cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uniqueness inference for compile-time object deallocation

This paper presents an analysis and transformation for individual object reclamation in Java programs. First, we propose a uniqueness inference algorithm that identifies variables and object fields that hold unique references. The algorithm performs an intra-procedural analysis of each method, and then builds and solves a set of inter-procedural uniqueness dependencies to find the global solution. Second, our system uses the uniqueness information to automatically instrument programs with explicit deallocation of individual objects. A key feature of the transformation is its ability to deallocate entire heap structures, including recursive structures, when their root objects are freed. This is achieved by generating object destructors that recursively free all of the unique object fields. Our experiments show that the analysis is effective at reclaiming a large fraction of the objects at a low analysis cost.
Molecular phylogeny of bark and ambrosia beetles reveals multiple origins of fungus farming during periods of global warming

Fungus farming is an unusual life style in insects that has evolved many times in the wood boring weevils named ‘ambrosia beetles’. Multiple occurrences of this behaviour allow for a detailed comparison of the different origins of fungus farming through time, its directionality, and possible ancestral states. We tested these hypotheses with a phylogeny representing the largest data set to date, nearly 4 kb of nucleotides from COI, EF-1α, CAD, ArgK, 28S, and 200 scolytine taxa. Phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian or parsimony approaches placed the root of Scolytinae close to the tribe Scolytini and Microborus, but otherwise indicated low resolution at older nodes. More recent clades were well resolved, including ten origins of fungus farming. There were no subsequent reversals to bark or phloem feeding in the fungus farming clades. The oldest origin of fungus farming was estimated near 50 Ma, long after the origin of Scolytinae (100-120 Ma). Younger origins included the species rich Xyleborini, dated to 21 Ma. Sister group comparisons and test of independence between traits indicated that neither gregarious larval feeding nor regular inbreeding by sibling mating was strongly correlated with the origin of fungus farming. Origins of fungus farming corresponded mainly with two periods of global warming in the Cenozoic era, which were characterised by broadly distributed tropical forests. Hence, it seems likely that warm climates and expanding tropical angiosperm forests played critical roles in the successful radiation of diverse fungus farming groups. However, further investigation will likely reveal additional biological factors that promote fungus farming.
Male and female observers evoke different responses from monkeys

Golden-bellied mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus chrysogaster) adult females observed at the zoo threatened female observers more than they threatened male observers. Theory in behavioral primatology as well as research design decisions may be affected by this difference, especially if other primates respond to human sex differences in a manner similar to these mangabeys.
DISTRIBUTION OF PANONYCHUS CITRI (McGREGOR) AND EUSEIUS TULARENSIS CONGDON ON CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ORANGE TREES WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR BINOMIAL SAMPLING

Abstract Adults and active stages of the citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor) and active stages of the predatory mite Euseius tularensis Congdon were sampled in a central California orange grove for the period 1968–1976. In 1983, 10 groves were sampled for P. citri adult females. Analysis of variance showed no difference ( P > 0.05) between sampling locations within a tree. Clumping pattern per leaf for each species and age class sampled were expressed as the relationship between proportion of leaves infested with mites, mean number of mites per leaf and variance of mites per leaf. The clumping patterns of both P. citri classes were fairly constant between years and between orchards and were more clumped than with E. tularensis . The relationship between proportion of leaves infested and mean number of mites per leaf was determined for both species and age classes and incorporated into a binomial sampling program. Binomial sequential sampling schemes were developed for P. citri using thresholds proposed in the literature.
Functional correlates of differences in bone density among terrestrial and aquatic genera in the family Mustelidae (Mammalia)

Increasing body density by increasing bone density has been cited as a means by which semiaquatic mammals are able to control their buoyancy in water. In order to investigate the relationship of bone density to buoyancy and the degree of morphological adaptation to a semiaquatic existence, we examined limb-bone densities in a single mammalian family. Among genera within the Mustelidae, i.e., weasels and their relatives, there is an apparent trend toward increasing limb-bone density associated with a gradation from a terrestrial to an aquatic way of life. However, the association of increasing bone density with increasing adaptation to an aquatic environment is tempered by the realization that increasing body size may also influence bone density in larger, terrestrial mammals. These results are in accordance with previous data on bone density in other mammalian orders and suggest that a new hypothesis which encompasses historical, physiological, and behavioral information would be best suited to explaining differences in this morphological relationship.
Parental perceptions of their child's asthma: management and medication use.

Abstract Introduction: Adequate treatment for asthma depends on accurate assessment and intervention by the parent and child and timely communication with the provider. These actions by the parent may be affected by their understanding of asthma management and their concerns about medications being prescribed. This research reports parental experiences with their children with asthma, specifically their beliefs, knowledge, and attitudes about asthma management, including medication use. Methods: Data reported are from a study investigating parental attitudes and beliefs affecting antiinflammatory medication use in childhood asthma. These qualitative findings emerged from one-on-one semistructured qualitative interviews with 18 parents of children 2 to 18 years of age who were from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds and who represented the spectrum of illness severity. Results: Eight main themes within the domain of asthma management and medication use were identified: “I know my child,” “trial and error,” “partnership,” “need for education,” “negotiating responsibility,” “hassles with medication administration,” “preferences,” and “the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects.” Discussion: These themes emphasize parents' need to partner with providers in their child's asthma management, as well as their need for ongoing asthma education. Parents also expressed concern about adverse effects of antiinflammatory medication but acknowledged the importance of controlling asthma symptoms. Based on these findings, systematic practice changes are recommended that provide regular opportunities for parent and child asthma education in a structured asthma wellness or “tune-up” visit. J Pediatr Health Care. (2003). 17, 118-125.
Interruptions in the triplet repeats of SCA1 and FRAXA reduce the propensity and complexity of slipped strand DNA (S-DNA) formation

Models for the disease-associated expansion of trinucleotide repeats involve the participation of alternative DNA structures during replication, repair, or recombination. CAT or AGG interruptions within the (CAG)n or (CGG)n repeats of SCA1 or FRAXA, respectively, confer increased genetic stability to the repeats. In this study, we report the formation of slipped strand structures (S-DNA) using genomic sequences containing pure and interrupted SCA1 and FRAXA repeats having lengths above and below the genetic stability thresholds. S-DNA forms within the repeats during annealing of complementary strands containing equal lengths of repeats. Increased lengths of pure repeats led to an increased propensity for S-DNA formation. CAT or AGG interruptions have both quantitative and qualitative effects upon S-DNA formation: they decrease the total amount of slipped structures as well as limit the specific isomers formed. This demonstrates a unifying inhibitory effect of interruptions in both (CAG)n and (CGG)n tract...
Limited intermediate buffer switch modules and their interconnection networks for B-ISDN

Gupta et al. (1991) presented an analysis of a limited intermediate buffer (LIB) switch consisting of input buffers and a limited amount of buffers in the switch fabric, where contention for the output ports occurs. A novel scheduling scheme based on head of line blocking was proposed, which improved the performance significantly. For uniform random traffic, a 16*16 LIB switch had an achievable throughput equal to 87.5%. The authors examine the switch performance under two delay dependent priority classes and show that the achievable throughput can be increased to 91%. To build large-size switching systems, a multistage interconnection network is proposed, which meets the demands of large-scale asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch design, such as (1) modularity, (2) relaxed synchronization, (3) guaranteed high performance without requiring internal speedup, and (4) maintaining packet sequence integrity. The simulation results of three-stage interconnection networks prove the efficacy of the LIB switch architecture and the proposed scheduling scheme. >
Distribution of Simultaneously Injected Androgens and Estrogens in Animal Tissues

Pairs of differently labeled estrogens and androgens (estriol and testosterone; estrone and dihydrotestosterone) were injected into male dogs and baboons and the distribution of the radioactivity in ten tissues and body fluids examined over a period of 120 min by means of a newly available tissue oxidizer. This instrument allows physical separation and determination of mixtures of 3H and 14C radioactivity in the same tissue or fluid. This approach afforded an opportunity to follow simultaneously the fate of two steroids and made comparison of their distribution in animal tissues more reliable. The outstanding finding of the experiments is a significant localization of radioactivity in the pancreas of both animals following estriol or estrone injection. This localization is the more striking, since it greatly exceeded that in such organs as the prostate, testes and skeletal muscle. (Endocrinology 90: 1245, 1972)
Some Effects of Real Newsfilm Violence on the Behavior of Viewers.

Although most of the furor over “television violence” and its effects has been directed toward fictional entertainment programming, much of the violence on the air is found on news programs that report the actual often‐violent environment of today. Does this “real‐life” violence have an effect upon the viewer? Is this effect different from that often claimed for entertainment programming? Does the labeling or narration of a news story affect the perceptions of the audience? Is there a difference in effect between “justified” and “unjustified” violence in television newsfilm? The following study was done with newsfilm supplied through the courtesy of Dr. Frank Stanton and Richard S. Salant of CBS News. The author, who earned his Ph.D. from Ohio University in 1970, wishes also to thank Professors William C. Miller and James A. Anderson for their assistance. Timothy Meyer currently is an Assistant Professor of Speech in Mass Communication at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Solid-Phase Synthesis, Characterization, and Cellular Activities of Collagen-Model Nanodiamond-Peptide Conjugates

Nanodiamonds (NDs) have received considerable attention as potential drug delivery vehicles. NDs are small (∼5 nm diameter), can be surface modified in a controllable fashion with a variety of functional groups, and have little observed toxicity in vitro and in vivo. However, most biomedical applications of NDs utilize surface adsorption of biomolecules, as opposed to covalent attachment. Covalent modification provides reliable and reproducible ND-biomolecule ratios, and alleviates concerns over biomolecule desorption prior to delivery. The present study has outlined methods for the efficient solid-phase conjugation of ND to peptides and characterization of ND-peptide conjugates. Utilizing collagen-derived peptides, the ND was found to support or even enhance the cell adhesion and viability activities of the conjugated sequence. Thus, NDs can be incorporated into peptides and proteins in a selective manner, where the presence of the ND could potentially enhance the in vivo activities of the biomolecule it is attached to.
Cross-Pathway Regulation: Histidine-Mediated Control of Histidine, Tryptophan, and Arginine Biosynthetic Enzymes in Neurospora crassa

In Neurospora crassa, histidine starvation of histidine mutants resulted in derepression of histidine, tryptophan, and arginine biosynthetic enzymes. The same tripartite derepression occurred in wild-type strain 74A when it was grown in medium supplemented with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, an inhibitor of histidine biosynthesis. Histidine-mediated derepression of tryptophan and arginine biosynthetic enzymes was not due to a lowered intracellular concentration of tryptophan or arginine, respectively. A discussion of possible mechanisms and of similar studies in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms is presented.
Tunable, monochromatic X-rays: an enabling technology for molecular/cellular imaging and therapy.

Pulsed, tunable, monochromatic X-rays hold great potential as a cellular and molecular probe. These beams can be tuned to the binding energy of orbital electrons in atoms, making them extremely useful in diagnostic k-edge imaging and Auger cascade radiotherapy. Their wide tunability makes them ideal for the performance of various techniques as disparate as protein crystallography and three-dimensional, compressionless, monochromatic mammography. Since only the frequency best suited to the task at hand is used, radiation exposure to patients or animals is exceedingly low when compared to standard X-ray techniques. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Architectures for Extreme-Scale Computing

Extreme-scale computers promise orders-of-magnitude improvement in performance over current high-end machines for the same machine power consumption and physical footprint. They also bring some important architectural challenges.
Perceptions of Communication in the Corporate Community.

To find out more about the communication needs of people in business, the author sent questionnaires to 2,200 chief executive officers (CEOs) and directors of personnel or training. I received 207 answers. Respondents believe that oral communication before a small group is important and that principles of communication should be stressed over formats for letters and memos. They believe reading and editing, as well as grammar skills, are very important. In many respects, the results of this survey are similar to those of others done across the country in the past 20 years, but there are some comments on reading, editing, and writing letters with bad news that were not part of earlier surveys.
Die »missbrauchte« Weiblichkeit

Der folgende Aufsatz bietet eine kritische Analyse der ambivalenten Haltung, die der Erzahler der Joseph-Tetralogie gegenuber der weiblichen Hauptgestalt des dritten Bandes. Mut-em-enet, einnimmt. Zunachst unternimmt er ihre Ehrenrettung, indem er sie von dem Odium der »Metze« befreit und sie am Anfang ihrer erotischen Beziehung zu Joseph als wahrhaft liebende Frau schildert. Da sie nur die Schein-Gattin des Eunuchen Potiphar ist, blieb ihr bis dahin das Reich des Eros verschlossen, und sie hofft, durch Joseph die erotische Erfullung ihrer Weiblichkeit zu finden. Diese Hoffnung wird enttauscht, da sich Joseph auf Grund des Bundes zwischen Gott und Israel als auserwahlte Gottesbraut sieht und daher dem Keuschheitsgebot gehorcht. Es ist sein homoerotisch begrundeter Widerstand gegen Mut, der den Umschlag ihrer Liebe zur manadischen Has-Liebe herbeifuhrt. Als Heimgesuchte des Fremden Gottes wird sie zum Opfer dionysischer Raserei und last sich zu einer Teufelsbeschworung hinreisen, urn mil Hilfe der unterirdischen Machte Joseph zu gewinnen. So sinkt sie zur damonisierten »Metze« herab, und dies steht im Widerspruch zu ihrer von dem Autor geplanten Ehrenrettung. Auserdem »missbraucht« Thomas Mann Muts Weiblichkeit, indem er seine in Verse gefasten homoerotischen Gefuhle fur einen Jugendgeliebten, Paul Ehrenberg, in ihre an Joseph gerichteten Liebeserklarungen einfugt. Als Medium fur die homosexuellen Neigungen des Verfassers verfallt Mut seiner Entsagungsmoral und kann daher keine erotische Erfullung finden. Letzten Endes tragt jedoch die widerspruchsvolle Erzahltaktik zu dem inneren Reichtum des Romans bei und ist daher asthetisch gerechtfertigt. Thomas Manns sublimierte Homoerotik erweist sich als schopferische Kraft, die in seinem Werk zum Ausdruck kommt.
Potential Remineralization of Postorthodontic Demineralized Enamel and the Use of Enamel Microabrasion and Bleaching for Esthetics

Orthodontic care increases the difficulty in maintaining good oral hygiene. For this reason demineralized enamel areas, termed "white spot lesions," frequently occur. White spot lesions can be remineralized, which is much more desirable than having to progress to restorative dental care. Enamel can be remineralized with meticulous toothbrushing, twice per day, with fluoridated dentifrice. Additional fluoride can further enhance the remineralization process. This would include higher dose fluoridated dentifrice, over-the-counter 0.05% sodium fluoride rinses, topical fluoride gels, fluoride varnishes, and professionally applied topical fluoride such as 2% sodium fluoride, 8% stannous fluoride, and 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride. Enamel can also be remineralized with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate preparations. Chewing gums and pastes are available that contain casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate. When white spot lesions are remineralized, the white appearance of the remineralized lesion may remain. Bleaching can successfully camouflage these white enamel areas. If bleaching alone does not camouflage the white appearance of the remineralized areas, enamel microabrasion can be performed. Enamel microabrasion abrades the enamel surface, leaving a highly polished surface with calcium phosphate packed into the interprismatic enamel surface space. This highly polished enamel surface can then be bleached. This technique has been demonstrated to improve the appearance of enamel surfaces that had white spots.
The Power of Subcommittees

Since the reforms of the 1970s, congressional scholars and critics have widely acknowledged the political importance of subcommittees, suggesting that the modern Congress has been transformed to a state of "subcommittee government." In this essay, we investigate the phenomenon of subcommittee power in four parts. We argue first that the empirical evidence so often cited on this subject is inappropriate to the task of measuring subcommittee power. We then present an alternative approach based on staff interviews and previously unexamined markup data. In the second and third sections, we employ this approach to test the subcommittee government hypothesis for a sample of 56 bills from three House committees. In general, our analysis supports the hypothesis, but it also reveals theoretically important differences across committees and, more importantly, across bills. The final section examines the implications of our findings for theoretical work on committee power. In particular, we argue that institutional ...
Veterinary Benevolent Fund

SIR, — On behalf of the Trustees, members and beneficiaries of the Veterinary Benevolent Fund (vbf), may I, as vbf president, through the courtesy of your columns, thank all members of the Veterinary Defence Society (vds) for their wonderful donation of £85,000. The demands on the Fund continue
Keeping the juices flowing with age: vitamin C and exercise hyperaemia.

In a recent issue of The Journal of Physiology Kirby and colleagues (Kirby et al. 2009) demonstrate that acute brachial artery administration of vitamin C enhances the steady-state blood flow responses to rhythmic hand gripping in older humans. They showed that vitamin C administration both before and during hand gripping caused a marked (30%) increase in forearm vascular conductance and blood flow during 10% rhythmic forearm exercise. By contrast, vitamin C does not restore or improve vasodilator response to a single contraction which is blunted by ageing both with and without vitamin C.
The differential associations between HDL, non-HDL and total cholesterols and atherosclerotic calcium deposits in multiple vascular beds

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of associations between four different cholesterol measures and systemic atherosclerotic calcification. Methods One thousand and seventy-eight consecutive patients were evaluated by electron beam computed tomography for the extent of calcified atherosclerosis in the carotids, coronaries, thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, renals and iliacs, as well as the mitral and aortic annuli. HDL, non-HDL and total cholesterol were measured using the Cholestec LDX system. Results Overall, the prevalence of calcium in the carotids, coronaries, thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, iliacs, renals, mitral annulus and aortic annulus was 31.6, 58.7, 40.5, 55.0, 16.8, 57.0, 8.3 and 23.6%, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, a 1-S.D. interval in the total to HDL cholesterol ratio in men was significantly associated with 36 and 29% higher odds for any calcium in the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries, respectively. In women, this same interval was significantly associated with odds ratios of 1.66 and 1.41 for the presence of any calcium in the thoracic and abdominal aorta, respectively. Conclusion Measurement of HDL and non-HDL cholesterols, as well as calculation of the total cholesterol to HDL ratio, may provide a practical means for stratifying the risk for extra-coronary calcified atherosclerosis.
ACE Inhibition Versus Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor Antagonism Differential Effects on PAI-1 Over Time

ACE inhibition reduces plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a risk factor for myocardial infarction, whereas the effect of angiotensin receptor antagonism on PAI-1 is uncertain. The present study compares the time course of effects of ACE inhibition and angiotensin type 1 (AT 1 ) receptor antagonism on morning plasma PAI-1 antigen. Blood pressure and endocrine, metabolic, and fibrinolytic variables were measured in 20 insulin-resistant (defined by fasting glucose >8.3 mmol/L, body mass index >28 kg/m 2 , or fasting serum triglyceride ≥2.8 mmol/L) hypertensive subjects (mean age, 47.9±2.1 years) (1) before and after 1 week of hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg/d, and (2) before and 1, 3, 4, and 6 weeks after addition of ramipril (escalated to 10 mg/d) or losartan (escalated to 100 mg/d). Hydrochlorothiazide decreased systolic ( P =0.011) and diastolic ( P =0.019) pressure. Ramipril (from 133.6±5.1/94.5±2.4 to 127.0±3.1/91.4±3.3 mm Hg) or losartan (from 137.0±3.9/93.1±2.9 to 123.7±2.6/86.4±2.1 mm Hg) further reduced systolic ( P =0.009) and diastolic ( P =0.037) pressure. The pressure effects of the 2 drugs were similar. Hydrochlorothiazide increased plasma PAI-1 ( P =0.013) but not tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) ( P =0.431) antigen. Addition of either ramipril or losartan significantly decreased plasma PAI-1 antigen ( P =0.046). However, the effect of losartan on PAI-1 antigen was not sustained throughout the 6-week treatment period, such that there was a significant drug×time interaction ( P =0.043). tPA antigen decreased during either ramipril or losartan ( P =0.032), but tPA activity decreased only during losartan ( P =0.018). Short-term interruption of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system by either ACE inhibition or AT 1 receptor antagonism decreases PAI-1 antigen, but the duration of this effect is greater for ACE inhibition than for AT 1 receptor antagonism.
Toward secure cognitive communications in wireless networks

Wireless networks are challenged in efficiency and security. This article is devoted to the fundamental study of cognitive communications in wireless networks after analyzing the limitations in today?s cognitive radios. The research scope includes architecture design, resource management, anti-interference/interception system design through multi-layer diversity, routing anonymity, and security analysis.
Technology, learning and instruction: distributed cognition in the secondary English classroom

In this paper, we analyse interactions between secondary students and pre-service teachers in an online environment in order to understand how their meaning-making processes embody distributed cognition. We begin by providing a theoretical review of the ways in which literacy learning is distributed across learners, objects, tools, symbols, technologies and the environment in modern English language arts classrooms. This is followed by a case study where we identify how programme values, textual resources and cultural schema function as distributed tools. In traditional schools, with an emphasis on taking standardised tests, the learning environment is designed on the view that learning is a transaction that happens solely ‘inside the head’. Unfortunately, this pushes many students to the margins of classroom engagement and participation. By analysing students’ and pre-service teachers’ online discourse, we argue that virtual spaces can facilitate critical dialogue and can act as catalysts for a distributed theory of mind.
Content analysis of 47 college learning skills textbooks

Abstract This article describes criteria used for selecting learning/study skills textbooks for college freshmen in a required developmental reading course. It identifies, in current textbooks, five instructional orientations: reading skills texts, learning skills texts, combined reading and study skills texts, specialty texts, and resource or supplementary texts. An accompanying checklist analyzes the content of 47 major textbooks in relation to these orientations. All except one of the texts .were published since 1981, and changing trends in content coverage since 1981 are noted. The article characterizes the students of this college learning skills course and briefly details the qualifications of the designers.
Measurement of Electronic States of PbS Nanocrystal Quantum Dots Using Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy: The Role of Parity Selection Rules in Optical Absorption

We study the structure of electronic states in individual PbS nanocrystal quantum dots by scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) using one-to-two monolayer nanocrystal films treated with 1, 2-ethanedithiols (EDT). Up to six individual valence and conduction band states are resolved for a range of quantum dot sizes. The measured states' energies are in good agreement with calculations using the k · p four-band envelope function formalism. A comparison of STS and optical absorption spectra indicates that some of the absorption features can only be explained by asymmetric transitions involving the states of different symmetries (e.g., S and P or P and D), which points towards the relaxation of the parity selection rules in these nanostructures. STS measurements also reveal a midgap feature, which is likely similar to one observed in previous charge transport studies of EDT-treated quantum dot films.
Targeting of mRNAs into Neuronal and Glial Processes: Intracellular and Extracellular Influences

Neurons and macroglia share the common, polarizing, morphological feature of multiple processes extending from a cell body, thereby defining two cellular domains. Frequently, specialized cellular activities occur within these processes, such as the dendrites of neurons and the myelin sheath of oligodendrocytes, which serve to define some of the functions of the cell. As a consequence, molecules involved in carrying out these functions need to be targeted to these domains, and mechanisms must exist for selecting and delivering these molecules to their appropriate locations. One mechanism that is emerging as increasingly important in targeting proteins to distal processes of neural cells is the translocation of the mRNAs encoding those proteins. In this review, we present many examples of such translocated mRNAs in neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. There is a growing consensus that four major steps occur in mRNA targeting after transcription and exit of these molecules from the nucleus. These inclu...
A letter from the guest editors

As is regularly pointed out in the popular media, we have entered the era of Big Data, and the mathematical opportunities this presents are apparent throughout the biological sciences. The sequencing of the human genome—the remarkable and momentous generation of 300 billion pieces of discrete data—has opened the door to finding cures for cancer, uncovering the mechanisms of cell signaling, and of gaining insight into the design and functionality of neuronal organization in the brain. This project is just one example of the rise of vastly larger data sets, ranging from the genomics of the ecosystem of bacteria that inhabit our bodies, the diversity of species, and the networks of interactions among the proteins and RNA for which the DNA encodes. But large data sets do not answer questions on their own. In addition to new methods in data science (what we used to call statistics), these data demand a new understanding of the fundamental mathematical models that illuminate the key structures of biological systems. The mathematical sciences will certainly be key contributors to such diverse efforts as improving drug development, finding cures and control methods for diseases such as AIDS, understanding wildlife population dynamics, determining the physiological mechanisms of muscle action, and reconstruction of evolutionary relationships between species. These challenges and opportunities create entirely novel realms for scientific and mathematical curiosity. As a bridge between new data and methods, mathematical biology is an exciting and diverse field.
Long Distance Relationships: Assessing the Library Service Needs of Rural Students in eLearning Courses

ABSTRACTIn states with limited road accessibility, rural students can feel isolated from library services. This article explores the creation, implementation, and results of an on-going longitudinal study assessing the library service needs of rural students in eLearning courses. To align with current practices in online pedagogies, including the Association of College and Research Libraries' Standards for Distance Learning Library Services and recent revisions to the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, this survey has been designed to help the library identify and improve services to enhance rural student success.
Dispersion-tapered fiber in nonlinear loop mirrors for intensity and pulse width switching

A novel, nonlinear loop mirror configuration formed with dispersion-tapered fiber is presented. Directional dispersion asymmetry produces conventional intensity-dependent switching and new, pulse-width-dependent switching. This enables applications in variable pulse-width demultiplexing, pulse shaping/filtering, pulse-width stabilization, etc.
A survey of residents' experience with patient safety and quality improvement concepts in radiation oncology.

Abstract Purpose The safety and quality of radiation therapy have recently garnered increased attention in radiation oncology (RO). Although patient safety guidelines expect physicians and physicists to lead clinical safety and quality improvement (QI) programs, trainees' level of exposure to patient safety concepts during training is unknown. Methods and materials We surveyed active medical and physics RO residents in North America in February 2016. Survey questions involved demographics and program characteristics, exposure to patient safety topics, and residents' attitude regarding their safety education. Results Responses were collected from 139 of 690 (20%) medical and 56 of 248 (23%) physics RO residents. More than 60% of residents had no exposure or only informal exposure to incident learning systems (ILS), root cause analysis, failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), and the concepts of human factors engineering. Medical residents had less exposure to FMEA than physics residents, and fewer medical than physics residents felt confident in leading FMEA in clinic. Only 27% of residents felt that patient safety training was adequate in their program. Experiential learning through practical workshops was the most desired educational modality, preferred over web-based learning. Residents training in departments with ILS had greater exposure to patient safety concepts and felt more confident leading clinical patient safety and QI programs than residents training in departments without an ILS. Conclusions The survey results show that most residents have no or only informal exposure to important patient safety and QI concepts and do not feel confident leading clinical safety programs. This represents a gaping need in RO resident education. Educational programs such as these can be naturally developed as part of an incident learning program that focuses on near-miss events. Future research should assess the needs of RO program directors to develop effective RO patient safety and QI training programs.
Blood Lead and Reading Readiness

Investigators at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and Department of Health, Providence, Rhode Island, evaluated the relationship between reading readiness test scores for children attending public kindergarten in Providence, RI, and state health department records of blood lead levels (BLLs).
Early social communication in infants with fragile X syndrome and infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder.

Background Little research in fragile X syndrome (FXS) has prospectively examined early social communication.
Cellulitis and Soft Tissue Infections

Cellulitis and soft tissue infections are a diverse group of diseases that range from uncomplicated cellulitis to necrotizing fasciitis. Management of predisposing conditions is the primary means of prevention. Cellulitis is a clinical diagnosis and thus is made on the basis of history and physical examination. Imaging may be helpful for characterizing purulent soft tissue infections and associated osteomyelitis. Treatment varies according to the type of infection. The foundations of treatment are drainage of purulence and antibiotics, the latter targeted at the infection's most likely cause.
Mechanical properties of porcine brain tissue in vivo and ex vivo estimated by MR elastography.

The mechanical properties of brain tissue in vivo determine the response of the brain to rapid skull acceleration. These properties are thus of great interest to the developers of mathematical models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) or neurosurgical simulations. Animal models provide valuable insight that can improve TBI modeling. In this study we compare estimates of mechanical properties of the Yucatan mini-pig brain in vivo and ex vivo using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) at multiple frequencies. MRE allows estimations of properties in soft tissue, either in vivo or ex vivo, by imaging harmonic shear wave propagation. Most direct measurements of brain mechanical properties have been performed using samples of brain tissue ex vivo. It has been observed that direct estimates of brain mechanical properties depend on the frequency and amplitude of loading, as well as the time post-mortem and condition of the sample. Using MRE in the same animals at overlapping frequencies, we observe that porcine brain tissue in vivo appears stiffer than porcine brain tissue samples ex vivo at frequencies of 100 Hz and 125 Hz, but measurements show closer agreement at lower frequencies.
A Comparison of Traffic Organization Methods for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), better known as “drones,” have been drastically increasing in ownership and popularity during recent times. While this technology was once restricted to mili...
Characterization of the Electromechanical Response of a Dielectric Elastomer Membrane

Dielectric elastomers hold much promise as smart materials that could rapidly adapt to changes in environmental conditions due to their mechanical response to an electrical input. They belong to the group of electroactive polymers which have unique mechanical properties such as flexibility, light-weight, and electrical field-induced deformation. These characteristics make dielectric elastomers suitable candidates as actuators, sensors, or energy converter media. The objective of this study is to characterize the structural dynamic response of a dielectric elastomer membrane exposed to stagnant air environment and steady airflow at different angles of attack. A simulation of the fluid-structure interaction of the membrane is performed by coupling an electromechanical finite element model of the membrane with a computational fluid dynamics model representing the external flow. From the fluid-structure interaction simulation, the vibration frequencies and mode shapes, the time-varying out-of-plane deformation, and the coefficients of lift and drag are determined. Furthermore, a convergence study and mesh refinement are performed to guarantee mesh independence of the calculations from the fluid-structure interaction simulation. Results indicate that the stiffness of the electroactive membrane decreases nonlinearly with an increase of the applied voltage. The electrostatic force from the applied voltage adds compressive stress to the membrane, effectively softening the membrane, increasing the out-of-plane deformation, and reducing the resonance frequency.© 2014 ASME
Nucleation and growth of pores in 1,2-Dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) / cholesterol bilayer by antimicrobial peptides melittin, its mutants and cecropin P1.

Abstract Antimicrobial peptides are one of the most promising alternatives to antibiotics for targeting pathogens without developing resistance. In this study, pore formation in 1,2-Dimyristoyl-snglycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) / cholesterol liposome induced by native melittin, its two mutant variants (G1I and I17 K), and cecropin P1 was investigated by monitoring the dynamics of fluorescence dye leakage. A critical peptide concentration was required for dye leakage with the rate of leakage being dependent on peptide concentration above a critical value. A lag time was required for dye leakage for low peptide concentrations that are above the critical value, which decreased at higher peptide concentrations eventually approaching zero. Lag time was found to be in the order I17 K mutant with lower hydrophobicity and higher net charge > G1I with higher hydrophobicity > melittin > cecropin P1. Cecropin P1 exhibited the highest rate of dye leakage followed by melittin, G1I, and I17 K. Size distribution and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of liposomes exposed to peptides of different concentrations indicated pore formation with accompanied stretching of liposomes at low peptide concentrations for both melittin and cecropin P1. At much higher concentrations, however, size distribution indicated three peaks for both peptides. In both cases, TEM images show that the middle and small peaks are shown to be due to stretched liposome and broken stretched liposome respectively. For melittin, the large peak is due to peptide aggregates as well as aggregates of liposome. For cecropin P1, however, the large peak indicates cecropin P1 aggregates with solubilized lipids thus suggesting carpet mechanism.
Faculty Mentorship in Higher Education: The Value of Institutional and Professional Mentors

Context: Mentorship has been identified as a key aspect to the transition into higher education for the junior faculty member, as it is an effective organizational socializing agent. The literature...
Psychiatry Residents' Perspectives of Primary Care in the Psychiatric Setting.

OBJECTIVE Given the growing interest in integrated care, this study sought to investigate the perception of psychiatry residents towards managing general medical conditions in their psychiatric patients. METHODS Between July-October 2017, all 46 residents at an adult psychiatry program were asked to complete an online survey. RESULTS Sixty-seven percent responded. Most residents (81%) indicated they were knowledgeable and/or comfortable in managing medical conditions with supervision/consultation from a primary care provider. Residents also indicated that they would "like to" (48%) and/or "should" be able to (71%) manage the general medical conditions of their patients in the future with supervision/consultation from a primary care provider. An additional 26% indicated that they would like to and/or should be able to independently manage both behavioral and general medical conditions for their patients. Nicotine dependence, hypertension, dyslipidemias, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes were among the top conditions residents felt they should be able to manage (≥ 74%). A lack of knowledge, experience, training, and supervision were the most frequent barriers residents listed in providing general medical care to patients (71%). Residents noted that supervision from a primary care physician (29%) and additional education (54%) would help increase their comfort in managing medical conditions. CONCLUSIONS Psychiatry residents were generally interested in managing basic medical issues. Opportunities to expand residency training in integrated care should be considered. With new models of integrated care emerging, future studies should explore how resident attitudes might evolve over time, as well as the attitudes and opinions of practicing psychiatrists and supervisors on this topic.
α4β7 Blockade with Vedolizumab Is Effective in Prevention and Treatment of Experimental Acute Graft Versus Host Disease

Introduction Graft versus host disease (GVHD) leads to significant post-transplant morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT). Vedolizumab (VDZ) is a monoclonal antibody targeting the homing of T cells to the intestine through binding of integrin α4β7 of their surface. We hypothesized that interfering with T cell homing to the GI tract results in decreased GVHD severity and improved outcome in an established humanized mouse model of allo HCT. Methods Sublethally irradiated RAG2-/- γc-/- mice were transplanted with 30 million human PBMCs (huPBMCs). Vedolizumab or control IgG was given intraperitoneally at a dose of 4mg/kg body weight on day -1 and day +15 (preventive approach) or day +8 and day +22 (therapeutic approach). Time points were chosen in order to start α4β7 blockade prior to clinical onset of GVHD (preventive approach) and when animals started to get significantly suffer from GVHD (therapeutic approach). As non-GVHD controls, animals received sublethal irradiation without huPBMCs administration and received VDZ or control IgG to assess for direct conditioning and VDZ toxicity. Results HuPBMC CD45 splenocyte analysis on day +28 after infusion demonstrated strong human leukocyte engraftment with more than 80% of spleen cells being huCD45 positive. Both preventive and therapeutic administration of Vedolizumab resulted in significantly improved survival in HuPBMC treated recipients when compared to IgG treated GVHD controls at week 8 (62.6% Vs 12.5% and 50% Vs 12.5% respectively). All recipients, which did not receive huPBMCs survived, indicating VDZ safety in this model. Clinical GVHD scores after day 21 after transplant were significantly lower in VDZ huPBMCs treated animals until end of analysis compared to control-treated recipients using both the preventive and therapeutic approaches, along with significant decreases in GI tract pathology scores on day +28. No differences in pathology were seen in liver or lung at this time point. Serum cytokine analysis revealed decreases in TNF (p Conclusion Vedolizumab reduces the severity of intestinal GVHD by targeting donor T cell migration into the intestinal tract both when given early prior to onset of clinical disease and given at later time point, and improves overall survival both in the preventive and therapeutic setting. Given these promising results, targeting T cell homing with VDZ potentially presents a novel option for the management of intestinal GVHD.
Cognition in Sensorimotor Control: Interfacing With the Posterior Parietal Cortex

Millions of people worldwide are afflicted with paralysis from a disruption of neural pathways between the brain and the muscles. Because their cortical architecture is often preserved, these patients are able to plan movements despite an inability to execute them. In such people, brain machine interfaces have great potential to restore lost function through neuroprosthetic devices, circumventing dysfunctional corticospinal circuitry. These devices have typically derived control signals from the motor cortex (M1) which provides information highly correlated with desired movement trajectories. However, sensorimotor control simultaneously engages multiple cognitive processes such as intent, state estimation, decision making, and the integration of multisensory feedback. As such, cortical association regions upstream of M1 such as the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) that are involved in higher order behaviors such as planning and learning, rather than in encoding movement itself, may enable enhanced, cognitive control of neuroprosthetics, termed cognitive neural prosthetics (CNPs). We illustrate in this review, through a small sampling, the cognitive functions encoded in the PPC and discuss their neural representation in the context of their relevance to motor neuroprosthetics. We aim to highlight through examples a role for cortical signals from the PPC in developing CNPs, and to inspire future avenues for exploration in their research and development.
Interferometric near-infrared spectroscopy (iNIRS) of human tissues in the presence of motion (Conference Presentation)

Interferometric near-infrared spectroscopy (iNIRS) is a time-of-flight- (TOF-) resolved sensing method for direct and simultaneous quantification of tissue optical properties (absorption and reduced scattering) and dynamics (blood flow index) in vivo with a single modality. The technique has previously been validated in Intralipid phantoms, and applied to continuously and non-invasively monitor optical properties and blood flow index in the brains of head-fixed, anesthetized mice. A demonstration of robust iNIRS measurements in human tissues with motion would support the viability of iNIRS for clinical applications. Here, we perform non-contact iNIRS in human tissues. We show that phase drift caused by involuntary motion during acquisition significantly distorts the optical field autocorrelation, particularly at early TOFs. To solve this issue, we present a novel numerical phase drift correction method to isolate field dynamics due to just red blood cell motion within the sample. Upon correction, TOF-resolved autocorrelations exhibit exponential decay behavior, whether acquired from Intralipid, the human forearm, or the human forehead. We confirm the link between bulk motion artifacts and phase drift by simultaneous, co-registered iNIRS and Optical Coherence Tomography measurements. By applying conventional, time-resolved diffusion theory and diffusing wave spectroscopy theory, we quantify optical properties and time-of-flight-resolved dynamics in Intralipid, the human forearm, and the human brain. Finally, we explore strategies for increased photon collection through parallelization of iNIRS, to probe greater depths in the human brain. This work conclusively shows that diffuse optical measurements of field dynamics are possible, even in the presence of motion artifacts.