is not simple and reveals that the contribution of MMPs to cancer progression is complex. The long-held view that the MMPs as a whole promote cancer metastasis has been disproved by convincing experimental data. Today, the evidence shows that members of the MMP family may promote or inhibit cancer development. Moreover, an individual MMP may act positively (promoting) or negatively (inhibiting) on tumor progression depending, among other