cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prospective and current secondary mathematics teachers' criteria for evaluating mathematical cognitive technologies

ABSTRACTAs technology becomes more ubiquitous in the mathematics classroom, teachers are being asked to incorporate it into their lessons more than ever before. The amount of resources available online is staggering and teachers need to be able to analyse and identify resources that would be most appropriate and effective with their students. This study examines the criteria prospective and current secondary mathematics teachers use and value most when evaluating mathematical cognitive technologies (MCTs). Results indicate all groups of participants developed criteria focused on how well an MCT represents the mathematics, student interaction and engagement with the MCT, and whether the MCT was user-friendly. However, none of their criteria focused on how well an MCT would reflect students’ solution strategies or illuminate their thinking. In addition, there were some differences between the criteria created by participants with and without teaching experience, specifically the types of supports available ...
Foreclosure Sales and Recourse

I document the imbalance of foreclosure sales with respect to recourse laws applied to primary mortgages in the U.S. using geographic state borders as exogenous variation combined with individual transaction data located close to the border. Under a regression discontinuity design, the relative volume of foreclosure sales (compared to regular sales) in recourse states was 13 percentage points lower on average with respect to non-recourse states from 2008 to 2010. Further evidence from a hedonic pricing model suggests that foreclosures in non-recourse states were sold by a larger discount after 2008 (6 percentage points from 2008 to 2010 and 9 percentage points from 2011 to 2012). Results are robust to differences in borrower characteristics at the loan origination and suggests differences in the incentives to default under recourse, as well as a higher volume of foreclosures in non-recourse states.
Abstract 51: The Role of CCL5 in T cell Recruitment to the Aorta

Introduction T cell adaptive immunity is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Previously our lab found that antigen presenting cells (APCs) present antigens to effector T cells (Teff). This causes local T cell activation and cytokine production, which sustain local inflammation. However, the chemokine(s) that drive T cell recruitment into the atherosclerotic aorta are not known. By multi-color flow cytometry to analyze chemokine receptor expression on T cells from Apoe-/- aorta, we found that more than 60% of CD4+ T cells in Apoe-/- aorta express CCR5. I hypothesize that CCR5 plays an important role in T cell recruitment to atherosclerotic aortas. Methods T cells in the aorta of Apoe-/- mice that have been on western diet (WD) for > 3 months were analyzed by multi-color flow cytometry by staining T cell markers and chemokine receptors (CCR7, CCR5, CXCR3, CXCR6, CCR6). 400,000 Teff cells from CD45.1 Apoe-/- mice were sorted and incubated with explanted Apoe-/- aortas 12 to 18 hrs with media alone, CCL-5 (one of the ligands of CCR5) neutralizing antibody (0.5 ug/ml) or PTX (300ng/ml). Afterward, T cell infiltration into aorta was quantified by FACS. To monitor T cell-APC interaction, effector T cells from Apoe-/- mice were labeled with fluorescent dye SNARF before incubation with aortas from Apoe-/- CD11c-YFP+ mice in the above 3 conditions. Aortas were imaged by 2 photon imaging. Results There is a significant increase of CCR5+ T cells (63±4% of TCRβ+ T cells) in the aorta of Apoe-/- WD mice vs. Apoe-/- on chow diet (9±8%, p Conclusion CCL5 plays a role in Teff recruitment into the aorta. This suggests that targeting CCR5 or its ligand CCL5 may be effective to treat atherosclerosis.
GAS Power Calculator: web-based power calculator for genetic association studies

Motivation: Statistical power calculations are crucial in designing genetic association studies. They help guide tradeoffs between large sample sizes and detailed assessments of genotype and phenotype, help determine which studies are viable, and help interpret research findings. To facilitate widespread use of power analysis in the design and interpretation of genetic studies, it is important to enable users to calculate power and visualize the effect of different models and design choices in convenient, interactive tools that are easily accessible. Results: We developed the Genetic Association Study (GAS) Power Calculator to provide users with a simple interface that can be compute the power of genetic association studies in a convenient browser based interface. Availability: The GAS Power Calculator can be accessed from the web interface at http://csg.sph.umich.edu/abecasis/gas_power_calculator/. Source code is available at https://github.com/jenlij/GAS-power-calculator.
Bridges Between Worlds: Spirits and Spirit Work in Northern Iceland, by Corinne G. Dempsey, New York, Oxford University Press, 2017, xx + 228 pp., US$74.00 (hardback), ISBN 978 0 1906 2503 0; US$72.99 (e-book), ISBN 978 0 1906 2505 4

Corinne G. Dempsey’s publishing career has been refreshingly eclectic. Her three earlier monographs, all also published by Oxford University Press, have focused on aspects of Christianity in South ...
Targeted Cancer Therapy with Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a member of the TNF superfamily, was the first cytokine to be evaluated for cancer biotherapy. However, the clinical use of TNF-α is severely limited by its toxicity. Currently, TNF-α is administered only through locoregional drug delivery systems such as isolated limb perfusion and isolated hepatic perfusion. To reduce the systemic toxicity of TNF-α, various strategies have been explored over the last several decades. This review summarizes current state-of-the-art targeted cancer therapy using TNF-α. Passive targeting, cell-based therapy, gene therapy with inducible or tissue-specific promoters, targeted polymer-DNA complexes, tumor pre-targeting, antibody-TNF-α conjugate, scFv/TNF-α fusion proteins, and peptide/TNF-α fusion proteins have all been investigated to combat cancer. Many of these agents are already in advanced clinical trials. Molecular imaging, which can significantly speed up the drug development process, and nanomedicine, which can integrate both imaging and therapeutic components, has the potential to revolutionize future cancer patient management. Cooperative efforts from scientists within multiple disciplines, as well as close partnerships among many organizations/entities, are needed to quickly translate novel TNF-α-based therapeutics into clinical investigation.
Life cycle analysis of geothermal energy for power and transportation: A stochastic approach

Abstract Increasing awareness of environmental issues surrounding power generation and transportation has increased interest in renewable energy sources such as geothermal. Renewable energy extraction is not without environmental cost, however; drilling operations and construction of the facilities required for utilization can be resource intensive. Complete life cycle analysis (LCA) allows for impact comparison between competing methods of power generation. The results are modular, allowing for use in other product life cycles. One such life cycle is that of the transportation vehicle. An analysis of vehicle life cycles involving geothermal energy is performed employing the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model. Geothermal power has large variations between plants owing to differences in the hydrothermal reservoir chemistry and thermodynamic conditions. Due to these variations, a stochastic approach was used to determine the amount of variation that is likely to be seen using this energy source. The results show geothermal power to have low environmental impact relative to other methods of energy production for use in transportation.
Calculation of the impulse response of PIN and MUTC photodetectors using the drift-diffusion equations

We calculate the impulse response of high-current PIN and MUTC photodetectors using the drift-diffusion equations, avoiding computationally-expensive Monte Carlo simulations. We then calculate the fundamental shot noise limit and cut-off frequency of the devices.
Uncertainty-enabled design of electromagnetic reflectors with integrated shape control

We implemented a computationally efficient model for a corner-supported, thin, rectangular, orthotropic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) laminate membrane, actuated by a two-dimensional array of segmented electrodes. The laminate can be used as shape-controlled electromagnetic reflector and the model estimates the reflector’s shape given an array of control voltages. In this paper, we describe a model to determine the shape of the laminate for a given distribution of control voltages. Then, we investigate the surface shape error and its sensitivity to the model parameters. Subsequently, we analyze the simulated deflection of the actuated bimorph using a Zernike polynomial decomposition. Finally, we provide a probabilistic description of reflector performance using statistical methods to quantify uncertainty. We make design recommendations for nominal parameter values and their tolerances based on optimization under uncertainty using multiple methods.
Protocol incorporating airway CT decreases negative bronchoscopy rates for suspected foreign bodies in pediatric patients.

Abstract Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is the 4th leading cause of death in children between the ages 1-5. Although direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy (DL&B) is the reference standard for diagnosis of pediatric airway foreign bodies, there is a high negative bronchoscopy rate, exposing patients to unnecessary operative and anesthetic risks and costs. Methods: A clinical care protocol entailing the selective use of low-dose non-contrast airway computed tomography (CT) for children with an intermediate risk for FBA on the basis of clinical exam and chest radiography was implemented to decrease the negative DL&B rate. A retrospective review was conducted to compare negative bronchoscopy rates before and after implementation of the new protocol and the diagnostic performance characteristics of airway CT for airway foreign bodies were analyzed. Results: After implementation of the airway FB clinical care protocol entailing selective airway CT, the overall negative bronchoscopy rate decreased from an institutional historical rate of 37% (54/145) to 17% (10/56) (p = .06). The overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of airway CT for FB was 91%, 100%, 100%, and 97% respectively. Conclusions: Low-dose non-contrast airway CT is highly sensitive and specific for airway foreign bodies, and its selective use in a clinical care protocol for children with suspected foreign body aspiration could greatly reduce the negative bronchoscopy rate, thereby decreasing operative risks and costs.
The IIT Lexical Database: Dream and Reality

This paper describes IITLEX, a lexical database under development at Illinois Institute of Technology. It emphasizes the sources of the data and the organization of the database.
Subharmonic Response of a Quasi-Isochronous Vibroimpact System to a Randomly Disordered Periodic Excitation

A quasi-isochronous vibroimpact system is considered, i.e. a linear system with a rigid one-sided barrier, which is slightly offset from the system's static equilibrium position. The system is excited by a sinusoidal force with disorder, or random phase modulation. The mean excitation frequency corresponds to a simple or subharmonic resonance, i.e. the value of its ratio to the natural frequency of the system without a barrier is close to some even integer. Influence of white-noise fluctuations of the instantaneous excitation frequency around its mean on the response is studied in this paper. The analysis is based on a special Zhuravlev transformation, which reduces the system to one without impacts, or velocity jumps, thereby permitting the application of asymptotic averaging over the period for slowly varying inphase and quadrature responses. The averaged stochastic equations are solved exactly by the method of moments for the mean square response amplitude for the case of zero offset. A perturbation-based moment closure scheme is proposed for the case of nonzero offset and small random variations of amplitude. Therefore, the analytical results may be expected to be adequate for small values of excitation/system bandwidth ratio or for small intensities of the excitation frequency variations. However, at very large values of the parameter the results are approaching those predicted by a stochastic averaging method. Moreover, Monte-Carlo simulation has shown the moment closure results to be sufficiently accurate in general for any arbitrary bandwidth ratio. The basic conclusion, both of analytical and numerical simulation studies, is a sort of ‘smearing’ of the amplitude frequency response curves owing to disorder, or random phase modulation: peak amplitudes may be strongly reduced, whereas somewhat increased response may be expected at large detunings, where response amplitudes to perfectly periodic excitation are relatively small.
Abstract 1880: Validation of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) as a candidate therapeutic target in the canine model of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Introduction: Lymphoma is a common, aggressive malignancy in dogs. While generally responsive to upfront combination chemotherapy with traditional cytotoxic drugs, remission times are short and cures rare. New treatment strategies are therefore needed. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is a type II protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) enzyme whose relevance to cancer biology has become increasingly evident as more studies have shown this enzyme to be involved in the regulation of multiple major signaling pathways affecting cell death, proliferation, and malignant transformation. While the mechanism behind many of these cell-transforming capabilities of PRMT5 remains unknown, knockdown of PRMT5 expression by genetic or pharmacologic means has been shown to modulate the methylation status of target proteins and exert antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, PRMT5 small-molecule inhibitors are in early preclinical development. Methods: In this study, we characterized patterns of PRMT5 expression and correlated these with histologic subtype using canine lymphoma tissue microarrays (TMAs). We characterized expression of PRMT5 in canine lymphoma tissues and methylation targets in canine B-cell lymphoma cell lines and treated them with different PRMT5 inhibitors to determine effects on PRMT5, target proteins and antitumor activity. We also assessed PRMT5 inhibition ex vivo in patient B-cell lymphomas via flow cytometry and assessment of apoptosis with annexin V/PI staining. Results: Canine diffuse large B-cell lymphoma showed cytoplasmic staining for PRMT5 (48.8% strong, 50.0% weak, n = 165) compared to negative or weak staining in normal and hyperplastic lymph nodes (n = 40). Lymphoblastic T-cell lymphoma samples showed strong nuclear staining (40%, n= 10). No nuclear staining was appreciated in normal or hyperplastic lymph nodes. Similarly, canine B-cell lines showed high expression of PRMT5. PRMT5 small-molecule inhibitors inhibited growth of CLBL-1 and 17-71 canine lymphoma cell lines. Histone (H3R8 and H4R3) methylation status was suppressed at their respective IC50s. Ex vivo treatment of canine patient tumor cells showed suppression of growth at 24 hours. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that PRMT5 is expressed in canine lymphomas and that PRMT5 inhibition can suppress the growth of canine lymphoma cells, supporting the continued use of the spontaneous canine lymphoma model for the preclinical development of PRMT5 inhibitors. Citation Format: Kyle A. Renaldo, Lindsay E. Courtney, Konstantin Shilo, Robert A. Baiocchi, William C. Kisseberth. Validation of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) as a candidate therapeutic target in the canine model of non-Hodgkin lymphoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1880.
Medical Oncologists and Risk Management in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is a highly emotionally charged disease, for which many therapeutic options are available. Results from several well-designed, prospective clinical trials are available to help determine the relative clinical benefit of the various treatment options. Early diagnosis and associated local and/or systemic treatment have been demonstrated to reduce proportional mortality due to breast cancer. Not all patients, however, benefit from early therapy, and the criteria for a clinically important delay to initiation of treatment have not been established. In most situations, breast-preserving local therapy has been shown to be as effective as more aggressive therapy, and cosmetic outcomes are superior. Although substantial preliminary data suggest a steep dose response curve for chemotherapy in breast cancer treatment, trials testing this concept are now under way. Currently, high-dose chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer must be considered investigational, in this regard, the short- and, more importantly, long-term toxicities of systemic therapy must be considered.
In vivo 13 C and 1 H-[13 C] MRS studies of neuroenergetics and neurotransmitter cycling, applications to neurological and psychiatric disease and brain cancer.

In the last 25 years 13 C MRS has been established as the only noninvasive method for measuring glutamate neurotransmission and cell specific neuroenergetics. Although technically and experimentally challenging 13 C MRS has already provided important new information on the relationship between neuroenergetics and neuronal function, the high energy cost of brain function in the resting state and the role of altered neuroenergetics and neurotransmitter cycling in disease. In this paper we review the metabolic and neurotransmitter pathways that can be measured by 13 C MRS and key findings on the linkage between neuroenergetics, neurotransmitter cycling, and brain function. Applications of 13 C MRS to neurological and psychiatric disease as well as brain cancer are reviewed. Recent technological developments that may help to overcome spatial resolution and brain coverage limitations of 13 C MRS are discussed.
La imagen como memoria del horror: claves de lectura en El Brujo

Presents the voice of a photographer´s son who is fugitive due to the harassment he suffers because of the registers produced in Chile in the end of the eighties. In his journey of escape, the sucession of facts connect a narrative of the horror, in which a series of disconnected situations are revealed; a mysterious crime that haunts him, the specters that he has photographed, the threats that the Memory and the sequences of the landscape that seems to devour it, symbolized through the account of the experiences from the son´s voice who trespasses the testimony listened from his father, materializing scenes of horror hatched in the violence and the constant distress of the Memory. For this, an analysis of the elements that hatch this account is done, from the perspective of the concept of the image and the Memory of the horror as a narratological continent of the violence and its posible reading keys.
Physician and Pharmacist: Attitudes, Facilitators, and Barriers to Prescribing Naloxone for Home Rescue

Background and objectives We implemented a naloxone education and distribution program in our academic health system. Despite the program, naloxone prescribing was not fully realized. This study aimed to identify the barriers to prescribing. Methods We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional, mixed-methods study of naloxone prescribers. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding their prescribing practices, attitudes, facilitators, and barriers to prescribing naloxone. Participants were then invited for an interview to further explore these topics and elicit more in-depth explanations. Results Sixty-four physicians and eight pharmacists completed the questionnaire (n = 72). The most commonly reported barrier to prescribing naloxone was time constraints (33%). During the interviews, 14 subthemes emerged within four themes: provider competency, provider beliefs, health care system, and patient factors/social climate. Discussion Prescribers identified barriers to naloxone prescribing despite implementation of an institutional overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) program. The results were similar to those previously reported prior to initiation of such programs. Conclusion In this study, we examined barriers and facilitators to naloxone prescribing. Although previous studies have shown that health care providers endorsed similar barriers, our study indicates that some of those barriers persist despite a concerted effort to educate and promote prescribing via an OEND. While our study is limited by a small, selective sample size the results indicate that improvements to our OEND program are warranted. Scientific significance Our study addressed an unexplored area of OEND research and may inform future program development. (Am J Addict 2019;00:00-00).
Empowerment Self-Defense Training in a Community Population:

Nearly all research on the effects of women’s self-defense training examines college age or, less frequently, adolescent populations. This study broadens that focus by evaluating the effectiveness ...
ROTATIONAL VERSUS ORBITAL ATHERECTOMY FOR TREATMENT OF DIFFUSE CORONARY IN-STENT RESTENOSIS

While rotational atherectomy (RA) has been used as neointimal debulking technique for in-stent restenosis (ISR) for many years, there are only few reports describing the use of orbital atherectomy (OA) for ISR. The aim of the study was to compare the safety and efficacy of RA and OA for treatment of
Current Management of Small Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms in the United States: Results of a National Survey.

Objective To understand how physicians in the United States manage patients with small unruptured intracranial aneurysms and factors that influence the management. Methods An online survey questionnaire was designed through SurveyMonkey and distributed electronically to The Society of Interventional Surgery, American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons Joint Section of Cerebrovascular Surgery, American Academy of Neurology, and Massachusetts Neurologic Association. All participations were voluntary and anonymous. Results Among all the participants, 53.8% of them were neurosurgeons, 33.0% were neurointerventional radiologists, and 13.2% were neurologists. For management of aneurysms 2–4 mm, 87.8% of respondents favored routine surveillance with imaging follow-up, 3.8% preferred routine treatment, and 8.5% recommended routine treatment or follow-up only for high risk patients. In total, 25.5% preferred annual follow-up, and 67.9% liked follow-up once in a year and then space out at various intervals. For aneurysms between 5 and 7 mm, 73.6% supported routine treatment, 20.8% favored surveillance with imaging follow-up, and 5.7% recommended treating or follow-up only high-risk groups. In total, 58.5% preferred annual follow-up, whereas 34.9% liked follow-up once in a year and then space out at various intervals. For routine follow-up, 64.1% of the physicians chose magnetic resonance angiography without contrast, and 40.6% preferred computed tomography angiography. Conclusions For aneurysms 2–4 mm, majority of the physicians preferred regular follow-up, whereas for aneurysms 5–7 mm, the majority favor treatment. There remains heterogeneity in practice among physicians in the United States regarding follow-up strategies for small unruptured aneurysms. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal management strategy, follow-up frequency and duration of imaging for small unruptured intracranial aneurysms.
Addressing maternal and child health equity through a community health worker home visiting intervention to reduce low birth weight: retrospective quasi-experimental study of the Arizona Health Start Programme.

Objective To test if participation in the Health Start Programme, an Arizona statewide Community Health Worker (CHW) maternal and child health (MCH) home visiting programme, reduced rates of low birth weight (LBW), very LBW (VLBW), extremely LBW (ELBW) and preterm birth (PTB). Design Quasi-experimental retrospective study using propensity score matching of Health Start Programme enrolment data to state birth certificate records for years 2006–2016. Setting Arizona is uniquely racially and ethnically diverse with comparatively higher proportions of Latino and American Indian residents and a smaller proportion of African Americans. Participants 7212 Health Start Programme mothers matched to non-participants based on demographic, socioeconomic and geographic characteristics, health conditions and previous birth experiences. Intervention A statewide CHW MCH home visiting programme. Primary and secondary outcome measures LBW, VLBW, ELBW and PTB. Results Using Health Start Programme’s administrative data and birth certificate data from 2006 to 2016, we identified 7212 Health Start Programme participants and 53 948 matches. Programme participation is associated with decreases in adverse birth outcomes for most subgroups. Health Start participation is associated with statistically significant lower rates of LBW among American Indian women (38%; average treatment-on-the-treated effect (ATT): 2.30; 95% CI −4.07 to –0.53) and mothers with a pre-existing health risk (25%; ATT: -3.06; 95% CI −5.82 to –0.30). Among Latina mothers, Health Start Programme participation is associated with statistically significant lower rates of VLBW (36%; ATT: 0.35; 95% CI −0.69 to –0.01) and ELBW (62%; ATT: 0.31; 95% CI (−0.52 to –0.10)). Finally, Health Start Programme participation is associated with a statistically significant lower rate of PTB for teen mothers (30%; ATT: 2.81; 95% CI −4.71 to –0.91). Other results were not statistically significant. Conclusion A state health department-operated MCH home visiting intervention that employs CHWs as the primary interventionist may contribute to the reduction of LBW, VLBW, ELBW and PTB and could improve birth outcomes statewide, especially among women and children at increased risk for MCH inequity.
Atrial conduction slows immediately before the onset of human atrial fibrillation: a bi-atrial contact mapping study of transitions to atrial fibrillation.

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether onset sites of human atrial fibrillation (AF) exhibit conduction slowing, reduced amplitude, and/or prolonged duration of signals (i.e., fractionation) immediately before AF onset. Background Few studies have identified functional determinants of AF initiation. Because conduction slowing is required for reentry, we hypothesized that AF from pulmonary vein triggers might initiate at sites exhibiting rate-dependent slowing in conduction velocity (CV restitution) or local slowing evidenced by signal fractionation. Methods In 28 patients with AF (left atrial size 43 ± 5 mm; n = 13 persistent) and 3 control subjects (no AF) at electrophysiological study, we measured bi-atrial conduction time (CT) electrogram fractionation at 64 or 128 electrodes with baskets in left (n = 17) or both (n = 14) atria during superior pulmonary vein pacing at cycle lengths (CL) accelerating from 500 ms (120 beats/min) to AF onset. Results Atrial fibrillation initiated in 19 of 28 AF patients and no control subjects. During rate acceleration, conduction slowed in 23 of 28 AF patients (vs. no control subjects, p = 0.01) at the site of AF initiation (15 of 19) or latest activated site (20 of 28). The CT lengthened from 79 ± 23 ms to 107 ± 39 ms (p Conclusions Acceleration-dependent slowing of atrial conduction (CV restitution) precedes AF initiation, whereas absence of CV restitution identifies inability to induce AF. Conduction restitution, but not fractionated electrograms, may thus track the functional milieu enabling AF initiation and has implications for guiding AF ablation and pharmacological therapy.
Do What We Do to Find What You Want

Most retrieval systems are geared towards Boolean queries or hierarchical classification based on keyword descriptors. In this paper we present a framework for domain-specific information retrieval. The proposed approach uses topic lattice generated from a collection of documents where documents are characterized by a group of users with overlapping interests. The topic lattice captures the authors' intention as it reveals the implicit structure of a document collection following the structure of informal groups of individuals expressing interests in the documents. Due to its dual nature, the lattice allows two complimentary navigations styles, which are based either on attributes or on objects. Topic lattice capturing users' interest suggests navigation methods that may be an attractive alternative to specialized domain information retrieval.
Moral Development: The West Point Way

What moral education strategies is the United States Military Academy (USMA or West Point) utilizing to help prepare its members for the ethical challenges they will encounter? A detailed search of the literature turned up little information on this topic. This article briefly discusses some of the findings from studies that have been completed in the area of moral education at the college level. Then it turns to the United States Military Academy’s Cadet Leader Development System (CLDS) that resonates through formal programs as well as a host of activities and experiences. USMA is offered as a model institution for moral education at the undergraduate college level.
Analytical strategies for estimating suppressed and missing data in large regional and local employment, population, and transportation databases

Several analytical techniques are reviewed that aim to (1) estimate suppressed employment data in large regional or local economic databases, such as County Business Patterns, using goal-programming optimization models, (2) estimate local population data, using regional Census data, remotely sensed and traditional data, and statistical modeling, and (3) transfer individual-level transportation data gathered in national surveys of transportation behavior to construct reliable estimates for local area units (Census tracts), using clustering and regression techniques. These methodologies are illustrative of the rapidly expanding opportunities for improving socioeconomic databases, using new data sources and new and older techniques in innovative ways, thus contributing to knowledge discovery.
IRAS and evolved stars

Use of color-color diagrams as an effective way to investigate the evolution of and mass loss from evolved stars has become possible with the publication of the IRAS point source catalog. We discuss, in particular, in the context of repeated helium shell flashing, stars that have unusually large 60 μm fluxes. These stars may be important in linking theory and observation on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB), but they represent only a modest percentage of all AGB stars and they contribute only a tiny fraction of the mass returned by AGB stars to the interstellar medium, contrary to conclusions arrived at in a recent paper by Thronson et al. (1987).
Cosmic impacts, cosmic catastrophes. II

The role of extraterrestrial impacts in shaping the earth's history is discussed, arguing that cosmic impacts represent just one example of a general shift in thinking that has made the idea of catastrophes respectable in science. The origins of this view are presented and current catastrophic theory is discussed in the context of modern debate on the geological formation of the earth. Various conflicting theories are reviewed and prominent participants in the ongoing scientific controversy concerning catastrophism are introduced.
Delayed paradoxical herniation after a decompressive craniectomy: case report

Abstract Background Paradoxical herniation can occur as a complication of lumbar puncture in patients who had a decompressive craniectomy. The supposed mechanism is the development of a negative pressure gradient that allows the brain to shift toward the infratentorial space with subsequent herniation. Trendelenburg position plus early cranioplasty has been the suggested treatment to eliminate the gradient. Case Description A 53-year-old woman had a decompressive hemicraniectomy for SAH-related swelling. A lumbar puncture was performed on postoperative day 5 to rule out infection. She remained neurologically stable until 6 weeks later, when she deteriorated because of a paradoxical herniation. Head positioning and cranioplasty were only temporarily helpful. She developed a second episode of decline a few days later due to an extraaxial CSF collection. A lumbar blood patch plus drainage of the collection successfully allowed full neurologic recovery. Conclusions Cranioplasty and head positioning alone might not be sufficient to eliminate the negative pressure gradient. A blood patch should be part of the management of paradoxical herniation.
The amino terminus of tau inhibits kinesin-dependent axonal transport: Implications for filament toxicity

The neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies is characterized by filamentous deposits of the microtubule-associated protein tau, but the relationship between tau polymerization and neurotoxicity is unknown. Here, we examined effects of filamentous tau on fast axonal transport (FAT) using isolated squid axoplasm. Monomeric and filamentous forms of recombinant human tau were perfused in axoplasm, and their effects on kinesin- and dynein-dependent FAT rates were evaluated by video microscopy. Although perfusion of monomeric tau at physiological concentrations showed no effect, tau filaments at the same concentrations selectively inhibited antero-grade (kinesin-dependent) FAT, triggering the release of conventional kinesin from axoplasmic vesicles. Pharmacological experiments indicated that the effect of tau filaments on FAT is mediated by protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activities. Moreover, deletion analysis suggested that these effects depend on a conserved 18-amino-acid sequence at the amino terminus of tau. Interestingly, monomeric tau isoforms lacking the C-terminal half of the molecule (including the microtubule binding region) recapitulated the effects of full-length filamentous tau. Our results suggest that pathological tau aggregation contributes to neurodegeneration by altering a regulatory pathway for FAT.
Ventricular Assist Devices or Inotropic Agents in Status 1A Patients? Survival Analysis of the United Network of Organ Sharing Database

Background Improved outcomes as well as lack of donor hearts have increased the use of ventricular assist devices (VADs), rather than inotropic support, for bridging to transplantation. Recognizing that organ allocation in the highest status patients remains controversial, we sought to compare outcomes of patients with VADs and those receiving advanced medical therapy. Methods The United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was used to compare survival on the waiting list and posttransplantation survival in status 1A heart transplantation patients receiving VADs or high-dose/dual inotropic therapy or an intraaortic balloon pump( IABP), or both. Adjusted survival was calculated using Cox's proportional hazard model. Results Adjusted 1-year posttransplantation mortality was higher among patients with VADs compared with patients receiving inotropic agents alone (hazard ratio [HR], 1.48; p p = 0.03) and among those with isolated left-sided support (HR, 1.33; p = 0.008). When patients who received IABPs were added and analyzed after 2008, the left ventricular assist device (LVAD) group had similar survival (HR, 1.2; p = 0.3). Survival on the waiting list, however, was superior among patients with LVADs (HR, 0.56; p p Conclusions Although posttransplantation survival is better for patients who are bridged to transplantation with inotropic treatment only, the cost of failure of inotropic agents is significant, with a nearly doubled mortality for those who later require VAD support. Survival on the waiting list appears to be improved among patients receiving VAD support. Careful selection of the appropriate bridging strategy continues to be a significant clinical challenge.
Measurements in nondestructive evaluation: An interdisciplinary subject dedicated to understanding flaws and failures

The motivation for nondestructive testing (NDT) and the techniques used are briefly reviewed. Measurement problems that arise in NDT are examined. X-ray imaging and ultrasonic techniques are described.
Recognizing gape limitation and interannual variability in bluehead chub nesting microhabitat use in a small Virginia stream

Understanding the reproductive microhabitat requirements of keystone species such as the gravel mound nesting bluehead chub Nocomis leptocephalus can be useful for whole-community management. Nocomis have been shown to be microhabitat specialists, but no study has accounted for interannual variability in microhabitat use or for the possibility that substrate choices are constrained by mouth size. Our goals were to quantify the spawning microhabitat requirements of bluehead chub in the North Fork Roanoke River, Virginia, USA. Specifically, we sought to (1) account for gape limitation of nesting chubs when quantifying substrate size preference and (2) to examine interannual variability in their nesting microhabitat preferences. In June 2012 and 2013, we measured pebbles on chub nests and determined the gape limit as the largest measured pebble. With the gape limit as a ceiling for measurable particles, we compared substrate used by chubs to randomly selected particles adjacent to each nest. Depth and veloci...
Astrocytes and therapeutics for Parkinson's disease.

Astrocytes play direct, active, and critical roles in mediating neuronal survival and function in various neurodegenerative disorders. This role of astrocytes is well illustrated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in which the removal of glutamate from the extracellular space by astrocytes confers neuroprotection, whereas astrocytic release of soluble toxic molecules promotes neurodegeneration. In recent years, this context-dependent dual role of astrocytes has also been documented in experimental models of Parkinson’s disease. The present review addresses these studies and some potential mechanisms by which astrocytes may influence the neurodegenerative processes in Parkinson’s disease, and in particular examines how astrocytes confer neuroprotection either through the removal of toxic molecules from the extracellular space or through the release of trophic factors and antioxidant molecules. In contrast, under pathological conditions, astrocytes release proinflammatory cytokines and other toxic molecules that are detrimental to dopaminergic neurons. These emerging roles of astrocytes in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease constitute an exciting development with promising novel therapeutic targets.
Restoring Tree Islands in the Everglades: Experimental Studies of Tree Seedling Survival and Growth

In May 2004, 400 tree seedlings of seven different species found on tree islands in the Florida Everglades were planted at different elevations along five transects on eight newly constructed tree islands, four with and four without limestone cores. Seedlings suffered between 40 and 85% mortality during the first 120 days, the period with the lowest water levels. Ilex cassine L., Salix caroliniana Michx., Chrysobalanus icaco L., and Annona glabra had the highest number of surviving seedlings, whereas Magnolia virginiana L., Myrica cerifera L., and Acer rubrum L. had the fewest. During the remainder of the study, water levels were mostly higher and sometimes covered the entire islands for months at a time. After 220 days, nearly all seedlings of M. virginiana and My. cerifera had died. At the end of the study, seedlings of I. cassine and A. glabra had the highest survivorship rates. Seedling biomass of C. icaco and I. cassine was greatest at the highest elevations, whereas seedlings of A. glabra had similar biomass at all elevations. Seedling survivorship was not statistically different between islands with and without limestone cores; however, when seedlings of all species were combined, island core type was significantly different for aboveground biomass, seedling height, and canopy width. Because of the higher survivorship under both low and high water conditions, A. glabra, I. cassine, and S. caroliniana are the most suitable species for establishing tree species on restored tree islands in the Everglades.
Checking threat modeling data flow diagrams for implementation conformance and security

Threat modeling is a lightweight approach to reason about application security and uses Data Flow Diagrams (DFDs) with security annotations. We extended Reflexion Models to check the conformance of an as-designed DFD with an approximation of the as-built DFD obtained from the implementation. We also designed a set of properties and an analysis to help novice designers think about security threats such as spoofing, tampering and information disclosure.
The Science of Salsa: Antimicrobial Properties of Salsa Components to Learn Scientific Methodology

Most ethnic foods and cooking practices have incorporated the use of spices and other food additives. Many common spices have crossed cultural boundaries and appear in multiple ethnic cuisines. Recent studies have demonstrated that many of these ingredients possess antimicrobial properties against common food spoilage microorganisms. We developed a laboratory exercise that promotes the use of scientific methodology to evaluate the effectiveness of salsa components at inhibiting the growth of undesirable microorganisms. Tomato, onion, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeno were tested for antimicrobial properties against a representative fungus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and the common food spoilage bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Escherichia coli. Each component was ethanol extracted and a modification of the Kirby-Bauer method of antimicrobial sensitivity was employed. Garlic demonstrated the greatest inhibitory effects against all organisms tested. Onion demonstrated a slight inhibition of all four organisms, while cilantro showed some inhibition of all three bacteria but no effect against the fungus. Jalapeno may have slightly inhibited E. coli and S. aureus, as evidenced by a consistently measured increase in the zone of inhibition that was not statistically significant when compared to that of the control. Following the initial exercise, students were given the opportunity to repeat the exercise using other spices such as cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and coriander. Student learning outcomes were evaluated using preliminary and secondary surveys, mainly focusing on definitions of science and hypothesis as well as the process of science. Students enjoyed this exercise and met the learning goals of understanding the process and methodology of science, as well as the interdisciplinarity inherent in the sciences. Student learning was evidenced by an increase in the number of correct responses on the secondary survey in comparison to the preliminary.
Non-premixed turbulent CO/H2 flames at local extinction conditions

The physical phenomena responsible for the local extinction of diffusion flames due to intense turbulence are discussed and a computational model for a jet flame under such conditions is presented. In the model, combustion chemistry is represented by two-body shuffle reactions, taken to be infinitely fast or frozen, and three-body recombination reations. The scalar dispation rate field is examined for critical values below which the two-body reactions are assumed to be in partial equilibrium and above which they are assumed to be frozen and the gas therefore unburned. The kinetics of the recombination reactions are activated for the former fraction of the gas. This approach is implemented in a shear-layer finite-volume averaged Navier-Stokes model with k -∈/assumed shape pdf sub-models for turbulence. The model is applied to a Re=15,000 pilot-stabilized 40% CO/10% H 2 /50% N 2 jet flame for which laser-based spectroscopic data on major species and temperature are presented. The fuel is chosen to maximize the probability of local extinction. The model is useful for moderate to high Reynolds number diffusion flames.
Congenital cytomegalovirus: Immunological alterations

Immunological studies on 29 children with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection were performed. Two groups of patients were considered according to the presence or absence of clinical symptoms. Asymptomatic patients had increased numbers of natural killer (NK) cells (CD 16+), activated NK cells (CD16+/ HLA-DR), and activated suppressor/cytotoxic cells (CD8+/HLA-DR+/TAC). In addition, cells from this group of patients showed increased NK activity against fibroblasts infected with CMV and a significant proliferative response to CMV antigens. In contrast, cells from symptomatic patients had reduced NK activity against fibroblasts infected with CMV and a defective proliferative response to CMV antigens. In both groups, the number of total T, T-helper, and T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells was normal, as was the ratio of helper/suppressor. The reported differences in the immunological parameters between the asymptomatic and symptomatic patients suggest that cell-mediated immunity may play an important role in determining the outcome of the infection.
Action of Thrombin on Iodinated Fibrinogen

FIBRINOGEN dissolved in 30 per cent urea solution readily consumes iodine even at 0° C. Analysis has shown that the action of iodine is twofold : part of the consumed iodine is substituted in the tyrosine rings in the fibrinogen molecule, and part of the iodine oxidizes certain of its groups. Thus as a result of the action of iodine, fibrinogens, iodinated and oxidized to various extents, can be prepared. To obtain such iodinated fibrinogens, a known amount of N/100 iodine solution was allowed to act on samples of fibrinogen dissolved in slightly alkaline 30 per cent urea solution. After various incubation times the action of the iodine was stopped by removing the remaining free iodine with thiosulphate. The urea was then dialysed off and the fibrinogen precipitated isoelectrically several times and finally dissolved in slightly alkaline water. The iodine bound to fibrinogen was then estimated. It was found that the iodine bound to the fibrinogen reached its maximum value in the first few minutes and then remained constant. This maximum value corresponds to two iodine atoms per tyrosine residue of fibrinogen. Simultaneously, the Millon reaction for phenolic groups disappeared.
71.3: Color Field Emission Display for Large Area HDTV

Field emission displays, due to their low driver electronics cost, are a competitive technology for large area flat screen displays. They are particularly well-suited for HDTV resolution displays which incorporate an enormous number of driver outputs. Here we demonstrate the suitability of nanotube-based field emission technology to obtain a high performance full-color display with 726 μm pixels, the proper size for a 42″ 1280×720 HDTV resolution display. We report results of brightness, beam divergence, and uniformity measurements, and we show RGB color video images.