cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HYDRA: hybrid design for remote attestation (using a formally verified microkernel)

Remote Attestation (RA) allows a trusted entity (verifier) to securely measure internal state of a remote untrusted hardware platform (prover). RA can be used to establish a static or dynamic root of trust in embedded and cyber-physical systems. It can also be used as a building block for other security services and primitives, such as software updates and patches, verifiable deletion and memory resetting. There are three major types of RA designs: hardware-based, software-based, and hybrid, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.This paper presents the first hybrid RA design - called HYDRA - that builds upon formally verified software components that ensure memory isolation and protection, as well as enforce access control to memory and other resources. HYDRA obtains these properties by using the formally verified seL4 microkernel. (Until now, this was only attainable with purely hardware-based designs.) Using seL4 imposes fewer hardware requirements on the underlying microprocessor. Also, building upon a formally verified software component increases confidence in security of the overall design of HYDRA and its implementation. We instantiate HYDRA on two commodity hardware platforms and assess the performance and overhead of performing RA on such platforms via experimentation; we show that HYDRA can attest 10MB of memory in less than 250msec when using a Speck-based cryptographic checksum.
Youth, activism, and social movements

This course provides an undergraduate level introduction to the study of youth political socialization and political activism. Young people are the backbone of most social movements from the Civil Rights and anti-Vietnam War movements to more contemporary examples like Black Lives Matter, #Occupy, and the anti-gun violence movement. The first half of the course presents an overview of theories of youth political socialization, political participation, and their role in social movements. The course specifically explores concerns about the state of youth political participation and the realities of participation, theories regarding how youth are socialized to participate in politics (and the impediments to participation), the history of youth in social movements (specifically why youth and college campuses are so important). The second half builds on this structure to review areas where youth are bringing new energy to political participation. The syllabus includes discussion in how youth have updated tactics, continue to redefine what counts as political, and incorporate new (intersectionality) and old (economic inequality) concerns into movements. The course is built around a midterm and final exam, as well as a research paper on a youth-oriented social movement that is broken up into several smaller "proposals" throughout the semester. Students are also assessed on their participation in class discussion over the substantive issues. The course serves as a point of connection between courses on youth and society, political sociology, political communication, and social movements.
Toward better public health reporting using existing off the shelf approaches: The value of medical dictionaries in automated cancer detection using plaintext medical data

Abstract Objectives Existing approaches to derive decision models from plaintext clinical data frequently depend on medical dictionaries as the sources of potential features. Prior research suggests that decision models developed using non-dictionary based feature sourcing approaches and “off the shelf” tools could predict cancer with performance metrics between 80% and 90%. We sought to compare non-dictionary based models to models built using features derived from medical dictionaries. Materials and methods We evaluated the detection of cancer cases from free text pathology reports using decision models built with combinations of dictionary or non-dictionary based feature sourcing approaches, 4 feature subset sizes, and 5 classification algorithms. Each decision model was evaluated using the following performance metrics: sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results Decision models parameterized using dictionary and non-dictionary feature sourcing approaches produced performance metrics between 70 and 90%. The source of features and feature subset size had no impact on the performance of a decision model. Conclusion Our study suggests there is little value in leveraging medical dictionaries for extracting features for decision model building. Decision models built using features extracted from the plaintext reports themselves achieve comparable results to those built using medical dictionaries. Overall, this suggests that existing “off the shelf” approaches can be leveraged to perform accurate cancer detection using less complex Named Entity Recognition (NER) based feature extraction, automated feature selection and modeling approaches.
Demographics of hip dysplasia in the Maine Coon cat.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to report the demographics of feline hip dysplasia (FHD) in the Maine Coon cat.MethodsThe complete hip dysplasia registry (public and private) collected by the O...
Systematic review of anthocyanins and markers of cardiovascular disease

Anthocyanins are dietary flavonoids commonly consumed in the diet. Evidence from epidemiological studies suggests cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventative and therapeutic effects of anthocyanins. ...
The common parasite Toxoplasma gondii induces prostatic inflammation and microglandular hyperplasia in a mouse model.

Background Inflammation is the most prevalent and widespread histological finding in the human prostate, and associates with the development and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Several factors have been hypothesized to cause inflammation, yet the role each may play in the etiology of prostatic inflammation remains unclear. This study examined the possibility that the common protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii induces prostatic inflammation and reactive hyperplasia in a mouse model. Methods Male mice were infected systemically with T. gondii parasites and prostatic inflammation was scored based on severity and focality of infiltrating leukocytes and epithelial hyperplasia. We characterized inflammatory cells with flow cytometry and the resulting epithelial proliferation with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. Results We found that T. gondii infects the mouse prostate within the first 14 days of infection and can establish parasite cysts that persist for at least 60 days. T. gondii infection induces a substantial and chronic inflammatory reaction in the mouse prostate characterized by monocytic and lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate. T. gondii-induced inflammation results in reactive hyperplasia, involving basal and luminal epithelial proliferation, and the exhibition of proliferative inflammatory microglandular hyperplasia in inflamed mouse prostates. Conclusions This study identifies the common parasite T. gondii as a new trigger of prostatic inflammation, which we used to develop a novel mouse model of prostatic inflammation. This is the first report that T. gondii chronically encysts and induces chronic inflammation within the prostate of any species. Furthermore, T. gondii-induced prostatic inflammation persists and progresses without genetic manipulation in mice, offering a powerful new mouse model for the study of chronic prostatic inflammation and microglandular hyperplasia.
Spindle assembly checkpoint satisfaction occurs via end-on but not lateral attachments under tension

To ensure accurate chromosome segregation, the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) prevents anaphase until all kinetochores attach to the spindle. What signals the SAC monitors remains unclear. We do not know the contributions of different microtubule attachment features or tension from biorientation to SAC satisfaction nor how these possible cues change during attachment. In this study, we quantify concurrent Mad1 intensity and report on SAC silencing, real-time attachment geometry, occupancy, and tension at individual mammalian kinetochores. We show that Mad1 loss from the kinetochore is switch-like with robust kinetics and that tension across sister kinetochores is established just before Mad1 loss events at the first sister. We demonstrate that CenpE-mediated lateral attachment of the second sister can persistently generate this metaphase-like tension before biorientation, likely stabilizing sister end-on attachment, yet cannot induce Mad1 loss from that kinetochore. Instead, Mad1 loss begins after several end-on microtubules attach. Thus, end-on attachment provides geometry-specific molecular cues or force on specific kinetochore linkages that other attachment geometries cannot provide.
A possible signature of magnetic cavity mode oscillations in ISEE spacecraft observations

The structure of magnetohydrodynamic waves in the terrestrial magnetosphere is controlled by the dispersion relations of the wave modes, the inhomogeneities of the system and the boundary conditions. If the waves are confined within the magnetospheric cavity with proper boundary conditions, two types of spectra are predicted by MHD theory. One is a discrete compressional spectrum and the other is a continuous shear Alfven spectrum. The discrete spectrum refers to compressional eigenmodes with spatially constant eigenfrequencies. The continuous shear Alfven spectrum corresponds to field line resonances with spatially varying resonant frequencies. There have been many reports of observations consistent with the theoretical predictions for shear Alfven waves. However, only a few spacecraft observations of the global cavity eigenmodes or the coupling between the two modes have been reported. Here we report an observation using ISEE 1 and 2 spacecraft magnetometer data. On a quiet day with low solar wind dynamic pressure and low geomagnetic activity, the ISEE 1 and 2 spacecraft identified a compressional wave with constant frequency throughout most of its inbound orbit in the outer magnetosphere. Multiple harmonics of shear Alfven waves with spatially varying frequencies were observed in the azimuthal component. Evidence of the coupling between these two waves in found. Comparing our observations with the results of a computer simulation in a dipole field, we find qualitative (not quantitative) agreement. We also consider why so few examples of radially-extended monochromatic compressional oscillations have been found. We conclude that the exceptional circumstances required for development and identification of these wave structures occur very rarely.
Scheduling of a Flexible Manufacturing Cell

Abstract Flexible manufacturing cell (FMC) is an emerging component in modern manufacturing environments. In an FMC, parts are processed by a few programmable machine types, transported by an automated material handling system (MHS), and stored in buffers between operations. The benefits of an FMC are mostly derived from the flexibility it provides. Since operations of an FMC are automated, effective real-time scheduling is crucial. However, the interaction among machines, MHS and buffers make the scheduling problem extremely complicated. Major difficulties include the sequence- dependent setups of MHS operations and finite buffer capacities. How to develop an effective FMC scheduling methodology is an important and challenging task. In this paper, the scheduling of an FMC is considered. The MHS is comprised of a single automated guided vehicle (AGV), and machine types are arranged along a straight track on which the AGV can travel. An integer programming formulation is presented with nonzero AGV setup times and finite buffer capacities. A combined augmented Lagrangian relaxation and heuristic method is developed, where AGV setups and deadlocks caused by finite buffer capacities are handled by heuristics. Numerical results show that the AGV could be a bottleneck and impose significant impacts on the schedule. Finite machine buffers also affect FMC scheduling.
Temporal Mapping and Connectivity Using NIRS for Language-Related Tasks

NIRS was employed in 15 healthy adults to understand functionality of the temporal cortex in response to language related tasks. Herein, activation, functional connectivity, and lateralization in the temporal cortex are correlated.
Evaluation of the BACTEC 16B Medium in a Cancer Center

The routine use of the new resin-containing BACTEC 16B (Johnston Laboratories, Inc., Cockeysville, MD) culture medium was evaluated in a population consisting primarily of cancer patients. Of 1,163 paired blood culture sets collected, 652 (56%) were collected in the presence of antimicrobial therapy. Eighty-three aerobic and facultatively anaerobic isolates were recovered from 79 positive blood culture sets. No significant difference could be demonstrated between the 16B and the 6B medium in the group of blood cultures collected from patients not receiving antibiotic therapy at the time of blood collection. In contrast, a significantly greater proportion of isolates (P less than 0.005) was recovered from the 16B medium (96%) than the 6B medium (68%) in the group of blood cultures collected in the presence of antimicrobial therapy. In this group, 43% of the isolates were either detected earlier or recovered solely from the 16B medium.
The Effect of Franchising on Establishment Performance in the U.S. Restaurant Industry

A central theme in much of the franchising literature is that franchising mitigates the Principle–agent problems between the owner of the franchise company and the operator of the local establishme...
Prostheses Should have Adaptively Controllable Impedance

Abstract Cybernetic aspects of assistive devices are discussed. Some of the neuro-physiological basis of natural motion control is outlined. Analytical and experimental results are presented which highlight the role of the inherent mechanical and kinematic properties of the musculo-skelete1 system in the parameter-adaptive control of motion. An explanation of antagonist co-activation and the importance of polyarticular muscles is presented.
Pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics of pin fin enhanced microgaps in single phase microfluidic cooling

Abstract Microfluidic cooling with microgaps with surface area enhancements such as pin fins can potentially achieve superior thermal performance in cooling high power microsystems. In this work, the single phase thermal/fluid characteristics of microgaps of H/W around 0.02, incorporating staggered pin fin arrays are studied. The effects of the pin fin dimensions including diameter, transversal and longitudinal spacing, and height are investigated by experimentally validated model over a range of Reynolds number ( Re ) 22–357. Micropin fin arrays investigated have pin diameter of 100 μm, pitch/diameter ratios of 1.5–2.25, and height/diameter ratios of 1.5–2.25. Correlations of friction factor (f) and Colburn j factor for these dense arrays of micro pins have been developed. The performance of circular and square micro pin fin arrays were compared, showing that the circular array has better thermal performance under the same pumping power.
Foresight: recommending visual insights

Current tools for exploratory data analysis (EDA) require users to manually select data attributes, statistical computations and visual encodings. This can be daunting for large-scale, complex data. We introduce Foresight, a system that helps the user rapidly discover visual insights from large high-dimensional datasets. Formally, an "insight" is a strong manifestation of a statistical property of the data, e.g., high correlation between two attributes, high skewness or concentration about the mean of a single attribute, a strong clustering of values, and so on. For each insight type, Foresight initially presents visualizations of the top k instances in the data, based on an appropriate ranking metric. The user can then look at "nearby" insights by issuing "insight queries" containing constraints on insight strengths and data attributes. Thus the user can directly explore the space of insights, rather than the space of data dimensions and visual encodings as in other visual recommender systems. Foresight also provides "global" views of insight space to help orient the user and ensure a thorough exploration process. Furthermore, Foresight facilitates interactive exploration of large datasets through fast, approximate sketching.
Voluntary changes in accounting principle: Literature review, descriptive data, and opportunities for future research

Abstract Voluntary changes in accounting principle represent explicit and fundamental decisions by managers to exercise accounting discretion. This paper develops an organizing framework to review prior literature on voluntary changes, provides descriptive insights on contemporary changes, and identifies opportunities for future research on voluntary changes. The voluntary change literature is robust and has examined many questions using data prior to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). We find that contemporary voluntary changes often vary across the pre-SOX, post-SOX, and post-SFAS No. 154 periods by the materiality of their income effect, issue type, and justifications provided by managers, suggesting that manager use of voluntary changes has evolved over time. Our future research opportunities consider potential determinants of voluntary changes including strategic incentives, environmental conditions, and manager characteristics, as well as the potential direct or moderating role of corporate governance and auditors on manager use of voluntary changes. They also consider user reactions to voluntary changes. By providing insight into both extant voluntary change research and the contemporary use of voluntary changes, our study informs standards setters who grant managers the ability to exercise this form of accounting discretion, as well as researchers who plan to study accounting choice through voluntary changes.
Sclerotherapy for the management of rectal prolapse in children

Abstract Purpose Rectal prolapse is a commonly occurring and usually self-limited process in children. Surgical management is indicated for failures of conservative management. However, the optimal approach is unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of sclerotherapy for the management of rectal prolapse. Methods This was a retrospective review of children Results Fifty-seven patients were included with a median age of 4.9years (interquartile range (IQR) 3.2–9.2) and median follow-up of 52months (IQR 8–91). Twenty patients (n=20/57; 35%) recurred at a median of 1.6months (IQR 0.8–3.6). Only 3 patients experienced recurrence after 4months. Nine of the patients who recurred (n=9/20; 45%) were re-treated with sclerotherapy. This was successful in 5 patients (n=5/9; 56%). Two patients (n=2/20; 10%) experienced a mucosal recurrence which resolved with conservative management. Forty-four patients were thus cured with sclerotherapy alone (n=44/57; 77%). No patients undergoing sclerotherapy had an adverse event. Thirteen patients (n=13/20; 65%) underwent rectopexy after failing at least one treatment of sclerotherapy. Three of these patients (n=3/13; 23%) recurred following rectopexy and required an additional operation. Conclusions Injection sclerotherapy for children with rectal prolapse resulted in a durable cure of prolapse in most children. Patients who recur following sclerotherapy tend to recur within 4months. Another attempt at sclerotherapy following recurrence is reasonable and was successful half of the time. Sclerotherapy should be the preferred initial treatment for rectal prolapse in children and for the initial treatment of recurrence. Level of evidence Level IV. Type of study Treatment Study.
Predicting educational attainment: Does grit compensate for low levels of cognitive ability?

Abstract This study examined the role of cognitive ability in moderating grit's association with educational outcomes. Using a large, representative sample of young adults, we estimated probit models for the probability of graduating from high school, enrolling in college, earning any college degree, and earning a bachelor's degree. For each outcome, the effect of grit (and, alternatively, each lower-order facet) was allowed to differ flexibly with cognitive ability. We found that grit's estimated marginal effect is largely concentrated among students at the high and low ends of the ability distribution. The low-ability effect is more pronounced when expressed relative to the ability-specific, baseline probability of success, and the high-ability effect increases with each successive outcome. The findings are consistent with the notion that high-ability students adopt self-regulated learning processes that exploit their grit, especially as educational tasks become more challenging. For low-ability students, it appears that grit plays a compensatory role.
Healthcare-Associated Meningitis or Ventriculitis in Older Adults.

Background/Objectives Healthcare-associated meningitis or ventriculitis (HCAMV) is a serious and life-threatening complication of invasive neurosurgical procedures or penetrating head trauma. Older adults are at higher risk of adverse outcomes in community-acquired meningitis but studies of HCAMV are lacking. Therefore, we perform the study to define the differences in clinical outcomes between older and younger adults with HCAMV. Design Retrospective study. Setting A large tertiary care hospital in Houston, Texas, from July 2003 to November 2014. Participants Adults with a diagnosis of HCAMV (N = 160) aged ≥65 (n = 35), aged 18–64 (n = 125). Measurements Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory results, treatments, and outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale). Results Older adults had more comorbidities and CSF abnormalities [pleocytosis, high cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein, low CSF glucose) and were more likely to have altered mental status than younger adults (P < .05). An adverse clinical outcome was seen in 142 participants (89%) (death (n = 18, 11%), persistent vegetative state (n = 26, 16%), severe disability (n = 68, 43%), moderate disability (n = 30, 19%). There was no difference in adverse outcomes between older (97%) and younger (86%) adults (P = .13). On logistic regression analysis, abnormal neurological examination (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 7.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.15–23.63, P = .001) and mechanical ventilation (aOR = 11.03, 95% CI = 1.35–90.51, P = .02) were associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Conclusion Older adults with HCAMV have more comorbidities and CSF abnormalities and are more likely to have altered mental status than younger adults but have similar high rates of adverse clinical outcomes.
Do Consumer-Directed Tax Credits Effectively Increase Demand? Experimental Evidence of Conditional Success

ABSTRACT We investigate whether consumer-directed tax credits motivate purchasing behavior in the same manner as traditional retail concessions (e.g., price discounts). In our experimental study, c...
Epigenetic Regulation of Viral Biological Processes

It is increasingly clear that DNA viruses exploit cellular epigenetic processes to control their life cycles during infection. This review will address epigenetic regulation in members of the polyomaviruses, adenoviruses, human papillomaviruses, hepatitis B, and herpes viruses. For each type of virus, what is known about the roles of DNA methylation, histone modifications, nucleosome positioning, and regulatory RNA in epigenetic regulation of the virus infection will be discussed. The mechanisms used by certain viruses to dysregulate the host cell through manipulation of epigenetic processes and the role of cellular cofactors such as BRD4 that are known to be involved in epigenetic regulation of host cell pathways will also be covered. Specifically, this review will focus on the role of epigenetic regulation in maintaining viral episomes through the generation of chromatin, temporally controlling transcription from viral genes during the course of an infection, regulating latency and the switch to a lytic infection, and global dysregulation of cellular function.
Semiparametric Bayesian analysis of high-dimensional censored outcome data

The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer database contains survival data for US individuals diagnosed with cancer. Semiparametric Bayesian methods are computationally expensive ...
An Active Sequential Xampling Detector for Spectrum Sensing

Nyquist sampling at very high carriers can be prohibitively costly for low power wireless devices. In spectrum sensing, this limit calls for an analog front-end that can sweep different bands quickly, in order to use the available spectrum opportunistically. In this paper, we propose a new sub-Nyquist analog front-end and a sensing strategy formulated as a sequential utility optimization problem. The sensing action maximizes a utility function decreasing linearly with the number of measurements, and increasing as a function of the active spectrum components that are correctly detected. The optimization selects the best linear combinations of sub-bands to mix, in order to accrue maximum utility. The structure of the utility represents the tradeoff between exploration, exploitation, and risk of making an error, that is characteristic of the spectrum sensing problem. We first present the analog front-end architecture, and then map the measurement model into the abstract optimization problem proposed, and analyzed, in the remainder of this paper. We characterize the optimal policy, under constraints on the sensing matrix, and derive the approximation factor of the greedy approach we introduce to solve the problem. Numerical simulations showcase the benefits of combining active spectrum sensing with sub-Nyquist sampling.
Portable X-ray fluorescence trace metal measurement in organic rich soils: pXRF response as a function of organic matter fraction

Abstract The influence of organic matter fraction on portable X-Ray fluorescence (pXRF) trace metal measurements was investigated through the incremental addition of three organic matter surrogates (cellulose, graphite powder, and confectioner's sugar) to a soil matrix. Each surrogate was independently added to and homogenized with samples of Natural Resources Canada Till-1 standard reference material that was initially expunged of organic matter through combustion. Incremental addition was performed 20 times for each surrogate, and concentrations of thirteen elements were measured as a function of varying organic matter fractions using a Thermo Scientific Niton XL3t GOLDD+ 950 XRF analyzer. Results demonstrate attenuation of the pXRF signal with increasing sample organic matter fraction; however, elementally dependent deviations from expected concentrations were also observed. An empirical organic matter fraction-dependent calibration method was developed and its performance was evaluated using four unmodified soil standards with known organic matter content. Estimates incorporating soil organic matter differed from conventional calibration estimates neglecting organic matter content, yet were able to reproduce standard reference material values with similar success.
Coverage, Exploration and Deployment by a Mobile Robot and Communication Network

We consider the problem of coverage and exploration of an unknown dynamic environment using a mobile robot. The environment is assumed to be large enough such that constant motion by the robot is needed to cover the environment. We present an efficient minimalist algorithm which assumes that global information is not available (neither a map, nor GPS). Our algorithm deploys a network of radio beacons which assists the robot in coverage. The network is also used by the robot for navigation. The deployed network can also be used for applications other than coverage (such as multi-robot task allocation). Simulation experiments are presented which show the collaboration between the deployed network and mobile robot for the tasks of coverage/exploration, network deployment and maintenance (repair), and mobile robot recovery (homing behavior). We discuss a theoretical basis for our algorithm on graphs and show the results of the simulated scenario experiments.
Energy dissipation and fluctuations in a driven liquid.

Minimal models of active and driven particles have recently been used to elucidate many properties of nonequilibrium systems. However, the relation between energy consumption and changes in the structure and transport properties of these nonequilibrium materials remains to be explored. We explore this relation in a minimal model of a driven liquid that settles into a time periodic steady state. Using concepts from stochastic thermodynamics and liquid state theories, we show how the work performed on the system by various nonconservative, time-dependent forces—this quantifies a violation of time reversal symmetry—modifies the structural, transport, and phase transition properties of the driven liquid.
Uncertainty from Extrapolation of Cosmic Ray Air Shower Parameters

Recent measurements at the LHC of the p-p total cross section have reduced the uncertainty in simulations of cosmic ray air showers. In particular of the depth of shower maximum, called $X_{max}$. However, uncertainties of other important parameters, in particular the multiplicity and elasticity of high energy interactions, have not improved, and there is a remaining uncertainty due to the total cross section. Uncertainties due to extrapolations from accelerator data, at a maximum energy of $\sim$ one TeV in the p-p center of mass, to 250 TeV ($3\times10^{19}$ eV in a cosmic ray proton's lab frame) introduce significant uncertainties in predictions of $ $. In this paper we estimate a lower limit on these uncertainties. The result is that the uncertainty in $ $ is larger than the difference among the modern models being used in the field. At the full energy of the LHC, which is equivalent to $\sim 1\times10^{17}$ eV in the cosmic ray lab frame, the extrapolation is not as extreme, and the uncertainty is approximately equal to the difference among the models.
Development of a step-down method for altering male C57BL/6 mouse housing density and hierarchical structure: Preparations for spaceflight studies.

Abstract This study was initiated as a component of a larger undertaking designed to study bone healing in microgravity aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Spaceflight experimentation introduces multiple challenges not seen in ground studies, especially with regard to physical space, limited resources, and inability to easily reproduce results. Together, these can lead to diminished statistical power and increased risk of failure. It is because of the limited space, and need for improved statistical power by increasing sample size over historical numbers, NASA studies involving mice require housing mice at densities higher than recommended in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals ( National Research Council, 2011 ). All previous NASA missions in which mice were co-housed, involved female mice; however, in our spaceflight studies examining bone healing, male mice are required for optimal experimentation. Additionally, the logistics associated with spaceflight hardware and our study design necessitated variation of density and cohort make up during the experiment. This required the development of a new method to successfully co-house male mice while varying mouse density and hierarchical structure. For this experiment, male mice in an experimental housing schematic of variable density (Spaceflight Correlate) analogous to previously established NASA spaceflight studies was compared to a standard ground based housing schematic (Normal Density Controls) throughout the experimental timeline. We hypothesized that mice in the Spaceflight Correlate group would show no significant difference in activity, aggression, or stress when compared to Normal Density Controls. Activity and aggression were assessed using a novel activity scoring system (based on prior literature, validated in-house) and stress was assessed via body weights, organ weights, and veterinary assessment. No significant differences were detected between the Spaceflight Correlate group and the Normal Density Controls in activity, aggression, body weight, or organ weight, which was confirmed by veterinary assessments. Completion of this study allowed for clearance by NASA of our bone healing experiments aboard the ISS, and our experiment was successfully launched February 19, 2017 on SpaceX CRS-10.
Bayesian graphical models for computational network biology

Computational network biology is an emerging interdisciplinary research area. Among many other network approaches, probabilistic graphical models provide a comprehensive probabilistic characterization of interaction patterns between molecules and the associated uncertainties. In this article, we first review graphical models, including directed, undirected, and reciprocal graphs (RG), with an emphasis on the RG models that are curiously under-utilized in biostatistics and bioinformatics literature. RG’s strictly contain chain graphs as a special case and are suitable to model reciprocal causality such as feedback mechanism in molecular networks. We then extend the RG approach to modeling molecular networks by integrating DNA-, RNA- and protein-level data. We apply the extended RG method to The Cancer Genome Atlas multi-platform ovarian cancer data and reveal several interesting findings. This study aims to review the basics of different probabilistic graphical models as well as recent development in RG approaches for network modeling. The extension presented in this paper provides a principled and efficient way of integrating DNA copy number, DNA methylation, mRNA gene expression and protein expression.
The Fairytale of Nicolas Denisot and the Seymour Sisters

The Fairytale of Nicolas Denisot and the Seymour Sisters Skeptical voices notwithstanding, Anne, Margaret, and Jane Seymour are still widely assumed to have written the Hecatodistichon (1550), a set of 104 Latin distichs memorializing Queen Marguerite of Navarre. The story of their authorship goes back to the girls’ sometime tutor, Nicolas Denisot (1515‑1559). His account, however, must be understood as a kind of fairytale in which the sisters are turned into princesses, while Denisot himself plays the wizard‑tutor. The distichs’ true author is Denisot. Proof comes from both internal and philological evidence. The work’s sources, it turns out, are far too wide‑ranging and recondite for beginning Latin pupils like the Seymours. Further proof is gleaned from comparing the Hecatodistichon with the manuscript that Denisot wrote on the death of Henry VIII and presented to Edward VI in early 1547. Both works draw on the same core of continental poets, in particular Tito and Ercole Strozzi and Helius Eobanus Hessus.
Corporate investment, short-term return reversal, and stock liquidity

Abstract This study establishes a link between corporate investment and short-term return reversal by addressing the role of corporate investment in shaping stock liquidity. We find that short-term return reversal is less pronounced for stocks with high corporate investment. Moreover, the analysis shows that corporate investment indeed attenuates the short-term return reversal effect regardless of other control variables. We argue that the current finding is attributable to the effect of corporate investment on the risk of a stock through which corporate investment improves stock liquidity and eventually leads to weaker short-term return reversal.
Mycoviruses as Triggers and Targets of RNA Silencing in White Mold Fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum .

This study aimed to demonstrate the existence of antiviral RNA silencing mechanisms in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by infecting wild-type and RNA-silencing-deficient strains of the fungus with an RNA virus and a DNA virus. Key silencing-related genes were disrupted to dissect the RNA silencing pathway. Specifically, dicer genes (dcl-1, dcl-2, and both dcl-1/dcl-2) were displaced by selective marker(s). Disruption mutants were then compared for changes in phenotype, virulence, and susceptibility to virus infections. Wild-type and mutant strains were transfected with a single-stranded RNA virus, SsHV2-L, and copies of a single-stranded DNA mycovirus, SsHADV-1, as a synthetic virus constructed in this study. Disruption of dcl-1 or dcl-2 resulted in no changes in phenotype compared to wild-type S. sclerotiorum; however, the double dicer mutant strain exhibited significantly slower growth. Furthermore, the Δdcl-1/dcl-2 double mutant, which was slow growing without virus infection, exhibited much more severe debilitation following virus infections including phenotypic changes such as slower growth, reduced pigmentation, and delayed sclerotial formation. These phenotypic changes were absent in the single mutants, Δdcl-1 and Δdcl-2. Complementation of a single dicer in the double disruption mutant reversed viral susceptibility to the wild-type state. Virus-derived small RNAs were accumulated from virus-infected wild-type strains with strand bias towards the negative sense. The findings of these studies indicate that S. sclerotiorum has robust RNA silencing mechanisms that process both DNA and RNA mycoviruses and that, when both dicers are silenced, invasive nucleic acids can greatly debilitate the virulence of this fungus.
Combining In-Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy and Infrared Spectroscopy for Understanding Dynamic and Atomic-Scale Features of Supported Metal Catalysts

The elucidation of structure–property relationships for supported metal catalysts requires atomic-scale descriptions and quantitative measurements of the relative population of various exposed active sites under reaction conditions. The requirement of describing catalyst structures under reaction conditions stems from the potential physical and chemical reconstruction that can be induced by changes in environment. Here we highlight our recent work, where catalyst characterization via a combination of in-situ transmission electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy is used to provide sample-averaged, site-specific atomic level information on supported metal catalysts under reaction conditions. We show two illustrative examples using different reaction systems: the oxidation of CO over supported Pt and the reduction of CO2 over supported Rh. Using these examples we demonstrate differentiation of the catalytic reactivity of small supported metal clusters from isolated atoms and interrogate the catalytic co...
A NOVEL SCHEME FOR SUPPORT IDENTIFICATION AND ITERATIVE SAMPLING OF BANDLIMITED GRAPH SIGNALS

We study the problem of sampling and reconstruction of bandlimited graph signals where the objective is to select a node subset of prescribed cardinality that ensures interpolation of the original signal with the lowest reconstruction error. We propose an efficient iterative selection sampling approach and show that in the noiseless case the original signal is exactly recovered from the set of selected nodes. In the case of noisy measurements, a bound on the reconstruction error of the proposed algorithm is established. We further address the support identification of the bandlimited signal with unknown support and show that under a pragmatic sufficient condition, the proposed framework requires minimal number of samples to perfectly identify the support. The efficacy of the proposed methods is illustrated through numerical simulations on synthetic and real-world graphs.
Beyond market failure and government failure

Criticisms of market outcomes often rest upon a notion of ‘market failure,’ meaning that the market has failed to align incentives and knowledge to produce an optimal outcome. Rejoinders to classic market failure arguments have taken several forms: that there are institutional or contracting solutions to various forms of market failures, that optimality is not a reasonable goal for real world economic activity, or that government may fail as well. Similarly, Wittman (The myth of democratic failure, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1995) and others have argued that concepts of government failure are equally problematic as the ordinary forces of political competition may render politicians sufficiently accountable to achieve realistically defined standards of efficiency. Even thinkers like Buchanan imagine that constitutional design may allow politics to fend off its tendency to become a zero-sum game. Both concepts are problematic in a world of entangled political economy in which market and government activity are interconnected. We argue that it is time to abandon both ‘market failure’ and ‘government failure,’ and instead focus on problems of institutional mismatch, when the rules governing interaction are ill-suited to the problems that agents confront.
A comprehensive educational approach to improving NCLEX-RN pass rates

Background Nurse educators strive to find the best educational methods to prepare students in their attempt to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation of an online coaching program with Appreciative Advising and Emotional Intelligence education as combined educational strategies to improve student learning outcomes. Methods The study was conducted at a university in the Midwestern United States. The sample consisted of students in four graduating classes (2013, n = 15; 2014, n = 19; 2015, n = 18; and 2016, n = 17), who had followed supplemented program preparation in a prelicensure program. Electronic surveys were disseminated to determine satisfaction with student program supports through analysis of the mean overall average scoring of seven-point Likert scale rates. NCLEX-RN actual pass rates were reviewed to examine the quality of online coaching toward student preparation via a t test to compare the mean NCLEX-RN pass rates before and after implementation. Results The students reported satisfaction with the additions of Appreciative Advising and Emotional Intelligence. NCLEX-RN pass rates showed significant improvements with the combined program support additions. Conclusion The findings suggest that nursing schools that include student program support with an online coaching program can result in positive trends related to NCLEX-RN pass rates.
The Supreme Court & Science: A Case in Point

When it comes to science and technology, Supreme Court justices resemble lay people in robes, often ill-equipped to grasp fully the implications of the important cases they are asked to decide on s...
Dynamic pricing for managed lanes with multiple entrances and exits

Abstract Priced managed lanes are increasingly being used to better utilize the existing capacity of the roadway to relieve congestion and offer reliable travel time to road users. In this paper, we investigate the optimization problem for pricing managed lanes with multiple entrances and exits which seeks to maximize the revenue and minimize the total system travel time (TSTT) over a finite horizon. We propose a lane choice model where travelers make online decisions at each diverge point considering all routes on a managed lane network. We formulate the problem as a deterministic Markov decision process and solve it using the value function approximation (VFA) method for different initializations. We compare the performance of the toll policies predicted by the VFA method against the myopic revenue policy which maximizes the revenue only at the current timestep and two heuristic policies based on the measured densities on the managed and general purpose lanes (GPLs). We test the results on four different test networks. The primary findings from our research suggest the usefulness of the VFA method for determining dynamic tolls. The best-found objective value from the method at its termination is better than other heuristics for all test networks with average improvements in the objective ranging between 10% and 90% for revenue maximization and 0–27% for TSTT minimization. Certain VFA initializations obtain best-found toll profiles within first 5–50 iterations which warrants computational time savings. Our findings also indicate that the revenue-maximizing optimal policies follow the “jam-and-harvest” behavior where the GPLs are pushed towards congestion in the earlier time steps to generate higher revenue in the later time steps, a characteristic not observed for the policies minimizing TSTT.
Genetic characterization of chytrids isolated from larval amphibians collected in central and east Texas

Abstract Chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has caused amphibian population declines worldwide. Bd was first described in the 1990s and there are still geographic gaps in the genetic analysis of this globally distributed pathogen. Relatively few genetic studies have focused on regions where Bd exhibits low virulence, potentially creating a bias in our current knowledge of the pathogen's genetic diversity. Disease-associated declines have not been recorded in Texas (USA), yet Bd has been detected on amphibians in the state. These strains have not been isolated and characterized genetically; therefore, we isolated, cultured, and genotyped Bd from central Texas and compared isolates to a panel of previously genotyped strains distributed across the Western Hemisphere. We also isolated other chytrids from east Texas not known to infect amphibians. To identify larval amphibian hosts, we sequenced part of the COI gene. Among 37 Bd isolates from Texas, we detected 19 unique multi-locus genotypes, but found no genetic structure associated with host species, Texas localities, or across North America. Isolates from central Texas exhibit high diversity and genetically cluster with BdGPL isolates from the western U.S. that have caused amphibian population declines. This study genetically characterizes isolates of Bd from the south central U.S. and adds to the global knowledge of Bd genotypes.
Evaluating the causes of cost reduction in photovoltaic modules

Abstract Photovoltaic (PV) module costs have declined rapidly over forty years but the reasons remain elusive. Here we advance a conceptual framework and quantitative method for quantifying the causes of cost changes in a technology, and apply it to PV modules. Our method begins with a cost model that breaks down cost into variables that changed over time. Cost change equations are then derived to quantify each variable's contribution. We distinguish between changes observed in variables of the cost model – which we term low-level mechanisms of cost reduction – and research and development, learning-by-doing, and scale economies, which we refer to as high-level mechanisms. We find that increased module efficiency was the leading low-level cause of cost reduction in 1980–2012, contributing almost 25% of the decline. Government-funded and private R&D was the most important high-level mechanism over this period. After 2001, however, scale economies became a more significant cause of cost reduction, approaching R&D in importance. Policies that stimulate market growth have played a key role in enabling PV's cost reduction, through privately-funded R&D and scale economies, and to a lesser extent learning-by-doing. The method presented here can be adapted to retrospectively or prospectively study many technologies, and performance metrics besides cost.