cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polling Students about Conditions of Learning.

Online polling was examined as a procedure for decision makers to find out how students perceive conditions of learning at their school. Students in Grades 7-12 from eight schools completed online polls about learning on the Internet, time management, and tutoring. Principals favorably evaluated polling as a method for gathering information and changed certain policies and practices based on input from students. Local school context was determined to be the most significant influence in shaping perceptions regarding improvement.
Time Pressure and Reward Inspiration as Outcome Controls for Information Sharing in Problem-Solving Virtual Teams

The purpose of this research is to examine whether outcome controls of group work (i.e. time pressure and reward) trigger psychological factors (i.e. distraction, motivation, and trust) and affect problem-solving virtual teams? ability to share information and develop high quality solutions. Results of a laboratory experiment on GSS-based virtual teams indicate that teams exhibited higher motivation and trust under time pressure while only trust, in turn, has a positive relationship with information sharing. However, reward control has no significant impact on any psychological factors. We also find evidence supporting that total information shared is positively associated with problem-solving outcomes in terms of the solution quality.
A new proof of the positive energy theorem

A new proof is given of the positive energy theorem of classical general relativity. Also, a new proof is given that there are no asymptotically Euclidean gravitational instantons. (These theorems have been proved previously, by a different method, by Schoen and Yau.) The relevance of these results to the stability of Minkowski space is discussed.
Experimental Study of the Rudimentary Landing Gear Acoustics

C OMPUTATIONAL fluid dynamics (CFD) has long been a tool capable of mapping flows around complex geometries, providing answers to intricate problems that are either prohibitively expensive or time consuming to perform experimentally. However, without experimental testing, there would be no way to validate the numerical results provided. The rudimentary landing gear (RLG)was designed by Dr. Phillipe R. Spalart of The Boeing Company and presented in Stockholm in June 2010 as part of the First AIAA Benchmark Problems for Airframe Noise Computations workshop [1]. Its primary purpose is to provide a standard model for noiseoriented CFD validation. Therefore, the geometry needed to be complex enough to create an interesting flowfield but simple enough for reliable physical experiments and computational simulations. The National Aerospace Laboratories (NALs) in India have completed an aerodynamic investigation on aRLGmodel in a closedwall wind tunnel [2]. During these tests, steady and unsteady pressure datawere taken and surface oilflow visualizationwas performed. The purpose of this Note is to document corresponding aeroacoustic measurements of a scaled RLG model that was used as the benchmark data for the Second AIAA Benchmark Problems for Airframe Noise Computations workshop (BANC-2).
Maxwell demon and its instabilities

Summary form only given. Previous experiments[1] have shown that in a low pressure, low temperature plasma, positively biasing an array of thin wires can increase electron temperature by creating an angular momentum trap to absorb cold electrons. In this experiment, such a Maxwell demon device was reproduced by welding 0.025mm tungsten wires onto stainless steel shafts, which were then covered with ceramic. This device was used to more than double the plasma electron temperatures in a multi-dipole chamber operating in the mTorr regime. Moreover, the demon is observed to reduce the cold electron population in a plasma with a bi-Maxwellian electron distribution, leaving a single Maxwellian electron distribution. However, at high positive voltage, instabilities in the kHz range prevent acquisition of meaningful temperature data. The conditions of this instability are investigated by varying neutral pressure, plasma density and applied voltage up to 150V in an argon plasma.
The incidence and significance of emesis associated with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Summary Study objective Studies have suggested that emesis may occur in up to a third of cardiac arrest patients. The goal of this investigation was to characterize the frequency, timing, and outcome association of emesis in persons suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in order to understand the role and care-implications of emesis better. Methods We conducted a cohort study of persons 18 years and over suffering non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrests who received attempted resuscitation by paramedics in the study community from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2005 ( n =1009). The presence and timing of emesis were determined by paramedics and recorded on the Emergency Medical Services report form. We used logistic regression analyses to assess whether emesis was independently associated with survival to hospital discharge. Results The presence or absence of emesis was documented in 76% (1009/1333) of cases. Emesis was present in 32% (318/1009). Two-thirds (208/312) of emesis occurred prior to EMS arrival; 28% (88/312) of episodes occurred between EMT arrival and intubation; and 4% (13/312) occurred after intubation. After adjustment for potential confounders, the presence of emesis was associated with a decreased odds of survival to hospital discharge among all-rhythm arrest (Odds ratio (OR)=0.50 [0.28–0.89]) and ventricular fibrillation arrest (OR=0.52 [0.27–0.98]). Conclusion Given the frequency of emesis, the potential that some portion of emesis may be related to care, and the adverse association between emesis and survival, approaches that treat or prevent emesis better may improve the chances of survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Quantification of amphibole content in expanded vermiculite products from Libby, Montana U.S.A. using powder X-ray diffraction

Five expanded vermiculite samples known to have originated from the former vermiculite mine near Libby, Montana were analyzed using powder XRD to quantify their amphibole content. An expanded vermiculite with no detectable amphibole based on our XRD methods discussed herein was spiked with 100, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000, 7500, and 10 000 ppm Libby amphiboles to determine the detection limit of XRD and to develop a calibration method. The 110 amphibole peaks were not detectable in the 100 and 500 ppm samples; thus, defi ning the detection limit. The 110 peak areas for the remaining samples were measured and used to form a calibration curve relating peak area to ppm amphibole. Of the fi ve Libby samples, each had detectable levels of amphibole and their amphibole content ranged from 1171 to 9218 ppm. The XRD method provides a bulk measurement of the total amphibole content. To determine the amount of asbestiform amphiboles, morphological considerations obtained by microscopy techniques are required. From the results of a previous polarized light microscopy study, the fi ve expanded vermiculites in this study would contain from 390 to 3073 ppm asbestiform amphiboles and not be subject to regulation on the basis of the 1% rule used by regulatory agencies in the U.S.A.
Analysis of the point mechanical impedance of fingerpad in vibration

Biodynamic responses of the finger-hand-arm system, such as apparent mass and mechanical impedance, characterize the relationship between the motion of the finger-hand-arm system and the dynamic force acting on the driving point, and they are useful for vibration exposure assessment. In the present study, a two-dimensional finite element (FE) model has been proposed to simulate the biodynamic responses of the fingerpad in vibration tests. The fingernail was supported by the rigid ground while the fingerpad was activated by a vibration probe. The fingertip model is composed of skin, subcutaneous tissue, bone, and nail. The soft tissues (i.e., skin and subcutaneous tissues) were assumed to be non-linearly elastic and linearly viscoelastic. The FE model was applied to predict the effects of pre-indentation of the vibration probe onto the fingerpad, the damping of the soft tissues, and probe mass on the magnitude and phase angle of the mechanical impedance and the apparent mass, as measured in the vibration tests. The model predictions showed that the probe mass has non-negligible effects on the measured biodynamic responses in the vibration tests. In order to determine "true" biodynamic responses of the finger-hand-arm system, the mass effects have to be cancelled using an appropriate approach. The present analysis provided a theoretical explanation, from a biomechanical point-of-view, for the inconsistencies in the published experimental data for the biodynamic responses of fingerpad.
Exploratory analysis of serum CA-125 response to surgery and the risk of relapse in patients with FIGO stage IIIC ovarian cancer

Objective To analyze whether serum CA-125 response to cytoreductive surgery before initiation of postoperative chemotherapy is associated with progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with stage IIIC ovarian carcinoma.
A nonlinear phase detector for digital phase locked loops

This paper examines several transfer curves of the phase detector in a digital phase-locked loop and illustrates the benefits of applying non-linearity to the phase transfer characteristics. Taking advantage of the programmability of the digital implementation, the proposed technique shows a better trade-off between the acquisition speed and the steady-state dithering jitter performance.
Cloud-observations in short-term forecasting of snow-storms

This paper presents another example of the usefulness of clouds as an aero logical aid in forecasting [cf. reference 1]. Blue Hill Observatory is expected to be Harvard University's watch-dog for snow-storms, ice-storms, and cold waves. The highly Harvard towns of Brookline and Milton also ask for similar service; Ernest B. Dane, of Brookline, generously provided funds for a study of forecasting winter snow-storms. Though the principles of forecasting snow from synoptic charts are well known, cloud-observations have been found of decided help in adding details and, not infrequently, in conjunction with temperature, pressure, and winds on Blue Hill and on Mt. Washington, in telling on a synoptic forecast of “rain or snow” whether it will be “rain” or “snow,” n a difference of great practical importance.
Development of antenna-source system for generation of high-power electromagnetic pulses

High-power electromagnetic pulse sources are of interest for a variety of applications such as transient radar and remote sensing. For such investigations, a simple, mobile and robust source system has been developed at DSTO. It comprises a pulsed resonant transformer, a spark-gap switch, and a modified biconical antenna. The antenna is charged to a high voltage, in the order of hundreds of kV, by the transformer and then is shorted at the bicone centre by the spark gap switch. The charge energy stored in the antenna then oscillates at the resonant frequency of the system and produces high-power electromagnetic pulses. In this paper we describe the system design, present results of measurements and numerical simulations, and discuss areas for further improvements in energy transfer efficiency and power output.
Adaptive navigation for autonomous robots

In many robotic exploration missions, robots have to learn specific policies that allow them to: (i) select high level goals (e.g., identify specific destinations), (ii) navigate (reach those destinations), (iii) and adapt to their environment (e.g., modify their behavior based on changing environmental conditions). Furthermore, those policies must be robust to signal noise or unexpected situations, scalable to more complex environments, and account for the physical limitations of the robots (e.g., limited battery power and computational power). In this paper we evaluate reactive and learning navigation algorithms for exploration robots that must avoid obstacles and reach specific destinations in limited time and with limited observations. Our results show that neuro-evolutionary algorithms with well-designed evaluation functions can produce up to 50% better performance than reactive algorithms in complex domains where the robot's goals are to select paths that lead to seek specific destinations while avoiding obstacles, particularly when facing significant sensor and actuator signal noise.
Chapter 51 – Corticosteroids

Publisher Summary Corticosteroids are by far the most effective controllers used in the treatment of asthma and the only drugs that can effectively suppress the characteristic inflammation in asthmatic airways. By contrast, they are ineffective in suppressing pulmonary inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Corticosteroids activate and suppress many genes relevant to understanding their action in asthma and in other allergic diseases. At a cellular level, corticosteroids reduce the numbers of inflammatory cells in the airways, including eosinophils, T-lymphocytes, mast cells, and dendritic cells. These effects of corticosteroids are produced through inhibiting the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the airway by suppressing the production of chemotactic mediators and adhesion molecules and by inhibiting the survival in the airways of inflammatory cells. Inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs have now become first-line therapy in any patient who needs to use a β2-agonist inhaler more than two to three times a week and this is reflected in national and international guidelines for the management of chronic asthma. High dose inhaled corticosteroids may be used for the control of more severe asthma. This markedly reduces the need for maintenance oral corticosteroids. Patients with COPD have a poor response to corticosteroids in comparison to asthma with little improvement in lung function. High doses of inhaled corticoteroids have consistently been shown a reduction (20–25%) in exacerbations in patients with severe disease and this is the main clinical indication for their use. The efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids is now established in short- and long-term studies in adults and in children, but there are still concerns about side effects, particularly in children and when high-inhaled doses are used. Several side effects have been recognized.
Guide for users of data resources

This chapter addresses the problem of where to find reliable numerical values for collision cross sections (or the equivalent) as functions of energy. There are several variables that define specific data requirements: identity of the collision partners, collision energy, reaction channel. Thus, electrons or photons colliding with atoms, molecules, and ions and nonreactive collisions of atoms and ions with other atoms and ions (so-called heavy particle collisions) are all possibilities. Resulting processes include elastic scattering, excitation, ionization, dissociation, recombination, and charge exchange. For many combinations of these variables, no measurements or calculations have been reported. In those cases, only new measurements or calculations (or estimations based on similar systems and circumstances) can provide the data. 25 refs., 5 tabs.
Sources and Components of Stigma Experienced by Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Previous research suggests that survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) experience stigma, which may affect their willingness to seek help and their recovery process following the end of the abusive relationship. This article presents the Integrated IPV Stigmatization Model, which integrates previous research on the components and sources of the stigma surrounding IPV. Content analysis procedures were used to examine the applicability of the model to qualitative data from an electronic survey with 279 survivors of past abusive relationships. The results demonstrated the most common components and sources of stigma experienced by the participants, as well as the patterns of which components were most common among the various sources of stigma. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Critical behavior in heterogeneous random key graphs

Recently, there has been growing interest in studies of heterogeneous random key graphs. In this paper, we consider a heterogeneous random key graph G (n, a, Kn, Pn) defined on a set Vn comprising n nodes, where a is a probability vector (a1, a2,…, am) and Kn is (K1, n, K2, n, …, Km, n). Suppose there is a pool Pn consisting of Pn distinct items. The n nodes in Vn are divided into m groups A1, A2,…, Am. Each node v is independently assigned to exactly a group according to the probability distribution with P[v ∊ Ai] = ai, where i = 1, 2,…, m. Afterwards, each node in group Ai independently chooses Ki, n items uniformly at random from the item pool Pn. Finally, an undirected edge is drawn between two nodes in Vn that share at least one item. This graph model G (n, a, Kn, Pn) has applications in secure sensor networks and social networks. We investigate critical behavior for the absence of isolated node in this heterogeneous random key graph G(n, a, Kn, Pn) and present a sharp zero-one law.
The Vascularized Skin Island Urethroplasty: Its Role and Results in Urethral Stricture Management

We report 11 vascularized island skin flap urethroplasties. Results appear to be excellent when the procedure is used for strictures of the pendulous urethra. Use of vascularized skin flap urethroplasties for the repair of bulbar and membranous strictures has been complicated by pseudodiverticula and stone formation, and in this portion of the urethra the technique probably should be reserved for cases in which local factors mitigate against alternative 1-stage procedures.
Effects and implications of trophic transfer and accumulation of CeO2 nanoparticles in a marine mussel.

Bivalves are hypothesized to be key organisms in the fate and transport of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in aquatic environments due to their ability to filter and concentrate particles from water, but how different exposure pathways influence their interactions with ENMs is not well understood. In a five-week experiment, we tested how interactions between CeO2 ENMs and a marine mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, are affected through two exposure methods, direct and through sorption to phytoplankton. We found that phytoplankton sorbed ENMs in <1 h. The exposure methods used did not result in significantly different mussel tissue or pseudofeces Ce concentrations. Approximately 99% of CeO2 was captured and excreted in pseudofeces and average pseudofeces mass doubled in response to CeO2 exposure. Final mean dry tissue Ce concentration (±SE) for treatments exposed to 3 mg L–1 CeO2 directly was 33 ± 9 μg g–1 Ce, and 0 ± 0, 19 ± 4, 21 ± 3, and 28 ± 5 μg g–1 for treatments exposed to 0, 1, 2, and 3 mg L–1 CeO2...
Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy through the gastrostomy site

We report a successful diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy through the gastrostomy site in two patients in whom conventional antegrade upper endoscopy was not possible. In one, the endoscopic and histologic diagnosis of a completely obstructing malignant lesion in the upper esophagus was possible by retrograde intubation using a bronchoscope. In the other, the gastrostomy site was used to gain access and assist in the placement of a jejunostomy tube. We describe a technique to help circumvent the lack of air insufflation with the bronchoscope. Both endoscopies were carried out without the need for drugs for conscious sedation. This percutaneous route, through a gastrostomy site, in the technique described by us uses a readily available endoscope in any hospital setting, does not need conscious sedation, and does not need dilation of the stoma site, allowing access to the gastrointestinal tract for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
From Sole Investigator to Team Scientist: Trends in the Practice and Study of Research Collaboration

This article reviews trends in the practice and study of research collaboration, focusing on journal publications in academic science. I briefly describe the different styles and types of collaboration and then focus on the drivers of the trend toward increased collaboration and on its consequences for both individual researchers and science more generally. Scholarship on collaboration seems partial to delineating its benefits; this review highlights the increasing body of research that focuses instead on the possible costs of collaboration. The synthesis reveals several topics that are ripe for investigation, including the impact of collaboration on the contributing authors and their work, the use of multiple methods and measures, and research integrity. I applaud a few recent efforts to overcome the perennial file-drawer problem by gaining access to collaborations that do not result in publication and thus are typically removed from public review and the research analyst's eye.
Ventral Preputial Island Flap Technique for the Repair of Epispadias with or without Exstrophy

AbstractThe preputial island flap technique introduced by Duckett for repair of severe hypospadias has met with much clinical popularity. We report the use of a modification of this technique for repair of epispadias in 3 boys with exstrophy of the bladder and in 1 with penile epispadias. The results have been excellent in 3 cases and good in 1. Minimum followup has been 18 months.
Enclomiphene citrate for the treatment of secondary male hypogonadism.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Hypogonadism is a growing concern in an aging male population. Historically treated using exogenous testosterone, concerns about possible adverse effects of testosterone have led physicians to seek alternative treatment approaches.Areas covered: Enclomiphene citrate is the trans isomer of clomiphene citrate, a non-steroidal estrogen receptor antagonist that is FDA-approved for the treatment of ovarian dysfunction in women. Clomiphene citrate has also been used off-label for many years to treat secondary male hypogonadism, particularly in the setting of male infertility. Here we review the literature examining the efficacy and safety of enclomiphene citrate in the setting of androgen deficiency.Expert opinion: Initial results support the conclusion that enclomiphene citrate increases serum testosterone levels by raising luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, without negatively impacting semen parameters. The ability to treat testosterone deficiency in ...
Evolutionary Fuzzy Control of a Flexible-Link

In recent years, evolution based knowledge optimization has gained a great deal of popularity due to its inherent ability in efficient and parallel search of complex and multi-modal landscapes. App...
Spectral analysis of dynamically evolving networks with linear preferential attachment

This paper is devoted to study the eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix for the random graph process proposed by Baraba´si and Albert in [2]. While many structural characteristics of the Baraba´si-Albert (BA) process are well known, analytical results concerning its spectral properties are still an open question. In this paper, we present new results regarding the distribution of eigenvalues of the adjacency matrix associated to this random graph model. In particular, we derive closed-form expressions for the spectral moments of the adjacency matrix and study the evolution of the spectral moments as the network grows. Based on our results, we extract information regarding the evolution of the spectral radius of the adjacency matrix as the network grows.
Modeling the N400 ERP component as transient semantic over-activation within a neural network model of word comprehension.

Abstract The study of the N400 event-related brain potential has provided fundamental insights into the nature of real-time comprehension processes, and its amplitude is modulated by a wide variety of stimulus and context factors. It is generally thought to reflect the difficulty of semantic access, but formulating a precise characterization of this process has proved difficult. Laszlo and colleagues (Laszlo & Plaut, 2012; Laszlo & Armstrong, 2014) used physiologically constrained neural networks to model the N400 as transient over-activation within semantic representations, arising as a consequence of the distribution of excitation and inhibition within and between cortical areas. The current work extends this approach to successfully model effects on both N400 amplitudes and behavior of word frequency, semantic richness, repetition, semantic and associative priming, and orthographic neighborhood size. The account is argued to be preferable to one based on “implicit semantic prediction error” (Rabovsky & McRae, 2014) for a number of reasons, the most fundamental of which is that the current model actually produces N400-like waveforms in its real-time activation dynamics.
Oxidative Enzyme Response of Watercress ( Nasturtium officinale ) to Sublethal Fuel Exposure

Biomarkers such as oxidase enzyme activity from flora exposed to chemicals in the water column and sediments have been widely used by ecotoxicologists to assess the quality of an environment. Biomarkers such as oxidase enzymes are especially useful indicators because they represent a direct biological response to environmental toxicity. A luminometer was used to quantify oxidase enzyme production in watercress (Nasturtium officinale) due to toxic chemical exposure of E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline blend), gasoline, and 99% pure ethanol over a 72-h period in aquatic root exposure and volatile leaf exposure experiments. Aquatic exposure to E85 caused an increase in oxidative enzyme production while gasoline and ethanol caused no significant changes in oxidase concentrations. Aquatic root exposure results were compared to volatile leaf exposures where effects of E85, gasoline, and ethanol caused increases in oxidase production. Morphometric measurements were also conducted as plant stress comparisons to oxidative enzyme analyses. Measurements of root length showed increases in root growth at some concentrations of fuels with only the highest concentration of E85 resulting in a decrease in root growth when compared to the control.
Abstract 205: Differing Cardiac Phenotypes Between PP1α and PP1β Heart-Specific Gene-Deleted Mice

Background: Protein phosphatase 1 is the major protein serine/threonine phosphatase in nearly all mammalian tissues, where it consists of three isoforms PP1α, PP1β, and PP1γ. However, the redundant...
Potential Air Pollutant Emissions and Permitting Classifications for Two Biorefinery Process Designs in the United States.

Advanced biofuel production facilities (biorefineries), such as those envisioned by the United States (U.S.) Renewable Fuel Standard and U.S. Department of Energy’s research and development programs, often lack historical air pollutant emissions data, which can pose challenges for obtaining air emission permits that are required for construction and operation. To help fill this knowledge gap, we perform a thorough regulatory analysis and use engineering process designs to assess the applicability of federal air regulations and quantify air pollutant emissions for two feasibility-level biorefinery designs. We find that without additional emission-control technologies both biorefineries would likely be required to obtain major source permits under the Clean Air Act’s New Source Review program. The permitting classification (so-called “major” or “minor”) has implications for the time and effort required for permitting and therefore affects the cost of capital and the fuel selling price. Consequently, we expl...
Anti-tumor activity of anthrax toxin variants that form a functional translocation pore by intermolecular complementation.

// Shihui Liu 1, 2 , Qian Ma 2 , Rasem Fattah 2 , Thomas H. Bugge 1 and Stephen H. Leppla 2 1 Proteases and Tissue Remodeling Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA 2 Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA Correspondence to: Shihui Liu, email: shihui.liu@nih.gov Thomas H. Bugge, email: thomas.bugge@nih.gov Stephen H. Leppla, email: sleppla@niaid.nih.gov Keywords: anthrax protective antigen, lethal toxin, MMPs, protein delivery, tumor targeting Received: February 07, 2017 Accepted: April 16, 2017 Published: May 09, 2017 ABSTRACT Anthrax lethal toxin is a typical A-B type protein toxin secreted by Bacillus anthracis . Lethal factor (LF) is the catalytic A-subunit, a metalloprotease having MEKs as targets. LF relies on the cell-binding B-subunit, protective antigen (PA), to gain entry into the cytosol of target cells. PA binds to cell surface toxin receptors and is activated by furin protease to form an LF-binding-competent oligomer-PA pre-pore, which converts to a functional protein-conductive pore in the acidic endocytic vesicles, allowing translocation of LF into the cytosol. During PA pre-pore-to-pore conversion, the intermolecular salt bridge interactions between Lys397 and Asp426 on adjacent PA protomers play a critical role in positioning neighboring luminal Phe427 residues to form the Phe-clamp, an essential element of the PA functional pore. This essential intermolecular interaction affords the opportunity to create pairs of PA variants that depend on intermolecular complementation to form a functional pore. We have previously generated PA variants with furin-cleavage site replaced by substrate sequences of tumor-associated proteases, such as urokinase or MMPs. Here we show that PA-U2-K397Q, a urokinase-activated PA variant with Lys397 residue replaced by glutamine, and PA-L1-D426K, a MMP-activated PA variant with Asp426 changed to lysine, do not form functional pores both in vitro or in vivo unless they are used together. Further, the mixture of PA-U2-K397Q and PA-L1-D426K displayed potent anti-tumor activity in the presence of LF. Thus, PA-U2-K397Q and PA-L1-D426K form a novel intermolecular complementation system with toxin activation relying on the presence of two distinct tumor-associated proteases, i.e., urokinase and MMPs.
Teaching Inclusive Thinking in Undergraduate Computing

With the increasing importance of accessibility awareness and knowledge as both a moral imperative and an employment differentiator, it is incumbent on educational programs to have demonstrated ability to teach these skills. We report on our year-long evaluation of university students' accessibility awareness and knowledge following a week of accessibility lectures as part of courses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). We report gains in awareness and knowledge when accessibility lectures were part of the course. We describe the test battery developed to measure these skills, and describe our ongoing longitudinal research to measure the effectiveness of several interventions for teaching inclusive thinking in undergraduate computing courses.
Bruck Syndrome: A Rare Disorder in New-Born with Fractures and Contractures

Bruck syndrome is a very rare autosomal recessive syndrome consisting of bone fragility and congenital joint contractures. It is considered as a combination of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and osteogenesis imperfecta, while some consider it as the autosomal recessive variant of osteogenesis imperfecta. According to the genotype, it has been classified into types 1 and 2. To our knowledge, only about 28 patients of this syndrome have been reported so far worldwide with none been reported from Nepal. Here, we present a patient with generalized osteopenia, bilateral femur fracture and congenital joint contractures of distal extremities.
Instability of ocular torsion in zero gravity - Possible implications for space motion sickness

It is proposed that study of the eye torsion reflex and its behavior under novel gravitational states may possibly provide the basis for a long-sought test to predict space motion sickness (SMS). Measures of eye torsion such as ocular counterrolling and spontaneous eye torsion, were examined during hypo- and hypergravity in parabolic flight on the NASA KC-135 aircraft. Ten subjects, including two astronauts, one who had experienced SMS and one who had not, were ranked according to scores of torsional inability at 0 G and divided into two equal groups of high and low susceptibility to SMS. At 1.8 G the groups were significantly different in both the instability measure and the measure of torsional ability. No differences were detected in eye torsion in either 0 G or 1.8 G and none of the tests were significantly different in 1 G. Results suggest that tests of eye torsion on the KC-135 might differentiate those who would experience SMS from those who would not, although it is noted that this is not yet proven.
Electron Microscopy Studies of the Catalytic Growth of Carbon Filaments

The potential for carbon formation exists in many systems in which hydrocarbons or carbon monoxide undergo decomposition. In recent years several reviews have highlighted the complex structure of carbon deposits [1–6], which can be divided into three main types: polymeric, filamentous and graphitic. Carbon formation on metal catalyst particles is of interest in a number of processes for different reasons. Surface carbon of the carbidic type is known to act as an intermediate in a number of catalytic processes such as the methanation reaction of nickel [7] and in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on ferromagnetic metals [8]. In other forms, the carbon may stay on the surface to encapsulate the metal (and deactivate the catalyst) or may dissolve in the metal and precipitate at the rear of the particle forcing the particle off the support surface to form a filament. As a consequence, some of the activity of the metal is retained during filament growth, but eventually the deposit increases to such a degree to cause reactor blockage.
Abstract 3742: Vitamin D inhibits hyaluronan synthesis and extracellular matrix gene expression in triple negative breast cancer

Human breast tumors with abundant hyaluronan (HA) and high expression of the HA synthesizing enzyme HAS2 are aggressive and exhibit poorer survival than tumors with low HA/HAS2. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) and its ligand 1,25(OH)2D3 (1,25D) exert anti-tumor effects in cancer cells and inhibit breast cancer growth in animals, but considerable heterogeneity has been reported in different model systems. Genomic profiling has demonstrated that, while a few genes are commonly regulated by 1,25D in all VDR positive cell lines, the majority of VDR regulated genes are cell line specific. In general, cell lines derived from the more aggressive tumor subtypes such as Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) express low levels of VDR and are less sensitive to 1,25D than cell lines derived from less aggressive subtypes. Through genomic profiling of TNBC cells derived from wild-type (WT) and VDR knockout (VDRKO) mice, we identified HAS2 as a 1,25D repressed gene. To understand the mechanistic impact of vitamin D and Has2 on HA synthesis and tumorigenic potential in TNBC cells, we utilized the human TNBC cell line Hs578T, which is representative of the mesenchymal/stem-like (MSL) subtype of TNBC. 1,25D inhibited HAS2 expression and HA synthesis in Hs578T cells, and also down-regulated CD44, a breast cancer stem cell marker which acts as the receptor for HA, the product of HAS2. Further studies determined that Hs578T cells are heterogeneous with respect to morphology and HAS2 expression. We therefore sorted parental Hs578T cells into HAhigh and HAlow populations. HAhigh populations exhibited elevated HA production, smaller size, increased proliferation and higher motility than HAlow populations. Through genomic profiling, HAhigh populations demonstrated higher levels of expression of genes involved in the enzymatic production and degradation of HA (HAS2, HAS2-AS, HYAL1), expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins involved in HA binding and motility (PTX3, CEMIP, ACAN) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (SNAI1) compared to HAlow populations. Despite their more aggressive phenotype, HAhigh populations retained expression of VDR protein at levels comparable to that of parental Hs578T cells and HAlow subclones. Treatment with 1,25D decreased production of HA in both HAhigh and HAlow populations, but significantly reduced expression of genes involved in the production of HA (HAS2, HAS2-AS) and HA binding and motility (ACAN, CEMIP) only in the HAhigh populations. This study suggests that 1,25D/VDR can suppress HAS2 and HA production and signaling in the ECM, and thus may reduce the aggressive phenotype of TNBC. Citation Format: Carmen J. Narvaez, Seamus Balinth, JoEllen Welsh. Vitamin D inhibits hyaluronan synthesis and extracellular matrix gene expression in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3742.
Severe Mitral Stenosis.

Severe Mitral Stenosis A 47-year-old man presented with progressive dyspnea on exertion and was found to have very severe mitral-valve stenosis and a markedly enlarged left atrium (shown in a video).
A Comparison of In-flight Refueling Methods for Fighter Aircraft: Boom-receptacle vs. Probe-and-drogue

Aerial refueling dates back to the very beginnings of flight and has developed into two very different and incompatible methods. While the U.S. Air Force primarily uses a boom-receptacle method, the U.S. Navy uses a probe-and-drogue method. Cross-service commonality of aerial refueling methods is a concept that has the potential to save money and increase the tactical abilities of the armed services. This paper serves to examine the feasibility of using a common method of aerial refueling for fighter/attack aircraft (collectively referred to as fighter aircraft). Safety, reliability, weight and refuel rates have been examined for each method. Currently there can be no set standard for fighter aircraft. The requirements for the U.S. Navy are such that they would not be able to utilize boom-receptacle refueling adequately, and similarly the requirements for the U.S. Air Force are such that probe-and-drogue refueling would not be feasible. There are many variables to consider with each aircraft and its intended use that affect which method is best incorporated.
Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: What Clinical Features Lead to the Diagnosis of CMI? Can This Diagnosis Be Made in the Emergency Department? What Is the Appropriate Disposition?

Chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI) is a rare disease. The classic presentation is intermittent abdominal pain in an elderly female patient with long-term smoking history and extensive atherosclerotic disease. Due to inadequate blood flow to meet intestinal metabolic demands, chronic mesenteric ischemia often causes abdominal pain several hours after eating. As disease progresses, patients report diarrhea, weight loss, and large meal aversion. Chronic mesenteric ischemia is difficult to diagnose in the emergency department due to nonspecific symptoms and exam findings that trigger work-ups for other acute causes of abdominal pain in the elderly. CT angiography is the most common imaging modality used for diagnosis and is readily available in most emergency departments, making the diagnosis of CMI possible in the acute care setting. Patients diagnosed with chronic mesenteric ischemia can often be discharged with vascular surgery follow-up and dietary modification instructions, though patients with failure to thrive and/or symptoms at rest warrant admission for further treatment and evaluation.
Effects of the rotavirus vaccine program across age groups in the United States: analysis of national claims data, 2001–2016

The direct effectiveness of infant rotavirus vaccination implemented in 2006 in the United States has been evaluated extensively, however, understanding of population-level vaccine effectiveness (VE) is still incomplete. We analyzed time series data on rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) and all-cause acute gastroenteritis (AGE) hospitalization rates in the United States from the MarketScan® Research Databases for July 2001–June 2016. Individuals were grouped into ages 0–4, 5–9, 10–14, 15–24, 25–44, and 45–64 years. Negative binomial regression models were fitted to monthly RVGE and AGE data to estimate the direct, indirect, overall, and total VE. A total of 9211 RVGE and 726,528 AGE hospitalizations were analyzed. Children 0–4 years of age had the largest declines in RVGE hospitalizations with direct VE of 87% (95% CI: 83, 90%). Substantial indirect effects were observed across age groups and generally declined in each older group. Overall VE against RVGE hospitalizations for all ages combined was 69% (95% CI: 62, 76%). Total VE was highest among young children; a vaccinated child in the post-vaccine era has a 95% reduced risk of RVGE hospitalization compared to a child in the pre-vaccine era. We observed higher direct VE in odd post-vaccine years and an opposite pattern for indirect VE. Vaccine benefits extended to unvaccinated individuals in all age groups, suggesting infants are important drivers of disease transmission across the population. Imperfect disease classification and changing disease incidence may lead to bias in observed direct VE. Not applicable.
Predicting the Value of Feeder Cattle Placed into an Accelerated Finishing Program Under Dynamic Market Conditions

Data from 769 steer calves that were fed as part of the South Dakota Retained Ownership Demonstration program were used for this study. At feedlot placement, initial weight, hip height, fat thickness, age, sire breed, and dam breed were recorded. Calves that were creep fed, vaccinated, and weaned prior to feedlot arrival were identified. Initial pay weight, initial fat thickness, prefeedlot arrival vaccination, Hereford, Angus, or Simmental sires, and intermediate or high milk dams accounted for only 17.16% of the variation in fall calf value as determined by feedlot gain and carcass merit. When using multiple regression techniques to predict value, including year, average daily gain, dressing percentage, and quality grade improved R2 to .8275. Initial variables accounted for only 8.22% of the variation in gain, 14.28% of the variation in dressing percentage, and 16.36% of the variation in percentage choice. Initial variables evaluated in this study are of limited value in predicting feeder calf value under dynamic market conditions.
Fuel: an ecocritical history

Heidi Scott’s important, wide ranging survey of anglophone literary production offers its title term as a fundamental determinant for cultural life. Fuel proceeds from the correct presumption that ...
Exploring How Shame Affects Asian Americans in the Classroom.

Asian Americans are the fastest-growing population of any minority group in the United States (Lopez, Ruiz, & Patten, 2017). As colleges seek to become more diverse and increase their enrollment of...
The Stupider the Better

In this introductory chapter, the authors conceptualize what the “stupid” means, and its relation to media. The stupid generally refers to things that fail to meet existing categorization (e.g., storytelling conventions, genres). An encounter with media that does not fit into established regimes of knowledge, might be characterized as stupid. The stupid should not be confused with the “bad object.” Rather the stupid often emerges in narrative forms, and finds affinities with the “cinematic attraction.” Storytelling forms evolve, and these changes might be prompted by creative innovations or technological developments. The authors argue that the paradigms of assessment in media studies largely address narrative, however, innovations in storytelling (particularly more recent developments) are not necessarily invested in novelistic or cinematic storytelling as conventionally conceived.
Robust neuroinflammation and perivascular pathology in rTg-DI rats, a novel model of microvascular cerebral amyloid angiopathy

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common cerebral small vessel disease of the aged and a prominent comorbidity of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). CAA can promote a variety of vascular-related pathologies including neuroinflammation, cerebral infarction, and hemorrhages, which can all contribute to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Our understanding of the pathogenesis of CAA remains limited and further investigation of this condition requires better preclinical animal models that more accurately reflect the human disease. Recently, we generated a novel transgenic rat model for CAA (rTg-DI) that develops robust and progressive microvascular CAA, consistent microhemorrhages and behavioral deficits. In the current study, we investigated perivascular pathological processes that accompany the onset and progressive accumulation of microvascular CAA in this model. Cohorts of rTg-DI rats were aged to 3 months with the onset of CAA and to 12 months with advanced stage disease and then quantitatively analyzed for progression of CAA, perivascular glial activation, inflammatory markers, and perivascular stress. The rTg-DI rats developed early-onset and robust accumulation of microvascular amyloid. As the disease progressed, rTg-DI rats exhibited increased numbers of astrocytes and activated microglia which were accompanied by expression of a distinct subset of inflammatory markers, perivascular pericyte degeneration, astrocytic caspase 3 activation, and disruption of neuronal axonal integrity. Taken together, these results demonstrate that rTg-DI rats faithfully mimic numerous aspects of human microvascular CAA and provide new experimental insight into the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation and perivascular stress associated with the onset and progression of this condition, suggesting new potential therapeutic targets for this condition. The rTg-DI rats provide an improved preclinical platform for developing new biomarkers and testing therapeutic strategies for microvascular CAA.
Urgent Endovascular Repair of an Anterior Tibial Artery Aneurysm: Case Report and Literature Review:

True aneurysms of the anterior tibial artery are rare with less than 20 published reports in the literature. We report an urgent endovascular repair of a true anterior tibial artery aneurysm in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos type IV, vascular type. This approach resulted in an uneventful recovery without the elevated risks associated with open vascular repair in the setting of connective tissue disorder. Continuous follow-up in the subsequent 4 years has demonstrated durability and efficacy of the original intervention.
A Felon Deliberates: Policy Implications of the Michigan Supreme Court's Holding in People v. Miller

In People v. Miller, 5 the Michigan Supreme Court refused to overturn a verdict rendered by an "illicit" jury; one which included a convicted felon. The court acknowledged that the juror in question failed to meet the statutory eligibility requirements necessary to serve, but still chose to conduct an analysis centered on an individualized assessment of juror bias. Finding no evidence of bias or "actual prejudice," the court notably discarded the blanket assumptions characteristic of the legislative schemes that ban felons from the deliberation room and held that a juror's status as a felon was alone insufficient to invalidate the conviction. This Article contends that in People v. Miller, the Michigan Supreme Court's conclusions are instructive and generalizable, in that they expose the logical inconsistencies underlying felon jury exclusion statutes and challenge the predominating justifications for a practice that per se expels felons from the jury process.