cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HETEROEPITAXY OF DIAMOND ON C-BN : GROWTH MECHANISMS AND DEFECT CHARACTERIZATION

Diamond films grown on {100}, {111} boron-terminated, and nitrogen-terminated facets of cubic boron nitride (c-BN) single crystals were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The evolution of morphology and microstructure of the diamond films at different stages during the growth process were followed by SEM investigation. The results indicate that diamond growth proceeds by nucleation of oriented three-dimensional islands followed by their coalescence. Cross-sectional TEM specimens were prepared from thick (over 10 μm) continuous diamond films grown on {111} boron-terminated surfaces. Selected-area diffraction and high resolution TEM images show that the diamond film has a parallel orientation relationship with respect to the substrate. Characteristic defects, common to diamond films obtained by chemical vapor deposition on other substrates, are also discussed.
Detecting oscillatory behavior using Lyapunov functions

Conditions are derived which guarantee the existence of oscillatory behavior for general nonlinear, high-dimensional systems. The first result is motivated by the energy transfer which occurs for example in an oscillatory LC circuit. A simple generalization of this energy transfer mechanism leads to conditions which guarantee the existence of oscillations and which can be expressed in terms of Lyapunov-like functions. The second result in this paper are new computationally tractable conditions which allow to use numerical methods, like sum of squares techniques, to verify oscillatory behavior for polynomial systems. Moreover, a simple condition for the nonexistence of oscillatory behavior is pointed out. The applicability of the results is demonstrated by several examples.
Orogenic to postorogenic (1.20–1.15 Ga) magmatism in the Adirondack Lowlands and Frontenac terrane, southern Grenville Province, USA and Canada

Magmatism in the southern Grenville Province records a collisional and postcollisional history during the period 1.20–1.15 Ga in the Adirondack Lowlands (New York State, USA) and the Frontenac terrane (Ontario, Canada). The 1.20 Ga bimodal Antwerp-Rossie suite of the Adirondack Lowlands was produced by subduction in the Trans-Adirondack backarc basin. This was followed by intrusion of the 1.18 Ga alkalic to calc-alkalic Hermon granite, which may have been generated by melting of metasomatized mantle during collision of the Adirondack Lowlands and Frontenac terrane during the Shawinigan orogeny. The Hyde School gneiss plutons intruded the Adirondack Lowlands at 1.17 Ga, and Rockport granite intruded into the Adirondack Lowlands and Frontenac terrane, stitching the Black Lake shear zone, which marks the boundary between these terranes. Subsequent extensional collapse and lithospheric delamination caused voluminous anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-granite plutonism. In the Frontenac terrane, this event is represented by the 1.18–1.15 Ga Frontenac suite, which is composed predominately of ferroan granitoids produced from melting of the lower crust by underplating mafic magmas. The Edwardsville, Honey Hill, and Beaver Creek plutons are newly recognized members of this suite in the Adirondack Lowlands. High oxygen isotope ratios of this suite in the central Frontenac terrane and western Adirondack Lowlands point to the presence of underthrust altered oceanic rocks in the lower crust. Oxygen isotopes of the Frontenac suite in both terranes preclude its derivation from mantle melts alone.
Drosophila EB1 is important for proper assembly, dynamics, and positioning of the mitotic spindle

EB1 is an evolutionarily conserved protein that localizes to the plus ends of growing microtubules. In yeast, the EB1 homologue (BIM1) has been shown to modulate microtubule dynamics and link microtubules to the cortex, but the functions of metazoan EB1 proteins remain unknown. Using a novel preparation of the Drosophila S2 cell line that promotes cell attachment and spreading, we visualized dynamics of single microtubules in real time and found that depletion of EB1 by RNA-mediated inhibition (RNAi) in interphase cells causes a dramatic increase in nondynamic microtubules (neither growing nor shrinking), but does not alter overall microtubule organization. In contrast, several defects in microtubule organization are observed in RNAi-treated mitotic cells, including a drastic reduction in astral microtubules, malformed mitotic spindles, defocused spindle poles, and mispositioning of spindles away from the cell center. Similar phenotypes were observed in mitotic spindles of Drosophila embryos that were microinjected with anti-EB1 antibodies. In addition, live cell imaging of mitosis in Drosophila embryos reveals defective spindle elongation and chromosomal segregation during anaphase after antibody injection. Our results reveal crucial roles for EB1 in mitosis, which we postulate involves its ability to promote the growth and interactions of microtubules within the central spindle and at the cell cortex.
A Perimeter-Based Clustering Index for Measuring Spatial Segregation: A Cognitive GIS Approach:

Many efforts have been made to develop segregation indices that incorporate spatial interaction based on the contiguity concept. Contiguity refers to how similar the concentration of the subject of...
Right ventricular myxoma

We recently treated a patient with right ventricular myxoma and a clinical picture of pulmonary embolism and tricuspid valve obstruction who had successful removal of the tumor through the tricuspid valve via a right atriotomy.
Automated demanufacturing studies in detecting and destroying, threaded connections for processing electronic waste

Automation can be used to supplement the manual processing of used electronic products in order to offset the increasing volumes in electronic waste streams. The application of automation to demanufacturing requires high levels of flexibility. In order to study the utility of automation for demanufacturing of used products, a flexible cover removal process was implemented within an automated demanufacturing work cell. The process demonstrates two of the key objectives in automated processing of used products: feature identification and connection removal. The study is limited to threaded connections that can be detected on the external surface of the product. Feature detection is performed through the use of stereo machine vision with a simple search algorithm. Once a positive feature is discovered, a material removal approach is used to eliminate the threaded connections. A flexible material removal platform has been established with on hand tooling mounted to a 6 DOF industrial robot. Experiments identified key issues in the recognition and removal process. Constraints to the range of product that can be processed are identified based on feature recognition and material cutting limits. Product design considerations for automated demanufacturing are presented.
Community-Based Ecotourism Development on the Periphery of Belize

In addition to ecological interests, the sustainability debate among scholars is concerned with grassroots tourism development in terms of participatory planning and the spreading of economic benefits between more sectors of society. This paper examines these issues in the context of community-based ecotourism development on the southern periphery of Belize. The Toledo Ecotourism Association and its activities are described within the context of peripheral development and sustainability. It is argued that sustainable tourism initiatives in developing countries can be conceptualised and operationalised at a very smallscale, improve the lives of residents, provide enjoyment for tourists, and protect the natural and cultural environments. The paper also argues that peripheral locations and their characteristics can be instrumental in promoting local control of small-scale tourism.
Characterizing SIMS transient effects apparent in matrix secondary ion signals from silicon under 1 keV Cs+ impact

The low energy Si 2 - , Si 3 and Si 4 - secondary ion signals resulting from Cs + impact on Si appear to scale with the Cs uptake noted over the SIMS transient region in a manner consistent with the electron tunneling model. These populations, particularly Si 3 - and Si 4 - also exhibit a relative insensitivity to the presence of O (shown once sputter rate variations are accounted for). Profiles that more closely match the expected Si concentration gradient from a native oxide terminated Si wafer present within the SIMS transient region can also be obtained by simply dividing the Si 3 - or Si 4 - secondary ion intensities by the Si 2 - intensities. This suggests a possible alternative route for reducing transient effects present in the negative secondary ion populations from Si wafers.
Design of a Multi-Function Walker/Cane for Enhanced Assistive Function

In the United States over 4 million people use canes and over 1.5 million people use walkers [1]. Of those walker users 77% are 65 years or older. Over 47,000 emergency room visits each year are a result of falls involving walkers and canes. Injuries from walker accidents are seven times more prevalent than cane accidents [2,3]. Many of these injuries result from the unavailability of a suitable assistive device for a patient’s current environment. For example, a walker may not allow patients to maneuver around a living room. Patients often resort to the dangerous practice of furniture walking (using surrounding objects to aid in balance) when environmental factors such as insufficient space preclude the use of a walker-type assistive device. Narrow passageways are particularly challenging to navigate for those individuals using a walker.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Exploiting the special structure of conflict and compatibility graphs in high-level synthesis

Coloring of conflict graphs and clique partitioning of compatibility graphs have been used in high-level synthesis to map operators, values, and data transfers onto shared resources. However, finding a minimum sized coloring or clique partition is NP hard. One method to overcome this complexity is to identify special types of graphs that can be colored or clique partitioned in polynomial time. Existing high-level synthesis systems have exploited two special types of conflict graphs-interval and circular-arc graphs. However, they have provided no insight into why and how frequently these graphs occur. This paper will investigate the features of behavioral representations and synthesis algorithms that give rise to special conflict and compatibility graphs. We will identify two additional types of graphs useful for high-level synthesis-chordal and comparability graphs-and demonstrate their use in an existing high-level synthesis system. >
Nd: YAG Laser-Based Dual-Line Rayleigh Scattering System

A dual-line detection Rayleigh scattering system for temperature and pressure diagnostics of gas flows is presented. The system, which uses two harmonics of an Nd:YAG laser simultaneously, is similar to an earlier version that utilized a copper-vapor laser. The dual-line detection method allows the determination and subsequent removal of surface-scattered background noise from the Rayleigh signal, improving the applicability of Rayleigh scattering to enclosed flows with high levels of laser glare. The present system was tested in both a vacuum chamber and a heated turbulent air jet covering a range of gas pressures and temperatures and in the presence of various levels of background noise. The 532-nm second and the 266-nm fourth harmonics of the laser were used simultaneously to collect scattered signal. Comparison of results obtained by the present system to those of single-line Rayleigh scattering shows that the dual-line detection technique provides a substantial improvement in measurement accuracy. The new system can accurately measure gas temperature and pressure up to a point where the background noise-to-Rayleigh signal ratio is approximately 3 on the green line. The surface scattering coefficient for the 266-nm uv line was found to be half that of the 532-nm green line, making the Rayleigh signal-to-background noise ratio of the uv line 30 times higher than that of the green line.
Conference Committee Proposal Rights and Policy Outcomes in the States

Most states and Congress allow only one version of a bill to be reported out of a conference committee. Because of their control over the conference membership, party leaders may use conferences to produce nonmedian outcomes. However, in three states the rules allow a minority to propose its own competing conference report. A formal model demonstrates that this institutional design produces more moderate legislative outcomes despite the preferences of the majority coalition. The model’s predictions are tested using coalition sizes on conference report votes in the states. Controlling for other factors, chambers which allow the minority to propose a competing conference report have larger coalitions, on average, though this effect is mitigated by interchamber distance. Further, rejection of the conference bill is also much less likely because the majority cannot propose extreme bills. The article demonstrates that conference committee proposal rules are an important source of majority coalition power.
Supporting Young Children's Literacy Learning through Home-School Partnerships: The Effectiveness of a Home Repeated-Reading Intervention:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a home repeated-reading intervention on the reading achievement of eight low-performing second-grade children in an urban school by tak...
Error handling in the NSLS control system

The error handling software is an important component of the NSLS control system and has been in use since 1982. Following the major control system upgrade, the error processing software has been improved at both micro and workstation levels. This note describes strategies used in error detection and reporting and the workstation software used for display and analysis of error messages.
Integrating Implicit and Explicit Social Cognitions for Enhanced Personality Assessment A General Framework for Choosing Measurement and Statistical Methods

The current article advocates integrating implicit and explicit social cognitions for enhanced personality assessment in organizational contexts (e.g., personnel selection settings). Several methods for measuring implicit cognitions are reviewed, and their strengths and limitations are discussed. The most widely used method for measuring explicit cognitions, the self-report questionnaire, also is described along with its strengths and limitations. Implicit and explicit cognitions then are integrated to form a general model of personality prototypes. The authors describe several mechanisms by which implicit and explicit cognitions may operate (e.g., coact, interact) to predict criteria, depending on the nature of the personality construct assessed and the outcome of interest. These different operations implicate different statistical methodologies. The authors then present specific examples of this integrative procedure for enhancing personality assessment using the construct of achievement motivation. The...
Social Interactions of Learning Disabled Children: A Linguistic, Social and Cognitive Analysis

In analyzing the linguistic, social, and cognitive attributes of the social interactions of learning disabled children, Bryan and Pflaum have raised some questions about the practice of classifying...
Impacts of Climate Change on the Collapse of Lowland Maya Civilization

Paleoclimatologists have discovered abundant evidence that droughts coincided with collapse of the Lowland Classic Maya civilization, and some argue that climate change contributed to societal disintegration. Many archaeologists, however, maintain that drought cannot explain the timing or complex nature of societal changes at the end of the Classic Period, between the eighth and eleventh centuries CE. This review presents a compilation of climate proxy data indicating that droughts in the ninth to eleventh century were the most severe and frequent in Maya prehistory. Comparison with recent archaeological evidence, however, indicates an earlier beginning for complex economic and political processes that led to the disintegration of states in the southern region of the Maya lowlands that precedes major droughts. Nonetheless, drought clearly contributed to the unusual severity of the Classic Maya collapse, and helped to inhibit the type of recovery seen in earlier periods of Maya prehistory. In the drier northern Maya Lowlands, a later political collapse at ca. 1000 CE appears to be related to ongoing extreme drought. Future interdisciplinary research should use more refined climatological and archaeological data to examine the relationship between climate and social processes throughout the entirety of Maya prehistory.
Dual-responsive nanoparticles release cargo upon exposure to matrix metalloproteinase and reactive oxygen species

Micellar nanoparticles were designed to be responsive to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), each of which is upregulated in the pathology of inflammatory diseases. The amphiphilic polymer-based nanoparticle system consists of a hydrophilic shell responsible for particle morphology change and aggregation, together with a hydrophobic block designed to release cargo in the presence of ROS.
A rating system for AEC e-bidding that accounts for rater credibility

We believe that a rating system can substantially improve the effectiveness of an AEC ecommercemarket since it can provide a means for market participants to share information about performance.One critical issue in the design of rating system is how to weight the ratings depending on who isthe rater. Source credibility theory from the area of communication science offers a solution to thisproblem since it provides a means for user's to explicitly rate the reliability of a given rater. We alsoclaim that it is important what type information that is available for assessing the raters' credibility.In this paper we propose an algorithm to calculate ratings of AEC subcontractors based on theuser's different types of information about the credibility of the raters. Finally, we describe anexperiment in progress to investigate the use of source credibility as a basis for a functioning AECrating system.
How Do I Cite? Try Using the ALWD Manual to Find Your Answers

This short bar article introduces readers to the ALWD Manual. The article identifies key differences between the Bluebook and the ALWD citation manuals. The authors suggest the ALWD manual is a more user-friendly citation tool for students, the bench and the bar.
Assuming an Epistemology of Emergence: Classrooms as Complex Adaptive Systems

This review of literature was conducted to identify practical implications of complex adaptive systems in the classroom. The article uses complexity thinking to analyze conditions for emergence. Emergence is understood in this context as a “teachable moment”, and in order for students to capitalize on these many moments, the conditions for emergence must be set by the teacher and experienced by the students.
Protein kinase C-ε-null mice have decreased hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

PKC contributes to regulation of pulmonary vascular reactivity in response to hypoxia. The role of individual PKC isozymes is less clear. We used a knockout (null, −/−) mouse to test the hypothesis...
A Comparison of Urban High School Students’ Perception of Music, Culture, and Identity

Forty students (N = 40) enrolled in the world drumming classes at two midsize urban high schools, School A (n = 18) and School B (n = 22), responded to a survey in which they freely responded to questions about their music preference, cultural background, school environment, their involvement in music in their schools and community, and how they believe their music choices express their identities. Results revealed that students in School A, where teachers and administrators seemed to have adopted culturally relevant pedagogies, articulated their perceptions of music, culture, and identity in a more meaningful way.
Detection and analysis on severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus in blood from a patient bitted by tick in Dalian City

The epidemic rang of SFTSV(severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus) in southern coastland of Liaoning was discussed by pathogen detecting of blood sample and epidemiological survey of the patient bitted by tick in Dalian.The IgM and IgG of SFTSV in serum from the patient in acute phase and 26 local people who were not bitted by tick were detected by ELISA.The nucleic acid of SFTSV was tested by RT-PCR,and the viral isolation and identification of the blood sample from the patient were conducted by VERO-E6 cell.The result showed that IgM antibodies of SFTSV from serum in acute phase were positive while the IgG was negative,but that of another 4 samples in 26 healthy people were positive.The PCR result of serum from patient was positive.One positive virus strain was isolated from the blood sample of the patient and one was from the tick that bitted people's skin.Then they were identified as SFTSV by detecting the M section of genome with whole gene sequencing primer.The strains isolated from patient and tick were both SFTSV and the homology of them was more than 99%,which showed that SFTSV was an important pathogen.The genetic distance between the virus isolated in Dandong,Fushun and Tieling and that isolated in this case was relatively far from each other,which suggested that the latent infection of SFTSV also existed in health people in Dalian City.
The Affect of Imaginative Delusion from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's KUBLA KHAN on the Meritocratic American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald's THE GREAT GATSBY

The end of chapter six of The Great Gatsby describes both Gatsby's metaphysical union with Daisy and Nick's failure to express to the reader the complete significance of Gatsby's courtship with Dai...
Data-Driven Identification of Risk Factors of Patient Satisfaction at a Large Urban Academic Medical Center.

Background The Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey is the first publicly reported nationwide survey to evaluate and compare hospitals. Increasing patient satisfaction is an important goal as it aims to achieve a more effective and efficient healthcare delivery system. In this study, we develop and apply an integrative, data-driven approach to identify clinical risk factors that associate with patient satisfaction outcomes. Methods We included 1,771 unique adult patients who completed the HCAHPS survey and were discharged from the inpatient Medicine service from 2010 to 2012. We collected 266 clinical features including patient demographics, lab measurements, medications, disease categories, and procedures. We developed and applied a data-driven approach to identify risk factors that associate with patient satisfaction outcomes. Findings We identify 102 significant risk factors associating with 18 surveyed questions. The most significantly recurrent clinical risk factors were: self-evaluation of health, education level, Asian, White, treatment in BMT oncology division, being prescribed a new medication. Patients who were prescribed pregabalin were less satisfied particularly in relation to communication with nurses and pain management. Explanation of medication usage was associated with communication with nurses (q = 0.001); however, explanation of medication side effects was associated with communication with doctors (q = 0.003). Overall hospital rating was associated with hospital environment, communication with doctors, and communication about medicines. However, patient likelihood to recommend hospital was associated with hospital environment, communication about medicines, pain management, and communication with nurse. Conclusions Our study identified a number of putatively novel clinical risk factors for patient satisfaction that suggest new opportunities to better understand and manage patient satisfaction. Hospitals can use a data-driven approach to identify clinical risk factors for poor patient satisfaction to support development of specific interventions to improve patients’ experience of care.
The functions and value of reminiscence for older adults in long-term residential care facilities.

For the many older adults living in long-term care facilities, the ability to connect with others, as well as with one's own personal past, may be of particular value. Reflecting on the past and sharing reminiscences with others serves different psychosocial functions in various settings. This study examined the functions of reminiscence for long-term care residents in the United States (Mage = 86.5) by addressing the self-reported frequency of reminiscence, the counterparties involved, the overall purpose and value of reminiscence, and the relation to residents' mental health and well-being. Results demonstrated that although some functions of reminiscence were comparable to those found in community-dwelling older adults, others were unique to the long-term care setting. Residents were most likely to reminisce alone and they found the experience enjoyable. They reported engaging in and enjoying reminiscence with family more than with fellow residents, and a subset desired increased opportunities to share memories with healthcare providers. Residents with lower morale and more depressive symptoms were more likely to engage in unhealthy styles of reminiscence. These findings suggest that interventions shaping reminiscence encounters may have positive outcomes for long-term care residents.
Care of the trauma patient in the age of the human immunodeficiency virus.

The human immunodeficiency virus is prevalent in emergency and trauma patients and presents a threat to health care workers. Proper precautions will protect both the patients and the medical staff.
Endovascular therapy of basal ganglion, thalamic, and brainstem arteriovenous malformations

Central arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in locations including the basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem are difficult to treat. These AVMs have a poor natural history and are prone to multiple hemorrhages. This study evaluated the results of endovascular treatment alone and combined with surgery and/or radiosurgery. Embolization achieved significant size reduction (mean 42.9%). In our series, 9/26 (34.6%) were thrombosed with embolization alone or embolization combined with surgery. There was a higher rate of therapeutic complications in this group than in patients with AVMs elsewhere, and endovascular therapy alone did not appear to alter the natural history of these lesions, which are prone to hemorrhage.
Increased brain hemopexin levels improve outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), extracellular heme precipitates secondary brain injury, which results in irreversible brain damage and enduring neurological deficits. Hemopexin (Hpx) is a...
US FDA Perspective on Elbasvir/Grazoprevir Treatment for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1 or 4 Infection.

Elbasvir/grazoprevir demonstrated high sustained virologic response rates 12 weeks after the end of treatment (SVR12) across five clinical trials in subjects infected with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1, including those with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), and GT4. Despite favorable results overall, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encountered challenging regulatory issues due to the limitations of clinical trial data in certain subpopulations. In GT1a-infected subjects, baseline NS5A resistance-associated polymorphisms emerged as the strongest baseline characteristic associated with diminished SVR12 rates following 12 weeks of elbasvir/grazoprevir treatment. The decision for recommending 16 weeks of elbasvir/grazoprevir + ribavirin in this population and for extrapolating these recommendations to patients with advanced CKD was based on benefit-versus-risk analyses using the available data. Conversely, FDA had insufficient data to define a specific elbasvir/grazoprevir treatment regimen for GT1a-infected subjects with baseline NS5A resistance-associated polymorphisms who failed prior treatment with pegylated interferon + ribavirin (PR) and either boceprevir, simeprevir, or telaprevir. For GT4 PR-experienced patients, leveraging of data in related populations and additional pooled analyses were employed to support labeling for elbasvir/grazoprevir. This article describes FDA’s rationale for labeling determinations in situations where limited data made these decisions challenging.
Conviction and Rationality

A short paper presented before the Fellows of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions during the academic year 1969-70, with an Introductory Note written nearly 50 years later. The paper describes the author's enduring personal philosophical precept; it is also an implicit encomium to individuals whose psychology establishes a dependable bridge between their rational convictions and their conduct.
Attachment states of mind among internationally adoptive and foster parents

The first aim of the current study was to examine the latent structure of attachment states of mind as assessed by the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) among three groups of parents of children at risk for insecure attachments: parents who adopted internationally (N = 147), foster parents (N = 300), and parents living in poverty and involved with Child Protective Services (CPS; N = 284). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated the state of mind rating scales loaded on two factors reflecting adults' preoccupied and dismissing states of mind. Taxometric analyses indicated the variation in adults' preoccupied states of mind was more consistent with a dimensional than a categorical model, whereas results for dismissing states of mind were indeterminate. The second aim was to examine the degree to which the attachment states of mind of internationally adoptive and foster parents differ from those of poverty/CPS-referred parents and low-risk parents. After controlling for parental age, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, (a) internationally adoptive parents had lower scores on the dismissing dimension than the sample of community parents described by Haltigan, Leerkes, Supple, and Calkins (2014); (b) foster parents did not differ from community parents on either the dismissing or the preoccupied AAI dimension; and (c) both internationally adoptive and foster parents had lower scores on the preoccupied dimension than poverty/CPS-referred parents. Analyses using the traditional AAI categories provided convergent evidence that (a) internationally adoptive parents were more likely to be classified as having an autonomous state of mind than low-risk North American mothers based on Bakermans-Kranenburg and van IJzendoorn's (2009) meta-analytic estimates, (b) the rates of autonomous states of mind did not differ between foster and low-risk parents, and
Teachers’ Technology Competency and Technology Integration in 1:1 Schools:

Although school 1:1 computing programs have been around for over 20 years, the literature base on such programs remains sparse. Despite limited research on efficacy and implementation, 1:1 initiatives are increasingly popular in P-12 schools. The impact of these programs is not yet certain. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact that 1:1 schools had on teachers’ technology competency and instructional integration. Propensity score matching was used in order to have similar control (non-1:1) and treatment (1:1) schools in the sample. The final sample included 110 high schools and 922 secondary school teachers in the state of Iowa. Data were collected from public databases as well as from teacher surveys. The final data analysis was conducted using a multilevel model with three separate models for each of the dependent variables (competency and integration). Results indicated that teachers in schools with 1:1 student computing initiatives report higher levels of personal technology competency...
Plasmonics and metamaterials based super-resolution imaging (Conference Presentation)

In recent years, surface imaging of various biological dynamics and biomechanical phenomena has seen a surge of interest. Imaging of processes such as exocytosis and kinesin motion are most effective when depth is limited to a very thin region of interest at the edge of the cell or specimen. However, many objects and processes of interest are of size scales below the diffraction limit for safe, visible wavelength illumination. Super-resolution imaging methods such as structured illumination microscopy and others have offered various compromises between resolution, imaging speed, and bio-compatibility. In this talk, I will present our most recent progress in plasmonic structured illumination microscopy (PSIM) and localized plasmonic structured illumination microscopy (LPSIM), and their applications in bio-imaging. We have achieved wide-field surface imaging with resolution down to 75 nm while maintaining reasonable speed and compatibility with biological specimens. These plasmonic enhanced super resolution techniques offer unique solutions to obtain 50nm spatial resolution and 50 frames per second wide imaging speed at the same time.
Digital vs. Analog for Economic Control of a Processing Plant

Abstract It is well known that analog control of pneumatically and electrically actuated systems has been applied in various processing industries for a number of years. The first major digitally controlled closed loop system implemented was in an oil refinery in 1959. After this, many digital control elements were installed in plants as an afterthought rather than a beforethought, and were frequently considered as status symbols rather than effective tools to be used for on-line-realtime industrial controls for complex systems. Any industrial plant which has a good self organizing response through digital or analog control doesn't just happen, it requires a comprehensive feasibility study to determine the practicality of installing a computer to control the plant's process. In the past, too little attention has been paid to economic trade-offs. This paper presents one of several methods to compare the relative merits of using adaptive analog control as opposed to direct digital control. The computer used for this study was the Hybrid Computer System of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Florida (1). The plant process studied was implemented as a dynamic analog model as described by P. Valisalo, “Dynamic Hybrid Computer Simulation of the Economics of a Chemical Plant,” prepared for the 6th AICA Congress, Munich, Germany, August 31-September 4, 1970 (3). An arbitrarily varying time function with random Gaussian noise was used as an input to simulate the outside forcing functions which represented the fluctuation of sales and the random fluctuation of the mine output. The objective of this study was not only to minimize sales loses due to shortages in product inventories such that the plant fails to meet the market demands, but to minimize the costs of carrying an inventory level in excess of some economic minimum. For the analog mode of control, an adaptive process control configuration was used, and for the direct digitally controlled operation, an adaptive digital, technique was utilized. This paper presents a number of interrelated factors involved in determining whether digital or analog control is more suitable for a particular process, illustrating that only by experience and familiarity with both can one provide a sound basis for selecting the proper computer for the particular plant process. Consequently, it is becoming increasingly important that management as well as the design engineer be familiar with these two powerful means of controlling a process plant.
Abstract 5477: Hydrogels to study ECM-oxygen gradient interactions for sarcoma cell migration

Hypoxia is a critical factor in the progression and metastasis of many cancers, including soft tissue sarcomas. Frequently, oxygen (O2) gradients develop in tumors as they grow beyond their vascular supply, leading to heterogeneous areas of O2 depletion. Here, we report the impact of hypoxic O2 gradients and collagen fibers on sarcoma cell invasion and migration. We begun with O2 gradient measurements and found that large sarcoma mouse tumors (>300 mm3) contain a severely hypoxic core [≤0.1% partial pressure of O2 (pO2)] whereas smaller tumors possessed hypoxic gradients throughout the tumor mass (0.1–6% pO2). To analyze tumor invasion, we used O2-controllable hydrogels to recreate the physiopathological O2 levels in vitro. Small tumor grafts encapsulated in the hydrogels revealed increased invasion that was both faster and extended over a longer distance in the hypoxic hydrogels compared with nonhypoxic hydrogels. To model the effect of the O2 gradient accurately, we examined individual sarcoma cells embedded in the O2-controllable hydrogel. We observed that hypoxic gradients guide sarcoma cell motility and matrix remodeling through hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) activation. We further found that in the hypoxic gradient, individual cells migrate more quickly, across longer distances, and in the direction of increasing O2 tension. Treatment with minoxidil, an inhibitor of hypoxia-induced sarcoma metastasis, abrogated cell migration and matrix remodeling in the hypoxic gradient. Next, we have developed hypoxic hydrogels where we can control collagen fiber density and cross-linking density independently from oxygen gradients. Using this new platform we show that an increase in fiber density in conjunction with the hypoxic oxygen gradient leads to an increase in sarcoma cell migration. This increase in migration speed was also correlated with quicker stress relaxation times of the collagen gel and larger pore size. Using these platforms we are able to create a novel 3D experimental system with control over mechanical properties (crosslinking density, binding sight density, fiber density, stress relaxation time, and stiffness) independently from oxygen concentration. Overall, we show that O2 acts as a 3D physicotactic agent during sarcoma tumor invasion and that this migration is modulated by collagen fiber density and pore size, in the surrounding matrix. We propose the O2-controllable hydrogels as a predictive system to study early stages of the metastatic process and therapeutic targets. Citation Format: Daniel M. Lewis, Sharon Gerecht, T. S. Karin Eisinger-Mathason. Hydrogels to study ECM-oxygen gradient interactions for sarcoma cell migration [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5477. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5477
“Gamete On” for m6A: YTHDF2 Exerts Essential Functions in Female Fertility

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Ivanova et al. (2017) report key functions of the m6A reader YTHDF2 in the regulation of mammalian development during oocyte maturation and early zygotic development.
Transportation sustainability in the urban context: a comprehensive review

Although the term “sustainability” did not gain traction until the 1980s, concerns about the consequences of transportation technology started long before. This paper reviews the literature on urba...
Hyperoxia induces paracellular leak and alters claudin expression by neonatal alveolar epithelial cells.

Background Premature neonates frequently require oxygen supplementation as a therapeutic intervention that, while necessary, also exposes the lung to significant oxidant stress. We hypothesized that hyperoxia has a deleterious effect on alveolar epithelial barrier function rendering the neonatal lung susceptible to injury and/or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Materials and methods We examined the effects of exposure to 85% oxygen on neonatal rat alveolar barrier function in vitro and in vivo. Whole lung was measured using wet-to-dry weight ratios and bronchoalveolar lavage protein content and cultured primary neonatal alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) were measured using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and paracellular flux measurements. Expression of claudin-family tight junction proteins, E-cadherin and the Snail transcription factor SNAI1 were measured by Q-PCR, immunoblot and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Results Cultured neonatal AECs exposed to 85% oxygen showed impaired barrier function. This oxygen-induced increase in paracellular leak was associated with altered claudin expression, where claudin-3 and -18 were downregulated at both the mRNA and protein level. Claudin-4 and -5 mRNA were also decreased, although protein expression of these claudins was largely maintained. Lung alveolarization and barrier function in vivo were impaired in response to hyperoxia. Oxygen exposure also significantly decreased E-cadherin expression and induced expression of the SNAI1 transcription factor in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions These data support a model in which hyperoxia has a direct impact on alveolar tight and adherens junctions to impair barrier function. Strategies to antagonize the effects of high oxygen on alveolar junctions may potentially reverse this deleterious effect.
Principles of Sonography

The frequency of medical ultrasound ranges between 2 and 15 MHz. The speed of sound in tissues is 1,500 m/s yielding a wavelength of about 1 mm. This limits the imaging of nerves to structures that are at least 1 mm in diameter. Most nerves, veins, and arteries of interest are larger (3–15 mm).
The physiology of uric acid and the impact of end-stage kidney disease and dialysis

Uric acid-mediated biological effects are milieu dependent. In a physiological milieu, serum uric acid serves as an antioxidant; when homeostasis is perturbed, divergent effects are observed depending on the clinical context. Several epidemiologic studies indicated the presence of a direct relationship between higher concentrations of serum uric acid and cardiovascular mortality; yet not all studies support this conclusion. Although high serum levels of uric acid are associated with higher mortality in patients with nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease and perhaps in those with end-stage kidney disease receiving peritoneal dialysis, the opposite relationship is seen in patients with end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis. This review discusses the pathologic mechanisms associated with elevated serum uric acid levels by clinical context; examines the interplay between uric acid metabolism and modality of renal replacement therapy; and presents hypotheses to rationalize the disparate associations between incremental levels of serum uric acid and survival across the continuum of kidney disease and by type of renal replacement therapy.
Developmental perspective dreaming across the lifespan and what this tells us

This chapter takes on the ambitious goal of describing dreaming across the lifespan, integrating both empirical dream research and clinical case examples. Each major stage of the lifespan is discussed, from infancy (where our knowledge of dreaming is speculative at best) to later adulthood. Written from the perspectives of a developmental sleep researcher and a clinician, the chapter weaves together what is known empirically with the usefulness of dreams at different stages to inform clinical understanding. We attempt to provide an integrative view of dreaming which embraces the fundamental ambiguity of dreams across the lifespan.
Cell Proliferation in the Intestinal Epithelium

The intestinal epithelium which lines the inner surface of the mammalian small intestine is a continuous membrane that is formed by a layer of simple columnar epithelial cells. This epithelial membrane covers the villi that project out into the intestinal lumen and lines the crypts that invaginate into the lamina propria from the base of each villus (Fig. 1).
Space Observations of Solar and Stellar Oscillations

Space observations offer many advantages for helio- and asteroseismology, due principally to the absence in space of transparency fluctuations, image blurring, and absorption by the Earth’s atmosphere, and to the possibility of long-term continuous observations by a single spaceborne instrument. Helioseismology from space has already shown that stars produce a measurable oscillation signal through photometric variations at the micromagnitude level; this leads to the near-term possibility of simple spaceborne instruments for both helio- and asteroseismology. For the Sun, where photon flux is not a serious problem, doppler analyzer instruments also show great promise. A number of space investigations in helio- and asteroseismology presently under definition or development are briefly discussed.
Simulation of Quasi-Static and Dynamic Collapses of Rectangular Granular Columns Using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Method

AbstractThe quasi-static collapse of granular material where the effect of particle inertia is negligible is an important topic of interest in various natural phenomena and industrial processes. Ho...
Redesigning a Tool for Secure Android Coding with Accessibility

This paper describes our work to redesign and implement new features to the Secure Android Coding Helper (SACH) that provides accessibility to as many disabled people as possible. SACH is a scanning tool developed to scan the source code of a vulnerable Android application for non-compliance of CERT Android Secure Coding Rules. New features were implemented to make the SACH tool accessible without keyboard or without a mouse and compatible with screen reader programs such as JAWS on Windows and VoiceOver on Mac.
Spectral assessment of soybean leaf area and leaf biomass

Red and photographic infrared spectral radiance have been correlated with soybean total leaf area index, green leaf area index, chlorotic area index, green leaf biomass, chlorotic leaf biomass, and total biomass. The most significant correlations were found to exist between the spectral data and green leaf area index and/or green leaf biomass. These findings demonstrate that ground based remote sensing data can supply information basic to soybean canopy growth, development, and status by non-destructive determination of the green leaf area or green leaf biomass.
EM-LDDMM for 3D to 2D registration

Abstract We examine the problem of mapping dense 3D atlases onto censored, sparsely sampled 2D target sections at micron and meso scales. We introduce a new class of large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping (LD-DMM) algorithms for generating dense atlas correspondences onto sparse 2D samples by introducing a field of hidden variables which must be estimated representing a large class of target image uncertainties including (i) unknown parameters representing cross stain contrasts, (ii) censoring of tissue due to localized measurements of target subvolumes and (iii) sparse sampling of target tissue sections. For prediction of the hidden fields we introduce the generalized expectation-maximization algorithm (EM) for which the E-step calculates the conditional mean of the hidden variates simultaneously combined with the diffeomorphic correspondences between atlas and target coordinate systems. The algorithm is run to fixed points guaranteeing estimators satisfy the necessary maximizer conditions when interpreted as likelihood estimators. The dense mapping is an injective correspondence to the sparse targets implying all of the 3D variations are performed only on the atlas side with variation in the targets only 2D manipulations.