cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a Role of Proline and Hypothalamic Astrocytes in the Regulation of Glucose Metabolism in Rats

The metabolism of lactate to pyruvate in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) regulates hepatic glucose production. Because astrocytes and neurons are functionally linked by metabolic coupling through lactate transfer via the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS), we reasoned that astrocytes might be involved in the hypothalamic regulation of glucose metabolism. To examine this possibility, we used the gluconeogenic amino acid proline, which is metabolized to pyruvate in astrocytes. Our results showed that increasing the availability of proline in rats either centrally (MBH) or systemically acutely lowered blood glucose. Pancreatic clamp studies revealed that this hypoglycemic effect was due to a decrease of hepatic glucose production secondary to an inhibition of glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glucose-6-phosphatase flux. The effect of proline was mimicked by glutamate, an intermediary of proline metabolism. Interestingly, proline’s action was markedly blunted by pharmacological inhibition of hypothalamic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) suggesting that metabolic flux through LDH was required. Furthermore, short hairpin RNA–mediated knockdown of hypothalamic LDH-A, an astrocytic component of the ANLS, also blunted the glucoregulatory action of proline. Thus our studies suggest not only a new role for proline in the regulation of hepatic glucose production but also indicate that hypothalamic astrocytes are involved in the regulatory mechanism as well.
Untangling Cycles for Contour Grouping

We introduce a novel topological formulation for contour grouping. Our grouping criterion, called untangling cycles, exploits the inherent topological 1D structure of salient contours to extract them from the otherwise 2D image clutter. To define a measure for topological classification robust to clutter and broken edges, we use a graph formulation instead of the standard computational topology. The key insight is that a pronounced ID contour should have a clear ordering of edges, to which all graph edges adhere, and no long range entanglements persist. Finding the contour grouping by optimizing these topological criteria is challenging. We introduce a novel concept of circular embedding to encode this combinatorial task. Our solution leads to computing the dominant complex eigenvectors/eigenvalues of the random walk matrix of the contour grouping graph. We demonstrate major improvements over state-of-the-art approaches on challenging real images.
An Assessment of the Validity of Polygraph Examinations for the Psychophysiological Detection of Deception: A Judicicial Opinion and Research Study Review

The polygraph device has been advanced by proponents as a valid (measures what it is supposed to measure, even against counter-measures), accurate (it does what it is supposed to do), and reliable (produces consistent outcomes) diagnostic tool able to measure physiological responses indicative of deception. These physiological responses are said to be a direct result of psychological arousals. (National Research Council [NRC] of the National Academies, The polygraph and lie detection, 2003). A debate concerning the validity of this test instrument has maintained for over 85 years, since the first polygraph device was introduced. This analysis takes into account court cases that address the issue and the available literature and relevant studies that support judicial decision-making. The conclusion arrived at is that this particular testing device has not attained a level of scientific support to warrant unqualified judicial acceptance.
Dynamic Resolution of Large Financial Institutions

One of the more important issues emerging out of the 2008 financial crisis concerns the proper resolution of a systemically important financial institution. In response to this, Title II of Dodd-Frank created the Orderly Liquidation Authority, or OLA, which is designed to create a resolution framework for systemically important financial institutions that is based on the resolution authority that the FDIC has held over commercial bank failures. In this article, we consider the various alternatives for resolving systemically important institutions. Among these alternatives, we discuss OLA, a European-style bail-in process, and coerced mergers, while also extensively focusing on the bankruptcy code. We argue that implementing several discrete modifications to Dodd-Frank, as well adopting an ambitious Chapter 14 proposal written by a working group at the Hoover Institution is the best way forward for establishing a strong resolution framework.
In the dark II: spatial choice when access to extrinsic spatial cues is eliminated

Rats were tested in a specially constructed radial-arm maze that eliminated access to extramaze visual cues and allowed any effects of intramaze cues to be controlled. Despite this, choice accuracy was controlled by the spatial location of previously visited arms. Part of this control was attributed to vestibular or kinesthetic cues. This conclusion was corroborated by the finding that when explicit visual cues were moved from their standard (trained) spatial locations to novel locations, control of spatial choices was completely disrupted. The latter finding indicates that cues intrinsic to the rat (kinesthetic or vestibular information) and cues extrinsic to the rat (visual stimuli) operate in an integrated fashion.
Distributed Assertion Checking Using Symbolic Execution

Annotating functional correctness properties of code using assertions, in principle, enables systematic checking of code against behavioral properties. In practice however, checking assertions can be costly, especially for complex code annotated with rich behavioral properties. This paper introduces a novel approach for distributing the problem of checking assertions for better scalability. Leveraging that assertions should be side effect free, our approach distributes assertion checking into simpler sub-problems---each focusing on checking one single assertion, so that different assertions are checked in parallel among multiple workers. Furthermore, the sub-problem analysis performed by each worker is guided by the checked assertion to avoid irrelevant path exploration and is prioritized based on the distance towards the checked assertion to provide earlier feedback. A case study shows that our approach can provide a reduction in analysis time required for symbolic execution of Java programs compared to non-distributed approach using the Symbolic PathFinder tool.
Know Thyself: A Reflection on Assumptions

The paper is about reflecting on the assumptions we hold. I present a reflection-on-assumption model that proceeds reflexive approach in doing qualitative research based on a reflection on my Maste...
Approaching the ineffable: Synthesizing discursive and nondiscursive approaches in the study of religion

Religion is a fascinating, complex, and relatively neglected topic in the field of psychology. It is a topic that is challenging for psychologists, who have historically tended to be less religious than the world’s population on average, and the wider public to feel neutral about. The resurgence of interest in religion in the field of psychology not coincidently matches the interest of religion and spirituality in wider society, especially in the United States and even in secular Europe. Yet in spite of the need to study religious phenomena because of their relevance to the wider population and its centrality to human experience, the study of religion has been hampered and remains a tricky enterprise for many reasons. Scardigno, Manuti, and Mininni offer a rich cultural psychological approach for examining how the elderly make sense and give voice to their religious experiences and how they articulate and construct their stories of commitment and conversion. Yet cultural psychology must also understand th...
Design of a cosmic-ray muon tomography system for dry storage cask imaging

The overarching goal of this project is to develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask (DSC) with cosmic ray muons. The imaging technique utilizing multiple Coulomb scattering was demonstrated to be a good nondestructive assay method for high-Z materials, such as used nuclear fuel assemblies in DSCs. In this paper, we report our simulation work on the 2D and 3D muon tomography of a DSC. The Point of Closest Approach (POCA) and Maximum-Likelihood Expectation-Maximization (ML-EM) algorithms are used for image reconstruction. The reconstructed image showed good spatial resolution and good material discrimination ability, even though the detector has only 1cm by 1cm spatial resolution. The prototype design uses EJ-200 plastic scintillator as the detector for muon detection. Saint-Gobain BCF-92 wavelength shifting (WLS) optical fiber is used for the light transfer providing multi-channel position information. The optical fibers are coupled to two Hamamatsu H8500C MAPMTs. The PMT signals could then be measured with multi-channel QDCs. SiPM arrays are also being evaluated for readout. This prototype system is currently under construction. Preliminary tests results are shown in this paper. Full experimental results will be presented and discussed in the future.
A Reply to General Questions about Jerman's Study

O'Brien, T. and Shapiro, B. Problem solving and the development of a cognitive structure. Arithmetic Teacher, 1969, 16, 11-15. Olton, R. A self-instructional program for developing productive thinking skills in fifthand sixth-grade children. Journal of Creative Behavior, 1969, 3, 16-25. Robinson, M. An investigation of problem solving behavior and cognitive and affective characteristics of good and poor problem solvers in sixth grade mathematics. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1972.
Integrated Hamiltonian Sampling: A Simple and Versatile Method for Free Energy Simulations and Conformational Sampling

Motivated by specific applications and the recent work of Gao and co-workers on integrated tempering sampling (ITS), we have developed a novel sampling approach referred to as integrated Hamiltonian sampling (IHS). IHS is straightforward to implement and complementary to existing methods for free energy simulation and enhanced configurational sampling. The method carries out sampling using an effective Hamiltonian constructed by integrating the Boltzmann distributions of a series of Hamiltonians. By judiciously selecting the weights of the different Hamiltonians, one achieves rapid transitions among the energy landscapes that underlie different Hamiltonians and therefore an efficient sampling of important regions of the conformational space. Along this line, IHS shares similar motivations as the enveloping distribution sampling (EDS) approach of van Gunsteren and co-workers, although the ways that distributions of different Hamiltonians are integrated are rather different in IHS and EDS. Specifically, we ...
The electron and proton, signals for biology. A prospectus for medicine based on energy flow across a balanced system or transducer, the cell; prediction of a crucial photocatalytic chain.

Two principal themes are cited as bases for a systems analysis of biology: (1) The biologic organism is an energy transducer; (2) it can receive a signal input and transmit a signal output. The cell, being the central biologic unit, is an appropriate focal point for a biologic analysis. Study of a striated muscle-cell model provided considerable insight into the locus and mode of action of many hormones, vitamins, trace metals, and peroxidase-catalase units. It has been possible to interpret essential avenues for energy release and utilization. A direct outgrowth has been visualization of a proton pathway perhaps as important as the electron transport system. Several predictive aspects have arisen concerning the nature and operation of the “relaxing factor” of muscular activity.
Abstract 259: The Effects of Depression on BRIDGE Patients

Background: Depression creates additional barriers to receiving transitional care. Bridging the Discharge Gap Effectively (BRIDGE) is a nurse practitioner-delivered cardiac transitional care program. We sought to determine if, 1) there was a difference in readmission rates of BRIDGE patients with depression (PWD) and those without depression (PWOD), and 2) if BRIDGE attendance lowered 30-day readmission rates in PWD. Methods: Retrospective data was abstracted for all patients referred to BRIDGE (June ’08 - Dec ’14). Readmission rates of PWD and PWOD were compared in both BRIDGE attenders and non-attenders. Results: Of 2446 patients, 577 (23.6%) had a history of depression. PWD were significantly younger (62.82 ± 14.04 v 66.17 ± 14.88, p<0.001), more likely to be female (55.6% v 39.1%, p<0.001), and less likely to attend their BRIDGE appointment (67.1% v 72.1%, p=0.010) than PWOD. Among BRIDGE attendees, PWD had significantly higher 60, 90, and 180 day readmission rates than PWOD (Table 1). Although 30 day readmissions were lower in PWD who attended BRIDGE, compared to PWD who did not attend BRIDGE, these results were not significant (10.5% v 12.6%, p=0.505), and this trend was not seen in 60, 90, and 180 day readmission rates. Conclusions: PWD are less likely to attend BRIDGE appointments and more likely to be readmitted. These results suggest that special attention needs to be given to PWD upon hospital discharge to ensure that proper transitional care is received and readmissions are avoided. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Cloning and prokaryotic expression of nucleoprotein of influenza A virus subtype H7N9

Objective To construct the prokaryotic expression vector of nucleoprotein(NP)of influenza A virus subtype H7N9and express the recombinant protein in E.Coli.Methods NP gene was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into PET28a(+)vector to construct PET28a(+)-NP plasmid,which was validated by PCR,double digestion and sequencing analysis and subjected to transformation into E.Coli BL21(DE3).The expression of recombinant NP was induced by IPTG,and confirmed by Western Blot.Results The prokaryotic expression plasmid PET28a(+)-NP was successfully constructed.A 56kD NP recombinant protein was expressed in E.Coli.Conclusion NP recombinant protein of influenza A virus subtype H7N9was expressed successfully with high efficiency in prokaryotic system,which should lay a foundation for research and development of novel diagnostic kit and monoclonal antibody of AIV.
Inhibition of High Affinity Synaptosomal Uptake Systems by Verapamil

Verapamil and its analogue D-600 have been found to inhibit the uptake of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and choline into rat forebrain synaptosomes. The concentrations of verapamil required for 50% inhibition of the four uptake systems were 2.3 µM, 18 µM, 32 µM and 150 µM, respectively. The inhibitory effect of verapamil on serotonin uptake was studied in detail and found to have a very rapid (less than 1 min) time of onset and an almost equally rapid rate of reversal. Inhibition appeared to be non-competitive with respect to substrate concentration. The inhibitory effects of verapamil did not seem to be due to its ability to block Ca++ movements since serotonin uptake was not dependent on Ca++ but actually inhibited by elevated Ca++, and the inhibition of uptake by verapamil could not be reversed by elevation of Ca++. However, due to an increased potency of verapamil at lowered Na+ concentrations, the Na+-dependency of the uptake processes, and verapamil’s known effects on "slow" Na+ currents, we propose that verapamil may be interfering with a Na+-dependent component of the uptake systems.
Multiple splenic aspergillomas in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A case of multiple splenic aspergillomas (mycetomas) without systemic involvement is a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia is described. The patient underwent splenectomy without concomitant antifungal therapy. There has been no recurrence of the disease for over two years. Granulocytopenia and airborn contamination may have played a role in the acquisition of this disease. The value of serology, radionuclide scans and cultures in the diagnosis of Aspergillus infections is explored. The role of granulocyte transfusions, antifungal chemotherapy and the achievement of bone marrow remission in localization of the fungal disease is discussed.
Detection and tracking of dim objects in infrared (IR) images using Support Vector Machine

Detecting and tracking dim small targets in infrared images and videos are very important in the field of image processing, such as video surveillance and infrared imaging precise guidance. Recently, Support Vector Machine (SVM) based algorithms have been proposed to detect and track the infrared dim small targets. In general, SVM are based on the concept of decision planes that define boundaries between two object categories. A decision plane is one that separates between a set of objects having different class memberships. This paper presents a novel method of detection and tracking of dim objects in infrared (IR) images using SVM. The method starts with a Retinex filtering to remove the noise and improve the image quality. In the second step, the object in infrared image is detected through the support vector machine classifier from the background. Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), mean, entropy, and variance are four important features used by SVM classifier to separate the objects from the background. Experimental results of infrared images with different types of backgrounds show the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method in detecting and tracking the dim small targets.
Average age at last live birth in ‘lucky few’ and ‘late baby boom’ birth cohorts in the United States

ABSTRACTThe quantum, tempo, and characteristics of population fertility can change rapidly between birth cohorts. Understanding secular trends in fertility behavior can help inform research concerned with family and health policy. The current investigation is novel in that it uses 'intersectional markers of social stratification' with a large sample of women to examine if the average age at last live birth shifted between two birth cohorts. The analysis uses 41,884 observations from the 1990 Decennial 1% Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) file to capture the fertility behavior of lucky few (LF) women (born 1936–1945) and 72,489 observations from the 2010 American Community Survey PUMS file to capture the fertility behavior of late-baby boom (LBB) women (born 1956–1965). The investigation provides empirical evidence that the average age at last live birth decreased in LBB women compared to LF women.
Measuring NMHC and NMOG emissions from motor vehicles via FTIR spectroscopy

Abstract The determination of non-methane organic gases (NMOG) emissions according to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations is currently a multi-step process requiring separate measurement of various emissions components by a number of independent on-line and off-line techniques. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) method described in this paper records all required components using a single instrument. It gives data consistent with the regulatory method, greatly simplifies the process, and provides second by second time resolution. Non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) are measured by identifying a group of hydrocarbons, including oxygenated species, that serve as a surrogate for this class, the members of which are dynamically included if they are present in the exhaust above predetermined threshold levels. This yields an FTIR equivalent measure of NMHC that correlates within 5% to the regulatory flame ionization detection (FID) method. NMOG is then determined per regulatory calculation solely from FTIR recorded emissions of NMHC, ethanol, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde, yielding emission rates that also correlate within 5% with the reference method. Examples are presented to show how the resulting time resolved data benefit aftertreatment development for light duty vehicles.
Below-Knee Amputation Failure and Poor Functional Outcomes Are Higher Than Predicted in Contemporary Practice.

Objective:The perceived functional benefit of below-knee amputation (BKA) must be carefully weighed against the need for potential reinterventions. This study sought to examine the contemporary cli...
A binary counting of rational numbers

A one-to-one correspondence between positive binary numbers and positive rational numbers is defined and studied. Efficient algorithms to compute the rational number for a given binary ordinal number and to compute the binary ordinal number for a given rational number are presented and analyzed. This one-to-one correspondence and the related algorithms provide a link between the well-known problem of counting rational numbers and a key topic in computer science: binary numbers. The binary ordinal number of a rational and that of its reciprocal are shown to be related in a simple manner.
Radical Love in Teacher Education Praxis: Imagining the Real through Listening to Diverse Student Voices

Through Freire’s notion of praxis (1985, p.119) which gives centrality to critical self reflection in teaching toward social justice, in this paper I reflect on recently collected narratives gleaned from working with pre-service teachers. These stories reveal the unexpected rewards of seeking to create a prevailing culture of listening and respect for students’ unique perspectives. They also illustrate the challenges involved, in maintaining my own inward consciousness of self and place while cultivating this kind of milieu in the classroom. Within this dynamic tension in which both teacher and students learn from each other, there are tremendous possibilities to accept, affirm and confirm emerging teacher identities with the kind of sensibilities that are critically awakened to injustice and empowered as “beings of praxis” (Freire, 1985, p.112) in their own write.
Effects of Delay Duration on the WMS Logical Memory Performance of Older Adults with Probable Alzheimer's Disease, Probable Vascular Dementia, and Normal Cognition.

Objective To examine how the duration of time delay between Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) Logical Memory I and Logical Memory II (LM) affected participants' recall performance. Method There are 46,146 total Logical Memory administrations to participants diagnosed with either Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), or normal cognition in the National Alzheimer's Disease Coordinating Center's Uniform Data Set. Results Only 50% of the sample was administered the standard 20-35 min of delay as specified by WMS-R and WMS-III. We found a significant effect of delay time duration on proportion of information retained for the VaD group compared to its control group, which remained after adding LMI raw score as a covariate. There was poorer retention of information with longer delay for this group. This association was not as strong for the AD and cognitively normal groups. A 24.5-min delay was most optimal for differentiating AD from VaD participants (47.7% classification accuracy), an 18.5-min delay was most optimal for differentiating AD versus normal participants (51.7% classification accuracy), and a 22.5-min delay was most optimal for differentiating VaD versus normal participants (52.9% classification accuracy). Conclusions Considering diagnostic implications, our findings suggest that test administration should incorporate precise tracking of delay periods. We recommend a 20-min delay with 18-25-min range. Poor classification accuracy based on LM data alone is a reminder that story memory performance is only one piece of data that contributes to complex clinical decisions. However, strict adherence to the recommended range yields optimal data for diagnostic decisions.
A cochlea-based C-band RF channelizer

We present the design and development of a cochlea-based RF Channelizer which operates in the C-band (4–8 GHz). The channelizer is implemented using a transmission line approach and covers frequencies from 3–8 GHz in 5 distinct channels each with 3dB bandwidths of no less than 0.74 GHz. This design is useful for wideband radios which require a channelizer to provide receiver protection from high power interferers while maintaining high channel selectivity.
Big data analysis of the electric power PMU data from smart grid

This research work focuses on data analytics to effectively interpret phasor measurement unit (PMU) data from smart grid. One difficulty in conveying data analytics capabilities is to describe things in terms of decision making and visual representation of the grid status for taking action. In this work, the smart grid data from several PMUs are used in the R programming environment for the integration, processing and analysis of the millions of PMU recordings in order to give an overall representation of the grid status quickly.
Restrictions of the derivatives of positive real functions

Abstract Dissipative operators appear in abundance in the study of dynamical systems. In the classical circuit theory they are presented as Positive Real Functions. The coefficients of the Taylor expansion of PRF (driving-point impedance or admittance) must satisfy certain derived inequalities. A method is suggested for obtaining restrictions of the derivative of Positive Real Functions (Dissipative Operators).
Spatiotemporal Scaling of Vegetation Growth and Soil Formation: Explicit Predictions

In a previous study, vegetation linear extent and soil depth as functions of time were proposed to follow percolation-based scaling laws of power-law form. Although the power-law exponents are specified by theory, the fundamental length, x 0 , and time, t 0 , scales must be generated from physical arguments. In principle, these length and time scales can vary widely with climate, soil, and plant variables. In the previous study, approximate values, microns and seconds, were proposed for x 0 and t 0 , based on typical soil flow rates, x 0 / t 0 , under saturated conditions, and the concept of a single pore having a diameter measured in microns. But the focus here is on development of predictive relationships for soil depth and vegetation linear extent as functions of time and, thus, on guidance for choosing specific values for x 0 and t 0 . In the present study, it is argued that the relevant flow rate for soil formation is net (deep) infiltration, whereas for vegetation extent, the relevant flux must equate to transpiration. In vegetation, linear extent refers (approximately) equivalently to plant height, or root radial extent. Here root radial extent is taken as half the diameter of the projected root system. Since the root radial extent and the root biomass are by definition related through the root fractal dimensionality, the proposed relevance of transpiration to root radial extent implies a specific relationship between transpiration and root productivity, a measure of the root biomass added in a year. When above-ground and below-ground biomass are closely related, one can infer a proportionality of net primary productivity to root biomass changes. The general concepts are tested on large data-bases for the temporal evolution of plant heights and soil depths, as well as the productivity as a function of evapotranspiration and soil calcic and gypsic horizon depths.
From Whence Our Sports

(1940). From Whence Our Sports? The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 11, No. 10, pp. 590-639.
Genetics | International Flow of Genes

The advent of artificial insemination and frozen semen and embryos for dairy cattle opened the door to capitalize on the results of improved genetic evaluations for important traits. One without the other would have had little impact on genetic improvement. Field trials decades ago gave an indication of relative genetic levels in various countries at the time. Favorable performance of US bulls promoted the use of US genetics at an increased rate in other countries. Those trials provided general guidance on the relative merits of countries but were of no practical value in comparing individual bulls from different countries. Formation of the International Bull Evaluation Service Centre in 1991 led to routine genetic evaluations in 1994 that combined data from many nations and returned evaluations on the scale of each country. Informed bull selection decisions are now possible from a larger pool of candidates. Genetic differences among populations have diminished because there is near equity in access to the same bulls. With the improvement of genetic levels across countries has come the similarity of pedigrees and the increased need to address problems of inbreeding.
Teacher as change agent: attitude change toward varieties of English through teaching English as an international language

Despite the accumulated body of research on both second-language learners’ attitudes toward varieties of English and teaching English as an international language (TEIL), little research considers ...
Abstract P3-05-18: The complex landscape of breast cancer immune evasion and its implications to personalized and combined immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy activates the patient9s immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells. The efficacy of immunotherapy in human breast cancer (BRCA) is hindered by the poor understanding of the immune system9s anti-tumor response and tumor evasive mechanisms, and the lack of optimized treatment regimens for each BRCA patient. There are 6 known evasion mechanisms (M) by which tumors can escape immune surveillance. M1: immunosuppression via interleukin 10 (IL-10) and tumor growth factor beta (TGF-β); M2: induction of tolerance by cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligands (PD-L1/PD-L2), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ); M3: apoptosis resistance via the expression of anti-apoptotic molecules, namely baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 3 (BIRC3), TNF receptor associated factor 1 (TRAF1), and TNF alpha induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3); M4: counterattack via decoy death receptors; M5: impaired antigen presentation by decreasing beta 2 microglobulin (B2M) and human leukocyte antigens A and B expression (HLA-A and HLA-B); and M6: ignorance caused by the absence of a danger signal or an antigen. Yet, which mechanisms or combination of mechanisms BRCA tumors utilize is unknown. Moreover, the currently used biomarkers for the choice of immunotherapy are not ideal, as for example, not all PD-L1+ patients respond to anti-PD-L1 treatment, and certain PD-L1- patients respond. Thus, there is a need for more precise biomarkers. Using the sequential biclustering method on the RNA-sequenced data of BRCA from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), eighty-one percent of BRCA patients were grouped into 7 different clusters (CL) of immune evasion subtypes. We found that the majority of breast cancer tumors utilize multiple immune evasion mechanisms. Tumors may use from 1 up to 4 combinatorial mechanisms simultaneously. We also identified classifier genes that would help sort patients based on their evasion mechanisms, and guide the choice of immunotherapy. This is especially important since the immune evasion molecules may not be the ideal biomarkers for the best choice of immunotherapy. Moreover, we showed that triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients were significantly associated with CL2 (M5). Citation Format: Bou-Dargham MJ, Liu Y, Sang Q-XA, Zhang J. The complex landscape of breast cancer immune evasion and its implications to personalized and combined immunotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-05-18.
Toward a Theory of Ecologically Unequal Exchange

This chapter is a condensed reprint of the key theoretical arguments in Stephen G. Bunker’s (1985) Underdeveloping the Amazon: Extraction, Unequal Exchange, and the Failure of the Modern State. This work is an oft-cited classic in the field of ecologically unequal exchange (EUE). In it, Bunker argues that the socioecological consequences of extractive economies differ from those of productive economies. Analysis of underdevelopment in extractive export economies requires an analysis of the cumulative effects of the sequence of local modes of extraction organized in response to world-system demands. A model of EUE is presented that is a synthesis of various theories of development and underdevelopment. This model is presented through a case study of the sequence of extractive export economies in the Amazon Basin from colonial conquest to the modern era.
Fashion, Tradition, and Democracy

Fashion is said to corrode tradition, if only because it does not take the past seriously. Mark Taylor contends that until fashion appeared in the mid-fourteenth century preservation was more important than invention and innovation. Taylor also connects fashion to advertising and advertising to the disruption of tradition. Fashion involves useless, wasteful change; it is about the making and selling of unnecessary versions of an essential product. The task of advertising is to engender desire through a constant display of the new . . . . Inasmuch as the new is the fashionable, the advertising industry always promotes fashion even when it seems to be selling something else (195). In this paper, I will look at several theorists, American and French, since the nineteenth century to see how they address the tension among fashion, tradition, and democracy. The key theorists I treat in this paper are Sheldon Wolin, Gilles Lipovetsky, Gabriel de Tarde, Edith Wharton, and Thorstein Veblen. I will argue that fashion can undermine anti-democratic traditions.
The Raw Materials of Reform: Rethinking the Knowledge of School Improvement

Despite widespread conviction that adequateknowledge exists for improving schools, weargue that the knowledge needed for successfulschool reform goes far beyond what is currentlyavailable and accessible. Drawing on theexample of ATLAS, a collaboration among fourexperienced reform organizations in the UnitedStates – the Coalition of Essential Schools,the School Development Program, EducationDevelopment Center, and Harvard Project Zero –we argue that four significant ``problems ofknowledge'' made it difficult to collect,integrate, and use what the members of theseorganizations had learned about schoolimprovement. First, the ATLAS partners quicklyfound that, while they had substantialknowledge and resources in many areas ofschooling, there were many other aspects ofschooling, school change, and organizationaldevelopment where further knowledge wasrequired. Second, even in areas where thepartner organizations had considerableexperience, they often found that it was hardto articulate and share that knowledge in atimely and efficient way. Third, in someinstances, the lessons that members of thepartner organizations took away from theirprevious experiences were either inconsistentwith one another or downright contradictory.Fourth, the difficulties of creating andmaintaining a new collaborative organizationmay have discouraged the development andsharing of knowledge across the partnerorganizations.
Determination of Radiative Thermal Conductivity in Needlepunched Nonwovens

Radiation heat transfer is found to be the dominant mode of heat transfer at temperatures higher than 400-500K [11]. Convection heat transfer being negligible in nonwovens, effective thermal conductivity is given by the sum of its conduction and radiation components. In this research two methods were identified to determine radiative thermal conductivity of needlepunched samples made from Nomex fibers. The first method involved the determination of radiative thermal conductivity using effective (total) thermal conductivity determined using a Guarded Hot Plate (GHP) instrument. In the second method radiative thermal conductivity was estimated using the extinction coefficient of samples. The extinction coefficient was determined by using direct transmission measurements made using a Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectrometer. Results confirmed that radiation was the dominant mode of heat transfer at temperatures higher than 535 K. The conduction component of effective thermal conductivity did not change much in the range of densities tested. Empirical models for predicting the temperature difference across thickness of the fabric and the radiative thermal conductivity with R-square values of 0.94 and 0.88 respectively showed that fabric density, fabric thickness, fiber fineness, fiber length, mean pore size and applied temperature were found to have significant effect on the effective thermal conductivity and its radiation component. Though a high correlation between the results of Method 1 (Guarded Hot Plate) and Method 2 (FTIR) was not seen, the absorbance measurements made using the FTIR spectrometer were found to have significant effect on the radiative thermal conductivity.
Quantification of Weathered Limestone Surfaces Using Fractal Methods

Weathering of rock produces rough surfaces. Profiles from twenty-two weathered limestone specimens were obtained using a high-resolution laser profilometer. Profiles were quantified using five different fractal methods: Modified Divider, Box Counting, Spectral, Semi-Variance, and Roughness Length. The fractal methods provided both fractal dimension and fractal intercept for each of the profiles. The five methods yielded different ranges of fractal dimensions and fractal intercepts. Results of fractal quantification, with the exception of Roughness Length dimension, compared favorably with visual roughness classifications. Since weathering typically affects higher order asperities, the fractal dimension is the most appropriate fractal parameter to assess roughness from weathering. Of the five fractal methods, it was determined that the Spectral or Semi-Variance methods were best to assess weathering roughness. These methods consistently provided fractal dimensions between 1 and 2, compared favorably with visual classification of smooth and rough specimens, and provided a wide range of fractal dimension values.
Prevalence and Correlates of Disability Among a Sample of Victimized Women on Probation and Parole.

The purpose of this exploratory study was to establish the prevalence of disability as measured by self-reported Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) receipt among a sample of women on proba...
Abstract WP432: Non-invasive Respiratory Impedance Enhances Cerebral Perfusion

Background: Optimization of cerebral blood flow is the cornerstone of clinical management in a number of neurologic diseases, most notably ischemic stroke. Intra-thoracic pressure influences cardia...
Trends in environmental CSR at the Oslo Seafood Index: A market value approach

This study address whether different sustainability initiatives by the companies listed at the Oslo Seafood Index impact company value. With signaling theory as framework, it is argued that sustain...
Knowledge gains in a professional development workshop on diversity, equity, inclusion, and implicit bias in academia

As literature indicates, historic racism and implicit bias throughout academia have been profound metrics leading to a lack of diversity, as related to people from underrepresented groups according...
A Mixed-Methods Quasi-Experimental Study on Perspectives Among Physicians and Nurses Regarding Use of Palliative Care Teams in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

Background:Nationally, only one-third of children survive to hospital discharge after initial presentation with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Of those children who survive, less than 25% l...
Executive Function and BMI Trajectories Among Rural, Poor Youth at High Risk for Obesity.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify longitudinal trajectories of conjoint development of executive function (EF) and obesity among a diverse sample of poor, rural youth and to evaluate individual differences in infant growth, parental BMI, and cumulative risk. METHODS Participants included 948 youth from the Family Life Project. Child anthropometrics were measured at 2 and 6 months and at 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 12 years. EF tasks were administered at 3, 4, and 5 years. Mothers reported youth birth weight, parental height and weight, and cumulative risk indicators. RESULTS Multidimensional growth mixture modeling identified three classes: "High EF - High Obesity Resilience"; "Low EF - Delayed-Onset Severe Obesity"; and "Low EF - Early-Onset Severe Obesity." Youth in the low-EF, early-onset class displayed higher birth weight and BMI at 6 months, whereas the low-EF, delayed-onset class had rapid weight gain during infancy, parents with class II obesity, and greater cumulative risk and was more likely to be Black and female. CONCLUSIONS Despite increased obesity risk among this sample, the majority of youth exhibited higher EF and some degree of obesity resilience. Youth with EF deficits displayed the greatest risk for severe obesity but had differing BMI trajectories and obesity risk profiles, which has implications for obesity intervention.
Phantom Penis: Extrapolating Neuroscience and Employing Imagination for Trans Male Sexual Embodiment

This article investigates transgender men’s phantom penis experience with respect to several contexts: historical reportage and medical explanations of phantom limbs and phantom penises following a...
From Neuron Coverage to Steering Angle: Testing Autonomous Vehicles Effectively

A deep neural network (DNN)-based system is a black box of complex interactions, resulting in a classification or prediction. We investigate the use of realistic transformations to create new images for testing a trained autonomous vehicle DNN as well as their impact on neuron coverage.
Sources, Impacts, and Management of Natural Resource Conflicts

This chapter provides a synopsis of the causes and impacts of nonviolent resource conflicts. The chapter argues that disagreements over the allocation of natural resources are characteristic features of all societies. A conflict describes a situation where interdependent parties’ express differences in the fulfillment of their needs and interests and therefore experience interference from each other in accomplishing their goals. The chapter explains that resource conflicts might be driven by a sense of grievance resulting from unequal access, inequality, and the unfair allocation of resources. The perceived injustices may lie dormant until stirred by concerns for security of tenure resulting from development pressures created by rapid urbanization, land degradation, and climate change that lead to increased competition for the resources. Disputes that result from the disagreements destroy relations and can threaten society but conflict can also improve group efficiency and productivity and restore equity in resource allocation. It can stimulate creativity, challenge old ideas, and inspire changes and adaptation that are necessary for survival of the community. The chapter explains how lack of institutions, legal pluralism, and the relicts from colonial maps contribute to resource conflicts in the communities. The chapter concludes on the note that resource conflicts cannot be eliminated from human affairs, so a peaceful community life depends on the management, not the elimination of conflict.
Patrick Romanell, William Osler, and philosophy in medicine

In 1974, Patrick Romanell (1912–2002) published a paper in the Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine taking William Osler (1849–1919) to task for dismissing philosophy as a distinguishing fe...
- Fus3: Fus3 protein kinase (S. cerevisiae)

Fus3 is an Erk1/2 (MAP kinase) homologue that acts in a receptor/G protein-coupled signal transduction cascade to promote mating in response to growth factors. Fus3 promotes mating through at least two functions, one that activates a transcription factor of mating-specific genes, and one that promotes G1 arrest by inhibition of G1 cyclins. Fus3 is functionally redundant with a second MAP kinase homologue, Kss1, for a step in the signal transduction cascade that activates transcription, but appears to inhibit the G1 cyclins through a unique function. Fus3 has multiple in vivo substrates including components of the signaling cascade and the negative growth regulator Far1. Fus3 exists in active phosphorylated and inactive dephosphorylated forms. The active form is phosphorylated on T180 and Y182 by Ste7, which is structurally related to MAP “kinase kinase”. Fus3 appears to autophosphorylate on Y182. Just N-terminal to T180 is a unique insert of 18 residues (unshaded box). The catalytic domain is ≈50% identical to Erk1/2 and 30% identical to SpCdc2. Transcription of Fus3 is haploid-specific and increased severalfold by pheromone induction. The level of Fus3 protein parallels mRNA. The protein is largely cytosolic and soluble.
The Theory of Ship Motions

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights that the oceangoing ships are designed to operate in a wave environment that is frequently uncomfortable and sometimes hostile. Unsteady motions and structural loading of the ship hull are two of the principal engineering problems that result. Ships generally move with a mean forward velocity and their oscillatory motions in waves are superposed upon a steady flow field. The solution of the steady-state problem is itself of interest, particularly with regard to the calculation of wave resistance in calm water. The problem of ship motions in waves can be regarded as a superposition of these two special cases, but interactions between the steady and oscillatory flow fields complicate the more general problem. The chapter also discusses the dynamics of ship motions that are governed by the equations of motion that balance the external forces and moments acting upon the ship, with the internal force and moment because of gravity and inertia. Assuming the ship to be in stable equilibrium in calm water, its weight is balanced by the force of hydrostatic pressure. Similarly, the steady drag and propulsive force are balanced. These steady forces may be neglected and attention is focused on the unsteady perturbations.
Neurotrophic Factors in Etiology and Treatment of Mood Disorders

Basic and clinical research has demonstrated a role for neurotrophic factors in the pathophysiology and treatment of mood disorders, contributing to a neurotrophic hypothesis of depression. Animal studies report that stress decreases the expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as other trophic factors, in limbic brain structures, which could contribute to the atrophy and cell loss caused by stress and depression. In contrast, antidepressant treatment increases the expression of BDNF and increases the birth of newborn neurons in the adult hippocampus, effects that could block or even reverse the effects of stress. BDNF also produces antidepressant effects in behavioral models, further demonstrating the functional significance of this neurotrophic factor. The relevance of the basic research studies is supported by clinical studies demonstrating that levels of BDNF in brain and plasma of depressed patients is decreased relative to controls and that this effect is reversed by antidepressant treatments. Genetic studies are underway to identify polymorphisms of the BDNF gene that could directly contribute to depressive symptoms or increase vulnerability upon exposure to stress or other environmental factors. These findings further elucidate the cellular alterations underlying mood disorders and could lead to novel therapeutic interventions. Keywords: depression; neurogenesis; antidepressant; stress; trophic factors; behavior