cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Panel Composition and Judicial Compliance on the US Courts of Appeals

This article integrates the literatures on judicial compliance, panel decision making, and case selection in the federal judiciary hierarchy. Many studies have speculated that ‘‘panel effects’’—the phenomena under which an individual judge’s vote may depend on her colleagues on a three-judge panel—can be tied to a ‘‘whistleblower effect,’’ through which a lower court judge can constrain a panel majority from disobeying with Supreme Court precedent by threatening to dissent. However, no study has systematically found such a relationship. I present a game-theoretic model of circuit court-Supreme Court interaction that demonstrates how panel composition might affect the likelihood of lower court compliance to Supreme Court doctrine. The model illustrates how three-judge panels, while not inducing perfect doctrinal control of lower courts by the Supreme Court, significantly increases the latter’s ability to see its preferred doctrine carried out by its subordinates in the judicial hierarchy.
Organizational Learning Activities in High‐hazard Industries: The Logics Underlying Self‐Analysis

Cover title. "A version of this paper was presented under the title "Failures to Learn from Experience: An Analysis of Incident Reviews in Nuclear Power Plants and Chemical Process Plants" in the Symposium "High States Learning: Making Sense of Unusual, High-Hazard Events" at the Academy of Management meetings, Cincinnati, August, 1996."--p. 33.
Interactive wormhole detection and evaluation

Wormhole attacks in wireless networks can severely deteriorate network performance and compromise security through spoiling the routing protocols and weakening the security enhancements. This paper develops an approach, interactive visualization of wormholes (IVoW), to monitor and detect such attacks in large-scale wireless networks in real time. We characterize the topology features of a network under wormhole attacks through the node position changes and visualize the information at dynamically adjusted scales. We integrate an automatic detection algorithm with appropriate user interactions to handle complicated scenarios that include a large number of moving nodes and multiple wormhole attackers. Various visual forms have been adopted to assist in the understanding and analysis of reconstructed network topology and to improve the detection accuracy. Extended simulation has demonstrated that the proposed approach can effectively locate the fake neighbor connections without introducing many false alarms. IVoW does not require the wireless nodes to be equipped with any special hardware, thus avoiding any additional cost. We have performed user studies to evaluate the effectiveness of our approach and demonstrate that visual analysis can be successfully combined with network security mechanisms to greatly improve intrusion detection capabilities.
EFFECT OF APPLIED NITROGEN ON SEEDLING GROWTH AND COTYLEDON PROTEIN UTILIZATION OF EFFECTIVE AND INEFFECTIVE NODULATING ALFALFA

Abstract Cotyledons arc an important nitrogen (N) source for germination and early seedling development of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). The objectives of these studies were to determine changes in cotyledon N or protein concentration during alfalfa seedling growth and to ascertain the influence of N availability on seedling development and cotyledon protein use. Greenhouse‐grown seedlings of effective and ineffective ‘Saranac’ were grown in sand with either minus‐N nutrient solution, or a nutrient solution containing 20 mM ammonium nitrate as an N source. Shoots, cotyledons, and roots were sampled between 3 and 43 days after planting, and N or protein concentrations and dry wts. determined. Cotyledon protein or N declined rapidly in both effective and ineffective Saranac between 3 and 15 days after planting, but was more extensive for ineffective Saranac 19 days after planting and later. Nitrogen per seedling increased in effective Saranac between 15 and 22 days after planting indicating that dinitrogen ...
The Influence of the E, Co and I Loci on the Expression of the Silver (S) and Gold (s+) Alleles in the Fowl

Abstract The effects of the E, Co and I loci on the expression of sex-linked silver (S) and gold (s+) were studied in chick down and subsequent plumage. The E locus determines the presence and distribution of the black and brown pigmented down that masks the expression of S and s+, while the wheaten alleles (eWh and ey) result in an inhibition of pheomelanin, thus making silver-gold identification extremely difficult. The addition of a single Co allele enhanced the differences between silver and gold in the non-black or brown “ground” areas. In combination with the wheaten alleles, Co increased gold intensity, resulting in practical sex identification in sex-linked crosses. The addition of modifying pheomelanin intensifiers further facilitated this distinction. Since dominant white removes only the black and brown pigments, leaving gold, these combinations were also effective in the presence of I/i+. In the presence of Co, the e+ and eb chicks showed variations of a black stripe and black-back down phenotype, respectively, which in the darker downs, limited silver-gold identification mainly to the facial areas in either the presence or absence of I. Neither S nor I had any influence in adult plumage on the dark red wing bows and back of males or the salmon breast (e+) or wheaten (eWh) colored pigment of females. The Co gene changed this type of pigmentation so that it was inhibited by S; while in the presence of s+, the altered pheomelanin was readily expressed in I/i+ individuals. The combination of S and Co in the presence of I/i+ resulted in essentially white plumage.
Meiotic Parthenogenesis in a Root-Knot Nematode Results in Rapid Genomic Homozygosity

Many isolates of the plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne hapla reproduce by facultative meiotic parthenogenesis. Sexual crosses can occur, but, in the absence of males, the diploid state appears to be restored by reuniting sister chromosomes of a single meiosis. We have crossed inbred strains of M. hapla that differ in DNA markers and produced hybrids and F(2) lines. Here we show that heterozygous M. hapla females, upon parthenogenetic reproduction, produce progeny that segregate 1:1 for the presence or absence of dominant DNA markers, as would be expected if sister chromosomes are rejoined, rather than the 3:1 ratio typical of a Mendelian cross. Codominant markers also segregate 1:1 and heterozygotes are present at low frequency (<3%). Segregation patterns and recombinant analysis indicate that a homozygous condition is prevalent for markers flanking recombination events, suggesting that recombination occurs preferentially as four-strand exchanges at similar locations between both pairs of non-sister chromatids. With this mechanism, meiotic parthenogenesis would be expected to result in rapid genomic homozygosity. This type of high negative crossover interference coupled with positive chromatid interference has not been observed in fungal or other animal systems in which it is possible to examine the sister products of a single meiosis and may indicate that meiotic recombination in this nematode has novel features.
On the V(I)Erge: Jean-Luc Nancy, Christianity, and Incompletion

This article explores how Jean-Luc Nancy attempts to gain critical traction on Christianity by proscribing thinking of completion. First, it describes Nancy's deconstruction of Christianity as stemming from his aesthetic redirection of Heidegger's thinking of finitude. Second, it further details Nancy's noetic declension of Heidegger via Kant and Lyotard, where the imagination and aesthetic communication are deemed impossible. Third, it examines Nancy's treatment of paintings of the Virgin Mary who, for Nancy, exemplifies his brand of incompletion. Nancy's work on Mary reveals both the oversights and the insights of his deconstruction of Christianity, which Catholic theology should seriously engage.
Using food for different purposes: female responses to prey in the predator Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

. 1. Although predatory insects often feed on diverse prey, their reproductive activity may be linked most strongly to a more restricted range of prey. The propensity of adult females of the ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L., to attack two natural prey species, pea aphids [Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris)] and alfalfa weevil larvae [Hypera postica (Gyllenhal)], was compared, and the degree to which ladybird egg production depends on consumption of aphids vs. weevils was assessed. 2. Coccinella septempunctata females more readily attacked aphids than weevil larvae. This was true regardless of whether females had fed previously on aphids or on weevil larvae. 3. When females were provided with few to many aphids daily, or few aphids plus an excess number of weevil larvae, their rates of egg production depended primarily on the number of aphids consumed. 4. Addition of weevil larvae to diets of limited numbers of aphids increased egg production, but only modestly. Thus, consumption of weevil larvae may have served mostly for self-maintenance, thereby enabling females to use for egg production more of the nutrients and energy obtained from limited consumption of aphids. 5. The females' linkage of egg production primarily to aphid rather than weevil consumption may be adaptive, as their offspring are much less able as larvae to survive and mature on a diet of weevils rather than aphids.
Severe metabolic complications from theophylline intoxication.

SUMMARY: Theophylline is commonly used in the treatment of bronchospastic lung disease. In addition to gastrointestinal and cardiac dysfunction, hypokalaemia, lactic and ketoacidosis can complicate theophylline overdose. Clinicians frequently fail to identify theophylline's role when complications develop. A case of an 80-year-old man who developed profound metabolic disturbances while hospitalized is presented. The typical causes of these abnormalities were absent, theophylline levels were elevated, and the patient recovered after theophylline was held. Based on our case and review of the literature, we discuss the reasons why theophylline toxicity is underecognized, and propose mechanisms for the rare metabolic abnormalities identified in this case. A high index of suspicion for theophylline toxicity should be maintained and it should be considered when unexplained acidosis or hypokalaemia occur.
The Extraordinary in the Ordinary

As I meet with many of our colleagues in different parts of the country, I hear accounts about their clinical practice, their research, their teaching, and their learning. Although these colleagues often express their joy in the science and art of what we do and the hope that we can provide to those we care for, I sometimes hear comments about how elements of what they do seem ordinary. One such comment came after an account of a colleague's work with a patient with a rare protein receptor deficiency resulting in serious myopathy. The patient's muscle wasting was severe—estimated at 25 pounds of muscle in one month—and the patient's creatine kinase levels were consistently above 60,000 units per liter, far above what we know to be the norm of predictably under 200 units per liter. While working on the root cause of the pathology, the patient's neurologist was in a quandary about how to manage the myopathy. In consulting with the physical therapist, the neurologist said simply, “Will you see this patient? I am not sure what you can do, but you are our best option right now.” The physical therapist explained to me that the examination seemed routine, and there was nothing particularly unusual about the interventions of strengthening, aerobic conditioning, and functional activities that she chose to use with the patient. This physical therapist further described to me the need for her to take charge of a bigger picture of care and how that action led to a wheelchair evaluation and fitting, a nutrition consult, and the call for some additional nursing care. What was the result of this colleague's action? The patient is now out of the power chair, is walking, and is back to work at about 85% of pre-episode levels. This physical therapist told me …
On uniqueness of the spectral representation of stable processes

In this paper we show that any two spectral representations of a symmetric stable process may differ only by a change of variable and a parameter-independent multiplier. Our result can immediately be used either to distinguish or to identify stable processes from various classes of interest. A characterization of stationary stable processes is also provided.
Comparison of Greenhouse Screening Materials for Excluding Whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) and Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Twenty-eight greenhouse screening materials, with predetermined airflow resistance values, were evaluated for exclusion of the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia argentifolii Perring & Bellows and thrips from a mixed-species population. Screens differed in exclusion efficacy, expressed as a percentage of the fiberglass window screen control and at an approach velocity of 92 m/min, from −35 to 94% for silverleaf whitefly and from −13 to 95% for thrips. Seventeen screens excluded more silverleaf whitefly than did the window screen control, whereas only seven excluded more thrips. One material differentially excluded whitefly over thrips; many more differentially excluded thrips over whitefly. Airflow resistance, indicative of mesh hole size, did not necessarily correspond with degree of exclusion. Not all materials characterized as highly resistant to airflow provided significant exclusion. Exclusion of both types of pests was attained with several moderate- and one low-resistance screen. Another low-resistance screen excluded silverleaf whitefly only.
A Thin Spot1

A “thin spot” in thinking about business endangers our human being. This article traces a change in business thinking over the last generations to note how, under the spell of the scientific method and the thrall to utilitarian values, our understanding of our self has grown harder, more determined, and less sympathetic. Bringing together ideas about the meaning of self from the study of semiotics and from the author's own religious faith, this article describes how we can reclaim our human being by grounding thinking about business in faith that reaches to God.
Finite Element Concept Models for Vehicle Architecture Assessment and Optimization

There are two distinct classes of finite element models that can be used to support vehicle body design and development. The most familiar of these is the detailed body model, which achieves computational accuracy by precisely simulating component geometries and assembly interfaces. This model type is quite useful for conducting trade-off studies after detail drawings become available. The second class is an architecture concept model that simulates the basic layout and general structural behavior of major load-carrying members (e.g., pillars, rails, rockers, etc.) and joints in the body. Such modes are valuable for design direction studies in the earliest phases of the vehicle development process. This paper presents a generic process for building architecture concept models that include a mathematical representation of the major body joints derived from existing CAE models. The difficulties involved with such joint representation are discussed, and the concept model NVH results are compared with those from a detailed body model. Although the discussion is based on a specific joint representation model, the conclusions are generic and applicable to other joint representations of the same nature.
Full waveform microseismic inversion using differential evolution algorithm

An accurate and fast estimation of microseismic activities from passive microseismic data is a crucial issue to many oil and gas applications. Traditional methods are mainly based on manual picking of the arrival times which require a relative high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to produce reliable results. When the sensor array is deployed on the surface, the microseismic events have low magnitude and might be buried in strong ambient noise. A compressive sensing scheme has been introduced to implement seismic source parameters estimation, including location (i.e., hypocenter) and moment tensor (MT). Although this scheme is efficient and accurate, it entails computing the whole dictionary composed of Green's functions in advance, which brings a high computational overhead and prohibitive storage burden. In this work, we propose the differential evolution (DE) algorithm for solving the inverse problem on the fly which avoids generating and storing the whole dictionary.
Optical Molecular Imaging and Spectroscopy of Oxygenation and Metabolism in Tumors

There is growing evidence that aerobic glycolysis provides tumors with a growth advantage and could play a role in promoting an aggressive tumor phenotype. Quantitative visualization of aerobic glycolysis within tumors could provide a prognostic marker of long-term tumor outcome. We have developed a method for simultaneous imaging of vascular oxygenation and metabolism in tumors using high resolution intravital microscopy with the goal of visualizing and quantifying the extent of aerobic glycolysis within a tumor. As part of this review, we detail our efforts toward deriving the quantitative parameters related to tumor glycolytic demand using a fluorescent glucose analog called 2-NBDG, and quantifying the relationship between vascular oxygenation and glycolytic demand. Finally, we present our recent results demonstrating the ability of diffuse optical spectroscopy to measure both oxygenation and glycolytic demand in murine models of cancer.
Background Checks and Murder Rates

What is the statistical evidence of the effects of state mandatory firearms background check laws on murder rates? For states that adopted or repealed such laws after 1960 (when consistent and high quality murder rate data becomes available), an interrupted time series analysis shows that two out of eight states have statistically significant changes in murder rates. Of the six states with statistically insignificant changes in murder rates, four had higher murder rates during the background check period. This suggests that mandatory background check laws are at best unproven at reducing murder rates.
Maternal Depression and Childhood Overweight in the CHAMACOS Study of Mexican-American Children.

Objective Although previous studies have examined the impact of maternal depression on child overweight and obesity, little is known about the relationship in Latino families, who suffer from high risks of depression and obesity. We prospectively investigated the association between depressive symptoms in women with young children and child overweight and obesity (overweight/obesity) at age 7 years among Latino families. Methods Participants included 332 singletons with anthropometric measures obtained at 7 years from the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) study, a birth cohort study. Maternal depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale when the children were 1, 3.5, and 7 years. Overweight and obesity was measured by body mass index (kg/m(2)) at age 7 years. Results 63 % of women had CES-D scores consistent with depression in at least one of the 3 given assessments. Compared to children whose mothers were never depressed, children whose mothers were depressed at all three assessments had 2.4 times the adjusted odds of overweight/obesity at age 7 years (95 % CI 1.1-5.6). However, a single positive maternal depression screen was not associated with child overweight/obesity and there was no difference in the odds of overweight/obesity by the age of the child when maternal depression occurred. Conclusion Chronic maternal depression during a child's early life was associated with child overweight/obesity at 7 years. Addressing maternal depression is a critical component of comprehensive obesity prevention and treatment strategies for Latino children.
Reaction dynamics of the 4-methylphenyl radical (p-tolyl) with 1,2-butadiene (1-methylallene): are methyl groups purely spectators?

The reactions of the 4-tolyl radical (C6H4CH3) and of the D7-4-tolyl radical (C6D4CD3) with 1,2-butadiene (C4H6) have been probed in crossed molecular beams under single collision conditions at a collision energy of about 54 kJ mol–1 and studied theoretically using ab initio G3(MP2,CC)//B3LYP/6-311G** and statistical RRKM calculations. The results show that the reaction proceeds via indirect scattering dynamics through the formation of a van-der-Waals complex followed by the addition of the radical center of the 4-tolyl radical to the C1 or C3 carbon atoms of 1,2-butadiene. The collision complexes then isomerize by migration of the tolyl group from the C1 (C3) to the C2 carbon atom of the 1,2-butadiene moiety. The resulting intermediate undergoes unimolecular decomposition via elimination of a hydrogen atom from the methyl group of the 1,2-butadiene moiety through a rather loose exit transition state leading to 2-para-tolyl-1,3-butadiene (p4), which likely presents the major reaction product. Our observat...
Enhancing practical multifunctional myoelectric applications through implicit motor control training systems

Despite holding promise for advances in prosthe- ses and robot teleoperation, myoelectric controlled interfaces have had limited impact in commercial applications. Simul- taneous multifunctional controls are desired, but often lead to frustration by users who cannot easily control the devices using state-of-the-art control schemes. This paper proposes and validates the use of implicit motor control training systems (IM- CTS) to achieve practical implementations of multifunctional myoelectric applications. Subjects implicitly develop muscle synergies needed to control a robotic application through an analogous visual interface without the associated physical con- straints which may hinder learning. The learning then naturally transfers to perceived intuitive and robust control of the robotic device. The efficacy of the method is tested by comparing performance between two groups learning controls implicitly via the visual interface and explicitly via the robotic interface, respectively. The groups achieved comparable performance when performing tasks with the robotic device a week later. Moreover, the initial performance of the experimental group was significantly better than the control group achieved after up to 75 minutes of training. These findings support the use of IMCTS to achieve practical multifunctional control of a wide range of myoelectric applications without limiting them to intuitive mappings nor anthropomorphic devices.
Chemotherapy of neoplastic diseases.

From the large array of substances under laboratory and clinical study, several have been established as useful in the management of patients with inoperable neoplastic disease. These agents are di...
Self-Poisoning during BH4– Oxidation at Pt and Au, and in Situ Poison Removal Procedures for BH4– Fuel Cells

Borohydride (BH4–) is rapidly attracting attention as an alternative fuel molecule for fuel cells due to its high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities, high power density, and avoidance of the carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning seen in hydrogen (H2) and methanol (MeOH) fuel cells. Here we describe an as-yet unreported poisoning process that occurs during BH4– oxidation at Pt and Au anodes at low potentials (high fuel cell voltages). Though such poisoning can compromise the long-term performance of BH4– fuel cells, we also demonstrate an in situ cleaning procedure for a BH4– fuel cell using a Pt anode.
Introducing Industry Standard And Practices Into Aerospace Engineering Capstone Design Course

This paper discusses the authors experience in introducing the industry standard and practices into the two-semester Aerospace Engineering Capstone Design course at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation & Applied Technology. Students’ perception/reactions and critique is also included. Based on these students’ evaluation, it is highly recommended that these standards and practices should/must be used in all courses whenever appropriate/possible.
The effectiveness of marine protected areas for predator and prey with varying mobility

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are regions in the ocean where fishing is restricted or prohibited. Although several measures for MPA performance exist, here we focus on a specific one, namely the ratio of the steady state fish densities inside and outside the MPA. Several 2 patch models are proposed and analyzed mathematically. One patch represents the MPA, whereas the second patch represents the fishing ground. Fish move freely between both regions in a diffusive manner. Our main objective is to understand how fish mobility affects MPA performance. We show that MPA effectiveness decreases with fish mobility for single species models with logistic growth, and that densities inside and outside the MPA tend to equalize. This suggests that MPA performance is highest for the least mobile species. We then consider a 2 patch Lotka-Volterra predator-prey system. When one of the species moves, and the other does not, the ratio of the moving species first remains constant, and ultimately decreases with increased fish mobility, again with a tendency of equalization of the density in both regions. This suggests that MPA performance is not only highest for slow, but also for moderately mobile species. The discrepancy in MPA performance for single species models and for predator-prey models, confirms that MPA design requires an integrated, ecosystem-based approach. The mathematical approaches advocated here complement and enhance the numerical and theoretical approaches that are commonly applied to more complex models in the context of MPA design.
Low-Resource and Fast Binary Edwards Curves Cryptography

Elliptic curve cryptography ECC is an ideal choice for low-resource applications because it provides the same level of security with smaller key sizes than other existing public key encryption schemes. For low-resource applications, designing efficient functional units for elliptic curve computations over binary fields results in an effective platform for an embedded co-processor. This paper proposes such a co-processor designed for area-constrained devices by utilizing state of the art binary Edwards curve equations over mixed point addition and doubling. The binary Edwards curve offers the security advantage that it is complete and is, therefore, immune to the exceptional points attack. In conjunction with Montgomery Ladder, such a curve is naturally immune to most types of simple power and timing attacks. The recently presented formulas for mixed point addition in [1] were found to be invalid, but were corrected such that the speed and register usage were maintained. We utilize corrected mixed point addition and doubling formulas to achieve a secure, but still fast implementation of a point multiplication on binary Edwards curves. Our synthesis results over NIST recommended fields for ECC indicate that the proposed co-processor requires about 50i¾?% fewer clock cycles for point multiplication and occupies a similar silicon area when compared to the most recent in literature.
C/EBP homologous protein modulates liraglutide-mediated attenuation of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

The CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP), a major transcriptional regulator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated apoptosis, is implicated in lipotoxicity-induced ER stress and hepatocyte apoptosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We have previously demonstrated that the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, liraglutide, protects steatotic hepatocytes from lipotoxicity-induced apoptosis by improved handling of free fatty acid (FFA)-induced ER stress. In the present study, we investigated whether CHOP is critical for GLP-1-mediated restoration of ER homeostasis and mitigation of hepatocyte apoptosis in a murine model of NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). Our data show that despite similar caloric intake, CHOP KO (CHOP(-/-)) mice fed a diet high in fat, fructose, and cholesterol (HFCD) for 16 weeks developed more severe histological features of NASH compared with wild-type (WT) controls. Severity of NASH in HFCD-fed CHOP(-/-) mice correlated with significant decrease in peroxisomal β-oxidation, and increased de novo lipogenesis and ER stress-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis. Four weeks of liraglutide treatment markedly attenuated steatohepatitis in HFCD-fed WT mice by improving insulin sensitivity, and suppressing de novo lipogenesis and ER stress-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis. However, in the absence of CHOP, liraglutide did not improve insulin sensitivity, nor suppress peroxisomal β-oxidation or ER stress-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis. Taken together, these data indicate that CHOP protects hepatocytes from HFCD-induced ER stress, and has a significant role in the mechanism of liraglutide-mediated protection against NASH pathogenesis.
Forward Scattering and Volterra Renormalization for Acoustic Wavefield Propagation in Vertically Varying Media

We extend the full wavefield modeling with forward scattering theory and Volterra Renormalization to a vertically varying two-parameter (velocity and density) acoustic medium. The forward scattering series, derived by applying Born-Neumann iterative procedure to the Lippmann-Schwinger equation (LSE), is a well known tool for modeling and imaging. However, it has limited convergence properties depending on the strength of contrast between the actual and reference medium or the angle of incidence of a plane wave component. Here, we introduce the Volterra renormalization technique to the LSE. The renormalized LSE and related Neumann series are absolutely convergent for any strength of perturbation and any incidence angle. The renormalized LSE can further be separated into two sub-Volterra type integral equations, which are then solved noniteratively. We apply the approach to velocity-only, density-only, and both velocity and density perturbations. We demonstrate that this Volterra Renormalization modeling is a promising and efficient method. In addition, it can also provide insight for developing a scattering theory-based direct inversion method.
Development of Synthetic Gene Circuits to Amplify the Production of Biomaterials, Cellulases, and Lentivirus

Positive feedback is one of the most common regulatory circuits in living organisms to enhance or amplify the intensity of signal. We implemented a positive feedback loop (PFL) to amplify the production of biomaterials in a filamentous fungus, Neurospora crassa and a lentivirus packaging system.In N. crassa, CLR-1 and CLR-2 are known as transcriptional activators, which regulate the expression of numerous cellulase genes. In order to develop N. crassa strains with higher degrading activity of cellulose, we constructed transgenic N. crassa with additional clr-1 or clr-2 genes under the control of a promoter from cbh-1, which is one of the CLR-1- and CLR-2-regulated cellulases. Therefore, the above new synthetic gene network creates a positive feedback circuit to amplify the expression of the transgenes. We observe that the mRNA expression of major cellulase genes (cbh-1, gh5-1, and gh6-2) is increased more than two orders of magnitude in the CLR-2 positive feedback strain compared to wild type.For development of lentivirus packaging system with positive feedback loop, we constructed a plasmid with tetracycline transactivator (tTA) under the control of tetracycline responsive element (TRE). tTA can bind to the TRE promoter and activate its own transcription. Therefore, the plasmid creates a synthetic gene network with PFL to amplify the expression of tTA and the other genes under the control of TRE promoter. Based on the PFL system, we developed a new lentivirus packaging system to amplify the expression of virus genes under the control of TRE promoter. We observe that the titer of virus with PFL is approximately 1,000 times higher compared to the ones without PFL.These results suggest that implementation of PFL into gene networks provide a feasible solution for the efficient production of biomaterials.
Abstract 2328: Targeting self-renewal in human colorectal cancer by inhibiting SUMOylation

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the US. It is well recognized that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for treatment resistance, tumor metastasis and relapse, which cause treatment failure. SUMOylation is known to be important for pluripotency and is dysregulated in cancers to drive tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, we investigate the role of SUMOylation in colorectal cancer CSC maintenance and self-renewal. In this study, we established that aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) activity is a valid marker of colorectal CSCs, because ALDH+ cells in HT29 displayed CSC properties including self-renewal, clonal formation and tumor initiation in NSG xenograft mouse model, while ALDH- cells did not. Profiling ALDH+ and ALDH- cells showed that SUMO-activating enzyme (SAE) is highly enriched in ALDH+ cells along with enhanced global SUMOylation. Overexpression of the catalytic subunit of SAE, SAE2, increased the population of ALDH+ cells while knockdown of SAE2 decreased the population of ALDH+ cells. This result suggests that increased SAE level promotes stemness in colorectal cells. To characterize CSC maintenance and self-renewal quantitatively, we performed limited dilution assays in vitro with sphere initiation and in vivo using mouse xenograft models. In in vitro assays, we observed 4-fold reduction in CSC self-renewal frequency in SAE2 knockdown cells compared to control cells in the colorectal cancer cell line HT29. In four colorectal cancer patient-derived primary culture cells, the frequency was 2∼6 fold lower in SAE2 knockdown groups than control. In the in vivo experiment, SAE2 knockdown group showed 12-fold reduction in self-renewal frequency of HT29 cells. These data demonstrate that silencing of SAE2 causes a significant decrease in stemness of colorectal cancer cells, both in HT29 cell line and primary human tumors. Mechanistic analysis regarding how SUMOylation regulate colorectal cancer CSC is underway and will be discussed. In conclusion, our study indicates that SUMOylation, in particular the SAE, is an important regulator of colorectal CSC maintenance and self-renewal. Therefore, the data suggests that targeting SAE is a potential strategy to inhibit colorectal CSC. Citation Format: Li Du, Yuan Chen. Targeting self-renewal in human colorectal cancer by inhibiting SUMOylation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2328. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2328
THEORIZING CAREER SUCCESS PERCEPTION AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN MANAGERIAL LEARNING AND THE LEARNING ORGANIZATION

This analytical research paper was prepared by using literature review on the relationships among three variables composed of managerial learning, career success perception and the learning organization. Managerial learning is the exogenous variable whereas the learning organization is the endogenous variable. Career success perception is the third variable. Supported by literature review on the linkages among the three variables on the premises of cause and effect, the role of career success perception as a mediator was justified using Baron & Kenny’s (1986) criteria on properties of variables to distinctively differentiate between mediating and moderating variables. Henceforth, a model was suggested for future research using career success perception as the mediator between managerial learning and the learning organization. Keywords: Managerial learning, The learning organization, Career success perception, Learning behavior, Learning opportunity, Theorizing, Relationship, Mediator
Space and Place: Humanistic Perspective

Space and place together define the nature of geography. Spatial analysis or the explanation of spatial organisation is at the forefront of geographical research. Geographers appear to be confident of both the meaning of space and the methods suited to its analysis. The interpretation of spatial elements requires an abstract and objective frame of thought, quantifiable data, and ideally the language of mathematics. Place, like space, lies at the core of geographical discipline. Indeed an Ad Hoc Committee of American geographers (1965, 7) asserted that “the modern science of geography derives its substance from man’s sense of place”. In the geographical literature, place has been given several meanings (Lukermann, 1964; May, 1970). As location, place is one unit among other units to which it is linked by a circulation net; the analysis of location is subsumed under the geographer’s concept and analysis of space. Place, however, has more substance than the word location suggests: it is a unique entity, a ‘special ensemble’ (Lukermann, 1964, p. 70); it has a history and meaning. Place incarnates the experiences and aspirations of a people. Place is not only a fact to be explained in the broader frame of space, but it is also a reality to be clarified and understood from the perspectives of the people who have given it meaning.
Probabilistic forecasting of symbol sequences with deep neural networks

Time series forecasting is usually done in a deterministic sense, such as in autoregressive moving average models, where a future state is predicted as a linear combination of past events. However, by formulating the problem in a probabilistic sense, soft predictions are obtained from a given probability mass function. This paper uses a deep neural network for probabilistic forecasting of time series by minimizing the cross entropy of the probability of future symbols from a given state. The advantage of this type of model is that it makes probabilistic inferences from the ground up, and without any restrictive assumptions (e.g., second order statistics). The efficacy of the proposed model is tested by forecasting the emergence of combustion instabilities, defined to be the root mean square of the pressure signal inside a laboratory-scale combustor system. The proposed algorithm has been compared with the autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model, which acts as a baseline for many time-series forecasting tasks, and the proposed model is shown to significantly outperform the ARMA model in this task.
Implementation of a Localized Task-Based Course in an EFL Context: A Study of Students’ Evolving Perceptions

Despite a strong pedagogical orientation, the majority of research examining the effectiveness of task-based language teaching (TBLT) and perceptions toward TBLT has been investigated in isolation rather than embedded in larger curricular contexts (McDonough, 2015). The current study examines the process of developing a TBLT curriculum in South Korea and evolving perceptions toward this particular semester-long task-based course of students from one intact university class. Dynamic systems theory is used to investigate students’ evolving perceptions of the new task-based course using two longitudinal data sources, surveys and portfolios. End-of-task unit surveys from 27 students and one focal participant's portfolio entries were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Findings demonstrate that students’ perceptions toward TBLT changed over time and that diverse factors affected how learners feel about task-based instruction. Findings are discussed in light of developing localized TBLT curricula.
ASSOCIATION OF POTENTIALLY FUNCTIONAL VARIANTS IN GENES IMPLICATED IN MENDELIAN AORTOPATHY WITH ASCENDING AORTIC DILATATION

The impact of potentially functional variants (pFVs) in genes associated with Mendelian aortopathy (MA) on aortic dilatation (AD) is unknown. We assessed whether individuals carrying a pFV in any of 10 MA genes are more likely to have AD and faster aortic expansion than non-carriers (NCs).
Fibroproliferative genes are preferentially expressed in central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia.

Background Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a primary cicatricial alopecia that most commonly affects women of African descent. Like CCCA, fibroproliferative disorders (FPDs) such as keloids, atherosclerosis, and fibroids are characterized by low-grade inflammation and irritation, resulting in end-stage fibrosis. Objective We sought to determine whether fibroproliferative genes were up-regulated in patients with CCCA. Methods A total of 5 patients with biopsy-proven CCCA were recruited for this study. Two scalp biopsy specimens were obtained from each patient; 1 from CCCA-affected vertex scalp and 1 from the unaffected occipital scalp. Microarray analysis was performed to determine the differential gene expression patterns. Results There was an upregulation of genes implicated in FPDs in patients with CCCA. Specifically, we noted increased expression of platelet derived growth factor gene (PDGF), collagen I gene (COL I), collagen III gene (COL III), matrix metallopeptidase 1 gene (MMP1), matrix metallopeptidase 2 gene (MMP2), matrix metallopeptidase 7 gene (MMP7), and matrix metallopeptidase 9 gene (MMP9) in affected scalp compared with in unaffected scalp. Significant overlap in the canonic pathways was noted between patients with CCCA and patients with both atherosclerosis and hepatic fibrosis (P Limitations Small sample size and the use of whole skin tissue for analysis. Conclusion We have identified the upregulation of critical genes implicated in FPDs in the gene expression profile of patients with CCCA. These findings may help identify future therapeutic targets for this otherwise difficult-to-treat condition.
Growth and Characterization of YbBCO Films on Textured Gd2O3 Buffer-Layered Ni Tapes: All Sol–Gel Process

YbBa2Cu3O7−x (YbBCO) thick films were grown on buffered, cube-textured Nickel tapes by sol–gel dip-coating method. Yb-123 films were prepared using solutions of Yb, Ba, and Cu organometallic compounds. A solution-based Gd2O3 buffer layer was deposited by dip-coating process with excellent texture and uniformity. The texture development and surface morphology of the buffer-layer films were examined by X-ray diffraction, pole figures, and ESEM analysis. Microstructure and characterization of Yb-123 films were done by ESEM, EDS, and XRD analysis. Tc and Jc were conducted by four-wire measurement method
Time-Dependent Neutron Spectra

The time-dependent slowing down of neutrons against free nuclei at rest was studied in the space independent case. New approximate and exact solutions for constant scattering and 1/v or constant absorption cross section were obtained and compared with previously reported work. (auth)
Cytokines and Chemokines

Cytokines and chemokines are small biologically active molecules that can act locally or at a distance. Cytokines mediate cell-to-cell communication, regulate both the initiation and maintenance of immune responses, often define the function of T lymphocytes, and can induce intrinsic cellular defenses. Cytokine families, most with several members, include TNF, IL-1, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-17. Cytokine receptors have a modular design and individual chains may participate in formation of the receptor for more than one cytokine. Chemokines attract specific, but overlapping, populations of inflammatory cells and regulate trafficking of leukocytes during immune responses and infiltration of leukocytes into infected tissues. Chemokines are divided into four families based on spacing of the first two of four conserved disulfide-forming cysteine residues. The CXC or α chemokines are primarily chemotactic for neutrophils. The CC or β chemokines are primarily chemotactic for monocytes, lymphocytes, or eosinophils. Chemokine receptors are seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled molecules that form distinct families of CXC and CC receptors. Each receptor can bind multiple chemokines within its class and each chemokine can bind multiple receptors. A number of viruses, particularly in the herpesvirus and poxvirus families, encode inhibitory homologs of cytokines, chemokines, or their receptors, attesting to their importance for antiviral immunity.
Turbulent boundary layer around 2D permeable and impermeable obstacles

An experimental investigation of the turbulent boundary layer around 2D permeable and impermeable obstacles was carried out using high-resolution particle image velocimetry (PIV) in a large-scale refractive-index-matching (RIM) flume. The flow over three rectangular obstacles was studied including an impermeable model (case 1), a model porous through only its flow-facing surface (case 2), and an obstacle porous through both its flow-facing and upper surfaces (case 3). The ratio of the height (h) to the incoming boundary layer thickness ( $$\delta _0$$ ) was $$h/\delta _0 \approx 1/4$$ . Measurements were performed at a Reynolds number Re = 70,000 based on the freestream velocity and $$\delta _0$$ . The results highlight the impact of permeability on the mean flow, separation bubble, Reynolds shear stress, as well as the level and production of turbulent kinetic energy. In particular, the momentum deficit and flow reattachment downstream of the obstacle were highly sensitive to the permeability. Similarly, the second-order statistics of the velocity in the vicinity of the three obstacles exhibited large variations. It is shown that constraining and channeling the flow through only the flow-facing surface of the obstacle (case 2) result in lower momentum deficit, turbulence levels, and Reynolds shear stress in the intermediate and far wake regions. Overall, the results highlight the distinctive effects of obstacle permeability on the turbulent boundary layer.
MEMS Components for NMR Atomic Sensors

This paper introduces a batch fabrication method to manufacture micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) components for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) atomic sensors, such as NMR gyroscope (NMRG) and NMR magnetometer (NMRM). The components presented are: 1) micro-coils generating the magnetic field with the magnetic field homogeneity of $H=354$ ppm; 2) spherical micro-fabricated atomic cells confining alkali metal and noble gases; 3) micro-heaters keeping the alkali metal in a vapor state while minimizing residual magnetic fields; and 4) origamilike silicon structures with integrated optical reflectors preserving 90.9% of the light polarization. The introduced design utilized a glassblowing process, origamilike folding, and a more traditional MEMS fabrication. We presented an analytical model of imperfections, including errors associated with micro-fabrication of MEMS components. In light of the developed error model, phenomenological dynamic model describing NMR sensors, and experimental evaluation of components, we predicted the effect of errors on performance of NMRG and NMRM. We concluded that with a realistic design, a 5-mrad angular misalignment between coils and folded mirrors, and a 100- $\mu \text{m}$ linear misalignment between folded coils, it would be feasible to achieve an NMRG with ARW 0.1 deg/rt-hr and an NMRM with sensitivity on the order of 10 fT/rt-Hz. [2018-0169]