cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4966: The anti-apoptotic activity of caspase-2 short isoform is regulated by XPC protein

Caspase-2 (casp-2) is the most conserved caspase across species. The casp-2 gene produces several alternative splicing isoforms. The inclusion of exon 9 leads to the inclusion of an in-frame stop codon in casp-2 short isoform (casp-2S) mRNA, thus producing a truncated protein that inhibits cell death, whereas the exclusion of exon 9 results in casp-2 long isoform (casp-2L) mRNA, whose protein product induces cell death. Earlier it has been reported that casp-2 is required for stress-induced apoptosis. However, that study could not have separated the roles of casp-2L and casp-2S, since the siRNA used in their experiments actually targeted both casp-2 isoforms. We have reported that targeted RNAi-mediated down-regulation of casp-2S enhanced the UV-induced apoptosis in XPC-deficient but not in XPC-proficient cells. However, by using the siRNA targeting both casp-2L and casp-2S, we failed to find any influence of casp-2 down-regulation on UV-induced apoptosis in these fibroblasts. Similarly, casp-2 specific inhibitor z-VDVAD was unable to reduce UV-induced apoptosis. In addition, the expression of casp-2S, but not casp-2L is regulated by XPC protein. To gain insight into the mechanism by which XPC down-regulates casp-2S, we examined the casp-2S promoter activity and the enrichment of XPC protein on casp-2S promoter. Our data clearly demonstrated that XPC protein can inhibit casp-2S promoter through binding to the promoter region. Furthermore, our cellular fractionation study demonstrated that casp-2L exclusively resides in cytoplasm, while casp-2S can be detected in both cytoplasm and nucleus. UV irradiation reduced the amount of nuclear casp-2S in XPC-proficient cells, while this reduction is not prominent in XPC-deficient cells, indicating that XPC protein facilitates the depletion of nuclear casp-2S upon UV irradiation. This finding provides an additional mechanism by which XPC facilitates DNA damage-induced apoptosis. (Supported by NIH grants CA151248 to QEW and ES12991 to AAW.) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4966. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4966
Synthesis and Structures of Iridium–Gold Carbonyl Cluster Compounds Containing Methyl and σ-Aryl Ligands

The compounds Ir4(CO)11(R)(μ-AuPPh3) (3, R = C6H5; 4, R = CH3; 5, R = 2-C16H10) were obtained from the reactions of [NEt4][Ir4(CO)11Br] with (R)Au(PPh3) (R = C6H5, CH3, 1-C16H10) at 25 °C by the loss of Br– and the oxidative addition of the Au–C bond of the (R)Au(PPh3) to the Ir4 cluster. Each compound contains a tetrahedral Ir4 cluster with an Au(PPh3) group bridging one of the six Ir–Ir bonds and a R group coordinated to one of the Au-bridged Ir atoms. The reaction of (CH3)Au(PPh3) with [PPN][HIr4(CO)11] yielded compound 4 and the higher nuclearity compound Ir4(CO)9(CH3)2(AuPPh3)4 (6). The reaction of PhAu(PPh3) with [PPN][HIr4(CO)11] yielded compound 3 and the higher nuclearity compounds Ir4(CO)9(PPh3)(Ph)(AuPPh3)3 (7) and Ir4(CO)9(Ph)2(AuPPh3)4 (8). Compounds 6 and 8 both contain butterfly Au4(PPh3)4 clusters bridging a triangular face of a tetrahedral Ir4 cluster and a CH3 group or Ph group, respectively, on two neighboring Ir atoms. Compound 7 contains a triangular (AuPPh3)3 group bridging a triangu...
Adapted Delivery of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYACS) are at risk for the development of insomnia, though it remains vastly undertreated. Limited research has evaluated cognitive-behavioral treatment for insomnia (CBT-I) in AYACS. The present study piloted adapted CBT-I designed to improve treatment accessibility by delivering a three-session intervention in person and via videoconference. AYACS with insomnia (N = 12) enrolled in the study. Ten AYACS completed the intervention, with six in person and four via videoconference. Sleep variables improved immediately postintervention and were sustained at two-month follow-up. Within sample effect sizes of the adapted intervention for sleep, variables were large, and there were no noted differences on sleep outcomes between the in-person and videoconference participants. These pilot findings indicate that an adapted CBT-I intervention is feasible and promising in AYACS populations.
Massive MIMO Codebook Design Based on BD-DFT Extension

Considering the size and appearance of the antenna array,a massive MIMO codebook design method is proposed which is applicable to the base station equipped with the cross polarization planar antenna array. In this method,considering the block diagonal feature of the 3D cross polarized channel and the correlation among the adjacent antennas comprehensively. Firstly,codebooks are designed matching the cross polarization linear antenna array. Then,the cross polarization planar antenna array is extended according to the correlation among the vertical antennas. Simulations results indicate that this method can effectively reduce the error rate and improve system performance.
Eclosion hormone provides a link between ecdysis-triggering hormone and crustacean cardioactive peptide in the neuroendocrine cascade that controls ecdysis behavior

Three insect peptide hormones, eclosion hormone (EH), ecdysis-triggering hormone (ETH) and crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP), have been implicated in controlling ecdysis behavior in insects. This study examines the interactions between these three peptides in the regulation of the ecdysis sequence. Using intracellular recordings, we found that ETH is a potent activator of the EH neurons, causing spontaneous action potential firing, broadening of the action potential and an increase in spike peak amplitude. In turn, electrical stimulation of the EH neurons or bath application of EH to desheathed ganglia resulted in the elevation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels within the Cell 27/704 group (which contain CCAP). This cGMP production increases the excitability of these neurons, thereby facilitating CCAP release and the generation of the ecdysis motor program. Extracellular recordings from isolated nervous systems show that EH has no effect on nervous systems with an intact sheath. In desheathed preparations, in contrast, EH causes only the ecdysis motor output. The latency from EH application to ecdysis was longer than that after CCAP application, but shorter than that when ETH is applied to a whole central nervous system. These data, along with previously published results, support a model in which ETH causes pre-ecdysis behavior and at higher concentrations stimulates the EH neurones. EH release then facilitates the onset of ecdysis by enhancing the excitability of the CCAP neurons.
Interatomic Potentials; Aspects Which are Visible in Experimental Radial Pair Distributions

The Fourier transform of the continuous X-ray intensity — in reduced form — [(I — )/ 2] k yields an atomic radial pair-distribution function; f(k) is the atomic X-ray scattering factor, k = 4π sin θ/λ and 2θ, the diffraction angle. The analysis is applicable to crystalline as well as to amorphous solids. When examined in detail — and with proper regard for the effects of data termination — experiments yield information that relates closely to interatomic potentials: (i) the mean-force potential in the near-neighbor region; (ii) vibrational anharmonicity; (iii) coupled motions among near neighbors; (iv) the different scale of inter- and intramolecular vibrations; (v) deformation-caused displacements. Examples are presented in each instance, including previously unpublished data for cold worked nickel. The latter results indicate that a major effect of deformation is a displacement of some nearest neighbors to new equilibrium separations.
Steroidal modulation of steroid secretion in vitro: an experimental approach to intra-follicular regulatory mechanisms.

The secretion of steroid hormones by the pre-ovulatory ovarian follicle is a complex developmental process which integrates several modalities of endocrine regulation. In addition to the well-recognized participation of two cell types in steroid secretion (1,2), both of which are gonadotropin-dependent (3), it is now becoming apparent that follicular steroidogenesis is also modulated by the steroid hormones themselves. Based primarily upon studies in vitro, two types of modulation have been demonstrated to date: 1) a substrate model in which the conversion of androgen to estrogen is a rate-limiting step dependent upon follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and 2) a regulatory model in which direct stimulatory or inhibitory steroidal action alters steroid secretion via mechanisims not yet understood. In this chapter a brief review of the studies which formed these lines of research will be presented followed by a discussion of on-going work in our laboratory which addresses certain aspects of both models. The foci of these studies involve: 1) developmental considerations in granulosa cell estrogen biosynthesis, 2) examination of the effects of estradiol (E2) and dihydrostestosterone (DHT) upon progesterone secretion in vitro by highly differentiated porcine granulosa cells from large follicles, 3) characterization of the effect of intra-ovarian implants of anti-androgen (AA) upon subsequent granulosa cell progesterone secretion in vitro, and 4) preliminary investigation of the possible mechanism(s) of DHT-stimulated progesterone production in vitro.
Health, Hours and Wages

This paper has two purposes. The first is to obtain structural health parameters in wage and labor supply function based on a completely specified model of the determination of these two variables. The second is to examine how the estimated effects of health on labor market behavior are altered when health is made an endogenous variable. We hypothesize that an increase in health should raise market productivity, measured by the wage rate, and should also increase the amount of time available for work in the market. Health, itself should respond in a positive fashion to increases in variables associated with efficiency of production within the household, such as schooling, and to increases in utilization of market goods which enter into the production of good health. We examine three variables related to the level of medical utilization: physicians per capita in the county of residence; health insurance coverage; and utilization of preventive medical services.
Impact of State Reporting Laws on Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection Rates in U.S. Adult Intensive Care Units

Objective To examine the effect of mandated state health care–associated infection (HAI) reporting laws on central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates in adult intensive care units (ICUs). Data Sources We analyzed 2006–2012 adult ICU CLABSI and hospital annual survey data from the National Healthcare Safety Network. The final analytic sample included 244 hospitals, 947 hospital years, 475 ICUs, 1,902 ICU years, and 16,996 ICU months. Study Design We used a quasi-experimental study design to identify the effect of state mandatory reporting laws. Several secondary models were conducted to explore potential explanations for the plausible effects of HAI laws. Principal Findings Controlling for the overall time trend, ICUs in states with laws had lower CLABSI rates beginning approximately 6 months prior to the law's effective date (incidence rate ratio = 0.66; p < .001); this effect persisted for more than 6 1/2 years after the law's effective date. These findings were robust in secondary models and are likely to be attributed to changes in central line usage and/or resources dedicated to infection control. Conclusions Our results provide valuable evidence that state reporting requirements for HAIs improved care. Additional studies are needed to further explore why and how mandatory HAI reporting laws decreased CLABSI rates.
Chapter 16 – Physical and Biochemical Risk Phenomena in Nanotechnology

Nanoparticles show very high mechanical properties as well as many remarkable physical properties. Attempts to make new materials with excellent properties by adding these particles to polymeric materials, composites, ceramics, alloys, etc., have been mostly discouraged. During experimentation with nanoparticles some negative effects on human health were found. Insufficient studies of these effects created wide range of opinions, from “nanoparticles are worse than asbestos” to “nanoparticles don’t affect human health at all.” This chapter discusses some physical, chemical, and biological aspects related to nanoparticles and nanomaterials. It explains why the public has to be cautious in using nanoparticles until definitive investigation results are obtained related to humans and the environment.
Structure, space and time: some ways that diagrams affect inferences in a planning task

An efficient way to notify a set of people is to use a calling tree, where one person calls a few people who call others until everyone has been notified. Calling trees are typical of a large class of planning tasks that entail considering both the structure of agents and tasks in time. Participants were asked to choose the optimal diagram for a calling tree problem, and to compute the time needed to call everyone. Participants computed more accurately when the tree diagrams were scaled to represent elapsed time as well as the connection structure of the callers. In addition to efficiency, both gestalt factors and social equity considerations biased selection of the best diagram.
Market deregulation and nuclear safety

Abstract Nuclear reactor initiating events, which are unplanned reactor emergency shutdowns, are a primary measure of reactor safety performance. We call attention to several methodological and data issues in the emerging research endeavor that uses nuclear initiating events to investigate the impacts of electricity market deregulation on nuclear reactors' safety performance. Correcting these issues we find that the effects of plant divestiture on nuclear safety are much smaller in magnitude and less significant. Moreover, we find that when examining data prior to 2008 or excluding years 2008 and 2009 from analysis, the effect of plant divestiture on reactor initiating events becomes robustly insignificant.
Sleep and Nocturia in Older Adults

Older adults frequently experience nocturia and sleep disturbance concurrently, and problems with sleep resulting from nocturia are a major factor accompanying the bother associated with nocturia. A multicomponent treatment strategy is usually warranted. Initial treatment includes lifestyle modification and behavioral treatment with consideration of pelvic floor muscle exercise-based therapy. Early evidence suggests that behavioral treatment results in similar nocturia reductions compared with the most frequently used drug therapies. Providers should consider formal sleep evaluation if initial treatment strategies for nocturia do not result in significant improvement, because specific sleep disorders may predispose to nocturia.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Injuries to the Biceps and Superior Labral Complex in Overhead Athletes

This review discusses the diagnostic and treatment challenges presented by injuries to the biceps and superior labral complex. A focused patient history, numerous physical examination maneuvers, and appropriate advanced imaging studies must be utilized to reach an accurate diagnosis. Nonoperative management, even in overhead athletes, has demonstrated relatively good outcomes, while operative outcomes have yielded mixed results. The surgeon must take into account a number of variables when choosing the appropriate surgical procedure: labral repair versus biceps tenodesis. Rehabilitation, either as nonoperative management or as a postoperative protocol, should focus on restoring glenohumeral and scapulothoracic strength, endurance, and full, pain-free range of motion, while correcting any deficiencies in balance or rhythm throughout the overhead motion. Despite the operative treatment challenges that SLAP tears present, with new techniques and proper patient selection, overhead athletes with injuries to the biceps and superior labrum complex can return to sport at a high level.
Molecular dynamics studies of InGaN growth on nonpolar ( 11 2 ¯ 0 ) GaN surfaces

We have performed direct molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of heteroepitaxial vapor deposition of $\mathrm{I}{\mathrm{n}}_{x}\mathrm{G}{\mathrm{a}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{N}$ films on nonpolar $(11\overline{2}0)$ wurtzite-GaN surfaces to investigate strain relaxation by misfit-dislocation formation. The simulated growth is conducted on an atypically large scale by sequentially injecting nearly a million individual vapor-phase atoms towards a fixed GaN substrate. We apply time-and-position-dependent boundary constraints to affect the appropriate environments for the vapor phase, the near-surface solid phase, and the bulklike regions of the growing layer. The simulations employ a newly optimized Stillinger-Weber In-Ga-N system interatomic potential wherein multiple binary and ternary structures are included in the underlying density-functional theory and experimental training sets to improve the treatment of the In-Ga-N related interactions. To examine the effect of growth conditions, we study a matrix of 63 different MD-growth simulations spanning seven $\mathrm{I}{\mathrm{n}}_{x}\mathrm{G}{\mathrm{a}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{N}$-alloy compositions ranging from $x=0.0$ to $x=0.8$ and nine growth temperatures above half the simulated melt temperature. We found a composition dependent temperature range where all kinetically trapped defects were eliminated, leaving only quasiequilibrium misfit and threading dislocations present in the simulated films. Based on the MD results obtained in this temperature range, we observe the formation of interfacial misfit and threading dislocation arrays with morphologies strikingly close to those seen in experiments. In addition, we compare the MD-observed thickness-dependent onset of misfit-dislocation formation to continuum-elasticity-theory models of the critical thickness and find reasonably good agreement. Finally, we use the three-dimensional atomistic details uniquely available in the MD-growth histories to directly observe the nucleation of dislocations at surface pits in the evolving free surface.
Maintaining Excellence and Expertise Within Medical Imaging: A Sustainable Practice?

Exploring the sustainability of contemporary healthcare remains paramount. Medical imaging is a central part of the hospital environment, whereby various imaging examinations are undertaken for patients with suspected health diseases and conditions. This chapter examines three areas that not only currently underpin the medical imaging profession but also challenge its application clinically and how it may or may not be sustainable for future generations. The author discusses technological advances, patient care, use of ionising radiation and education/role development of diagnostic radiographers within the general radiography. General radiography constitutes approximately 90% of all medical imaging examinations undertaken in the United Kingdom, thus important to focus upon when discussing ‘sustainable futures’ of the medical imaging profession. Further, these discussions may help predict trends in other modalities within the profession. By identifying areas for improvement and/or challenging current norms pertinent to sustainable futures, it can help achieve optimum healthcare delivery within the National Health Service and other organisations nationally and internationally. The discussions within this chapter are likely to resonate with peers globally and thus may help instigate discussions relevant to their clinical environment(s).
Light-induced atomic desorption of lithium.

We demonstrate loading of a Li magneto-optical trap using light-induced atomic desorption. The magneto-optical trap confines up to approximately $4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{4}$ $^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ atoms with loading rates up to approximately $4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{3}$ atoms per second. We study the Li desorption rate as a function of the desorption wavelength and power. The extracted wavelength threshold for desorption of Li from fused silica is approximately 470 nm. In addition to desorption of lithium, we observe light-induced desorption of background gas molecules. The vacuum pressure increase due to the desorbed background molecules is $\ensuremath{\lesssim}50\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}%$, and the vacuum pressure decreases back to its base value with characteristic timescales on the order of seconds when we extinguish the desorption light. By examining both the loading and decay curves of the magneto-optical trap, we are able to disentangle the trap decay rates due to background gases and desorbed lithium. Our results show that light-induced atomic desorption can be a viable Li vapor source for compact devices and sensors.
"Ancient armour and arms recently received from Spain" Eusebio Zuloaga, Henry Lepage, and the Real Armería in Madrid

In 1835 an important group of arms, some of them from Real Armeria, was sent by Eusebio Zuloaga to the gunmaker Henri Lepage in Paris. This paper documents the transaction and seeks to identify the present location of some items.
Permutation Invariant Training for Speaker-Independent Multi-Pitch Tracking

Speaker-independent multi-pitch tracking has been a long-standing problem in speech processing. In this study, we extend a recurrent neural network - factorial hidden Markov model (RNN-FHMM) framework, and use the utterance-level permutation invariant training (uPIT) criterion for multi-pitch tracking. Separated speech and label permutations from a speech separation uPIT-RNN have been further incorporated to improve pitch tracking performance. We evaluate our methods on the GRID database. Results indicate that the proposed speech separation - pitch tracking system with matched uPIT label permutations outperforms all other gender-dependent and speaker-independent multi-pitch trackers. The improvement is more significant for challenging same-gender mixtures.
Barriers to the identification of familial hypercholesterolemia among primary care providers

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is severely underdiagnosed in the USA. Primary care providers are well-positioned to identify FH cases; however, universal FH screening is not routinely implemented in practice. The aim of the present study was to identify perceived barriers to FH screening among primary care physicians in Minnesota. A questionnaire assessed FH screening practices, knowledge, and perceived barriers to FH screening. The questionnaire, sent electronically to internal and family medicine physicians in Minnesota (N = 1932) yielded a conservative estimated response rate of 9% (N = 173). Although 92% of participants reported themselves responsible for identifying individuals with FH, 30% did not routinely perform screening in practice. Only 50% of participants were able to correctly identify the risk of FH to first-degree relatives of individuals with FH. Challenges incorporating lipid and family history data was the most frequently endorsed barrier to FH screening (34%). A majority of participants endorsed a clinical decision support system that flags individuals at high risk for FH (62%) and an algorithm with cholesterol levels and lipid disorders (56%) as means of facilitating FH screening. Although the generalizability of the findings is unknown, the results underscore the need for increased provider education regarding FH and suggest an FH screening strategy incorporating a clinical decision support system, screening algorithm, and support from other healthcare providers.
Sledgehammer: cluster-fueled debugging

Current debugging tools force developers to choose between power and interactivity. Interactive debuggers such as gdb let them quickly inspect application state and monitor execution, which is perfect for simple bugs. However, they are not powerful enough for complex bugs such as wild stores and synchronization errors where developers do not know which values to inspect or when to monitor the execution. So, developers add logging, insert timing measurements, and create functions that verify invariants. Then, they re-run applications with this instrumentation. These powerful tools are, unfortunately, not interactive; they can take minutes or hours to answer one question about a complex execution, and debugging involves asking and answering many such questions.In this paper, we propose cluster-fueled debugging, which provides interactivity for powerful debugging tools by parallelizing their work across many cores in a cluster. At sufficient scale, developers can get answers to even detailed queries in a few seconds. Sledgehammer is a cluster-fueled debugger: it improves performance by timeslicing program execution, debug instrumentation, and analysis of results, and then executing each chunk of work on a separate core. Sledgehammer enables powerful, interactive debugging tools that are infeasible today. Parallel retro-logging allows developers to change their logging instrumentation and then quickly see what the new logging would have produced on a previous execution. Continuous function evaluation logically evaluates a function such as a data-structure integrity check at every point in a program's execution. Retro-timing allows fast performance analysis of a previous execution. With 1024 cores, Sledgehammer executes these tools hundreds of times faster than single-core execution while returning identical results.
Neuropsychological profiles II: Cerebrovascular disease, dementia with lewy bodies

This chapter focuses on cerebrovascular disease and DLB (dementia with Lewy bodies). Cerebrovascular disease compromises the blood supply to the brain and is one of the most common life-threatening illnesses, ranking third as a cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. The rate of cerebrovascular disease increases with age, affecting about 6% of those over age 75. The most common etiologies of cerebrovascular disease are ischemia, reduction in the blood supply, and hemorrhage , which is abnormal bleeding into surrounding tissue. The neurologic and neurobehavioral abnormalities associated with these events are commonly referred to as strokes. Major types of cerebrovascular diseases include cortical infarctions, strategically located small infarcts, and small-vessel disease such as lacunar disease and leukoaraiosis. DLB is a dementing illness with neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, and motor features that are associated with neuropathological findings of diffuse and numerous Lewy bodies in the neocortex, diencephalon, brain stem, and basal ganglia. Recent studies have suggested that DLB may be responsible for 15–30% of all cases of dementia, perhaps making this neuropathologic subgroup the second largest after AD. Progression is often rapid, with the patient becoming severely demented and parkinsonian within 1–5 years.
The political economy of intellectual property reforms

Intellectual property (IP) law regimes in the United States are designed as tradeoffs between protection for creators (inventors, authors, and the like), and the interests of the consuming public. Reform of the patent system does not ascribe to a general idea of optimality or system efficiency but must address and respond to a complex interplay of economic interests. We characterize the interplay between interested groups, not only with respect to patent law, but also for trademark law, copyright law, and trade secret law. We link stakeholder preferences and economic power to the lobbying power of different economic groups in Congress. This analysis offers a rich assessment of the chances of success, and the ways in which our IP intellectual systems transform and evolve with respect to changing technologies and the economic interests of different groups involved. We provide an overview of the political actors and legal institutions that participate in the creation of IP policy and describe the types of entities that are most interested in driving IP policy.
Liars with Curry: Dialetheism and the Prospects for a Uniform Solution

Some dialetheists have claimed that one of the central advantages of their approach to the Paradoxes of Self-Reference is that they are able to offer a unified solution to structurally similar paradoxes that arise in the semantic and set-theoretic realms (Priest in Mind 103:25–34, [12] and Beyond the limits of thought. Clarendon Press, Oxford, [16]). They argue that since the structures of all of these paradoxes conform with the Inclosure Schema (IS), the Principle of Uniform Solution (PUS) dictates that we should solve them all the same way. But the dialetheist’s approach to PUS collapses when it comes to the Curry Paradox, to which any solution based on dialetheism seems inapplicable. We show that a particular version of a ‘paracomplete’ theory (inspired by Field in Saving truth from paradox. Oxford University Press, Oxford, [8]) has available to it a way of avoiding these problems that the dialetheist cannot mirror without losing Modus Ponens. JC Beall has suggested a way of minimizing this loss, but Beall’s strategy runs up against a further difficulty about the PUS. This one involves the Irrationalist’s Paradox. We conclude with a dilemma: The dialetheist can either reject the principles that are used to accommodate ordinary reasoning when Modus Ponens or Disjunctive Syllogism fail, and thus live without the ability to mimic these inferences, or they can sacrifice the Principle of Uniform Solution by solving an extremely Liar-like semantic paradox in a way that has nothing to do with their solution to the Liar and Curry’s Paradox. In either case, the prospects for a plausible and truly uniform dialetheic solution to the paradoxes of self-reference are grim.
Crop Varietal Mixtures as a Strategy to Support Insect Pest Control, Yield, Economic, and Nutritional Services

Most on-farm diversification strategies to enhance ecosystem services, such as insect pest control and yield, have focused on expanding crop species diversity. While polycultures often provide valuable services, logistical constraints with planting and harvesting can hamper implementation on large scales. An alternative diversification strategy is to increase within-field intraspecific crop diversity through the use of crop varietal mixtures. Here, we evaluate an interdisciplinary body of research to determine the potential for crop varietal mixtures to support food security by providing ecological, economic, and nutritional services. Previous literature has synthesized the link between varietal mixtures and yield and insect pest suppression services. We expand on prior analyses by considering hypotheses generated from species-level research and assessing whether they also provide a useful framework for predicting how varietal mixtures affect crop productivity and insect pest suppression. In addition, we evaluate the potential for varietal mixtures to increase farm resilience and growers’ profits. While there is a growing effort to quantify the economic value of ecosystem services provided by agrobiodiversity in terms of enhanced yield or revenue, much less attention has been given to quantifying the production costs associated with diversification schemes. Consequently, we know little about the effect of diversification practices on farm profitability, the metric of ultimate importance to farmers. We address this issue by evaluating the ability of varietal mixtures to reduce production costs associated with other types of agrobiodiversity and outline areas for future research to better understand the profit implications of varietal mixtures. Further, we review evidence that varieties of some crop species differ in phytochemical content—a functional trait important for insect pest suppression and human dietary diversity—suggesting that varietal mixtures could be designed to simultaneously support insect pest control and human nutrition services. Given that little research has explicitly addressed the capacity for varietal mixtures to support human nutrition, we outline predictions for where we would expect to see the greatest nutritional impact of mixtures, providing a foundation for future human nutrition research. Taken together, our review suggests that varietal mixtures are a promising and logistically feasible strategy that could simultaneously support multiple services.
Effects of maturity and temperature on soot density and specific heat

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of measurements of density and specific heat, coupled with X-ray crystallography data, for 47 solid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) spanning a range in carbon-to-hydrogen ratio (C/H) of 1.0–2.4. The results provide estimates of the dependence of the density and specific heat on C/H and temperature, parameterized for use in models of soot formation and chemical evolution. They are also applicable to models of the optical properties of soot particles at different levels of maturity at temperatures ranging from 0 to 4300 K. Comparisons of these parameterizations, extrapolated to values of C/H representative of highly carbonized particles, demonstrate excellent agreement with measured densities and specific heats of mature soot particles and polycrystalline and single-crystal graphite. This paper also presents a parameterization for the dependence of C/H on the dispersion exponent to facilitate the estimation of density and specific heat from optical measurements.
Transfer Function Models for the Localization of Seizure Onset Zone From Cortico-Cortical Evoked Potentials.

Surgical resection of the seizure onset zone (SOZ) could potentially lead to seizure-freedom in medically refractory epilepsy patients. However, localizing the SOZ can be a time consuming and tedious process involving visual inspection of intracranial electroencephalographic (iEEG) recordings captured during passive patient monitoring. Cortical stimulation is currently performed on patients undergoing invasive EEG monitoring for the main purpose of mapping functional brain networks such as language and motor networks. We hypothesized that evoked responses from single pulse electrical stimulation (SPES) can also be used to localize the SOZ as they may express the natural frequencies and connectivity of the iEEG network. To test our hypothesis, we constructed patient specific transfer function models from the evoked responses recorded from 22 epilepsy patients that underwent SPES evaluation and iEEG monitoring. We then computed the frequency and connectivity dependent "peak gain" of the system as measured by the H ∞ norm from systems theory. We found that in cases for which clinicians had high confidence in localizing the SOZ, the highest peak gain transfer functions with the smallest "floor gain" (gain at which the dipped H ∞ 3dB below DC gain) corresponded to when the clinically annotated SOZ and early spread regions were stimulated. In more complex cases, there was a large spread of the peak-to-floor (PF) ratios when the clinically annotated SOZ was stimulated. Interestingly for patients who had successful surgeries, our ratio of gains, agreed with clinical localization, no matter the complexity of the case. For patients with failed surgeries, the PF ratio did not match clinical annotations. Our findings suggest that transfer function gains and their corresponding frequency responses computed from SPES evoked responses may improve SOZ localization and thus surgical outcomes.
A pilot randomized controlled trial of robotic exoskeleton-assisted exercise rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Background Co-occurring mobility and cognitive impairments are common, debilitating, and poorly-managed with pharmacological therapies in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Exercise rehabilitation (ER), particularly walking ER, has been suggested as one of the best approaches for managing these manifestations of MS. However, there is a focal lack of efficacy of ER on mobility and cognitive outcomes in persons with MS who present with substantial neurological disability. Such severe neurological disability oftentimes precludes the ability for participation in highly-intensive and repetitive ER that is necessary for eliciting adaptations in mobility and cognition. To address such a concern, robotic exoskeleton-assisted ER (REAER) might represent a promising intervention approach for managing co-occurring mobility and cognitive impairments in those with substantial MS disability who might not benefit from traditional ER. Methods The current pilot single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared the effects of 4-weeks of REAER with 4-weeks of conventional gait training (CGT) as a standard-of-care control condition on functional mobility (timed up-and-go; TUG), walking endurance (six-minute walk test; 6MWT), cognitive processing speed (CPS; Symbol Digit Modalities Test; SDMT), and brain connectivity (thalamocortical resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) based on fMRI) outcomes in 10 persons with substantial MS-related neurological disability. Results Overall, compared with CGT, 4-weeks of REAER was associated with large improvements in functional mobility (ηp2=.38), CPS (ηp2=.53), and RSFC between the thalamus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (ηp2=.72), but not walking endurance (ηp2=.01). Further, changes in RSFC were moderately associated with changes in TUG, 6MWT, and SDMT performance, respectively, whereby increased thalamocortical RSFC was associated with improved functional mobility, walking endurance, and CPS (|ρ|>.36). Conclusion The current pilot RCT provides initial support for REAER as an approach for improving functional mobility and CPS, perhaps based on adaptive and integrative central nervous system plasticity, namely increases in RSFC between the thalamus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, in a small sample of persons with substantial MS disability. Such a pilot trial provides proof-of-concept data for the design and implementation of an appropriately-powered RCT of REAER in a larger sample of persons with MS who present with co-occurring impairments in both mobility and cognitive functioning.
Emerging Adults’ Perceptions of Summer Camp as Meaningful Work

Finding meaning and purpose is critical to emerging adult development. Work can be a setting primed for meaning-making among emerging adults. Meaningful work is work one believes is significant, positive, and adds meaning and purpose to life. Although a robust meaningful work literature exists, little is known about emerging adults’ perceptions of seasonal work settings, like summer camp, as contexts for meaningful work. Through a mixed-methods approach across two studies, we used questionnaires and interviews to collect data from two samples to investigate emerging adult staff’s perceptions of camp work as meaningful work. Staff found camp work to be more meaningful than non-camp work, and said camp work was meaningful because of their feelings of making a difference, meaningful connections with others, and personal development at camp. We conclude by discussing recommendations for how administrators might enhance camp work to better position camp as a developmentally effective setting for emerging adults.Subscribe to JOREL
Depth sequence distribution of water extractable colloidal phosphorus and its phosphorus speciation in intensively managed agricultural soils

Abstract Legacy phosphorus (P) has accelerated the subsurface transport of colloidal P (CP) in intensively managed agricultural soils in the Midwestern U.S. Because of its high P sorption capacity and mobility, understanding the depth sequence distribution of mobile CP and its speciation in the soil profile is critical in assessing total P (TP) loss to protect the water quality of adjacent water bodies. In this study, physicochemical properties of water-extractable colloids (WECs) from the soil profile at 0–180 cm were characterized using conventional wet chemical analysis. Solution P-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), P and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were also used to understand P speciation and mineralogy of CP. Percent recovery of WECs per bulk soil increased more than three times with increasing depth. Considering mildly alkaline pH of pore water and negative zeta potential (−21 ± 4 mV) of WECs (size: 1.65 ± 0.45 μm), the transport of P rich WECs (TP: approximately 210–700 mg kg−1) were facilitated from surface to subsoils. Generally, TP in WEC decreased with increasing depth. Interestingly, WECs in subsoil contain organic P (OP) as much as 60 mg kg−1. NMR analysis clearly showed the presence of OP monoesters, OP diesters, and orthophosphate in these particles. Both orthophosphate and OP species interacted with iron oxyhydroxides, calcite, and aluminol functional groups of gibbsite and or phyllosilicates. The study showed the availability of WECs from surface to subsoils that carry orthophosphate as well as OP in legacy P impacted agricultural soils in the Midwestern U.S.
All roads lead to Paris: The eight pathways to renewable energy target adoption

Abstract About 78% of global greenhouse gas emissions between 1970 and 2010 were due to fossil fuel combustion, increasing the atmospheric mixing ratio of carbon dioxide to around 419 ppm by June 2021. During a similar period, between 1975 and 2017, 162 countries adopted renewable energy targets – official national commitments to increase the share of renewable energies. What induced the diffusion of these renewable energy targets? What are the patterns of their diffusion? We analyze data from 187 countries and assess four possible mechanisms of policy diffusion of renewable energy targets: learning, economic competition, emulation, and coercion. Using a qualitative comparative analysis, we find eight pathways to renewable energy target adoption. In the most common pathways, economic competition, emulation, and coercion played a significant role. Before there is a critical mass of countries to emulate, our analysis shows that early adopters followed the mechanisms of economic competition and coercion. Ultimately, we find that there is no one recipe for the diffusion of renewable energy targets, and we identify the specific countries associated with the different diffusion pathways.
Alpha, FACTT, and Beyond.

Sijtsma and Pfadt (Psychometrika, 2021) provide a wide-ranging defense for the use of coefficient alpha. Alpha is practical and useful when its limitations are acceptable. This paper discusses several methodologies for reliability, some new here, that go beyond alpha and were not emphasized by Sijtsma and Pfadt. Bentler’s (Psychometrika 33:335–345, 1968. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289328 ) combined factor analysis (FA) and classical test theory (CTT) model. FACTT provides a key conceptual foundation.
Characterization of Rejuvenated Asphalt Binders Using FTIR and AFM Techniques

This study investigates the chemical and morphological behavior of rejuvenated asphalt binders. A TFOT aged PG 58-28 binder was mixed with three different types of rejuvenators that include waste cooking oil/untreated used cooking oil (UT), treated used oil (TR), and Hydrolene (HL) at 3, 6, and 9% by the weight of the total binder. To understand the characteristics and the performance of these rejuvenators, three sets of characterization tests were conducted: rheological, chemical, and morphological. This paper presents a summary of the results from our chemical and morphological studies. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) was conducted to identify the chemical composition of rejuvenators, while Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted for obtaining chemical functional group information. Furthermore, an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was employed to obtain the micro-morphological properties of rejuvenated asphalt binders. The collected data showed that rejuvenation changes the chemical composition and alters the micro-structures of binders significantly, which impacts the overall performances of binder. In fact, this experimental study showed a good correlation between chemical compositional and morphological features with the rheological performance of the binder. The research findings are expected to contribute to the performance evaluation and characterization of rejuvenated asphalt mixes.
The battle for the boardwalk: Racial formations in a segregated coastal resort

Abstract Scholarship within Black geographies and Black studies has highlighted how historical injustices continue to shape the ways in which space is racialized and race is spatialized. This paper examines a fight during the late 19th century between white business owners and Black citizens regarding whether or not the boardwalk of Asbury Park, New Jersey ought to be racially segregated in order to trace the emergence of a racial formation that signified Black people as unwelcome in tourist spaces. By focusing on a battle to implement a color line within a popular northern coastal resort community during the 1880s and 1890s, the paper shows how racial discrimination was justified and normalized through the prioritization of economic growth. Thus, a form of coastal ‘racial capitalism’ also emerged from this conflict. The spatial, cultural, and economic legacies of the battle over the boardwalk continue to shape present spatial inequalities and imaginaries in the city as well as in other parts of the United States. The paper concludes by arguing that efforts to address racial inequalities and to reimagine what it means to be human in must engage with the racist history of the resort. Through this, the paper demonstrates how histories of racial inequality continue to reverberate in the present and intersect with new forms of vulnerability.
Nuts and Bolts

There is nothing so practical, someone once observed, as a good theory. Theories are sometimes viewed as abstractions from real life. And in a sense, that is what a good theory is. But a good theory organizes some aspect of life in a systematic way and allows us to understand phenomena in ways that we have not previously thought of them and to put this understanding to use. Now that we have outlined our treatment approach, we can begin to turn to the issue of putting it to use.
Stereotype Logit Models for High Dimensional Data

STEREOTYPE LOGIT MODELS FOR HIGH DIMENSIONAL DATA By Andre Williams A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010 Major Director: Kellie J. Archer, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Biostatistics Gene expression studies are of growing importance in the field of medicine. In fact, subtypes within the same disease have been shown to have differing gene expression profiles (Golub et al., 1999). Often, researchers are interested in differentiating a disease by a categorical classification indicative of disease progression. For example, it may be of interest to identify genes that are associated with progression and to accurately predict the state of progression using gene expression data. One challenge when modeling microarray gene expression data is that there are more genes (variables) than there are observations. In addition, the genes usually demonstrate a complex variance-covariance structure. Therefore, modeling a categorical variable reflecting disease progression using gene expression data presents the need for methods capable of handling an ordinal outcome in the presence of a high dimensional covariate space. In this ix research we present a method that combines the stereotype regression model (Anderson, 1984) with an elastic net penalty (Friedman et al., 2010) as a method capable of modeling an ordinal outcome for high-throughput genomic datasets. Results from applying the proposed method to both simulated and gene expression data will be reported and the effectiveness of the proposed method compared to a univariable and heuristic approach will be discussed.