cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of macroporous poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate)‐based biomaterials: Water sorption property and in vitro blood compatibility

A semi-interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) comprising gelatin and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-acrylamide) was prepared and characterized by FTIR, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. The water sorption potential of the prepared semi-IPNs was investigated for varying chemical architecture of the IPN, and experimental conditions such as pH, temperature and ionic strength of the swelling media. The semi-IPNs were also judged for in vitro blood compatibility by performing blood clot, percent hemolysis, protein adsorption and platelet adhesion tests. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 1559–1571, 2007
Growth of NLO Chalcopyrite Materials by Omvpe

This paper describes the application of organometallic vapor phase epitaxy to the growth of II-1V-V2 chalcopyrite materials that have high figures of merit for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications. ZnGeAs2, although not a particularly interesting NLO material, is used as a model for the growth of ZnGeP2, which is. Both compounds, as well as others, have been successfully grown by vapor phase on III-V substrates that provide a close lattice match. Doping studies using Group II and VI elements have been undertaken to control the p-type conductivity found in both compounds. Except for the possible case of indium, the results of these experiments are less than encouraging. Minority-carrier lifetimes of 150 ns have been measured in ZnGeAs2. The results of this work are used to make projections about the growth of CdGeAs2. CdGeAs2 is promising for the next generation of NLO mid-infrared materials if an absorption band that occurs at about 5 μm can be reduced. The growth projections suggest that this compound will be difficult to grow epitaxially and has no III-V substrate that provides a close lattice match. Mixing CdGeAs2 with other II-IV-V2 materials may offer solutions to the substrate problem. The defect properties of CdGeAs2 have not, to our knowledge, been studied.
The Letter S.

Abstract : This expository paper explains how the problem of drawing the letter S leads to interesting problems in elementary calculus and analytic geometry. It also gives a brief introduction to the author's METAFONT language for alphabet design. (Author)
Pheromone blends of green stink bugs and possible parasitoid selection.

It is confirmed from a literature review and new research that different pheromone strains exist in Nezara viridula from different geographical regions and that males from the sister genus Acrosternum emit bouquets of distinctive ratios of the same sesquiterpenes as in N. viridula. Many tachinid parasitoids use heteropteran pheromones as kairomones, and it is suggested that the chemical similarity of pheromones of N. viridula and Acrosternum has facilitated the adoption of N. viridula as a host by tachinids in the New World.
Immunophilin-ligands FK506 and CsA inhibit HIF1α expression by a VHL- and ubiquitin-independent mechanism

Hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF1α) plays a key role in the regulation of genes controlling oxygen supply, glucose metabolism and angiogenesis. Its expression in tumors appears to confer an adaptive advantage to their hypoxic microenvironment. We have evaluated the effect of the immunophilin ligands FK506 and cyclosporin A on HIF1α levels in different tumor cell lines. Our results indicate that both drugs are potent suppressors of HIF1α expression by accelerating the proteasomal degradation of the protein. Unexpectedly, the suppressive effect of these compounds was found to be independent of the presence of von Hippel Lindau factor and the degree of hydroxylation of the HIF1α protein. Moreover, HIF1α degradation induced by these compounds did not required ubiquitination, as it was also induced in E1 ligase-incompetent cells.
High‐Temperature Strength and Creep Behavior of Melt‐Infiltrated SiC‐Mo≤5Si3C≤1 Composites

Molybdenum carbosilicide composites (SiC-Mo ≤5 Si 3 C ≤1 ) were fabricated via the melt-infiltration process. The fracture behavior of the composites was studied from room temperature up to 1800°C in 1 atm (∼10 5 Pa) of argon. The bend strength of the composites slightly increased at ∼1200°C, because of the brittle-ductile transition of the intermetallic phase. The composites retained ∼90% of their room-temperature strength, even at 1700°C. Compressive creep tests were performed over a temperature range of 1760°-1850°C and a stress range of 200-250 MPa. The creep rate of the SiC-Mo ≤5 Si 3 C ≤1 composites was approximately an order of magnitude higher than that of reaction-bonded SiC.
Centrosome amplification and aneuploidy in bone marrow failure patients.

Patients with bone marrow failure are at risk for development of hematopoietic progenitor clones with abnormal numbers of chromosomes (aneuploidy) and leukemia. Numerical centrosome abnormalities or mutations in genes associated with the mitotic spindle checkpoint (BUB1 and MAD2) are two important mechanisms that can induce abnormal mitosis resulting in aneuploid daughter cells. To assess the role of these mechanisms, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques to determine aneuploidy and centrosome copy number and PCR-SSCP to identify gene mutations of BUB1 and MAD2 in marrow cells of 25 patients. No mutations were found in BUB1 or MAD2 genes. However, we found that cells with more than two centrosomes exhibited aneuploidy for three or more chromosomes. We conclude that centrosome amplification may be associated with the development of a clonal population of potentially preleukemic aneuploid cells. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
New detector for spread-spectrum based image watermarking using underdetermined ICA

This paper presents a novel scheme for detection of watermarks embedded in multimedia signals using spread spectrum (SS) techniques. The detection method is centered on using the model that the embedded watermark and the host signal are mutually independent. The proposed detector assumes that the host signal and the watermark obey non-Gaussian distributions. The proposed blind watermark detector employs underdetermined blind source separation (BSS) based on independent component analysis (ICA) for watermark estimation from the watermarked image. The mean-field theory based undetermined BSS scheme is used for watermark estimation. Analytical results are presented showing that the proposed detector performs significantly better than the existing correlation based blind detectors traditionally used for SS-based image watermarking.
Routine isotopic analysis of iron by HR-MC-ICPMS: How precise and how accurate?

Abstract High-temperature isotopic variations documented in natural materials span a narrow range and call for precise and accurate isotopic analyses. Precisions better than ~ 0.03‰ (95% confidence interval) for δ 56 Fe have been obtained by High-Resolution Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HR-MC-ICPMS). Whether these uncertainties encompass all sources of error has not been carefully evaluated. The current study examines all parameters that can affect accuracy and precision of Fe isotopic measurements by HR-MC-ICPMS. It is demonstrated that accurate δ 56 Fe measurements can be routinely achieved within the quoted uncertainties.
Risk factors for respiratory disease mortality in lambs

Abstract A retrospective cohort study used records from a large flock of sheep in Illinois, USA in logistic regression models to identify risk factors for respiratory disease mortality (RM) in lambs born from 1986 to 1991 (n = 6806). The flock of several purebred and crossbred lines was intensively managed in open-front barns from birth to weaning (56 days) and fattened in slotted-floor barns. Annual postnatal mortality ranged from 12% to 19% of lambs born. Potential risk factors examined were gender, lamb breed, birth weight, lambing location, number of siblings at birth and rearing, birth vigor, and the dam's parity, milk supply and udder condition. RM occurred in 4.3% of lambs that survived the first 24 h after birth, and this rate was fairly stable over all years of the study (3.3–5.0%). One model compared RM cases with all lambs surviving the first day of age and a second model compared RM cases with all lambs surviving to weaning (56 days of age). In the first model, there was increased risk for RM in ram lambs (OR = 1.9), purebred Suffolks (OR = 2.0), lambs from first parity dams (OR = 1.9), and lambs from dams with poor milk production (OR = 2.2). Lambs with average birth weight were at slightly lower risk for RM than light or heavy weight lambs (OR = 0.8). The second model identified similar factors, with ram lambs, Suffolks, and lambs from dams at first parity or with poor milk supply at increased RM risk (OR = 2.0, 2.3, 2.0, and 2.3, respectively) and average weight lambs at lower risk for RM (OR = 0.7). A strong birth vigor reduced risk for RM (OR = 0.7). Variables not included in final models included lambing location, number of siblings at birth/rearing, and the dam's udder condition. Although factors such as breed and gender may not generally be manipulated to decrease RM, other factors such as birth weight and the dam's milking ability can be improved to reduce respiratory disease mortality. Awareness of variations in RM risk within a population can enhance early response to potential outbreaks, reducing losses.
Hominoid evolution: synthesizing disparate data

Abstract Genetic studies have demonstrated that humans and chimpanzees are sister taxa, with gorillas, orangutans and gibbons successively more distant. Hominoid similarities suggest that the crown ape ancestor was a suspensory, frugivorous, tropical forest ape. The common ancestor of Pan and Gorilla would likely have been Pan -like. It is therefore likely that the common ancestor of chimpanzees and humans was also Pan -like, and lived in Late Miocene Africa. But it is possible that most if not all Miocene apes are unrelated to crown hominoids. More fossils are urgently needed from within the probable Later Neogene geographical range of the living ape clades. Recent discoveries of very early hominids from Chad raise interesting questions about this hypothesis. To cite this article: D. Pilbeam, N. Young, C. R. Palevol 3 (2004) .
First-pass metabolism of inspired ethyl acetate in the upper respiratory tracts of the F344 rat and Syrian hamster

Abstract Nasal tissues contain large amounts of carboxylesterase but its precise role in metabolism of inspired ester vapors is not known. The current study was aimed at quantitating the extent of metabolism of inspired ethyl acetate in the upper respiratory tract (URT) of the F344 rat and Syrian hamster. Ethyl acetate deposition was measured in the surgically isolated URT of these species under constant velocity unidirectional flow conditions. The degree of metabolism was estimated by mathematic modeling based on a simple venous-equilibration approach and by direct comparison of deposition efficiencies in naive and carboxylesterase-inhibited animals. Ethyl acetate deposition efficiencies averaged between 10 and 35% in the rat URT and 36 and 72% in the hamster. Carboxylesterase inhibition decreased deposition in both species. Both the modeling efforts and the direct comparisons between naive and inhibited animals indicated that significant amounts of the deposited ethyl acetate were metabolized in the URT of both species with the extent of metabolism being more pronounced in the hamster. Specifically, 40–65% of the deposited ethyl acetate was metabolized in the URT of the rat compared to 63–90% in the hamster. This first-pass metabolism (i) increased URT deposition efficiencies; (ii) led to production of high metabolite levels in URT tissues; and (iii) decreased the amount of parent ethyl acetate available for absorption into the bloodstream in the URT.
The Influence of Interfacial Conditions on the Ultrasonic Wave Interaction with Multilayered Media

Interfaces, both external and internal, constitute an integral part of the structure of materials, and so they enter directly into the structure/property/performance linkage which forms the central theme of materials science and engineering. These “boundary aspects” of bulk materials, because of their relatively discontinuous character, are not only difficult to study and elucidate, but they can also exert a major influence on the behavior of materials and, hence dominate their utility in many applications.
Frequency of manuscript publication following presentation of EMS abstracts at national meetings

Introduction Specialized knowledge and a scientific body of literature are the foundation of the recognition of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as a subspecialty within emergency medicine (EM). Emergency Medical Services research often is presented at national meetings and published in abstract form, but full publication occurs less frequently. Problem The primary goal of the study was to determine the rate at which EMS-related research presented at selected conferences went on to manuscript publication. A secondary goal was the determination of the time to manuscript publication. Methods A cross-sectional study of published abstracts from the 2003-2005 national meetings of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS), and the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) was conducted to identify EMS-related abstracts. PubMed (National Center for Biotechnology Information, Bethesda, Maryland USA) was searched using abstract title keywords and authors’ names to determine if the study had been published in a PubMed-indexed journal in the time since presentation and abstract publication. Results Abstracts for the five conferences were reviewed for 2003-2005. Six hundred and thirty-five EMS-related abstracts met the inclusion criteria. The total number of EMS abstracts presented and the percent subsequently published as a manuscript were: SAEM 135, 53.3%; ACEP 128, 48.4%; NAEMSP 282, 42.9%; AAMS 66, 33.3%; and NAEMSE 24, 16.7%. The overall rate of publication was 44.3%. The average time to publication was 22.2 months (SD = 16.5 months, range = 0-94 months). Conclusion Less than half of EMS abstracts go on to manuscript publication. This may represent missed opportunities for the growth of EMS as a subspecialty. Clemency BM , Thompson JJ , Lindstrom HA , Gurien S , Jaison BA , Grates-Sciarrino AA . Frequency of Manuscript Publication Following Presentation of EMS Abstracts at National Meetings. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(3):1-5.
Some factors regulating cohort production of the crayfish, Orconectes virilis

SUMMARY. Cohort production of the crayfish. Orconectes virilis, ranged from 148.8 to 70.2 kg in North Twin Lake (surface area 1.9 ha) and from 151.9 to 84.9 kg in West Lost Lake (surface area 1.4 ha). Both cohort production (P) and cohort mean biomass (B) showed a long-term decrease with time. The cohort P/B ratios did not show such a trend but remained steady. The P/B ratio approximated the life cycle instantaneous rate of growth (G) which could then be used for estimating cohort production from mean biomass. Production remained consistently higher in West Lost Lake. Analysis of horizontal life table data revealed no inherent difference between survival and fecundity rates of the crayfish population in each lake. Slight differences in basin morphometry between the two lakes determined nursery habitat availability and this affected recruitment of young from each female brood stock. Small differences in carrying capacity between two similar sized nearby lakes, along with a decrease in carrying capacity over time, were sufficient to nullify attempts to manage these populations using a maximum sustainable yield model.
Classroom Belonging among Early Adolescent Students: Relationships to Motivation and Achievement

Early adolescents'sense of classroom belonging and support-of being liked, respected, and valued by fellow students and by the teacher-was investigated among 353 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade middle school students. Focusing on one academic class, students completed scales of classroom belonging and support, expectancies for success, and intrinsic interest and value; course grades and effort ratings were obtained from English teachers. Each of three belonging/support factors identified by principal components analysis contributed significantly to explaining variance in expectancies and value, with teacher support having the most consistently substantial influence across student subgroups. The strength of association between support and motivation dropped significantly from sixth to eighth grade. Teacher support was more closely related to motivation for girls than for boys. Expectancy was the primary predictor of class effort and grades. These findings underscore the importance of belonging and inter...
Stochastic Control for Sensor Activity Management in Many-to-one Sensor Networks

We consider a many-to-one sensor network where a large number of sensors are deployed to monitor a physical environment. We explore sensor activity management to maximize the network lifetime while meeting the quality of service (QoS) requirement. Specifically, in each round the sink estimates the number of active sensors and the control information is fed back to the sensors for activity control. We start with a basic case where the total number of sensors N is known, and the estimator of the number of active sensors n?t is accurate. We devise a sensor activity control scheme under which the number of active sensors would converge to the minimum that can meet the QoS requirement. Next, we generalize the study to the following two more complicated cases: (1) The case with known N and inaccurate n?t: For this case, we propose a stochastic approximation algorithm to minimize the average number of active sensors while meeting the QoS requirement. (2) The case with unknown N and accurate n?t: For this case, we cast the problem as the adaptive control of a Markov chain with unknown parameters and propose a composite optimization-oriented approach for the corresponding sensor activity control. We show that using this composite optimization-oriented approach the number of active sensors would converge to the minimum that can meet the QoS requirement.
Accessibility and Cognition: The Effect of Transport Mode on Spatial Knowledge

Spatial behaviour and decision-making require knowledge of the urban environment, including opportunities available and the means to reach them. Thus, variations in spatial knowledge can result in radically different levels of effective accessibility, despite similar locations, demographics and other factors commonly thought to influence travel behaviour. Cognitive maps, which develop primarily through wayfinding and travel experience, are individuals’ repositories of spatial knowledge. This paper examines whether differences in cognitive maps can be explained, in part, by variations in travel mode. Adults were surveyed in two Los Angeles neighbourhoods with relatively low auto use and high transit use. The data show that spatial knowledge does indeed vary with previous experience with travel modes.
Anchoring procedures in reliability of ratings of perceived exertion during resistance exercise.

Although the validity of perceived exertion as a method of monitoring the intensity of resistance exercise has been established, little is known about the test-retest reliability of ratings of perceived exertion during resistance exercise. Specifically, it is unknown whether the use of different anchoring procedures influences the reliability of ratings of perceived exertion. 30 men were assigned to an Exercise, Memory, or combined Exercise and Memory anchoring group. Participants completed an assessment of maximal leg-extension strength and were introduced to the Borg 15-category rating of perceived exertion scale through anchoring procedures that varied across groups. During two sessions of resistance exercise, participants rated active muscle perceived exertion after performing one repetition of the leg-extension exercise at 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% of the one-repetition maximum. A three-factor (Group × Intensity × Session) analysis of variance was performed to examine the perceived exertion dat...
The Tablet PC classroom: Erasing borders, stimulating activity, enhancing communication

In fall 2006, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology launched a mandatory Tablet PC program for incoming students. As I prepared to teach my first all- tablet class, my reaction was mixed. Although the idea was exciting, facing a sea of computers on each student desk meant leaving my comfort zone and testing new classroom methods. Would this new mix of technology and pedagogy really help students learn? Could I adapt my teaching style to such a classroom? This paper discusses my attempt to address these questions by developing a Tablet PC classroom built upon the dual foundation of DyKnow presentation and monitoring software and the WebCT course management system. My overall objective for this tablet project was to use the new technology tools offered by the Tablet PC-DyKnow-WebCT trio to enhance a teaching and learning pedagogy that had long served me well, namely, Chickering and Gamson's classic "Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education." More specifically, I wanted to create a Tablet PC classroom able to empower students with enhanced active learning skills and erase borders between them with improved communication.
The construction of a fault tolerant reversible gate for quantum computation

Fault tolerance plays a major role in quantum computer design. As the quantum environment is not stable enough when the information is read from it, better design techniques with error correcting capability are needed to overcome the information loss due to decoherence in quantum circuits. This paper presents a fault tolerant reversible gate that can be used in quantum computing systems.
A description of the advanced airborne command post system

The United States Air Force is currently developing an Advanced Airborne Command Post System. This system will provide the National Command Authorities and the Strategic Air Command a survivable command and control system during the pre-, trans- and post-attack phases of a general war. This paper presents a general description of the system, its interface with other systems, details on selected subsystems, and discusses potential growth capabilities.
Single-Trial Learning of Novel Stimuli by Individual Neurons of the Human Hippocampus-Amygdala Complex

The ability to distinguish novel from familiar stimuli allows nervous systems to rapidly encode significant events following even a single exposure to a stimulus. This detection of novelty is necessary for many types of learning. Neurons in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) are critically involved in the acquisition of long-term declarative memories. During a learning task, we recorded from individual MTL neurons in vivo using microwire electrodes implanted in human epilepsy surgery patients. We report here the discovery of two classes of neurons in the hippocampus and amygdala that exhibit single-trial learning: novelty and familiarity detectors, which show a selective increase in firing for new and old stimuli, respectively. The neurons retain memory for the stimulus for 24 hr. Thus, neurons in the MTL contain information sufficient for reliable novelty-familiarity discrimination and also show rapid plasticity as a result of single-trial learning.
Two applications of wavelet transforms in magnetic resonance imaging

The authors describe two different applications of wavelet transforms in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In each case, the use of wavelets offers tangible benefits over the traditional Fourier-transform-based imaging. These stem from the simultaneous time and frequency localization properties of the wavelets. The first application utilizes the localization properties of wavelets to acquire single T/sub 2/ weighted images in times which are short relative to current methods. An interesting combinatorial scheduling problem arises from the multiscale structure inherent in the formulation of this procedure. Its solution is sketched and applied to the imaging process. The second example is a technique for potentially 'instant' imaging. Image acquisition is modeled as an inverse wavelet transform of the spin density in the region in question. Signal acquisition takes place in as few as one or two echoes after the excitation by RF pulses designed to excite a moving band of spins in a slice. These sweeping RF pulses excite strips of spins which rephase at different times during acquisition. They replace phase-encoding gradients; no fast pulsed gradients are required. >
Effects of natural rates of geitonogamy on fruit set in Asclepias speciosa (Apocynaceae): evidence favoring the plant's dilemma

The role of geitonogamy in the evolution of inflorescence design is not well understood. The plant's dilemma hypothesis proposes that evolution of larger inflorescences is driven by selection for greater pollinator attraction, but constrained by higher rates of geitonogamy experienced by larger inflorescences. Here we investigate the role of geitonogamy on fruit set in natural populations of Asclepias speciosa. We compared fruit set from three pollination treatments: (1) inflorescences bagged before and after receiving 6 hand outcross pollinia (Bag), (2) inflorescences unbagged and receiving 6 hand outcross pollinia (Open), and (3) naturally pollinated inflorescences (Control). The Bag and Open treatments initiated significantly more fruits than the Control. Bag aborted significantly fewer fruits than Open or Control. Fruit set was significantly higher in Bag than Open, and Open had significantly higher fruit set than Control. From these results, we conclude that (1) high rates of geitonogamy significantly increase fruit abortion and reduce fruit set in natural populations of A. speciosa and (2) natural populations are compatible pollen limited. Both findings are consistent with the plant's dilemma hypothesis.
Asian Creativity: A Response to Satoshi Kanazawa

This article responds to Satoshi Kanazawa's thoughtful and entertaining comments about my article concerning the Asian future of evolutionary psychology. Contra Kanazawa's argument that Asian cultu...
Imaging of Splenic Infections (and Their Mimickers) in Children

The spleen plays an instrumental role in the immunological homeostasis in the body, particularly in young patients. Infectious involvement of the spleen can be primary or secondary to a manifestation of systemic disease. Imaging plays a crucial role in evaluation of diseases of the spleen in children. In this review, we describe current imaging techniques and the multimodality imaging findings of common and atypical infections affecting the spleen with an emphasis on US and MRI. In addition, conditions that mimic infection will be discussed.
Oral Trauma and Tooth Avulsion Following Explosion of E-Cigarette

Electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes), or personal vaporizers, were introduced in 2003 and have been available in the United States since 2007. In addition to the health and safety concerns of the aerosol delivery of nicotine through E-cigarettes, during the past 8 years, reports of explosions and fires caused by the E-cigarette devices have led the US Fire Administration to evaluate the safety of these devices. These explosions have been observed frequently enough that the US Department of Transportation has recently banned E-cigarette devices in checked baggage aboard airplanes. This report contributes to existing knowledge about the hazards related to E-cigarettes by describing oral hard and soft tissue injuries from an E-cigarette explosion.
Obama and Israel: A Preliminary Assessment

Eytan Gilboa is professor of political science and communication and a senior research associate at the BESA Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University. He is also a visiting professor of public diplomacy at the University of Southern California. Prof. Gilboa has published numerous works on US–Israeli relations including, most recently, an edited volume with Efraim Inbar: US–Israeli Relations in a New Era: Issues and Challenges after 9/11.
A real-time model error filter and state estimator

In this paper, a new real-time filter and state estimator is developed which provides a method of determining optimal state estimates in the presence of significant error in the assumed (nominal) model. Also, the new algorithm is able to determine actual model-error time histories using sequential measurements. The real-time filteristate estimator is derived for continuous systems. The functional form for this case involves the determination of an algebraic Riccati equation, a Lyapunov equation, and a linear equation to determine the gain matrix used in the filter design. Three examples are shown which demonstrate the usefulness of this new algorithm. The lirst example involves the estimation of a single state using no assumed model. The second example involves the estimation of the nonlinear trajectory of Van der Pol's equation using a linear state model matrix. The third example involves the estimation of the orientation of a highly maneuverable fighter aircraft using an inaccurate system model. Results indicate that this new algorithm is able to determine accurate state estimates in the presence of significant errors in the assumed model.
Leadership and Informal Small Groups

At its heart, leadership is a social activity. It takes place in the work community in relationships between a leader and a worker or between a leader and small subgroups of coworkers. It is interactive communication at an intimate—not usually formal—level. And it is continuous. The relationship composed of a leader and a coworker reiterated for each worker in the group becomes the primary environment within which leadership takes place. As such, it partakes of all the characteristics of a small group relationship. As a small group activity, leadership can benefit from insights from small group theory. This theory helps leaders and coworkers understand the relationship context within which leadership takes place. It helps practitioners predict results given specific small group factors. And it is useful in helping leaders cope with cliques or other subgroupings that often form within the work community—groups that can hinder leadership and adds to its complexity.
The Downtown Problem: Variations on a Putnam Problem

SummaryThe following problem appeared in the afternoon session of the Fiftieth William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition in 1989. A dart, thrown at random, hits a square target. Assuming that any two parts of the target of equal area are equally likely to be hit, find the probability that the point hit is nearer to the center than to any edge. In general, which points are closer to the center of a square (or cube) than to any of the four edges (six faces)? And what do we mean by “closer”? Using a variety of distance functions (metrics), we will investigate these questions and pose several additional open problems for the reader to explore.
One size fits all electronics for insole-based activity monitoring

Footwear based wearable sensors are becoming prominent in many areas of monitoring health and wellness, such as gait and activity monitoring. In our previous research we introduced an insole based wearable system SmartStep, which is completely integrated in a socially acceptable package. From a manufacturing perspective, SmartStep's electronics had to be custom made for each shoe size, greatly complicating the manufacturing process. In this work we explore the possibility of making a universal electronics platform for SmartStep - SmartStep 3.0, which can be used in the most common insole sizes without modifications. A pilot human subject experiments were run to compare the accuracy between the one-size fits all (SmartStep 3.0) and custom size SmartStep 2.0. A total of ∼10 hours of data was collected in the pilot study involving three participants performing different activities of daily living while wearing SmartStep 2.0 and SmartStep 3.0. Leave one out cross validation resulted in a 98.5% average accuracy from SmartStep 2.0, while SmartStep 3.0 resulted in 98.3% accuracy, suggesting that the SmartStep 3.0 can be as accurate as SmartStep 2.0, while fitting most common shoe sizes.
In Vivo Lineage Reprogramming of Fibroblasts to Cardiomyocytes for Heart Regeneration

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death due to limited therapeutic regiments. Human and murine adult hearts suffer from limited regenerative capacity of cardiomyocytes after injury such as myocardial infarction. The advances of cellular reprogramming that leveraged knowledge from decades of research in developmental biology provide a promising approach to convert cell fate and generate reprogrammed cells in situ. Production of induced cardiomyocytes raises hopes for potential usage in regenerative medicine and disease modeling. Here we reviewed latest advances in reprogramming fibroblasts to cardiomyocyte-like cells and summarized the challenges that must be overcome to move this filed closer for clinic applications.
Abnormal Bolus Reflux Is Associated With Poor Pulmonary Outcome in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Background/aims Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is postulated to play a role in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the value of objective GER measures in predicting IPF disease progression is unclear. We aim to evaluate the association between objective GER measures on multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH (MII-pH) testing and development of poor pulmonary outcomes within 1 year in prelung transplant IPF patients. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of adults with IPF who underwent pre-lung transplant evaluation with MII-pH off proton pump inhibitors (PPI) at a tertiary care center from June 2008 to November 2015. Patients were followed for 1 year from time of MII-pH for poor pulmonary outcomes, defined by hospitalization for respiratory exacerbation or death. Univariate, multivariate and time-to-event analyses were performed to assess associations between baseline GER parameters on MII-pH and poor outcomes. Results Eighty-four subjects (mean age 61.1 years, 64.3% male) were included. Subjects with increased bolus exposure time (BET) had a higher incidence of 1-year poor pulmonary outcome vs normal BET (45.7% vs 15.2%, P = 0.006). Increased BET remained an independent predictor of poor outcome after controlling for age, gender, body mass index, smoking, lung disease severity, and PPI use (OR, 4.18; P = 0.030). Increased BET was also predictive of decreased time to poor pulmonary outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 4.88; P = 0.007). Subgroup analyses showed that increased BET remained independently associated with time to pulmonary hospitalization (HR, 4.00; P = 0.020), with a trend for 1-year mortality (HR, 2.19; P = 0.380). Conclusion Increased BET on MII-pH is an independent predictor of poor pulmonary outcome over 1 year in IPF patients.
Evolution and Intelligence of the Cephalopods

Aristotle (ca. 330 B.C.) in his observations pointed out that the cephalopods were capable of investigating and perceiving their environment and learning from experience. The use of the term animal intelligence always raises questions and controversy. The problem seems to separate instinctive behavior (or genetically inherited behavior patterns) from behavior patterns that have been gained with experience by the animal in its environment. The former is a species wide behavior while the latter is exclusive to the individual. This exclusivity implies that sensory mechanisms are utilized to perceive the environment, that data is interpreted in a positive or negative fashion, and that the data is stored for future use when similar situations are presented. This requires certain physical and behavioral characteristics (Wells, 1962, 1978; Young, 1988).
Epidemiology of Whipple's Disease in the USA Between 2012 and 2017: A Population-Based National Study

Prior studies on the epidemiology of Whipple’s disease are limited by small sample size and case series design. We sought to characterize the epidemiology of Whipple’s disease in the USA utilizing a large population-based database. We queried a commercial database (Explorys Inc, Cleveland, OH), an aggregate of electronic health record data from 26 major integrated healthcare systems in the USA. We identified a cohort of patients with a diagnosis of Whipple’s disease based on systemized nomenclature of medical terminology (SNOMED CT) codes. We calculated the overall and age-, race-, ethnicity, and gender-based prevalence of Whipple’s disease and prevalence of associated diagnoses using univariate analysis. A total of 35,838,070 individuals were active in the database between November 2012 and November 2017. Of these, 350 individuals had a SNOMED CT diagnosis of Whipple’s disease, with an overall prevalence of 9.8 cases per 1 million. There was no difference in prevalence based on sex. However, prevalence of Whipple’s disease was higher in Caucasians, non-Hispanics, and individuals > 65 years old. Individuals with a diagnosis of Whipple’s disease were more likely to have associated diagnoses/findings of arthritis, CNS disease, endocarditis, diabetes, malignancy, dementia, vitamin D deficiency, iron deficiency, chemotherapy, weight loss, abdominal pain, and lymphadenopathy. To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date examining the epidemiology of Whipple’s disease. In this large population-based study, the overall prevalence of Whipple’s disease in the USA is 9.8 cases per 1 million people. It affects men and women at similar rates and is more common in Caucasians, non-Hispanics, and people > 65 years old.
Perceived threat of crime, authoritarianism, and the rise of a populist president in the Philippines

President Duterte of the Philippines implemented an open “war” on drugs based upon claims of an over-proliferation of illegal drugs in the country. Despite summary killings of suspected users and d...
The Nuclear Family in Afro-American Kinship*

While the universality of the “nuclear family” has been disputed by a number of anthropological writers the problem hasa always been to specify what is meant by this term. Here it is suggested that...
Evaluating CMA equalization of SOQPSK-TG data for aeronautical telemetry

This paper presents the results of using a constant modulus algorithm (CMA) to recover shaped offset quadrature-phase shift keying (SOQPSK)-TG modulated data, which has been transmitted using the iNET data packet structure. This standard is defined and used for aeronautical telemetry. Based on the iNET-packet structure, the adaptive block processing CMA equalizer can be initialized using the minimum mean square error (MMSE) equalizer [3]. This CMA equalizer is being evaluated for use on iNET structured data, with initial tests being conducted on measured data which has been received in a controlled laboratory environment. Thus the CMA equalizer is applied at the receiver to data packets which have been experimentally generated in order to determine the feasibility of our equalization approach, and its performance is compared to that of the MMSE equalizer. Performance evaluation is based on computed bit error rate (BER) counts for these equalizers.
Client Projects: Student Attitudes, Learning Outcomes, and Project Evaluations.

Client projects have long been recognized for their value as an experiential learning device and as a way to increase a wide range of skills, including critical thinking and problem solving. The ex...
Real-World Outcomes of an Automated Physician Support System for Genome-Driven Oncology

PURPOSEMatching patients to investigational therapies requires new tools to support physician decision making. We designed and implemented Precision Insight Support Engine (PRECISE), an automated, ...
CSF IL-6 & IL-10 levels in Preterm and Full term newborns in presence of Suspected Sepsis and intraventricular hemorrhage

Background: Cytokines are signaling proteins that are produced as part of the inflammatory response associated with ischemia and infection by the microglia. In experimental animal models of ischemic perinatal cerebral injury, presence of neutrophils and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a have been observed in the brain 0–24 h after insult. Significant elevation of IL-1 and IL-18 was reported in the cerebrospinal fluid of preterm neonates with PHHC and may …
Effective myocardial perfusion and concomitant haemodynamic status determine the clinical diversity of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery.

Background Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is a rare congenital heart disease (CHD) with diverse clinical presentations despite the same anatomy. Factors determining this heterogeneous presentation are not well understood. Method and results We retrospectively investigated 14 patients (12 females) who underwent surgical repair of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. These patients were divided into three groups based upon the severity of initial presentation: (1) severe, life-threatening condition (n = 5), (2) mild-to-moderate distress (n = 6), and (3) asymptomatic (n = 3). All patients presented with left ventricular dilation and retrograde flow in left coronary artery by echocardiogram. Eight patients in (1) and (2) presented with severe left ventricular dysfunction. All but one showed abnormal ECG consistent with myocardial ischemia or infarction. Asymptomatic patients had preserved left ventricular systolic function despite ischemic findings on ECG. In 13 patients after surgical repair, all but one normalised left ventricular geometry and systolic function, suggesting nearly full myocardial recovery upon improvement of myocardial perfusion; 8 patients had residual echogenic papillary muscle with variable degree of mitral regurgitation. Conclusions Evidence of myocardial ischemic injury was present in all patients with anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery regardless of their initial presentation. Retrograde flow in left coronary artery, implying collateral vessel development from right coronary artery to left coronary artery, was noted in all patients, yet only few patients had preserved systolic function at the time of diagnosis. The balance between effective myocardial perfusion and a deleterious fistulous flow provided by these collaterals and the simultaneous haemodynamic status are what determine the clinical diversity of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery.
Substituting SAT II: Subject Tests for SAT I: Reasoning Tests: Impact on Admitted Class Composition and Quality.

Using data from a sample of 10 colleges at which most students had taken both SAT I: Reasoning tests and SAT II: Subject tests, we simulated the effects of making selection decisions using SAT II scores in place of SAT I scores. Specifically, we treated the students in each college as forming the applicant pool for a more select college, and then selected the top two thirds (and top one third) of the students using high school grade point average combined with either SAT I scores or the average of SAT II scores. Success rates, in terms of first-year grade point averages, were virtually identical for students selected by the different models. The percentage of African American, Asian American, and White students selected varied only slightly across models. Appreciably more Mexican American and Other Latino students were selected with the model that used SAT II scores in place of SAT I scores because these students submitted subject test scores for the Spanish test on which they had high scores.
Multiple Scattering of Fast Electrons.

The scattering of electrons and positrons of energy from 5 to 17 Mev has been measured in lead foils of thickness 0.015 and 0.038 cm, in carbon laminae of thickness 0.132 and 0.381 cm, and in an aluminum foil of thickness 0.118 cm. The scattering has been shown to be in agreement with the multiple scattering theory of Williams in that the distribution in the product of the scattering angle times the energy of the scattered particle is Gaussian in form, and in that the mean scattering angle times energy is independent of certain geometrical aspects of the experimental method of measurement, and of the energy and sign of charge of the scattered particles. For carbon the experimental magnitude of the mean scattering is in satisfactory agreement with theory, but in aluminum and lead the experimental results are only 85 percent and 60 percent, respectively, of the theoretical predictions.
Permissiveness in morality and epistemology

Morality is intrapersonally permissive: cases abound in which an agent has more than one morally permitted option. In contrast, there is a dearth of cases in which an agent has more than one episte...
Forecasting the distribution of a range-expanding bat reveals future response to climate change and habitat

Many terrestrial vertebrate species are exhibiting geographic distribution changes including poleward range limit shifts in response to increases in regional temperature. Bats are a highly mobile taxa capable of rapid responses to changes in abiotic or biotic conditions. In North America, recent extralimital records of the non-hibernating Lasiurus seminolus (Seminole bat) have been attributed to climate change, however such attributions remain speculative and potentially subject to sampling bias in the form of increased recent sampling efforts at latitudes north of the historical range. We used historical occurrence records and simple environmental variables within a Maxent modeling framework to model the historical distribution of suitable areas for this species. We transferred the model using near current environmental conditions and measured the ability of the model to capture the apparent expansion in distribution using recent extralimital occurrence records. Our model transferred well over time concluding that the distribution expansion may be largely attributed to increasing minimum temperatures. We used the model to forecast the expansion in distribution of suitable areas at three 20-year intervals and various climate change scenarios and provide extrapolation risk maps for each scenario. Although increasing temperatures may increase potentially occupiable areas, the species is associated with forests and often roosts in pines (Pinus spp.). This suitable habitat is more limited to the northwest of the species' range, which may constrain the future species expansion despite favorable temperatures. We demonstrated this effect by mapping limiting factors through future climate change scenarios. We discovered a broad shift of effects that constrained the distribution from minimum temperature to an abundance metric of evergreen cover type as time and climate change intensity increased. Although uncertainties exist, we predict further expansion of the Seminole bat widely over the next 60 years across the eastern United States where suitable habitat and climate conditions converge. Our results appear consistent with other bat species showing similar range extensions and in turn provide further evidence that bats may serve as bioindicators of global change.
Displacement after the Camp Fire: Where are the Most Vulnerable?

Recovery from wildfire is often cast as the rebuilding of homes by the displaced. This focus ignores the diversity of livelihoods and access to resources among people living in the wildland-urban i...