cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ATP and β-adrenergic stimulation enhance voltage-gated K current inactivation in brown adipocytes

Sympathetic activation of brown fat thermogenesis stimulates adrenergic and purinergic receptors. We examined the effects of extracellular ATP and β-adrenergic agonists on voltage-activated K curre...
Linear Algebra with Programming Applications

The R language has several built-in matrix algebra commands. This proves useful for analysts who wish to write their own estimators or have other problems in linear algebra that they wish to compute using software. In some instances, it is easier to apply a formula for predictions, standard errors, or some other quantity directly rather than searching for a canned program to compute the quantity, if one exists. Matrix algebra makes it straightforward to compute these quantities yourself. This chapter introduces the syntax and available commands for conducting matrix algebra in R.
Design and evaluation of novel glutaminase inhibitors

Abstract A novel set of GAC (kidney glutaminase isoform C) inhibitors able to inhibit the enzymatic activity of GAC and the growth of the triple negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with low nanomolar potency is described. Compounds in this series have a reduced number of rotatable bonds, improved C log Ps, microsomal stability and ligand efficiency when compared to the leading GAC inhibitors BPTES and CB-839. Property improvements were achieved by the replacement of the flexible n-diethylthio or the n-butyl moiety present in the leading inhibitors by heteroatom substituted heterocycloalkanes.
INCIDENCE AND CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF KOMMERELL DIVERTICULUM AND ANEURYSM

There are limited data on incidence of Kommerell diverticulum (KD) and aneurysm (KA). We aimed to report the incidence and clinical presentation of KD and KA; and determine risk factors for development of KA. The Mayo Clinic radiology database was retrospectively analyzed to identify pts with
A novel meshless method based on ridge basis function

It is difficult to settle essential boundary conditions in meshless method because the meshless approximation functions are not built by interpolation schemes.A new meshless method was presented based on weighted least-square form and ridge basis functions interpolation(WLSR).WLSR is a pure meshless method only based on nodal information.The results of numerical examples applied to elastostatics are satisfying.
Between Scylla and Charybdis: Taxing Corporations or Shareholders (or Both)

The US taxes both corporations and shareholders on corporate profits. In principle, the U.S. could rely on only one of these taxes, as many commentators have suggested. Although choosing to tax the corporation or its owners may seem like taking money from one pocket or the other, this Essay emphasizes a key difference: corporate and shareholder taxes prompt different tax planning. Relying on one or the other mitigates some distortions and leaks, while exacerbating others. As a result, choosing which tax to impose is like navigating between Scylla and Charybdis.In response to these dualing distortions, this Essay recommends using both taxes. Some tax should be collected from corporations, and some from investors. The two rates should be coordinated, so they aggregate to the combined rate Congress wants, which ideally would be the rate for pass-through businesses. The main goal of this Essay is to defend the use of both taxes, and to analyze what the balance should be between them. Using both taxes has three advantages. First, if one of these partially overlapping instruments is avoided, the other still raises some revenue. Second, if the goal is to deter a planning strategy, cutting the rate to zero is an overreaction. If the rate is low enough, paying a tax is cheaper than avoiding it, since tax planning is not free. Third, if one tax is cut instead of repealed, the other can be correspondingly lower, and thus induces less planning.Even so, using two taxes poses challenges as well. First, although the taxes are supposed to backstop each other, they cannot do so when a planning strategy avoids both. Second, using two taxes is likely to increase administrative costs. Third, coordinating the two taxes to produce the right combined rate – ideally the rate for noncorporate businesses – is not easy.Once Congress chooses the combined rate on corporate profits, how should this burden be allocated between corporate and shareholder taxes? Since the corporate tax probably is more distortive, it should be cut significantly. The shareholder tax should be increased to make up the difference (or at least some of it).This Essay also cavasses reforms to shore up corporate and shareholder taxes, so the combined rate that actually is collected comes closer to the one on the books. While the focus is on incremental reform, this Essay’s central recommendation extends to more ambitious reforms as well. They also benefit from using two taxes, instead of one.
Foundry solutions enabling next wave of SoC innovations

The rapid evolution of applications in the consumer and mobile space coupled with the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) are driving foundries to diversify design-technology solutions. This talk will discuss Foundry Solutions enabling next wave of SoC Innovations in power, performance, cost, and time-to-volume, while solving the issues of voltage scaling and integration of "user-experience" functions.
LAMA: a language for automatic mechanical assembly

This paper describes a mechanical assembly system, LAMA, that transforms high level assembly descriptions into programs for a computer controlled manipulator.
Sudden Intrathecal Drug Delivery Device Motor Stalls: A Case Series.

Background and Objectives Intrathecal (IT) drug delivery systems (IDDSs) have been valuable in managing refractory chronic cancer and noncancer pain for more than 3 decades. These devices, time tested and overall reliable, have lately been noted at this institution to cease infusing unexpectedly. If not immediately recognized and rectified, this abrupt malfunction may lead to significant patient harm. Methods A series of 13 patients from 1 academic center whose Medtronic SynchroMed II pumps malfunctioned from 2013 to 2015 is described. Data from the patient population with regard to variables that may increase the rate of IDDS malfunction are analyzed. The risk factors for IDDS malfunction, Medtronic-issued recalls, and current literature on IT device failure are reviewed. Results The total prevalence of device motor stall among the population of this institution is 9.03%. The incidence rate of IDDS failure is calculated at 0.04 device failures per patient per year. Increased length of time from implant was the only statistically significant (P = 0.00009) risk factor for device failure identified in this population. Dysfunction in the motor gear train was found after destructive analysis of several devices in this series. Conclusions Higher rates of device failure are associated with the use of off-label IT drugs. However, device failure may still occur while infusing only approved medications. Implanted patients should be properly informed and educated to differentiate and recognize the critical error alarm of their device as well as the signs and symptoms of IT medication overdose and withdrawal.
Advanced Technologies for Detection and Elimination of Pathogens

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the latest research in developing rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection technologies and presents a summary of the latest research on advanced intervention technologies to inactivate pathogens on produce. The benchmarks and standards (the applicable Good Agricultural and Good Manufacturing Practices and guidance documents) of produce safety are the underpinning of the specific actions taken by growers, processors, shippers, and retailers. In the field, during harvest and processing, after packaging and shipping, and in the retail or foodservice environment, the steps taken to ensure the safety of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables fall into three general categories. These are protocols to exclude pathogens from the plants, produce, or packages, and protocols to contain or to eradicate pathogens. The study also explains the applicability of new technologies for the production and processing of organic fruits and vegetables. The regulations governing organic fruits and vegetables (National Organic Program) limit which technologies can be used during production and processing. These regulations establish science-based limits on what additives and processes can be used and applied, consistent with the tenets and philosophy of organic production. New technologies may not be specifically addressed by existing governing regulations. The most useful approach is to strike a balance of allowing scientific innovation to generate a host of new tools, and refining their implementation for the specific needs of important commodities or markets.
Reduction of water permeability by anisotonic solutions in frog corneal epithelium

PURPOSE. To study the effects of bathing solution osmolarity and Cl secretagogues on the diffusional water permeability (P dw ) of the isolated frog corneal epithelium. METHODS. Isolated frog corneas, with the endothelium scraped off, were mounted as a partition between Ussing-type hemichambers. Unidirectional diffusional water fluxes (J dw ) were measured by adding 3 H 2 O to one hemichamber and sampling from the other. Electrical parameters were measured simultaneously. J dw was determined in control isosmotic conditions and after either changes in osmolarity of the bathing solutions or the additions of amphotericin B, epinephrine, Ca 2+ ionophore, and other agents. RESULTS. Apical addition of 0.5 mM HgCl 2 elicited an 11-fold increase in paracellular conductance and inhibited J dw by 36%, suggesting that J dw was predominantly transcellular and that there was a negligible contribution of the paracellular pathway. Pretreatment of corneas with 2-mercaptoethanol prevented the effects of Hg 2+ on the paracellular conductance J dw . A hypotonic medium on the basolateral side reversibly reduccd J dw proportionately to the reduction in osmolarity, with 40 mOsm exerting a 29% decrease. Results from an Arrhenius plot suggest that water channels closed under this condition. Apical hypertonicity (350 mOsm) reduced J dw by approximately 12%. Basolateral hypertonicity (450 mOsm), after permeabilization of the apical membrane with amphotericin B, reduced J dw by 15%. Epinephrine was the only Cl sccretagogue that reduced J dw , on average by 12%. This effect, which was also observed with amphotericin B-treated corneas, was not mediated by classical preceptors based on the results obtained with isoproterenol and propranolol. CONCLUSIONS. Changes in basolateral osmolarity or the presence of an apical hypertonic solution decreased the diffusional water permeability (P dw ) of the corneal epithelium. Epinephrine also decreased P dw , and this effect was localized to the basolateral membrane. The similarities, of a sequence motif found in potassium channels and β-adrenergic receptor kinases that are regulated by the βγ subunit of G proteins with that found in aquaporins 2 and 5, could explain the link with epinephrine. Regardless of the mechanism, these results indicate that corneal epithelial water permeability can be regulated, presumably to protect cell volume from changes in solution osmolarity.
Surgical Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are a rare, heterogeneous group of neoplasms infamous for their endocrinopathies. Up to 90% of PNETs, however, are nonfunctional and are frequently detected incidentally on axial imaging during the evaluation of vague abdominal symptoms. Surgery remains the mainstay of therapy for patients diagnosed with both functional and nonfunctional PNETs. However, the multifaceted nature of PNETs challenges treatment decision making. In general, resection is recommended for patients with acceptable perioperative risk and amenable lesions.
The promise of circulating tumor cells for precision cancer therapy.

The rapidly growing array of therapeutic options in cancer requires informative biomarkers to guide the rational selection and precision application of appropriate therapies. Circulating biomarkers such as circulating tumor cells have immense potential as noninvasive, serial ‘liquid biopsies’ that may be more representative of the complete spectrum of a patient’s individual malignancy than spatially and temporally restricted tumor biopsies. In this review, we discuss the current state-of-the-art in the isolation and molecular characterization of circulating tumor cells as well as their utility in a wide range of clinical applications such as prognostics, treatment monitoring and identification of novel therapeutic targets and resistance mechanisms to enable real-time adjustments in the clinical management of cancer.
Standards for Global Health Information Systems

Most standards are made by a consensus process of volunteers in formal organizations called Standards Developing Organizations (SDOs). Unfortunately, because of different origins and through scope creep, the product of these various SDOs overlap. Competition seems to trump collaboration, and the user community are forced to make choices and to map between similar purpose standards with loss of information. Standards address a wide scope of topics but largely relate to the representation of data and to the transport of data. Dominant data transport SDOs include DOCOM, ASTM, HL7, IEEE, IHE, CDISC, CEN, ISO TC 215, openEHR, and GIS. Dominant data representation standards include ICD, IHTSDO, LOINC, and RxNorm. What standards are required are largely driven by the interests of the volunteers who create the standards; however, from a global perspective, gaps in the existing standards become an issue for who should create the gap standards and how will the standard development be funded. The ultimate goal of all standards is to enable interoperability in the exchange and use of data. Success involves not only the functional and semantic interoperability but also the commitment of all stakeholders for all purposes to enable the free and understandable flow of data across all boundaries to provide timely and effective delivery of care in the global setting. Furthermore, with the aggregation of data across international boundaries, the discovery of new knowledge will lead to a healthier world.
Discussion: Reply to Hitchcock

Christopher Hitchcock‘s discussion of my use of screening-off in analyzing the causal process of natural selection raises some interesting issues to which I am pleased to reply. The bulk of his article is devoted to some fairly general points in the theory of explanation. In particular, he questions whether or not my point that phenotype screens off genotype from reproductive success (in cases of organismic selection) supports my claim that the explanation of differential reproductive success should be in terms of phenotypic differences, not genotypic differences. I will respond to this and show why the two supposed counter-examples to my position fail.
Do Approaching Deadlines Influence Auditors' Materiality Assessments?

SUMMARY: We conduct an experiment to investigate whether deadline pressure influences auditors' judgments regarding the materiality of identified errors (internal control deficiencies), as well as the sufficiency of audit evidence to test clients' remediation once a deficiency is identified. Additionally, we consider whether judgments are further affected if the audit firm caused the deadline pressure. We manipulate time deadline pressure (low versus high) and the cause of the deadline pressure (audit firm or not). Findings suggest an interactive effect of deadline pressure and source of delay. Auditors assess identified errors as less material when they are both under high deadline pressure and responsible for creating the pressure. Once the deadline passes, auditors' materiality assessments are the highest, indicating that both the incentive to avoid issuing an adverse opinion and deadline pressure are necessary to impact materiality judgments. Further, when responsible for creating deadline pressure, a...
Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease in Sickle Cell Disease

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is common in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Despite current practice and recent NHLBI guidelines, which recommend screening and treatment for albuminuria, the progression of CKD in SCD and factors associated with such progression remain poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of CKD and its rate of progression in adult SCD patients. We also evaluated the laboratory and clinical factors associated with CKD progression. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients seen between July 2004 and December 2013 at an adult Sickle Cell Clinic. Patients had confirmed diagnoses of SCD, were at least 18 years old, and were in the non-crisis state at the time of evaluation. Patients were excluded for histories of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and systemic lupuserythematosus. Clinical and laboratory variables were obtained from medical records. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was estimated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation.Presence of CKD was assessed by using a modification of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes clinical practice guidelines that incorporateseGFR and levels of albuminuria. CKD was defined aseGFR Results: Four hundred and twenty six patients with SCD (SS = 268, SC = 98, Sb0 = 22, Sb+ = 29, SE = 3, SD = 2, SHPFH = 4), median age of 29.5 years (IQR: 20 - 41 years), were evaluated. CKD at baseline was observed in 92 patients (21.6 %). The rate of decline in eGFR over time was 2.1 mL/min per 1.73 m2 per year (SE: 0.11, p Conclusion: eGFR declined at a rate of 2.1 mL/min per 1.73 m2 per year in adult patients with SCD. Proteinuria, age, acute chest syndrome, stroke, and higher systolic blood pressure were associated with an increased rate of decline in eGFR. However, heavier weight and chronic red cell transfusions were associated with less severe eGFR decline. Better understanding of these relationships and their pathophysiology is needed so that we can modify identified risk factors and attenuate the loss of kidney function in SCD. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
$\delta$-Connectivity in Random Lifts of Graphs

Amit and Linial have shown that a random lift of a connected graph with minimum degree $\delta\ge3$ is asymptotically almost surely (a.a.s.) $\delta$-connected and mentioned the problem of estimating this probability as a function of the degree of the lift. Using a connection between a random $n$-lift of a graph and a randomly generated subgroup of the symmetric group on $n$-elements, we show that this probability is at least $1 - O\left(\frac{1}{n^{\gamma(\delta)}}\right)$ where $\gamma(\delta)>0$ for $\delta\ge 5$ and it is strictly increasing with $\delta$. We extend this to show that one may allow $\delta$ to grow slowly as a function of the degree of the lift and the number of vertices and still obtain that random lifts are a.a.s. $\delta$-connected. We also simplify a later result showing a lower bound on the edge expansion of random lifts. On a related note, we calculate the probability that a subgroup of a wreath product of symmetric groups generated by random generators is transitive, extending a well known result of Dixon which covers the case for subgroups of the symmetric group.
Self-interest may not be entirely in the interest of the self: Association between selflessness, dispositional mindfulness and psychological well-being

The association between mindfulness and selflessness is firmly grounded in classical Indo-Sino-Tibetan contemplative traditions, but has received limited empirical attention from Western researchers. In Buddhism, the relationship between mindfulness and the self is of central concern to the cultivation of well-being. Mindfulness is believed to encourage insight into the truly insubstantial nature of the self, an understanding that is thought to encourage well-being. The present study explores these relationships, attending to dispositional mindfulness, the self as it exists on a continuum from self-centered to selfless, and psychological well-being. Results indicate a positive relationship between selflessness, dispositional mindfulness, and psychological well-being. It appears that construing the self as interdependent and interconnected with a broader social, natural, and cosmic context is linked with greater psychological well-being and dispositional mindfulness. Path analyses revealed that selflessness mediated the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and psychological well-being.
What do we know about the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and substance use disorders

While it is well documented that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and substance use disorders (SUD) commonly co-occur, little is known about the reasons for this association.
Power Distribution Network Topology Detection With Time-Series Signature Verification Method

This paper proposes a novel method for topology detection in distribution networks called the Time-series signature verification method for topology detection ( TSV-Top ). The TSV-Top analyzes data from phasor measurement units (PMU or $\mu$ PMU) installed on power distribution feeders. The TSV-Top relies on the fact that measurement data time series from power systems contain similar trends when network topology changes occur, and basically performs the projection of actual voltage phasorial patterns onto a library of signals associated with possible topology transictions of a given distribution network. The proposed algorithm is validated using a 33-bus testbed and the IEEE 123-bus feeder, and then compared with another state-of-the-art algorithm using the IEEE 37-bus feeder.
Towards integration of doppler radar sensors into personalized thermoregulation-based control of HVAC

This study evaluates the sensitivity of our novel and non-intrusive approach, powered by Doppler radar sensors to assess thermoregulation states as feedback to heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Thermoregulation-based HVAC control employs changes in physiological response of the human body for heat dissipation adjustment as feedback to the control logic. Our envisioned system calls for monitoring devices, capable of timely recognition of thermal sensation variations to minimize user discomfort. Respiration, one of the major contributors in heat dissipation of the human body, can be non-intrusively measured by Doppler radar sensors. Thus, the question in this study was whether the application of Doppler radar sensors is qualified and sufficiently sensitive for the envisioned system integration. We have presented a conceptual framework for system integration using Doppler radar sensors as well as an experimental study for addressing the research question by quantifying respiration in a test bed with gradual temperature changes from low to high. The results showed an increasing trend in the respiration state for three subjects out of four, and it was observed that respiration increased in higher temperatures for all the subjects. In other words, it is demonstrated that the Doppler radar sensors have promising sensitivity for non-intrusive monitoring of thermoregulation responses.
The (Block-by-Block) Fight for a More Just American Street

Prytherch shows how the struggle for more equitable and inclusive streets is unfolding across the US, in arenas including policy, infrastructure engineering, and on-the-ground protest. First, it begins with broad national movements to promote complete streets policies and transform how streets are planned and engineered, as well as innovative efforts to remake streets safer through “Vision Zero” planning. Second, it focuses on efforts to physically transform street spaces, including freeway removal, retrofitting of vehicular corridors for Bus Rapid Transit, creative placemaking, and green alleys. Third, it concludes with more ephemeral but symbolically powerful efforts to take over streets through critical mass rides, “ghost-bike” memorials, and the transformation of parking spots into pop-up parks. These movements are illustrated through case studies from cities across the US. This chapter highlights the pursuit of mobility justice and complete streets through both broad policy reform and intense local street fights.
Zero Energy Synchronization of Distributed Simulations

The question of the energy consumed by synchronization algorithms for distributed simulation programs is addressed. The concept of zero energy synchronization is introduced wherein a distributed simulation program incurs no additional energy cost for synchronization. A theoretical approach to achieving zero energy synchronization using an oracle is described. An energy efficient implementation of the YAWNS algorithm, termed Low Energy YAWNS (LEY) is presented. It is shown that LEY can yield, in principle, zero energy synchronization for many classes of applications. Preliminary experimental results are presented showing that LEY achieves significantly less energy consumption compared to a conventional implementation of YAWNS that does not consider energy use as a design goal. Further, these experimental results indicate that LEY achieves energy consumption only modestly greater than that of an execution of the same application using an oracle for the test cases that were examined. These results suggest that it may be feasible to develop practical distributed simulation synchronization algorithms that approach zero energy synchronization.
Functional Neuroimaging Studies in Normal Aging

With an expanding aging population, it is increasingly important to gain a better understanding of the changes in cognition and neural integrity that occur in normal aging. The advent of non-invasive functional neuroimaging techniques has spurred researchers to examine cognition and neural functioning in healthy older adults. A significant amount of research has been produced since this time and has led to influential theories of aging such as the hemispheric asymmetry reduction for older adults (HAROLD) model and the compensatory recruitment hypothesis. This chapter discusses advances in our understanding of normal aging achieved through the use of functional neuroimaging. Research examining age-related changes in domains such as attention, memory, and executive functioning, as well as imaging of the resting-state and the influences of genetic risk factors (e.g., APOE genotype), are discussed. In conclusion, limitations of the current literature and important avenues for future research are proposed.
The Romani Language in the Republic of Macedonia: Status, Usage, and Sociolinguistic Perspectives

The development of Romani language use in the Republic of Macedonia is discussed here primarily in terms of its relation to education and other public and official contexts. The paper gives a detailed account of the statistical and legal position of the Roms in Macedonia and former Yugoslavia, followed by a linguistic account of the standardization of Romani for official use in Macedonia with comments on dialects, political action, publishing, the educational establishment, and the situation in other Balkan countries. Romani has gradually risen in status from total legal absence to legal equality with all other minority languages, even if the de facto realization has not yet met the de jure possibilities. The standardization of Romani and the fixing of the Arli dialectal base with other elements, together with a consistent orthography, has made significant progress.
Measuring the Effectiveness of Regional Governing Systems

In the first chapter, a typology of four basic regional governing systems was explicated. Critical basic values that a regional governing system should maximize or maintain as well as three dimensions of what a regional governing system should accomplish were postulated. There was also a discussion on ways to measure these three dimensions. The following section briefly reviews the literature relative to those proposing a more centralized governing system and those advocating for continuing the decentralized system. The section summarizes theoretical support for centralized or decentralized governing systems. Following the review of the literature, I analyze studies and empirical research that have been done to measure the effectiveness of centralized and decentralized governing systems to meet the objectives that a regional governing system should provide. These objectives and governing approaches are depicted in Table 1.1.
Building Trust with Gay and Lesbian Students in Universities

The chapter places the topic in the context of research in the areas of pastoral support for Gay and Lesbian Catholics, needs of gay and lesbian university students, and appropriate magisterial documents. The bulk of the chapter focuses on insights from the author’s own pastoral experiences working as a lay chaplain with five different gay and lesbian support groups for university students. Major themes that will be explored include overcoming Church phobia, answering the hard questions about Church teaching, responding to the larger community’s concerns, creating an environment of trust, being trustworthy, and religious presence enhancing student wellbeing.
Mass Transport and Heat Transfer

Macroscopic mass and heat transport play a central role in crystal growth processes. Before “molecules proceed from a position in the fluid medium, just outside the crystal-fluid interface, to their (relatively) permanent resting place in the crystal surface” [5.1], i.e., before molecules are “attached” to the crystal, they must typically be transported in the fluid over macroscopic distances towards the interface. This transport can be either fast or slow compared to the attachment kinetics. Then the rate with which a crystal grows is limited by interfacial kinetics or by the macroscopic transport, respectively. Interfacial growth mechanisms and their kinetics are the subject of later chapters. In this chapter we concern ourselves with the macroscopic transport part of crystal growth processes. Emphasis is put on the fundamentals of the various transport modes, their distinction and interplay. The general concepts obtained will then be applied to more specialized configurations and geometries in the later chapters on segregation, morphological stability, and growth from melts, vapors and solutions.
Problems and Progress in Perinatology

I am pleased that when you chose a topic representing clinical aspects of “Frontiers of Medicine” that you elected to emphasize problems and progress in perinatology. It is part of my plan to illustrate how perinatology is indeed one of the “Frontiers of Medicine”, and to sketch some of the background, foreground and future ground in this ever changing and newly emerging discipline. The word perinatology itself indicates a time of life that includes intrauterine events, adaptations at the time of birth, and postnatal problems that are likely to occur in the first month of life. Specialists from most all disciplines have something to contribute to the health and well being of our patients, namely, the mother and baby, during this critical period of life. On the other hand, one cannot expect the infectious disease expert, the endocrinologist or the cardiologist to be prepared to take on the responsibility for management of all aspects of our patients; thus the evolution of perinatologists, if you will, or more commonly obstetricians and pediatricians who have a special interest in events occurring uniquely at this time of life.
Pattern Generalization Processing of Elementary Students: Cognitive Factors Affecting the Development of Exact Mathematical Structures

The fundamental aim in this article is to elucidate cognitive factors that influence the development of mathematical structures and incipient generalizations in elementary school children on the basis of their work on patterns, including how they use various representational forms such as gestures, words, and arithmetical symbols to convey their expressions of generality. We describe approximate and exact pattern generalizations and three cognitive factors that mutually influence the emergence of mathematical structures, namely, competence with number relationships, competence with shape similarity, and competence with figural property construction, discernment, and justification. We also highlight various representational modes that elementary students use to capture their emergent structures and incipient generalizations, grade-appropriate use and understanding of variables via the notions of intuited and tacit variables, and ways in which their structural incipient generalizations support their early understanding of functions.
Using Guttman errors to explore rater fit in rater-mediated performance assessments:

Model-data fit indices for raters provide insight into the degree to which raters demonstrate psychometric properties defined as useful within a measurement framework. Fit statistics for raters are...
Use of improved cold-finger technique to assess effects of basicity on heat transfer through solidified mold flux

Cold-finger measurements were used to estimate the contact resistance and average thermal conductivity of mold flux films solidified on a water-cooled copper probe. Five industrial mold fluxes, with basicities from low to high, were tested. The steady-state rate of convective heat transfer between the solid film and liquid flux was compared with calculations based on natural convection correlations; the comparison indicates that the surface of the solid film (in contact with molten flux) is approximately at its solidus temperature. The roughness of the mold flux film in contact with copper was larger for films grown from higher-temperature mold flux and for higher-basicity mold fluxes. The glassy (low-basicity) film had an estimated thermal conductivity of 1.1 W/(m K). The crystalline or partially crystalline films had higher estimated thermal conductivities of 2.2–3.2 W/(m K). The measured values of thermal resistance were extrapolated to typical mold flux film thicknesses for industrial conditions; the extrapolations confirmed that the high contact resistance of higher-basicity mold fluxes can yield higher thermal resistances than the low-basicity flux. The morphology of the rough interface of higher-basicity mold flux films that gives the higher contact resistance is consistent with that observed in previous work and appears not to be directly related to crystallization.
Solving Mysteries with the Wisdom of Crowds: A Modularized Pipeline and Context Slices

The increasing volume of text data is challenging the cognitive capabilities of experts. Machine learning and crowdsourcing present opportunities for large-scale distributed sensemaking, but we must overcome the challenge of modeling the holistic process so that many distributed agents can contribute to suitable components asynchronously and meaningfully. My dissertation work is devoted to addressing this challenge from a crowdsourcing perspective. Specifically, I study 1) how novice crowds can build theories from raw datasets without expert intervention; 2) what bottlenecks exist for crowds in the theory-building process; and 3) how previous crowd analyses can be refined to enable iterative crowdsourced sensemaking.
A General (Universal) Form of Multivariate Survival Functions in Theoretical and Modeling Aspect of Multicomponent System Reliability Analysis

One of important classical reliability problems can be formulated as follows. Given a k-component system (k = 2, 3, …) with series reliability structure where the life-times X1, …, Xk of the components are nonnegative stochastically dependent random variables. In order to determine the system’s (as a whole) reliability function as well as for some system maintenance analysis, one needs to find or construct a proper joint probability distribution of the random vector (X1, …,Xk) which may be expressed in terms of the joint reliability (survival) function. Numerous particular solutions for this problem are present in the literature, to mention only [Freund in J Am Stat Assoc 56:971–77, 1961 1, Gumbel in J Am Stat Assoc 55:698–707, 1960 2, Marshall and Olkin in J Appl Probab 4:291–303, 1967 3]. Many other, not directly associated with reliability, k-variate probability distributions were invented [Kotz et al. in Continuous Multivariate Distributions, Wiley, New York, 2000 4]. Some of them later turned out to be applicable to the above considered reliability problem. However, the need for proper models still highly exceeds the existing supply. In this chapter we present not only particular bivariate and k-variate new models, but, first of all, a general method for their construction competitive to the copula methodology [Sklar A in Fonctions de repartition a n dimensions et leurs marges, Publications de l’Institut de Statistique de l’Universite de Paris, pp. 229–231, 1959 5]. The method follows the invented universal representation of any bivariate and k-variate survival function different from the corresponding copula representation. A comparison of our representation with the one given by copulas is provided. Also, some new bivariate models for 2-component series systems are presented. Possible applications of our models and methods may go far beyond the reliability context, especially toward bio-medical and econometric areas.
Transgenic conversion of ω-6 to ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids via fat-1 reduces the severity of post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Dietary fatty acid (FA) content has been shown to influence the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in obesity. We used the fat-1 transgenic mouse to examine the hypothesis that endogenous reduction of ω-6 to ω-3 FA ratio, under the same dietary conditions, would mitigate metabolic inflammation and the pathogenesis of PTOA in obese male and female mice. Male and female fat-1 and wild-type littermates were fed either a control diet or an ω-6 FA-rich high-fat diet and underwent destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery to induce PTOA. OA severity, synovitis, and osteophyte formation were determined histologically, while biomarker and lipidomic analyses were performed to evaluate levels of adipokines, insulin, pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines, and FAs in serum and joint synovial fluid. Multivariable models were performed to elucidate the associations of dietary, metabolic, and mechanical factors with PTOA. We found that elevated serum levels of ω-3 FAs in fat-1 mice as compared to wild-type controls fed the same diet resulted in reduced OA and synovitis in a sex- and diet-dependent manner, despite comparable body weights. The fat-1 mice showed trends toward decreased serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines. Multivariable analysis for variables predicting OA severity in mice resulted in correlations with serum FA levels, but not with body weight. This study provides further evidence that circulating FA composition and systemic metabolic inflammation, rather than body weight, may be the major risk factor for obesity-associated OA. We also demonstrate the potential genetic use of ω-3 FA desaturase in mitigating PTOA in obese patients following injury.
8 – Modeling and Simulations, Applications in Ballistic and Blast

Three polyureas of decreasing soft segment molecular weights of 1000, 650, and a 250/1000 blend, with increasing modulus and hysteresis, were molded onto circular steel plates and then impacted with a high-speed (275 m/s) pointed projectile. The polyurea layer of the post mortem bilayers was characterized on a molecular level by small angle synchrotron X-ray scattering (SAXS) at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. Analysis revealed that hard domains of the polyureas of the lower molecular weight soft segment reformed over a greater area of the coating that resulted in less out-of-plane bilayer deformation. This supports the hypothesis that polymer strain hardening is a mechanism that retards necking failure of the metal plate. The mechanical behavior of elastomeric copolymer polyureas at extreme loading conditions is further discussed in this chapter. Here the Taylor impact behavior of the exemplar polyureas (PU1000 and PU650), where extreme deformation and deformation rates are incurred, is elucidated in experiments and numerical simulations using the constitutive modeling framework of the two polyurea copolymers detailed in Chapter 4. The hybrid glassy and rubber nature of the elastomeric copolymers is addressed by examining the extreme deformation of “model” glassy and rubbery polymers, for which the constitutive laws have been partially selected from the original polyurea models. Then the extreme behavior of copolymeric polyureas is rationalized in the Taylor impact experiments and simulations, revealing how the elastomeric copolymer polyurea can take advantages from both glassy and rubbery polymeric features in terms of resilience, shape recovery and energy dissipation under such extreme deformation conditions. Polyurea is of particular interest to armor systems designers due to its unique physical behavior, low density, and favorable manufacturing and application techniques. Inherent rate and pressure dependencies exhibited by polyurea allow this otherwise soft material to exert large resistive forces and dissipate large amounts of energy under ballistic impact conditions. The design and evaluation of armor systems using complex materials such as polyurea may be enhanced with improved analytical material models implemented within appropriate computational tools. This work details a modified temperature and pressure dependent viscoelastic constitutive model for polyurea under ballistic impact conditions. The constitutive model is implemented and demonstrated within the shock physics hydrocode CTH. Demonstration of the models performance is first given through comparison with high-rate confined compression and pressure–shear plate impact test data. Second, model performance and design optimization considerations are demonstrated through comparison with various experimentally studied polyurea coated armor configurations.
Long-term Returns from Equity Carveouts

Using a sample of 628 carveouts during 1981-1995, this paper finds that the newly issued subsidiary stocks do not underperform appropriate benchmarks over a three-year period following the carveout. This result is in striking contrast with the documented poor performance of initial public offerings and seasoned equity offerings. I conjecture that the superior performance of subsidiary stocks arises because the subsidiary and parent firms can focus on fewer business segments after carveout, and because the parent firms continue to own a monitoring position in the subsidiary firms. I test whether the subsidiary stock performance is related to the number of business segments the parent firm has before carveout. The relationship is not always significant, which suggests another possible explanation, that the market may react efficiently to the likely future performance of carveouts.
Moving beyond dichotomy

Despite an apparent consensus about the importance of the quality of telecommunications regulatory agencies, there is no agreement among researchers about how to measure it. While dichotomous coding of de jure independence has served as a proxy to measure whether an agency's regulatory governance is transparent, non-arbitrary, and free from political influence, we view measuring multiple components of regulatory governance including incorporating measures of regulatory independence into a composite index as providing a more nuanced understanding of facilitating or inhibiting factors. This paper compares composite telecommunications regulatory independence indices and regulatory governance indices available in the literature in order to construct more parsimonious indices. Using a methodology labeled "qualitative meta-synthesis" based on synthesizing previously published indices, we construct six different indices using combinations of 32 different variables, and different weights. Data from the OECD database are used to re-create the five original indices from the literature as well as our own six composites. Some of these indices (original and composites) were found to be negatively correlated with independent measures of regulatory governance such as the World Bank's Government Effectiveness Index and the Rule of Law Index; this may be attributable to the fact that countries, and especially those with poor overall governance standards, may need to put in place stronger telecommunications governance institutions in order to attract telecommunications investment to the country. The analysis suggests that a parsimonious index of as few as seven variables is capable of measuring the quality of telecommunications governance in a country, at the same time making the selection of variables and their weighting in the index more systematic than in previously available indices. We compare five telecommunications regulatory governance and independence indices.A parsimonious telecommunications regulatory governance index is constructed.A seven-variable index can measure national telecommunications governance quality.Negative correlation between general and telecom-specific regulatory governance.
A Preliminary Evaluation of the Unified Protocol among Trauma-Exposed Adults with and without PTSD.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the Unified Protocol (UP)—a mechanistically transdiagnostic psychological treatment—provides benefit to individuals with a range of trauma histories, psychological difficulties, and diagnostic comorbidity. Using data from a sequential multiple-assignment randomized trial (SMART), this exploratory analysis included a sample of 69 community-recruited adults seeking outpatient mental health treatment. We examined reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms and changes in aversive and avoidant reactions to intense emotions—the UP’s putative mechanism—first by comparing individuals with and without trauma histories and then specifically among participants with PTSD. Findings suggest that the UP may lead to similar improvements in clinical diagnostic severity, anxiety, and depression among patients with trauma exposure as those without trauma exposure. Roughly half of participants with PTSD demonstrated reductions in PTSD clinical severity, anxiety, depression, and distress aversion, suggesting the UP may be an efficacious treatment for people with PTSD and comorbid conditions.
The Peripheral Nervous System

The mammalian nervous system is anatomically separated into central and peripheral systems that are functionally intertwined. The central nervous system receives a continuous stream of information about external and internal environmental factors from sensory elements of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and responds to these stimuli via activation of efferent peripheral neurons. The PNS, in turn, is divided into the somatic and autonomic branches, with the autonomic nervous system being further subdivided into sympathetic and parasympathetic components. The enteric nervous system, which regulates the function of the gastrointestinal tract, is sometimes considered a third branch of the autonomic nervous system. While the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches are anatomically distinct in the periphery, there is extensive overlap between somatic and autonomic centers of integration in the central nervous system.