cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Models for Dynamic Theories: The Ins and Outs of Lagged Dependent Variables

A lagged dependent variable in an OLS regression is often used as a means of capturing dynamic effects in political processes and as a method for ridding the model of autocorrelation. But recent work contends that the lagged dependent variable specification is too problematic for use in most situations. More specifically, if residual autocorrelation is present, the lagged dependent variable causes the coefficients for explanatory variables to be biased downward. We use a Monte Carlo analysis to assess empirically how much bias is present when a lagged dependent variable is used under a wide variety of circumstances. In our analysis, we compare the performance of the lagged dependent variable model to several other time series models. We show that while the lagged dependent variable is inappropriate in some circumstances, it remains an appropriate model for the dynamic theories often tested by applied analysts. From the analysis, we develop several practical suggestions on when and how to use lagged dependent variables on the right-hand side of a model.
A fiducial-based tangible user interface for white matter tractography

We present a method for interacting with 3D brain tract visualizations using a webcam and a fiducial marker that can be constructed cheaply in any home or office. Our contributions are a fiducialbased tracking architecture in the context of white matter tractography, and a preliminary evaluation with domain scientists providing usability and design insights. Expert feedback indicates that model positioning in our system is easier than in previous methods using traditional input devices or two-dimensional input interfaces, and that tract selection may be faster to execute using our tool, given training and practice.
X-Y and Z-axis capacitive accelerometers packaged in an ultra-clean hermetic environment

We present the first ultra-miniature (<;1 mm2) capacitive accelerometers built in the epitaxial polysilicon encapsulation (`epi-seal') process. Lateral (X/Y-axis) and out-of-plane (Z-axis) accelerometers were fabricated using a variant of the epi-seal process that utilizes a separate electrode defined in the encapsulation layer. Sensitivities of up to 10.2 fF/g and 0.24 fF/g were achieved for lateral and out-of-plane accelerometers respectively. Resolution down to 0.47 mg/rt-Hz is realized, approaching the theoretical Brownian limit for a combined accelerometer and off-the-shelf capacitance-measuring chip (AD7746) system. This enables singlechip integration of accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, thermometers, and clocks all in an established commercial manufacturing process.
NF-κB Is Required for the Positive Selection of CD8+ Thymocytes

To examine the role of NF-kappaB in T cell development, we analyzed thymocyte ontogeny in transgenic (mutant I-kappaBalpha (mI-kappaBalpha)) mice that express a superinhibitory form of the NF-kappaB inhibitory protein, I-kappaBalpha (I-kappaBalpha(A32/36)), under the control of the T cell-specific CD2 promoter and enhancer. Thymi from mI-kappaBalpha mice contained increased numbers of double-positive (DP) and decreased numbers of both CD4(+) and CD8(+) single-positive cells, consistent with a block in DP thymocyte maturation. In addition, expression of CD69, a marker of positive selection, was decreased on DP thymocytes from the mI-kappaBalpha mice. To test directly whether NF-kappaB was required for positive or negative selection, we generated mI-kappaBalpha mice expressing the H-Y or 2C alphabeta TCR transgenes. Expression of the I-kappaBalpha(A32/36) transgene caused a block in the positive selection of CD8(+) single-positive cells in both strains of TCR transgenic animals. In contrast, negative selection was unaffected by expression of the I-kappaBalpha(A32/36) transgene. Taken together, these results identified a NF-kappaB-dependent transcriptional pathway that is selectively required for the positive selection of CD8(+) thymocytes.
Effects of Soil Cations on the Foraging Behavior of Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

This study examined soil cation concentration gradients around decomposing logs and determined whether Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) builds galleries in soil substrates containing those cations versus soils without, presumably in an effort to forage efficiently. Soil samples were collected at different depths and lateral distances from decomposing logs containing termites, freshly fallen logs without termites, and bare soil locations at 10 sites to determine whether cation gradients existed in a forest floor. Analyses of cation gradients were significant for potassium, calcium, and magnesium; however, only potassium showed a significant gradient where concentrations decreased with depth and lateral distance from a decomposing log. R. flavipes was then tested in laboratory bioassays to determine if they were attracted to salt cation solutions. Linear foraging distance was significantly greater in artificial K2CO3 gradients than in controls. The results from this study suggest that potassium is found in gradients around decomposing logs and that R. flavipes is attracted to this cation.
Recent improvements in the CU Sonic ASR system for noisy speech: the SPINE task

We report on recent improvements in the University of Colorado system for the DARPA/NRL Speech in Noisy Environments (SPINE) task. In particular, we describe our efforts on improving acoustic and language modeling for the task and investigate methods for unsupervised speaker and environment adaptation from limited data. We show that the MAPLR adaptation method outperforms single and multiple regression class MLLR on the SPINE task. Our current SPINE system uses the Sonic speech recognition engine that was developed at the University of Colorado. This system is shown to have a word error rate of 31.5% on the SPINE-2 evaluation data. These improvements amount to a 16% reduction in relative word error rate compared to our previous SPINE-2 system fielded in the November 2001 DARPA/NRL evaluation.
Comparative use of longline oysterbeds and adjacent tidal flats by waterbirds

Commercial oyster Crassostrea spp. cultivation in intertidal habitats may degrade foraging habitat of waterbirds. Consequently, we compared species abundances, community similarity and diversity of waterbirds using longline oyster culture beds and adjacent control plots on tidal flats of Humboldt Bay, California. Abundances of most species differed significantly between treatments, with seven of 13 shorebirds Charadriiformes and three of four wading birds Ciconiiformes more abundant on longline plots. By contrast, Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola were more abundant on control plots. Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa, Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus and Dunlin Calidris alpina showed mixed results depending on location and Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias were more abundant only on one control plot. Community composition was similar on longline and control plots, although diversity (H′) was greater on longline plots. Varying species' responses to longline techniques may have been associated with interspecific differences in diet and foraging behaviour, and the impacts of longlines and oyster-harvesting on prey distribution. Overall, longlines did not negatively affect the foraging behaviour of most species, but the underlying causes for increased bird use may lead to impacts on other trophic levels and over a longer temporal scale.
A sociocultural approach to understanding teacher identity, agency and professional vulnerability in a context of secondary school reform

Abstract This paper uses a sociocultural theoretical lens, incorporating mediated agency [Wertsch et al. (1993). A sociocultural approach to agency. In A. Forman, N. Minick, & A. Stone (Eds.), Contexts for learning sociocultural dynamics in children's development (pp. 336–357). New York: Oxford University Press] to examine the dynamic interplay among teacher identity, agency, and context as these affect how secondary teachers report experiencing professional vulnerability, particularly in terms of their abilities to achieve their primary purposes in teaching students. Two mediational systems that shape teacher agency and their professional vulnerability are addressed. These are: (a) the early influences on teacher identity; and (b) the current reform context. Interview data revealed that the political and social context along with early teacher development shaped teachers’ sense of identity and sense of purpose as a teacher. Survey and interview data indicate that there was a disjuncture between teacher identity and expectations of the new reform mandates. Teacher agency was clearly constrained in the new reform context. Teachers struggled to remain openly vulnerable with their students, and to create trusting learning environments in what they described as a more managerial profession with increased accountability pressures. Directions for future research are also discussed.
Effects of castration and subdermal silastic implants containing oestradiol-17 β-dipropionate on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of male cattle

Feedlot performance and carcass characteristics were examined in bulls and steers with and without a subdermal Silastic capsule containing oestradiol-17β-dipropionate. Castration and/or oestrogen treatment was imposed at approximately 8 months of age. The implants were removed 56 days before slaughter, i.e. 140 days after the trial commenced. Bulls gained more rapidly (12·9%), converted food to live-weight gain more efficiently (18·0%) and yielded leaner carcasses than did steers ( P ninefold) over that of bulls and steers and induced a castration-response in the former. Serum luteinizing hormone, testosterone and testicular growth were suppressed ( P P P
Initial Appraisal of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Acute coronary syndrome remains a daunting health care problem in the United States. One third of emergency department patients with chest pain will eventually have a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. During the past decade, there have been many advances in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome as well as a widespread movement in emergency medicine to streamline the process of its treatment. Goals of emergency department care include rapid identification of patients with acute myocardial infarction, exclusion of causes of nonischemic chest pain, stratification of patients with acute coronary ischemia into low-risk and high-risk groups, and initiation of pharmacologic treatments. These goals will be discussed in this review, with particular emphasis on pharmacologic treatments.
Spontaneous esophageal perforation presenting with right-sided pleural effusion

Boerhaave's Syndrome (spontaneous esophageal perforation) is an uncommon clinical entity that frequently presents with an antecedent history of marked vomiting followed by chest or abdominal pain. Misdiagnosis is the most important contributing factor in the continuing high morbidity and mortality of this disease. We report an atypical presentation of Boerhaave's Syndrome in an elderly female who presented to the Emergency Department with dyspnea, right sided chest pain, right pleural effusion, and hypovolemic shock without an identifiable antecedent event. A chest radiograph revealed massive right hydropneumothorax. After placement of a chest tube, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit. Only 36 hours after admission did the diagnosis of Boerhaave's Syndrome become evident. She underwent operative repair and, after a prolonged stay, was discharged in relatively good condition 3 months after her admission. The absence of vomiting prior to presentation and the right sided effusion are the distinguishing features of this particular case.
Developmental robustness in the Caenorhabditis elegans embryo

Developmental robustness is the ability of an embryo to develop normally despite many sources of variation, from differences in the environment to stochastic cell-to-cell differences in gene expression. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans exhibits an additional level of robustness: Unlike most other animals, the embryonic pattern of cell divisions is nearly identical from animal to animal. The endoderm (gut) lineage is an ideal model for studying such robustness as the juvenile gut has a simple anatomy, consisting of 20 cells that are derived from a single cell, E, and the gene regulatory network that controls E specification shares features with developmental regulatory networks in many other systems, including genetic redundancy, parallel pathways, and feed-forward loops. Early studies were initially concerned with identifying the genes in the network, whereas recent work has focused on understanding how the endoderm produces a robust developmental output in the face of many sources of variation. Genetic control exists at three levels of endoderm development: Progenitor specification, cell divisions within the developing gut, and maintenance of gut differentiation. Recent findings show that specification genes regulate all three of these aspects of gut development, and that mutant embryos can experience a "partial" specification state in which some, but not all, E descendants adopt a gut fate. Ongoing studies using newer quantitative and genome-wide methods promise further insights into how developmental gene-regulatory networks buffer variation.
Wind field estimation for autonomous dynamic soaring

A method for distributed parameter estimation of a previously unknown wind field is described. The application is dynamic soaring for small unmanned air vehicles, which severely constrains available computing while simultaneously requiring updates that are fast compared with a typical dynamic soaring cycle. A polynomial parameterization of the wind field is used, allowing implementation of a linear Kalman filter for parameter estimation. Results of Monte Carlo simulations show the effectiveness of the approach. In addition, in-flight measurements of wind speeds are compared with data obtained from video tracking of balloon launches to assess the accuracy of wind field estimates obtained using commercial autopilot modules.
Type B Response Regulators of Arabidopsis Play Key Roles in Cytokinin Signaling and Plant Development

The type B Arabidopsis Response Regulators (ARRs) of Arabidopsis thaliana are transcription factors that act as positive regulators in the two-component cytokinin signaling pathway. We employed a mutant-based approach to perform a detailed characterization of the roles of ARR1, ARR10, and ARR12 in plant growth and development. The most pronounced phenotype was found in the arr1-3 arr10-5 arr12-1 triple loss-of-function mutant, which showed almost complete insensitivity to high levels of exogenously applied cytokinins. The triple mutant exhibited reduced stature due to decreased cell division in the shoot, enhanced seed size, increased sensitivity to light, altered chlorophyll and anthocyanin concentrations, and an aborted primary root with protoxylem but no metaxylem. Microarray analysis revealed that expression of the majority of cytokinin-regulated genes requires the function of ARR1, ARR10, and ARR12. Characterization of double mutants revealed differing contributions of the type B ARRs to mutant phenotypes. Our results support a model in which cytokinin regulates a wide array of downstream responses through the action of a multistep phosphorelay that culminates in transcriptional regulation by ARR1, ARR10, and ARR12.
Toward Deterministic Material Removal and Surface Figure During Fused Silica Pad Polishing

The material removal and surface figure after ceria pad polishing of fused silica glass have been measured and analyzed as a function of kinematics, loading conditions, and polishing time. Also, the friction at the workpiece/lap interface, the slope of the workpiece relative to the lap plane, and lap viscoelastic properties have been measured and correlated to material removal. The results show that the relative velocity between the workpiece and the lap (i.e., the kinematics) and the pressure distribution determine the spatial and temporal material removal, and hence the final surface figure of the workpiece. In cases where the applied loading and relative velocity distribution over the workpiece are spatially uniform, a significant nonuniformity in material removal, and thus surface figure, is observed. This is due to a nonuniform pressure distribution resulting from: (1) a moment caused by a pivot point and interface friction forces; (2) viscoelastic relaxation of the polyurethane lap; and (3) a physical workpiece/lap interface mismatch. Both the kinematics and these nonuniformities in the pressure distribution are quantitatively described, and have been combined to develop a spatial and temporal model, based on Preston's equation, called Surface Figure or SurF. The surface figure simulations are consistent with the experiment for a wide variety of polishing conditions. This study is an important step toward deterministic full-aperture polishing, allowing optical glass fabrication to be performed in a more repeatable, less iterative, and hence more economical manner.
Generating Vulnerability Signatures for String Manipulating Programs Using Automata-Based Forward and Backward Symbolic Analyses

Given a program and an attack pattern (specified as a regular expression), we automatically generate string-based vulnerability signatures, i.e., a characterization that includes all malicious inputs that can be used to generate attacks. We use an automata-based string analysis framework. Using forward reachability analysis we compute an over-approximation of all possible values that string variables can take at each program point. Intersecting these with the attack pattern yields the potential attack strings if the program is vulnerable. Using backward analysis we compute an over-approximation of all possible inputs that can generate those attack strings. In addition to identifying existing vulnerabilities and their causes, these vulnerability signatures can be used to filter out malicious inputs. Our approach extends the prior work on automata-based string analysis by providing a backward symbolic analysis that includes a symbolic pre-image computation for deterministic finite automata on common string manipulating functions such as concatenation and replacement.
Overexpression of the Arabidopsis CBF3 transcriptional activator mimics multiple biochemical changes associated with cold acclimation

We further investigated the role of the Arabidopsis CBF regulatory genes in cold acclimation, the process whereby certain plants increase in freezing tolerance upon exposure to low temperature. The CBF genes, which are rapidly induced in response to low temperature, encode transcriptional activators that control the expression of genes containing the C-repeat/dehydration responsive element DNA regulatory element in their promoters. Constitutive expression of either CBF1 or CBF3 (also known as DREB1b and DREB1a, respectively) in transgenic Arabidopsis plants has been shown to induce the expression of target COR (cold-regulated) genes and to enhance freezing tolerance in nonacclimated plants. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of CBF3 in Arabidopsis also increases the freezing tolerance of cold-acclimated plants. Moreover, we show that it results in multiple biochemical changes associated with cold acclimation: CBF3-expressing plants had elevated levels of proline (Pro) and total soluble sugars, including sucrose, raffinose, glucose, and fructose. Plants overexpressing CBF3 also had elevated P5CS transcript levels suggesting that the increase in Pro levels resulted, at least in part, from increased expression of the key Pro biosynthetic enzyme Delta(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase. These results lead us to propose that CBF3 integrates the activation of multiple components of the cold acclimation response.
The Impact of Clinical Experiences from Athletic Training Student and Preceptor Perspectives

Context: Clinical education is an integral part of athletic training programs. This is where students should develop their professional identities and become socialized into the profession. Underst...
Potential Applications of Latent Variable Modeling for the Psychometrics of Medical Simulation

ABSTRACTUse of simulation-based assessments and training has become increasingly widespread in medicine. It is recognized that simulations can yield a wealth of real-time information about the trainee or examinee's performance, from which inferences about proficiency can potentially be drawn. However, for the inferences to be useful, psychometric evaluation should be conducted and validity evidence amassed. Traditionally, educational and psychological measurement has relied on psychometric models that are static, unidimensional, and based on observed scores. In this article, it is argued that modern psychometric models that are dynamic, multidimensional, and based on latent variables may be useful for evaluating medical simulations. It is also argued that modern computational methods based on Bayesian statistics may provide the technical foundation. Several examples are given and issues for further research are discussed.
Effects of blood and crystalloid cardioplegia on adrenergic and myogenic vascular mechanisms.

Abstract Background. This study compares the effects of cold blood and crystalloid cardioplegia on adrenergic and myogenic regulation of the coronary circulation. Methods. Pigs were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and hearts were arrested with a hyperkalemic crystalloid cardioplegic solution (Cryst CP) or blood cardioplegic solution (Blood CP) for 1 hour. Hearts of selected pigs were then reperfused for 1 hour (Rep) and separated from cardiopulmonary bypass. Left ventricular perfusion and contractility and β- and α 2 -adrenergic and myogenic responses of the coronary circulation were examined. Results. Relaxation of isolated, precontracted microvessels to isoproterenol (β-adrenoceptor agonist) was reduced to a lesser extent after Blood CP as compared with Cryst CP. Relaxation to forskolin (adenylate cyclase activator) was reduced after Cryst CP, but was preserved after Blood CP. After 1 hour of postcardioplegia reperfusion, the respective responses to isoproterenol and forskolin were similar in vessels from the Cryst CP-Rep and Blood CP-Rep groups. The α 2 -adrenoceptor-mediated, endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation to clonidine was decreased more after Cryst CP than after Blood CP. The relaxation to nitroprusside was not affected by either Cryst CP or Blood CP. Myogenic tone was decreased to a lesser extent after Blood CP versus Cryst CP. Baseline coronary blood flow, isoproterenol-induced increases of coronary blood flow, and indices of myocardial contractility were similar in the Blood CP-Rep and Cryst CP-Rep groups, both 5 and 60 minutes after initiation of reperfusion. Conclusions. Although Blood CP was superior to Cryst CP in preserving β- and α 2 -adrenoceptor function and myogenic tone in vitro, there was no demonstrable benefit of blood cardioplegia in the preservation of myocardial contractility or perfusion in this model of cardioplegia. (Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:41–9)
RK-SIMPLER: Explicit Time-Accurate Algorithm for Incompressible Flows

The SIMPLE family of algorithms has popularized the pressure-based schemes for incompressible flows and is the basis of many commercial codes. The influence of pressure on velocity is of primary importance in incompressible flows. The continuity equation implicitly dictates the pressure field, yet pressure is not a variable of the mass conservation equation. The pressure term that appears in the momentum equations is often treated as a source term. Thus, there is no explicit conservation equation for pressure. This predicament, and its remedy well known by the name “pressure–velocity coupling,” is resolved in SIMPLE and its variants by obtaining an approximate pressure correction field, which is used iteratively to correct the velocity field and/or the pressure field, seeking an overall satisfaction of the conservation equations. The approximate nature of the pressure correction equation often causes convergence issues. A new algorithm is presented here, eliminating the need for the pressure correction eq...
The Confluent Hypergeometric Function

Many of the special functions of mathematical physics can be expressed in terms of specific forms of the confluent hypergeometric function. As its name suggests, this function is related to the hypergeometric function of Chapter 2. Let us see how.
MAD Science: Increasing Engagement in STEM Education through Participatory Sensing

In this paper, we introduce the Mobile Application Development for Science (MAD Science) curriculum, which utilizes participatory sensing as a central theme to increase middle school students' engagement and interest in science and technology. Participatory sensing involves the general public in collecting and sharing information about the surrounding environment through the use of sensing (e.g., camera, GPS, accelerometer) and input capabilities on handheld mobile devices, such as smartphones. We present the results of a pilot offering of the MAD Science curriculum as part of a 10-week after-school program for middle school children. Our results indicate the potential for participatory sensing as a tool for increasing engagement in technology; after participating in the MAD Science program, students viewed technology more favorably, indicated increased enjoyment of technology, and indicated increased interest in pursuing education and careers in science and computing.
The Effects of Interjurisdictional Cooperation on Police Performance in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area

In addition to the tests of each of the four hypotheses, a case study of the development and operations of one particular voluntary organization of police departments in the metropolitan area is presented. The Major Case Squad has focused its operations on the investigation of serious crimes committed in the area-crimes requiring levels of effort for their solution that are beyond the capabilities of individual police jurisdictions.
Treatment of Borrelia burgdorferi Infection

Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis) is an emerging, newly recognized spirochetal infection with protean clinical manifestations and a natural history characterized by acute exacerbations and spontaneous remissions. Clinical studies suggest that the majority of patients respond satisfactorily to antibiotic therapy, using either a penicillin or a tetracycline preparation. However, the optimal antimicrobial regimen, including choice of drug, drug dose, route of administration, and length of therapy, is unknown. Although the etiologic agent, Borrelia burgdorferi , can be cultivated in artificial media and can produce infection in laboratory animals, antibiotic susceptibility testing in vitro has not yet been standardized or validated, and comparative drug trials in experimental animal models have been inconclusive. Unlike the experience in syphilis in which serial titers of the VDRL test can be used to judge treatment efficacy, no “test of cure” exists for Lyme disease. Therapy for Lyme disease is an important area for future research activities.
Thermal Effects of Gasses in Rapid Thermal Processing

A numerical model has been created for a Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) system. Experiments have been done to show the validity of the model. The simulations done examine thermal uniformity and stresses incurred by RTP during steady state operation and during short time temperature ramps. It is shown that increasing the radiant intensity at the edge of the wafer reduces stress, compared to a uniform radiant field, in steadystate operation but increases stress during short time temperature ramps.
Dials and Levers and Glyphs, Oh My! Linear Algebra Solutions to Computer Game Puzzles

(2006). Dials and Levers and Glyphs, Oh My! Linear Algebra Solutions to Computer Game Puzzles. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 79, No. 5, pp. 360-367.
Processing of wild caught Culicoides and isolation of bluetongue virus using a mosquito cell line

Isolation of bluetongue virus from theCulicoides vector can provide valuable epidemiologic information. The methods described offer a practical procedure that ensures the preservation of the virus during field processing of the collection and an assay system that utilizes C6/36 cells, a clone derived fromAedes albopictus. The C6/36 cell line affords a sensitive isolation system and a practical virus detection system suitable for mass screening of insect pools.
A Systematic Approach for Extended Kalman Filter Tuning and Low-Cost Inertial Sensor Calibration within a GPS/INS Application

*† ** This study presents two methods for enhancing the performance of the low-cost navigation solution based on a GPS and a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) Inertial Navigation System (INS). First, a novel inertial sensor calibration approach to improve dead reckoning performance for handling intermittent GPS coverage is presented. This approach models GPS corrections to the INS solution during the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) based sensor fusion process, by extracting a stochastic measurement bias model of the rate gyros within a Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). The calibrated INS is then validated with an independent flight data set, and shows improved dead reckoning performance with no GPS information. The second approach presents a systematic method for tuning the noise characteristics modeled within an EKF based GPS/INS sensor fusion algorithm. This approach uses the calibration model derived within the first approach to fine-tune the process-noise characteristics, along with a simplistic method for tuning GPS noise characteristics that is based on the number of GPS satellites available during the measurement. The results show that both approaches lead to an increase in estimation performance within EKF based GPS/INS sensor fusion.
Test and Evaluation: The Changing Nature of our Scientific Knowledge

Traditionally, human factors/ergonomics professionals, especially in the United States, use concepts and methods derived from engineering and experimental psychology, both of which are rooted in the conceptual framework of classical, seventeenth-century, Newtonian physics. As a result, our conceptual foundations emphasize reductionism and determinism. However, we need to update these conceptual foundations to reflect the reality of the science of today. Concepts such as holism demand re-thinking the structure of scientific knowledge; principles such as uncertainty have profound implications concerning observation and measurement; and principles such as complementarity require re-examination of the nature of scientific explanation.Many variables of interest to Test and Evaluation (T&E) professionals can be investigated using concepts and methods derived from the physical sciences, the life sciences, and/or the human sciences. However, the science used will profoundly influence the available explanatory con...
Modified low density lipoprotein isolated from atherosclerotic lesions does not cause lipid accumulation in aortic smooth muscle cells

Foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions are derived not only from blood monocytes but also from smooth muscle cells (SMC). To better understand the mechanisms by which SMC may become lipid-laden, we have studied the catabolism by cultured rabbit aortic SMC of LDL derived from atherosclerotic lesions (A-LDL) previously shown to be chemically modified. A-LDL was isolated either from homogenates of atherosclerotic plaques in human aortas by affinity chromatography and gel filtration, or from nonhomogenized extracts of plaque minces by ultracentrifugation and gel filtration. Internalization of A-LDL by SMC or fibroblasts appeared to be mediated primarily via the LDL receptor since: 1) either unlabeled LDL or A-LDL could inhibit the degradation of 125I-labeled A-LDL or of 125I-labeled LDL, 2) the uptake of both A-LDL and LDL, as estimated by their abilities to stimulate cholesterol esterification, was reduced in cells in which LDL receptor expression was down-regulated; and 3) the uptake of both [3H]cholesteryl ether-labeled A-LDL and LDL by normal fibroblasts was significant and could be inhibited by excess LDL, but was negligible in receptor-negative fibroblasts. At saturating concentrations of lipoproteins, maximum cholesterol esterification in SMC was greater for LDL than for A-LDL. Over a 48-h incubation, A-LDL, like LDL, was unable to induce cellular cholesteryl ester accumulation. Cross-competition studies suggested that either the affinity of A-LDL for the LDL receptor was less than that of LDL, or that some particles in A-LDL are not internalized by SMC. The latter alternative was supported by the observations that some A-LDL particles had undergone aggregation, especially at high concentrations, and that aggregated forms of A-LDL or plasma LDL failed to be internalized and degraded by SMC. Collectively, these results are consistent with recognition of some of the A-LDL particles by the LDL receptor, but also suggest that, at least under in vitro conditions, A-LDL is unlikely to induce lipid accumulation in SMC resulting in SMC-derived foam cells.
Strategic evaluation of vaccine candidate antigens for the prevention of Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Infection with Leishmania parasites results in a range of clinical manifestations and outcomes, the most severe of which is visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Vaccination will likely provide the most effective long-term control strategy, as the large number of vectors and potential infectious reservoirs renders sustained interruption of Leishmania parasite transmission extremely difficult. Selection of the best vaccine is complicated because, although several vaccine antigen candidates have been proposed, they have emerged following production in different platforms. To consolidate the information that has been generated into a single vaccine platform, we expressed seven candidates as recombinant proteins in E. coli. After verifying that each recombinant protein could be recognized by VL patients, we evaluated their protective efficacy against experimental L. donovani infection of mice. Administration in formulation with the Th1-potentiating adjuvant GLA-SE indicated that each antigen could elicit antigen-specific Th1 responses that were protective. Considering the ability to reduce parasite burden along with additional factors such as sequence identity across Leishmania species, we then generated a chimeric fusion protein comprising a combination of the 8E, p21 and SMT proteins. This E. coli –expressed fusion protein was also demonstrated to protect against L. donovani infection. These data indicate a novel recombinant vaccine antigen with the potential for use in VL control programs.
Uracil mustard and 5-fluorouracil combination chemotherapy: a historic record.

BACKGROUND Uracil mustard and 5-fluorouracil (UM-FU) combination chemotherapy was used as one of the earliest combination chemotherapies in ovarian carcinoma from 1964 to 1971 at Yale New Haven Medical Center. METHODS UM-FU was offered to patients with stage III and IV, histologically verified, ovarian carcinoma. Uracyl mustard was administered orally--1 mg/ kg, daily. 5-Fluorouracyl was administered every four weeks at 5 mg/kg for five days by intravenous infusion. RESULTS Of a total 185 patients with ovarian cancer, 76 received UM-FU. Thirty-five patients had measurable disease. Fifteen (42%) showed objective response lasting three to 95 months, with decrease in size of masses and disappearance of ascites or hydrothorax. Their survival from diagnosis to death was 41 months. Twenty patients showed no response; their mean survival was 18 months. Three of the 76 patients who received UM-FU developed acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. CONCLUSION UM-FU was effective in controlling ascites and hydrothorax and diminished intraabdominal masses. The discovery of adriamycin and then platinum led to more effective therapy and the use of uracil mustard was superseded. It is no longer available. The experience reported is of historic interest.
Isoprene Emission and Carbon Dioxide Protect Aspen Leaves from Heat Stress

High temperature, especially above 35oC, is known to reduce leaf photosynthetic rate in many tree species. This study investigated the effect of high temperature on isoprene-emitting (aspen) and non- emitting (birch) trees under ambient and elevated CO2 under open field conditions. Aspen trees tolerate heat better than birch trees and elevated CO2 protects both species against moderate heat stress. The increased thermotolerance in aspen trees compared to the birch trees may result from the aspen's ability to produce isoprene. Elevated CO2 increased carboxylation capacity, photosynthetic electron transport capacity and triose phosphate use in both birch and aspen trees. High temperature decreased all of these parameters in birch regardless of CO2 treatment but only photosynthetic electron transport and triose phosphate use at ambient CO2 were reduced in aspen. As temperature rises, non-isoprene-emitting trees will be at a disadvantage and biological diversity and species richness might be lost in some ecosystems. Our results indicate that isoprene emitting tree species will have an advantage over non-isoprene emitting ones under high temperatures.
Oxide Nanowires for Chemical Sensing

With the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and the continued use of IED’s employing TATP for delivering these threats, there is a real need for explosives detection at trace levels. This work describes the fabrication and characterization of metal oxide nanowires used as catalysts for the detection of energetic materials at trace levels. Recently, several oxide nanowires, based on zinc oxide and copper oxide, have been incorporated into our solid-state gas sensors as catalysts. These nanowire catalysts produced a dramatic increase in sensor response with improved selectivity for threat molecules of interest. The improved responses were attributed to a large increase in surface area available for catalyst/analyte interaction. Zinc oxide and copper oxide nanowires were grown by hydrothermal and controlled oxidation reactions, and were characterized using XRD, XPS and SEM to determine extent of crystallinity, oxidation state and morphology. Results indicated that energetic materials such as TATP and 2-6 DNT could be detected at the part per billion level using these nanowire catalysts. Other oxide nanowires are being considered as catalysts for the detection of explosives and are discussed as well.
Hardware Security Challenges Beyond CMOS: Attacks and Remedies

The globalization of Integrated Circuits (ICs) supply chain has raised security concerns on how to ensure the integrity and the trustworthiness of fabricated circuits. While existing attack and protection methods are developed for CMOS based circuits, the introduction of emerging transistors acts as a double-sided sword. The usage of emerging devices introduces new security issues which the attackers can leverage to launch hardware attacks. On the other hand, the unique properties of emerging devices also provides a great opportunity for defenders to develop innovative hardware security primitives and to construct resilient hardware platforms for cybersecurity. In this paper, we will summarize the previous work in both directions, attacks and remedies with a focus on the authors' previous work in this domain. We will also discuss the research trends so that the emerging devices can better help secure our computing systems, besides their roles in extending the Moore's Law.
The many effects of carnivores on their prey and their implications for trophic cascades, and ecosystem structure and function

Despite some controversy, a wide range of research across multiple taxa have established that carnivores strongly influence prey population dynamics both through direct offtake and indirect risk effects. Because of these powerful top-down effects carnivores can influence ecosystems across multiple trophic levels. Here we discuss research addressing carnivore direct- and indirect effects on prey, and how these effects can influence overall ecosystem structure and function.
Uncovering Large-Scale Conformational Change in Molecular Dynamics without Prior Knowledge

As the length of molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories grows with increasing computational power, so does the importance of clustering methods for partitioning trajectories into conformational bins. Of the methods available, the vast majority require users to either have some a priori knowledge about the system to be clustered or to tune clustering parameters through trial and error. Here we present non-parametric uses of two modern clustering techniques suitable for first-pass investigation of an MD trajectory. Being non-parametric, these methods require neither prior knowledge nor parameter tuning. The first method, HDBSCAN, is fast—relative to other popular clustering methods—and is able to group unstructured or intrinsically disordered systems (such as intrinsically disordered proteins, or IDPs) into bins that represent global conformational shifts. HDBSCAN is also useful for determining the overall stability of a system—as it tends to group stable systems into one or two bins—and identifying transitio...
Bacteriochlorins with a Twist: Discovery of a Unique Mechanism to Red-Shift the Optical Spectra of Bacteriochlorins

Owing to their intense near infrared absorption and emission properties, to the ability to photogenerate singlet oxygen, or to act as photoacoustic imaging agents within the optical window of tissue, bacteriochlorins (2,3,12,13-tetrahydroporphyrins) promise to be of utility in many biomedical and technical applications. The ability to fine-tune the electronic properties of synthetic bacteriochlorins is important for these purposes. In this vein, we report the synthesis, structure determination, optical properties, and theoretical analysis of the electronic structure of a family of expanded bacteriochlorin analogues. The stepwise expansion of both pyrroline moieties in near-planar meso-tetraarylbacteriochlorins to morpholine moieties yields ruffled mono- and bismorpholinobacteriochlorins with broadened and up to 90 nm bathochromically shifted bacteriochlorin-like optical spectra. Intramolecular ring-closure reactions of the morpholine moiety with the flanking meso-aryl groups leads to a sharpened, blue-shifted wavelength λmax band, bucking the general red-shifting trend expected for such linkages. A conformational origin of the optical modulations was previously proposed, but discrepancies between the solid state conformations and the corresponding solution state optical spectra defy simple structure-optical property correlations. Using density functional theory and excited state methods, we derive the molecular origins of the spectral modulations. About half of the modulation is due to ruffling of the bacteriochlorin chromophore. Surprisingly, the other half originates in the localized twisting of the Cβ-Cα-Cα-Cβ dihedral angle within the morpholine moieties. Our calculations suggest a predictable and large spectral shift (2.0 nm/deg twist) for morpholine deformations within these fairly flexible moieties. This morpholine moiety deformation can take place largely independently from the overall macrocycle conformation. The morpholinobacteriochlorins are thus excellent models for localized bacteriochlorin chromophore deformations that are suggested to also be responsible for the optical modulation of naturally occurring bacteriochlorophylls. We propose the use of morpholinobacteriochlorins as mechanochromic dyes in engineering and materials science applications.
Fixing network failures? The contested case of the American Manufacturing Extension Partnership

The article uses a case study of the American Manufacturing Extension Partnership to explore economic and industrial policy in the contemporary USA. Extensive quantitative and qualitative data are mobilized to show that: (a) the agency is pressured politically to limit its activities to ‘blunt’ remedies for identifiable ‘market failures’; even as (b) regional centers in fact often orient also, and sometimes instead, toward ‘coordination-oriented’ policies to mitigate ‘network failures’; and (c) these latter generate better results, on average, for client manufacturers. The findings challenge neo-institutional claims that economic policies are most effective only when complementary to the dominant institutional coordinating capacities embedded in the existing American political economy, or when they have the exceptional support of the American security establishment. They are, however, consistent with an alternative neo-Polanyian approach that explains when and how street-level policymakers dispersed across American federalism sometimes sidestep the ideological hegemony of ‘market fundamentalism’.
Preference-Aware POI Recommendation with Temporal and Spatial Influence

POI recommendation provides users personalized location recommendation. It helps users to explore new locations and filter uninteresting places that do not match with their interests. Multiple factors influence users to choose a POI, such as user's categorical preferences, temporal activities and location preferences as well as popularity of a POI. In this work, we define a unified framework that takes all these factors into consideration. None of the previous POI recommendation systems consider all four factors: Personal preferences, spatial (location) preferences, temporal influences and POI popularity. This method aims to provide users with a list of recommendation of POIs within a geo-spatial range that should match with their temporal activities and categorical preferences. Experimental results on real-world data show that the proposed recommendation framework outperforms the baseline approaches.
Orality, literacy, and the Lisu linguistic borderlands:

The Lisu, one of China’s 55 ethnic groups, converted to Christianity nearly 100 years ago through the evangelistic efforts of the China Inland Mission (CIM). The CIM missionaries constructed an ort...
Applying the job demands resources model to understand technology as a predictor of turnover intentions

Abstract Based on the Job Demands Resources model (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007), we empirically investigate how technology-based job autonomy, technology-based job overload, and technology-based job monitoring impact job attitudes and employee intentions to turnover. Using a sample of 326 full time employees, we found that the resource of technology-based job autonomy worked through job engagement, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment to lower employee turnover intentions. Simultaneously, the demands of technology-based job overload and technology-based job monitoring worked through job tension and job satisfaction, but not organizational commitment, to impact intentions to turnover. Implications and opportunities for future research of examining technology-based job characteristics are discussed.
Basics of Intervention

Preprocedural evaluation (focused history, physical examination, stress test and risk grading, evaluating the appropriateness for coronary intervention) and adequate postprocedural care are critical for procedural and clinical success.
Compressive sensing and sparse antenna arrays for indoor 3-D microwave imaging

A new 3-D microwave imaging technique, based on compressive sensing, is proposed for use with sparse antenna arrays. It was designed to enable cost-effective 3-D imaging and tracking of people in an indoor environment. This algorithm is able to image both sparse and cluttered environments, through the use of wavelet transforms and compressive sensing techniques. The main advantage of the proposed technique is that it enables the use of much sparser antenna arrays than is possible with the traditional range-migration algorithm, reducing the cost of microwave imaging systems. Experiments show that the compressive sensing algorithm produced high quality 3-D images using antenna arrays that are 90 to 96% sparse. This reduces the cost of the antenna array by a factor of 10 to 25, when compared to traditional dense arrays, without a loss in image resolution.