cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of Ro 15-1788 on anxiolytic self-administration in the rhesus monkey.

Abstract The ability of a benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro 15-1788, to modify the self-administration of anxiolytics was determined in rhesus monkeys. Lever-press responding was maintained in four monkeys under a fixed-ratio 10 schedule of drug delivery in daily sessions of 2 hr duration. Responding was maintained either by flurazepam, lorazepam or pentobarbital. When responding was stable for each of these drugs, a range of doses of a benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro 15-1788 (0.0001–10 mg/kg, IM), was given 5 min prior to a session. At some doses the antagonist increased responding for lorazepam and flurazepam whereas pentobarbital self-administration was largely unaffected or reduced. These results suggest that Ro 15-1788 was able to specifically modify the effects of benzodiazepines responsible for drug-maintained performance.
Picosecond coherent vibrational spectroscopy (CARS) of a DNA-intercalating Ru complex

Vibrational spectra (1100−1800 cm-1) of the ground state and two excited electronic states, populated following the 5 ps, 440 nm excitation, of the [Ru(phen)2dppz]+2 (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2‘,3‘-c] phenazine) complex in aqueous solution are measured by coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS). The band origin positions of vibrational features in the picosecond resonance CARS (PR/CARS) spectrum of ground state [Ru(phen)2dppz]+2 obtained with ω1 (probe) wavelengths of 491 and 530 nm are the same to within <1 cm-1 and correlate well with 488 nm resonance Raman data. The relative intensities of features in the 491 and 530 nm CARS spectra, however, are significantly different, reflecting the differences in Raman resonance enhancement associated with changes in excitation wavelengths. High signal-to-noise vibrational CARS spectra of samples containing [Ru(phen)2dppz]+2 and calf thymus DNA are also recorded using 491 and 530 nm ω1 excitation. Relative to CARS data from [Ru(phen...
A Model for Primary Melanoma of the CNS Implicates NRAS

Summary: In this issue of Cancer Discovery , Pedersen and colleagues present the first mouse model of primary CNS melanoma, which arises when oncogenic NRAS is expressed from the endogenous Nras promoter in melanocytes during embryogenesis. In support of this model, two pediatric cases of NRAS -mutant primary melanoma of the CNS are identified. Cancer Discov; 3(4); 382–3. ©2013 AACR . See related article by Pedersen et al., [p. 458][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/3/458?iss=4
3,4-Dimethoxyphenylacetic Acid in Urine

IN 1962 we reported that 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine (DMPEA) was a component of urine obtained from schizophrenic patients1. Since our original report we have described additional work2–5. Other investigators have identified this material6,7 or chromatographically similar material8, although several have also identified it in urine from non-schizophrenic subjects9,10 and others have been unable to detect the compound at all11,12.
The Changing Marketplace in the Global Economy: Implications for Future Research

The purpose ofthis article is to discuss directionsforfuture research in the consumer, merchandising, and retailingfield. The author believes thatfuture research programs should be driven in large part by technological, social, and economicfactors, and therefore briefly discusses Lester Thurow's thesis that five economicforces will shape tomorrow's world. In developing research questions, researchers are urged to frame issues in the context of a theoretical framework. Research ofthis sort will not only contribute to a pragmatic understanding of markets and consumers but also provide a theoretical basisfor assessing market dynamics.
Stigonemapeptin, an Ahp-Containing Depsipeptide with Elastase Inhibitory Activity from the Bloom-Forming Freshwater Cyanobacterium Stigonema sp.

Stigonemapeptin (1), a depsipeptide containing an Ahp (3-amino-6-hydroxy-2-piperidone) residue, was isolated from a bloom sample of the freshwater cyanobacterium Stigonema sp. collected from North Nokomis Lake in the Highland Lake District of northern Wisconsin. The planar structure was determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as HRESIMS analysis. The absolute configurations of the amino acids were determined using the advanced Marfey’s method after acid hydrolysis. Stigonemapeptin (1), characterized by the presence of the Ahp residue, also contained the modified amino acids Abu (2-amino-2-butenoic acid) and N-formylated Pro. Stigonemapeptin (1) showed in vitro elastase and chymotrypsin inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 0.26 and 2.93 μM, respectively.
The ester enolate claisen rearrangement. Total synthesis of (±)-ethisolide

Abstract A total synthesis of the mold metabolite ethisolide (1a) is described, wherein a glycolate ester enolate Claisen rearrangement and an acid-induced intramolecular bis-transesterification are key steps.
NF-κB p65 (RelA) homodimer uses distinct mechanisms to recognize DNA targets

Abstract Background: The NF-κB family of dimeric transcription factors regulates the expression of several genes by binding to a variety of related DNA sequences. One of these dimers, p65(RelA), regulates a subclass of these targets. We have shown previously that p65 binds to the 5′-GGAA T TTTC-3′ sequence asymmetrically. In that complex one subunit base specifically interacts with the preferred 5′ half site and the other subunit binds non-specifically to the 3′ half site. Results: Here we describe the crystal structures of two new p65–DNA complexes. One complex contains a pseudosymmetric 5′-GGAA T TTCC-3′ DNA sequence taken from the enhancer of the gene encoding interleukin 8 (IL-8) and the other contains the asymmetric 5′-GGAA T TCCC-3′ target DNA taken from the enhancer of the gene encoding type VII collagen. As expected, the global positioning of the dimer on both DNA targets is roughly symmetric, however, the hydrogen-bonding patterns at the protein–DNA interfaces differ significantly. One of the p65 monomers in complex with the asymmetric DNA binds to an extra base pair located immediately upstream of the 5′-GGAA-3′ half site. We also show that p65 binds to these targets with almost equal affinity and that different residues have variable roles in binding different κB targets. Conclusions: Taken together, these structures reveal that p65 exhibits the unique capability to specifically bind DNA targets of variable lengths from four to ten base pairs. Also, the small protein segment Arg41–Ser42–Ala43 is at least partially responsible for flexibility in DNA-binding modes.
Identifying the oil price-macroeconomy relationship: An empirical mode decomposition analysis of US data

This paper employs the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method to filter cyclical components of US quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) and quarterly average oil price (West Texas Intermediate—WTI). The method is adaptive and applicable to non-linear and non-stationary data. A correlation analysis of the resulting components is performed and examined for insights into the relationship between oil and the economy. Several components of this relationship are identified. However, the principal one is that the medium-run component of the oil price has a negative relationship with the main cyclical component of the GDP. In addition, weak correlations suggesting a lagging, demand-driven component and a long-run component of the relationship were also identified. Comparisons of these findings with significant oil supply disruption and recession dates were supportive. The study identifies a number of lessons applicable to recent oil market events, including the eventuality of persistent oil price and economic decline following a long oil price run-up. In addition, it was found that oil market related exogenous events are associated with short- to medium-run price implications regardless of whether they lead to actual supply losses.
Measuring performance of integrated air defense networks using stochastic networks

A model reflecting the evolution of an engagement between an integrated air defense system IADS and a penetrating strike group is presented. The engagement is modeled as an optimization problem on a network with stochastic arc lengths. We produce the distribution of our measure of effectiveness, as well as calculating the importance of each IADS agent to the performance of the overall system. We demonstrate the effectiveness of several jamming plans against the network.
Comparative renal function in reptiles, birds, and mammals

In this article, the regulation of the homeostasis of the extracellular fluid is compared for reptiles, birds, and mammals. The principle focus is on the role of the kidneys in this process. Although the basic elements of renal function are similar in the three classes, birds and mammals are set apart from reptiles in that the kidneys of these species have the ability to produce urines that are hyperosmotic to plasma. Reptiles and birds are set apart from mammals by the fact that these two groups excrete nitrogen as uric acid and not urea as do mammals. Reptiles and birds are further set apart from mammals in that the kidneys of these two groups are not the sole organs that function to regulate the composition of the extracellular fluid. In addition to having functional salt glands, the lower gastrointestinal tracts of reptiles and birds function in concert with the kidneys in the maintenance of homeostasis. There is a much greater range in body mass among mammals than in the other two groups. This has necessitated that the kidneys of mammals change size, shape, and internal organization to be able to carry out their homeostatic function. The kidneys of reptiles and birds do not follow a similar pattern. It would appear that no one group has the advantage over the other with respect to regulation of the composition of the extracellular fluid because representatives of all groups inhabit a broad range of environments and ecological habitats.
Expansive fire in Mojave Desert shrubland reduces abundance and species diversity of small mammals

Changes in plant community structure and composition of the Mojave Desert in response to greater fire intensity and extent are likely to have strong bottom-up effects on the biological community. The objective of this study was to determine how expansive fire in Mojave Desert impacts small mammal communities across seasons. We sampled small mammals in paired burned (4e5 years post-fire) and unburned areas of Beaver Dam Wash in southwestern Utah. Fire reduced total abundance of small mammals, and species richness and species diversity of the small mammal community. Merriam’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys merriami) responded positively to fire (15% greater in burned areas). Longtailed pocket mouse (Chaetodipus formosus) and canyon mouse (Peromyscus crinitus) were 91% and 98% less abundant in burned versus unburned areas. The positive response of Merriam’s kangaroo rat to fire is most likely correlated with their preference for open foraging microhabitat while other species captured prefer greater and more diverse cover. Because the small mammal community has been dramatically affected by fire, it is likely that top-down control of vegetation structure will be dominated by Merriam’s kangaroo rat in burned areas, which may promote more open habitat by limiting the growth of annual and perennial grasses.
A feature of performed narrative: the conversational historical present

The historical present, the use of the present tense to refer to past events, is a feature of narrative which has long been recognized. The object of this analysis is the use of the historical present tense specifically in narratives which occur in everyday conversational interactions. This usage will be referred to as the conversational historical present to distinguish it from the use of this tense in other genres such as travelogues and jokes. In the analysis of the occurrence of the conversational historical present, it was found that features of the relationship between the speaker and the audience had a strong influence. This is true not because the use of the linguistic feature itself is socially stratified, but rather because it functions as one of a set of features which appear in a specific type of narrative and is therefore governed by norms of interaction which constrain the social behavior involved in the recounting of such narratives. The fact that the use of the conversational historical present is an interactional variable in this respect has had important theoretical and methodological implications for the analysis which is reported here. The basic theoretical point is that in the study of the conversational historical present one sees a perfect example of the relationship between linguistic structure and language use.
The Prepared Mind: The Role of Representational Change in Chance Discovery

Analogical reminding in humans and machines is a great source for chance discoveries because analogical reminding can produce representational change and thereby produce insights. Here, we present a new kind of representational change associated with analogical reminding called packing. We derived the algorithm in part from human data we have on packing. Here, we explain packing and its role in analogy making, and then present a computer model of packing in a micro-domain. We conclude that packing is likely to be used in human chance discoveries, and is needed if our machines are to make their own chance discoveries. “Chance favors only the prepared mind.” — Louis Pasteur
Power availability provisioning in large data centers

Enterprise data centers are provisioned with conservative redundancies built into their power infrastructures to handle failures. Conservative over-provisioning of power capacity for availability reasons results in significant capital investment for large enterprises because this capacity is designed for failure conditions that do not happen often. On the other hand, underprovisioning this capacity runs the risk of affecting the performance of the data center when failures do happen, through either service unavailability or degraded service performance. Hence, there are interactions and tradeoffs between power capacity utilization, power redundancy, and data center performance that is often overlooked. Our work proposes a provisioning methodology for the power delivery infrastructure called power availability provisioning that addresses this challenge. We provide observations on power infrastructure design based on industry experience operating large data centers. We characterize power availability events, motivate the need for workload-driven power availability provisioning, and describe a methodology to estimate performance impact due to power availability events. We then present an unconventional redundancy technique (N-M redundancy) that proposes reducing redundant power equipment, leveraging observations from our study.
Statistical models for shear strength of RC beam‐column joints using machine‐learning techniques

SUMMARY This paper proposes a new set of probabilistic joint shear strength models using the conventional multiple linear regression method, and advanced machine-learning methods of multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) and symbolic regression (SR). In order to achieve high-fidelity regression models with reduced model errors and bias, this study constructs extensive experimental databases for reinforced and unreinforced concrete joints by collecting existing beam-column joint subassemblage tests from multiple sources. Various influential parameters that affect joint shear strength such as material properties, design parameters, and joint configuration are investigated through tests of statistical significance. After performing a set of regression analyses, the comparison of simulation results indicates that MARS approach is the best estimation method. Moreover, the accuracy of analytical predictions of the derived MARS model is compared with that of existing joint shear strength relationships. The comparison results show that the proposed model is more accurate compared to existing relationships. This joint shear strength prediction model can be readily implemented into joint response models for evaluation of earthquake performance and inelastic responses of building frames. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intra-Urban Wage Variation, Employment Location, and Commuting Times

Abstract Theory predicts that within a metropolitan area, employers located where there is difficult commuting will have to compensate their workers with appropriately higher wages. This should hold whether one is comparing central city work locations with those at the fringe, or simply differences between suburban “edge cities.” In the longer run, if employers are concerned primarily with labor costs, firm mobility should equalize wages or else agglomeration economies must exist to sustain the differences. Using microdata from the 1990 census for 2 large metropolitan areas in the U.S., wage equations are estimated for urban workers allowing for different wage levels depending on zone of employment. The results show that observationally equivalent workers have wages that vary substantially across employment zones within a metro area, and that this variation is strongly and significantly correlated with the average commute time of the workers employed in that zone. These results hold across several different econometric specifications. Wages and average travel times also are found to be highly correlated with the aggregate number of workers in each zone, but are not affected by zone employment specialization. Thus there is inconclusive evidence as to whether wage/commuting cost differences result from equilibrium agglomeration effects or from a disequilibrium distribution of employment.
Design of adaptive fuzzy PID tuner using optimization method

The main scope of this paper is to investigate the research of fuzzy PID control by utilizing the SQP (sequential quadratic programming) algorithm which is one of the constrained optimization algorithms. This paper presents a novel method to design the fuzzy PID tuners which combine the PID control and fuzzy control in order to improve the system performance for complex systems in which the normal PID controller is not suitable in such a case. The optimization algorithm is utilized to develop an optimization scheme in order to search the optimal fuzzy tuner design parameters, including the position and the shape of membership functions and the scaling factors based on the cost function. By using optimization algorithms, the fuzzy PID tuner design problem is transferred to the parameter optimal problem and the fuzzy controller design parameters are optimized such that the minimum cost function can be achieved based on the given performance index. The proposed method is applied to several numerical experiments and the results are presented to demonstrate its efficiency and performance.
Structural and functional analysis of the avian leukemia virus constitutive transport element

The observation that cells restrict the nuclear export of incompletely spliced transcripts via the canonical nuclear mRNA export pathway implies that all retroviruses should have evolved a way to direct the unspliced form of their genomic RNA into an alternate export pathway. While the Crm1-dependent pathway used by complex retroviruses to export incompletely spliced viral transcripts is now fairly well understood, less is known about how simple retroviruses accomplish this task. However, the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (MPMV) has been shown to encode a structured RNA sequence, termed the constitutive transport element (CTE), that recruits a cellular RNA export factor termed Tap. Here we demonstrate that a CTE previously proposed to be present in the avian sarcoma/leukemia (ASV/ALV) family of retroviruses indeed functions as a potent RNA export signal. We have mapped single- and double-stranded regions present in the ASV/ALV CTE in vitro and report that this CTE is predicted to fold into a structure bearing three distinct RNA stem-loops. However, only the central stem-loop is critical for CTE function and this 69-nt structure is, in fact, sufficient when present as a dimer. While the ASV/ALV CTE is shown to function independently of Crm1, as also previously reported for the MPMV CTE, it lacks any evident sequence homology to the highly conserved MPMV CTE sequence. Together, these data define the secondary structure and biological activity of an avian CTE sequence that may access a novel nuclear RNA export pathway.
Adolescents' perceptions of parental roles and involvement in diabetes management.

This descriptive qualitative study compared how 18 teens (aged 14–16 years) with higher ( n = 11; HiA 1c ) versus those with lower ( n = 7; LoA 1c ) hemoglobin (Hb) A 1c levels who met the standard of care viewed parental roles and involvement in diabetes management. Content analysis of the verbatim interview transcripts yielded five major themes. Teens in the LoA 1c group (average HbA 1c levels ≤8%) described their parents' monitoring roles more positively, whereas teens in the HiA 1c group (average HbA 1c levels >8%) were annoyed with reminders and described more conflict with their parents related to lack of adherence to their diabetes protocol. Clinicians need to assess the quality of parent–teen relationships and provide developmentally appropriate interventions to help teens and their parents effectively negotiate role transitions related to diabetes management during middle adolescence.
Room temperature terahertz detection based on plasma resonance of electrons in an Antenna-Coupled GaAs MESFET

Plasma resonance of electrons is observed in an antenna-coupled metal-semiconductor-field-effect-transistor (MESFET) by sweeping bias voltages. This resonant absorption is exploited to realize a room temperature terahertz detector with a measured noise equivalent power (NEP) ~ 5times10-8 W/Hzfrac12.
POLARIZATION VARIATIONS DUE TO DISLOCATION CONFIGURATIONS IN HETEROEPITAXIAL FERROELECTRIC LAYERS

Dislocation networks in epitaxial ferroelectric thin films consist of misfit and threading dislocations. They usually form at high temperatures during film growth when the film is paraelectric. Once the film becomes ferroelectric upon cooling, they induce spatial polarization gradients which are detrimental to the desired properties. This study analyzes the ways in which they affect the ferroelectric properties. A qualitative comparison is made using thermodynamic and electrostatic analysis concluding that the misfit segments of dislocations are more detrimental than the threading segments.
Glaciological advances made with interferometric synthetic aperture radar

Spaceborne interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) techniques for measuring ice flow velocity and topography have developed rapidly over the last decade and a half, revolutionizing the study of ice dynamics. Spaceborne interferometry has contributed to major progress in many areas of glaciological study by: providing the first comprehensive measurements of ice-stream flow velocity over the major outlets of Greenland and Antarctica; revealing that ice-stream and outlet-glacier flow can change rapidly (months to years); improving understanding of several ice-sheet and ice-shelf processes; providing velocity for flux-gate based mass-balance assessment; mapping flow of mountain glaciers; and capturing the geomorphic traces of past ice flow. We review the basic technique development, the measurement characteristics, and the extensive set of results yielded by these measurements.
The origins of tax systems: A french-american comparison

This article examines the origins of tax systems. Through a historical comparison of France and the United States, and analysis of several shadow cases, the article explains why the United States has relied more heavily on progressive income taxation than France, which has favored regressive sales taxes. This study traces the origins of these two tax systems to the early 20th century, arguing that decisions about tax structure were shaped by resistance to the concentration of economic power in the United States and the centralization of state power in France. In the United States, the rapid concentration of economic power in the late 19th century spurred a political movement for a tax with clear redistributive purposes. In France, resistance to the centralization of state power and concomitant fears of “fiscal inquisition” weakened the drive for an effective income tax, leaving the state to rely on consumption taxes to meet its revenue needs. These 19th-century movements of resistance to modernization shaped the foundations of contemporary political economy.
Learning Disabled 10th Graders in Mainstreamed Settings: A Descriptive Analysis:

Of the 30,030 sophomores for whom survey data from the national High School and Beyond study were complete, 810 (2.7%) identified themselves as having specific learning disabilities. Various comparisons between these learning disabled (LD) 10th graders and their non-learning-disabled (NLD) peers were made. The LD group was older, had a disproportionately high representation of blacks and Hispanics and an underrepresentation of whites, and reported more secondary handicapping conditions than did the NLD cohort. In all areas of academic achievement tested, the LD pupils showed significant deficits. The LD adolescents also had lower indices of motivation, adjustment, locus of control, independence, self-perception of attractiveness and popularity, and of scholastic orientation of close friends. Furthermore, the LD contingent evidenced more legal and school-related problems. The two groups, however, acknowledged spending equal amounts of time in out-of-school activities. Speculations regarding the findings ar...
Information Fusion Embrittlement Models for U.S. Power Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels

The complex nonlinear dependencies observed in typical reactor pressure vessel (RPV) material embrittlement data, as well as the inherent large uncertainties and scatter in the radiation embrittlement data, make prediction of radiation embrittlement a difficult task. Conventional statistical and deterministic approaches have only resulted in rather large uncertainties, in part because they do not fully exploit domain-specific mechanisms. The domain models built by researchers in the field, on the other hand, do not fully exploit the statistical and information content of the data. As evidenced in previous studies, it is unlikely that a single method, whether statistical, nonlinear, or domain model, will outperform all others. More generally, considering the complexity of the embrittlement prediction problem, it is highly unlikely that a single best method exists and is tractable, even in theory. In this paper, we propose to combine a number of complementary methods including domain models, neural networks, and nearest neighbor regressions (NNRs). Such a combination of methods has become possible because of recent developments in measurement-based optimal fusers in the area of information fusion. The information fusion technique is used to develop radiation embrittlement prediction models for reactor RPV steels from U.S. power reactors, including boiling water reactors andmore » pressurized water reactors. The Charpy transition temperature-shift data is used as the primary index of RPV radiation embrittlement in this study. Six Cu, Ni, P, neutron fluence, irradiation time, and irradiation-parameters are used in the embrittlement prediction models. The results-temperature indicate that this new embrittlement predictor achieved reductions of about 49.5% and 52% in the uncertainties for plate and weld data, respectively, for pressurized water reactor and boiling water reactor data, compared with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 1.99, Rev. 2. The implications of dose-rate effect and irradiation temperature effects for the development of radiation embrittlement models are also discussed.« less
Systemic Disease during Streptococcus pneumoniae Acute Lung Infection Requires 12-Lipoxygenase–Dependent Inflammation

Acute pulmonary infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae is characterized by high bacterial numbers in the lung, a robust alveolar influx of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs), and a risk of systemic spread of the bacterium. We investigated host mediators of S. pneumoniae-induced PMN migration and the role of inflammation in septicemia following pneumococcal lung infection. Hepoxilin A3 (HXA3) is a PMN chemoattractant and a metabolite of the 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) pathway. We observed that S. pneumoniae infection induced the production of 12-LOX in cultured pulmonary epithelium and in the lungs of infected mice. Inhibition of the 12-LOX pathway prevented pathogen-induced PMN transepithelial migration in vitro and dramatically reduced lung inflammation upon high-dose pulmonary challenge with S. pneumoniae in vivo, thus implicating HXA3 in pneumococcus-induced pulmonary inflammation. PMN basolateral-to-apical transmigration in vitro significantly increased apical-to-basolateral transepithelial migration of bacteria. Mice suppressed in the expression of 12-LOX exhibited little or no bacteremia and survived an otherwise lethal pulmonary challenge. Our data suggest that pneumococcal pulmonary inflammation is required for high-level bacteremia and systemic infection, partly by disrupting lung epithelium through 12-LOX-dependent HXA3 production and subsequent PMN transepithelial migration.
Acute changes in carbon dioxide levels alter the electroencephalogram without affecting cognitive function.

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood (PaCO2) is usually tightly regulated, yet it varies among healthy people at rest (range ∼32–44 mmHg) as well as within an individual during many natural life situations. The present study examined whether modest changes in end-tidal PCO2 (PetCO2; a noninvasive measure of PaCO2) affect electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, cognitive function, and vigilance. Nine adults were ventilated mechanically using a mouthpiece; respiratory rate and breath size were held constant while PetCO2 was set to levels that produced minimal discomfort. Despite discrete changes in EEG, neither acute PetCO2 increases (mean = 47 mmHg) nor decreases (mean = 30 mmHg) from resting levels (mean = 38 mmHg) affected performance on cognitive tasks, latency or amplitude of the N1, P2, or P3 event-related potential, or alertness. Modest changes in PetCO2 may cause significant alterations in the EEG without disturbing cognitive function.
The Method of the Hypercircle

The method of the hypercircle, initiated by Prager and Synge in 1947(77) for approximating solution of boundary value problems of mathematical physics, translates the analytical content of a problem into the language of function space, thereafter studying the problem in geometric terms. Although the fundamental relations of the method turn out to follow almost directly from the Cauchy-Schwarz and Bessel inequalities, the remarkable pictorial merits of the method make it a useful instrument for the approximate solution of concrete problems. Our exposition is based on Refs. 40 and 77.
Meeting Students Where They Are: Introducing Service-Learning with Digital Media to Increase Self-Efficacy for Future Community Engagement

This study evaluated the efficacy of using digital media to introduce service-learning to undergraduate and graduate students. Students, faculty, and community engagement staff created two videos that introduced students to either a one-time or a semester-long service-learning assignment. Service-learning courses were matched for degree level, and then half of the classes viewed a video when the service-learning project was assigned. The authors hypothesized that students who viewed digital media would have higher self-efficacy for community engagement and a more positive service-learning experience than students who did not view the digital media. Results from the Community Service Self-Efficacy Scale and responses to questions about the service-learning experiences confirmed our hypotheses. Students who viewed the digital media had higher self-efficacy for engaging in their service-learning experiences initially, and these students also described a more engaged service-learning experience compared to students who did not view the digital media.
‘We’ll be dead by then!’ – Comical Self-Disclosure by Elderly Japanese Women

0. Introduction While the elderly population in developed nations increases, among the general public, elderly people are still often perceived as separate, with lives that are unrelated to those of more socially dominant age groups, and as uniform, without the range of individual variation found in youth. They tend to be seen as the target of health care, as consumers of social security savings, and as reminders of inevitable and fateful decline. In terms of their language, the decreased ability caused by age and illness has attracted more attention than the content and intention of their speech. In sociolinguistics in general, the speaker’s age has been an important factor in analyzing the state and conditions of language use. However, despite some notable works in the last decade or so on language and the elderly in Englishspeaking contexts (e.g. Coupland, Coupland and Giles 1991, Coupland and Nussbaum 1993, Hamilton 1994, Hamilton (ed.) 1999, Williams and Nussbaum 2000) and a few cross-cultural communication study (Giles, Ota and Noels 2002, Ota, Giles and Gallois 2002), the study of discourse and language used by (and to) the elderly is still underdeveloped in comparison to the research achievements on the early years in life. It is conceivable that this inattention is related to the perception that the old age is the terminal point of one’s life after the peak of adulthood, indicating decline from the full competence, linguistically or otherwise. This perception in turn ignores an aspect of old age as the phase that displays the wealth of accumulated personal history and identity of its own. Among studies on elderly speech, many have been conducted in the context of intergenerational discourse, largely that of first-time acquaintances, such as
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Multiple Cardiovascular Fates from Embryonic Stem Cells Predicts Novel Regulators in Human Cardiogenesis

Dissecting the gene expression programs which control the early stage cardiovascular development is essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms of human heart development and heart disease. Here, we performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) of highly purified human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs), hESC-derived Multipotential Cardiovascular Progenitors (MCPs) and MCP-specified three cardiovascular lineages. A novel algorithm, named as Gene Expression Pattern Analyzer (GEPA), was developed to obtain a refined lineage-specificity map of all sequenced genes, which reveals dynamic changes of transcriptional factor networks underlying early human cardiovascular development. Moreover, our GEPA predictions captured ~90% of top-ranked regulatory cardiac genes that were previously predicted based on chromatin signature changes in hESCs, and further defined their cardiovascular lineage-specificities, indicating that our multi-fate comparison analysis could predict novel regulatory genes. Furthermore, GEPA analysis revealed the MCP-specific expressions of genes in ephrin signaling pathway, positive role of which in cardiomyocyte differentiation was further validated experimentally. By using RNA-seq plus GEPA workflow, we also identified stage-specific RNA splicing switch and lineage-enriched long non-coding RNAs during human cardiovascular differentiation. Overall, our study utilized multi-cell-fate transcriptomic comparison analysis to establish a lineage-specific gene expression map for predicting and validating novel regulatory mechanisms underlying early human cardiovascular development.
Trans-cervical tracheal resection and repair of acquired tracheoesophageal fistula secondary to button battery ingestion

Abstract Injuries related to button battery ingestion have become increasingly common in children. Recognition of battery ingestion is often delayed and thus leads to serious esophageal injury. Resultant distal acquired tracheoesophageal fistulas are difficult to safely access and repair. Herein, we report the multidisciplinary repair of a distal tracheoesophageal injury, secondary to battery ingestion, via an innovative trans-cervical surgical approach.
Evaluation of the resolution of a metamaterial acoustic leaky wave antenna

Acoustic antennas have long been utilized to directionally steer acoustic waves in both air and water. Typically, these antennas are comprised of arrays of active acoustic elements, which are electronically phased to steer the acoustic profile in the desired direction. A new technology, known as an acoustic leaky wave antenna (LWA), has recently been shown to achieve directional steering of acoustic waves using a single active transducer coupled to a transmission line passive aperture. The LWA steers acoustic energy by preferential coupling to an input frequency and can be designed to steer from backfire to endfire, including broadside. This paper provides an analysis of resolution as a function of both input frequency and antenna length. Additionally, the resolution is compared to that achieved using an array of active acoustic elements.
Influence of carbonization on structural and mechanical properties of PAN/phenolic-based carbon/carbon composites

Poly-acrylonitrile(PAN)/phenolic-based carbon/carbon(C/C)composites manufactured by the wet layup method are potential materials for the application of high-performance structures.In order to understand the influence of carbonization step on structural and mechanical properties of PAN/phenolic-based carbon/carbon composites,the interlaminar fracture toughness(mode II)is tested.The correlation of formation mechanisms of crack with structural characteristics is important for preparation of C/C-SiC composites.The structural characteristics of the composites are characterized by Archimedes′s method,scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and three-point bend tests.Experimental results show that the interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon/carbon specimens is 59.7% of that of the carbon fiber reinforced phenolic resin-based plastics(CFRP)specimens.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Program on Risk-Informing the Materials and Waste Arenas: Pilot Studies

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has a program to encourage the use of risk information in regulation of nuclear materials and waste. Within this program there is a project to develop methods and guidelines for risk-informed decision-making in a regulatory context. A basic framework for risk-informed decision-making has been proposed, as well as some preliminary logic algorithms and risk guidelines. To test these preliminary algorithms and guidelines, several pilot studies were conducted on specific regulatory decisions of interest. This paper will describe the overall risk-informing framework, as well as the decision algorithm applicable to these pilot studies. Although only refinements are expected in the overall process, the decision algorithms and risk guidelines are still in a developmental stage of which these pilot studies are a test phase. In this paper two of these pilot studies will be described. Insights concerning the usefulness of the decision algorithms and risk guidelines in similar situations are also stated.
Family-Valued and Personally Important Posttraumatic Growth in American and Japanese Adolescents

Posttraumatic growth,the positive psychological changes experienced following stressful events, may serve as a protective factor in adolescents against decreased self-esteem resulting from a stressful experience. Because posttraumatic growth is a value-laden concept, there could be individual and cross-cultural differences in the importance of different contents of posttraumatic growth experiences. This study examined whether personally important posttraumatic growth and family-valued posttraumatic growth affects self- esteem in the same way across American and Japanese adolescents. High school students (age range 15–18 years) from the US (n = 118) and Japan (n = 138) who experienced a stressful event within the past three years completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and reported which items on the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory are personally important and which items they believe their family would want them to experience. Results indicated that personally important posttraumatic growth is significantly related to self-esteem only in American adolescents. However, experiencing posttraumatic growth in ways that adolescents feel their family would want them to experience was a significantly associated with self-esteem across both American and Japanese adolescents. These results indicate that adolescents’ self- esteem is likely to be attained despite stressful events when their posttraumatic growth experiences align with their perceptions of their families’ values. This study demonstrates how adolescents’ perceptions of their families values play an active role in their adjustment post stressful experiences in not just collectivistic cultures like Japan, but in individualistic cultures such as the U.S. clinicians should pay attention to the individual differences in the value of posttraumatic growth when developing intervention programs.
Mechanistic approaches for the prevention and treatment of chronic GVHD

Clinical outcomes for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation continue to improve, but chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a common toxicity and major cause of nonrelapse morbidity and mortality. Treatment of chronic GVHD has previously relied primarily on corticosteroids and other broadly immune suppressive agents. However, conventional immune suppressive agents have limited clinical efficacy in chronic GVHD, and prolonged immune suppressive treatments result in additional toxicities that further limit clinical recovery from transplant and return to normal daily function. Recent advances in our understanding of the immune pathology of chronic GVHD offer the possibility that new therapeutic approaches can be directed in more precise ways to target specific immunologic mechanisms and pathways. In this review, we briefly summarize current standard treatment options and present new therapeutic approaches that are supported by preclinical studies and early-phase clinical trials suggesting that these approaches may have clinical utility for treatment or prevention of chronic GVHD. Further evaluation of these new therapeutic options in well-designed prospective multicenter trials are needed to identify the most effective new agents and improve outcomes for patients with chronic GVHD.
Advanced Neurosurgical Navigation Using a Robotic Microscope Integrated with an Infrared-Based System

Advanced neuronavigational techniques include the use of interactive image guidance during surgical procedures. Imaging data acquisition, software, and a digitizer device are the minimal requirements. We present our experience using a system in which a microscope was coupled to a robotic holder. Limitations encountered were related to the need to maintain the patient’s head in a fixed position and to easy loss of registration in deep areas. These limitations were overcome by integrating an infrared system that allowed movement of the patient’s head during surgery while tracking the accuracy of intraoperative registration. The optoelectronic integration of these two devices gives a “true” navigational system. The technical details of the system, methodology, and preliminary clinical experience are presented.
Clinical differences among Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites with colorectal cancer: A single institution’s experience over 20 years.

e14512 Background: Hispanics (H) are the largest and fastest growing ethnic group in the US. With most of the studies focusing in African Americans and Non-Hispanics whites (NHW), defining the char...
Ultra-Efficient Processing In-Memory for Data Intensive Applications

Recent years have witnessed a rapid growth in the domain of Internet of Things (IoT). This network of billions of devices generates and exchanges huge amount of data. The limited cache capacity and memory bandwidth make transferring and processing such data on traditional CPUs and GPUs highly inefficient, both in terms of energy consumption and delay. However, many IoT applications are statistical at heart and can accept a part of inaccuracy in their computation. This enables the designers to reduce complexity of processing by approximating the results for a desired accuracy. In this paper, we propose an ultra-efficient approximate processing in-memory architecture, called APIM, which exploits the analog characteristics of non-volatile memories to support addition and multiplication inside the crossbar memory, while storing the data. The proposed design eliminates the overhead involved in transferring data to processor by virtually bringing the processor inside memory. APIM dynamically configures the precision of computation for each application in order to tune the level of accuracy during runtime. Our experimental evaluation running six general OpenCL applications shows that the proposed design achieves up to 20× performance improvement and provides 480× improvement in energy-delay product, ensuring acceptable quality of service. In exact mode, it achieves 28× energy savings and 4.8× speed up compared to the state-of-the-art GPU cores.
Foot and Ankle Kinematics During Descent From Varying Step Heights

In the general population, one-third of incidences during step negotiation occur during the transition to level walking. Furthermore, falls during curb negotiation are a common cause of injury in older adults. Distal foot kinematics may be an important factor in determining injury risk associated with transition step negotiation. The purpose of this study was to identify foot and ankle kinematics of uninjured individuals during descent from varying step heights. A 7-segment foot model was used to quantify kinematics as participants walked on a level walkway, stepped down a single step (heights: 5 cm, 15 cm, 25 cm), and continued walking. As step height increased, landing strategy transitioned from the rearfoot to the forefoot, and the rearfoot, lateral and medial midfoot, and medial forefoot became more plantar flexed. During weight acceptance, sagittal plane range of motion of the rearfoot, lateral midfoot, and medial and lateral forefoot increased as step height increased. The changes in landing strateg...
Prevention of Chemotherapy Induced Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a significant complication of various cancer treatments and has been best studied in patients receiving anthracyclines and trastuzumab. This paper evaluates strategies to prevent chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Increasing cumulative anthracycline dose, use of ≥2 cardiotoxic therapies, extremes of age, and pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors, or established cardiovascular disease, heighten the risk of developing chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. Continuous rather than bolus anthracycline infusions, liposomal doxorubicin, or concomitant dexrazoxane reduces chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Treatment with neurohormonal antagonists or statins and exercise training during chemotherapy are promising, but as yet unproven, cardioprotective strategies. Identification of high-risk patients and optimization of their underlying cardiovascular risk factors/disease are essential to prevent cardiotoxicity. In patients requiring high-dose anthracyclines, continuous infusions, liposomal doxorubicin, or dexrazoxane should be considered to mitigate cardiotoxicity. Current data do not support the routine use of neurohormonal antagonists or statins as cardioprotective agents in patients treated with cardiotoxic chemotherapies.
Ghost Resonance in Optical Scattering

We demonstrate the presence of ghost resonance in optical scattering from dielectric particles.