cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Superresolution reconstruction through object modeling and parameter estimation

A method based on object modeling and parameter estimation is proposed to achieve superresolution reconstruction. An efficient method for solving for the model parameters is given that uses linear prediction theory and linear least squares fitting. Reconstruction results from simulated and real magnetic resonance data are also presented to demonstrate its capability for Gibbs ringing reduction and resolution enhancement. >
Coverage directed test generation for functional verification using Bayesian networks

Functional verification is widely acknowledged as the bottleneck in the hardware design cycle. This paper addresses one of the main challenges of simulation based verification (or dynamic verification), by providing a new approach for coverage directed test generation (CDG). This approach is based on Bayesian networks and computer learning techniques. It provides an efficient way for closing a feedback loop from the coverage domain back to a generator that produces new stimuli to the tested design. In this paper, we show how to apply Bayesian networks to the CDG problem. Applying Bayesian networks to the CDG framework has been tested in several experiments, exhibiting encouraging results and indicating that the suggested approach can be used to achieve CDG goals.
Specified–Precision Computation of Curve/Curve Bisectors

The bisector of two plane curve segments (other than lines and circles) has, in general, no simple — i.e., rational — parameterization, and must therefore be approximated by the interpolation of discrete data. A procedure for computing ordered sequences of point/tangent/curvature data along the bisectors of polynomial or rational plane curves is described, with special emphasis on (i) the identification of singularities (tangent–discontinuities) of the bisector; (ii) capturing the exact rational form of those portions of the bisector with a terminal footpoint on one curve; and (iii) geometrical criteria the characterize extrema of the distance error for interpolants to the discretely–sample data. G1 piecewise– parabolic and G2 piecewise–cubic approximations (with O(h4) and O(h6) convergence) are described which, used in adaptive schemes governed by the exact error measure, can be made to satisfy any prescribed geometrical tolerance.
Inverse Piezoelectric Properties of Rochelle Salt

The relation between the change of lattice spacing of the (021) planes of Rochelle salt as a function of the change in voltage applied along the $a$-axis of the crystal has been determined by x-ray methods over the temperature range from approximately 10\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C to 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. Measurements with a microscope of the strain set up in the crystal, due to a change in voltage applied along the $a$-axis, indicate that there is a one to one correspondence between the change of lattice constant as measured by x-rays and as determined from the measurements of strain. The piezoelectric modulus, ${d}_{14}$, as determined by the inverse piezoelectric effect is larger than the values determined from the piezoelectric effect.
Electoral Structures and Pork Barrel Politics

Pork barrel politics is a particular type of constituency service through which a legislator's geographic constituency benefits from the distribution of public works projects. The desire for reelec...
BCL::SAXS: GPU Accelerated Debye Method for computation of Small Angle X Ray Scattering Profiles

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) is an experimental technique used for structural characterization of macromolecules in solution. Here, we introduce BCL::SAXS – an algorithm designed to replicate SAXS profiles from rigid protein models at different levels of detail. We first show our derivation of BCL::SAXS and compare our results with the experimental scattering profile of Hen Egg White Lysozyme. Using this protein we show how to generate SAXS profiles representing: 1) complete models, 2) models with approximated side chain coordinates, and 3) models with approximated side chain and loop region coordinates. We evaluated the ability of SAXS profiles to identify a correct protein topology from a non-redundant benchmark set of proteins. We find that complete SAXS profiles can be used to identify the correct protein by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with an area under the curve (AUC) > 99%. We show how our approximation of loop coordinates between secondary structure elements improves protein recognition by SAXS for protein models without loop regions and side chains. Agreement with SAXS data is a necessary but not sufficient condition for structure determination. We conclude that experimental SAXS data can be used as a filter to exclude protein models with large structural differences from the native.
Optimizing the culture environment in the IVF laboratory: impact of pH and buffer capacity on gamete and embryo quality

Supplying and maintaining appropriate culture conditions is critical to minimize stress imposed upon gametes and embryos and to optimize the in-vitro environment. One parameter that requires close scrutiny in this endeavour is pH. Though embryos have a limited ability to regulate their internal pH (pHi), oocytes lack robust mechanisms. Thus, careful attention to exter- nal pH (pHe) of culture media is imperative in IVF. Ability to withstand deviations in hydrogen ion concentration varies depending on culture conditions, as well as laboratory procedures. Cryopreserved-thaw-thawed embryos, as well as denuded oocytes, are espe- cially susceptible to perturbations in pHe. Therefore, proper setting, monitoring and stabilizing of pHe during IVF laboratory proce- dures is a crucial component of a rigorous quality control programme. Here, importance of both pHi and pHe in respect to gamete and embryo quality are discussed. Furthermore, factors influencing selection of pHe, as well as emerging methods to stabilize pHe in the IVF laboratory are detailed. RBMOnline
Reliable Determination of Site-Specific In Vivo Protein N-Glycosylation Based on Collision-Induced MS/MS and Chromatographic Retention Time

Site-specific glycopeptide mapping for simultaneous glycan and peptide characterization by MS is difficult because of the heterogeneity and diversity of glycosylation in proteins and the lack of complete fragmentation information for either peptides or glycans with current fragmentation technologies. Indeed, multiple peptide and glycan combinations can readily match the same mass of glycopeptides even with mass errors less than 5 ppm providing considerably ambiguity and analysis of complex mixtures of glycopeptides becomes quite challenging in the case of large proteins. Here we report a novel strategy to reliably determine site-specific N-glycosylation mapping by combining collision-induced dissociation (CID)-only fragmentation with chromatographic retention times of glycopeptides. This approach leverages an experimental pipeline with parallel analysis of glyco- and deglycopeptides. As the test case we chose ABCA4, a large integral membrane protein with 16 predicted sites for N-glycosylation. Taking advantage of CID features such as high scan speed and high intensity of fragment ions together combined with the retention times of glycopeptides to conclusively identify the non-glycolytic peptide from which the glycopeptide was derived, we obtained virtually complete information about glycan compositions and peptide sequences, as well as the N-glycosylation site occupancy and relative abundances of each glycoform at specific sites for ABCA4. The challenges provided by this example provide guidance in analyzing complex relatively pure glycoproteins and potentially even more complex glycoprotein mixtures.
Permanent conical magnet for interventional magnetic resonance imaging

We describe an open structure of permanently magnetized material for interventional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. We transformed the ideal magnet, contained between two coaxial cones, into a practical device by a series of geometrical steps that minimize field perturbations. By taking advantage of the quasi-linear demagnetization characteristics of rare-earth materials, we could analyze the structure with an exact mathematical model. The magnet, built of material of remanence 1.38 T, generates a field of 0.45 T within its central gap 30 cm wide. Our numerical computations show a remarkable 0.25% field uniformity in the imaging region. The large opening makes the conical magnet suitable for interventional and surgical imaging.
Implication of neutrino backgrounds on the reach of next generation dark matter direct detection experiments

As direct dark matter experiments continue to increase in size, they will become sensitive to neutrinos from astrophysical sources. For experiments that do not have directional sensitivity, coherent neutrino scattering from several sources represents an important background to understand, as it can almost perfectly mimic an authentic weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) signal. Here we explore in detail the effect of neutrino backgrounds on the discovery potential of WIMPs over the entire mass range of 500 MeV to 10 TeV. We show that, given the theoretical and measured uncertainties on the neutrino backgrounds, direct detection experiments lose sensitivity to light ($\ensuremath{\sim}10\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$) and heavy ($\ensuremath{\sim}100\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$) WIMPs with a spin-independent cross section below ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}45}$ and ${\text{10}}^{\ensuremath{-}49}\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, respectively.
Facilitating Effective User Navigation through Website Structure Improvement

Designing well-structured websites to facilitate effective user navigation has long been a challenge. A primary reason is that the web developers' understanding of how a website should be structured can be considerably different from that of the users. While various methods have been proposed to relink webpages to improve navigability using user navigation data, the completely reorganized new structure can be highly unpredictable, and the cost of disorienting users after the changes remains unanalyzed. This paper addresses how to improve a website without introducing substantial changes. Specifically, we propose a mathematical programming model to improve the user navigation on a website while minimizing alterations to its current structure. Results from extensive tests conducted on a publicly available real data set indicate that our model not only significantly improves the user navigation with very few changes, but also can be effectively solved. We have also tested the model on large synthetic data sets to demonstrate that it scales up very well. In addition, we define two evaluation metrics and use them to assess the performance of the improved website using the real data set. Evaluation results confirm that the user navigation on the improved structure is indeed greatly enhanced. More interestingly, we find that heavily disoriented users are more likely to benefit from the improved structure than the less disoriented users.
Purchasing power parity, unit roots, and dynamic structure

Recent studies of purchasing power parity (PPP) account for the possible presence of unit roots in nominal exchange rates and relative price indices by applying standard unit-root tests to real exchange rates, which are ratios of nominal exchange rates and relative price indices. These studies occasionally find evidence of PPP, but as a whole, the evidence is not definitive. Standard unit-root tests impose a restrictive dynamic structure between nominal exchange rates and relative price indices. I specify and estimate a generalized dynamic structure. I reject the dynamic restrictions implicit in standard unit-root tests of PPP, and find stronger evidence of PPP than do most other recent studies.
Software-Only Bus Encoding Techniques for an Embedded System

Microprocessors with built-in Liquid Crystal Device (LCD) controllers and equipped with Flash memory are common in mobile computing applications. In the first part of the paper, a software-only encoding technique is proposed to reduce the power consumption of the processor-memory bus when displaying an image on the LCD. Based on the translation mechanism of the LCD controller, our approach is to start with the palette as a coding table for the pixel buffer and then reassign the codes according to the image characteristics. Experimental results prove the efficacy of this approach; power reduction reaches 29% for text-based and 17% for graphics-based images. In the second part of the paper, another software-only encoding technique is presented to reduce the transitions on the processor CompactFlash bus. The device driver in Linux operating system is modified to perform Bus-Invert encoding when the data is read from or written to a Compact Flash file system. With minimal software overhead, the transitions on the bus are reduced by up to 25%.
Distributed Detection in Sensor Networks With Limited Range Multimodal Sensors

We consider a multiobject detection problem over a sensor network (SNET) with limited range multimodal sensors. The general problem complements the widely considered decentralized detection problem where all sensors observe the same object. We develop a distributed detection approach based on recent development of the false discovery rate (FDR) and the associated Benjamini-Hochberg (BH) procedure, which rank orders scalar test statistics. We first develop scalar test statistics for multidimensional data to handle multimodal sensor observations and establish its optimality in terms of the BH procedure. We then propose a distributed algorithm for an idealized model to detect the sensors that are in the immediate vicinity of an object. We show that the number of binary messages that need to be transmitted (communication cost) is upper bounded by the number of sensors that are in the vicinity of objects and is independent of the total number of sensors in the SNET. This brings forth an important principle for evaluating the performance of an SNET, namely, the need for scalability of communications and performance with respect to the number of objects or events in an SNET irrespective of the network size. We then account for nonideal models by developing robust extensions to our developments under the idealized model. The robustness properties ensure that both the error performance and communication cost degrade gracefully with interference.
Academic Achievement Orientation and Help-Seeking Behavior in Early Adolescent Girls

This study evaluated task persistence and help-seeking behaviors among 40 girls, 20 each at the fourth- and sixth-grade levels. The girls were classified as high or low in mastery orientation using their scores on a subset of items on the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Scale. Task persistence and help-seeking behaviors were observed while the girls performed a perceptual performance cognitive task. Results indicated that task persistence measured as time spent working on the task did not vary with grade level or mastery orientation. As predicted, girls high in mastery orientation displayed proportionately more adaptive bids for help that focused on solving the task than did their low mastery counterparts. Moreover, girls high in mastery orientation viewed help seeking more favorably as an alternative means of goal attainment than did low mastery-oriented girls. The results are discussed in terms of individual differences in strategies for coping with stress in achievement settings.
MULTIDIRECTIONAL, MULTIPOLARIZATION ANTENNAS FOR SCALAR AND TENSOR GRAVITATIONAL RADIATION.

Some gravitational radiation antenna designs are discussed which are capable of distinguishing between the spin zero scalar radiation predicted by the Brans-Dicke theory of gravitation and the spin two tensor radiation predicted by the Einstein theory of gravitation. The antennas will also give information concerning the direction to the source of radiation, and will measure the polarization of the tensor radiation. The designs consist of symmetric masses with approapriately spaced and oriented transducers. The transducers are combined to give orthogonal outputs. Linear combinations of these orthogonal outputs then are uniquely associated with the various possible combinations of radiation type, propagation, direction and polarization, orientation.
Four Dimensions of Self‐Defining Memories (Specificity, Meaning, Content, and Affect) and Their Relationships to Self‐Restraint, Distress, and Repressive Defensiveness

This study examines four dimensions of self-defining memory (specificity, meaning, content, and affect) and their relationship to self-restraint, distress, and defensiveness. The development and valida- tion of a protocol for measuring specificity, meaning, and affect in self- defining memories is discussed. Specificity is operationalized as the temporal and detailed specificity of the narrative. Meaning refers to the participant's stepping back from the narrative to derive higher personal meaning or a life lesson. Affect reflects subjective emotion upon recall. Agreement between two raters scoring 1040 memories was k 5 .83 for specificity and k 5 .72 for meaning. The protocol is compatible with Thorne and McLean's scoring system for content (the types of events in memories). The current study compared individual differences in the four dimensions of 10 self-defining memories collected from 103 undergradu- ates to scores of self-restraint, distress, and repressive defensiveness, as measured by the Weinberger Adjustment Inventory. Memory specificity was inversely related to repressive defensiveness, while greater memory meaning was linked to moderate and high levels of self-restraint. Memory content and affect predicted individuals' degree of subjective distress. Based on these findings, the authors discuss the place of self-defining
The Management Information Systems Research Center at the University of Minnesota: a support mechanism

The Management Information Systems Research Center (MISRC) at the University of Minnesota is described in terms of its background, functions, and activities. Stress is placed on how the research center serves as a support mechanism for MIS faculty research at the University. >
Implementation and analysis of extended SLI operations

Extended arithmetic operations, such as forming scalar products, in symmetric level index (SLI) arithmetic are considered. Schemes for the implementation of such algorithms are described and analyzed in terms of comparative timings for these operations and their floating-point counterparts and in terms of the control of errors in the computation. With sufficient parallelism available in the SLI processor, the computation can be as fast as for floating-point operations. The SLI operation can be modified to produce just a single rounding error from extended operations very economically. The implementation details suggest that any time-penalty associated with the use of SLI arithmetic can be kept to a very small factor on highly parallel computers, perhaps on the order of just two or three for typical scientific computing programs. >
Skylab Scatterometer Measurements of Hurricane Ava: Anomalous Data Correction

The high wind-speed Ku-band backscatter data measurements of hurricane Ava made by the scatterometer flown on the Skylab were degraded. Extensive data processing and receiver calibration were required to salvage the scientific information contained in these measurements. The highlights of the special processing applied to these data are described, and the results are compared to previous experimental results and to theoretical predictions.
Evaluating Spoken Dialogue Processing for Time-Offset Interaction

This paper presents the first evaluation of a full automated prototype system for time-offset interaction, that is, conversation between a live person and recordings of someone who is not temporally copresent. Speech recognition reaches word error rates as low as 5% with generalpurpose language models and 19% with domain-specific models, and language understanding can identify appropriate direct responses to 60‐66% of user utterances while keeping errors to 10‐16% (the remainder being indirect, or off-topic responses). This is sufficient to enable a natural flow and relatively open-ended conversations, with a collection of under 2000 recorded statements.
A radioimmunoassay for the measurement of human cardiac myosin light chains.

A double-antibody radioimmunoassay that specifically measures serum or urinary concentrations of human cardiac myosin light chains has been developed. The assay is both sensitive and specific for myosin light chain I. The antiserum used in the assay is capable of detecting 1 to 2 ng/ml of cardiac myosin light Chain I and shows no cross-reaction to cardiac myosin, the heavy chains of myosin, actin, tropomyosin, or light chain II. Of 114 patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit, 227 measurements obtained from 84 patients without myocardial infarction revealed that the serum light chain level of 2.0 +- 0.18 ng/ml was not significantly different from that of a control group (2.1 +- 0.17 ng/ml, n = 12). In contrast, 89 measurements from 30 patients with myocardial infarction evidence clinically, electrocardiographically, and by creatine phosphokinase determinations were found to have an average serum light chain I concentration of 10.9 +- 1.39 ng/ml (P less than 0.001). Thus, the radioimmunoassay for human cardiac myosin light chain I provides a sensitive and specific marker for myocardial damage.
Stability and metastability in semiconductor strained-layer structures

The physics governing stability properties and relaxation of mismatch strain in semiconductor strained-layer structures is reviewed. Experimental data on stability and rates of strain relaxation are examined. We conclude that essentially all observations on structural relaxation of semiconductor strained-layer structures can be explained by standard models of plastic deformation adapted to the special conditions controlling dislocation dynamics in these structures.
Biomechanical analysis of single- versus double-screw fixation in slipped capital femoral epiphysis at physiological load levels

Slipped capital femoral epiphyses in 12 pairs of bovine femora were pinned with a single screw on one side and two screws on the other. The specimens were subjected to physiological shear loads across the epiphysis (100 cycles at 1.1 Hz; 400 N for slow walking, and 900 N for fast walking). The rates of creep were decreased 23% with double screws compared to single screws at slow walking, and 30% at fast walking; this was not statistically significant. Single-screw fixation in slipped epiphyses is thus recommended, because the small gains in resistance to cyclic creep at physiological loading were not statistically different, and did not offset the increased risks of complications with multiple screws.
Aspects of small-bore column technology

Suggestion de classification en fonction du rapport diametre/taille de particules. Performances de cette technique: vitesse de separation, chromatographie multidimensionnelle
Keys to the Orders of Immature Stages (Exclusive of Eggs and Pronymphs) of North American Insects

For several years the writer has presented a course on immature insects dealing chiefly with the identification of nymphs, naiads, larvae and pupae. The following keys for the determination of insect orders have been used in this course. They had their beginning from incomplete keys prepared by A. D. MacGillivray when the author was a graduate student at the University of Illinois and have gradually evolved into their present form. They are published in their present state of development chiefly because, as far as known, no satisfactory published keys[1][1] exist in the English language for all of the common orders of immature insects of North America. [1]: #fn-1
Public policy issues: Earthquake prediction

abstract The object of this paper is to provide a method of cost-benefit analysis of earthquake prediction as a means of mitigation of earthquake effects. The research in earthquake prediction may or may not be successful and involves an initial cost. Earthquake prediction, if achieved, on the one hand provides society with information which allows it to take protective measures. On the other hand, each prediction involves the costs of those measures and the consequent disruption of economic life. The question is to assess the value of such information in a given state of the prediction technology. The evaluation of a fault-monitoring program and its consequences for the public at the time of predictions is performed over a 50-year period. A rate of growth, a social rate of discount, and a rate of improvement over time of earthquake prediction techniques are assumed. A model “TREE” is developed; it allows computation, for each year, of the expected value of the earthquake prediction information—expected costs minus expected benefits. The life component and the dollar component of the net result are kept separate throughout the evaluation. The final result is an expected cost per life saved through the earthquake prediction program over a 50-year time period. This allows comparison with the results of earthquake engineering and building codes (see Pate, 1978). It also allows comparison with the results obtained in other public sectors involving risk mitigation—health and transportation, for example. A numerical example has been worked out for the case of the San Francisco Bay Area; it gives a first approach to the results that can be expected from a prediction system with different assumptions on the success of research in that field. This paper is based on the doctoral thesis at Stanford University of M-E. Pate, under the supervision of Professor H. C. Shah.
Automatic measurement technology of medium voltage power line channel

Using 10 kV medium voltage power line to transmit high-speed data has become a hot spot. Due to the complexity of power line channel, the traditional measurement is complicated. This article describes the automatic measurement technology of narrowband channel characteristic for carrier communication. By using the virtual instrument method, the efficiency of channel measurement can be enhanced greatly and the results can be stored in PC automatically in chart and text format.
Laboratory Trail Study on NMP Refining of High-Viscosity VGO

Single stage refining of high-viscosity lubricating oil using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone(NMP) was carried out.The suitable operating conditions of the NMP refining were determined by orthogonal test and mathematical ways.On this basis,a simulate-three-stage extraction and dewaxing tests of NMP were done.The results show that the operation conditions of NMP anhydrous extraction are as follows: extracting temperature 87 ℃,the volume ratio of solvent to oil is 0.75.Under same conditions,NMP anhydrous single-stage extraction are as follows: the yield of refined oil is 90.1%,the refractive index is 1.464 5 at 60 ℃.NMP anhydrous simulate-three-stage extraction are as follows: the yield of refined oil is 90%,the refractive index is 1.462 2 at 60 ℃.Volume fraction of water 1.5% of extraction suitable operating conditions are as follows: extracting temperature 88.5 ℃,the volume ratio of solvent to oil is 1.38.Under same conditions,NMP single-stage extraction are as follows: the yield of refined oil is 87.7%,the refractive index is 1.463 1;NMP simulate-three-stage extraction are as follows: the yield of refined oil is 87%,the refractive index is 1.461 0 at 60 ℃.From refractive index changes to know that the effect of simulate-three-stage test is better than single-stage extraction test.
Mechanistic Links Between ATM and Histone Methylation Codes During DNA Repair

The ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) protein kinase is the master regulator of the DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway. The activation of ATM involves its recruitment to the DSB through interaction with the mre11-rad50-nbs1 complex, followed by the acetylation of ATM by the Tip60 acetyltransferase. This acetylation of ATM within its regulatory domain is essential for activating ATM's kinase activity. Further work has now revealed that Tip60 is activated through direct interaction between Tip60's chromodomain and histone H3 trimethylated on lysine 9 (H3K9me3). The loading of Tip60 onto the chromatin at DSBs therefore represents the primary mechanism for activation of Tip60's acetyltransferase activity in response to DNA damage. The ability of H3K9me3 at DSBs to regulate the activity of Tip60 and the subsequent activation of ATM emphasizes the crucial role played by chromatin architecture in regulating DSB repair. Further, histone methylation and chromatin structure are disrupted in human cancers, implying that altered chromatin structure in tumor cells may impact DSB repair, increasing genomic instability and contributing to the progression of cancer.
Telomere Replication Stress Induced by POT1 Inactivation Accelerates Tumorigenesis

Genome sequencing studies have revealed a number of cancer-associated mutations in the telomere-binding factor POT1. Here, we show that when combined with p53 deficiency, depletion of murine POT1a in common lymphoid progenitor cells fosters genetic instability, accelerates the onset, and increases the severity of T cell lymphomas. In parallel, we examined human and mouse cells carrying POT1 mutations found in cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients. Inhibition of POT1 activates ATR-dependent DNA damage signaling and induces telomere fragility, replication fork stalling, and telomere elongation. Our data suggest that these phenotypes are linked to impaired CST (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) function at telomeres. Lastly, we show that proliferation of cancer cells lacking POT1 is enabled by the attenuation of the ATR kinase pathway. These results uncover a role for defective telomere replication during tumorigenesis.
Evaluation of Corn Hybrids for Rootworm Management With Insecticides and Without, 2014

Northern and western corn rootworm (NCR/WCR) management efficacy trials were conducted to evaluate transgenic insect-resistant hybrids and granular insecticide combination treatments near Bryant, Cavour, and Colman in South Dakota. Granular insecticides were applied in-furrow to four row (∼50 ft long; spaced 30 inches apart) treatment plots at planting time. Experimental plots were arranged in an RCBD with four replications. Granular insecticides were applied with Noble metering units or SmartBox delivery system. All metering units …
Assessing Cartilage Biomechanical Properties: Techniques for Evaluating the Functional Performance of Cartilage in Health and Disease.

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects millions of people and results in weakened hyaline cartilage due to overloading. During joint articulation, hyaline cartilage must withstand high loads while maintaining low friction to prevent wear and tissue loss. Thus, cartilage compressive stiffness and the coefficient of friction are important indicators of the tissue's functional performance. These mechanical properties are often measured ex vivo using mechanical testing regimens, but arthroscopic handheld probes (e.g., for indentation testing, ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography) and noninvasive imaging modalities (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) provide opportunities for either direct or indirect in vivo assessment of cartilage mechanical properties. In this review, we examine the application of these techniques for evaluating cartilage, with a focus on measuring mechanical properties for early-stage OA diagnosis. For each approach, we discuss the advantages, disadvantages, current and...
Factors Associated With Nontransfer in Trauma Patients Meeting American College of Surgeons' Criteria for Transfer at Nontertiary Centers.

Importance Secondary triage from nontertiary centers is vital to trauma system success. It remains unclear what factors are associated with nontransfer among patients who should be considered for transfer to facilities providing higher-level care. Objective To identify factors associated with nontransfer among patients meeting American College of Surgeons (ACS) guideline criteria for transfer from nontertiary centers. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cohort study was performed using multilevel logistic regression to ascertain factors associated with nontransfer from nontertiary centers, including demographics, injury characteristics, and center resources. With information obtained from the National Trauma Data Bank (January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2012), relative proportion of variance in outcome across centers was determined for patient-level and center-level attributes. In all, 96 528 patients taken to nontertiary centers (levels III, IV, V, and nontrauma centers) that met ACS guideline transfer criteria were eligible for inclusion. Data analysis was performed from March 17, 2016, to May 20, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was nontransfer from a nontertiary center. Results Among 96 528 patients meeting ACS guideline criteria for transfer taken initially to nontertiary centers, 55 611 (57.6%) were male and the median age was 52 years (interquartile range, 28-77 years). Only 19 396 patients (20.1%) underwent transfer. Patient-level factors associated with nontransfer included age older than 65 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.46-1.98; P P P 600 vs P P P P P P Conclusions and Relevance Only 1 in 5 patients meeting ACS transfer criteria underwent transfer. Factors associated with nontransfer may be useful for trauma system stakeholders to target education and outreach to guide development of more inclusive trauma systems. Further study is necessary to critically evaluate whether these ACS criteria identify patients who require transfer.
CSPAP Professional Preparation: Takeaways from Pioneering Physical Education Teacher Education Programs

As comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) professional development becomes increasingly available to current K-12 physical education teachers, this special feature shifts attention to the preparation of future PE teachers and teacher educators for CSPAP. The purpose of this concluding article is to summarize the undergraduate- and graduate-level CSPAP integration efforts from the 12 pioneering physical education teacher education (PETE) programs presented in this two-part special feature across coursework, learning objectives, learning experiences, training/certifications, research initiatives, and future strategies. The article concludes by exploring future implications of CSPAP adoption in PETE programs.
Sex-Dependent Effects of HO-1 Deletion from Adipocytes in Mice

Induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been demonstrated to decrease body weight and improve insulin sensitivity in several models of obesity in rodents. To further study the role of HO-1 in adipose tissue, we created an adipose-specific HO-1 knockout mouse model. Male and female mice were fed either a control or a high-fat diet for 30 weeks. Body weights were measured weekly and body composition, fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were determined every six weeks. Adipocyte-specific knockout of HO-1 had no significant effect on body weight in mice fed a high-fat diet but increased body weight in female mice fed a normal-fat diet. Although body weights were not different in females fed a high fat diet, loss of HO-1 in adipocytes resulted in significant alterations in body composition. Adipose-specific HO-1 knockout resulted in increased fasting hyperglycemia and insulinemia in female but not male mice on both diets. Adipose-specific knockout of HO-1 resulted in a significant loss of HO activity and a decrease in the protein levels of adiponectin in adipose tissue. These results demonstrate that loss of HO-1 in adipocytes has greater effects on body fat and fasting hyperglycemia in a sex-dependent fashion and that expression of HO-1 in adipose tissue may have a greater protective role in females as compared to males.
One needle, one syringe, only one time? A survey of physician and nurse knowledge, attitudes, and practices around injection safety.

Background To inform development, targeting, and penetration of materials from a national injection safety campaign, an evaluation was conducted to assess provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to unsafe injection practices. Methods A panel of physicians (n = 370) and nurses (n = 320) were recruited from 8 states to complete an online survey. Questions, using 5-point Likert and Spector scales, addressed acceptability and frequency of unsafe practices (eg, reuse of a syringe on >1 patient). Results were stratified to identify differences among physician specialties and nurse practice locations. Results Unsafe injection practices were reported by both physicians and nurses across all surveyed physician specialties and nurse practice locations. Twelve percent (12.4%) of physicians and 3% of nurses indicated reuse of syringes for >1 patient occurs in their workplace; nearly 5% of physicians indicated this practice usually or always occurs. A higher proportion of oncologists reported unsafe practices occurring in their workplace. Conclusions There is a dangerous minority of providers violating basic standards of care; practice patterns may vary by provider group and specialty. More research is needed to understand how best to identify providers placing patients at risk of infection and modify their behaviors.
Digital research confidential: the secrets of studying behavior online, by Hargittai, E. and Sandvig, C.

Surely all scholarship is now effected by networked digital technologies, but apprehending transformations from the digital realm and confronting, perhaps even updating them with our traditional re...
Regular aerobic exercise reduces endothelin‐1‐mediated vasoconstrictor tone in overweight and obese adults

Endothelin (ET)-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone is elevated in overweight and obese adults, contributing to vasomotor dysfunction and increased cardiovascular disease risk. While the effects of habitual aerobic exercise on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in overweight/obese adults has been studied, little is known regarding ET-1 vasoconstriction. Accordingly, the aims of the present study were to determine: (1) if regular aerobic exercise training reduces ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in overweight and obese adults; and, if so (2) whether the reduction in ET-1 vasoconstriction contributes to exercise-induced improvement in endothelium-dependent vasodilation in this population. Forearm blood flow (FBF) to intra-arterial infusion of selective ETA receptor blockade (BQ-123, 100 nmol min−1 for 60 min), acetylcholine (4.0, 8.0 and 16.0 μg/100 ml tissue min−1) in the absence and presence of ETA receptor blockade and sodium nitroprusside (1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 μg/100 ml tissue min−1) were determined before and after a 3-month aerobic exercise training intervention in 25 (16M/9F) overweight/obese (BMI: 30.1 ± 0.5 kg m−2) adults. The vasodilator response to BQ-123 was significantly lower (∼25%) and the FBF responses to acetylcholine were ∼35% higher after exercise training. Before the exercise intervention the co-infusion of acetylcholine+BQ-123 resulted in a greater vasodilator response than acetylcholine alone; however, after the exercise intervention the FBF response to acetylcholine was not significantly increased by ETA receptor blockade. These results demonstrate that regular aerobic exercise reduces ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in previously sedentary overweight and obese adults. Moreover, decreased ET-1 vasoconstriction is an important mechanism underlying the aerobic exercise-induced improvement in endothelium-dependent vasodilator function in overweight/obese adults. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Research Associates Program: Expanding clinical research productivity with undergraduate students.

Objectives:Clinical research is often time-consuming and difficult to conduct in busy academic institutions. Previous studies have proposed methods to integrate undergraduate students as a means to...
Mapping Theories of Transformative Learning

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the utility of social cartography for mapping theories of transformative learning. Since the 1980s, several alternative conceptions of transformative learning have emerged to challenge the dominance of Jack Mezirow's psychocritical perspective. Rather than positioning these theories in opposition to one another, this study uses textual analysis and a phenomenographic method to situate them in a heterotopic space where researchers can orient themselves as they encounter new intellectual and representational tasks brought on by the diversification of the field. Whether the map is accepted as a metaphorical curiosity or more as a literal representation, it can reveal perceived or acknowledged theoretical relationships while identifying issues in transformative education that still need to be addressed.
An exploratory pharmacogenomic study of neoadjuvant cetuximab (C225, ERBITUX®) followed by cisplatin, radiotherapy, and cetuximab in women with untreated advanced cervical cancer

3533 Background: EGFR overexpression is correlated with poor prognosis and decreased survival in cervical cancer. Though EGFR expression is necessary for sensitivity to cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against EGFR, not all EGFR-positive tumors will respond to cetuximab. We initiated a study to describe the antitumor activity of neoadjuvant cetuximab and to determine the safety of cetuximab with concurrent chemoradiation in women with advanced cervical carcinoma. We performed sequential tumor biopsies and FDG-PET/CT imaging to attempt to predict response to neoadjuvant cetuximab. Methods: Women with untreated advanced cervical cancer underwent a biopsy for EGFR sequencing, IHC staining, and transcriptional profiling, CT scan, and PET scan prior to 3 weekly treatments of neoadjuvant cetuximab (initial dose of 400 mg/m 2 followed by 250 mg/m 2 , Part A). They then underwent a second biopsy, CT scan, and PET scan prior to receiving concurrent therapy consisting of IMRT (PTV Final to 50 cGy) and 6 weekly HDR intracavitary implants (650 cGy/fraction) with six weekly treatments of cetuximab (250 mg/m 2 ) and cisplatin (40 mg/m 2 , Part B). Women then received 12 weekly treatments of cetuximab followed by a final biopsy, CT scan, and PET scan (Part C). Results: Nine women with Stage I-IV disease were entered. Seven completed Part A (1 opted for standard treatment and 1 refused further treatment), 3 completed Part B (3 remain in treatment and 1 opted to complete treatment closer to home), and 2 patients are presently receiving treatment on Part C. In Part A, toxicities were minimal with grade 1/2 acneiform rash in 3 and 4 patients, respectively. In Part B, hematologic toxicities included grade 3 neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia in 2, 1, and 1 patients, respectively. Non-hematologic toxicities included grade 3/4 fatigue in 4, grade 3 anorexia in 3, grade 3 nausea/vomiting in 3, grade 3 infections with neutropenia in 1 and with normal ANC in 2 patients. Grade 2 and 3 diarrhea and electrolyte abnormalities were notable in all patients requiring hospitalizations in 5 patients and/or outpatient fluid and electrolyte replacement in 3 patients. One patient each had Grade 3 small bowel obstruction and enteritis. Two patients had elevated transaminases and dilated intra- and extra-hepatic ducts by CT scans. ERCP revealed biliary sludge in 1 patient and suppurative cholangitis in the other. While no patients had a partial response by RECIST criteria after neoadjuvant cetuximab, several patients had a decrease in their disease by clinical examination. Conclusion: We noted significant gastrointestinal and metabolic toxicities and will be modifying our treatment. The results of the correlative studies on the tumor biopsies, CT scans, and PET scans before and after neoadjuvant cetuximab have not been analyzed yet and will be presented.
Active Learning: A Case Study of Student Engagement in College Calculus.

This paper presents a case study for strategic engagement of students in a Calculus course in order to produce increased learning in the classroom. Since it has been shown that active learning can ...
Multiplexed molecular biomarker analysis using an expanded library of nanoelectronically barcoded particles enabled through machine learning analysis

Electronically barcoded micro-particles have been demonstrated for use in various multiplexed molecular biomarker assays. Traditional optical and plasmonic methods for barcoding are capable of high throughput and high sensitivity, but require bulky instrumentation for readout, which cannot be easily made into a portable device. Previously, we reported a novel impedance based barcoding technique by fabricating tunable nano-capacitors on micro-particle surfaces thus modulating the overall particle impedance. In this work, we expand the library of barcoded particles using atomic layer deposited oxides of varying thickness and dielectric permittivity and study the effect of thickness and dielectric permittivity using multi-frequency impedance flow cytometry and utilize machine learning to classify different particle barcodes.
The effect of women in government on country-level peace

ABSTRACTThe global community continues to endure violent attacks that seem to continuously morph in nature. The complexities of violence in today's world make it imperative to examine factors that can counter these acts of terror. The primary focus of this paper is to explore the relationship between the number of women in government on levels of corruption and country-level peace. It is argued that the percentage of women in government has a causal effect on peace through the focus on societal needs in addition to an indirect effect through a reduction in corruption. This, in turn, enhances both peace and peacebuilding. Using cross-country data, the effects of women in government on peace are tested using a mediation analysis. As a preview of the empirical results, the indirect effect is found to be statistically significant and stronger than the direct effect once the level of corruption is controlled.
Molecular biology and genetics of protective fungal endophytes of grasses.

Clavicipitaceous endophytes, a group of seedborne fungal symbionts of C3 grasses, may be the most widespread agents of biological plant protection in agriculture, and the unwitting use of them in pasture grasses has continued for many centuries. Endophytes have been recognized in species of the Pooideae (the cool-season grasses) for nearly a century (1), but the agricultural and ecological importance of these associations has been appreciated only in recent decades. Those with evolutionary affinities to the teleomorph (sexual form) Epichloe typhina (Pers: Fr.) Tulasne (family Clavicipitaceae) are referred to as “clavicipitaceous endophytes” (here abbreviated c-endophytes) and can be particularly important for the fitness, competitiveness and persistence of their grass hosts under conditions of biotic or abiotic stress (2–4). The most intensely studied of these interactions have been the tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) symbiota. The multitude of fitness enhancements conferred by the c-endophytes (Table 1) are, in no small measure, contributory to the excellent persistence of these grasses in temperature pastures. However, since it was determined that they were associated with livestock toxicosis (5,6), the endophytes have not been considered desirable by pastoralists. The most immediate goal of much of the present endophyte research is to identify or generate strains that cause minimal toxicosis to livestock, but still confer most of their protective benefits upon the host grasses.