cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Warfarin Dosing in a Patient with CYP2C9(∗)3(∗)3 and VKORC1-1639 AA Genotypes.

Genetic factors most correlated with warfarin dose requirements are variations in the genes encoding the enzymes cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR). Patients receiving warfarin who possess one or more genetic variations in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 are at increased risk of adverse drug events and require significant dose reductions to achieve a therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR). A 74-year-old white female with atrial fibrillation was initiated on a warfarin dose of 2 mg PO daily, which resulted in multiple elevated INR measurements and three clinically significant hemorrhagic events and four vitamin K antidote treatments over a period of less than two weeks. Genetic analysis later revealed that she had the homozygous variant genotypes of CYP2C9*3*3 and VKORC1-1639 AA. Warfarin dosing was subsequently restarted and stabilized at 0.5 mg PO daily with therapeutic INRs. This is the first case report of a white female with these genotypes stabilized on warfarin, and it highlights the value of pharmacogenetic testing prior to the initiation of warfarin therapy to maximize efficacy and minimize the risk of adverse drug events.
Boards of directors and innovation in nonprofit organizations

There is a growing consensus that boards of directors “matter,” but the specific effects of board influences on organizational innovation remain unclear. Although boards of directors have been studied extensively in diverse disciplines—finance, management, sociology, nonprofit management, and economics—those studies have focused primarily on how board variables influence organizational effectiveness and performance. Missing from these studies is explanation of the relationships between the board of directors and organizational innovation (Wu, 2008a). This article links previous research and theories on governance and organizational innovation, examines how the board of directors may influence organizational innovation, and presents an integrative model that includes direct and indirect linkages between the board demographic and process variables, board effectiveness, and organizational innovation.
A voltage‐gated chloride channel in ascidian embryos modulated by both the cell cycle clock and cell volume.

1. Eggs of the ascidian Boltenia villosa have an inwardly rectifying Cl- current whose amplitude varies by more than 10-fold during each cell cycle, the largest amplitude being at exit from M-phase. We examined whether this current was also sensitive to changes in cell volume. 2. Cell swelling, produced by direct inflation through a whole-cell recording pipette, greatly increased the amplitude of the Cl- current at all stages of the cell cycle in activated eggs. Swelling was much less effective in unfertilized eggs. 3. The increase in Cl- current amplitude continued for 10-20 min after an increase in diameter that was complete in 10 s, suggesting the involvement of a second messenger system in the response. 4. Treatment of unfertilized eggs with 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP), an inhibitor of cell cycle-dependent protein kinases, increased the amplitude of the Cl- current and its sensitivity to swelling to levels characteristic of fertilized eggs. 5. Osmotically produced swelling also increased Cl- current amplitude in unfertilized eggs. 6. We propose that dephosphorylation renders the Cl- channel functional, and that swelling or activation of the egg increases the sensitivity of the channel to dephosphorylation, perhaps by disrupting its links to the cytoskeleton.
A novel conformational energy preference in 7-chloro-7-carboxamido-6b,7,8,8a-tetrahydrocyclobut[A]acenaphthylene

Abstract The title compound ( E - 1 ) exhibits a conformational energy preference in which the carbonyl oxygen lies over the aromatic ring. This preferred conformation is shown to exist in the solid state by X-ray analysis of the crystal structure and in the solution phase by COSY studies of the NMR spectrum. Related compounds show no conformational preference in solution at room temperature on the NMR time scale.The computational program MMX reproduces closely the geometry of the favored conformation of E - 1 and verifies that it has a unique conformational energy minimum compared to other derivatives of this system.
Family Structure Pathways and Academic Disadvantage among Adolescents in Stepfamilies

Using National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) data, this research documents the prevalence of the different stepfamily forms in which American adolescents live, examines the family structure pathways through which adolescents traveled to arrive at their current family form, and explores the effects of these pathways on grades, school-related behavior, and college expectations ( N = 13,988). Compared to those who have always lived with both biological parents, youth in pathways including divorce/ separation or a nonunion birth experience significantly lower academic outcomes, while those whose pathways include parental death do not. Specific effects vary, however, according to the outcome examined. For example, the combination of divorce/separation and movement into the least common of family forms is associated with particularly poor GPA outcomes. Divorce/separation is also more detrimental than nonunion birth for college expectations, particularly when coupled with a transition into a stepfamily based on cohabitation. Divorce/separation and nonunion birth have similar, negative effects on school behavior problems. Overall, results indicate that living in a stepfamily does not benefit youth, and can in some ways disadvantage them, even compared to their peers in single-mother families. This is especially the case if youth transition into a stepfamily following a combination of stressful family experiences. These findings underscore the importance of examining family effects from a longitudinal perspective.
Forced Expression of Id-1 in the Adult Mouse Small Intestinal Epithelium Is Associated with Development of Adenomas

Ids are dominant-negative helix-loop-helix (HLH) proteins that play overlapping yet distinct roles in antagonizing basic HLH transcription factors. Although Ids affect myogenesis, neurogenesis, and B-cell development, little is known about theirin vivo functions in epithelia. We have examined the effects of forced expression of Id-1 in the small intestinal epithelium of adult chimeric mice. 129/Sv embryonic stem cells, transfected with DNA containing Id-1 under the control of transcriptional regulatory elements that function in all intestinal epithelial cell lineages, were introduced into C57Bl/6 (B6) blastocysts heterozygous for theROSA26 marker. The B6 ROSA26/+ intestinal epithelium of the resulting adult chimeras produces Escherichia coli β-galactosidase, allowing identification of this internal control cell population. Chimeras produced from nontransfected embryonic stem cells served as additional controls. Immunohistochemical studies of the control chimeras indicated that the small intestinal epithelium supports a complex pattern of endogenous Id expression. Id-1 is restricted to the cytoplasm; levels do not decrease as descendants of multipotent intestinal stem cells differentiate. Id-2 and Id-3 are only detectable in nuclei; levels increase markedly as epithelial cells differentiate. Forced expression of Id-1 in the 129/Sv epithelium results in a decline in Id-2 and Id-3 to below the limits of immunodetection. A subset of chimeric-transgenic mice lacked growth factor- and defensin-producing Paneth cells in their 129/Sv epithelium and also developed intestinal adenomas. These changes were not present in normal control chimeras. Adenomas were composed of proliferating β-Gal-positive and -negative epithelial cells, suggesting that they arose through cooperative interactions between 129/Sv(Id-1) and B6ROSA26/+ cells. These chimeras provide a model for studying how perturbations in Id expression affect tumorigenesis.
Interfacial lattice mismatch effects in III–V compounds

The effects of lattice mismatch upon the microstructure, macrostructure, and device performance of III–V heteroepitaxial structures have been evaluated. Lattice mismatched VPE heteroepitaxial materials are shown to exhibit misorientation, tetragonal distortion, cracking and cross-hatching, all of which can be related to the relief (or non-relief) of lattice mismatch. Materials which are grown under tension are shown to crack much more readily than those in compression, and require a significantly thicker compositionally graded region in order to completely eliminate cracking. The electro-optical properties of transmission photocathodes and transmission secondary electron multipliers are found to be very sensitive functions of lattice mismatch and correlate well with transmission electron microscope evidence from these devices.
Induction of male mating behavior in androgen-insensitive (tfm) and normal (King-Holtzman) male rats: Effect of testosterone propionate, estradiol benzoate, and dihydrotestosterone

Abstract Castrated androgen-insensitive rats exhibited mounting and intromission patterns in response to testosterone propionate (TP), estradiol benzoate (EB), or EB combined with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment in adulthood. Treatment with DHT alone was ineffective in stimulating male mating behavior in the mutant rats. Since androgen-insensitive rats, like normal males, have the potential to show mounting behavior following hormone treatment in adulthood, the neural substrate underlying this behavior must be masculinized during development. The effectiveness of gonadal hormones in activating the entire copulatory sequence in castrated littermate males (King-Holtzman) was also examined. TP treatment induced mating behavior in the control rats. DHT also stimulated the complete copulatory pattern, although it was not as effective as TP. The administration of EB, however, did not induce ejaculation in control rats. These results do not support the hypothesis that the activation of male mating behavior by testosterone requires its metabolite estrogen (aromatization hypothesis).
The high temperature phase diagrams for Th-Mo, Th-Re, U-Mo, and U-Re; derived thermodynamic properties of refractory metal solutes in liquid thorium and uranium☆

Abstract The high temperature regions of the Th-Mo, Th-Re, U-Mo, and U-Re phase diagrams have been determined from 1100 to 2300°C by techniques developed in this laboratory. The present liquidus temperatures for the Th-Mo and U-Re systems are up to 700° higher than those previously reported. The likely reasons for these discrepancies are discussed. From the measured solubilities of molybdenum in liquid thorium are derived the limiting values of the relative partial molar enthalpy and excess entropy of molybdenum, −1130 ± 900 cal/g. atom and −2.2 ± 0.5 cal/g. atom/deg ., respectively; for molybdenum dissolved in liquid uranium the values are −7300 ± 300 cal/g. atom and −4.3 ± 0.2 cal/g. atom/deg ., respectively. Previously reported solubilities of tantalum and tungsten in liquid thorium and uranium are re-examined thermodynamically in the light of substantial departure from Henry's Law at solute concentrations less than 10 at.%. The measured activities of the solutes (Mo, Ta, W) indicate strong positive deviations from Raoultian behavior except in the case of the liquid U-Mo solution which exhibits an evolution from negative deviations to positive deviations with increasing temperature. In all cases, with the possible exception of U-Ta, the solutions do not approach regular solution behavior.
Excitation of Human Auricular Muscle and the Significance of the Intrinsicoid Deflection of the Auricular Electrocardiogram

The technic of endocardial electrocardiography has been useful in applying certain basic concepts to the interpretation of an electrocardiogram. One of the earliest intra-auricular records, obtained in 1944, is here analyzed in detail. It led to a reaffirmation of the dipole concept of cardiac excitation. A number of selected auricular electrocardiograms recorded by simultaneous tracings from the chestwall and the esophagus demonstrate the direct clinical usefulness of the theoretic postulates.
The keynote address: the promise and challenge of the computer

California has always been synonymous in my mind with innovation and progress, and the past year has given me fresh reason to think so.
A multi-level analysis of the 235U fission cross section

Abstract Resonance parameters for the 235 U fission cross section, as measured on the “Petrel” experiment at the Nevada Test Site, were determined using a multi-level fitting program based on the Wigner-Eisenbud R -matrix theory. Tentative J π values are assigned to each level for neutron energies from 17 to 70 eV.
Solution structure of a complex of the histidine autokinase CheA with its substrate CheY.

In the bacterial chemotaxis two-component signaling system, the histidine-containing phosphotransfer domain (the “P1” domain) of CheA receives a phosphoryl group from the catalytic domain (P4) of CheA and transfers it to the cognate response regulator (RR) CheY, which is docked by the P2 domain of CheA. Phosphorylated CheY then diffuses into the cytoplasm and interacts with the FliM moiety of the flagellar motors, thereby modulating the direction of flagellar rotation. Structures of various histidine phosphotransfer domains (HPt) complexed with their cognate RR domains have been reported. Unlike the Escherichia coli chemotaxis system, however, these systems lack the additional domains dedicated to binding to the response regulators, and the interaction of an HPt domain with an RR domain in the presence of such a domain has not been examined on a structural basis. In this study, we used modern nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to construct a model for the interaction of the E. coli CheA P1 domain (HPt)...
Free fuzzy groups and fuzzy group presentations

Abstract Fuzzy free groups and fuzzy group presentations are defined and their basic properties are studied.
Rethinking a drug treatment failure on a traditional ALS target

Abstract In a recent issue of Experimental Neurology, Boston-Hewes and colleagues used an assay of glutamate transport to screen 1040 FDA approved drugs in an attempt to identify compounds that would increase glutamate transport, a central function of astrocytes, and a potential biological target for neuroprotection for a variety of neurological disorders. They identified the compound nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) as a particularly good candidate for inducing glutamate transport. Pharmacological increases in glutamate transport could have a number of potential applications to diseases of the nervous system where glutamate excitotoxicity is thought to be a contributing factor to pathogenesis including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and epilepsy among others. They chose to test this compound in a model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)—the SOD1G93A mouse. In both human ALS and rodent models of the disease, glutamate excitotoxicity and abnormalities in glutamate transporter biology more specifically, have been implicated in ALS disease propagation. Interestingly, while the authors nicely demonstrate that NDGA has a biological effect on glutamate transport in normal (wild type) central nervous system tissues both in vitro and in vivo, it was the somewhat unexpected (and often overlooked) findings in the ALS mouse model that makes this manuscript notable and suggests that rethinking translational approaches to drug therapies in ALS may be on the horizon.
Growth in metals production for rapid photovoltaics deployment

If global photovoltaics (PV) deployment grows rapidly, the required input materials need to be supplied at an increasing rate. We quantify the effect of PV deployment levels on the scale of annual metals production. If a thin-film PV technology accounts for 25% of electricity generation in 2030, the annual production of thin-film PV metals would need to grow at rates of 15–30% per year. These rates exceed those observed historically for a wide range of metals. In contrast, for the same level of crystalline silicon PV deployment, the required silicon production growth rate falls within the historical range.
Disruption of Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling by Five Frequently Methylated Genes Leads to Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Pathogenesis

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an aggressive cancer with low survival rates in advanced stages. To facilitate timely diagnosis and improve outcome, early detection markers (e.g., DNA methylation) are crucial for timely cancer diagnosis. In a recent publication, an epigenome-wide screen revealed a set of genes that are commonly methylated and downregulated in head and neck cancers (SEPT9, SLC5A8, FUSSEL18, EBF3, and IRX1). Interestingly, these candidates are potentially involved in the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway, which is often disrupted in HNSCC. Therefore, we sought to determine coordinated epigenetic silencing of these candidate genes in HNSCC as potential key disruptors of TGF-beta signaling, which could ultimately result in HNSCC progression. Through immunoprecipitation studies, all five of the investigated candidate genes were found to interact with components of the TGF-beta pathway. Overexpression of SLC5A8, EBF3, and IRX1 resulted in decreased mitotic activity and increased apoptosis. In addition, EBF3 was found to increase p21 promoter activity, and SMAD2 significantly increased IRX1 promoter activity. These findings are significant because they reveal a set of genes that interact with components of the TGF-beta pathway, and their silencing via methylation in HNSCC results in coordinated decrease in apoptosis, increased proliferation, and decreased differentiation.
Long-Term Comparisons of Eight-Week Body Weight for a Randombred Line of Chickens Reared at Two Locations

For 36 generations, 8-wk body weight was measured in Athens-Canadian Randombred males and females reared at the Southern Regional Poultry Genetics Laboratory (SRPGL) and at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Regressions of this trait on generations ranged from -.7 g for females reared in Virginia to -2.6 g for males reared at the SRPGL. Chickens were consistently heavier at the SRPGL, where a broiler diet was fed, than at Virginia, where the diet was considerably lower in protein and energy. Highly significant (P < or = .01) location by generation interactions reflected fluctuations at one location that were independent of those at the other location. Correlations between body weight at the two locations increased when chicks were vaccinated for Marek's disease.
Lack of YggX Results in Chronic Oxidative Stress and Uncovers Subtle Defects in Fe-S Cluster Metabolism in Salmonella enterica

As components involved in Fe-S cluster metabolism are described, the challenge becomes defining the integrated process that occurs in vivo based on the individual functions characterized in vitro. Strains lacking yggX have been used here to mimic chronic oxidative stress and uncover subtle defects in Fe-S cluster metabolism. We describe the in vivo similarities and differences between isc mutants, which have a known function in cluster assembly, and mutants disrupted in four additional loci, gshA, apbC, apbE, and rseC. The latter mutants share similarities with isc mutants: (i) a sensitivity to oxidative stress, (ii) a thiamine auxotrophy in the absence of the YggX protein, and (iii) decreased activities of Fe-S proteins, including aconitase, succinate dehydrogenase, and MiaB. However, they differ from isc mutants by displaying a phenotypic dependence on metals and a distinct defect in the SoxRS response to superoxides. Results presented herein support the proposed role of YggX in iron trafficking and protection against oxidative stress, describe additional phenotypes of isc mutants, and suggest a working model in which the ApbC, ApbE, and RseC proteins and glutathione participate in Fe-S cluster repair.
MrpA functions in energy conversion during acetate-dependent growth of Methanosarcina acetivorans.

The role of the multisubunit sodium/proton antiporter (Mrp) of Methanosarcina acetivorans was investigated with a mutant deleted for the gene encoding the MrpA subunit. Antiporter activity was 5-fold greater in acetate-grown versus methanol-grown wild-type cells, consistent with the previously published relative levels of mrp transcript. The rate, final optical density, and dry weight/methane ratio decreased for the mutant versus wild type when cultured with a growth-limiting concentration of acetate. All growth parameters of the mutant or wild type were identical when grown with methanol in medium containing a growth-limiting Na+ concentration of 1.04 M. The lag phase, growth rate, and final optical density for growth of the mutant were suboptimal compared to the wild type when cultured with acetate in medium containing either 0.54 or 1.04 M Na+. The addition of 25 mM NaCl to resting cell suspensions stimulated ATP synthesis driven by a potassium diffusion potential. ATP synthesis was greater in wild-type than mutant cells grown with acetate, a trend that held for methanol-grown cells, albeit less pronounced. Both sodium and proton ionophores reduced ATP synthesis in the wild type grown with either substrate. The results indicated that the Mrp complex is essential for efficient ATP synthesis and optimal growth at the low concentrations of acetate encountered in the environment.
Spica casting for pediatric femoral fractures: a prospective, randomized controlled study of single-leg versus double-leg spica casts.

Background: At many centers, double-leg spica casting is the treatment of choice for diaphyseal femoral fractures in children two to six years old. We hypothesized that such patients can be effectively treated with single-leg spica casting and that such treatment would result in easier care and better patient function during treatment. Methods: In a prospective, randomized controlled study, fifty-two patients two to six years old with a diaphyseal femoral fracture were randomly assigned to be treated immediately (after consent was obtained) with a single-leg (twenty-four patients) or double-leg (twenty-eight patients) spica cast. Serial radiographs were evaluated for maintenance of fracture reduction with respect to limb length, varus/valgus angulation, and procurvatum/recurvatum angulation. After cast removal, the performance version of the Activities Scale for Kids questionnaire and a custom-written survey were administered to the parents so that they could evaluate the ease of care and function of the children during treatment. Means were compared between treatment groups with use of Student t tests. P values of <0.05 were considered significant. Results: All limbs healed in satisfactory alignment. The children treated with a single-leg spica cast were more likely to fit into car seats (p < 0.05) and fit more comfortably into chairs (p < 0.05). Caregivers of patients treated with a single-leg cast took less time off work (p < 0.05). There were no major complications. Conclusions: Treatment of pediatric femoral fractures with a single-leg spica cast is effective and safe, and postfracture patient care is facilitated. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Sampling strategies for frequency spectrum-based population genomic inference

The allele frequency spectrum (AFS) consists of counts of the number of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci with derived variants present at each given frequency in a sample. Multiple approaches have recently been developed for parameter estimation and calculation of model likelihoods based on the joint AFS from two or more populations. We conducted a simulation study of one of these approaches, implemented in the Python module δaδi, to compare parameter estimation and model selection accuracy given different sample sizes under one- and two-population models. Our simulations included a variety of demographic models and two parameterizations that differed in the timing of events (divergence or size change). Using a number of SNPs reasonably obtained through next-generation sequencing approaches (10,000 - 50,000), accurate parameter estimates and model selection were possible for models with more ancient demographic events, even given relatively small numbers of sampled individuals. However, for recent events, larger numbers of individuals were required to achieve accuracy and precision in parameter estimates similar to that seen for models with older divergence or population size changes. We quantify i) the uncertainty in model selection, using tools from information theory, and ii) the accuracy and precision of parameter estimates, using the root mean squared error, as a function of the timing of demographic events, sample sizes used in the analysis, and complexity of the simulated models. Here, we illustrate the utility of the genome-wide AFS for estimating demographic history and provide recommendations to guide sampling in population genomics studies that seek to draw inference from the AFS. Our results indicate that larger samples of individuals (and thus larger AFS) provide greater power for model selection and parameter estimation for more recent demographic events.
Performance of Phase-Coherent Receivers Preceded by Bandpass Limiters

In phase-coherent communication systems, where bandpass limiters precede the radio frequency (RF) carrier tracking loop, it is of interest to understand how the noisy RF carrier reference effects system performance. This paper characterizes a model probability distribution for the RF phase error and uses this to predict the performance of phase-shifted keyed and differentially coherent systems. The theory developed is directly applicable to the Mariner- and Pioneer-type communication systems. For these systems two physical situations are considered: 1) system performance when the phase error is constant over the duration of one bit, and 2) system performance when the phase error is allowed to vary over the duration of one bit.
Rapid Crystallization of SiO2-Al2O3 Glasses

The crystallization of Al2O3-rich glasses in the system SiO2-Al2O3 which were prepared by flame-spraying and/or splat-cooling was studied by DTA, electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Over a wide range of compositions, the crystallization temperature (Tx) remained near 1000°C, changing smoothly with composition. In all cases crystallization of mullite was detected by X-ray diffraction. In the low-Al2O3 region, coarsening of the microstructure during crystallization was observed by electron microscopy. In the high-Al2O3 region mullite and γ-Al2O3 cocrystallized; this behavior may be interpreted as evidence of a cooperative process of crystallization at the respective Tx's. The crystallite size of the mullite immediately after rapid crystallization increased continuously with increasing Al2O3 content. In light of the Tx data, the adequacy of the evidence for the proposed metastable miscibility gap in the SiO2-Al2O3 system is questioned.
The Embryography of Alice B. Toklas

When Gertrude Stein (1874–1946) was a medical student at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, she spent the autumn of 1901 constructing an anatomical model of a young human brain. Most accounts call it an “embryo” brain, although as we shall see it likely belonged to a fetus or infant. The assignment was her final opportunity to obtain the medical degree after failing four classes in the spring of her senior year. Her anatomy professor, Franklin Paine Mall (1982–1917), offered her a second chance to graduate if she would finish her brain model and write an accompanying manuscript. Stein eventually produced sixty-three drawings and “roughly twenty-five pages of text,” in addition to the model itself (Meyer 2001: 89). She submitted the work in January 1902, but Mall judged it as inept and threw it away. Stein set off for Europe, leaving medicine behind forever. She settled in Paris where she became an avant-garde writer most notably known for her book supposedly chronicling the life of Alice Babette Toklas (1877–1967), who was Stein's longtime lover, secretary, editor, cook, and companion. The book, published in 1933, narrated the life of the inimitable Gertrude Stein, although it was playfully titled The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.
Technical Note: Quality control in a selected number of industrialized countries

Quality control is basically defined as a specific science complete with definite standards and devices for measuring product characteristics against specific standards. The purpose of this article is to show various methods of quality control and compare usage among selected major industrialized countries. The countries selected are France, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, and United States. The set of priority has been accidentally done and it does not reflect by any means the level of quality. In other words it is not a way of comparison between the selected countries.
Yielding and Strain Hardening in Metallic Thin Films on Substrates: an Edge Dislocation Climb Model

Yielding and strain hardening in metallic thin films on substrates are studied using a simple edge dislocation climb model, modified to mimic dislocation processes in passivated, single crystal FCC metal films with a (111) texture. The aim of the modeling is to produce closed-form solutions for the yield strength and rate of strain hardening that can be compared with experiment. The models give a good account of the dependence of the yield strength of passivated gold films on silicon substrates on the film thickness and they are in broad agreement with the experimental observation that plastic flow in passivated metal films is characterized by very high rates of strain hardening. However, these simple models fail to predict the observed decrease in the rate of strain hardening with increasing film thickness, a result that requires more computationally intensive discrete dislocation modeling.
Fisher Information: Its Flow, Fusion, and Coordination

The information form of the Kalman filter is used as a device for implementing an optimal, linear, decentralized algorithm on a decentralized topology. A systems approach utilizing design tradeoffs is required to successfully implement an effective data fusion network with minimal communication. Combining decentralized results over the past four decades with practical aspects of nodal network implementation, the final product provides an important benchmark for functionally decentralized systems designs.
User Interface Defect Detection by Hesitation Analysis

Delays and errors are the frequent consequences of people having difficulty with a user interface. Such delays and errors can result in severe problems, particularly for mission-critical applications in which speed and accuracy are of the essence. User difficulty is often caused by interface-design defects that confuse or mislead users. Current techniques for isolating such defects are timeconsuming and expensive, because they require human analysts to identify the points at which users experience difficulty; only then can diagnosis and repair of the defects take place. This paper presents an automated method for detecting instances of user difficulty based on identifying hesitations during system use. The methods accuracy was evaluated by comparing its judgments of user difficulty with ground truth generated by human analysts. The methods accuracy at a range of threshold parameter values is given; representative points include 92% of periods of user difficulty identified (with a 35% false-alarm rate); 86% (24% false-alarm rate); and 20% (3% false-alarm rate). Applications of the method to addressing interface defects are discussed.
Phase transition from environmental to dynamic determinism in mountain pine beetle attack

Mountain pine beetle outbreaks are responsible for widespread tree mortality in pine forests throughout western North America. Intensive outbreaks result in significant economic loss to the timber industry and massive changes to the forest habitat. Because of the time and space scales involved in a beetle outbreak, mathematical models are needed to study the evolution of an outbreak. In this paper we present a partial differential equation model of the flight phase of the mountain pine beetle which includes chemotactic responses and tree defense. We present a numerical method for integrating this model and use this method to investigate the relationship between emergence rate, forest demographic and patterns of beetle attack. In particular we look at how emergence rate affects the beetles' ability to successfully attack strong trees, which may be an indicator of an epidemic outbreak.
Misleading Comparisons of Homeownership Rates when the Variable Effect of Household Formation Is Ignored: Explaining Rising Homeownership and the Homeownership Gap between Blacks and Asians in the US:

Despite ominous signs of housing market stress in the US, the homeownership rate reached an all-time high in 2006. The conventional definition of homeownership, which is based on the share of households and ignores the effects of variable household formation, confounds the measurement of ‘success’ in achieving homeownership. It is found that, from 1990 to 2006, declining household formation led to an elevated homeownership rate in the US and that this effect varies substantially between racial/ethnic groups. Asians, who achieve high homeownership rates, have the lowest propensity to form independent households, in sharp contrast to African Americans. Asians do not have better access per capita to owner-occupied housing than do Blacks. The conventional measure of homeownership is an incomplete measure of homeownership opportunity because it fails to account for variable household formation. The changing population mix in the US includes groups with different propensities for household formation, thus confusing future assessments of homeownership and the housing market.
Abundance and Richness of Neotropical Migrants During Stopover at Farmstead Woodlots and Associated Habitats in Southeastern South Dakota

Abstract Woodland habitats are scarce in the northern Great Plains and were historically concentrated along river corridors. Over the past century, riparian habitats in this area have been much reduced, but new woodland habitats in the form of farmstead woodlots and shelterbelts have appeared. We used mist net sampling and point counts to document richness and abundance of Neotropical migrant birds in farmstead woodlot habitats during spring and fall migrations (1996–1997) in southeastern South Dakota. A total of 668 individuals of 30 Neotropical migrant species (excluding the taxa Coccyzus, Troglodytes, Mimidae, Icterus and Pheucticus, in which migratory and non-migratory individuals were difficult to distinguish) was captured in 4342 net hours (using 9-m, rather than the standard 12-m mist nets) in spring. The corresponding fall totals (again using 9-m nets) were 3250 net h, 231 individuals and 29 species. If fall captures in a ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) patch occurring within the woodlot are included, ...
Decentralized SISO Active Disturbance Rejection Control of the Newell-Lee forced circulation evaporator

Abstract Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC) has received considerable attention in recent years as an effective tool for advanced control practitioners to solve control problems for nonlinear uncertain systems. This paper presents results of a simulation study for the control of an evaporator system benchmark, when a multiple linear ADRC control structure is used, and the controllers are designed based on first and second order linear models approximating the process dynamics. In addition to the control performance under nominal conditions, the robustness with respect to plant-model mismatch is studied. The major advantage of ADRC compared to MPC and PI control approaches is the simple and transparent tuning, and that only a coarse process model is sufficient for the design. For a broader industrial application of ADRC in the process industries, user-friendly off-line design tools as well as real-time ADRC control software for PLCs and DCS still have to be developed.
Computational thinking in Greenfoot: AI game strageties for CS1: conference workshop

We introduce workshop participants to Quoridor, a multiplayer strategy game for which we've developed an engine in Greenfoot [1]. We use Greenfoot, an interactive Java development environment designed primarily for educational purpose that allows easy development of two-dimensional graphical applications. Participants will first learn how to play the game and then follow a simple algorithm while playing to demonstrate the type of strategies that can be devised in the game engine. The session will then be divided into groups guided by workshop presenters and focus on developing a strategy and implementing it within the Quoridor engine in Greenfoot. At the end of the workshop, groups will be pitted against each other in a Battle Royal.
Aflibercept: a review of its use in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an important cause of visual morbidity globally. Modern treatment strategies for neovascular AMD achieve regression of CNV by suppressing the activity of key growth factors that mediate angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been the major target of neovascular AMD therapy for almost two decades, and there have been several intravitreally-administered agents that have enabled anatomical restitution and improvement in visual function with continual dosing. Aflibercept (EYLEA(®)), initially named VEGF Trap-eye, is the most recent anti-VEGF agent to be granted US Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of neovascular AMD. Biologic advantages of aflibercept include its greater binding affinity for VEGF, a longer intravitreal half-life relative to other anti-VEGF agents, and the capacity to antagonize growth factors other than VEGF. This paper provides an up-to-date summary of the molecular mechanisms mediating CNV. The structural, pharmacodynamic, and pharmacokinetic advantages of aflibercept are also reviewed to rationalize the utility of this agent for treating CNV. Results of landmark clinical investigations, including VIEW 1 and 2 trials, and other important studies are then summarized and used to illustrate the efficacy of aflibercept for managing treatment-naive CNV, recalcitrant CNV, and CNV due to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. Safety profile, patient tolerability, and quality of life measures related to aflibercept are also provided. The evidence provided in this paper suggests aflibercept to be a promising agent that can be used to reduce the treatment burden of neovascular AMD.
Surface chemistry and structures of 1,4-phenylene diisocyanide on gold films from solution

Abstract The adsorption of 1,4-phenylene diisocyanide (PDI) is studied on gold films as a function of PDI exposure from benzene solution by a combination of attenuated total internal reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy and conductivity measurements. The infrared spectrum found for low PDI doses exhibits a single isocyanide vibrational peak consistent with the formation of –(Au–PDI)– oligomer chains that have been identified previously on a Au(111) surface dosed in ultrahigh vacuum. Larger solution doses cause the isocyanide peaks to split into two, with the lower-frequency vibrations corresponding to a free isocyanide mode, indicating the formation of a perpendicular, vertically bonded PDI molecule. This observation also rationalizes the apparent disparity between studies of the chemistry of PDI on gold in ultrahigh vacuum and with solution dosing. Since it has been shown previously that the –(Au–PDI)– oligomer chains are capable of providing conductive linkages between gold nanoparticles on an insulating mica substrate, it was proposed that higher PDI doses from solution should cause a decrease in conductivity due to chain disruption. This effect was found experimentally, thereby providing corroborative evidence for the above conclusions.
Statistical Inference for Coherent Fluids

A non-parametric perceptual organization for coherent fluids is proposed, motivated by the observation that ignoring coherence can be disastrous for inference. Detecting coherence features and establishing correspondence can be challenging for sparse measurements and complex structures in fluid fields. Therefore, a non-parametric representation using deformation (geometry) and amplitude (appearance) is developed. It is first applied to Data Assimilation and Ensemble analysis problems for coherent fluids, following which new methods for Principal Modes, Random Fields, Variational Blending and Reduced Order Modeling are introduced. Simple examples illustrating application suggest broad utility in environmental inference, verification, representation and modeling.
Abstract 15: Association of topoisomerase II expression and cancer-specific death in patients with surgically-resected clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Despite the development of prognostic algorithms based on clinico-pathologic features, the ability to identify aggressive forms of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains suboptimal. Topoisomerase IIA (TOP2a) is a biomarker of DNA replication and a target for antineoplastic agents. Herein, we evaluate the association of TOP2a expression in ccRCC tumors with pathologic features of aggressiveness and risk of cancer-specific death. METHODS: We identified 947 patients who underwent nephrectomy to treat clinically localized ccRCC between 1/16/1990 and 9/27/2006. TOP2a expression was assessed using IHC and scored as number of positive cells per mm2. We evaluated TOP2a expression using a continuous variable and tertile categories. For associations with pathologic features we employed Kruskal-Wallis tests and for associations with cancer-specific survival we generated Cox proportional hazard regression models. RESULTS: Higher TOP2a expression is associated with later stage, higher grade and higher Mayo SSIGN score (all p CONCLUSION: Higher TOP2a expression is associated with more aggressive pathologic features and increased risk of cancer-specific death among patients undergoing surgery for localized ccRCC. If confirmed, these data support further inquiry for TOP2a as a prognostic and predictive biomarker for ccRCC patients. Citation Format: Richard W. Joseph, Dan Serie, Tracy Hilton, Mansi Parasramka, Jeanette Eckel-Passow, John Cheville, Bradley C. Leibovich, Alexander S. Parker. Association of topoisomerase II expression and cancer-specific death in patients with surgically-resected clear cell renal cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 15. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-15
Enhancing Instruction in Upper Division Chemistry at California State University Fullerton

At California State University Fullerton the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Physics have jointly established an active learning instructional computer facility where students explore models and data in the upper division chemistry and physics curricula. This facility is also a component of the larger W.M. Keck Foundation Center for Molecular Structure (CMolS), a core research and education center where faculty and students throughout the California State University system have the opportunity for joint research and teaching activities directed at the determination and critical analysis of molecular structures. An array of Silicon Graphics workstations and a server housed in an “electronic classroom” provides a networking medium linking students and faculty across our curricula to resources and courses with common themes, but traditionally segregated. Through team teaching and utilization of resources and expertise across subdisciplines and disciplines, we are creating a learning pathway that coherently exposes our students in chemistry and biochemistry to more sophisticated problems and exploration. Computers provide visual reinforcement and inerpretation for concepts and principles that students may have difficulty understanding and that cannot be treated easily or well by the problem-solving methodology. Our students have responded enthusiastically to the electronic classroom, and introduction of chemical computation into the curriculum has had a positive pedagogical impact.
Crossover scaling and critical behavior at the «surface-bulk» multicritical point

With use of a novel Monte Carlo method suited for the study of surface phenomena, the authors have investigated a three-dimensional Ising model with modified surface exchange. The results verify the scaling behavior of the magnetization profile and confirm and extend renormalization-group predictions. The surface-layer magnetization exponent is ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{1}=0.78\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02$ except at the "special" (multicritical) transition where ${{\ensuremath{\beta}}_{1}}^{m}=0.175\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.025$ and the crossover exponent is $\ensuremath{\phi}=0.56\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04$.
Event-triggered stabilization of linear systems under channel blackouts

This paper addresses the problem of event-triggered control of linear time-invariant systems over time-varying rate limited communication channels. We explicitly account for the possibility of channel blackouts, i.e., intervals of time when the communication channel is unavailable for feedback. Assuming prior knowledge of the channel evolution, we study the data capacity, which is the maximum total number of bits that could be communicated over a given time interval, and provide an efficient real-time algorithm to lower bound it for a deterministic time-slotted model of channel evolution. Equipped with this algorithm we then propose an event-triggering scheme that guarantees Zeno-free, exponential stabilization at a desired convergence rate even in the presence of intermittent channel blackouts.
Profiling Energy Consumption in Distributed Simulations

An energy profile indicates the amount of energy consumed by different parts of a parallel or distributed simulation program. Creating energy profiles is not straightforward because high precision, low overhead energy measurement mechanisms may not be available, and it is not straightforward to determine the amount of energy consumed by different hardware components such as the CPU, memory system, or communication circuits that are operating concurrently throughout the execution of the distributed simulation. Techniques to create energy profiles of distributed simulation programs are described. A model is proposed that differentiates the energy consumed by the distributed simulation engine versus simulation application code, and energy consumed for computation versus that required for communication. A methodology and techniques are described to create energy profiles for these aspects of the distributed simulation. A study is described to illustrate this methodology to profile a distributed simulation synchronized by the Chandy/Misra/Bryant synchronization algorithm for a queuing network simulation. Empirical data are presented to validate the energy profile that is obtained.
Antiplatelet therapy in coronary heart disease.

Perhaps no recent development in cardiology has aroused so much interest and controversy as the role of platelet-aggregation inhibitors in the prevention of reinfarction and sudden death in patients with heart disease. Clinical trials of aspirin and other antiplatelet agents are reviewed. Despite their equivocal results, a pragmatic approach to antithrombotic prophylaxis is suggested.