cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New closed-form bounds on the performance of coding in correlated Rayleigh fading

New, simple bounds are presented for the probability of error in a binary hypothesis test for communications using diversity signaling in correlated Rayleigh fading. The bounds are developed in the context of pairwise error-event probabilities in decoding an error-correction code. A long-standing conjecture regarding the form of worst-case error events in exponentially correlated Rayleigh fading is also proven. The utility of the results is illustrated by their application to transfer-function bounds on the probability of bit error for a system using a convolutional code. The closed-form transfer-function bounds are shown to be tighter than previously developed transfer-function bounds for communications in exponentially correlated Rayleigh fading.
DASH to wellness: emphasizing self-regulation through e-health in adults with prehypertension.

Objective High prevalence rates of prehypertension require nonpharmaceutical lifestyle interventions. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and initial efficacy of a primarily electronically delivered intervention for prehypertension. Methods Twenty-three adults with prehypertension (M age of 54.3; systolic blood pressure [BP], 126.3 mmHg; weight, 87.8 kg; body mass index, 31.5; 6514 steps/day) were randomized to DASH 2 wellness only standard of care or to DASH 2 wellness plus. Both groups received instruction on the DASH eating plan, instructions to increase steps per day and use of a weight scale and pedometer, and information about social-cognitive theory-based self-regulation strategies. D2W plus also involved home blood pressure monitoring and monitoring steps per day, nutrition, and body weight. Through weekly newsletters, participants engaged in electronic reporting and goal setting and received feedback on progress. Results D2W plus showed a larger increase in daily steps (M = 2,900) than D2W only (M = 636); a larger decrease in systolic BP (mmHg), M = 15.1 versus M = 4.6, and a larger decrease in weight (in kg), M = 4.8 versus M = 1.5. Conclusions Concentrating efforts not only toward adoption and initiation of innovative risk-reduction strategies but also toward the provision for long-term maintenance of a healthy lifestyle once initial changes have been accomplished is paramount. The D2W plus program could be adapted for such use in health care and other settings for treating prehypertension.
Effect of Peers and Friends on Youth Physical Activity and Motivation to be Physically Active

Objective To test whether the presence of a peer or a friend increases the motivation to be physically active in overweight and non-overweight youth in a laboratory setting. Methods Youth motivation to be physically active as a function of the social context was measured using a computerized relative reinforcing value task to earn points exchangeable for physical and/or sedentary activities. Results The presence of a friend (p<.001) increased youth’s motivation to be physically active. The presence of a peer increased overweight youth’s motivation to be physically active, whereas this was not the case for lean youth (p=.47). Participants biked a greater distance in the presence of a friend than when alone (p<.001). Overweight youth biked a greater distance in the presence of a peer than when alone, while this was not the case for lean youth (p=.23). Conclusions Friendships may increase youth’s motivation to engage in physical activity and promote greater physical activity in non-overweight and overweight youth.
Network communications with DAE 1.0

IBM's Distributed Automation Edition, (DAE) is a software platform that provides an application programmer with a set of services to be used in developing applications. The communication system (CS/2) provides the application programmer a base on which applications for a distributed manufacturing operation can be developed and integrated into a consistent enterprise. The LAN communication services provided in the CS/2 feature of DAE are described. CS/2 provides a comprehensive set of services that allows developers to configure a system specifically to their needs. It supplies the tools for managing data, devices, and resources in a distributed integrated environment. All services are configurable to meet the operational requirements. CS/2 provides an application program, interface for obtaining services, that relieve application developers of the need to concern themselves with details of many unique communication protocols and hardware interfaces. Through the use of control blocks, CS/2 binds logical resource names to the physical destinations. This provides network transparency to the application programmer. >
Nanoscale materials for non-destructive repair of transportation infrastructures

Results related to the development of an inorganic matrix that is suitable for filling narrow cracks and thin delaminations on bridge decks are presented in this paper. Almost all the repair materials currently available for these types of repairs are organic polymer based matrices. These matrices create a discontinuity in the modulus of elasticity and water permeability. These discontinuities result in the failure of repairs within about five years. The matrix used in the current investigation has a modulus of elasticity and permeability characteristics that are similar to the concrete used in the bridge decks. The primary properties investigated were: bonding to cracked surfaces, flow characteristics, ease of application, and mechanical characteristics. This paper discusses these properties, matrix performance and matrix viability for use in automated nondestructive robotic delivery system to fill delaminations and narrow/hairline crack in bridge decks.
Low voltage performance of a low noise operational amplifier in a 1.2 /spl mu/m digital CMOS technology

A low noise operational amplifier using lateral PNP bipolar transistors has been fabricated in a 1.2 /spl mu/m digital CMOS process. Total circuit area is 0.211 mm/sup 2/. The amplifier functions with power supply voltages of /spl plusmn/0.5 V, achieves a GBW product >400 kHz, requires a low quiescent current of 70 /spl mu/A, and generates E/sub n/=39 nV//spl radic/(Hz) at 10 Hz.
Recovering tectonic events from the sedimentary record: Detrital monazite plays in high fidelity

Measurement of detrital zircon U-Pb ages has become the method of choice for single crystal–based investigations of provenance for both modern and ancient sediments. Recent studies, however, demonstrated the failure of zircon to record major tectonic events in source terranes, revealing the need for a more robust provenance methodology. A direct comparison between the utility of crystallization ages of detrital zircon and monazite as provenance indicators has been made using modern river alluvium derived from known sources. While detrital zircon does not fully record the multiple collisional phases that are the hallmark of the Appalachian orogen, detrital monazite accurately records all the major tectonic events. The physical and petrogenetic differences between zircon and monazite are the primary factors for differing detrital age spectra. Zircon, owing to its extreme refractory nature, skews detrital age spectra toward older ages and limits its ability to record low-grade thermotectonic events in orogens. Monazite recrystallizes over a broader range of metamorphic conditions than does zircon. Consequently, monazite has the potential to record metamorphic events that might otherwise be absent from the detrital zircon record, thus providing a more accurate record of source terranes in regions characterized by moderate thermal events.
On convergence of the immersed boundary method for elliptic interface problems

Peskin’s Immersed Boundary (IB) method is one of the most popular numerical methods for many years and has been applied to problems in mathematical biology, uid mechanics, material sciences, and many other areas. Peskin’s IB method is associated with discrete delta functions. It is believed that the IB method is rst order accurate in the L 1 norm. But almost no rigorous proof could be found in the literature until recently [14] in which the author showed that the velocity is indeed rst order accurate for the Stokes equations with a periodic boundary condition. In this paper, we show rst order convergence with a log h factor of the IB method for elliptic interface problems essentially without the boundary condition restrictions. The results should be applicable to the IB method for many dieren t situations involving elliptic solvers for Stokes and Navier-Stokes equations.
The Role of Organized Labor in Civil Society

Organized labor has served as a valuable element of civil society. The focus of this inquiry is how the decline of organized labor contributes to the weakening of the civil sphere. I first assess how unions have historically contributed to the positive functions of civil society. I then review the various factors that have led to the deterioration of organized labor and comment on the current state of the labor movement. I conclude with a discussion of the implications in terms of civil society and market culture.
Assessing the Determinants of Evolutionary Rates in the Presence of Noise

Although protein sequences are known to evolve at vastly different rates, little is known about what determines their rate of evolution. However, a recent study using principal component regression (PCR) has concluded that evolutionary rates in yeast are primarily governed by a single determinant related to translation frequency. Here, we demonstrate that noise in biological data can confound PCRs, leading to spurious conclusions. When equalizing noise levels across 7 predictor variables used in previous studies, we find no evidence that protein evolution is dominated by a single determinant. Our results indicate that a variety of factors--including expression level, gene dispensability, and protein-protein interactions--may independently affect evolutionary rates in yeast. More accurate measurements or more sophisticated statistical techniques will be required to determine which one, if any, of these factors dominates protein evolution.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Modulates Cell Death in Human Endocervical Epithelial Cells through Export of Exosome-Associated cIAP2

Several bacterial pathogens persist and survive in the host by modulating host cell death pathways. We previously demonstrated that Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a Gram-negative pathogen responsible for the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, protects against exogenous induction of apoptosis in human cervical epithelial cells. However, induction of cell death by N. gonorrhoeae has also been reported in other cell types. The mechanisms by which N. gonorrhoeae modulates cell death are not clear, although a role for the inhibitor of apoptosis-2 (cIAP2) has been proposed. In this study, we confirmed that N. gonorrhoeae induces production of cIAP2 in human cervical epithelial cells. High levels of intracellular cIAP2 were detected early after N. gonorrhoeae stimulation, which was followed by a marked decrease at 24 h. At this time point, we observed increased levels of extracellular cIAP2 associated with exosomes and an overall increase in production of exosomes. Inhibition of cIAP2 in N. gonorrhoeae-stimulated epithelial cells resulted in increased cell death and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production. Collectively these results indicate that N. gonorrhoeae stimulation of human endocervical epithelial cells induces the release of cIAP2, an essential regulator of cell death and immune signaling.
First results from SIR-C calibration

The SIR-C/X-SAR imaging radar took its first flight on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in April 1994. This multi-frequency radar has fully polarimetric capability- at L- and C-band, and a single polarization at X-band (X-SAR). Calibration of polarimetric L- and C-band data for all the different modes SIR-C offers is an especially complicated problem. The solution involves extensive analysis of pre-flight test data to come up with a model of the system, analysis of in-flight test data to determine the actual antenna pattern and gains of the system during operation, and analysis of data from over ten calibration sites distributed around the SIR-C/X SAR orbit track. The SIR-C mission is the first time a multi-frequency polarimetric imaging radar employing phased array antenna has been flown in space. The effort put into the calibration of SIR-C data products has been considerable and is also unique in that this is the first time anyone has attempted to calibrate a spaceborne radar of this complexity. This work was performed by the let Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under contract from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. >
The Student with a Visual Disability and a Learning Disability

Existing studies indicate that between 14% and 65% of students with visual disabilities also have learning disabilities. The similar symptoms of the two conditions and the earlier identification of a visual disability often mask the presence of a learning disability. This article addresses definition, assessment, intervention, and future implications related to educational practices with students who have both learning and visual disabilities. The definitions of the two conditions are compared, emphasizing features that make identification difficult. The article examines common assessment procedures, describing approaches that are inappropriate for students who have low vision or blindness. Intervention approaches are described, including adaptations of the environment, enhancement of vision, instruction in compensatory skills, the use of learning strategies, and the availability of learning opportunities. Future directions include refinement of diagnostic approaches, and research related to the characteristics and instructional needs of students who have both visual and learning disabilities.
MMPs as therapeutic targets—Still a viable option?

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) appear to be ideal drug targets--they are disease-associated, extracellular enzymes with a dependence on zinc for activity. This apparently straightforward target, however, is much more complex than initially realized. Although disease associated, the roles for particular enzymes may be healing rather than harmful making broad-spectrum inhibition unwise; targeting the catalytic zinc with specificity is difficult, since other related proteases as well as non-related proteins can be affected by some chelating groups. While the failure of early-generation MMP inhibitors dampened enthusiasm for this type of drug, there has recently been a wealth of studies examining the basic biology of MMPs which will greatly inform new drug trials in this field.
Using biomarkers to improve the diagnostic value of ductal fluid for early breast cancer detection

The optimal method for early detection of breast cancer in premenopausal women is not known. To date, mammographic screening and physical exam are the best available approaches for early detection in the general population. However, these methods may not be sufficient in young women. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new approaches that can augment mammographic screening and physical exam, particularly for women at high risk for developing breast cancer, such as carriers of BRCA1/2 mutations, who are known to face markedly elevated lifetime risks for cancer. Therefore, women at high risk constitute the population that will benefit most from new breast screening technologies and early detection strategies. Mammary epithelial cells destined to progress to cancer may have accumulated a number of premalignant genetic changes, prior to the onset of cancer. Therefore, it may be possible to improve upon cytologic assessment of these cells by simultaneously screening for genomic aberrations. This provides a realistic opportunity to improve the detection of premalignant breast changes prior to the onset of cancer. There have been several reports showing the feasibility of studying individual, or a combination of two biomarkers, to assess the ductal fluid. However, no studies have been performed where a panel of multiple biomarkers were evaluated simultaneously, using the same fluid sample. This is particularly significant since it is not clear which biomarker(s) will be most useful for early detection of breast cancer, making a panel of markers more desirable than an individual one. We believe that we can significantly improve the diagnostic value of ductal fluid by maximizing the information one can derive from each specimen.
TinkerType: a language for playing with formal systems

TinkerType is a pragmatic framework for compact and modular description of formal systems (type systems, operational semantics, logics, etc.). A family of related systems is broken down into a set of clauses – individual inference rules – and a set of features controlling the inclusion of clauses in particular systems. Simple static checks are used to help maintain consistency of the generated systems. We present TinkerType and its implementation and describe its application to two substantial repositories of typed lambda-calculi. The first repository covers a broad range of typing features, including subtyping, polymorphism, type operators and kinding, computational effects, and dependent types. It describes both declarative and algorithmic aspects of the systems, and can be used with our tool, the TinkerType Assembler, to generate calculi either in the form of typeset collections of inference rules or as executable ML typecheckers. The second repository addresses a smaller collection of systems, and provides modularized proofs of basic safety properties.
Reverse and flick: Hybrid locomotion in bacteria

Many bacteria are motile. They use one or more helical flagella as propellers, rotating them like the corkscrew on a wine bottle opener. Despite the limited morphological repertoire of the propulsive system, radically different movement strategies have evolved, likely reflecting the diversity of physicochemical conditions among bacterial habitats. In PNAS, Xie et al. (1) report on a newly discovered mechanism for turning used by Vibrio alginolyticus, an inhabitant of the coastal ocean: These monotrichous (“single-haired”) bacteria change direction with a “flick” of their flagellum. Intriguingly, Xie et al. (1) show that less can be more when it comes to bacterial flagella: With its single flagellum, V. alginolyticus outperforms the multiflagellated Escherichia coli in climbing nutrient gradients (“chemotaxis”), suggesting that the flick is part of an advanced chemotaxis system.
Mass spectrometry in structural and stereochemical problems—CLXXXIV: Charge localization in fragment ions of amino ketones and esters

The mass spectral fragmentation of a number of specially synthesized amino esters and ketones has been studied in which the distance between the two functionalities has been varied. The principal fragments formed following initial ionization are the even-electron immonium ions a and b. Further fragmentation of ion a in the amino esters occurs via non-specific processes. Therefore it is difficult to establish the degree of mobility of the positive charge in the fragment ions, notably whether the species with the charge present on the oxygen atom makes a significant contribution to the fragmentation. The β-(IIb) and γ-(IV) amino ketones show no McLafferty rearrangements after α-fission, thus demonstrating that uncoupling of the carbonyl π electrons is not a feasible trigger in lieu of charge localization.
A concept of correction functions to account for non-associative characteristics of geologic media

A new and simple concept based on the idea of correcting for non-associative characteristics of (geologic) media is presented. A special form of the concept is adopted and introduced in a critical state plasticity model. An example problem of behaviour of a soil tested under triaxial conditions is included. The concept can permit a simplified treatment of non-associativeness and under certain assumptions can allow use of existing formulations of plasticity by maintaining symmetry of the associated matrices.
Kinetic Resolution of α-Substituted Alkanoic Acids Promoted by Homobenzotetramisole

A new method for catalytic nonenzymatic kinetic resolution of α-substituted alkanoic acids has been developed, which relies on their activation with DCC followed by enantioselective alcoholysis of the intermediate symm-anhydrides in the presence of the amidine-based catalyst homobenzotetramisole (HBTM). Moderate to excellent selectivity factors (s=5–96) have been obtained in the case of several classes of substrates, namely, α-aryl-, α-aryloxy/alkoxy-, α-halo-, α-azido-, and α-phthalimido-alkanoic acids. Under similar conditions, α-(arylthio/alkylthio)-alkanoic acids undergo dynamic kinetic resolution providing corresponding esters in up to 92 % ee and up to 93 % yield.
Steady-state reactant flux into a medium containing spherical sinks

A detailed analysis is presented for determining the reactant flux into a composite material containing randomly-located, reactive spherical centers. The governing equations are configurationally averaged assuming the spheres are distributed according to a hard-sphere potential. The resulting infinite hierarchy of coupled equations is truncated using physical consideratiosn of screening and diluteness of the particulate phase. A general asymptotic solution is obtained valid to order c for all bounded and semi-infinite domains. The solution reproduces the mean-field result and includes the previously-neglected effects of sphere-boundary interactions. These interactions dominate the effect of two-sphere interactions which affect the solution at order c^(3/2) ln c. Explicit consideration is given tot he case in which the domain is spherical or semi-infinite and a solution obtained for each. The solutions obtained generally predict an enhanced reactant flux relative to the mean-field result. The solution is illustrated by application to the problem of coal ash vaporization.
From Adoption to Diffusion of a Telehealth Innovation

Telehealth innovations promise to provide extensive medical benefits by increasing access to healthcare services and lowering costs at the same time. However, while many telehealth initiatives are considered technically viable and medically relevant, they often fail to go beyond the status of prototype applications. Motivated by our limited knowledge on how promising telehealth innovations are further diffused, this study offers a longitudinal investigation of a specific telehealth program and analyzes its initial adoption and further diffusion through commercialization initiatives. Framed as a diffusion of innovation study, the paper aims to offer research contributions as well as practical lessons. In terms of research, the paper expands our knowledge of the emerging IS research topic of telehealth innovations with an empirical investigation of a telehealth innovation. It also contributes to process-oriented diffusion of innovation research by challenging and expanding extant theories to a relatively new research context. In terms of practice, the study provides insights by detailing the transition process of a telehealth innovation from initial adoption to further diffusion and by identifying contextual issues that facilitates or challenges the transition.
Long-Term Potentiation: Mechanisms of Induction and Maintenance

Synapses in general exhibit various forms of plasticity; that is, the efficiency of transmission across the synapse can be potentiated or depressed in response to a prior history of stimulation. The persistence of the change in efficiency can be relatively brief, exemplified by post-tetanic potentiation (PTP), which decays within a few seconds. At the other extreme, very stable forms of plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), can be established at many synapses in the brain. LTP is often proposed as a candidate for the cellular basis of memory, but direct evidence for this hypothesis is lacking. That said, a large body of research has provided correlative evidence for LTP as a process that underlies memory formation. This lecture, which is a part of the course "Cell Signaling Systems: A Course for Graduate Students," describes LTP from a cell biological perspective. Topics include the signaling network responsible for LTP induction, evidence for upregulated postsynaptic mechanisms in LTP, and the role of gene expression regulation, at the transcriptional and translational levels, in the maintenance of LTP.
ADAR Proteins: Structure and Catalytic Mechanism

Since the discovery of the adenosine deaminase (ADA) acting on RNA (ADAR) family of proteins in 1988 (Bass and Weintraub, Cell 55:1089–1098, 1988) (Wagner et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 86:2647–2651, 1989), we have learned much about their structure and catalytic mechanism. However, much about these enzymes is still unknown, particularly regarding the selective recognition and processing of specific adenosines within substrate RNAs. While a crystal structure of the catalytic domain of human ADAR2 has been solved, we still lack structural data for an ADAR catalytic domain bound to RNA, and we lack any structural data for other ADARs. However, by analyzing the structural data that is available along with similarities to other deaminases, mutagenesis and other biochemical experiments, we have been able to advance the understanding of how these fascinating enzymes function.
Perspectives: On the Use (and Abuse) of Stock Option Grants

Recently, a significant number of companies have come under public and regulatory scrutiny for backdating stock option grants. This article discusses factors that influenced the dramatic increase in stock option compensation and summarizes the academic research that led to the discovery of backdating. The information gained in this early stage of investigation provides some insight into the number of companies and potential costs of option backdating. Increased transparency and timely disclosure should curtail grant-date manipulation, but the credibility of the disclosure system requires active enforcement of the rules and standards. Investors need accurate, complete disclosures of executive compensation to hold boards of directors accountable for executive compensation.
Suicidality among immigrants: Application of the interpersonal-psychological theory

Immigrants constitute a significant percentage of the total population living in the United States; however, there is a paucity of research unique to suicidality among immigrants. The present article examines the applicability of the three variables of the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior-acquired capability for suicide, sense of thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness-to conceptualize, assess, and treat suicidality among immigrants. Risk and protective factors and mechanisms are discussed in the context of 2 case studies and immigrant paradox. Clinical implications include assessment and treatment of immigrant-specific experiences. Obstacles to treatment and future research directions are presented.
Analysis for Mechanical Properties of Empty Holes in Different Positions on Tunnel Lining

By choosing the empty hole,which is one of the diseases having greater impact on the stability of a tunnel,as an analysis object,and based on Liaoning Haitangshan Tunnel's model tests,the numerical analysis is made by using the finite element analysis software MIDAS/GTS so as to study the influence on the tunnel lining's mechanical behaviors of the empty holes in different positions.Through the analyses for the lining's axial force and bending moment,it is obtained that the empty holes in all different positions would affect the lining's safety performance(briefly explaining the study results and conclusions),the lining's strain value would be increased with the load increasing,and the stress concentration would be easily caused in the positions where the empty holes exist,thereby the lining's damage would be more obvious.
Orthodoxy and Incarnation: A Reply to Mullins

R. T. Mullins’s “Flint’s Molinism and the Incarnation is too Radical,” published by this journal in 2015, attempts to summarize some speculations I have offered regarding Christology and eschatology, to show that these speculations are independently implausible, and to demonstrate that they are at odds with the pronouncements of the Fifth Ecumenical Council and hence incompatible with orthodox Christianity. In this reply, I argue that Mullins’s essay fails in all three of these endeavors: its summaries are inaccurate, its arguments for implausibility are unconvincing, and its ascriptions of heresy are baseless.
Digital Conquerors: Minecraft and the Apologetics of Neoliberalism:

The widespread popularity of sandbox games, and Minecraft in particular, may be a recent phenomenon, but their appeal may be much older. Rather than representing a wholly new development in gaming,...
Prevention of Epilepsy and Complications

Prevention of epilepsy and its consequencies is discussed in a special article from the Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
The appropriate use of risk scores in the prediction of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice (1).
Cultivating Morality in Chinese Families--Past, Present, and Future.

AbstractThis article examines past and present moral education practices in Chinese families. It begins with a brief overview of Confucian thought on moral education and its lasting influence on Chinese moral ethos. It then identifies the types of moral values emphasised by Chinese parents, as well as the kinds of moral education literature they use for teaching. It proceeds to analyse the methods employed by Chinese parents to instil moral values in everyday contexts. Using evidence from research and recent news reports on Chinese moral conduct, the author argues that the moral socialisation practices in Chinese families may be problematic, despite their best intentions. The article concludes by suggesting alternative family moral education approaches for future consideration.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARIJUANA USE AND HOSPITALIZATION FOR ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Background: Recreational marijuana is now legalized in five states. Its use is rising especially among young adults. The cardiovascular (CVD) effect of marijuana remains mostly unknown. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 14,490 patients admitted to our hospital between 2012-
Genetic loss of function studies indicate a key role for sprouty proteins in limiting RTK/MAPK function

4838 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) are key regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration and are the targets of intense investigation in the quest to define genetic and biochemical alterations in cancer cells. The activity of RTKs are precisely controlled by negative feedback mechanisms in which growth factors induce the expression of their own inhibitors. The four mammalian Sprouty (Spry1-4) proteins function as negative feedback regulators of RTK signaling, inhibiting the Ras/MAPK pathway. The exact mechanism of inhibition by Spry proteins is not completely understood and analysis has been complicated by the use of over-expressed proteins to study the pathways affected. Previously we have knocked out Spry1 in the mouse and genetically demonstrated a critical role for Spry1 in limiting RTK function during kidney development. Here we present the first biochemical and biological evidence using this genetic loss-of function system examining the role of Spry in RTK signaling. We isolated primary mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) from Spry1 knockout and wild-type littermate controls. Primary Spry1 null MEFs have a growth advantage and display altered cytoskeletal and migratory properties compared to wild-type MEFs. Spry1 null MEFs are hypersensitive to multiple growth factors and accordingly have increased basal and induced levels of phospho-Erk (p-Erk). To assess the contribution of Spry2 to RTK signaling we made MEFs from mice deleted for both Spry1 and Spry2 genes. These cells had higher p-Erk than the Spry1 null MEFs. This implies that Spry2 partially compensates for loss of Spry1 in inhibition of RTK signaling. To dissect the compensatory mechanism, we immortalized Spry1/2 double null MEFs and reconstituted these cells by infection with either Spry1 or Spry2 bicistronic GFP retroviral vectors. Re-introduction of Spry1 and/or Spry2 reduced p-Erk levels, both basal and in response to growth factor stimulation, reducing them to levels comparable to wild-type cells. However there are qualitative differences in the effect and kinetics of Spry1 and Spry2 activity. Spry1 MEFs, immortalized using a 3T3 protocol demonstrated spontaneous down-regulation of Spry2 and Spry4. Similarly Spry1 expression was reduced in Spry2 immortalized null MEFs. This is reminiscent of reports of the loss of Spry expression in a variety of cancers, suggesting that Spry may be a tumor suppressor. Loss of Spry may be an important part of cancer development allowing deregulated RTK signaling.
Narcissism, Fame Seeking, and Mass Shootings:

For many years, the conventional wisdom was that most acts of aggression and violence stem from insecurities and low self-esteem. The possibility that some mass shooters have low self-esteem, low s...
Review of the comparative effectiveness of radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, or expectant management of localized prostate cancer in registry data.

Abstract Summary Evidence regarding the effectiveness of treatment for prostate cancer is primarily based on randomized controlled trials. Long-term outcomes are generally difficult to evaluate within experimental studies and may benefit from large pools of observational data. We conducted a systematic review of administrative and registry studies to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer on overall and prostate-cancer specific mortality. Materials and Methods In accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P, 2015), we conducted a systematic search of Ovid Medline and Embase (1946–February 2017) and identified studies that evaluated the relationship between types of treatment for localized prostate cancer and mortality. Additional articles were identified through manual search. Randomized, prospective, and single institution studies were excluded. The risk of bias for each study was evaluated with the Newcastle Ottawa scale. Multivariable adjusted hazard ratios were reported to evaluate overall and cancer-specific mortality. Results We screened 4,721 studies and included for review, 19 that were published between 2001 and 2015. The pooled population included 228,444 patients. Countries of origin included the United States, Canada, China, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and the sources included administrative ( n = 6) and cancer registry or prostate databases ( n = 11). Overall and cancer-specific mortality were lowest among definitive treatment arms as compared to conservative therapy with no treatment, observation, or active surveillance. Radiotherapy was associated with worse overall and cancer-specific mortality than radical prostatectomy. Conclusion Although observational studies using large, population-based cohorts have the potential for bias, we found consistent evidence that high-quality observational studies may be used to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of prostate cancer treatment. Methodologic limitations of observational data should be considered.
Using the Contribution Analysis Approach to Evaluate Science Impact: A Case Study of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health:

Interest from Congress, executive branch leadership, and various other stakeholders for greater accountability in government continues to gain momentum today with government-wide efforts. However, measuring the impact of research programs has proven particularly difficult. Cause and effect linkages between research findings and changes to morbidity and mortality are difficult to prove. To address this challenge, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health program evaluators used a modified version of contribution analysis (CA) to evaluate two research programs. CA proved to be a useful framework for assessing research impact, and both programs received valuable, actionable feedback. Although there is room to further refine our approach, this was a promising step toward moving beyond bibiliometrics to more robust assessment of research impact.
MANAGING EXPERTISE IN A DISTRIBUTED ENVIRONMENT

Expertise is the primary resource and product of professional service and technical firms. These firms often organize around project teams that advise and work under contract for clients. A key problem for management is to deploy expertise in project teams so as to meet the expertise requirements of projects and clients. Because expertise may be geographically distributed across multiple sites, many of these firms create virtual or distributed teams. Doing so gives these firms access to a larger pool of knowledge resources than would be available at one site and helps leverage expertise across the organization. However, geographically distributed collaboration in teams incurs coordination and other costs that local work does not. Is a distributed team worth these costs? We studied a professional service firm with distributed and collocated project teams. In this firm, domain expertise tended to be concentrated within geographic sites, whereas methodological expertise was distributed across the firm. We examined whether a better match of domain and methodological expertise to the needs of projects resulted in more profitable projects, and whether distributed teams matched these two types of expertise to the requirements of projects as well as or better than did collocated teams. We found that most projects were collocated, with members drawn from one site who had domain expertise that matched project requirements as well as when members were drawn from other sites. The profits of projects were unrelated to the match of domain expertise with project requirements. However, project profits were significantly and positively related to a match of methodological expertise with project requirements. Furthermore, distributed projects showed a stronger match of methodological expertise with project requirements than did collocated projects, and predicted disproportionately more profits. We conclude that an appropriate utilization of organizationally distributed expertise has a positive impact on project performance.
Image Based Model Development and Analysis of the Human Knee Joint

Developments in medical imaging and finite element analysis techniques have made it possible to conduct personalized studies on patients. The field of medical implants is especially benefitting from these advancements, where patient specific geometries can be created and analyzed. The present work is focused on using image based techniques for construction of solid models of human knee joints for finite element analysis. Accurate 3D solid models of the human cadaveric knee joint are developed based on a sequence of high resolution MRI images obtained from a Siemens 7T machine. The approach involves identification of various components of the knee joint such as the femur, tibia, femoral and tibial cartilage, and menisci of the tibio-femoral knee joint; construction of a 3D model; smoothing the geometries; meshing of geometry; and then performing finite element analysis. The focus of the present work is on understanding the effect of menisci on the stress and strain distribution in the knee joint. Availability of such image based modeling and analysis methods would help in designing effective meniscal implants.
Enhancing responsiveness of pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine treatment under hypoxia by heme oxygenase-1 inhibition

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies and has one of the worst prognoses leading to a meager 5-year survival rate of ∼8%. Chemotherapy has had limited success in extending the life span of patients with advanced PDAC due to poor tumor perfusion and hypoxia-induced resistance. Hypoxia reprograms the gene expression profile and upregulates the expression of multiple genes including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which provide survival advantage to PDAC cells. However, the relationships between HO-1, hypoxia, and response to chemotherapy is unclear. Our results showed that hypoxia upregulates the expression of HO-1 in PDAC cells, and HO-1 inhibition using the HO-1 inhibitors zinc protoporphyrin, tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), and HO-1 knockout using CRISPR/Cas9 suppresses the proliferation of PDAC cells under hypoxia and sensitize them to gemcitabine under in vitro conditions. Treating orthotopic tumors with SnPP, or SnPP in combination with gemcitabine, significantly reduced the weight of pancreatic tumors (P
Language Learning Following Immigration: Modeling Choices and Challenges

No agent-based model exists of language learning following immigration to a new country. Language learning has features which make it a good fit to Agent Based Models (ABMs), such as diffusion/adoption effects: people learn language via social interaction and are influenced by other social actors about how and when to invest in learning. Language learning involves positive and negative feedback loops, such that poor progress early in learning can spiral into negativity and avoidance, while early success can accelerate learning. Most importantly, the question of why language learning is difficult for adults is controversial. Should implementers program into models the equations that match the robust age effects observed in data, or should these patterns emerge from multiple factors and actors? To address this, the large literature on foreign language acquisition was reviewed as part of the background of making modeling decisions. Decisions were sufficiently challenging that it was decided to begin with a narrative description, using the Overview, Design Concepts and Details protocol (ODD). The ODD protocol provided an organizing framework in which many details were worked out. These included identifying outcome variables (frequency of use and fluency in the two languages), basic entities (representing individuals, families, neighborhood, global environment), defining rules for initiating and continuing conversation, and rules for agents to move to new locations. Considerable narrative space was used to discuss the rationale for simplifications, as well as decisions that were left for future extensions. Given the complexity of the domain, the narrative description was a necessary foundation to smooth the way for a working simulation.
Research into Practice: Current Trends in Educational Technology Research: The Study of Learning Environments

Educational technology research has passed through a number of stages, focusing, in turn, on the content to be learned, the format of instructional messages, and the interaction between computers and students. The field is now concerned with the study of learning in complete, complex, and interactive learning environments. These environments allow both the simulation of experiences that students might have in the real world and also the creation of compelling experiences that cannot normally be experienced directly. Learning environments also often allow students to communicate their own ideas with the use of a variety of symbol systems. These environments are also frequently inhabited by more than one person, making learning within them a social activity where learning is distributed among both people and artifacts. Finally, these learning environments are complex. Studying how they contribute to learning therefore requires research methods other than controlled experiments. This paper reviews research on learning environments to give both an historical perspective on educational technology research and a selective view of the current state of the discipline. It concludes by identifying implications for both practice and future research.
On the Study of Human Cooperation via Computer Simulation: Why Existing Computer Models Fail to Tell Us Much of Anything

Abstract Cooperation is pervasive throughout nature, but its origin remains an open question. For decades, social scientists, business leaders, and economists have struggled with an important quest...
Randomized controlled trial of acupuncture to prevent emergence delirium in children undergoing myringotomy tube placement.

Background Myringotomy tube placement is a pediatric procedure frequently performed under inhalational anesthesia without intravenous line placement. Emergence delirium is common following sevoflurane anesthesia, and can lead to patient harm and escalation of nursing care. Our goal was to determine if intraoperative acupuncture, compared to standard of care, reduces emergence delirium in children undergoing myringotomy tube placement. Methods Single center, randomized, controlled trial at a university hospital, including children ages 1-6 years with ASA physical status 1-3 scheduled for myringotomy tube placement. Participants were stratified based on midazolam premedication and randomized to intraoperative acupuncture (AC, N.=49) or standard anesthesia care (SC, N.=50). Acupuncture needles were placed in bilateral Heart 7 (HT7) and ear Shen Men points after anesthesia induction. A blinded observer in the PACU assessed emergence delirium using the Pediatric Anesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale. Endpoints were highest PAED score in the recovery room and post-discharge agitation and sleep quality. Results Patient baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. With midazolam premedication, the highest PAED score was 11.6 in patients receiving AC and 12.0 for SC. Without midazolam premedication, the highest PAED was 11.8 in patients receiving AC and 10.7 for SC. The overall PAED score difference between AC and SC groups was 0.33 (95% CI -1.5, 2.2, P=0.723). Conclusions Intraoperative acupuncture at HT7 and ear Shen Men did not reduce PAED scores after myringotomy tube placement. Based on these data, it is therefore unlikely that a larger study of the same design would demonstrate a significant effect of intraoperative acupuncture on emergence delirium after brief sevoflurane anesthesia. However, other acupuncture points or techniques could be considered.
Systematic Review of Subtalar Distraction Arthrodesis for the Treatment of Subtalar Arthritis

Background:Subtalar distraction arthrodesis (SDA) was developed as a means of treating the symptoms of subtalar arthritis. Despite almost 30 years of research in this field, many controversies stil...
Generalized Canonical Correlation Analysis: A Subspace Intersection Approach

Generalized Canonical Correlation Analysis (GCCA) is an important tool that finds numerous applications in data mining, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. It aims at finding ‘common’ random variables that are strongly correlated across multiple feature representations (views) of the same set of entities. CCA and to a lesser extent GCCA have been studied from the statistical and algorithmic points of view, but not as much from the standpoint of linear algebra. This paper offers a fresh algebraic perspective on GCCA based on a (bi-)linear generative model that naturally captures its essence. It is shown that from a linear algebra point of view, GCCA is tantamount to subspace intersection; and conditions under which the common subspace of the different views is identifiable are provided. A novel GCCA algorithm is proposed based on subspace intersection, which scales up to handle large GCCA tasks. Synthetic as well as real data experiments are provided to showcase the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Redox Communication between Two Diarylamido/Bis(phosphine) (PNP)M Moieties Bridged by Ynediyl Linkers (M = Ni, Pd, Pt).

A series of binuclear homo- and heterobimetallic complexes of the general type (PNP)M–[linker]–M(PNP) have been prepared (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; PNP = a diarylamido/bis(phosphine) pincer ligand; −[linker]...