cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Proportional Hazards Model

In this chapter and Chapter 7, we will consider models of the length of time until recidivism that contain individual characteristics as explanatory variables. The models of Chapter 7 will be parametric models in the sense that they will assume a particular distribution for the survival times; for example, we will estimate a model based on the exponential distribution, in which the mean of the distribution depends on individual characteristics. In this chapter, on the other hand, we will consider the proportional hazards model of Cox (1972). This model allows one to estimate the effects of individual characteristics on survival times without having to assume a particular form for the distribution function (or the density or hazard). Instead, the distribution of the survival times is estimated in a nonparametric way. This model has been used a good deal recently in the study of recidivism. For example, see Barton and Turnbull (1981), Rhodes and Matsuba (1985), Sherman and Berk (1984), and Witte et al. (1982).
New Directions in the Assessment of Young Handicapped Children

Recent advances in our knowledge about infant competency and the learning capabilities of children (particularly those who are handicapped) have pointed to new directions in the assessment of young handicapped children. The ensuing demand for educational, medical, and social services for these children necessitates appropriate procedures on which to base support and measure progress. This demand arises from the conviction of service personnel and parents that intervention, begun as early as possible, can effect significant changes in the developmental course of a young child. While there is ample evidence to support early intervention with young handicapped children, researchers (Swan, 1981; Strain, 1981; Moore, Fredericks and Baldwin, 1981) can also provide sufficient documentation to indicate that the most effective intervention is not focused exclusively on the child, but is broadened to include other persons and events in the infant’s environment. Horowitz (1981) stated the dilemma well in a recent conference on infants at risk: “An evaluation of only the infant or only the environment will never net us an understanding of human development,... an accurate model of development must include variables associated with the organism as well as variables associated with the environment, and it should depict developmental outcome as resulting from interactions within and across these domains (p. 32).”
Lung Cancer Prevention

The poor prognosis associated with lung cancer has stimulated substantial effort directed toward lung cancer prevention. As smoking prevention and cessation have proven difficult to achieve, many chemoprevention trials have been done during the last few decades. Such trials have focused on lung cancer survivors and high-risk groups including current and former heavy smokers with or without COPD. The aims of these trials were to reduce lung cancer incidence as well as to reduce/reverse premalignant changes in the bronchial epithelium. Unfortunately, till now all the chemoprevention clinical trials have failed to show any clinical or histologic benefit with respect to lung cancer.
Progressive disease in children with medulloblastoma/PNET during preradiation chemotherapy

The overall prognosis in children with medulloblastoma/PNET has not significantly improved over the past decade. Intensive neoadjuvant chemotherapy has not yet adequately explored. We evaluated the short-term clinical results of an intensive chemotherapy regimen in high risk children with newly diagnosed MB/PNET, after surgery and before radiation. Twelve previously untreated patients with high-risk medulloblastoma/PNET, according to Chang's classification, were treated with the following chemotherapy regimen: high dose carboplatin 600 mg/m2/day on days 1 and 2; the same course was administered 4 weeks later. One month later, high dose cyclophosphamide 2 g/m2/day on days 1 and 2, followed by an identical course 4 weeks later. Vincristine 1,5 mg/m2 iv was given on the first day of each course. Systemic evaluation of the disease included imaging of the entire neuraxis, including MRI of the entire spine. Out of 12 enrolled, 7 patients were able to be evaluated for a residual disease after surgery. After two cycles of high dose carboplatin, we noted I CR, 4 PR and 2 MR. After the subsequent two cycles of high dose cyclophosphamide we observed an additional response in 4 cases. On the other hand, 4 patients clearly showed evidence of PD immediately after the first course of cyclophosphamide (2 cases) or following the second course. Three of the 4 patients had shown respectively 1 CR and 2 PR after the second course of carboplatin. Whereas it was confirmed that 2 courses of high dose carboplatin is effective in high risk MB/PNET children, we observed an unacceptable number of PD during the subsequent high dose cyclophosphamide therapy. A review from the literature also suggests that, in general, the longer radiotherapy is delayed, the higher the incidence of PD. In the search for the optimal drug combination in “sandwich chemotherapy” for children with high risk MB/PNET, PD must be reduced to an acceptable incidence, since a high number of PD may significantly lower the probability of long-term survival.
Nucleoside Phosphorylation: A Feasible Step in the Prebiotic Pathway to RNA

Plausible prebiotic conditions for the phosphorylation of nucleosides by inorganic phosphate were reported by Lohrmann and Orgel in 1971. This reaction was carried out on heated dry films and promoted by urea. The major products formed were nucleoside-2:3 cyclicPs;5-NMPs and other derivatives were also formed. Minor modifications of the Lohrmann and Orgel system have resulted in the preferential formation of 5-NMPs. In this modified system a 2-fold preference for phosphorylation of the 5-OH group over the 3(2)-OH group was observed and the formation of other derivatives was minimized. The small amounts of bis compounds that were formed in this system could be quantitatively removed by selective binding to the mineral hydroxylapatite at moderate ionic strengths. It was also discovered that under hydrolytic conditions there was a 3:1 preference for removal of phosphates attached to the 3-OH group over the 5-OH group. A recycling procedure for obtaining additonal 5-NMPs from bis compounds and 3-NMPs is proposed.
Climate Change and Public Health: Emerging Infectious Diseases

Climate restricts the range of infectious diseases, whereas weather affects the timing and intensity of outbreaks. Climate change scenarios project a change in the distribution of infectious diseases with warming and changes in outbreaks associated with weather extremes, such as flooding and droughts. The hypothesis of this article is that the ranges of several key diseases or their vectors are already changing in altitude due to warming, along with shifts in plant communities and the retreat of alpine glaciers. In addition, more intense and costly weather events create conditions conducive to outbreaks of infectious diseases, as heavy rains leave insect breeding sites, drive rodents from burrows, and contaminate clean water systems. Conversely, drought can spread fungal spores and spark fires (and associated respiratory disease). In addition, sequences of extremes can destabilize predator/prey interactions, leading to population explosions of opportunistic, disease-carrying organisms. Advances in climate forecasting and health early warning systems may prove helpful in catalyzing timely, environmentally friendly public health interventions. If climate change continues to be associated with more frequent and volatile and severe weather events, we have begun to see the profound consequences that climate change can have for public health and the international economy.
Use of laparoscopic colectomy increasing in trauma: comparison of laparoscopic vs. open colectomy.

Laparoscopy accounts for > 70% of general surgical cases. Given the increased use of laparoscopy in emergent colorectal disease, we hypothesized that there would be an increased use of laparoscopic colectomy (LC) in trauma patients. In addition, we hypothesized increased length of stay (LOS) and mortality in trauma patients undergoing open colectomy (OC) vs. LC. This was a retrospective analysis using the National Trauma Data Bank (2008–2015). We included adult patients undergoing LC or OC. A multivariable logistic regression model was used for determining risk of LOS and mortality. We identified 19,788 (96.8%) patients undergoing OC and 644 (3.2%) who underwent LC. There was a 21-fold increased number of patients that underwent LC over the study period (p < 0.05), with approximately 119 per 10,000 trauma patients undergoing LC. The most common operation was a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (27.5%). LC patients had a lower median injury severity score (ISS) (16 vs. 17, p < 0.001). There was no difference in LOS (p = 0.14) or mortality (p = 0.44) between the two groups. This remained true in patients with isolated colorectal injury. The use of LC has increased 21-fold from 2008 to 2015, with laparoscopic right hemicolectomy being the most common procedure performed. There was no difference in LOS, in-hospital complications, or mortality between the two groups. We suggest that LC should be considered in stable adult trauma patients undergoing colectomy. However, future prospective research is needed to help determine which trauma patients may benefit from LC.
Short communication: Comparison of 3 rapid methods for analysis of vitamin degradation compounds in fluid skim milk

Vitamin fortification of dairy products, including fluid milk and fortified whey protein beverages, is an industry standard but can lead to the development of off-flavor compounds that are difficult to extract and detect by instrumental methods. Previous work has identified these compounds and their specific role in off-flavors in skim milk, but efficient extraction and quantification of these compounds remains a challenge. Three rapid methods (stir bar sorptive extraction, solvent-assisted stir bar sorptive extraction, and solid-phase microextraction) were compared for their ability to effectively recover vitamin degradation volatiles from fluid skim milk. The performance of the 3 methods for detecting and quantifying vitamin degradation-related volatile compounds was determined by linear regression of standard curves prepared from spiked standards of 5 vitamin degradation volatiles, the reproducibility on the same day and between days as measured by the average relative standard deviation of each standard curve, and the limits of detection and quantitation. Measurement of vitamin degradation compounds in commercial pasteurized fortified skim milks was also conducted using each method. Detection of selected vitamin degradation volatiles was linear in skim milk (0.005-200 μg/kg). Coefficient of determination values differed between methods and compounds. Within-day and between-day percentage of relative standard deviation also varied with compound and method. Limits of detection and quantitation values for all methods except solid-phase microextraction were lower than concentrations of selected volatile compounds typically found in commercial milk. Solvent-assisted stir bar sorptive extraction with a 10-mL sample volume provided the most consistent detection of selected compounds in commercial milks. Based on linearity, relative standard deviation, and limits of detection and quantitation, cyclohexane solvent-assisted stir bar sorptive extraction with 10-mL sample volume is recommended for the quantitation of vitamin degradation-related volatiles in fluid skim milk.
Sketching a Social/Teacher Practice Through Participation: An Imperfect Proposition for Teacher Practicum

Although not new, participatory art practices are finding their way into art education theory; however, practices have yet to take hold in schools or teacher practicum. In this qualitative study, f...
A pilot feasibility study of mindfulness childbirth education for women with a history of sexual trauma.

Abstract Background and purpose: Pregnant women with a history of sexual trauma are at increased risk for mood disorders. Mindfulness interventions delivered prenatally may reduce risk of mood disorders. The purpose of this pilot was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) for women with a history of sexual trauma. Materials and methods A one-group repeated measures design was employed, involving three assessments: baseline, post-intervention and at eight weeks postpartum. Twelve pregnant women were recruited and enrolled. Self-report measures and open-ended written questionnaires were used to assess health outcomes and intervention acceptability. Results Results show high satisfaction with the program, an immediate reduction in prenatal anxiety, and longitudinal increase in interoceptive awareness skills. Conclusion The results suggest the feasibility and acceptability of the MBCP approach for women with a history of sexual trauma.
Stepping into the Next Dimension of Biomaterial Design

Recapitulating the dynamic spatiotemporal behavior of the extracellular matrix using biomaterials is an ongoing challenge. A recent breakthrough by Shadish et al. demonstrates the use of sortase-mediated transpeptidation to site-specifically modify proteins with a range of chemical motifs. Modified proteins were immobilized within biomaterials with high spatiotemporal control and resulted in localized bioactivity.
Furthering resolvent-based jet noise models

Resolvent analysis continues to provide promising results for modeling the hydrodynamic near-field and acoustic far-field in turbulent jets, particularly when compared to modes deduced through spectral proper orthogonal decomposition (SPOD) of high-fidelity large eddy simulations (LES). Although previous studies have shown that the acoustic field for supersonic jets is of low-rank and primarily described by the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, the agreement between the acoustically optimal resolvent mode (Kelvin-Helmholtz) and optimal SPOD mode is still lacking. The discrepancy is due to the spatial coloring of turbulent mechanisms in supersonic jets and presents a challenge for reconstructing the acoustic field, as well as the full field flow statistics. To account for coloring, additional (i.e., suboptimal) resolvent modes, associated with the Orr mechanism, must be included and their correlation to other modes determined. Here, we estimate the coloring between resolvent modes by projecting onto an ensemble of LES realizations and reconstructing the realizations in the resolvent basis. The associated projection coefficients provide an ensemble of observations which inherently possess the statistical information necessary to reconstruct the flow and to which we propose a reduced-order stochastic model. We find that the inclusion of a few resolvent suboptimal modes (i.e., Orr-type) allows for modeling of the acoustic field to within 2 dB and increases the region of acoustic agreement when compared to a single mechanism model.
Hepatitis C Virus Screening and Care: Complexity of Implementation in Primary Care Practices Serving Disadvantaged Populations.

The advent of highly effective direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has led to the call for elimination of hepatitis C in the near future. The infection disproporti...
JOÃO PAULO BORGES COELHO E AS CONTRADIÇÕES DO PÓS-COLONIALISMO: UMA ANÁLISE DE A CRÓNICA DA RUA 513.2

RESUMO : Entre os escritores que mais se tem afirmado na ficcao mocambicana do pos-independencia, destaca-se Joao Paulo Borges Coelho cuja obra literaria tem vindo a ser aclamada pela critica literaria, em particular, e pelo publico leitor, em geral. Neste ensaio, proponho uma analise do seu romance Cronica da Rua 513.2 (2006) , da perspectiva da recente critica ao pos-colonialismo oferecida por Vivek Chibber em Postcolonial Studies and the Specter of Capital (2013). A critica de Chibber realca as aparentes deficiencias no desenvolvimento da teoria pos-colonial nas ultimas decadas abrindo, deste modo, uma janela teorica atraves da qual procuro demonstrar que o romance de Borges Coelho proporciona uma visao da realidade contemporânea de Mocambique que excede os parâmetros estabelecidos por uma teoria pos-colonial normalizada. Argumento que a Cronica da Rua 513.2 sugere uma compreensao da historia colonial e pos-colonial mais complexa do que aquela oferecida pelos estudos pos-coloniais e que, de facto, reactiva elementos de uma analise marxista da experiencia colonial e pos-colonial que a forma academica institucionalizada dos estudos pos-coloniais lamentavelmente tem esquecido.
Stratifying Venous Thromboembolism Risk in Arthroplasty: Do High-Risk Patients Exist?

Abstract Background While there are many possible complications associated with total joint arthroplasty (TJA), venous thromboembolism (VTE) is both frequent and potentially severe. Despite this importance, there are inconsistent recommendations for prophylaxis based on patient risk factors. Methods A predictive model was constructed to compare low-molecular-weight heparin(LMWH) and aspirin (ASA) for prevention of VTE-associated complications following TJA.The model used risks from prior prophylaxis studies to estimate the risk of developing a symptomatic deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, thrombocytopenia, and operative or nonoperative site bleeding. We also evaluated the progression to 4 possible final health states: postphlebitis syndrome, intracranial hemorrhage, death, or baseline health. Within published ranges, we selected assumptions that were favorable to LMWH such that these analyses represent a best case scenario for LMWH or an alternative more aggressive low-molecular-weight heparin alternative (LMWHA). Events and outcomes were assigned quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) losses according to prior studies to determine the effect on patients’ outcomes for ASA and LMWHA prophylaxis. Results Assessing VTE risk populations from 0.2% to 2% with life expectancies ranging from 5 to 40 years postoperatively, patients with a risk ratio less than 3.7 showed increased expected QALY with ASA compared to LMWHA. For patients with a baseline VTE risk of 1% and a 15 year life expectancy, a risk ratio of 13.4 was needed to identify patients that would benefit from LMWHA. With life expectancy increased to 30 years, the risk ratio needed to idetify these patients was 7.4. Conclusion Patients undergoing TJA should receive ASA chemoprophylaxis in nearly all situations, unless the patient has a significantly increased VTE risk compared to the baseline population and a long life expectancy.
Personal growth initiative and posttraumatic stress among survivors of transportation accidents: mixture modeling indicating changes in group membership over time

The current study explored subgroups in reported personal growth initiative (PGI) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and examined the changes in class memberships among survivors of a transportation accident. Participants at Time 1 were 602 adults who reported directly experiencing a transportation accident within the past year (Mmonths = 6.36; SDmonths = 3.20). Of these participants, 171 adults completed the follow-up survey after 3 months (Time 2). Finite mixture modeling was conducted to identify the heterogeneity of PTSS in relation with PGI at each time point. At Time 1, a four-class model was the best-fitting model, and at Time 2, a three-class model was the best-fitting model. As hypothesized, when examined cross-sectionally, various subgroups were identified at each time point, finding subgroups with moderate to high levels of PGI but differing in their PTSS. However, when examining the longitudinal changes in class membership from Time 1 to Time 2, members of subgroups with higher PGI skills at Time 1 were more likely to be assigned to subgroups with lower PTSS at Time 2. The current study suggests a potential application of PGI skills in alleviating PTSS after a transportation accident and having a critical role in adjustment after hardship.
Evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus curricular content in schools of pharmacy in the United States.

Abstract Introduction Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an important educational topic for student pharmacists given extended patient life expectancy and expanding pharmacist roles in HIV treatment and prevention. Data are lacking in regard to curricular content and type of training received by faculty to provide didactic and experiential HIV training. Methods A cross-sectional, population-based survey of United States (US) pharmacy schools was conducted using a 15-item questionnaire. HIV content experts were surveyed at 135 four-year, accredited programs. Results Thirty-seven responses were received from schools in the Midwestern (34%), Northeastern (26%), Southern (26%), and Western (14%) regions. Time devoted to didactic HIV education ranged from 0.5 to 60 hours. The majority of respondents (78%, n = 29) reported 10 or fewer hours of HIV-related content, with 41% (n = 15) reporting five or less hours of content. Experiential practice sites for HIV training were variable, with a majority (80%) including an outpatient infectious diseases/HIV clinic. Eighty percent of respondents also reported students receiving fewer than 25 encounters with people living with HIV (PLWH) throughout their entire experiential training. Over half (54%) of respondents reported that the primary HIV instructor devoted four hours per week or less to HIV care. Conclusions Diversity in the amount of time devoted to HIV didactic education existed among reporting US pharmacy schools. Few schools have dedicated faculty spending a substantial amount of time in direct care of PLWH. Minimum standards for HIV education in schools of pharmacy should be established.
Asymptotic expansions, partial theta functions, and radial limit differences of mock modular and modular forms

In 1920, Ramanujan studied the asymptotic differences between his mock theta functions and modular theta functions, as q tends towards roots of unity singularities radially from within the unit dis...
60S subunit joining exposes nascent pre-40S rRNA for quality control

During their maturation, nascent 40S subunits enter a translation-like quality control cycle, where they are joined by mature 60S subunits to form 80S-like ribosomes. While these assembly intermediates are essential for maturation and quality control, how they form, and how their structure promotes quality control remains unknown. To address these questions, we determined the structure of an 80S-like ribosome assembly intermediate to an overall resolution of 3.4 A. The structure, validated by biochemical data herein, resolves a large body of previously paradoxical data and illustrates how assembly and translation factors cooperate to promote the formation of an interface that lacks many mature subunit contacts but is stabilized by the universally conserved Dim1. The structure also shows how this interface leads to unfolding of the platform, which allows for temporal regulation of the ATPase Fap7, thus linking 40S maturation to quality-control during ribosome assembly.
Multiplexing Mutation Rate Assessment: Determining Pathogenicity of Msh2 Variants in S. cerevisiae

Despite the fundamental importance of mutation rate as a driving force in evolution and disease risk, common methods to assay mutation rate are time consuming and tedious. Established methods such as fluctuation tests and mutation accumulation experiments are low-throughput and often require significant optimization to ensure accuracy. We established a new method to determine the mutation rate of many strains simultaneously by tracking mutation events in a chemostat continuous culture device and applying deep sequencing to link mutations to alleles of a DNA-repair gene. We applied this method to assay the mutation rate of hundreds of S. cerevisiae strains carrying mutations in the gene encoding Msh2, a DNA repair enzyme in the mismatch repair pathway (MMR). Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in MSH2 are associated with hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), an inherited disorder that increases risk for many different cancers. However, the vast majority of MSH2 variants found in human populations have insufficient evidence to be classified as either pathogenic or benign. We first benchmarked our method against Luria-Delbruck fluctuation tests using a collection of published MSH2 variants. Our pooled screen successfully identified previously-characterized non-functional alleles as high mutators. We then created an additional 186 human variants in the yeast ortholog, including both characterized and uncharacterized alleles curated from ClinVar and other clinical testing data. In a set of alleles of known pathogenicity, our assay recapitulated ClinVar9s classification; we then estimated pathogenicity for 159 variants classified as uncertain or conflicting reports of significance. This method is capable of studying the mutation rate of many microbial species and can be applied to problems ranging from the generation of high-fidelity polymerases to measuring the rate of antibiotic resistance emergence.
Course structure and projects for undergraduate CSD Acoustic Phonetics courses

Virtually all undergraduate communication sciences and disorders programs require a course in acoustic phonetics (sometimes titled speech science). In our undergraduate program, students have a separate phonetics (transcription) course prior to taking the acoustic phonetics course. My acoustic phonetics course splits the content into two halves: In the first half of the course we focus on the source, including basic acoustics (SHM, harmonics), vocal fold vibration, modes of phonation, and intonation. In the second half of the course, we focus on the filter, including resonance and tube models, vowel formants, and consonant acoustics. In this way, more abstract and basic acoustic properties are interwoven with specific examples of speech-related acoustics. Students complete one project using Praat that focuses on intrinsic F0. The project is divided into four components across the semester. The talk will focus on changes in course structure and the project.
FFENCODER-PL: Pair Wise Energy Descriptors for Protein-Ligand Pose Selection.

Scoring functions are the essential component in molecular docking methods. An accurate scoring function is expected to distinguish the native ligand pose from decoy poses. Our previous experience (Pei et al. J. Chem. Inf. Model. 2019, 59 (7), 3305-3315) proved that combining the random forest (RF) algorithm with knowledge-based potential functions can emphasize germane pair wise interactions and improve the performance of original knowledge-based potential functions on protein-ligand decoy detection. One of the most important potential function classes is the force field (FF) potential with one example being the Amber collection of FFs, which are widely available in the AMBER suite of simulation programs. However, for use in RF modeling studies, one needs pair wise energies that are hard to directly extract from Amber. To address this issue, FFENCODER-PL was constructed to calculate the pair wise energies based on the FF14SB and GAFF2 FFs in Amber. FFENCODER-PL was validated using 275 ligand and 21 protein-ligand structures. RF models were built by combining an RF classification algorithm with the pair wise energies calculated from FFENCODER-PL. CASF-2016 (Su et al. J. Chem. Inf. Model. 2019, 59, 895-913) was employed to test the performance of the resultant RF models, which outperformed 33 scoring functions on accuracy and native ranking tests. For the best decoy RMSD test, RF models give a best decoy with an RMSD of around 2 A from the native pose after including the best decoy-decoy comparisons in the RF model. The relative importance of the RF algorithm and force field potentials was also tested with the results suggesting that both the RF algorithm and force field potentials are important and combining them is the only way to achieve high accuracy. Finally, FFENCODER-PL makes force field-based pair wise energies available for further development of machine learning-based scoring functions. The codes and data used in this paper can be found at https://github.com/JunPei000/Amber_protein_ligand_encoding.
Pathophysiology and Molecular Imaging of Diabetic Foot Infections

Diabetic foot infection is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations worldwide. In addition, diabetes mellitus and sequela of the disease are increasing in prevalence. In 2017, 9.4% of Americans were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM). The growing pervasiveness and financial implications of diabetic foot infection (DFI) indicate an acute need for improved clinical assessment and treatment. Complex pathophysiology and suboptimal specificity of current non-invasive imaging modalities have made diagnosis and treatment response challenging. Current anatomical and molecular clinical imaging strategies have mainly targeted the host’s immune responses rather than the unique metabolism of the invading microorganism. Advances in imaging have the potential to reduce the impact of these problems and improve the assessment of DFI, particularly in distinguishing infection of soft tissue alone from osteomyelitis (OM). This review presents a summary of the known pathophysiology of DFI, the molecular basis of current and emerging diagnostic imaging techniques, and the mechanistic links of these imaging techniques to the pathophysiology of diabetic foot infections.
Embracing causality in formal reasoning

The purpose of this note is to draw attention to certain aspects of causal reasoning which are pervasive in ordinary discourse yet, based on the author's scan of the literature, have not received due treatment by logical formalisms of common-sense reasoning. In a nutshell, it appears that almost every default rule falls into one of two categories: expectation-evoking or explanation-evoking. The former describes association among events in the outside world (e.g., Fire is typically accompanied by smoke.); the latter describes how we reason about the world (e.g., Smoke normally suggests fire.). This distinction is consistently recognized by people and serves as a tool for controlling the invocation of new default rules. This note questions the ability of formal systems to reflect common-sense inferences without acknowledging such distinction and outlines a way in which the flow of causation can be summoned within the formal framework of default logic.
Facilitating Holistic Curriculum Planning in Schools

(1993). Facilitating Holistic Curriculum Planning in Schools. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas: Vol. 67, No. 2, pp. 112-115.
EAGLE IS REQUIRED FOR THE SPECIFICATION OF SEROTONIN NEURONS AND OTHER NEUROBLAST 7-3 PROGENY IN THE DROSOPHILA CNS

During development of the Drosophila nerve cord, neuroblast 7-3 gives rise to a pair of mitotic sister serotonin neurons in each hemisegment. Here we show that the zinc finger gene eagle, which is expressed in neuroblast 7-3, is essential for specifying the fate of serotonin neurons. We find that loss-of-function eagle mutations produce an unusual differential phenotype with respect to the sister serotonin cells and that eagle is necessary for the maintenance of engrailed and zfh-2 expression in the serotonin neurons. We present a model that uniquely identifies all progeny neurons in the neuroblast 7-3 lineage based on the expression of specific molecular markers, position within the nerve cord and the effect of eagle loss-of-function mutations. Although serotonin is an important neurotransmitter conserved throughout the animal kingdom, we show that hypomorphic alleles of eagle can produce viable adults that have a dramatic reduction in the number of serotonin-producing neurons.
A robust, catalytic metal–organic framework with open 2,2′-bipyridine sites

We report two synthetic approaches to prepare a highly crystalline Zr(IV)-based metal-organic framework (MOF) containing open 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) chelating sites. The resulting UiO-67-bpydc readily forms complexes with PdCl2 to produce a MOF that exhibits efficient and recyclable catalytic activity for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction.
The role of STAT3 in tumor-mediated immune suppression

The role of tumor-induced immune modulation in cancer progression is currently a focus of investigation. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an established molecular hub of immunosuppression, and its signaling pathways are classically overactivated within malignancies. This article will review STAT3 operational mechanisms within the immune system and the tumor microenvironment, with a focus on therapeutic strategies that may impact outcomes for patients with cancer.
Anomalous two‐day wave behavior during the 2006 austral summer

[1] An anomalous behavior of the two-day wave is observed during the 2006 Austral Summer in the mesospheric temperature and line-of-sight wind, retrieved from the Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) aboard NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) Aura mission. During January 2006, the wave appears to exist in an unusually strong summer easterly jet, and its spectral signature spreads over a broader range of zonal wavenumber and frequency. In addition to the typical wavenumber 3 component, a wavenumber 2 disturbance with a near 2-day period is also evident, traveling westward at similar phase speed. The wavenumber 3 component exhibits the previously observed dual characteristics of both a normal and an instability mode, while the wavenumber 2 feature appears to be an instability mode, in agreement with recent theoretical calculations.
Role of glutathione S-transferase 8-8 in allylamine resistance of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Allylamine (AA) is a cardiovascular toxin that causes lesions resembling atherosclerosis in several mammalian species. AA's toxic effects are thought to be exerted through its conversion to acrolein (AC), a potent electrophilic alkylating agent and atherogen. Semicarbazide sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) catalyzes the oxidation of AA to AC. Glutathione S-transferases (GST) can catalyze the first step of detoxification of AC to mercapturic acid. Our previous studies suggest that the isozyme rGST8-8 is a principal defense against electrophilic stress exerted by alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls such as AC. In the present studies, we use cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) to examine the relative roles of SSAO and rGST8-8 in the cytotoxic effects of the atherogens, AA and AC. Exposure derived AA-resistant cells (VSMC-AA) were 3.5-fold more resistant to AA when compared to VSMC and 1.8-fold more resistant to acrolein. SSAO activity was 2-fold higher in VSMC-AA than in VSMC. Consistent with the role of SSAO in biotransformation of AA, the SSAO inhibitor semicarbazide (SC; 100 microM) provided nearly complete protection from AA to both VSMC-AA and VSMC. As expected, SC did not affect the cytotoxicity of AC. Pretreatment with 100 microM sulfasalazine (SS), a GST inhibitor, potentiated AA and AC toxicity in both VSMC-AA and VSMC, indicating a protective role of GST. Catalytic efficiency (K(cat)/K(m)) of GSTs was higher toward 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) (0.65 mM(-1) s(-1)) than toward 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) (0.14 mM(-1) s(-1)) for VSMC. In VSMC-AA, K(cat)/K(m) was increased 4.1-fold toward CDNB (0.58 mM(-1) s(-1)) and 6-fold toward 4HNE (3.9 mM(-1) s(-1)) when compared to VSMC, indicating a preferential increase in VSMC-AA of GST isozymes which utilize alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls. Western blots confirmed induction of rGST8-8 in VSMC-AA. Expression of recombinant mGSTA4 (the mouse homolog of rGST8-8) in VSMC caused a 1.6-fold increase in resistance to AA and AC. This resistance was fully reversed by 50 microM SS. Our results demonstrate that GSTs are an important defense against electrophilic atherogens and that isozymes with high activity toward alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyls are particularly important in the vascular wall.
A direct second-variational method for free-endpoint, free-time optimal control problems by Newton's method in function space†

A direct second-variational method is proposed for solving free-time, free-endpoint optimal control problems. By introducing a time-scaling factor and a reduced-time coordinate, the original free-endpoint problem is transformed into a fixed-time problem in the reduced-time domain. In this framework, Newton's method is applied to the optimality criterion and the transversality condition, in order to arrive at a scheme for simultaneous correction in the control policy and in final time. The resulting algorithm does not involve a Riccati transformation nor requires the solution of other sensitivity equations, and is therefore a decided improvement over existing methods. For illustrative purposes the method is applied to the temperature optimization of a tubular reactor of unspecified length.
Localized algorithms in wireless ad-hoc networks: location discovery and sensor exposure

The development of practical, localization algorithms is probably the most needed and most challenging task in wireless ad-hoc sensor networks (WASNs). Localized algorithms are a special type of distributed algorithms where only a subset of nodes in the WASN participate in sensing, communication, and computation. We have developed a generic localized algorithm for solving optimization problems in wireless ad-hoc networks that has five components: (i) data acquisition mechanism, (ii) optimization mechanism, (iii) search expansion rules, (iv) bounding conditions and (v) termination rules. the main idea is to request and process data only locally and only from nodes who are likely to contribute to rapid formation of the final solution. The approach enables two types of optimization: The first, guarantees the fraction of nodes that are contacted while optimizing for solution quality. The second, provides guarantees on solution qualities while minimizing the number of nodes that are contacted and/or amount of communication. The localized optimization approach is applied to two fundamental problems in sensor networks: location discovery and exposure-based coverage. We demonstrate its effective-ness on a number of examples
Delta hedging of mortgage‐servicing portfolios under gamma constraints

Purpose – Interest only strips are created by stripping the interest portion of cash flows generated in mortgage‐backed securities or simply by servicing portfolios of mortgages. A number of financial institutions have significant amounts of mortgage‐servicing rights (MSR) which need to be delta (dynamic) hedged. Because MSR have a positive duration when prepayment effect is stronger than discount effect, it is possible to delta hedge a portfolio of MSR with other fixed income securities such that the value of the portfolio is not affected by increases or decreases in market rates. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.Design/methodology/approach – The paper develops the delta‐hedge‐ratio of MSR within a dynamic approach, using three different securities. To lower the cost of the delta hedge, the authors compare three hedge ratios dynamically, in order to obtain the portfolio that needs the least delta hedge.Findings – The model enables the reduction of the amount of portfolio rebalancing and...
Specific antigen vaccination to treat autoimmune disease

Specific antigen vaccination by administration of the target antigen in aqueous solution has resulted in significant decreases of disease severity in animal models of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, type I diabetes, and several forms of antigen-induced arthritis, even if administered after the initiation of symptoms. However, in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and type I diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, repeated administration of peptide fragments of target antigens in incomplete Freund's adjuvant has resulted in severe anaphylactic reactions. Although these methods of administration are known to potentiate CD4 T helper 2 (Th2) responses, which is the goal of specific antigen vaccination, the risk of anaphylaxis raises a red flag concerning use of this therapy for diseases such as type I diabetes, where the survival time after onset is quite long. It is clear that specific antigen vaccination is effective in preventing several animal models of autoimmune disease, and in treating these diseases once the symptoms are overt. However, the risks of this therapy require serious consideration of alternative methods for down-regulation of the autoimmune process.
Glenoid Component Design and Fixation in Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Glenoid component loosening is one of the most common complications of total shoulder arthroplasty. It accounts for poor functional outcome, persistent pain, and increased chance of reoperation. Many factors contribute to this phenomenon, including limited glenoid bone, especially in the setting of erosion characteristic of osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthropathies, and joint-reactive forces inherent to the shoulder joint. A great deal of research has been done in the areas of component design and implantation technique. We advocate careful glenoid preparation and pressurized cementing technique of all-polyethylene pegged or keeled glenoid components with specialized instrumentation in the majority of cases. We have narrower indications for newer, ingrowth tantalum components.
Recruiting Minority Students for Academic Careers: The Role of Graduate Student and Faculty Mentors.

careers in general. When the material rewards, in terms of salary and security, are matched against the effort, it may hardly seem worth it in any rational sense. Yet there are some important compensations. In most cases, this career offers the prospect of being able to define one's own objectives and control the pace and content of one's labor. It offers the many rewards of teaching-making a difference in the lives of others, starting students on their own quest for knowledge, contributing to the betterment of community and so on. It often includes the opportunity to participate in work at the frontiers of knowledge about a critical dimension of human life. It almost always provides a lifetime's worth of intellectual challenges, often in company with helpful and exciting people who encourage one to keep trying to meet those challenges. It can, in short, make life interesting. And for all of those that fall by the wayside, there are many others who make it through successfully. Further, while it shares the liabilities of an academic life, a scholarly career in political science offers the same compensations. For many, this includes a measure of modest financial security with tenure. More importantly for most, whether in research or teaching, it offers the excitement of making a living by one's wits, of shaping events (occasionally) and minds (often) on the strength of pure intellectual energy. For some, such compensations are enough rationally to offset the risks of failure this career entails. For others, there is no question of choice, since the alternatives are so infinitely less attractive as to be unthinkable while any hope of success remains. It is in the hope of saving these last committed aspirants that I have set these lessons down.
Toward More Versatile and Intuitive Cortical Brain–Machine Interfaces

Brain–machine interfaces have great potential for the development of neuroprosthetic applications to assist patients suffering from brain injury or neurodegenerative disease. One type of brain–machine interface is a cortical motor prosthetic, which is used to assist paralyzed subjects. Motor prosthetics to date have typically used the motor cortex as a source of neural signals for controlling external devices. The review will focus on several new topics in the arena of cortical prosthetics. These include using: recordings from cortical areas outside motor cortex; local field potentials as a source of recorded signals; somatosensory feedback for more dexterous control of robotics; and new decoding methods that work in concert to form an ecology of decode algorithms. These new advances promise to greatly accelerate the applicability and ease of operation of motor prosthetics.
The Strategic Uses of Gender in Household Negotiations: Women Workers on Mexico’s Northern Border

The study illustrates the potential of the ‘doing gender’ perspective to explain why employment does not always improve women’s household–power. Eighteen in–depth interviews with women maquiladora workers in Mexico suggest that, depending on the gendered meanings of household negotiations, employment may help women gain new rights and extend the limits of respect accorded them by male companions and parents. Nevertheless, women were more successful when they used negotiating strategies that conformed to their gender identity, such as making offers, than when they used negotiating strategies that challenged traditional gender norms, such as withdrawing services or making threats.
Carbon isotope ratios in dolostones: some implications concerning the genesis of secondary and “primary” dolostones

Abstract C12/C13 ratios in conjunction with aluminium and chloride ion contents of some Paleozoic dolostones suggest that some of the fine-grained, so-called “primary” dolostones may have originated in areas receiving appreciable terrestrial detrital material, whereas other fine-grained dolostones originated in evaporitic basins. Coarse-grained, so-called “secondary” dolostones appear to have formed in normal marine environments where conditions of normal salinity and low clay mineral content permitted the formation of bioclastic limestones.
Satellite observations of formaldehyde over North America from GOME

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is an important indicator of tropospheric hydrocarbon emissions and photochemical activity. We present HCHO observations over North America for July 1996 from the GOME instrument on-board the ESA ERS-2 satellite. Slant columns are determined to < 4 × 1015 molecules cm−2 sensitivity by directly fitting GOME radiance measurements. These show a distinct enhancement over the southeastern United States, consistent with a large regional source from oxidation of non-methane hydrocarbons including in particular isoprene. Conversion of slant to vertical columns is done by combining species vertical distribution information from the GEOS-CHEM 3-D tropospheric chemistry and transport model with scattering weights from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory LIDORT multiple scattering radiative transfer model. The results demonstrate the ability to measure HCHO from space in typical continental atmospheres, and imply that space-based measurements of HCHO may provide valuable information on emission fluxes of reactive hydrocarbons.
Furan Formation in Sugar Solution and Apple Cider upon Ultraviolet Treatment

Furan is a possible human carcinogen induced by thermal processing of food. While ultraviolet C (UVC) is used to decontaminate apple cider and to sterilize sugar solutions, it is unknown whether UVC induces furan formation in cider or solutions of its major components. This study was conducted to investigate the possible formation of furan by UVC in apple cider and in solutions of common constituents of apple cider. Our results showed that UVC treatment induced furan formation in apple cider, and the major source of furan was apparently fructose. UVC treatment (at incident doses up to 9 J/cm (2)) of fructose solutions produced a higher amount of furan, while very low concentrations of furan were induced by UVC in glucose or sucrose solutions, and virtually no furan was induced by UVC from solutions of ascorbic acid or malic acid. When an isotope (d(4)-furan) of furan was treated with UVC, d(4)-furan was destroyed rapidly even at low doses in fructose solution, suggesting that the accumulation of furan is the balance between destruction and formation. The UV sensitivity of E. coli K12 (a surrogate of E. coli O157:H7) in two sources of apple cider was also determined. At UVC doses that could inactivate 5-log of E. coli, very low concentrations (<1 ppb) of furan were induced. Our results suggest that UVC could induce furan formation, but when used for the purpose of juice pasteurization, little furan was induced in apple cider.