cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Bayesian connectivity-based approach to constructing probabilistic gene regulatory networks

Motivation: We have hypothesized that the construction of transcriptional regulatory networks using a method that optimizes connectivity would lead to regulation consistent with biological expectations. A key expectation is that the hypothetical networks should produce a few, very strong attractors, highly similar to the original observations, mimicking biological state stability and determinism. Another central expectation is that, since it is expected that the biological control is distributed and mutually reinforcing, interpretation of the observations should lead to a very small number of connection schemes. Results: We propose a fully Bayesian approach to constructing probabilistic gene regulatory networks (PGRNs) that emphasizes network topology. The method computes the possible parent sets of each gene, the corresponding predictors and the associated probabilities based on a nonlinear perceptron model, using a reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique, and an MCMC method is employed to search the network configurations to find those with the highest Bayesian scores to construct the PGRN. The Bayesian method has been used to construct a PGRN based on the observed behavior of a set of genes whose expression patterns vary across a set of melanoma samples exhibiting two very different phenotypes with respect to cell motility and invasiveness. Key biological features have been faithfully reflected in the model. Its steady-state distribution contains attractors that are either identical or very similar to the states observed in the data, and many of the attractors are singletons, which mimics the biological propensity to stably occupy a given state. Most interestingly, the connectivity rules for the most optimal generated networks constituting the PGRN are remarkably similar, as would be expected for a network operating on a distributed basis, with strong interactions between the components. Availability: The appendix is available at http://gspsnap.tamu.edu/gspweb/pgrn/bayes.html username: gspweb password: gsplab. Supplementary Information: http://gspsnap.tamu.edu/gspweb/pgrn/bayes.html
A generalization of the single b-Bit byte error correcting and double bit error detecting codes for high-speed memory systems

In this paper, a general method using the subsets (generating sets) of GF(2/sup b/) for constructing the SbEC-DED codes will be presented. The constructions given in Fujiwara and Hamada (1992) are special cases of ours. For some values of b, the generating sets used in our constructions are larger than the cosets used in Fujiwara and Hamada (1992). Hence, a larger code length can be obtained.
Posttraumatic stress among victimized Latino women: evaluating the role of cultural factors

Research examining victimization and posttraumatic symptomatology among Latinos is lacking in the extant literature. This analysis used the victimized subsample (N = 752) of the Sexual Assault Among Latinas Study. The aim was to evaluate victimization prevalence and test the following hypotheses: (a) that victimization would be associated with higher levels of posttraumatic symptoms, (b) that cultural factors that move away from traditional Latino culture would be associated with higher levels of posttraumatic symptomatology, and (c) that cultural factors associated with traditional Latino culture would be related to lower posttraumatic symptomatology. Average age of the sample was 44.57 years, with three fourths having a high school education or higher, and two thirds having a household income below $30,000. Of exposure types, adulthood threats were most likely to result in Criterion A traumatic events (23.4%). Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) based PTSD Checklist, between 8.8% and 45.5% of individuals met presumed PTSD diagnosis based on various PCL cut scores or algorithm criteria. Regression analyses indicated that the combined different types of adult and childhood victimizations, masculine gender role, and negative religious coping were associated with increased symptoms (βs ranging from .16 to .27). The results suggested a role of culture in posttraumatic symptoms for Latinas.
In Vivo Measurement of Human Tissue Compliance

We present a method for measurement of human tissue compliance in vivo using a commercial haptic interface to apply known step changes in force while recording the resulting displacements. We introduce our system, the Softcometer (SOFT-tissue COmpliance METER). Our motivation was to improve the compliance realism of our Virtual Haptic Back model, but there are many potential applications for this method. We present calibration of the haptic interface, static and dynamic compliance measurement techniques, measurement of contracted muscle compliances, and several important issues affecting our results.
Ought I Make Political Dance

This essay draws on personal experience as it investigates the intersection of ethics, political activism, and dance performance. It considers the manner in which artistic and ethical convictions can shape the critical reception of dance that intentionally engages social justice issues, and it draws on ethical theory in order to investigate the manner in which personal ethical beliefs can determine a dance artist's approach to such work.
Coordination Polymers with High Energy Density: An Emerging Class of Explosives

Coordination polymers (CPs) have recently emerged as a promising class of high energy materials useful for the synthesis of tailored energetic materials. CPs have shown potential to improve energetic performance relative to conventional organic energetic materials with regard to density, oxygen balance, sensitivity, and heat of detonation. Thus far, a variety of energetic linkers have been applied, and success has been achieved across a number of structure classes including nitrogen-rich heterocycles and azides. Here, the current progress in the field of energetic CPs, both from the standpoint of structure and properties, is reviewed, and a perspective on current challenges and promising future directions for the field are delineated. Inasmuch as structure/function relationships have been elucidated for CPs with particular applications in mind, these are discussed as well as shortcomings in experimental work required to firmly establish predictive principles within the realm of energetic materials.
Phenomenology of Heavy Flavor Production

A review is presented of heavy quark production in p p, π - p, and pp interactions at fixed target and collider energies. Calculations of total cross sections are described including contributions through next-to-leading order in QCD perturbation theory. Comparisons with available data on charm and bottom quark production show good agreement for reasonable values of charm and bottom quark masses and other parameters. Open issues in the interpretation of results are summarized. A discussion is presented of signatures, backgrounds, and expected event rates for top quark production.
New Results on Enhanced Deuterium Diffusion Under Illumination in Amorphous Silicon

We measure the light-enhancement of D diffusion in hydrogenated amorphous silicon and determine that the mechanism for the effect is an increase of the rate of Si-D bond breaking under illumination. We exclude light-induced heating of the sample and light-induced excitation of D between dissimilar materials as sources of the light-enhancement. It is a bulk effect, most likely caused by excess carriers. We are able to observe the light-induced effect with 380 mW-cm-2 of red light, an intensity only slightly larger than the intensity normally used to induce the Staebler-Wronski effect. At room temperature, the effect is unobservable and we derive an upper bound of 2 x 10-8 photon-1 for the efficiency of light-induced Si-D bond breaking. Implications for the Staebler-Wronski effect are discussed.
Membership Function Development for Reliability Analysis with Mixed Uncertain Variables

The uncertainties in a physical system can be modeled and analyzed by using probability theory or possibility theory, depending on the amount of information available. In probability theory, the uncertain variables are modeled using Probability Density Functions (PDF) and then propagated through the system to obtain its reliability. In the absence of sufficient data to model a PDF, possibility theory, in which variables are represented using fuzzy membership functions, can be used to propagate uncertainty. But when dealing with a combination of both probability distributions and fuzzy membership functions, the computational cost involved in estimating the membership function of reliability increases exponentially because one reliability analysis, which is a computationally expensive procedure, is performed at each possibility level to obtain the bounds on the reliability of the structure. To improve the computational efficiency, a technique that uses response surface models and transformations of possibility functions is presented in this paper. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed methodology is demonstrated using numerical examples. I. Introduction The uncertainties present in the design process need to be quantified and propagated to obtain the reliability of a structural system. Based on the information available, these uncertainties might be quantified as random or nonrandom variables. When there is enough data about a particular quantity, a probability distribution can be assigned, and this random uncertainty can be propagated using existing probabilistic methods. In situations where sufficient information is not available for defining a probability distribution, fuzzy theory can be used to represent the available data in an analytical form. Using fuzzy theory, these variables can be represented by membership functions based on their possibility of occurrence or level of confidence. Once the input variables are defined as possibility functions, the possibility of the response can be estimated. But in most problems, information might be available to represent some variables with a probability distribution and some with a membership function. Therefore, this paper focuses on dealing with problems for which some uncertainties can be quantified using fuzzy membership functions while some are random in nature. In probability theory, the failure probability of a structure is obtained by solving the multidimensional integral dX
Processes of change in preventing alcohol exposed pregnancy: A mediation analysis.

Objective To examine mechanisms of the treatment effect for CHOICES, a motivational intervention to reduce risk of alcohol exposed pregnancy (AEP). Grounded in constructs from the transtheoretical model (TTM) and motivational interviewing (MI), the intervention targeted: risk drinking (>4 drinks/day or >7 drinks/week); ineffective contraception; and AEP risk (both behaviors). The experiential and behavioral processes of change (POC), posited to describe the mechanisms through which individual behavior change occurs, were examined. It was hypothesized that each of the targeted treatment outcomes at 9-month follow-up would be mediated by the experiential POC at 3 months, and that these would then be mediated by the behavioral POC at 9 months. Method Eight hundred thirty women at-risk for AEP were randomized to CHOICES (information plus counseling; IPC) condition (n = 416) or information only (IO) condition (n = 414). Primary outcomes and proposed mediators (POC) were assessed at 3 and 9 months. Path analyses using weighted least squares estimation with mean- and variance-adjusted chi-square statistic were conducted separately for each outcome. Results Model fit indices indicated good fit, and the indirect effect of treatment on outcome via POC was significant for hypothesized models predicting risky drinking and ineffective contraception. The indirect effect of treatment on AEP risk through POC for ineffective contraception was significant, but the indirect effect of POC for risky drinking was not. Conclusions These findings support the temporal relationship between experiential and behavioral POC consistent with the TTM. Opportunistic, motivation-based interventions may benefit from directly targeting experiential POC early in treatment and behavioral POC later in treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record
Study of an energy saving device for storage battery charge or discharge

The device for battery charge or discharge based on the technology of bidirectional converter can be used in charging or discharging battery,and realize sine wave of AC and unity power factor.Accordingly it reduces the pollution of harmonic and Var in power network.This phasor diagrams that converter operates different states are analysed.The structure and control algorithm of dual-loop control method are also introduced.Finally,the main circuit of device and experimental waveform are provided.
Interface states in GaAs/AlxGa1−xAs heterostructures grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy

The GaAs/AlxGa1−xAs interface grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy has been studied by transient capacitance techniques. No electron emissions have been observed from deep states at or near the interface of a GaAs/Al0.2Ga0.8As junction. Highly nonexponential transients were recorded for emissions near the interface, which arise from states with an apparent activation energy of 0.15 eV. Dominant deep traps were detected in the GaAs and Al0.2Ga0.8As in regions away from the interface. The implications of the results have been discussed.
Electrostatics Interactions in Classical Simulations

Electrostatic interactions are crucial for both the accuracy and performance of atomistic biomolecular simulations. In this chapter we review well-established methods and current developments aiming at efficiency and accuracy. Specifically, we review the classical Ewald summations, particle-particle particle-method particle-method Ewald algorithms, multigrid, fast multipole, and local methods. We also highlight some recent developments targeting more accurate, yet classical, representation of the molecular charge distribution.
The Pathobiology of Oral Mucositis

Our understanding of the pathogenesis of OM has matured markedly over the past decade. Prior to the late 1990s the prevailing mechanism by which mucositis occurred focused on direct but nonspecific cell death mediated by either chemotherapy or radiation. The concept was simple: since neither chemotherapy nor radiation could differentiate between rapidly dividing (and DNA synthesizing) tumor cells or the rapidly dividing cells of the basal epithelium, these normal “mother” cells were killed, and replenishment of the normally renewing epithelium was eliminated. As a result, the story went, the mucosa would become atrophic and, if there was no replacement of the epithelium, ulceration developed. Ulcers would become secondarily colonized with bacteria, run their course, and then, if there were no extenuating circumstances, go on to spontaneously heal.
Sound localization in the presence of multiple reflections using a binaurally integrated cross-correlation/auto-correlation mechanism

A precedence effect model is described that can use a binaural signal to robustly localize a sound source in the presence of multiple reflections for the frontal horizontal plane. The model also estimates a room impulse response from a running binaural signal and determines the spatial locations and delays of early reflections, without any prior or additional knowledge of the source. A dual-layer cross-correlation/auto-correlation algorithm is used to determine the interaural time difference of the direct sound source component and to estimate a binaural activity pattern.
Salvage Excavation in the Buttes Dam Site, Southern Arizona

ABSTRACTDuring November and December, 1966, archaeological salvage excavation was conducted in the Buttes Dam Site by the Arizona State Museum under contract with the National Park Service. Excavated were six pit houses, a Casa Grande type of ball court, four trash mounds, 21 cremations, and several cooking pits. The architecture, ceramics, and the style of some of the stone artifacts indicate that this Hohokam village site was occupied during the late Santa Cruz and early Sacaton phases. It is suggested that the occupation of the site took place between about A.D. 850 and A.D. 1000.
Novel Classical and Quantum Photonic Devices by Manipulating Light-matter Interactions in Low-dimensional Systems

With an emphasis on low-dimensional materials, we will discuss how extreme confinement of fields produces new and unexpected materials response such as chirality, enhanced light emission and strong polariton dispersion. Article not available.
Well-Being and Self-Assessment of Change: Secondary Analysis of an RCT That Demonstrated Benefit of Inhaled Lavender and Sleep Hygiene in College Students with Sleep Problems

Context Sleep issues are prevalent and affect health and well-being. The aspects of well-being that are impacted by sleep interventions have not been well studied. Objectives To investigate the impact of lavender and sleep hygiene (LSH) compared to sleep hygiene (SH) alone on well-being as measured by the Self-assessment of Change questionnaire (SAC) at post-intervention and two-week follow-up, and secondarily to compare the SAC sleep item to results from standardized sleep surveys. Design Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) where one group received a lavender inhalation patch and practiced sleep hygiene (LSH) and the other group received a placebo inhalation patch and practiced sleep hygiene (SH) for five consecutive nights. Setting Usual sleep setting. Participants Seventy-nine college students with self-reported sleep issues. Main Outcome Measures The SAC was completed at post-intervention and follow-up. Results Exploratory analysis showed significantly improved well-being for the LSH group at post-intervention for well-being domains of sleep, energy, and vibrancy ( P = .01, .03, and .05, respectively) and an overall trend of improved well-being in comparison to the SH group at post-intervention and follow-up. The SAC sleep item showed a similar pattern of change to the standardized sleep surveys with a statistically significant improvement in sleep for the LSH group at follow-up ( P = .02). Conclusions Findings demonstrate the positive impact of the lavender intervention on three domains of self-assessed well-being are energy, vibrancy, and sleep. SAC results extend and complement prior findings of improved sleep quality.
CNTK: Microsoft's Open-Source Deep-Learning Toolkit

This tutorial will introduce the Computational Network Toolkit, or CNTK, Microsoft's cutting-edge open-source deep-learning toolkit for Windows and Linux. CNTK is a powerful computation-graph based deep-learning toolkit for training and evaluating deep neural networks. Microsoft product groups use CNTK, for example to create the Cortana speech models and web ranking. CNTK supports feed-forward, convolutional, and recurrent networks for speech, image, and text workloads, also in combination. Popular network types are supported either natively (convolution) or can be described as a CNTK configuration (LSTM, sequence-to-sequence). CNTK scales to multiple GPU servers and is designed around efficiency. The tutorial will give an overview of CNTK's general architecture and describe the specific methods and algorithms used for automatic differentiation, recurrent-loop inference and execution, memory sharing, on-the-fly randomization of large corpora, and multi-server parallelization. We will then show how typical uses looks like for relevant tasks like image recognition, sequence-to-sequence modeling, and speech recognition.
Computer based analysis of recovery voltage and residual fault currents for microcomputer based restructurable control of UHV transmission lines

Availability of sophisticated microprocessor technology at an exceedingly lower cost have made it possible to consider the implementation of more effective and sophisticated control schemes such as microcomputer based restructurable control schemes such as microcomputer based restructurable control of UHV lines as a means of improving the transient stability, increasing the power flow, and reducing the system disturbances during the presence of a fault. The restructurable control of UHV lines allows the disconnection of a minimum number of phases involved in a fault and requires autoreclosing of the disconnected phases immediately after the extinction of secondary fault arc. The success of restructurable control is a function of the secondary arc [2, 5, 16, 17, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 35, 36] the arc extinction time, mainly, depends upon the residual fault current and recovery voltage of the effective line length and voltage level of the healthy phases still retained in the system. In this paper computer based method for computing the recovery voltage and residual fault condition. For the case of balanced lines, similar expressions using the method of symmetrical components have been developed in a companion paper [6]. The method is generic, compact and for improved accuracy, utilizes the ABCD generalized circuit constants. The analysis includes the effect of line length, voltage level, swing angle, fault location, shunt inductive compensation, and the effect of isolated faults on differential and other protection algorithms. Using this method UHV lines ranging from 345-kv through 1500-kv have been simulated on a digital computer and the results have been discussed in a companion paper [7].
The phase-1 upgrade of the CMS pixel detector

The pixel detector of the CMS experiment will be upgraded during the extended end of year shutdown during winter 2016/2017. The upgraded detector will operate at full efficiency at an instantaneous luminosity of 2 × 1034 cm−2 s−1 with increased detector acceptance and additional redundancy for the tracking, while at the same time reducing the material budget. The design and technological choices will be reviewed, and the status of the construction of the detector and the performance of its components as measured in system tests are discussed.
A Model for Biblical Worldview Development in Evangelical Christian Emerging Adults

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to develop a model of biblical worldview development for Evangelical Christians during emerging adulthood. Data were collected via personal worldview d...
A Commitment to Lineage

Abstract Abstract SCI-22 The transcription factor T-bet, isolated in our laboratory a decade ago, is a master regulator of Type 1 immunity in cells of both the adaptive and innate immune system. In adaptive immunity, T-bet instigates genetic programs in T helper 1 (Th1) cells and is required for production of the hallmark Th1 cytokine IFNg. It simultaneously represses the differentiation of T helper 2 cells and the profibrotic cytokines IL-13 and TGFb. We have recently determined that T-bet is also a repressor of the Th17 genetic program and have established the molecular mechanisms that underpin that function. T-bet also controls the optimal differentiation and function of the cytolytic CD8 cell, and is required for the development of the natural killer T cell. T-bet deficient animals are largely protected from autoimmune/inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus, type 1 diabetes and inflammatory arthritis, but are susceptible to type 2 driven diseases such as asthma and scleroderma. An exception to this overall rule is our recent discovery that in the absence of an adaptive immune system, the majority of mice lacking T-bet develop a spontaneous ulcerative colitis that progresses to colonic dysplasia and rectal adenocarcinoma. This colitis and inflammation associated colorectal cancer are MyD88 independent, driven by colitogenic flora and ameliorated by treatment with TNF blockade, antibiotics, and transfer of T regulatory cells. This phenotype maps to the T-bet deficient dendritic cell that drives this pro-inflammatory program; selective over-expression of T-bet in DCs was sufficient to reduce colonic inflammation and prevent the progression to neoplasia. The molecular pathogenesis of TRUC colitis and colitis-associated colorectal (caCRC) shares several key features with human caCRC. This model of colitis and colitis-associated colorectal cancer provides opportunities to further understand host-microbial relationships in inflammation and neoplasia and test preventative and therapeutic strategies pre-clinically. The function and mechanism of action of T-bet in the pathogenesis of immune system driven diseases will be discussed. Disclosures: Glimcher: Merck: Consultancy, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties.
Synthesis of Diaryl Diazaphosphonates via 1,6-Hydrophosphonylation of p-Quinone Methides with N-Heterocyclic Phosphine-Thioureas

A mild, efficient method for the synthesis of diaryl diazaphosphonates via 1,6-hydrophosphonylation/aromatization of p-quinone methides (p-QMs) with N-heterocyclic phosphine–thioureas has been developed. This transformation proceeds without any additive or catalyst under mild reaction conditions and tolerates a wide range of p-QMs. This methodology provides a straightforward access to diaryl phosphonate derivatives in good to excellent yields (up to 99%).
Measurement of Chlorophyll Loss Due to Phytoremediation of Ag Nanoparticles in the First-Year Laboratory.

A two-week experiment is presented in which students can observe the impact of nanoparticles on the concentration of chlorophyll in plants. First-year students in an introductory nanotechnology laboratory course and a general chemistry laboratory course synthesized silver nanoparticles and then exposed stalks of Egeria densa (E. densa), a common waterweed, to the nanoparticle solution for 1 week. In the following session, students extracted chlorophyll from the plants and measured its concentration using a visible spectrometer. Compared to other, similar lab activities, this experiment generates a lower amount of waste, requires a shorter duration of plant growth, and involves the measurement of chemical species in order to determine the toxicological effects of nanomaterials. Additional ideas are discussed for implementing the experiment in high school, general chemistry, and other courses.
Trading a Mean-Reverting Asset with Regime Switching: An Asymptotic Approach

This chapter is concerned with an optimal trading rule. The underlying asset price is governed by a mean-reverting model with regime switching. In particular, the equilibrium levels are dependent of a two-state Markov chain so that the underlying process always moves around its current equilibrium. The objective is to buy and sell the asset so as to maximize the overall return. In this chapter we consider the case in which the jump rates of the Markov chain go to infinite and study the asymptotic properties of the corresponding value functions. We establish the convergence of the value functions to those of a limiting problem, which is easier to solve. In addition, the solution of the limiting problem is used to construct a trading rule which is shown via a numerical example to be nearly optimal.
Three new genera of oriental Xyleborina (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)

We describe three new genera (Ambrosiophilus gen. n., Beaverium gen. n., and Diuncus gen. n.) and diagnose 26 species of ambrosia-feeding scolytines, almost all from the Palaeotropical region. These taxa are ecologically interesting because of their intimate relationship with other xyleborine species. Recognition of these genera is an initial step towards a revision of the large polyphyletic genus, Xyleborus.
Allospecific Memory B Cell Responses are Dependent on Autophagy

Long-lived, donor-reactive memory B cells (Bmem) can produce alloantibodies that mediate transplant injury. Autophagy, an intrinsic mechanism of cell organelle/component recycling, is required for Bmem survival in infectious and model antigen systems but whether autophagy impacts alloreactive Bmem is unknown. We studied mice with an inducible yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) reporter expressed under the Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase (AID) promoter active in B cells undergoing germinal center reactions. Up to 12 months after allogeneic sensitization, splenic YFP+ B cells were predominantly IgD-IgM-IgG+ and expressed CD73, CD80, and PD-L2, consistent with Bmem. Labeled cells contained significantly more cells with autophagosomes, and autophagosomes per cell than unlabeled, naive B cells. To test for a functional link, we quantified alloantibody formation in mice with B cells conditionally deficient in the requisite autophagy gene ATG7. These experiments revealed absent B cell ATG7: a) prevented B cell autophagy, b) inhibited secondary alloantibody responses without altering primary alloantibody formation and c) diminished frequencies of alloreactive Bmem. Pharmacological autophagy inhibition with 3-methyladenine had similar effects on wild type mice. Together with new documentation of increased autophagosomes within human Bmem, our data indicate that targeting autophagy has potential for eliminating donor-reactive Bmem in transplant recipients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Increasing Medical Student Exposure to IR through Integration of IR into the Gross Anatomy Course.

Abstract Purpose To compare medical student knowledge of and interest in interventional radiology (IR) before and after the integration of an IR lecture series within the gross anatomy course. Materials and Methods Four elective IR lectures were scheduled to coincide with the relevant anatomy dissection curriculum. Anonymous surveys were distributed to 146 students before and after the lectures regarding students' knowledge of and interest in IR, responsibilities of an IR physician, and IR training pathways. Those who did not attend served as controls. Results Response rates were 67% (n = 98) in the prelecture group, 55% (n = 22) in the group who attended the lecture, and 28% (n = 30) in the control group. A total of 73% of the prelecture group reported little knowledge of IR compared with other specialties. This decreased to 27% in those who attended the lecture ( P P value not significant) and 2% of the prelecture group ( P P P P Conclusions Integration of IR education into the gross anatomy course proved to be a highly effective way of teaching preclinical students about IR and generating interest in the field.
Considerations for waste gasification as an alternative to landfilling in Washington state using decision analysis and optimization

The United States is among the highest waste-producing nations in the world, but unlike many other developed nations, it processes only a fraction of its waste for recycling or energy production. The feasibility of alternatives to landfilling was explored using a multi-criteria decision-making model and a linear optimization model. Specifically, further development of waste gasification in Washington State was considered. In Washington, landfilling is still the primary form of waste management, resulting in significant environmental and social costs. The first stage of the analysis entailed the identification of the most effective gasification method for a plant located in Seattle with the objective of significant waste diversion from the largest waste processing site in Washington, the Roosevelt Regional Landfill. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to perform an objective comparison. This process ranked the gasification alternatives using various criteria and determined that steam gasification was superior to the other options, due to capacity and clean byproduct gases. Subsequently, a network optimization model was constructed to compare the cost of steam gasification and landfilling over a ten-year period, determining whether gasification plants would be viable in Seattle and Alaska. Results indicate that the Seattle gasification plant would be a superior option to current landfilling practices while an Alaska plant would be infeasible, in part due to the limited quantity of waste transported from Alaska to Roosevelt. Gasification methods will become more cost-effective as technology evolves, suggesting that currently infeasible methods have future potential.
Inflammation and nerve injury minimally affect mouse voluntary behaviors proposed as indicators of pain

It has been suggested that the lack of rodent behavioral assays that represent the complexities of human pain contributes to the poor translational record of basic pain research findings. Clinically, chronic pain interferes with patient mobility and physical/social activities, and increases anxiety symptoms, in turn negatively impacting quality of life. To determine whether these behaviors are similarly influenced by putative pain manipulations in rodents, we systematically evaluated wheel running, locomotion, gait, social interaction, and anxiety-like behavior in models of inflammation and nerve injury in adult C57BL6/J male mice. We demonstrate that inflammation and nerve injury differentially affect voluntary behaviors while mice are hypersensitive to mechanical stimuli. Bilateral Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammation transiently suppressed wheel running and locomotion and also induced gait deficits. In contrast, spared nerve injury (SNI) altered gait and impaired gross motor coordination. SNI-induced gait changes were not reversed by the analgesic PD123319, an angiotensin II type 2 receptor antagonist, and are therefore likely to be motor-related rather than pain-related. Neither CFA nor SNI significantly altered social interaction or elicited general anxiety-like behavior. Our findings suggest that in contrast to humans, mobility and physical/social activities are minimally altered, if at all, in mice following inflammation or nerve injury.
Vulnerable Teacher: Spanning Difference in the Classroom

In this chapter, I build a model of teaching-learning based on early experiences of nurture. As tightly bonded young children reap the satisfactions of growing independence from their caregivers, they recognize them as having a separate existence, and so they must adapt many strategies, most especially around language, to make their needs and desires known. Honing these communicative skills turns into a lifelong process. In young-old age, I have found myself asking similar question to those the young child might ask herself: How am I connected to the not me? What does it mean to be in dialogue with another?
Spillover health effects of energy efficiency investments: Quasi-experimental evidence from the Los Angeles LED streetlight program

Abstract Payback estimates of energy efficiency investments often ignore public health externalities. This is problematic in cases where spillover health effects are substantial, such as when the application of new technology alters environmental exposures. When health externalities are included in return on investment calculations, energy efficiency programs may look more or less attractive than suggested by conventional “energy savings only” estimates. This analysis exploits the quasi-experiment provided by the 2009 Los Angeles (LA) LED streetlight efficiency program to investigate the returns on investments inclusive of an originally estimated health externality. Using the synthetic control method, we find that the LED streetlight program is associated with a lagged increase in breast cancer mortality of 0.479 per 100,000. Inclusive of the effects of LEDs on breast cancer and avoided carbon emissions, the LA LED program provides a −146.2% 10-year return compared to +118.2% when health outcomes and carbon emissions are ignored.
Medication Profiles of Patients with Cognitive Impairment and High Anticholinergic Burden

Drugs with anticholinergic properties are considered potentially inappropriate in patients with cognitive impairment because harms—including delirium, falls, and fractures—may outweigh benefits. To highlight opportunities to improve clinical decision making and care for patients with cognitive impairment and multiple chronic conditions, we identified distinct subgroups of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia who had high cumulative anticholinergic burden and specific patterns of anticholinergic use. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a not-for-profit, integrated delivery system. Participants included community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older (n = 13,627) with MCI or dementia and at least two other chronic diseases. We calculated the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) score for each participant from pharmacy and electronic health record (EHR) data. Among individuals with a mean 12-month ACB score ≥ 2, we used agglomerative hierarchical clustering to identify groups or clusters of individuals with similar anticholinergic prescription patterns. Twenty-four percent (3257 participants) had high anticholinergic burden, defined as an ACB score ≥ 2. Clinically meaningful clusters based upon anchoring medications or drug classes included a cluster of cardiovascular medications (n = 1497; 46%); two clusters of antidepressant medications (n = 633; 20%); and a cluster based on use of bladder antimuscarinics (n = 431; 13%). Several clusters comprised multiple central nervous system (CNS)-active drugs. Cardiovascular and CNS-active medications comprise a substantial portion of anticholinergic burden in people with cognitive impairment and multiple chronic conditions. Antidepressants were highly prevalent. Clinical profiles elucidated by these clusters of anticholinergic medications can inform targeted approaches to care.
Why didn’t anyone tell us what it would really be like?

Historically, teacher retention has been a more significant issue than teacher recruitment. This study looks at how teachers become “comfortable in their own skin.” To be successful in their chosen careers, teachers undergo a process of Teacher Identity Formation that blends one’s educational philosophy, teaching style, and personality. Finding one’s own voice, one that is less imitative of influential teachers from one’s past, occurs in those “Borderlands” where the personal and the professional meet, where who you are as a person and who you are as a teacher coalesce. Via an interview-based phenomenological study, this paper uses the cumulative wisdom of successful, experienced teachers to look at how they ultimately make sense of their position and overcome obstacles to identity formation. The findings may offer guidance to new teachers and teacher educators.
REMORA CubeSat for large debris rendezvous, attachment, tracking, and collision avoidance

This paper presents the feasibility study of the REMORA CubeSat mission concept with an integrated miniature robotic payload to prevent large debris collisions. While orbital debris poses a threat to spacecraft, a collision between the largest space debris objects is of significant concern. The DARPA Catcher's Mitt study compiled a list of the highest priority large debris objects. By annually removing 5–10 of these high priority objects, it may be possible to stabilize the medium sized debris population. Instead of deorbiting objects, REMORA would use COTS CubeSat components and secondary payload launches as a cost-effective solution for mitigating large debris collisions. The REMORA CubeSat could rendezvous with a piece of debris and use the robotic manipulator to anchor itself to the target object. Once anchored, the CubeSat could track the debris and, if needed, alter the debris object's trajectory to prevent a collision. Aspects discussed include the mission and robotic payload baseline designs. Many of the highest priority objects identified in the DARPA Catcher's Mitt study are located in the 71°-75° inclination range and in sun-synchronous orbit. An initial mission design concept targets sun-synchronous objects due to the large number of launch opportunities to this orbit. The mission was simulated with a combination of MATLAB, GMAT, and STK. A CubeSat robotic payload was designed to provide a decreased chance of collision between the CubeSat and debris object during attachment, augment the ACS during approach, and provide the ability to orient the thrust vector through the center of mass while pushing. This robotic payload includes a computing element, cameras, miniature robotic arm, and end-effector. An initial miniature arm prototype was designed and built to demonstrate feasibility and inform future designs. An end-effector trade study was performed to explore different end-effectors that could be used to for attaching to the common graspable features on large debris objects. Grasping methods, including mechanical prehension, gecko grippers, electrostatic grippers, and magnetic grippers, were investigated.
Identification of Outliers Through Clustering and Semi-supervised Learning for All Sky Surveys

Recently there has been a huge surge of data in astronomy, making outlier or novelty detection a crucial step in analyzing these data. Here, we introduce a clustering based semi-supervised approach for outlier detection. The training data, (X 1, Y 1), …, (X n , Y n ), where n = 1,542, comes from Hipparcos and Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) surveys, with, X i ∈ ℝ p (p = 64) as the features and Y i is a categorical variable having one of the 25 class labels. The set of 64 periodic and non-periodic features are extracted from the light curves. The test data, Z 1, …, Z m , where m = 11,375, is the test data, where, Z i ∈ ℝ p . We select these 11,375 low noise variable light sources for our analysis from a set of unlabeled light curves of ∼ 50,000 variable light sources from All Sky Automated Survey (ASAS). Our goal is to find outlier data points in the unlabeled data set whose labels can not be properly predicted by the information in the labeled data set. We propose a new hierarchical algorithm for outlier detection in this partially labeled setup based on clustering and semi-supervised learning. We apply our method to identify interesting sources in the ASAS data set, with the training data. We present the ASAS light curves of some of these interesting sources, and elaborate on the possible physical mechanisms driving their variability.
Diagnostic Vitrectomy and the Cancer Patient: Special Considerations

The term diagnostic vitrectomy is used to refer to biopsy of the vitreous or the uvea. In patients with a history of cancer, there is a low clinical threshold for diagnostic vitrectomy as vitritis can represent recurrence of lymphoma or leukemia or an opportunistic infection. The most common clinical scenarios in which diagnostic vitrectomy is performed in cancer patients are new-onset vitreous cellularity in a patient with lymphoma in remission or newly diagnosed lymphoma; vitritis in a patient with recent bone marrow transplantation; atypical retinitis or choroiditis; and atypical iris, ciliary body, or choroidal lesions. In addition, choroidal biopsy is sometimes done to obtain material for cytogenetic studies in patients with uveal melanoma. Vitreous biopsy can be performed successfully with either a two-port or three-port approach; specifics of the technique depend on the vitrector gauge. Uveal biopsy can be performed with fine-needle aspiration biopsy or with transretinal choroidal biopsy with a sutureless vitrectomy system, an approach that is gaining favor. Collaboration and good communication between the ophthalmologist and a pathologist well versed in the handling and analysis of vitreous samples are essential for successful diagnostic vitrectomy.
Microbial Effects on Environmental Health and Product Quality Aspects of Recovery and Co-Utilization of Bio-Mineral Products

The environmental and economic incentives to recycle and recover useful resources from various organic materials, such as animal manures, biosolids, landscape trimmings and food processing and marketing residuals, continue to increase. The same incentives are stimulating interest among scientists, horticulturists, entrepreneurs, and the minerals industries in the potential for utilization of various inorganic by-products, from cement, rock, aggregate, power plant and steel manufacturing operations, as beneficial additives to these organics. The resulting ‘bio-mineral’ products will provide stabilized organic materials augmented with mineral components useful in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping and reclamation. Some form of treatment will be required to remove pathogenic organisms that are present in primary organic constituents of such bio-mineral products. Existing federal standards (“40CFR503 for Code of Federal Regulations”) for biosolids include criteria for assessing pathogen destruction achieved by several treatment processes. The applicability and appropriateness of these criteria to organic and bio-mineral products, not containing biosolids, is discussed along with the need for test refinements appropriate to new technologies. Potential disease transmission pathways and case reports involving emerging pathogens, e.g., E. coli O157:H7, salmonellae, Cryptosporidium parvum, suggest that environmental health implications of farm and food production practices involving animal manure be reviewed and evaluated in a manner equivalent to that of biosolids. Specific information on pathogen survival and destruction relative to current and developing organics and bio-minerals recycling processes is needed to support development of guidelines for appropriate practices. Depending on the treatment process and the targeted mineral composition of the final product, inorganic constituents may be added prior to, during, or after organics processing. The sequence of mineral augmentation in organics processing has the potential to influence the quality of the product, but more research is urgently needed to optimize these benefits and to support recommendations that promote environmental and public health.
Structure and regulation of L-type calcium channels a current assessment of the properties and roles of channel subunits.

L-type Ca channels are complex heteromultimeric proteins that play important roles in the cardiovascular system. Recent studies have revealed new insights into how the pore-forming α(1) subunits interact with accessory subunits to produce functional Ca channels. The function of L-type Ca channels is often regulated by receptor-mediated signal transduction events that are thought to result in the phosphorylation of proteins that comprise the Ca channels. Although the molecular events underlying phosphorylation based regulation have been intensely investigated with the use of electrophysiological approaches, surprisingly few details are known about the biochemical events involved, and many questions remain unanswered. © 1996, Elsevier Science Inc. (Trends Cardiovasc Med 1996;6:265-273).
Regulation of Catecholamine Biosynthesis: Tyrosine Hydroxylase and Dihydropteridine Reductase

It is generally accepted that catecholamines have an important role in the regulation of several brain functions, and there is increasing evidence that they may be involved in the development of certain affective disorders. Most of the agents used in the treatment for depression and mania are known to affect either the synthesis, storage, and release of catecholamines or the central adrenergic receptors. These brief considerations are sufficient to justify an examination of the enzymes that are considered important for the regulation of catecholamine biosynthesis.
Correction: Expanding analytical tools for characterizing ultrasmall silica-based nanoparticles

Correction for ‘Expanding analytical tools for characterizing ultrasmall silica-based nanoparticles’ by B. Yoo et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 16861–16865.