cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Supporting real-time and multimedia applications on the Mercuri testbed

This paper describes the distributed system, network and software architecture, the application development environment, the performance, and the early lessons learned on the ATM LAN testbed Mercuri established at the Honeywell Technology Center, to develop distributed multimedia technologies for real-time control applications. We have developed a client-server-based software architecture on Sun Sparcstation-2s connected by a Fore Systems' ASX-100 ATM switch, with video processing handled by Parallax's X Video cards. The architecture enables network-transparent applications and provides simple primitives for multimedia capture, display, transmission, storage, and retrieval. A real-time multimedia-in-the-loop control application was developed as the vehicle for testing the capabilities and performance of the network. Our test measurements focus on the end-user-level performance metrics such as message throughput and round-trip delay as well as video-frame jitter under no-load and load conditions. Our results show that the maximum burst throughput that can be supported at the user level is 48 Mb/s using AAL 5, while round-trip delays for 4-kbyte messages are about 3 ms. Our experience reveals a number of performance bottlenecks and open issues in using commercial ATM switches for practical applications. Our conclusions are outlined. >
Data integration in a three-layer mediation framework

Our distributed mediation architecture employs a layered framework of presence, integration, and homogenization mediators. In order to find a mediation path from a client request to data sources, a distributed hash table (DHT) algorithm is deployed in the integration layer. A designated global-mediator in the integration layer initiates the keyword based matching decomposition of the request with the used of the DHT. It generates an integrated data structure graph (IDSG), creates association and dependence relations between nodes in the IDSG, and then it generates a global IDSG (GIDSG). GIDSG is used to stream data from the mediators in the homogenization layer where they connect to the data sources. The architecture is dynamic, scalable and does not have any central point of failure. In this paper we present our research on the use of the GIDSG for the integration of data in our three-layer mediation architecture.
Postgraduate radiology training in sub-Saharan Africa: A review of current educational resources1

Rationale and objective Postgraduate training programs in radiology exist in several African nations. The ability of these programs to train radiologists is necessarily affected by local availability of educational resources, including clinical case volume, radiology equipment and maintenance, number of teaching faculty, and library and computer facilities. We sought to determine the current resources of a sample of African radiology education programs. Materials and methods Site visits were conducted at three separate radiology training programs, one in Ghana and two in South Africa. At each site, the investigator conducted a technology census, assessed library resources, observed daily trainee activities, and interviewed trainees, faculty, and statisticians. Results African radiology trainees receive considerable training in fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and plain film radiography, but receive considerably less training in nuclear medicine, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, and interventional radiology. A large amount of equipment in African teaching hospitals is inoperative because of lack of maintenance programs. Faculty to resident ratios in African teaching hospitals are much lower than in American hospitals. Needs of training programs vary greatly from hospital to hospital, and from country to country. Conclusion Radiologists, radiology organizations, and radiology vendors from high-income nations are in a unique position to help Africa's postgraduate radiology training programs fulfill their mission of training Africa's next generation of radiologists. It is desirable that long-term commitments be made to teaching hospitals so that scarce donated resources may be put to the best possible use.
Give Me Property or Give Me Death: Reconciling Intellectual Property Rights and the Right to Health

Though few would argue against the right to health care on moral grounds, we argue that the greater problem has been over the feasibility of such an idea, especially where the “right to health” has never been clearly defined. We discuss a range of problems in balancing the two values: the right of a creator to protect their intellectual property and the right of everyone to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health care. We argue that to strike a balance between these important values, all countries must work to develop policies that take into account the basic health and developmental interests of developing countries. We also argue that important changes must be made to the current IPR system, especially with respect to the production and pricing of basic goods and services needed to fulfill health subsistence rights. These changes must include allowing developing countries access to essential medicines that support the realization of basic health, welfare, and economic development. We examine an ...
A novel heart failure model induced by sequential coronary artery occlusions and tachycardiac stress in awake pigs

A heart failure model was developed using conscious pigs subjected to serial myocardial infarctions followed by intermittent rapid ventricular pacing. Aortic and atrial catheters, left ventricular (LV) pressure gauge, LV dimension crystals, ascending aortic flow probe, pacing leads, and two coronary artery occluders were implanted in 15 pigs. The initial distal left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) occlusion produced a modest infarct, i.e., 18 +/- 3% of LV, and the second proximal LCX occlusion, performed 48 h later, enlarged the infarct to 33 +/- 2% of the LV with only modest changes in LV function. Thereafter, the pigs were subjected to ventricular pacing at 220 beats/min, which was maintained for 7 days and terminated for 3 days. This pacing cycle was repeated two more times and resulted in significantly impaired LV function and systemic hemodynamics. For example, after the second cycle of pacing, LV rate of pressure change (dP/dt, -41 +/- 4% from 2,778 +/- 112 mmHg/s), velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (V(cf): -53 +/- 6% from 1.1 +/- 0.1 s(-1)), and cardiac index (CI: -42 +/- 5% from 122 +/- 4 ml. min(-1). kg(-1)) were reduced significantly, whereas LV end-diastolic diameter (EDD: +34 +/- 6% from 39 +/- 2 mm), total peripheral resistance (TPR: +75 +/- 16% from 0.79 +/- 0.05 U), and mean left atrial pressure (LAP) (+21 +/- 1 mmHg from 5 +/- 1 mmHg) were increased significantly. Importantly, 3 wk after cessation of the final pacing cycle, LV dP/dt (-40 +/- 5%), V(cf) (-48 +/- 9%), and CI (-30 +/- 4%) remained depressed, whereas LV EDD (+39 +/- 5%), TPR (+43 +/- 9%), and LAP (+13 +/- 4 mmHg) were still increased. In contrast, hemodynamic impairment in six conscious pigs subjected to pacing only did not persist when pacing was terminated. Thus this model could provide a unique opportunity to study both the effects of preclinical therapeutic interventions and the mechanisms involved in the development of heart failure.
Cortical–Subcortical Interactions in Hypersomnia Disorders: Mechanisms Underlying Cognitive and Behavioral Aspects of the Sleep–Wake Cycle

Subcortical circuits mediating sleep-wake functions have been well characterized in animal models, and corroborated by more recent human studies. Disruptions in these circuits have been identified in hypersomnia disorders such as narcolepsy and Klein-Levin Syndrome, as well as in neurodegenerative disorders expressing excessive daytime sleepiness. However, the behavioral expression of sleep-wake functions is not a simple on-or-off state determined by subcortical circuits, but encompasses a complex range of behaviors determined by the interaction between cortical networks and subcortical circuits. While conceived as disorders of sleep, hypersomnia disorders are equally disorders of wake, representing a fundamental instability in neural state characterized by lapses of alertness during wake. These episodic lapses in alertness and wakefulness are also frequently seen in neurodegenerative disorders where EEG demonstrates abnormal function in cortical regions associated with cognitive fluctuations. Moreover, functional connectivity MRI shows instability of cortical networks in individuals with cognitive fluctuations. We propose that the inability to stabilize neural state due to disruptions in the sleep-wake control networks is common to the sleep and cognitive dysfunctions seen in hypersomnia and neurodegenerative disorders.
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV deficiency increases susceptibility to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced peritracheal edema.

Background Serum dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) activity is decreased in some individuals with ACE inhibitor–associated angioedema. ACE and DPPIV degrade substance P, an edema-forming peptide. The contribution of impaired degradation of substance P by DPPIV to the pathogenesis of ACE inhibitor–associated angioedema is unknown. Objectives We sought to determine whether DPPIV deficiency results in increased edema formation during ACE inhibition. We also sought to develop an animal model using magnetic resonance imaging to quantify ACE inhibitor–induced edema. Methods The effect of genetic DPPIV deficiency on peritracheal edema was assessed in F344 rats after treatment with saline, captopril (2.5 mg/kg), or captopril plus the neurokinin receptor antagonist spantide (100 μg/kg) by using serial T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Results Serum dipeptidyl peptidase activity was dramatically decreased in DPPIV-deficient rats ( P P = .001), saline-treated rats of the normal substrain ( P P = .001). Cotreatment with spantide attenuated peritracheal edema in captopril-treated DPPIV-deficient rats ( P = .005 vs captopril-treated DPPIV-deficient rats and P = .57 vs saline-treated DPPIV-deficient rats). Conclusions DPPIV deficiency predisposes to peritracheal edema formation when ACE is inhibited through a neurokinin receptor–dependent mechanism. Magnetic resonance imaging is useful for modeling ACE inhibitor–associated angioedema in rats. Clinical implications Genetic or environmental factors that decrease DPPIV activity might increase the risk of ACE inhibitor–associated angioedema.
Exponentially embedded families - new approaches to model order estimation

The use of exponential embedding of two or more probability density functions (pdfs) is introduced. Termed the exponentially embedded family (EEF) of pdfs, its properties are first examined and then it is applied to the problem of model order estimation. The proposed estimator is compared with the minimum description length (MDL) and is found to be superior for cases of practical interest. Also, we point out there is a relationship between the embedded family model order estimator and the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT). The embedded family estimator appears to extend the GLRT to the case of multiple alternative hypotheses that have differing numbers of unknown parameters.
Solitary-wave and multi-pulsed traveling-wave solutions of boussinesq systems

This paper studies traveling-wave solutions of the partial differential equations which model waves in a horizontal water channel traveling in both directions. The existence of solitary-wave solutions for a number of systems is proved. Interesting new multi-pulsed traveling-wave solutions which consist of an arbitrary number of troughs are found numerically. The bifurcation diagrams of N-trough solutions with respect to phase speed and system parameters are presented.
Transforming growth factor β and CD25 are important for controlling systemic dissemination following Yersinia enterocolitica infection of the gut

Infection of the gut by invasive bacterial pathogens leads to robust inflammatory responses that if left unchecked can lead to autoimmune disease and other sequelae. How the immune system controls inflammation and limits collateral damage to the host during acute bacterial infection is poorly understood. Here, we report that antibody-mediated neutralization of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) prior to infection with the model enteric pathogen Yersinia enterocolitica reduces the mean time to death by 1 day (P = 0.001), leads to rapid colonization of the liver and lung, and is associated with exacerbation of inflammatory histopathology. During Yersinia enterocolitica infection CD4+ cells are the source of de novo TGF-β transcription in the Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleen. Correspondingly there is both antigen-specific and -independent expansion of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ and TGF-β+ T-regulatory cells (T-regs) after Yersinia infection that is reduced in ovalbumin T-cell receptor-restricted OT-II mice. Functional inactivation of CD25 by anti-CD25 treatment results in more rapid death, dissemination of the bacteria to the liver and lungs, and exacerbated inflammatory histopathology, similar to what is seen during TGF-β neutralization. Altogether, these data suggest that TGF-β produced by T-regs is important in restricting bacteria during the acute phase of invasive bacterial infection of the gut. These data expand the roles of T-regs to include tempering inflammation during acute infection in addition to the well-established roles of T-regs in chronic infection, control of immune homeostasis, and autoimmune disease.
Growth and Glycolysis in the Human Diploid Cell Strain WI-38.

SummaryAspects of the carbohydrate metabolism of a strain of serially cultured human diploid cells which fulfill the criteria for normal cells have been studied. These cells show an initial 24-hour lag in cell division and glycolysis upon subcultivation. Following this, cell division proceeds rapidly for 5 to 6 days. Rates of glucose utilization and lactic acid production generally follow the same time course. The glycolytic rate of these cells resembles that of other serially cultured cells.In the absence of added glucose: mannose, galactose and fructose were able to support the growth of human diploid cells. Mannose was converted to lactic acid at almost the same rate as glucose while galactose and fructose were converted to lactate at a somewhat slower rate.
Bupropion inhibits the cellular effects of nicotine in the ventral tegmental area

Each year, tobacco use causes over 4 million deaths worldwide and billions of dollars are spent on treatment for tobacco-related illness. Bupropion, an atypical antidepressant, improves the rates of successful smoking cessation, however, the mechanisms by which bupropion reduces cigarette smoking and depression are unknown. Here we show that clinical concentrations of bupropion inhibit nicotine’s stimulatory effects on brain reward areas. Many drugs of abuse, including nicotine, stimulate dopamine (DA) release in the mesoaccumbens reward system. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) mediate nicotine’s stimulation of DA release, as well as its rewarding effects. Nicotinic receptors are expressed by excitatory and inhibitory neurons that control DA neuron excitability, and by the DA neurons themselves. Bupropion is a broad-spectrum non-competitive nicotinic receptor antagonist. Here we report that pre-treatment of brain slices with a clinically relevant concentration of bupropion dramatically reduces the effects of nicotine on DA neuron excitability. Nicotinic receptors on VTA DA neurons and their synaptic inputs are inhibited by 75 – 95% after bupropion treatment. We also find that bupropion alone reduces GABAergic transmission to DA neurons, thereby diminishing tonic inhibition of these neurons. This increases DA neuron excitability during bupropion treatment in the absence of nicotine, and may contribute to bupropion’s antidepressant actions.
Binder fiber distribution and tensile properties of thermally point bonded cotton‐based nonwovens

Cotton-based nonwovens are generally produced by carding and then bonding. One of the most important characteristics of nonwoven materials is the uniformity of their structure and properties. However, the carded webs always have irregularities caused by processing and material variables. The binder fiber distribution in carded cotton-based nonwoven fabrics was analyzed based on the crystallization behavior of one of the components of the binder fibers by DSC. The effects of process parameters, such as bonding temperature and binder fiber component, on the uniformity were discussed in detail in this article. Also, the relationship of binder fiber distribution and the strip tensile property and single-bond tensile strength were investigated. The results showed that if the binder fibers were not well distributed in the fabric, it would be hard to get the same trend of temperature effect on tensile property for the strip and single-bond tests. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 3148–3155, 2004
Diagnosis and Management of Otitis Media

Acute otitis media (AOM) is one of the most common reasons for sick child visits in the United States. Controversy over its diagnosis and appropriate management has led the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Family Physicians to author evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. These guidelines are used for the healthy children aged 2 mo to 12 yr. The guidelines do not apply to children with underlying conditions that alter the nature of middle ear disease. Underlying conditions include anatomic abnormalities such as cleft palate and genetic conditions such as Down syndrome, immunodeficiencies, and the presence of cochlear implants.
New State And County Mayfly (Ephemeroptera) Records For Six Midwest States

ABSTRACT: Seven new state and sixty-four new county records of mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) are given for Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska based upon review of existing collections as well as newly collected material. New state records are provided for Baetis brunneicolor (Baetidae), Iswaeon anoka (Baetidae), Procloeon fragile (Baetidae), Pseudocentroptiloides usa (Baetidae), Cercobrachys lilliei (Caenidae), and Heptagenia whitingi (Heptageniidae).
SGEF Is Regulated via TWEAK/Fn14/NF-κB Signaling and Promotes Survival by Modulation of the DNA Repair Response to Temozolomide

Glioblastoma (GB) is the highest grade and most common form of primary adult brain tumors. Despite surgical removal followed by concomitant radiation and chemotherapy with the alkylating agent temozolomide, GB tumors develop treatment resistance and ultimately recur. Impaired response to treatment occurs rapidly, conferring a median survival of just fifteen months. Thus, it is necessary to identify the genetic and signaling mechanisms that promote tumor resistance to develop targeted therapies to combat this refractory disease. Previous observations indicated that SGEF (ARHGEF26), a RhoG-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), is overexpressed in GB tumors and plays a role in promoting TWEAK-Fn14–mediated glioma invasion. Here, further investigation revealed an important role for SGEF in glioma cell survival. SGEF expression is upregulated by TWEAK-Fn14 signaling via NF-κB activity while shRNA-mediated reduction of SGEF expression sensitizes glioma cells to temozolomide-induced apoptosis and suppresses colony formation following temozolomide treatment. Nuclear SGEF is activated following temozolomide exposure and complexes with the DNA damage repair (DDR) protein BRCA1. Moreover, BRCA1 phosphorylation in response to temozolomide treatment is hindered by SGEF knockdown. The role of SGEF in promoting chemotherapeutic resistance highlights a heretofore unappreciated driver, and suggests its candidacy for development of novel targeted therapeutics for temozolomide-refractory, invasive GB cells. Implication: SGEF, as a dual process modulator of cell survival and invasion, represents a novel target for treatment refractory glioblastoma. Mol Cancer Res; 14(3); 302–12. ©2016 AACR .
Liberal Inclusiveness and Aliens: The Emergence of Cost-Benefit Analysis and Proportionality in the Treatment of Aliens in the U.S. and Germany

Viewed in perspective, the gap between "citizen" and "alien" has been shrinking in both American and German law. Despite some recent hostility toward immigrants and aliens in both countries, the longer-term tendency has been to grant aliens greater rights. In part this is because the courts have moved to a more functionalist and prosaic perspective and away from grand theories of citizenship and rights. In part, however, this development also points to the reduction of solidarity within these societies and the decline in the power and viability of citizenship as a political and socio-economic category. The result has been a gain in "recognition" but at the expense of "redistributive" politics. An emphasis on individualized equal protection has greatly facilitated struggles against discrimination, yet that has happened at the expense of class and other solidarities that might be desirable in the face of rampant and deterritorialized capital.
The effect of Argon ion irradiation on the thickness and structure of ultrathin amorphous carbon films

Carbon films synthesized by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) exhibit a layered structure consisting of a bottom (interface) and a top (surface) layer rich in sp2 atomic carbon bonding and a middle (bulk) layer of much higher sp3 content. Because of significant differences in the composition, structure, and thickness of these layers, decreasing the film thickness may negatively affect its properties. In this study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) were used to examine the effect of Ar+ ion irradiation on the structure and thickness of ultrathin films of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) and hydrogen-free amorphous carbon (a-C) deposited by PECVD and FCVA, respectively. The TEM and EELS results show that 2-min ion irradiation decreases the film thickness without markedly changing the film structure and composition, whereas 4-min ion irradiation results in significant film thinning and a moderate d...
Genetically controlled cortical tissue deposition inNormalograptus scalaris (Hisinger, 1837)

A specimen ofNormalograptus scalaris (Hisinger) from the Llandovery of Dalarna, Sweden, shows a highly asymmetrical rhabdosome in which one stipe was abandoned at an early stage in the growth of the colony. The surface of the rhabdosome is thickly covered by cortical tissue, but the remaining dorsal side of the second stipe is left free. Even though the symmetry of the colony is strongly distorted, it survived for a considerable time. It is suggested that this unusual development involved genetic control of cortical tissue deposition in the graptolite colony.
The Design and Construction of a Shape Memory Alloy Tail Boom Actuator

Recent developments in the world of active materials have made possible alternatives to traditional electromechanical actuation. This paper describes the development, construction, and testing of a shape memory alloy tail boom actuator. This actuator was constructed from a complaint graphite spine actuated by Nitanol wires supported by Kevlar truss members. The Nitanol wires were attached to a control circuit consisting of a modified Cirrus 21-BB servomotor demodulator chip. This allowed for precise control of the actuator. Static and dynamic test along with blocking force tests and power consumption tests determined that this actuator design is suitable to use on light model aircraft. Future research is geared toward incorporating this actuator into a flight worthy system. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 1 41st Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit 6-9 January 2003, Reno, Nevada AIAA 2003-110 Copyright © 2003 by David Padgett. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 2
Targeting and functional role of N-RAP, a nebulin-related LIM protein, during myofibril assembly in cultured chick cardiomyocytes.

Targeting and functional effects of N-RAP domains were studied by expression as GFP-tagged fusion proteins in cultured embryonic chick cardiomyocytes. GFP-tagged N-RAP was targeted to myofibril precursors, myofibril ends and cell contacts, expression patterns that are similar to endogenous N-RAP. The GFP-tagged N-RAP LIM domain (GFP-N-RAP-LIM) was targeted to the membrane in cells with myofibril precursors and cell-cell contacts. The GFP-tagged super repeats (N-RAP-SR) and the GFP-tagged domain normally found in between the super repeats and the LIM domain (N-RAP-IB) were each observed at sites of myofibril assembly, incorporating into myofibril precursors in a manner similar to full length N-RAP. However, unlike full-length N-RAP, N-RAP-SR and N-RAP-IB were also found in mature myofibrils, associating with the sarcomeric actin filaments and the Z-lines, respectively. N-RAP-IB was also colocalized with α-actinin at cell contacts. Each of the N-RAP constructs could inhibit the formation of mature myofibrils in cultured cardiomyocytes, with the effects of N-RAP-SR and N-RAP-IB depending on the time of transfection. The results show that each region of N-RAP is crucial for myofibril assembly. Combining the targeting and functional effects of N-RAP domains with information in the literature, we propose a new model for initiation of myofibrillogenesis.
Sorption of MS2 bacteriophage to layered double hydroxides: effects of reaction time, pH, and competing anions.

Batch sorption and column breakthrough studies were conducted to investigate the potential of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) to remove bacteriophage MS2 from contaminated waters. All four of the LDHs evaluated in this study had very high retention capacities for MS2. Sorption results showed that MS2 could be completely removed from 5.2 x 10(2) plaque-forming units (pfu)/mL solution by Mg-Al LDH 2 (i.e., 2:1 Mg to Al ratio LDH), with the highest sorption capacity observed in this study of 1.51 x 10(10) pfu/g. Attachment of MS2 to LDHs was a rapid process and reached quasi-equilibrium after a 1-h reaction time. Within the pH range studied (pH 4-9), Mg-Al LDH 2 showed high sorption potential for MS2 at all pH values but sorption decreased slightly with increasing solution pH. Background solution anions influenced virus sorption, with SO4(2-) and HPO4(2-) decreasing sorption significantly whereas the presence of NO3- had little effect on the attachment of MS2 to Mg-Al LDH 2. The addition of another virus (phiX174) only caused a slight decrease in the retention of MS2 by Mg-Al LDH 2, suggesting that there was insignificant competitive sorption between MS2 and phiX174 on LDH surfaces. Results from column experiments indicate that there was no MS2 breakthrough from columns packed with Mg-Al LDH 2-coated sand, suggesting complete MS2 retention at the virus concentration tested. The high mass recovery by beef extract solution revealed that the removal of viruses by the LDH was due to sorption of MS2 to LDH surfaces, rather than inactivation.
Adenovirus ELISA for the evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with suspected neurosyphilis.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detecting antibodies against the adenovirus group antigen was used to examine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of suspected neurosyphilis patients for serum contamination or blood–brain barrier (BBB) leakage. Adenovirus antibodies are ubiquitous, produce high antibody titers, and rarely cause central nervous system (CNS) infections. Of 52 normal adult sera tested with this ELISA, only one lacked antibodies. CSF from 48 healthy individuals did not present a detectable amount of ariti-adenovirus antibodies. CSF from 33 suspected neurosyphilis patients with positive results in the fluorescent treponemal antibody–absorption (FTA-ABS)–CSF test were examined. Eighteen showed anti-adenovirus antibodies indicating contamination of the CSF with peripheral blood or damaged BBB by syphilis or other disease, resulting in questionable CSF treponemal results. The remaining 15 of these patients appeared to be producing their anti-treponemal antibodies in the CNS. This procedure may prove to be of considerable help in excluding false positive FTA-ABS results in CSF samples.
Dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) response to low rates of selected foliar- and soil-applied sulfonylurea and growth regulator herbicides

Field experiments on dry pea (Pisum sativum) were conducted at five locations across the United States in 1995 and 1996 to investigate the effects of low rates of chlorsulfuron, thifensulfuron, and dicamba applied postemergence and of chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron, and clopyralid applied pre- plant incorporated in the soil on pea plants. Although chlorsulfuron, thifensulfuron, and dicamba caused significant injury symptoms on pea plants, they had little effect on yield. The lowest rates of foliar applications that caused observable symptoms were 0.035, 0.086, and 1.56 g ai/ha for chlor- sulfuron, thifensulfuron, and dicamba, respectively, whereas chlorsulfuron, thifensulfuron, and di- camba rates that reduced pea yield by 25% were 0.18, 1.36, and 25 g/ha, respectively. Clopyralid caused more injury symptoms than metsulfuron or chlorsulfuron with soil application. However, the lowest rates of chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron, and clopyralid that caused observable symptoms were lower than the rates that reduced yield. This study showed that pea plants can sustain some level of plant injury without a large reduction in yield. Nomenclature: Chlorsulfuron, 2-chloro-N-(((4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)carbonyl) benzenesulfonamide; clopyralid, 3,6-dichloro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid; dicamba, 3,6-dichloro-2-meth- oxybenzoic acid; metsulfuron, 2-(((((4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)carbonyl)amino) sulfonyl) benzoic acid; thifensulfuron, 3-(((((4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino)carbonyl) amino)sulfonyl)-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid; dry pea, Pisum sativum L. Additional index words: Chlorsulfuron, clopyralid, dicamba, foliar symptoms, metsulfuron, thifen-
Abstract WP429: The Cognitive Impairment in Stroke Screener (CISS) Tool: an Improved Screening Tool to Detect Cognitive Impairment Early Among Stroke Patients

Background: Early cognitive screening of stroke patients may identify unmet rehabilitative needs during stroke recovery but validated tools are lacking. We report our experience with the Six Item Screener (SIS) compared to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and attempt to improve upon its shortcomings in stroke patients. Hypothesis: Low sensitivity of the SIS for cognitive impairment (CI) in stroke patients can be improved by incorporating visuoexecutive dimensions. Methods: Patients admitted with ischemic stroke (IS), transient ischemic attack (TIA), intracerebral (ICH) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) between December 2014 and June 2015 underwent inpatient screening for CI using SIS and MOCA, administered by speech-pathologists if they were alert and not aphasic. Predictive value and sensitivity/specificity cut-offs of SIS for CI (MOCA≤23) were determined. A screening tool, created by adding a clock-drawing task and dropping least important SIS components was developed. Results: Of 110 (IS/TIA: 56, ICH: 17, SAH: 26) patients who had MOCA and SIS performed at the same visit, 79 patients had CI; other patient characteristics including stroke severity, are described (Fig 1A). The AUC of SIS for CI was 0.78 and comparable across stroke types (AUC for IS: 0.81 ICH: 0.79 SAH: 0.95). SIS≤4 had 46.6% sensitivity for CI while SIS≤5 had 72.6% sensitivity and 80.6% specificity for CI. Excluding ‘year’ and ‘month’ questions of the SIS had no effect on the performance of the screening test (AUC=0.78 without). A 7-item tool (CISS) that included the clock drawing task (3 points) and omitted “year/month” SIS questions had excellent predictive power for CI (AUC=0.89) and comparable across stroke types (AUC 0.89-0.93) (Fig 1B,C). CISS≤6 had 94.5% sensitivity and 49.4% specificity for CI. Conclusions: The CISS improves upon the low sensitivity of the SIS for CI in stroke patients. A validation study using 3-month neuropsychological testing as the gold-standard is underway.
How does the GAL4 transcription factor recognize the appropriate DNA binding sites in vivo

The GAL4 protein of yeast activates the transcription of several genes involved in galactose metabolism. This event requires that GAL4 bind to upstream activation sites with the consensus sequence 5'-CGGN5(T/A)N5CCG-3'. We review the general requirements that must be met for a protein such as GAL4 to find and remain bound to its target site in vivo. Evidence is presented that the GAL4 DNA-binding domain itself has insufficient intrinsic sequence selectivity to fulfill the task of targeting GAL4 to the appropriate sites in a yeast genome. Possible mechanisms by which this selectivity is enhanced in vivo are discussed.
Social Network Analysis Approach for Improved Transportation Planning

AbstractSocial network analysis (SNA) is a well-established methodology for investigating networks through the use of mathematical formulations abstracted from graph theory. It has been successfully used in social sciences to evaluate how individuals and institutions are affected by societal or professional networks, and it has been applied to some civil and construction engineering applications where a network’s main actors are people or organizations controlled by people. Current transportation analysis tools are expensive and time consuming, and require rigorous data for reliable results. Accordingly, a quick and inexpensive methodology to preliminarily analyze traffic networks is beneficial to better direct more detailed transportation analyses. Because of its ability to grasp the full complexity and connectivity of networks in a timely and cost effective manner, SNA can fulfill this requirement. Mathematically speaking, social networks are very close to transportation networks because they share fund...
Recombination edges observed in solar soft X-ray flare spectra

Edges in the solar soft X-ray flare continuum have been observed with the NRL Bragg crystal spectrometer aboard OSO-4. The edges near 2.06 A, 2.8 A, and 4.46 A are interpreted to be due to an innershell dielectronic recombination process, details of which are presented. Two other edges, 3.59 A and 3.31 A, are interpreted to be due to recombination of the bare sulfur ion and innershell transitions of calcium.
Implication of Pre-replication Complex Proteins in Human Disease

Proper DNA replication is essential for the maintenance of genomic integrity during cell division. The DNA replication process in eukaryotes is an immaculately concerted and complex process that has evolved several safeguards to ensure the prevention and propagation of erroneous DNA duplication. Hence any mistakes therein, either due to mutations in the components of the replication machinery or change in their expression pattern, could lead to significant genomic abnormalities, which could manifest in a variety of diseases. In this chapter, we will discuss some of the major disease phenotypes associated with DNA replication machinery, particularly focusing on the members of the pre-replication complex (Pre-RC).
Why One Cannot Estimate the Entropy of English by Sampling

AbstractThere have been attempts to approximate the entropy of English by frequency analysis of large corpora. Our original goal was to deduce more precise estimates by extensive calculations. This did not work well, thus confirming a widely held belief in linguistics. In order to put this belief on a firm basis, we used a simplified language model, closely related to others in the literature. This model exhibits an unexpected trichotomy: for very small n, say up to in our case, n-gram counting is reasonably reliable; for medium n, up to 14, increasing statistical noise is added, and beyond that we see statistical noise only. The model is precise enough to yield explicit values for the thresholds given above dependent on the corpus size. Even though a mathematically rigorous proof for English itself is out of reach, our model gives a strong indication that frequency counting in (large) corpora is a dead end for approximating the entropy of English, and different linguistic tools and insights are required....
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality: Two global challenges

There are many good reasons to promote sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other combustion emissions. The air quality in many urban environments is causing many premature deaths because of asthma, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and dementia associated with combustion emissions. The global social cost of air pollution is at least $3 trillion/year; particulates, nitrogen oxides and ozone associated with combustion emissions are very costly pollutants. Better air quality in urban environments is one of the reasons for countries to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. There are many potential benefits associated with limiting climate change. In the recent past, the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have been increasing and the number of weather and climate disasters with costs over $1 billion has been increasing. The average global temperature set new record highs in 2014, 2015, and 2016. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the transition to electric vehicles and electricity generation using renewable energy must take place in accord with the goals of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This work reviews progress and identifies some of the health benefits associated with reducing combustion emissions. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 982–988, 2017
The role of community college first-year experience programs in promoting transfer among Latino male students

ABSTRACTA qualitative case study approach was used to examine Latino male students and First-Year Experience (FYE) programs aimed at promoting student transfer. Two FYE programs at two community colleges in California were studied: Bridgetown Community College and Portlake Community College (pseudonyms). Study participants included four groups: Latino male FYE students, Latino male FYE alumni, FYE counselors, and FYE coordinators. Data collection strategies included semi-structured interviews, site observations, and document analysis. Analysis of data involved both deductive and inductive approaches, and resulted in identification of four findings critical to the success of FYE programs and their work with Latino males: (a) the need to support help-seeking behaviors, (b) the need to address the “long journey” to transfer, (c) the need to support students’ work burden and financial constraints, and (d) the need to incorporate approachable and culturally responsive practices. Overall, the study offers insig...
Aegis : a novel cyber-insurance model

Recent works on Internet risk management have proposed the idea of cyber-insurance to eliminate risks due to security threats, which cannot be tackled through traditional means such as by using antivirus and antivirus softwares. In reality, an Internet user faces risks due to security attacks as well as risks due to non-security related failures (e.g., reliability faults in the form of hardware crash, buffer overflow, etc.). These risk types are often indistinguishable by a naive user. However, a cyber-insurance agency would most likely insure risks only due to security attacks. In this case, it becomes a challenge for an Internet user to choose the right type of cyber-insurance contract as traditional optimal contracts, i.e., contracts for security attacks only, might prove to be sub-optimal for himself. In this paper, we address the problem of analyzing cyber-insurance solutions when a user faces risks due to both, security as well as non-security related failures. We propose Aegis, a simple and novel cyber-insurance model in which the user accepts a fraction (strictly positive) of loss recovery on himself and transfers rest of the loss recovery on the cyber-insurance agency. We mathematically show that only under conditions when buying cyber-insurance is mandatory, given an option, risk-averse Internet users would prefer Aegis contracts to traditional cyber-insurance contracts, under all premium types. This result firmly establishes the non-existence of traditional cyber-insurance markets when Aegis contracts are offered to users. We also derive an interesting counterintuitive result related to the Aegis framework: we show that an increase(decrease) in the premium of an Aegis contract may not always lead to decrease(increase) in its user demand. In the process, we also state the conditions under which the latter trend and its converse emerge. Our work proposes a new model of cyber-insurance for Internet security that extends all previous related models by accounting for the extra dimension of non-insurable risks. Aegis also incentivizes Internet users to take up more personal responsibility for protecting their systems.
Determination of radiation reduction to the lens during polymography of the petrous pyramid.

The preclusion of unwarranted radiation to critical organs is a basic principle of radiation safety to the patient. The lens of the eye is a critical organ in that ionizing radiation may induce cataract formation. In order to obviate this complication, a study was undertaken to determine the dosage to the ocular lens during petrous hypocycloidal tomography with and without ocular lead shields. (auth)
Educating the Reflective School Leader

This paper presents a conceptual analysis of the nature of reflective practice and an argument for emphasizing reflective practice in the preparation and professional development of school leaders....
Connectomics of neurodegeneration.

Misfolded protein aggregates are a classical hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. By combining a mouse model of misfolded protein injection and a brain network model of misfolded protein diffusion, a study now finds a strong link between the stereotypical spreading patterns of neurodegeneration, protein expression and anatomical connectivity.
The influence of leaf traits and deficit irrigation on insect communities in mature green tomato production

Drought affects many agriculturally important areas, hampering the cultivation of water intensive crops such as tomatoes. Unlike processing tomatoes, deficit irrigation of fresh market tomatoes is not currently practiced. Deficit irrigation could have negative trade‐offs for yield and pest populations by changing plant nutritional values and the microenvironment. The present study compared crop response and insect populations at two field locations: an on‐farm trial with 0%, 15% and 30% water deficit treatments, and a research station trial with 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% water deficit treatments. At the on‐farm trial, water deficits of 30% affected fruit yield, leaf relative water content (RWC) and leaf δ¹³C, whereas, in the research station trial, water deficits only affected leaf RWC. Treatments did not change the abundance of any insect groups. Sap‐feeding insects such as silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) increased with plant traits indicating hydration such as canopy temperature depression (CTD) and RWC. Furthermore, CTD influenced the composition of insect communities. Sap‐feeding insect abundance may vary with traits indicating hydration because of turgor pressure required for feeding, as well as a more suitable microenvironment.
Information Literacy Instruction and Online Learning: Making the Case for Incorporating Digital Badges

Information Literacy Instruction has a long history of being taught by librarians to online learners. Emerging technologies help librarians increase their ability to meet the needs, learning styles...
Development and Student Percepetions of Think-Pair-Share Activities in a Senior-Level Linear Control Systems Course

This work in progress paper in the research to practice category describes the development and student response to Think-Pair-Share (TPS) activities in a senior-level linear control systems course, including changes to their implementation based on student feedback. Our results indicate that students have a positive perception of our use of TPS activities; future work will include measuring learning gains resulting from these activities.
Blacks’ Diminished Health Returns of Educational Attainment: Health and Retirement Study

Background: Education level reduces the risk of health problems such as poor self-rated health (SRH), high body mass index (BMI), and depressive symptoms (DS). Marginalization – related Diminished Returns (MDRs), however, refer to smaller health benefits of socioeconomic status (SES) indicators particularly educational attainment for the members of racial minority groups such as non-Hispanic Blacks compared to the majority group (non-Hispanic Whites). It is not known, however, if MDRs also hold for middle-age and older adults over a long period of time. Aims: The current study used a nationally representative data set to explore racial variation in the predictive utility of baseline education level on protecting people against poor SRH, BMI, and DS. Methods: Data for this analysis were borrowed from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS 1992-ongoing), a nationally representative longitudinal study that followed 10,023 middle-aged and older adults (50+ years old) for up to 26 years. From this number, 1877 (18.7%) were non-Hispanic Black Americans, and 8,146 (81.3%) were non-Hispanic White Americans. Education level was the independent variable. We used cluster analysis to categorize individuals to low and high-risk groups (outcome) based on SRH, BMI, and DS over 26 years. Age and gender were the covariates. Race was the moderator. Results: Overall, high education level reduced the odds of poor SRH, BMI, and DS over the 26 years of follow up. Interactions were observed between race and education on all three health outcomes indicating smaller protective effects of baseline educational attainment on poor health over time, regardless of the outcome. Conclusions: In line with the MDRs, highly educated non-Hispanic Black Americans remain at high risk for poor health across domains, a risk which is unexpected given their education. The risk of all health outcomes, however, is lowest for non-Hispanic White Americans with highest education. Policies that exclusively focus on equalizing racial gaps in SES (e.g., education) may fail to eliminate the racial and ethnic health inequalities because of the racial inequalities in the marginal health return of education. Public policies must equalize education quality and address structural and environmental barriers that are disproportionately more common in the lives of non-Hispanic Black Americans, even at high education levels. Future research should test how contextual factors, segregation, labor market practices, childhood poverty, and education quality reduces the health return of education for highly educated non-Hispanic Black Americans.