cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LOCKE ON SENSITIVE KNOWLEDGE AND THE VEIL OF PERCEPTION – FOUR MISCONCEPTIONS1

Interpreters of Locke's Essay are divided over whether to attribute to him a Representational Theory of Perception (RTP). Those who object to an RTP interpretation cite (among other things) Locke's Book IV account of sensitive knowledge, contending that the account is incompatible with RTP. The aim of this paper is to rebut this kind of objection - to defend an RTP reading of the relevant Book IV passages. Specifically, I address four influential assumptions (about sensitive knowledge) cited by opponents of an RTP interpretation and argue that in each case the assumption is false.
Simulating online Yankee auctions to optimize sellers revenue

The online Yankee auction sells multiple units of the same good to multiple buyers using an ascending and open auction mechanism. One of the important controllable factors of the Yankee auction is the minimum bid increment specified at the beginning of an auction. Bidders can bid only in the multiples of this bid increment even if they are willing to bid higher than the minimum required bid. This paper presents a simulation approach to optimize sellers' revenue, which is based on theoretical properties of Yankee auctions and utilizes data from real auctions to replicate a given auction. The simulation model can be configured to change the value of bid increment and explore whether a given auction used the optimal bid increment. Our analysis indicates that the auctioneers are, most of the time, far away from optimal choice of bid increment, resulting in substantial losses in a market with already tight margins.
The Proteome of Copper, Iron, Zinc, and Manganese Micronutrient Deficiency in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Trace metals such as copper, iron, zinc, and manganese play important roles in several biochemical processes, including respiration and photosynthesis. Using a label-free, quantitative proteomics strategy (MSE), we examined the effect of deficiencies in these micronutrients on the soluble proteome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We quantified >103 proteins with abundances within a dynamic range of 3 to 4 orders of magnitude and demonstrated statistically significant changes in ∼200 proteins in each metal-deficient growth condition relative to nutrient-replete media. Through analysis of Pearson's coefficient, we also examined the correlation between protein abundance and transcript abundance (as determined via RNA-Seq analysis) and found moderate correlations under all nutritional states. Interestingly, in a subset of transcripts known to significantly change in abundance in metal-replete and metal-deficient conditions, the correlation to protein abundance is much stronger. Examples of new discoveries highlighted in this work include the accumulation of O2 labile, anaerobiosis-related enzymes (Hyd1, Pfr1, and Hcp2) in copper-deficient cells; co-variation of Cgl78/Ycf54 and coprogen oxidase; the loss of various stromal and lumenal photosynthesis-related proteins, including plastocyanin, in iron-limited cells; a large accumulation (from undetectable amounts to over 1,000 zmol/cell) of two COG0523 domain-containing proteins in zinc-deficient cells; and the preservation of photosynthesis proteins in manganese-deficient cells despite known losses in photosynthetic function in this condition.
Stakeholder perspectives on land-use strategies for adapting to climate-change-enhanced coastal hazards: Sarasota, Florida

Abstract Sustainable land-use planning requires decision makers to balance community growth with resilience to natural hazards. This balance is especially difficult in many coastal communities where planners must grapple with significant growth projections, the persistent threat of extreme events (e.g., hurricanes), and climate-change-driven sea level rise that not only presents a chronic hazard but also alters the spatial extent of sudden-onset hazards such as hurricanes. We examine these stressors on coastal, long-term land-use planning by reporting the results of a one-day community workshop held in Sarasota County, Florida that included focus groups and participatory mapping exercises. Workshop participants reflected various political agendas and socioeconomic interests of five local knowledge domains: business, environment, emergency management and infrastructure, government, and planning. Through a series of alternating domain-specific focus groups and interactive plenary sessions, participants compared the county 2050 comprehensive land-use plan to maps of contemporary hurricane storm-surge hazard zones and projected storm-surge hazard zones enlarged by sea level rise scenarios. This interactive, collaborative approach provided each group of domain experts the opportunity to combine geographically-specific, scientific knowledge on natural hazards and climate change with local viewpoints and concerns. Despite different agendas, interests, and proposed adaptation strategies, there was common agreement among participants for the need to increase community resilience to contemporary hurricane storm-surge hazards and to explore adaptation strategies to combat the projected, enlarged storm-surge hazard zones.
Alphavirus Transducing System: Tools for Visualizing Infection in Mosquito Vectors

Alphavirus transducing systems (ATSs) are important tools for expressing genes of interest (GOI) during infection. ATSs are derived from cDNA clones of mosquito-borne RNA viruses (genus Alphavirus; family Togaviridae). The Alphavirus genus contains about 30 different mosquito-borne virus species. Alphaviruses are enveloped viruses and contain single-stranded RNA genomes (~11.7 Kb). Alphaviruses transcribe a subgenomic mRNA that encodes the structural proteins of the virus required for encapsidation of the genome and maturation of the virus. Alphaviruses are usually highly lytic in vertebrate cells, but persistently infect susceptible mosquito cells with minimal cytopathology. These attributes make them excellent tools for gene expression in mosquito vectors. The most common ATSs in use are derived from Sindbis virus (SINV). The broad species tropism of SINV allows for infection of insect, avian, and mammalian cells8. However, ATSs have been derived from other alphaviruses as well 9,10,20. Foreign gene expression is made possible by the insertion of an additional viral subgenomic RNA initiation site or promoter. ATSs in which an exogenous gene sequence is positioned 5' to the viral structural genes is used for stable protein expression in insects. ATSs, in which a gene sequence is positioned 3' to the structural genes, is used to trigger RNAi and silence expression of that gene in the insect. ATSs have proven to be valuable tools for understanding vector-pathogen interactions, molecular details of viral replication and maintenance infectious cycles3,4,11,19,21. In particular, the expression of fluorescent and bioluminescent reporters has been instrumental tracking the viral infection in the vector and virus transmission5,14-16,18. Additionally, the vector immune response has been described using two strains of SINV engineered to express GFP2,9. Here, we present a method for the production of SINV containing a fluorescent reporter (GFP) from the cDNA infectious clone. Infectious, full-length RNA is transcribed from the linearized cDNA clone. Infectious RNA is introduced into permissive target cells by electroporation. Transfected cells generate infectious virus particles expressing the GOI. Harvested virus is used to infect mosquitoes, as described here, or other host species (not shown herein). Vector competence is assessed by detecting fluorescence outside the midgut or by monitoring virus transmission7. Use of a fluorescent reporter as the GOI allows for convenient estimation of virus spread throughout a cell culture, for determination of rate of infection, dissemination in exposed mosquitoes, virus transmission from the mosquito and provides a rapid gauge of vector competence.
Genetic Stability of A/Ann Arbor/6/60 Cold-Mutant (Temperature-Sensitive) Live Influenza Virus Genes: Analysis by Oligonucleotide Mapping of Recombinant Vaccine Strains Before and After Replication in Volunteers

Ten cold-adapted (ca) recombinant influenza viruses that had been derived by reassortment between the ca temperature-sensitive (ts) A/Ann Arbor/6/60 mutant and selected wild-type viruses were examined by RNA oligonucleotide mapping for the presence or absence of several previously identified oligonucleotide markers. These markers comprise oligonucleotides that appeared only in the mutant donor strain after cold adaptation and other oligonucleotides present only in the parent A/Ann Arbor/6/60 wild-type virus. The markers in the mutant donor strain were transferred without change to the recombinant ca vaccine strains, and reversion causing a reappearance of markers for the wild-type A/Ann Arbor/6/60 virus did not occur. Furthermore, examination by oligonucleotide mapping of 10 isolates from vaccinated, seronegative children revealed a high degree of genetic stability of the viral genome; an oligonucleotide change was detected in only one of the 10 isolates examined.
Multi-Plane Network Model Realization in an Optical/RF Hybrid System

To facilitate the Quality of Service (QoS) interoperability, a multi-plane end-to-end (E2E) QoS architecture reference model has been developed. This modelprovides a network-functional-plane-based QoS architecture and defines different interfaces for composing a coherent data transfer and management. In this model, QoS functions are categorized into Data Plane, Control Plane, and Management Plane. However, a lack of sufficient network resource hinders the support for such sophisticated network architecture. A major mitigation approach is to implement an optical/Radio Frequency (RF) hybrid system. This paper proposes a resource management scheme for an optical/RF hybrid system and looks into the realization of multi-planes model in this hybrid system that supports an acceptable QoS level.
Simultaneous swept source optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment and retina using coherence revival

We report on an implementation of coherence revival-based heterodyne swept source optical coherence tomography that is capable of simultaneously imaging the anterior and posterior eye. A polarization-encoded sample arm was used to efficiently focus orthogonal polarizations on the anterior segment and retina. Depth encoding was achieved using coherence revival, which allows for multiple depths within a sample to be simultaneously imaged and frequency encoded by carefully controlling the optical pathlength of each sample path. This design is a significant step toward whole-eye optical coherence tomography (OCT), which would enable customized ray-traced modeling of patient eyes to improve refractive surgical interventions and eliminate optical artifacts in retinal OCT diagnostics. We demonstrated the feasibility of this system for in vivo imaging by simultaneously acquiring images of the anterior segments and retinas in healthy human volunteers.
Power-driven global routing for multi-supply voltage domains

This work presents a method for global routing (GR) to minimize interconnect power. We consider design with multi-supply voltage, where level converters are added to nets that connect driver cells to sink cells of higher supply voltage. The level converters are modeled as additional terminals during GR. Given an initial GR solution obtained with the objective of minimizing wirelength, we propose a GR method to detour nets to further save the interconnect power. When detouring routes via this procedure, overflow is not increased, and the increase in wirelength is bounded. The power saving opportunities include: 1) reducing the area capacitance of the routes by detouring from the higher metal layers to the lower ones, 2) reducing the coupling capacitance between adjacent routes by distributing the congestion, and 3) considering different power-weights for each segment of a routed net with level converters (to capture its corresponding supply voltage and activity factor). We present a mathematical formulation to capture these power saving opportunities and solve it using integer programming techniques. In our simulations, we show considerable saving in an interconnect power metric for GR, without any wirelength degradation.
Tsunami Generation of the 1993 Hokkaido Nansei-Oki Earthquake

Heterogeneous fault motion of the 1993 Hokkaido Nansei-Oki earthquake is studied by using seismic, geodetic and tsunami data, and the tsunami generation from the fault model is examined. Seismological analyses indicate that the focal mechanism of the first 10 s, when about a third of the total moment was released, is different from the overall focal mechanism. A joint inversion of geodetic data on Okushiri Island and the tide gauge records in Japan and Korea indicates that the largest slip, about 6 m, occurred in a small area just south of the epicenter. This corresponds to the initial rupture on a fault plane dipping shallowly to the west. The slip on the northernmost subfault, which is dipping to the east, is about 2 m, while the slips on the southern subfaults, which are steeply dipping to the west, are more than 3 m. Tsunami heights around Okushiri Island are calculated from the heterogeneous fault model using different grid sizes. Computation on the smaller grids produces larger tsunami heights that are closer to the observed tsunami runup heights. Tsunami propagation in the nearly closed Japan Sea is examined as the free oscillation of the Japan Sea. The excitation of the free oscillation by this earthquake is smaller than that by the 1964 Niigata or 1983 Japan Sea earthquake.
An investigation of internal marketing and its effects on employees in the banking sector in Saudi Arabia

A survey of the impact of internal marketing on perceptions of organizational commitment to employees and employee identification with their employers was conducted among a convenience sample of Saudi Arabia banking employees. The results indicate that internal marketing impacts perceptions of organizational commitment to employees (PBCMT), and rewards, employee empowerment and PBCMT impact employee identification with the organization (EBID). In addition, PBCMT partially mediates the internal communications – EBID and employee empowerment–EBID relationships, and it fully mediates the training – EBID and rewards–EBID relationships. Research and managerial implications are discussed, as are limitations and suggestions for future research.
Thermal and Pressure-Assisted Thermal Destruction Kinetics for Spores of Type A Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium sporogenes PA3679

The purpose of this study was to determine the inactivation kinetics of the spores of the most resistant proteolytic Clostridium botulinum strains (Giorgio-A and 69-A, as determined from an earlier screening study) and of Clostridium sporogenes PA3679 and to compare the thermal and pressure-assisted thermal resistance of these spores. Spores of these strains were prepared using a biphasic medium method. C. sporogenes PA3679 spores were heat treated before spore preparation. Using laboratory-scale and pilot-scale pressure test systems, spores of Giorgio-A, 69-A, and PA3679 suspended in ACES [N-(2-acetamido)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid] buffer (pH 7.0) were exposed to various combinations of temperature (93 to 121°C) and pressure (0.1 to 750 MPa) to determine their resistance. More than a 5-log reduction occurred after 3 min at 113°C for spores of Giorgio-A and 69-A and after 5 min at 117°C for spores of PA3679. A combination of high temperatures (93 to 121°C) and pressures yielded greater log reductions of spores of Giorgio-A, 69-A, and PA3679 compared with reduction obtained with high temperatures alone. No survivors from initial levels (>5.0 log CFU) of Giorgio-A and 69-A were detected when processed at a combination of high temperature (117 and 121°C) and high pressure (600 and 750 MPa) for 4.5-log reduction of PA3679 spores. Thermal D-values of Giorgio-A, 69-A, and PA3679 spores decreased (i.e., 29.1 to 0.33 min for Giorgio-A, 40.5 to 0.27 min for 69-A, and 335.2 to 2.16 min for PA3679) as the temperature increased from 97 to 117°C. Pressure-assisted thermal D-values of Giorgio-A, 69-A, and PA3679 also decreased as temperature increased from 97 to 121°C at both pressures (600 and 750 MPa) (i.e., 17.19 to 0.15 min for Giorgio-A, 9.58 to 0.15 min for 69-A, and 12.93 to 0.33 min for PA3679 at 600 MPa). At higher temperatures (117 or 121°C), increasing pressure from 600 to 750 MPa had an effect on pressure-assisted thermal D-values of PA3679 (i.e., at 117°C, pressure-assisted thermal D-value decreased from 0.55 to 0.28 min as pressure increased from 600 to 750 MPa), but pressure had no effect on pressure-assisted thermal D-values of Giorgio-A and 69-A. When compared with Giorgio-A and 69-A, PA3679 had higher thermal and pressure-assisted thermal D-values. C. sporogenes PA3679 spores were generally more resistant to combinations of high pressure and high temperature than were the spores of the C. botulinum strains tested in this study.
Murine mesothelin: characterization, expression, and inhibition of tumor growth in a murine model of pancreatic cancer

Mesothelin has attracted much interest as a tumor specific antigen; it has been reported to promote tumor development and to be a good target for cancer treatment. Most studies to date have used human mesothelin in immunocompromised mice. Since these models do not allow for study of the natural immune response to mesothelin expressing tumors, we have undertaken the characterization of mouse mesothelin so the effects of this protein can be assessed in immunocompetent mouse strains. We analyzed mouse mesothelin expression, tissue distribution, shedding and biochemistry. In addition we constructed stable mesothelin overexpressing lines of the pancreatic cancer line Panc02 by two methods and tested them for growth and tumorigencity in vitro and in vivo. We show here that mouse mesothelin is similar to human mesothelin in biochemical characteristics, tumor expression and tissue distribution, suggesting the mouse may be a suitable model for study of mesothelin. Stable overexpression of mesothelin in a pancreatic cancer cell line did not increase cell proliferation or anchorage-independent growth in vitro, suggesting that mesothelin is not necessarily a tumor progression factor. Surprisingly overexpression of mesothelin inhibited tumor formation in vivo in immunocompetent mice. The mouse may be a good model for studying mesothelin in the context of an intact immune response. Mesothelin is not necessarily a tumor progression factor, and indeed mesothelin overexpression inhibited tumor growth in immunocompetent mice.
Evaluation of watershed-derived mass loads to prioritize TMDL decision-making

A total maximum daily load (TMDL) for oxygen demanding substances is being implemented in the San Joaquin River (SJR) in California (USA) due to frequently occurring low dissolved oxygen conditions. The SJR is a eutrophic river, heavily impacted by agriculture. A mass balance was developed to identify the sources of oxygen-demanding substances and nutrients to the river with the objective of providing a scientific basis for management actions needed to meet TMDL requirements. Data were collected for flow and water quality and mass loads calculated for sites within the main stem of the SJR, river inputs (tributaries), and diversions in the study area. Using a quadrant analysis, tributary flows and loads are ranked to identify targets for water quality improvement efforts. Additionally, all mass loads were summed (inputs minus diversions) and compared with observed loads at the downstream limit of the study area. The mass balance analysis identifies major contributors of mass loads and mass balance closure is assessed for each constituent. These analysis methods inform the TMDL process which includes a load allocation, and is useful for determining locations for implementation of improvement projects needed to improve the health of the river.
Surface Conditions Limiting Larval Sites of Certain Marsh Mosquitoes

Literature on the bionomics of mosquitoes that develop in shallow bodies of ground water, while replete with accounts of gross distribution of larvae, leaves much in doubt about the minute aspects of developmental sites. Among the more detailed works dealing with species in the United States are those based on observations in certain large reservoirs and natural lakes of the South where large areas of fairly uniform conditions obtain. Bang et al. (1943) showed that larvae of Anopheles walkeri (Theob.) occurred in Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee wherever the water was densely shaded by emergent vegetation and were especially abundant in communities of cutgrass (Zizaniopsis) shaded by willow or buttonbush. Eyles (1948) demonstrated that larvae of both A. walkeri and A. quadrimaculatus Say were abundant in areas shaded by cutgrass or willow wherever the mean maximum surface temperature of the water did not exceed 31° C.
Serum SOD、T-AOC、MDA level of noise-exposed workers

Objective To investigate the effects of noise over-exposure on the serum SOD,T-AOC,and MDA level among noise-exposed workers.Methods Two groups of workers were studied,97 workers in noise over-exposed group(the noise level 84.2 ~ 90.2 dB(A)) and 112 workers in another group(noise level 79.4 ~ 84.4 dB(A)).Their hearing and serum activities of total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),superoxide dismutase(SOD) and the concentration of malondialdehyde(MDA)were measured.Results There were significantly statistical difference of hearing loss prevalence at high frequency and low frequency between two groups.The activities of SOD were significantly lower(P 0.05) and the MDA level was significantly higher(P 0.05) in noise over-exposed workers.Conclusion Long-term noise exposure might affect antioxidant system of exposed workers.
Loss of Fixation in Distal Radius Fractures

Loss of fixation is one subset of complications that may be encountered after surgical treatment for distal radius fractures. Fixation loss can occur in a number of ways, including radial shortening of the distal fragment, increasing dorsal angulation, and loss of lunate facet fixation, among others. The present chapter investigates the risk factors for the different mechanisms of fixation loss, their associated functional consequences, and the factors to consider in planning the timing and type of further intervention. For some patients, particularly elderly patients with lower demands, some loss of anatomic reduction may be tolerable and benefits of nonoperative management may outweigh the risks of additional surgical intervention.
The Neuroanatomy of Addictive Processes

Publisher Summary Few species, other than humans, seek out and self-administer exogenous compounds merely for pleasure or recreation. However, when exposed to such agents, many animals, including mice and rats, share with humans the initial and progressive neurological transformations leading to the behavioral changes associated with drug dependency. In part this is due to the conservation among mammalian species of key neurotransmitters placed within anatomically defined pathways that are targeted by drugs of abuse to impart exceptionally strong feelings of reward; such as pleasure, enhanced alertness, well-being and even cognitive enhancement. Upon reinforcement of these systems by way of repetitive drug administration, they become altered in ways that promote dependency. Notably, this occurs despite the increasingly adverse physiological and behavioral responses that for normal substances would limit their desirability. In fact, it is often the overwhelming memories of the initially positive sensations that contribute to the drive for repeated consumption rather than realizing actual reward. When the desire to seek, obtain and consume these compounds overwhelms normal physiological and behavioral processes, they become compounds of addiction. The compulsive self-administration of compounds that often leads to an inability to function properly in society, or even compromise basic survival skills, hardly seems to have an adaptive component. This can be broadly generalized to compounds whose sole function is to elicit a particularly strong sense of reward. Mice have been used with remarkable success to reveal insights into the genetic and non-genetic mechanisms of many similarly complex physiological and disease processes found in humans. This includes essentially all aspects of immune function, diabetes, cancer biology, and multiple neurological deficiencies.
Kelsen and Niebuhr on Democracy

This chapter focuses on the diverging views Hans Kelsen and Reinhold Niebuhr held with respect to the relationship of religion and democracy. Kelsen leveled his criticism of Niebuhr in his essay on the “Foundations of Democracy” published in the October 1955 issue of the journal Ethics. Unfortunately, it seems Niebuhr was unaware of Kelsen’s essay. However, Niebuhr’s extensive writings on democracy provide a solid basis for a serious response to Kelsen. Beyond the specifics of Kelsen’s article, this chapter draws on Kelsen’s broader writings to expand the engagement between him and Niebuhr by analyzing their respective views on (1) the liberal tradition; (2) Christianity and democracy; (3) religion, totalitarianism and democracy; (4) pre-conditions and portability of democracy; and (5) justice, liberty and equality.
Ultrathin Membrane Fouling Mechanism Transitions in Dead-End Filtration of Protein

Ultrathin membranes will likely see great utility in future membrane-based separations, but key aspects of the performance of these membranes, especially when they are used to filter protein, remain poorly understood. In this work we perform protein filtrations using new nanoporous silicon nitride (NPN) membranes. Several concentrations of protein are filtered using dead end filtration in a benchtop centrifuge, and we track fouling based on the amount of filtrate passed over time. A modification of the classic fouling model that includes the effects of using a centrifuge and allow for the visualization of a transition between pore constriction and cake filtration demonstrate that for a range of protein concentrations, cake filtration supersedes pore constriction after ∼30 seconds at 690 g.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Reaching and Teaching Marginalized Children

Despite the “worldwide revolution” in educational enrollment during the twentieth century, a clear division continues to separate marginalized children from their peers: the quality of their teachers. Ample evidence from the United States and growing cross-national evidence demonstrate that children who are poor, who come from ethnic or racial minority groups, who have less educated parents, or who live in rural areas have access to less qualified teachers than their more advantaged peers. Given considerable evidence of the importance of teachers for children’s academic success, the teacher quality division between more and less advantaged children may be as influential in determining these children’s futures as access to formal education was one hundred years ago. In this chapter, we introduce our rationale for studying teachers of marginalized children and we describe the objectives, contributions, and organization of the book.
CHAPTER 3 – Platelet Structure

Platelets are the smallest of the many types of cells in circulating blood, averaging only 2.0 to 5.0 μm in diameter, 0.5 μm in thickness, and having a mean cell volume of 6 to 10 femtoliters.1-4 Inconsequential size does not bother the platelet. It prefers to remain obscure throughout its 7-to 10-day life span. If it can reach its final destination in the reticuloendothelial system without having exercised a function in hemostasis or been involved in thrombotic events, its life would be considered a complete success. Yet, the life of the host in whom the platelet resides is not easy. Sooner or later, a generation of platelets will be called upon to exercise functions useful or essential for host survival. Unfortunately, platelet function important to host preservation may also contribute to host destruction. Thus, it is important to understand platelet structure, biochemistry, physiology, and pathology to foster normal function and block involvement in occlusive vascular and thrombotic disease. The purpose of this chapter is to contribute to these objectives by presenting current knowledge of platelet structure and structural physiology. Occasionally, examples of abnormal platelet structure will be included to assist in the understanding of normal platelet morphology and function.
Abstract 213: Notch Activation in Aortic Adventitial Fibroblasts upregulates TGF-ß and may have Implications in Aortic Aneurysms

Objectives Aortic adventitial fibroblasts (AoAF) are a rich source of cytokines and extracellular matrix (ECM). They critically participate in arterial wall remodeling and are implicated in the pathophysiology of aortic aneurysms (AA) and atherosclerosis. Little is known about signaling pathway(s) that regulate AoAF in cardiovascular diseases. Here, we examined and compared the status of Notch signaling in AoAF in human samples of normal, AA and atherosclerosis samples. We also explored the role of Notch signaling on AoAF cytokines and ECM production. Methods Immunohistochemistry was conducted to examine the Notch activity in AoAF of normal human aorta, segments with atherosclerotic plaque and segments of AA wall (N=4/type of aorta). Normal human AoAF were tested in vitro to study the effects of enforced Notch activation using lentiviral vector encoding the Notch1 intracellular domain, NIC/Lenti. The effect of Notch activation on cell proliferation was tested by MTT assay, and differentiation into myofibroblasts was tested by smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The effect of Notch signaling on AoAF release of cytokines and ECM was studied using Pathway-Focused Human Fibrosis PCR Array (QIAGEN). Array findings were validated by Western blot. Results Compared to normal human aorta, significantly increased Notch activity was observed in AoAF from AA samples whereas decreased Notch activity was found in AoAF of atherosclerotic aorta (p Conclusions Notch signaling is activated in aortic adventitial fibroblasts at the site of aortic aneurysms and results in increased production of TGF-β by these cells.Our novel findings implicate a potential involvement of Notch-TGF-β signaling in the pathophysiology of aortic aneurysms.
Real-Life Challenges to the Use of Antifungal Agents in Hematology Patients

One of the more serious complications of hematology and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients is the development of invasive fungal infections (IFIs). Due to the widespread use of prophylaxis active against Candida spp. in these populations, infections due to invasive molds, such as aspergillosis and mucormycosis, have become more predominant. Several real-life challenges complicate the optimal prophylaxis and management of patients who develop invasive mold infections. Selection of agents in this setting requires careful consideration to the strength of evidence, certainty of IFI diagnosis, side effect profile, drug interactions, and cost. In this review, we discuss the clinical evidence behind the optimal prophylaxis and treatment of IFIs in patients with hematological malignancies and review important practical considerations that should be taken in order to apply these data effectively to real-world patients.
Connecting depth limits of interseismic locking, microseismicity, and large earthquakes in models of long-term fault slip

Thickness of the seismogenic zone is commonly determined based on the depth of microseismicity or the fault locking depth inferred from geodetic observations. The relation between the two estimates and their connection to the depth limit of large earthquakes remain elusive. Here we explore the seismic and geodetic observables in models of faults governed by laboratory-based friction laws that combine quasi-static rate-and-state friction and enhanced dynamic weakening. Our models suggest that the transition between the locked and fully creeping regions can occur over a broad depth range. The effective locking depth, D_(elock), associated with concentrated loading and promoting microseismicity, is located at the top of this transition zone; the geodetic locking depth, D_(glock), inverted from surface geodetic observations, corresponds to the depth of fault creeping with approximately half of the long-term rate. Following large earthquakes, D_(elock) either stays unchanged or becomes shallower due to creep penetrating into the shallower locked areas, whereas D_(glock) deepens as the slip deficit region expands, compensating for the afterslip. As the result, the two locking depths diverge in the late interseismic period, consistent with available seismic and geodetic observations from several major fault segments in Southern California. We find that D_(glock) provides a bound on the depth limit of large earthquakes in our models. However, the assumed layered distribution of fault friction and simple depth estimates are insufficient to characterize more heterogeneous faults, e.g., ones with significant along-strike variations. Improved observations and models are needed to illuminate physical properties and seismic potential of fault zones.
Protocol for Moving On: a randomized controlled trial to increase outcome expectations and exercise among breast cancer survivors.

Aim The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and fidelity of an intervention, Moving On, aimed to increase outcome expectations OEs (i.e. what one expects to obtain or avoid as a result of a behaviour) and exercise among breast cancer survivors. Design Randomized controlled trial. Methods Intervention arm participants will be given a theory-guided booklet that was co-created by the research team and three physically active breast cancer survivors who exercise to manage late and long-term treatment effects. Attention control arm participants will be given a similar booklet focused on diet. Participants will have 1 week to complete reading, writing and reflecting activities in the booklets. Study outcomes will be measured through online surveys; exercise will also be measured objectively with a Fitbit®. Four weeks postintervention, participants' thoughts about the usefulness, strengths and weakness of the intervention booklet will be assessed. OEs and exercise will be measured at baseline, 4-, 8- and 12-week postintervention.
Image-assisted GNSS/INS navigation for UAV-based mobile mapping systems during GNSS outages

Nowadays, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have evolved into an alternative to traditional mapping platforms for some applications due to their flexibility and cost savings. Most UAVs, which are used as mobile mapping systems (MMS), depend on utilizing position and orientation system (POS) onboard the platform. Usually, POS consists of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) as a positioning sensor integrated with an Inertial Navigation System (INS), which encompasses Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) as an orientation sensor. This GNSS/INS integration is usually performed in either a loosely coupled (LC) or a tightly coupled (TC) scheme. Although LC is a simple scheme that uses the GNSS solutions to aid the INS navigation, TC has the advantage of being able to integrate raw GNSS measurements and INS when less than four GNSS satellites are tracked, which makes it a better candidate for more MMS applications. However, for some environments with large GNSS outages, especially where no satellites are tracked, TC architecture is still not a convenient solution, even with using smoothers afterward. In this research, a low-cost UAV MMS is developed combining an inexpensive POS, a camera, and a spinning multi-beam LiDAR for different mapping applications. In addition, a processing strategy is proposed to refine the trajectory during GNSS outages. This strategy comprises applying a two-stage Kalman filter along with smoothers. The first stage is a TC scheme KF followed by a smoother using GNSS and INS measurements as inputs. The second stage is a LC scheme KF utilizing the output from the first stage and a vision-based trajectory to aid trajectory refinement during GNSS outages. The vision-based trajectory is derived from integrated sensor orientation (ISO) based on using a bundle adjustment (BA) procedure for a collected block of images for the area of interest, without using any ground control points. This technique enhances the accuracy of the estimated position by 50% in the planimetric direction and 25% in the vertical direction during GNSS outages. In addition, the estimated heading accuracy of the platform is enhanced by 25%. The derived vision-aided GNSS/INS trajectory is used to derive more accurate georeferenced information from other sensors, such as LiDAR, onboard mapping platform. Finally, quantitative and quantitative quality control are conducted to evaluate the vision-aided GNSS/INS trajectory derived from the proposed processing strategy.
Sets, Sequences, Series, and Functions

Sets, sequences, series, and functions occur in every area of Applied Mathematics. Sets will be designated by capital letters A, B, Al, C2,… and so on; individual members of sets will be designated by lower case letters x, y, al, a2, b, … and so on.
THERMODYNAMICS AND PREPARATION OF NON-STOICHIOMETRIC, NON-METALLIC COMPOUNDS

The technological use of an increasing number of crystalline, semiconducting or insulating, compounds requires precise composition control in order to obtain desirable electrical or optical properties. The synthesis of these materials can be conceptually divided into two steps: (I) a classical synthesis step of inorganic chemistry, which in the simplest case may reduce to fusion of the elements and subsequent solidification, and (2) adjustment of the composition to the desired value within the, possibly very narrow, homogeneity range of the compound. The latter preparative step depends upon detailed phase diagram information and is of interest here. The subject is viewed primarily from a thermodynamic point-of-view with a minimum consideration of models involving point defects. The starting point is the general result from statistical thermodynamics that every crystalline compound has a non-zero homogeneity range above the absolute zero of temperature. Data on specific compounds will be used to illustrate the various points. Finally, complications for certain materials arising as a result of recent detailed analysis of diffraction patterns will be reviewed.
EXPRESSION AND EXPRESSIVENESS IN ART

The concept of expression in the arts is Janus-faced. On the one hand expression is an author-centered notion: many Romantic poets, painters, and musicians thought of themselves as pouring our or ex-pressing their own emotions in their artworks. And on the other hand, expression is an audience-centered notion, the communication of what is expressed by an author to members of an audience. Typically the word “expression” is used for the author-centered aspect of expression as a whole, and the word “expressiveness” is used for the audience-centered aspect, and I shall keep to this usage. In this paper I shall argue that although expression is closely related to expressiveness, the two concepts are distinct and, in particular, expressiveness cannot be analyzed in terms of expression, as has been recently suggested by Stephen Davies and Jerrold Levinson. Nonetheless, the richest examples of expression in the arts involve both expression and expressiveness.
The role of vitamin D and its relationship to parathyroid hormone and calcitonin.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of vitamin D and its relationship to parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. The principal use of vitamin D is in the prevention of rickets and osteomalacia. Vitamin D elevates levels of plasma calcium and phosphate, which in turn are essential for normal mineralization of bone. One of the greatest hallmarks of vitamin D is the lag in its apparent physiological effects. Apart from vitamin D, there are two other calcium homeostatic agents known to play an important role in the maintenance of calcium levels of plasma. The continual monitoring of plasma calcium by the parathyroid glands and by the C cells of the thyroid controls plasma calcium concentration. Although much remains to be learned, in recent years, a great deal of progress has been made in understanding the mechanism of action and metabolism of vitamin D and its relationship to parathyroid hormone and calcitonin activities.
The Thermal and Electrical Conductivity of Aluminum

The thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, and absolute Seebeck coefficient of pure aluminum were determined from 80 to 400 K by measuring all three properties of samples with resistivity ratios of 11 × 103, 8.5 × 103, and 9.5 × 102 using three different techniques. Measurements were made on the purest sample down to 20 K. The thermal conductivity has a broad plateau from 180 to 400 K and a possible minimum of 0.25% which is insignificant compared to the experimental errors. The same properties were measured on an aluminum alloy with a resistivity ratio of 17. Measured values of the thermal conductivity of this alloy agreed to within ±1% with calculated values using parameters obtained from the pure aluminum.
Regenerative Sports Medicine: Past, Present, and Future (Adapted From the PASSOR Legacy Award Presentation; AAPMR; October 2016)

Regenerative medicine has shown dramatic expanse and evolution in the past decade. Within that milieu, physiatrists are taking an active role in research, clinical care delivery, and education. The purpose of this review is to provide a balance among evidence, theory, experience, clinical trends, and the foreseeable future. We focus on the literature that reports the research with the best methodology in each practice area, recognizing that the level of evidence varies substantially among different treatment modalities and conditions. The following elements are included: an overview of the evolution of currently available regenerative techniques, evidence base for each available modality (prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate concentrate and stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, and amniotic tissue products), general principles in the application of these treatments, and discussion and a vision of what lies ahead. We expect that practitioners will use this review to facilitate clinical decision making and to provide a core knowledge base to assist when counseling patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.
Phase 1b trial of nintedanib in combination with bevacizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors.

2591Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors have produced demonstrable but limited clinical benefit for various cancers. One mechanism of resistance includes revascularizat...
Learning-related soft skills among online business students in higher education: Grade level and managerial role differences in self-regulation, motivation, and social skill

Abstract The purpose of the study was to investigate how undergraduate and graduate business management students, as well as those who had a managerial role in their career and who did not, differ on levels of soft skills (SRL strategies, motivation, and social skills) after gender was controlled. Moreover, we intended to investigate how well soft skills factors influence business students' successes in an online learning environment after students’ individual characteristics and learning characteristics were controlled. To serve this purpose, this study conducted MANCOVA and hierarchical multiple regression analyses on data collected from 162 students in fully online business courses. First, the results of the study indicated that graduate students had higher level of soft skills than undergraduate students, especially in self-regulation and motivation. Likewise, students with managerial experiences demonstrated a higher level of soft skills. Next, hierarchical regression analysis revealed that the final regression model with all soft skills factors included could predict approximately 34% of the variance in students learning outcomes to a statistically significant level. In addition, goal setting, self-efficacy, and social skills were found to be significant predictors. We suggest that instructors and instructional designers should realize that soft skills are important contributor to the learning outcomes. Therefore, mechanisms to enhance student soft skills should be embedded into the online course in order to improve student learning outcomes. This should be especially a priority for undergraduate online courses because undergraduate students do not demonstrate higher soft skills compared to graduate students.
Lynching and the Politics of State Formation in Post-Revolutionary Puebla (1930s–50s)

A number of scholars have analysed lynching in Latin America as a response to the recent upsurge in insecurity and crime in the region. This article turns our attention to historical and deeper socio-political undercurrents behind this practice. Drawing on several cases of lynching that took place in post-revolutionary Puebla, the article argues that, rather than signalling state absence, the occurrence of lynching expressed communities’ reactions towards a state presence that was perceived as intrusive and illegitimate. It furthermore shows that lynchings emulated the brutality and visibility of extralegal forms of violence perpetrated by public officials at the local level.
Thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate using Monte Carlo methods

One of the most intriguing aspects of ammonium perchlorate (AP) decomposition is its incomplete decomposition at low temperatures, in which the decomposition halts at a level of approximately 30%. ...
Abstract 205: A Systematic Review of Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation: Barriers and Facilitators

Patients participating in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after a cardiac event have fewer hospital readmissions and better clinical outcomes compared to non-participants. However, these services are u...
Tracking from one side: multi-person passive tracking with WiFi magnitude measurements

In this paper, we are interested in passively tracking multiple people walking in an area, using only the magnitude of WiFi signals from one WiFi transmitter and a small number of receivers (configured as an array) located on one side of the area. Past works on RF-based tracking either track only a single moving person, use a large number of transceivers surrounding the area to track multiple people, or use additional resources like ultra-wideband signals. Furthermore, magnitude-based tracking provides an attractive feature that additional receiver antennas can easily be added to the antenna array as needed, without the need for phase synchronization, since the magnitude can be measured independently on the different antennas. In this paper, we then propose a new framework that uses only the magnitude of WiFi signals and expresses it in terms of the angles of arrival of signal paths at the receivers as well as the motion parameters of the virtual arrays emulated by the moving people. We then use a two-dimensional MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm to estimate the aforementioned parameters, and further utilize a Particle Filter with a Joint Probabilistic Data Association Filter to track multiple people walking in the area. We extensively validate our proposed framework in both indoor and outdoor areas, through 40 experiments of tracking 1 to 3 people, using only one transmit antenna and three laptops as receivers (a total of four off-the-shelf Intel 5300 WiFi Network Interface Cards (NICs)). Our results show highly accurate tracking (mean error of 38 cm in outdoor areas/closed parking lots, and 55 cm in indoor areas) using minimal WiFi resources on only one side of the area.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the interaction of phospholipid bilayers with polycaprolactone

The molecular interaction between common polymer chains and the cell membrane is unknown. Molecular dynamics simulations offer an emerging tool to characterise the nature of the interaction between...