cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image Geo-Localization Based on MultipleNearest Neighbor Feature Matching UsingGeneralized Graphs

In this paper, we present a new framework for geo-locating an image utilizing a novel multiple nearest neighbor feature matching method using Generalized Minimum Clique Graphs (GMCP). First, we extract local features (e.g., SIFT) from the query image and retrieve a number of nearest neighbors for each query feature from the reference data set. Next, we apply our GMCP-based feature matching to select a single nearest neighbor for each query feature such that all matches are globally consistent. Our approach to feature matching is based on the proposition that the first nearest neighbors are not necessarily the best choices for finding correspondences in image matching. Therefore, the proposed method considers multiple reference nearest neighbors as potential matches and selects the correct ones by enforcing consistency among their global features (e.g., GIST) using GMCP. In this context, we argue that using a robust distance function for finding the similarity between the global features is essential for the cases where the query matches multiple reference images with dissimilar global features. Towards this end, we propose a robust distance function based on the Gaussian Radial Basis Function (G-RBF). We evaluated the proposed framework on a new data set of 102k street view images; the experiments show it outperforms the state of the art by 10 percent.
Quantitation of rare memory B cell populations by two independent and complementary approaches.

Current methodology for quantitation of memory B cells (MBC) in clinical samples is limited and often does not allow for detection of multiple MBC specificities in a single assay. Here we describe two independent approaches to antigen-specific MBC quantitation. First, a sensitive flow cytometry (FC) assay was developed for simultaneous quantitation of two prototypical B cell antigens, tetanus and diphtheria. Second, an ELISA-based MBC limiting dilution assay (LDA) was developed that provides quantitative analysis of up to 8–12 different MBC frequencies from a single blood sample. Cross-validation studies indicated that MBC numbers measured by FC correlated significantly with the frequencies obtained by LDA (p=0.0002). These two functionally distinct approaches will be useful for accurate quantitation of rare MBC populations specific for either simple antigens (e.g. tetanus and diphtheria) or complex antigens (e.g. vaccinia or other viruses), and is amenable for use in a variety of model systems.
Metamaterial Blueprints for Reflectionless Waveguide Bends

A derivation of metamaterial blueprints for the reflectionless (perfectly matched) guiding of electromagnetic waves through waveguide bends is performed. The sensitivity of the response with respect to small perturbations in the associated constitutive tensors is examined.
Progress in Spatial Demography.

Background Demography is an inherently spatial science, yet the application of spatial data and methods to demographic research has tended to lag that of other disciplines. In recent years, there has been a surge in interest in adding a spatial perspective to demography. This sharp rise in interest has been driven in part by rapid advances in geospatial data, new technologies, and methods of analysis. Objectives We offer a brief introduction to four of the advanced spatial analytic methods: spatial econometrics, geographically weighted regression, multilevel modeling, and spatial pattern analysis. We look at both the methods used and the insights that can be gained by applying a spatial perspective to demographic processes and outcomes. To help illustrate these substantive insights, we introduce six papers that are included in a Special Collection on Spatial Demography. We close with some predictions for the future, as we anticipate that spatial thinking and the use of geospatial data, technology, and analytical methods will change how many demographers address important demographic research questions. Conclusion Many important demographic questions can be studied and framed using spatial approaches. This will become even more evident as changes in the volume, source, and form of available demographic data-much of it geocoded-further alter the data landscape, and ultimately the conceptual models and analytical methods used by demographers. This overview provides a brief introduction to a rapidly changing field.
Factors Influencing High School Students' Career Aspirations.

This article explores the factors influencing high school students' career aspirations with a study analyzing 141 high school students. The Social Cognitive Career Development Model was utilized to examine the interactive relationships among learning experiences, career self-efficacy, outcome expectations, career interests, and career choices. The results of a structural equation modeling analysis supported the mediating role of career self-efficacy in the career decision-making process, but the specific paths among the predicting variables to career aspirations were found to be different for female and male high school students. Implications for school counselors to provide more effective career intervention programs are discussed.
An Examination of the Short Need for Cognition Scale

The 18-item short Need for Cognition Scale (NCS; Cacioppo, Petty, & Kao, 1984) was administered to 708 female and 510 male undergraduates. Consistent with the findings of Cacioppo et al., a princip...
Computer systems analysis of the cardiovascular mechanisms of reentry orthostasis in astronauts

Reentry orthostasis secondary to a prolonged exposure to microgravity is a common problem among astronauts. However, the physiologic mechanisms are poorly understood due to the many control systems involved. In this study an advanced computer model of cardiovascular functioning was employed in a systems analysis approach to clarify the relative importance of some of the adaptive physiologic processes engaged when humans return from space. After simulation of the conditions of zero gravity for one month, the model predicted that the change in capacitance of the lower extremity veins resulting from a loss of external fluid forces in the dehydrated extracellular compartment was the dominant mechanism associated with reentry orthostasis. This condition appears accentuated in women due to their inherent lower center of gravity and proportionately larger mass in the lower extremities.
ANYPHAENA (ARANEAE, ANYPHAENIDAE) OVERWINTERING ON LOWEST LIMBS OF WHITE OAK

Juvenile Anyphaena sp. were collected from overwintering traps placed on the lowest limbs of white oak, Quercus alba, in South Carolina. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine that the number of juvenile Anyphaena sp. found can be predicted by the circumference of the limb, the distance from the trunk and the distance from the ground. This study helps demonstrate that the limbs of trees, although often neglected in overwintering studies, can provide a refuge for arthropods.
Detecting Insider Information Theft Using Features from File Access Logs

Access control is a necessary, but often insufficient, mechanism for protecting sensitive resources. In some scenarios, the cost of anticipating information needs and specifying precise access control policies is prohibitive. For this reason, many organizations provide employees with excessive access to some resources, such as file or source code repositories. This allows the organization to maximize the benefit employees get from access to troves of information, but exposes the organization to excessive risk. In this work we investigate how to build profiles of normal user activity on file repositories for uses in anomaly detection, insider threats, and risk mitigation. We illustrate how information derived from other users' activity and the structure of the filesystem hierarchy can be used to detect abnormal access patterns. We evaluate our methods on real access logs from a commercial source code repository on tasks of user identification and users seeking to leak resources by accessing more than they have a need for.
THE UTILIZATION OF STEROLS BY INSECTS.

The experimental data discussed in this review are fragmentary and frequently fail, in a most tantalizing fashion, to allow of precise interpretation. For reasons that are indicated, a shadow of uncertainty hangs over several of the nutritional data discussed. The problems inherent in working with the small amounts of material available from insects' tissues have also contributed to the difficulties of interpretation, and even when an unambiguous experimental result is obtained, it may well be hazardous to generalize from one or two species to all members of the class, which, after all, is the largest in the animal kingdom. Nevertheless, it is becoming clear that the sterols play a role in insect physiology that seems remarkably similar to that of cholesterol in the mammal. It is evident that both "structural" and metabolic functions are fulfilled, and there is evidence for the existence of mechanisms for the excretion of sterols and their metabolites. If the latter are excretory forms of physiologically active substances, it seems clear that some metabolites other than ecdysone must be involved, since polar derivatives of cholesterol have been detected in the tissues of adult insects in which, presumably, the prothoracic glands have degenerated and ecdysone is no longer secreted. Studies of the distribution and dynamic state of the tissue sterols of insects show that the sterols per se have diverse roles within the tissues, which for convenience may be described as "structural." Many species of insects can modify the sterols of their diet and presumably such modifications serve to provide a structure that is more appropriate to one or all of the insect's requirements. It is not entirely clear whether phytosterols must always be converted to some extent to cholesterol, but one must conclude from the data available that species differ widely in the extent to which they carry out such conversions. This suggests that while there is probably a basic unity among all species with respect to the types of multimolecular structures into which the sterols are incorporated, there are species differences in the detailed structure of the immediate environment of the sterol molecule. A rewarding aspect of future research in this field may well be the analysis of the relationship between sterols of different structures and the other lipid molecules with which they are associated in the cells of different species. Such studies may shed new light on the manner in which sterols contribute to the stability of subcellular structures. It is almost certain that with the structure of ecdysone finally established as that of a steroid and its biogenesis from cholesterol demonstrated, there will be increasing interest in the functions of sterols and steroids in insects. It is hoped that this review shows that there is an emergent body of coherent biochemical and physiological information to serve as a basis for future work.
Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS sulfonylurea assay for hypoglycemia cases in the emergency department.

Abstract Background Sulfonylureas are antidiabetic agents widely prescribed for the treatment of type-II diabetes. Detection of the presence of sulfonylureas in cases of unexplained hypoglycemia rules out other underlying pathophysiological conditions. The goal of this study was to develop and validate a qualitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) assay for the rapid identification of sulfonylureas in serum. Methods An LC–MS/MS assay was developed using an Agilent HPLC with an AB Sciex 3200 LC–MS/MS operating in ESI positive mode. Linearity, LOD, precision, matrix effect, recovery, carry-over and stability of the final method were evaluated for method validation. Concordance with another clinically validated LC–MS/MS method was evaluated using remnant samples from patients prescribed a sulfonylurea. Results The assay performed well with all validation data meeting pre-determined criteria. The method comparison study showed a correlation coefficient of 0.99 for glipizide, the most common sulfonylurea, despite both methods being validated as qualitative methods. To date the validated assay has been utilized in 19 cases of unexplained hypoglycemia presenting to the emergency department, in which 5 were sulfonylurea positive. Conclusion We have developed a rapid and sensitive LC–MS/MS sulfonylurea assay, and utilized this assay to assist in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hypoglycemia.
Attribute Extraction from Synthetic Web Search Queries

The accuracy and coverage of existing methods for extracting attributes of instances from text in general, and Web search queries in particular, are limited by two main factors: availability of input textual data to which the methods can be applied, and inherent limitations of the underlying assumptions and algorithms being used. This paper proposes a weakly-supervised approach for the acquisition of attributes of instances from input data available in the form of synthetic queries automatically generated from submitted queries. The generated queries allow for the acquisition of additional attributes, leading to extracted lists of attributes of higher quality than with comparable previous methods.
Bone and joint changes following burns; a roentgenographic study; preliminary report.

The skeletal alterations which occur in association with thermal burns have been arbitrarily classified according to their roentgenographic appearance as: osteoporosis, periosteal new-bone formation, pericapsular calcification, osteophyte formation, heterotopic para-articular ossification, joint destruction, and ankylosis. Possible explanations for each of the skeletal changes are offered, but the true pathogenesis is still obscure. Superimposed trauma may be a precipitating factor in instances of heterotopic calcification and ossification and sepsis may be a factor in intra-articular change. Surgical excision of ectopic osseous or calcified tissue is a feasible procedure but should not be undertaken until the patient's general condition is good and all scar tissue is mature and soft.
A Single-Dose Crossover Pharmacokinetic Comparison Study of Oral, Rectal and Topical Quetiapine in Healthy Adults

Quetiapine is an oral atypical antipsychotic drug commonly used to treat a large number of neuropsychiatric disorders and conditions. However, a substantial number of patients who may benefit from treatment with quetiapine are unable to ingest quetiapine or other medications by mouth and thus require alternative routes of administration. There are currently no studies evaluating non-oral compounded dosage forms of quetiapine. We conducted a single-dose open-label crossover pharmacokinetic study in 10 healthy adults to determine whether quetiapine compounded as a rectal suppository or a topical cream achieved absorption similar to that achieved by a commercially available oral formulation. Rectal quetiapine produced an area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC∞) approximately 90 % greater than that produced by an equal (milligram per milligram) dose of oral quetiapine (15,333 ng/mL versus 8118.8 ng/mL, p = 0.005). However, only two of ten subjects who received topical quetiapine had detectable serum levels. When detected, serum levels achieved with topical quetiapine were delayed and low in comparison with those produced by the oral and rectal dosage forms. Our results suggest that rectal, but not topical, quetiapine may be useful in clinical settings. Clinical outcome studies of rectal quetiapine are needed.
Measuring Emissions Against an Alternative Future: Fundamental Flaws in the Structure of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism

Proposals for reforming the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) range in scope, from making the CDM’s rules stricter and/or more objective, to a more fundamental shift away from project-based offsetting. Interviews conducted in India during 2004-2009 on how the CDM is working in practice in India’s electricity sector, an analysis of the project documents from 70 registered CDM projects in India and China, and analysis of the UNEP Risoe CDM project database together indicate fundamental limitations to improving the outcomes of the CDM within its basic structure as a project-base offsetting mechanism. I find: (1) The majority of CDM projects are “non-additional” (would have gone ahead regardless of support from the CDM) and therefore do not represent real emissions reductions; (2) Due to the subjectivity inherent in project development decisions, a reasonably accurate filter for non-additional projects is infeasible; (3) The need to test project additionality, which is inherently difficult and inaccurate, adds uncertainty and time to the CDM application process, compromising its effectiveness in supporting truly additional projects; (4) Beyond the problems with additionality testing, the fundamental structure of the CDM leads to the over-generation of credits and limits its ability to reduce emissions; (5) Taking a step back, the large-scale use of carbon credits generated in developing countries by industrialized countries to meet their emissions targets hinders global efforts to mitigate climate change over the next decades. Both the large-scale use of offsetting to meet industrialized country targets and the continuation of project-based offsetting risk undermining the ability of global climate change agreements to control greenhouse gas emissions.
Editors Note: JAESEs Appropriateness For Tenure & Promotion Decisions

As with any journal in its early years of publication, the question of, Will peer-reviewed JAESE articles count toward academic tenure and promotion decisions at my institution? starts to come across my editorial desk. This is an appropriate query because, unquestionably, the currency of academic scholarship is refereed publications. On behalf of JAESEs distinguished Editorial Advisory Board, am I am able to respond with an enthusiastic, Yes!
Cutaneous manifestations of lung cancer

Skin findings can serve as a clue to internal disease. In this article, cutaneous manifestations of underlying lung malignancy are reviewed. Paraneoplastic dermatoses are rare, but when recognized early, can lead to early diagnosis of an underlying neoplasm. Malignancy-associated dermatoses comprise a broad group of hyperproliferative and inflammatory disorders, disorders caused by tumor production of hormonal or metabolic factors, autoimmune connective tissue diseases, among others. In this review, paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung malignancy are discussed, including ectopic ACTH syndrome, bronchial carcinoid variant syndrome, secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy/digital clubbing, erythema gyratum repens, malignant acanthosis nigricans, sign of Leser-Trelat, tripe palms, hypertrichosis lanuginosa, acrokeratosis paraneoplastica, and dermatomyositis.
The Quality and Readability of Information Available on the Internet Regarding Lumbar Fusion.

Study Design An Internet-based evaluation of Web sites regarding lumbar fusion. Objective The Internet has become a major resource for patients; however, the quality and readability of Internet information regarding lumbar fusion is unclear. The objective of this study is to evaluate the quality and readability of Internet information regarding lumbar fusion and to determine whether these measures changed with Web site modality, complexity of the search term, or Health on the Net Code of Conduct certification. Methods Using five search engines and three different search terms of varying complexity (“low back fusion,” “lumbar fusion,” and “lumbar arthrodesis”), we identified and reviewed 153 unique Web site hits for information quality and readability. Web sites were specifically analyzed by search term and Web site modality. Information quality was evaluated on a 5-point scale. Information readability was assessed using the Flesch-Kincaid score for reading grade level. Results The average quality score was low. The average reading grade level was nearly six grade levels above that recommended by National Work Group on Literacy and Health. The quality and readability of Internet information was significantly dependent on Web site modality. The use of more complex search terms yielded information of higher reading grade level but not higher quality. Conclusions Higher-quality information about lumbar fusion conveyed using language that is more readable by the general public is needed on the Internet. It is important for health care providers to be aware of the information accessible to patients, as it likely influences their decision making regarding care.
Optical and Morphological Characterization of Tb0.01Zr0.99O2/(Precursor Eu0.02Y1.98O3) Core/Shell Nanoparticles as Temperature Sensors in Fast Heating Events

We characterize luminescent Tb0.01Zr0.99O2/(precursor Eu0.02Y1.98O3) core/shell nanoparticles as potential temperature sensors in fast heating events. The core of the nanoparticles consists of crystalline Tb0.01Zr0.99O2, while the shell is an amorphous Eu0.02Y1.98O3 precursor. When subjected to a brief thermal event, the crystalline zirconia core does not undergo any significant phase changes, whereas the yttria precursor shell undergoes an amorphous to crystalline phase change. Using this configuration, the emission intensity due to the Tb3+ ions in the ZrO2 core can be used as a reference. The emission intensity of the 5D0 → 7F2 transition of the Eu3+ ion in the initially amorphous yttria precursor increases with increasing temperature, providing an indicator for temperature. In addition, it is found that the emission intensity of the 5D0 → 7F1 transition of the Eu3+ ion does not depend on temperature and can also be used as a reference to determine temperature.
Data integration for materials research

A new data science initiative in materials research has been launched at The Johns Hopkins University within the Materials in Extreme Dynamic Environments (MEDE) Collaborative Research Alliance (CRA). Our first goal is to build a solution that facilitates seamless data sharing among MEDE scientists. We expect to shorten the design and development cycle of new materials by providing integrated storage, database, and analysis services, building on proven components of the SciServer project developed at the Institute for Data Intensive Engineering and Science (IDIES). Here we present our system design and demonstrate the power of our approach through a use-case that enables easy comparison of simulations and measurements. This prototype effort, focusing on boron carbide (BC), brings together multiple materials research elements in the Ceramics group within the MEDE CRA. The SciServer platform offers single-sign on access to various general purpose data analysis tools familiar to materials scientists in MEDE. During the case study deployment, users appreciated the simple data file upload process, automated database ingestion, and platform applicability to both students of the art and power users. From our case study experience in aggregating data from both simulations and physical experiments, we developed a template workflow from which a user may run a common data comparison task outright or customize to another purpose. Next, we turn to acquiring data from more MEDE groups and expanding the user base to the Metals group.
Study on Flashover Model of UHV Substation Post Insulator in Serious Icing Condition

Substation post insulators are easier to ice than line insulators,and they impact transmission lines more seriously.In order to obtain icing electrical performance of ultra high voltage(UHV) substation post insulators,we established a flashover model of post insulators in serious icing condition based on the Obenaus concept.Moreover,we tested on the model by using solid layer method and applied water conductivity method,and compared the results.The comparison showed that the influences of surface salt density and icing water conductivity on the flashover voltage were independent from each other while both showing a negative exponent trend,and the degree of pollution had a linear relationship with the icing water conductivity.A model for calculation was established by considering only an equivalent icing representing the combined effects of pollution and applied icing water conductivity,which reduced the difficulty of computing.The model was adopted to calculate the flashover voltages of post insulators in serious icing,and the error of the computed results from the test results was less than 10%,proving the model to be accurate.
Independent segregation of glutathione S-transferase and fatty acid ethyl ester synthase from pancreas and other human tissues.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes of human pancreas were purified, characterized and evaluated for their possible role in the metabolism of ethanol. Human pancreas has at least two GST isoenzymes belonging to the Alpha class (pI 8.8 and 8.1), one belonging to the Mu class (pI 6.4) and one belonging to the Pi class (pI 4.9). During the purification of GSTs from pancreas as well as from heart, liver, lung, brain and muscle, the fatty acid ethyl ester synthase (FAEES) activity was monitored in order to evaluate the role of GSTs in metabolism of ethanol, as suggested in earlier studies. Both t.l.c. and h.p.l.c. were used to identify ethyl oleate in reaction mixtures to monitor FAEES activity. During the purification of GSTs with the use of affinity chromatography on GSH linked to epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B, FAEES and GST activities from each of these tissues segregated independently. Purified GST isoenzymes from these tissues did not exhibit any FAEES activity. Antibodies raised against Pi-class GST, as expected, immunoprecipitated most of the GST activity of brain and heart without precipitating FAEES activity. These results suggest that human GST isoenzymes belonging to the Alpha, Mu and Pi classes do not express FAEES activity. The independent segregation of GST and FAEES activities was further demonstrated by monitoring GST activity during the purification of FAEES from pancreas. It was found that purified FAEES had no GST activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and a number of other electrophilic substrates. Results of these studies demonstrate that FAEES and GSTs are distinct proteins.
Models of errors and mistakes in machine perception: first results for computer vision range measurements

This paper is a first step toward integrating sensor measurements of distance. Its major contribution is to identify and present qualitative models for the errors and mistakes introduced in three particular computer vision distance measurements: range from focus, range from point-based stereo, and range from line-based stereo.
“We Learned to Perform by Performing”: Ballet Dancers in a Beer Hall

ABSTRACTThis article presents original research from oral history interviews investigating the performances of Austin Ballet Theatre, a regional amateur company, at the Armadillo World Headquarters from 1972 to 1980 in Austin, Texas. The Armadillo was primarily a concert venue and beer hall for psychedelic rock and country music. However, on second Sundays Austin Ballet Theatre presented repertory ballet concerts with great success to large audiences. In interviews, dancers identify their Armadillo performances as a primary site where learning took place. Interviews also reveal how the fun and excitement of monthly performances inspired the dancers to invest deeply in their technique classes and the rehearsal process. Accordingly, this article explores how performances function in dance education: a pedagogy of performing. Because most of these dancers were teenagers and young adults, their testimonies further suggest the potential importance of incorporating frequent, supportive performance opportunities...
Diabetes and kidney disease: the role of sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) and SGLT-2 inhibitors in modifying disease outcomes

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) often have coexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, healthy renal function is crucial in maintaining glucose homeostasis, assuring that almost all of the filtered glucose is reabsorbed by the sodium glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) SGLT-1 and SGLT-2. In diabetes, an increased amount of glucose is filtered by the kidneys and SGLT-2 is upregulated, leading to increased glucose absorption and worsening hyperglycemia. Prolonged hyperglycemia contributes to the development of CKD by inducing metabolic and hemodynamic changes in the kidneys. Due to the importance of SGLT-2 in regulating glucose levels, investigation into SGLT-2 inhibitors was initiated as a glucose-dependent mechanism to control hyperglycemia, and there are three agents currently approved for use in the United States: dapagliflozin, canagliflozin, and empagliflozin. SGLT-2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce glycated hemoglobin (A1C), weight, and blood pressure, which not only affects glycemic control, but may also help slow the progression of renal disease by impacting the underlying mechanisms of kidney injury. In addition, SGLT-2 inhibitors have shown reductions in albuminuria, uric acid, and an increase in magnesium. Caution is advised when prescribing SGLT-2 inhibitors to patients with moderately impaired renal function and those at risk for volume depletion and hypotension. Published data on slowing of the development, as well as progression of CKD, is a hopeful indicator for the possible renal protection potential of this drug class. This narrative review provides an in-depth discussion of the interplay between diabetes, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and factors that affect kidney function.
Ethanol-Induced Lipid Peroxidation and Apoptosis in Embryopathy

Lipid peroxidation is observed during both necrosis and apoptosis [1–4]. The ethanol (EtOH)-induced synthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, mitochondria dysfunction, and oxidative stress has been demonstrated in adult rat brains [5, 6], neuronal cell cultures [7], glial cell cultures [6–8], embryonic chick brains [9–13], and rat placental tissues [14]. EtOH-induced oxidative stress has been well documented in alcohol-induced: liver disease [15–19], muscle disease [20], kidney alterations [21], erosion and alterations of digestive tract mucosa [22, 23], and pancreatitis [24]. Since the author last reviewed EtOH-induced lipid peroxidation in 2004 [25], this chapter will primarily concentrate on papers published after 2004.
STUDENTS' REASONS FOR COMING TO UNIVERSITY: A COMPARISON OF MOTIVATIONS, EXPECTATIONS, AND REALISATIONS

This chapter discusses the students' reasons for seeking a university education and his particular expectations of it, the particular value patterns, and achievement norms with which he came and how far these correlate with social class identity. The students' background influences his attitude to a university education and in consequence his subsequent actions and interactions within the student body are guided by the perceptual terms of reference with which he came. The chapter discusses some quantitative evidence that emerged in the surveys in Durham University and Newcastle University about students' reasons for wanting to go to university and for wanting to attend the particular university of which they were members. The chapter discusses the relative significance of where a student comes from and how this factor of geographical distance interacts with that of social distance in terms of social class to place the students in certain universities, which in turn greatly influence the total student composition of any one university. The chapter discusses how that also influences social patterning within the university.
A Clinical Feasibility Trial for Identification of Exceptional Responders in Whom Breast Cancer Surgery Can Be Eliminated Following Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy

Objective:To determine the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and vacuum-assisted core biopsy (VACB) in assessing the presence of residual cancer in the breast after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST).Summary Background Data:Pathologic complete response (pCR) rates after NST have improved dram
Media Ethics, Fake News, Politics, and Influence in Public Life

We are living in an unusual time that cannot be ignored, particularly from a media ethics perspective. The assault on truth, including but not limited to fake news, alternative facts, and post-trut...
Opportunities and challenges for junior investigators conducting pain clinical trials.

Introduction Clinical investigation serves a vital role to advance treatment and management stratgies for patients with pain. For those new to clinical investigation, key advice for both the novice clinical-investigator and the experienced researcher expanding to translational work may accelerate research efforts. Objective To review foundational material relevant to junior investigators focusing on pain clinical trials, with an emphasis on randomized controlled trials. Methods We reviewed recent publications and resources relevant to clinical investigators, with a particular emphasis on pain research. Results Understanding the approaches and barriers to clinical pain research is a first step to building a successful investigative portfolio. Key components of professional development include motivation, mentorship, and collaborative approaches to research. Many junior clinical-investigators face challenges in pursing research careers and sparking iterative progress towards success in clinical trials. Pain-specific research metrics and goals-including hypothesis development, study design considerations, and regulatory concerns-are also important considerations to junior investigators who pursue clinical trails. Approaches to build toward collaborative and independent funding are essential for investigators. Conclusions This work provides a foundation for understanding the clinical research process and helps inform the goals and plans of clinical-investigators.
Interleukin-4 Modulation of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor–Induced Smooth Muscle Cell Urokinase Plasminogen Activator

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration owing to stimulation of SMC tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) production. In this study we examined the effects of the T-cell lymphokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) on PDGF induction of human aortic SMC antigen levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) and those of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the endogenous inhibitor of t-PA and u-PA, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). u-PA antigen levels from human aortic SMC incubated with PDGF 100 ng/mL and IL-4 500 U/mL were significantly greater than those incubated with PDGF 100 ng/mL alone. Coincubation of PDGF with IL-4 did not significantly increase SMC u-PA antigen levels in cellular lysates. Coincubation with PDGF 100 ng/mL and IL-4 500 U/mL did not significantly affect SMC PAI-1 antigen levels in conditioned media or cellular lysates. Therefore, interleukin-4 modulates vascular SMC u-PA production induced by PDGF.
The Sixth Colorado Mathematical Olympiad: April 21, 1989

On June 23, 1988, UCCS Chancellor Dwayne Nuzum offered to the Olympiad a tough, yet prestigious test. He asked me to make a presentation about the Olympiad to the Board of Regents of the University of Colorado (four-campus system). I told the regents what the Olympiad was, how the entire community (education, industry, and government) joined together in this ongoing project and why I founded it. The Olympiad passed the test.
Construction and Decoding of Optimal Group Codes from Finite Reflection Groups

In this paper, the theory of finite Coxeter groups is applied to group codes. The class of group codes generated by finite Coxeter groups is a generalization of the well-known permutation modulation codes of Slepian. As a main result, a simple set of linear equations is given to characterize the optimal solution to a restricted initial point problem for all these codes. In particular, it is found that Ingemarsson’s solution to the initial point problem for permutation modulation without sign changes is not always optimal. Moreover, a list of new good group codes in dimension 8 is presented. Finally, a new maximum-likelihood decoding algorithm is presented that has a reasonably low complexity and that applies to all codes generated by finite Coxeter groups.
American Journalism: History, Principles, Practices by W. David Sloan and Lisa Mullikin Parcell, eds., Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2002, 378 pp

(2002). American Journalism: History, Principles, Practices by W. David Sloan and Lisa Mullikin Parcell, eds., Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2002, 378 pp. American Journalism: Vol. 19, No. 2, pp. 89-90.
Lyme myelopathy: Case report and literature review of a rare but treatable disorder

The differential diagnosis for transverse myelitis is extensive, and the prognosis is highly variable depending on the etiology. We describe a rare case of a 56-year-old previously healthy male who presented with thoracic paresthesias and hyperesthesias involving the T6-11 dermatomes several weeks after a febrile illness. A thoracic MRI demonstrated a T7-10 transverse myelitis, and an exhaustive evaluation revealed neuroborreliosis. His symptoms improved significantly after an initial steroid course and 21 day course of ceftriaxone. We review neuroborreliosis and summarize the features of 23 previously reported cases of Lyme myelopathy. Although Lyme myelopathy is rare, including Lyme in the differential diagnosis of an acute transverse myelitis work up is important in endemic regions, as it is a potentially reversible disorder with a generally good prognosis when appropriately treated with antibiotics.
Universal Compression with Side Information from a Correlated Source.

Packets originated from an information source in the network can be highly correlated. These packets are often routed through different paths, and compressing them requires to process them individually. Traditional universal compression solutions would not perform well over a single packet because of the limited data available for learning the unknown source parameters. In this paper, we define a notion of correlation between information sources and characterize the average redundancy in universal compression with side information from a correlated source. We define the side information gain as the ratio between the average maximin redundancy of universal compression without side information to that with side information. We derive a lower bound on the side information gain, where we show that the presence of side information provides at least 50% traffic reduction over traditional universal compression when applied to network packet data confirming previous empirical studies.
Generating Quasi-Single Multi - Terawatt Picosecond Pulses in the Neptune CO 2 Laser System

We discuss the status of the University of California, Los Angeles Neptune Laboratory CO 2 master oscillator-power amplifier (MOPA) system and recent modifications aimed to obtain quasi-single pulses with 5–10 TW in the leading 3 ps pulse. A new optical parametric amplification front end capable of produclng ≤ 10 μJ in a few picosecond long, 10 μm pulse was tested experimentally. By switching the regenerative preamplifier in the MOPA to a multipass configuration, the nanosecond contrast is expected to improve by a factor of 103.
World History as Oceanic History: Beyond Braudel

Until recently, most historians shared a prejudice in favour of the history of land, territory and their human inhabitants. Yet two-thirds of the world’s surface is water and much of human history has been conducted on its shores, around its seas and across its oceans. This article proposes reimagining the history of the world through its oceans and seas and examines the multiple genealogies of oceanic history, Mediterranean, Pacific and Atlantic among them. It argues that these models do not exhaust the potential for an oceanic history of the world. It takes the example of the Atlantic and its history to show how models from other oceanic arenas can help us to open up new histories, of regions within larger oceans, of the transnational connections between oceans and of the world beneath the waves.
Bridging functional nanocomposites to robust macroscale devices

At the intersection of the outwardly disparate fields of nanoparticle science and three-dimensional printing lies the promise of revolutionary new "nanocomposite" materials. Emergent phenomena deriving from the nanoscale constituents pave the way for a new class of transformative materials with encoded functionality amplified by new couplings between electrical, optical, transport, and mechanical properties. We provide an overview of key scientific advances that empower the development of such materials: nanoparticle synthesis and assembly, multiscale assembly and patterning, and mechanical characterization to assess stability. The focus is on recent illustrations of approaches that bridge these fields, facilitate the design of ordered nanocomposites, and offer clear pathways to device integration. We conclude by highlighting the remaining scientific challenges, including the critical need for assembly-compatible particle-fluid systems that ultimately yield mechanically robust materials. The role of domain boundaries and/or defects emerges as an important open question to address, with recent advances in fabrication setting the stage for future work in this area.
Variational perspective on local graph clustering

Modern graph clustering applications require the analysis of large graphs and this can be computationally expensive. In this regard, local spectral graph clustering methods aim to identify well-connected clusters around a given "seed set" of reference nodes without accessing the entire graph. The celebrated Approximate Personalized PageRank (APPR) algorithm in the seminal paper by Andersen et al. (in: FOCS '06 proceedings of the 47th annual IEEE symposium on foundations of computer science, pp 475---486, 2006) is one such method. APPR was introduced and motivated purely from an algorithmic perspective. In other words, there is no a priori notion of objective function/optimality conditions that characterizes the steps taken by APPR. Here, we derive a novel variational formulation which makes explicit the actual optimization problem solved by APPR. In doing so, we draw connections between the local spectral algorithm of Andersen et al. (2006) and an iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm (ISTA). In particular, we show that, appropriately initialized ISTA applied to our variational formulation can recover the sought-after local cluster in a time that only depends on the number of non-zeros of the optimal solution instead of the entire graph. In the process, we show that an optimization algorithm which apparently requires accessing the entire graph, can be made to behave in a completely local manner by accessing only a small number of nodes. This viewpoint builds a bridge across two seemingly disjoint fields of graph processing and numerical optimization, and it allows one to leverage well-studied, numerically robust, and efficient optimization algorithms for processing today's large graphs.
Certified Nurse-Midwives' Experiences With Provision of Prenatal Genetic Screening: A Case for Interprofessional Collaboration

Prenatal genetic screening (GS) for the most common autosomal aneuploidies encompasses maternal serum screening (MSS) and noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT, or cell-free fetal DNA testing). In the United States, most maternity care is provided by obstetrician-gynecologists; however, women are increasingly utilizing the services of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs). Currently, limited research exists on midwives' experiences with providing prenatal GS. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore CNMs' experiences in providing prenatal GS. A semistructured guide focused on MSS and NIPT was used to interview a convenience sample of 13 CNMs. Results were coded and analyzed using grounded theory to elicit overarching themes. Results were organized into 6 themes describing CNMs' prenatal GS provision: (1) clinical protocols; (2) patient education; (3) patient-CNM shared decision-making process; (4) testing initiation; (5) results delivery; and (6) follow-up coordination. Key influences on midwives' perspectives on offering prenatal GS included a noninterventionist approach to pregnancy and past experiences with false-positive MSS results. Participants had an understanding of prenatal GS that was appropriate to midwifery scope of practice. Results indicate that NIPT utilization is compatible with the midwifery philosophy of noninterventionism, although midwives had limited experiences with NIPT to date.
The Interrelation of Polymer Processing, Polymer Structure, and Polymer Properties

Polymers are materials whose mechanical, electrical, chemical and thermal properties depend on their structural characteristics. Processing operations can and do change these characteristics. This means that the end-product polymer as formed and shaped is a different material than the starting resin. Furthermore, the polymer engineer has the ability to alter processing operations in order to optimize product properties by controlling structural characteristics.
2D Electrets of Ultrathin MoO 2 with Apparent Piezoelectricity

Since graphene, a variety of 2D materials have been fabricated in a quest for a tantalizing combination of properties and desired physiochemical behavior. 2D materials that are piezoelectric, i.e., that allow for a facile conversion of electrical energy into mechanical and vice versa, offer applications for sensors, actuators, energy harvesting, stretchable and flexible electronics, and energy storage, among others. Unfortunately, materials must satisfy stringent symmetry requirements to be classified as piezoelectric. Here, 2D ultrathin single-crystal molybdenum oxide (MoO2 ) flakes that exhibit unexpected piezoelectric-like response are fabricated, as MoO2 is centrosymmetric and should not exhibit intrinsic piezoelectricity. However, it is demonstrated that the apparent piezoelectricity in 2D MoO2 emerges from an electret-like behavior induced by the trapping and stabilization of charges around defects in the material. Arguably, the material represents the first 2D electret material and suggests a route to artificially engineer piezoelectricity in 2D crystals. Specifically, it is found that the maximum out-of-plane piezoresponse is 0.56 pm V-1 , which is as strong as that observed in conventional 2D piezoelectric materials. The charges are found to be highly stable at room temperature with a trapping energy barrier of ≈2 eV.
The Case for Nominal GDP Targeting

The recent financial crisis exposed serious flaws with inflation-targeting monetary policy regimes. Because of inflation fears, the Fed did not provide enough monetary stimulus in late 2008, allowing the largest decline in nominal spending since the 1930s. This demand shock intensified the financial crisis and led to high unemployment. Nominal GDP targeting would have greatly reduced the severity of the recession, and also eliminated the need for fiscal stimulus. The national debt today would be far lower if Fed policy had been more expansionary and Congress had not passed the 2009 fiscal stimulus. Nominal GDP targeting also makes it much easier for politicians to resist calls for bailouts of private sector firms. It assures low inflation on average, and reduces the severity of the business cycle. It also makes asset price bubbles slightly less likely to occur.