cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrating Affective and Cognitive Vulnerabilities to Depression: Examining Individual Differences in Cognitive Responses to Induced Stress

Cognitive style and rumination are established cognitive vulnerabilities to depression; however, less is known about how these vulnerabilities develop. One hypothesis is that more negative affective responses to stressful events generate depressogenic cognitive responses. We hypothesized that trait negative emotionality (NE-trait) would predict greater state negative emotionality (NE-state) following a laboratory stressor, which would in turn be associated with more depressogenic cognitive responses (i.e. negative event-specific cognitive style and event-specific rumination). In a college sample (N = 87, Mean age = 20.58), we found that NE-state mediated the NE-trait—depressogenic cognitive response relationship. Results provide further support for the integration of affective and cognitive vulnerabilities to depression, providing insight into the processes by which cognitive vulnerabilities may develop.
Articles: Lack of Dietary Effects on the Timing of Smoltification in Atlantic Salmon

Abstract Six commercially available diets varying in lipid, protein, water, ash, and carbohydrate contents were fed to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) for 2 years to determine if diet affected smoltification. Each month, from March to September of the second year, sampled fish were exposed to 33‰ seawater for 24 h to determine smolt readiness, defined as the ability to maintain water and salt balance in a seawater challenge. Regardless of diet, Atlantic salmon were able to regulate plasma sodium and chloride ions (smoltify) only during early May. It is unlikely that hatchery managers could effectively use high-energy diets to control the time of smoltification in Atlantic salmon.
Production of 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone by the immature rat ovary

The concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OH-prog), but not 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17-OH-preg), was detectable in the sera of 5 day old female rats. The level of 17-OH-preg increased dramatically between day 5 and 10, remained high for 5 days and then decreased to low levels by day 25; a second increase was found on day 35. 17-OH-prog began to increase in the serum after day 10, reached a peak by day 20 and then decreased by day 25 and remained the same through day 35. Stimulation of the ovaries of intact females with 20 IU of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin resulted in a prompt increase in both progestins, but a much larger increase in 17-OH-preg than in 17-OH-prog. Increases were similar, but quantitatively less, in hypophysectomized females. The results demonstrate that the ovaries of immature rats contain an active 17-hydroxylase system.
Relation between complementation patterns and genetic alterations in nitrous acid-induced ad-3B mutants of Neurospora crassa

An attempt has been made to determine the association between genetic alterations and complementation patterns among ad-3B mutants of Neurospora crassa The different types of genetic alterations in individual mutants have been identified at the molecular level through tests for specific revertibility after treatment with nitrous acid (NA), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), and a monofunctional acridine mustard (ICR-170). Base-pair substitution mutants revert after treatment with NA and/or EMS. Base-pair insertion and deletion mutants revert after treatment with ICR-170 and are not usually revertible with the 2 other mutagens. Genetic alterations induced by NA have been identified in 126 of the 141 NA-induced mutants analyzed. The spectrum of genetic alteration is as follows: base-pair substitution, 74.6%; base-pair insertion and deletion, 8.5%; mutants reverting only spontaneously, 9.9%; and mutants not reverting at all, 6.8%. The frequency of the 4 classes of genetic alteration differs markedly among mutants with different complementation responses: 1. (1) Mutants with nonpolarized complementation patterns—92.0% base-pair substitutions and 8.0% reverting only spontaneously. 2. (2) Mutants with polarized complementation patterns—56% base-pair substitutions, 12% base-pair insertions or deletions, 12% reverting only spontaneously and 20% not reverting at all. 3. (3) Noncomplementing mutants—46.5% base-pair substitutions, 25.6% base-pair insertions or deletions, 11.6% reverting only spontaneously and 16.3% not reverting at all. The above association has been interpreted as an indication that the non-polarized mutants result from missense mutations. Both the polarized and the non-complementing mutants derive from a variety of genetic alterations. The data agree with the hypothesis that some of the mutants in the latter 2 groups produce part of a polypeptide fragment or no peptide at all. In several cases it was found that mutants with the same complementation pattern also have the same revertibility with NA, EMS, and ICR-170. We have concluded that since such mutants arose independently, they must have resulted from alterations of identical sites, or “hot spots”, in the ad-3B locus.
Applied Anthropology: Approaches to the Using of Anthropology

A number of activities of a practical nature have been termed by their authors as something other than applied anthropology. The relationship of a practical side to the discipline of anthropology has had a long history. The reluctance of anthropologists to be associated with the solutions to practical problems is equally long in its history. This reluctance has resulted in an unjustified separation or distinction between these activities. Applied anthropology is simply a role that any anthropologist can assume and has. The distinctions made are more illusionary than real. Despite all pronouncements to the contrary, there is and always has been, only one approach that up to now has been called applied anthropology.
Copy number polymorphisms and anticancer pharmacogenomics

Recent studies have investigated the contribution of copy number variants (CNVs) to disease susceptibility in a multitude of complex disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn's disease, and various neurodevelopmental disorders. Relatively few CNV studies, however, have been conducted on pharmacologic phenotypes even though these structural variants are likely to play an important role. We developed a genome-wide method to identify CNVs that contribute to heterogeneity in drug response, focusing on drugs that are widely used in anticancer treatment regimens. We conducted a comprehensive genome-wide study of CNVs from population-scale array-based and sequencing-based surveys by analyzing their effect on cellular sensitivity to platinating agents and topoisomerase II inhibitors. We identified extensive CNV regions associated with cellular sensitivity to functionally diverse chemotherapeutics, supporting the hypothesis that variation in copy number contributes to variation in drug response. Interestingly, although single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tag some of the CNVs associated with drug sensitivity, several of the most significant CNV-drug associations are independent of SNPs; consequently, they represent genetic variations that have not been previously interrogated by SNP studies of pharmacologic phenotypes. Our findings demonstrate that pharmacogenomic studies may greatly benefit from the study of CNVs as expression quantitative trait loci, thus contributing broadly to our understanding of the complex traits genetics of CNVs. We also extend our PACdb resource, a database that makes available to the scientific community relationships between genetic variation, gene expression, and sensitivity to various drugs in cell-based models.
Selective PKC Beta Inhibition with Ruboxistaurin and Endothelial Function in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

Purpose Type-2 diabetes mellitus increases risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanisms linking hyperglycemia and atherosclerosis remain poorly understood. One proposed mechanism involves endothelial dysfunction via activation of protein kinase C beta (PKC beta). Prior studies demonstrate beneficial effects of PKC beta inhibition on microvascular parameters, but, to date, no study has examined the effect on macrovascular atherosclerotic readouts.
How a single protein complex accommodates many different H/ACA RNAs

More than 100 mammalian H/ACA RNAs form an equal number of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) by associating with the same four core proteins. The function of these H/ACA RNPs is essential for biogenesis of the ribosome, splicing of precursor mRNAs (pre-mRNAs), maintenance of telomeres and probably for additional cellular processes. Recent crystal structures of archaeal H/ACA protein complexes show how the same four proteins accommodate >100 distinct but related H/ACA RNAs and reveal that a spatial mutation cluster underlies dyskeratosis congenita, a syndrome of bone marrow failure.
Epidermal growth factor binds to a receptor on Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes inducing signal transduction events and cell proliferation.

Abstract Host growth factors induce proliferation of Trypanosoma cruzi amastigotes by mechanisms that remain poorly defined. Here we examined human epidermal growth factor (EGF) for its ability to bind to the mammalian multiplicative forms of T. cruzi and to induce growth of the parasites. EGF stimulated incorporation of [3H] thymidine into DNA and growth of amastigotes both in a concentration-dependent manner. Radiolabeled EGF was found to bind to amastigotes in a concentration-dependent and saturable manner but it did not bind to trypomastigotes. Scatchard analysis showed a single class of receptors with a Kd of 0.8 nM and numbering 3.1 × 103 per amastigote. Results from internalization experiments provided evidence of receptor-mediated endocytosis of EGF. Northern analysis showed a 3.0-kb transcript for the putative EGF receptor (EGFR) homologue in amastigotes, but not trypomastigotes. Binding of EGF to amastigotes induced signal transduction events. EGF induced “in vitro” kinase activity as determined...
Longitudinal comparison of the periodontal status of patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease receiving no treatment, non-surgical treatment, and surgical treatment utilizing individual sites for analysis.

Background: The progression of periodontal disease without treatment and the response of existing periodontal disease to various types of treatment have been studied extensively. Many past studies have used the mean of the patient's probing depths or attachment levels to eval- uate disease progression a s opposed to following changes in individual sites or teeth. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the response of individual teeth to treatment or non-treatment. Methods: The records from a private periodontal practice were reviewed to find patients with complete periodontal examinations that were recorded at least 1 year apart. Patients who fit these criteria were divided into those who had none of the recommended treatment untreated, n = 30); those who had only non-surgical treatment (par- tially treated, n = 20); and a control group who had completed all rec- ommended treatment (surgically treated, n = 41). The data for each tooth of each patient were placed in a database and analyzed using ...
Introduction to Pattern Selection in Dendritic Solidification

After reviewing the basic physics of dendritic solidification, I present a simplified model of this process, the boundary-layer model (BLM). The BLM assumes that the latent heat of solidification diffuses only in a thin boundary layer at the interface between the liquid and the solid, and in addition incorporates the effects of surface tension, molecular attachment kinetics and crystalline anisotropy. The latter is crucial for dendritic growth to occur; with insufficient anisotropy, the interface evolves via tip-splitting and the dendritic morphology is no longer produced. This prediction has been verified in experiments on viscous fingers, which are an analogue for solidification. It is also found that the allowed values of the tip velocity and radius of dendrites in the BLM form a discrete set, satisfying a non-linear eigenvalue problem. The largest tip velocity is dynamically selected. I conclude with speculations on the origin of sidebranching and by presenting some incompletely posed problems.
Wrinkles, Wormholes, and Hamlet: The Wooster Group's Hamlet as a Challenge to Periodicity

The Wooster Group's Hamlet created a space between the 1964 Richard Burton film, Shakespeare's text, and the live event. Cook shows how understanding mirror neurons illuminates the Wooster Group's production.
Software engineering life cycle support-decision based systems development

The software engineering life cycle encompasses a broad range of activities, from the initial elicitation of the system requirements to the continuing evolution of the operational system. These activities can be best supported if there is a unifying paradigm which can integrate functional and non-functional problem-solving, process management, and knowledge acquisition and reuse. The decision based software development (DBSD) paradigm structures the software development and evolution process as a continuous problem-solving and decision making activity. In the DBSD paradigm, the software engineering team identifies and articulates software development problems, proposes alternative solutions, and develops supporting justifications from which a decision is made. This paper describes our experiences an using DBSD on five diverse projects. >
Social Capital: Explaining Its Origins and Effects on Government Performance

With the rise of analytical or positive approaches to the study of politics over the last three decades, the collective action problem has emerged as one of the central concepts in political science. The concept's widespread acceptance as a descriptive and diagnostic tool, however, cannot obscure the fact that its predictions do not always hold. Co-operation sometimes does take place in contexts where, according to the theory, actors should have little incentive to engage in it.
Phase behaviour of PMMA-b-PHEMA with solvents methanol and THF: modelling and comparison to the experiment.

Self-consistent field theory is used to model the self-assembly of a symmetric PMMA-block-PHEMA in the presence of two solvents, methanol and tetrahydrofuran (THF). The model predictions are compared to our experimental results of solvent-vapour annealing of thin polymer films, where the sequence of cylinder to gyroid (or micelles) to lamellar phases was found upon increasing the methanol–THF ratio and for particular extents of film swelling. The Hansen solubility parameters are used to estimate the Flory–Huggins interaction parameters (χ) needed in the theoretical model. However, because enacting the experimental range of high χN values is computationally prohibitive, the use of moderate χN values is compensated by employing larger values of the solvent-to-polymer size ratio (α). This approach is validated by showing that the predicted phase diagrams exhibit qualitatively similar trends whether χN or α is increased. Using such an approach, the theory predicts a cylinder to gyroid to lamellar transition on increasing the THF–methanol ratio, a trend consistent with that observed in the experiments.
Role of the Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase-protective shethna protein in preventing oxygen-mediated cell death.

Azotobacter vinelandii strains lacking the nitrogenase-protective Shethna protein lost viability upon carbon-substrate deprivation in the presence of oxygen. This viability loss was dependent upon the N2-fixing status of cultures (N2-fixing cells lost viability, while non-N2-fixing cells did not) and on the ambient O2 level. Supra-atmosheric O2 tensions (40% partial pressure) decreased the viable cell number of the mutant further, and the mutant had a slightly higher spontaneous mutation frequency than the wild type in the high-O2 conditions. Iron starvation conditions, which resulted in fourfold-reduced superoxide dismutase levels, were also highly detrimental to the viability of the protective protein mutants, but these conditions did not affect the viability of the wild-type strain. Nitrogenase or other powerful reductants associated with N2 fixation may be sources of damaging partially reduced oxygen species, and the production of such species are perhaps minimized by the Shethna protein.
Design architectures for optically multiplexed imaging

Optically multiplexed imaging is the process by which multiple images are overlaid on a single image surface. Uniquely encoding the discrete images allows scene reconstruction from multiplexed images via post processing. We describe a class of optical systems that can achieve high density image multiplexing through a novel division of aperture technique. Fundamental design considerations and performance attributes for this sensor architecture are discussed. A number of spatial and temporal encoding methods are presented including point spread function engineering, amplitude modulation, and image shifting. Results from a prototype five-channel sensor are presented using three different encoding methods in sparse-scene star tracking demonstration. A six-channel optically multiplexed prototype sensor is used to reconstruct imagery from information rich dense scenes through dynamic image shifting.
Substitutions of conserved residues in the c-terminal region of DnaC cause thermolability in helicase loading

The DnaB-DnaC complex binds to the unwound DNA within the Escherichia coli replication origin in the helicase loading process, but the biochemical events that lead to its stable binding are uncertain. This study characterizes the function of specific C-terminal residues of DnaC. Genetic and biochemical characterization of proteins bearing F231S and W233L substitutions of DnaC reveals that their activity is thermolabile. Because the mutants remain able to form a complex with DnaB at 30 and 37 °C, their thermolability is not explained by an impaired interaction with DnaB. Photo-cross-linking experiments and biosensor analysis show an altered affinity of these mutants compared with wild type DnaC for single-stranded DNA, suggesting that the substitutions affect DNA binding. Despite this difference, their activity in DNA binding is not thermolabile. The substitutions also drastically reduce the affinity of DnaC for ATP as measured by the binding of a fluorescent ATP analogue (MANT-ATP) and by UV cross-linking of radiolabeled ATP. Experiments show that an elevated temperature substantially inhibits both mutants in their ability to load the DnaB-DnaC complex at a DnaA box. Because a decreased ATP concentration exacerbates their thermolabile behavior, we suggest that the F231S and W233L substitutions are thermolabile in ATP binding, which correlates with defective helicase loading at an elevated temperature.
Patterns of Transitional Justice Assistance Among the International Community

The current prevalence of transitional justice would not be possible without the financial assistance of donor governments from the rest of the world. Yet, the role of foreign donors in transitional justice practices has received relatively little attention. In fact, the importance of external funding raises the question of whether transitional justice strategies reflect local wishes or what the international community is willing to pay for. In this paper, we examine foreign support for transitional justice programs. In particular, we examine which governments are more enthusiastic supporters of transitional justice and explore whether certain governments have preferences for particular transitional justice approaches. We offer several hypotheses to explain the patterns of transitional justice support we observe.
NARMAX model identification using a set-theoretic evolutionary approach

A method is presented for identification of system models that are linear in parametric structure, but arbitrarily nonlinear in signal operations. The fundamental parameter estimation task uses a set-theoretic analysis of the data to deduce feasible sets of solutions in light of certain model assumptions. In turn, measurable set solution properties are used to assess the viability of nonlinear regressor functions that "compete for survival" as components of the model best fit to represent the system. The strategy blends traditional system identification methods with three modeling strategies that are not commonly employed in signal processing: linear-time-invariant-in-parameters models, set-based parameter identification, and evolutionary selection of the model structure. The algorithm can identify nonlinear model structure and estimate parameters in the presence of different unknown noise scenarios, especially correlated noise. This paper reports the theoretical foundation of the methods and the simulation studies to illustrate the performance benefits. HighlightsThe paper proposes an inventive method for nonlinear system identification.The approach integrates three novel modeling and identification strategies.It uses NARMAX models, set-based parameter identification, and evolutionary algorithms.This method addresses both model structure selection and parameter estimation.The method operates in different noise scenarios, especially correlated noise.
Global Evidence on the Association between POS Advertising Bans and Youth Smoking Participation.

Background: Point-of-sale (POS) tobacco advertising has been linked to youth smoking susceptibility and experimental smoking. However, there is limited evidence of the association between POS advertising bans and youth smoking participation. This study aims to examine how such bans are associated with current smoking, daily smoking, and regular smoking (≥1 cigarettes per day) participation among youth. Methods: one to two waves (primarily one wave) of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey were conducted in 130 countries between 2007 and 2011. These surveys were linked to the WHO “MPOWER” data using country and year identifiers to analyze the association between POS advertising bans (a dichotomous measure of the existence of such bans) and smoking participation in the past month. Weighted logistic regressions were employed to analyze this association while controlling for age, gender, parents’ smoking status, 6 MPOWER policy scores, and GDP per capita. Results and Conclusions: We find that in countries with POS advertising bans, current smoking (OR = 0.73, p ≤ 0.1), daily smoking (OR = 0.70, p ≤ 0.1), and regular smoking (OR = 0.75, p ≤ 0.05) participation in the past month is significantly lower, suggesting that POS promotion bans can potentially reduce youth smoking. This study provides evidence to support the implementation of POS promotion regulations by the US FDA and implementation of the WHO FCTC guidelines regarding restrictions on tobacco POS promotion.
Regional disaster planning for neonatology.

pointed out a signiﬁcant problemfor neonatology: when patients of different ages, but similarprognoses, were triaged, neonates fared signiﬁcantly worse thanolder children and adults. The neonatal patients fared less wellthan all age groups except 80-year-old patients. Existing neonatalscoring systems designed for research or outcomes prediction donot work well when applied after the ﬁrst hours of life.
Mechanical control of Renilla luciferase.

We report experiments where the activity of the enzyme luciferase from Renilla reniformis is controlled through a DNA spring attached to the enzyme. In the wake of previous work on kinases, these results establish that mechanical stress applied through the DNA springs is indeed a general method for the artificial control of enzymes, and for the quantitative study of mechano–chemical coupling in these molecules. We also show proof of concept of the luciferase construct as a sensitive molecular probe, detecting a specific DNA target sequence in an easy, one-step, homogeneous assay, as well as SNP detection without melting curve analysis.
Eliminating the Altitude-for-Direction Rule and implementing reduced Vertical Separation Minimum in the U.S

This paper discusses the feasibility of eliminating the Altitude-for-Direction (AFD) rule and implementing Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) at higher altitudes in the United States. Both actions would provide meaningful benefits to airspace users: eliminating the AFD rule permits more efficient altitude profiles, while RVSM would provide more altitudes for traffic management, potentially reducing the number of traffic flow restrictions in congested airspace. Implementation of automation as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Free Flight Phase 1 and 2 programs, and development of procedures as part of the Operational Evolution Plan, are expected to facilitate these changes. Simulation scenarios were derived from real traffic scenarios to represent eliminating the AFD rule and implementing RVSM. The numbers of URET conflicts (predicted separation less than roughly 1700 feet vertical (with 2000-foot vertical minimum) and 12 nmi lateral) occurring in high altitude sectors are compared to assess the feasibility of the changes. Eliminating the AFD rule in large contiguous areas of less dense airspace is promising and warrants further study. The number of additional conflicts generated by eliminating the rule in dense airspace makes elimination there uncertain. In contrast, there was a significant drop in the number of conflicts observed in dense airspace when the runs were made with RVSM. There were indications that the additional altitudes from RVSM greatly facilitate the handling of traffic in dense airspace.
Different Natriuretic Responses in Obese and Lean Rats in Response to Nitric Oxide Reduction

BACKGROUND Nitric oxide (NO) is an important regulator of renal sodium transport and participates in the control of natriuresis and diuresis. In obesity, the nitric oxide bioavailability was reportedly reduced, which may contribute to the maintenance of hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of NO depletion on renal sodium handling in a model of diet-induced obesity hypertension. METHODS Obese hypertensive (obesity-prone (OP)) and lean normotensive (obesity-resistant (OR)) Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 1.2 mg/kg/day N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME) for 4 weeks to inhibit NO synthesis. Acute pressure natriuresis and diuresis were measured in response to an increase in perfusion pressure. NHE3 and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase protein expression were measured by Western blot and NHE3 activity was determined as the rate of pH change in brush border membrane vesicles. NHE3 membrane localization was determined by confocal microscopy. RESULTS L-NAME did not significantly attenuate the natriuretic and diuretic responses to increases in renal perfusion pressure (RPP) in OP rats while inducing a significant reduction in OR rats. Following chronic NO inhibition, NHE3 protein expression and activity and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase protein expression were significantly increased in the OR but not in the OP group. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that the increase in NHE3 activity could be, at least in part, due to NHE3 membrane trafficking. CONCLUSIONS Obese hypertensive rats have a weaker natriuretic response in response to NO inhibition compared to lean rats and the mechanism involves different regulation of the apical sodium exchanger NHE3 expression, activity, and trafficking.
Gender Targeting in Political Advertisements

Campaigns invoke identity appeals to specific groups of voters, including women. To understand whether these campaign appeals matter in affecting voters’ choices, we must better understand how wome...
Determination of α-Lipoic acid in cosmetics by HPLC

Objective:To establish an HPLC method for quantitation of α-Lipoic acid in cosmetics.Methods: The best chromatograph conditions were selected to determine the concentration and recoveries of α-Lipoic acid in cosmetics.Then the HPLC methodology demonstration was done using the selected chromatograph conditions.Results: This HPLC method exhibited a linear relation within 2.032 μg/ml～203.2 μg/ml for α-Lipoic acid content.The regression equation was y=15190x+72209(R2=0.9998).When α-Lipoic acid was added into samples at the concentration of 10.16 μg/ml,20.32 μg/ml and 40.64 μg/ml,the average recovery was 91.6%～107.8%,relative standard deviation was 3.72%～4.45%(n=6).Conclusion: This is a simple,accurate and reliable method for determination of α-Lipoic acid in cosmetics.
Light-triggered CO delivery by a water-soluble and biocompatible manganese photoCORM

The discovery of salutary effects of low doses of carbon monoxide (CO) has spurred interest in designing exogenous molecules that can deliver CO to biological targets under controlled conditions. Herein we report a water-soluble photosensitive manganese carbonyl complex [MnBr(CO)3(pyTAm)] (2) (pyTAm = 2-(pyridyl)imino-triazaadamantane) that can be triggered to release CO upon exposure to visible light. Inclusion of a triazaadamantyl pharmacophore into the coligand of 2 improves its stability and solubility in water. Change in the coligand from 2-(pyridyl)imino-triazaadamantane to 2-(pyridyl)iminoadamantane (pyAm) or 2-(quinonyl)imino-triazaadamantane (qyTAm) dramatically alters these desired properties of the photoCORM. In addition to structures and CO-releasing properties of the three analogous complexes 1-3 from these three α-diimine ligands, theoretical calculations have been performed to determine the origin of Mn-CO bond labilization upon illumination. Rapid delivery of CO to myoglobin under physiological conditions attests the potential of 2 as a biocompatible photoCORM.
Towards memristor based accelerator for sparse matrix vector multiplication

In the last few years, memristor crossbar array is drawing increasing attention from the research community as a promising neuromorphic computing accelerator. In this work, we investigate the hardware acceleration of a sparse matrix vector (SpMV) multiplication engine based on memristor crossbar array. We demon strate that naive matrix coefficient mapping is infeasible and unpractical if the matrix has large dimensions. To combat this problem, we extend the traditional Cuthill-McKee algorithm used for matrix restructuring, and propose a generalized sparse matrix reordering (GSMR) technique, which leverages linear transformation to effectively break down any rectangular unsymmetrical matrices into minimum number of sub-blocks that fit into the reasonably sized crossbar array. Simulated results show that our proposed design achieves appealing p erformances in terms of speed and energy efficiency compared to both CPU and GPU platforms. In addition, a memristor crossbar array utilizing GSMR outperforms its counterpart with no-GSMR by 90% performance improvements and 44% energy reduction.
The Coens’ Comic Tragedy: A Serious Man

The Laughter of Excessive Life: I puzzle over the strange laughter of the stabbed rabbi in the prologue to the movie.
The many reasons your mileage may vary: Toward a unifying typology of eco-driving behaviors

Abstract The role of vehicle driver behavior has been ignored in prior energy and environmental policy making. Laboratory procedures that produce the fuel economy estimates posted on every new car sold in the US are designed to preclude the effects of differences between drivers. Yet, every vehicle states the caveat, “Actual results will vary for many reasons, including driving conditions and how you drive and maintain your vehicle.” Eco-driving as means of strategically taking advantage of this variability has been inconsistently defined in conceptual analyses and variously operationalized in empirical analyses. The present research clarifies, synthesizes, and expands on prior definitions of eco-driving to develop a comprehensive and precise definition and typology of eco-driving behaviors. The resultant typology includes six mutually exclusive classes of behavior: driving, cabin comfort, trip planning, load management, fueling, and maintenance. This typology establishes a basis for systematic research to determine energy and climate impacts and develop effective policies and interventions for different types of eco-driving.
Cross-β polymerization and hydrogel formation by low-complexity sequence proteins

Low-complexity (LC) sequences, typically believed to be incapable of assuming structural order, are abundant constituents of the proteomes of all eukaryotic organisms. These sequences have emerged as critical components for formation of meso-scaled, sub-cellular organelles not invested by surrounding membranes, exemplified by RNA granules. We have observed that LC domains of many RNA binding proteins known to be constituents of RNA granules readily form labile cross-β polymers under physiological conditions. Several lines of experimentation have shown that formation of labile, cross-β polymers assembled from LC domain monomers is important for formation of RNA granules. Among the various experiments we have carried out, hydrogel binding assays have evolved as a versatile technique allowing a reliable means of assessing polymer formation and the binding of heterotypic cellular components integral to the formation of RNA granules. This article presents methods allowing for the production of hydrogel droplets composed of LC domain polymers. We further describe methods allowing straightforward assessment for binding of test LC domains to hydrogel droplets by fluorescence microscopy.
Building the Russian World: Cultural Diplomacy of the Russian Language and Cultural Identity

This article explores the topics of Russian diaspora and the politics of culture and identity, expressed through Russia’s humanitarian cooperation initiatives. The study posits that the Russian cultural diplomacy policy focuses on the compatriots living abroad and the Russian Diaspora to create and solidify Russkiy Mir [Russian World] communities and turn them into Russia’s advocates abroad. The study extends the argument that the Russian language is treated as one of the main tools in Russia’s soft power arsenal to foster loyal and supportive attitudes toward Russia among the Russian-speaking communities. Such policy accentuates language as an important marker of stronger sense of belonging and self-identification (in this case with the Russian World) and a critical element in the construction of cultural and/or ethnic identity. The study highlights the complexity and diversity of Russian Diasporas and Russian compatriots that comprise Russkiy Mir, specifically in the United States, and discusses the socio-linguistic factors these efforts must take into account in the Russian-speaking Diasporas abroad.
Discussion of “The Psychology of Billing”

Hansen, Jackson, Schaefer, and Stewart (2017) examine the effects of three contextual features on tax professionals’ billing decisions in a case involving issue-specific tax research. In this discussion, we present a tax fee model. In contrast to determining a bill, our model views tax fees in a more comprehensive perspective. We subsequently use this model to discuss the design choices and limitations of their study and to provide suggestions for future research. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Real Time Eyes Tracking and Classification for Driver Fatigue Detection

In this paper, we propose a vision-based real time algorithm for driver fatigue detection. Face and eyes of the driver are first localized and then marked in every frame obtained from the video source. The eyes are tracked in real time using correlation function with an automatically generated online template. The proposed algorithm can detect eyelids movement and can classify whether the eyes are open or closed by using normalized cross correlation function based classifier. If the eyes are closed for more than a specified time an alarm is generated. The accuracy of algorithm is demonstrated using real data under varying conditions for people with different gender, skin colors, eye shapes and facial hairs.
Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Social Phobia

Social phobia can be a chronic disorder, capable of restricting a client's social and occupational functioning. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help many clients learn to overcome their social inhibitions, and make lasting changes in their interpersonal style. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for social phobia includes four general components for helping clients learn to manage their social anxiety. First, therapy begins with the establishment of a sound therapeutic alliance, a focus on assessment, diagnostic interviewing, and education regarding anxiety symptoms and their treatment. Second, the therapist helps clients to develop competence in social skills, relaxation training, and cognitive restructuring. Third, therapy uses exposure to social situations in order to help clients confront their fears and refine their coping skills. Fourth, relapse prevention strategies are used to help clients learn to tolerate feelings of discomfort and confront challenging social interactions. This treatment framework can be adapted to the specific needs of different clients.
Opioid and Benzodiazepine Weaning in Pediatric Patients: Review of Current Literature.

Pediatric opioid and benzodiazepine withdrawal are avoidable complications of pain and sedation management that is well described in the literature. To prevent withdrawal from occurring, practitioners regularly use a steady decrease of pain and sedation medications, also known as a weaning or tapering schedule. The weaning schedule is highly variable based on clinician preference and is usually dependent on the clinician. The purposes of this review are to evaluate the current literature on the process of opioid and benzodiazepine weaning in pediatric patients and to assess the various standardized protocols used to decrease withdrawal occurrences. We conducted a search of the PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Academic Search Premier, and PsycInfo databases. Studies were included if they described a wean or taper in pediatric patients aged 18 years or younger. Studies describing neonatal abstinence syndrome were excluded from the review. A total of 97 studies published between 2000 and 2014 were retrieved; of those, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were evaluated for selection of withdrawal assessment tool, wean protocol summary, preferred weaning agents, benzodiazepine withdrawal, and wean-at-home regimen. The most common opioid-weaning protocol approaches described a 10–20% dose decrease per day. Benzodiazepine weaning was not regularly standardized or described. The use of a standardized opioid-weaning protocol reduced withdrawal rates compared with nonstandardized weaning plans. Benzodiazepine weaning was inconsistently evaluated and may have affected study outcomes. Identified areas of improvement include the use of newer withdrawal assessment tools validated in the older pediatric population and standardized withdrawal assessment and reporting.
STAT1 modulates tissue wasting or overgrowth downstream from PDGFRβ.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) acts through two conserved receptor tyrosine kinases: PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. Gain-of-function mutations in human PDGFRB have been linked recently to genetic diseases characterized by connective tissue wasting (Penttinen syndrome) or overgrowth (Kosaki overgrowth syndrome), but it is unclear whether PDGFRB mutations alone are responsible. Mice with constitutive PDGFRβ signaling caused by a kinase domain mutation (D849V) develop lethal autoinflammation. Here we used a genetic approach to investigate the mechanism of autoinflammation in Pdgfrb+/D849V mice and test the hypothesis that signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) mediates this phenotype. We show that Pdgfrb+/D849V mice with Stat1 knockout (Stat1-/-Pdgfrb+/D849V ) are rescued from autoinflammation and have improved life span compared with Stat1+/-Pdgfrb+/D849V mice. Furthermore, PDGFRβ-STAT1 signaling suppresses PDGFRβ itself. Thus, Stat1-/-Pdgfrb+/D849V fibroblasts exhibit increased PDGFRβ signaling, and mice develop progressive overgrowth, a distinct phenotype from the wasting seen in Stat1+/-Pdgfrb+/D849V mice. Deletion of interferon receptors (Ifnar1 or Ifngr1) does not rescue wasting in Pdgfrb+/D849V mice, indicating that interferons are not required for autoinflammation. These results provide functional evidence that elevated PDGFRβ signaling causes tissue wasting or overgrowth reminiscent of human genetic syndromes and that the STAT1 pathway is a crucial modulator of this phenotypic spectrum.
Ab-initio Calculations to Predict Stress Effects on Boron Solubility in Silicon

Stress effects on dopant diffusion and activation are of critical interest in current and future CMOS devices. Since experiments are very difficult to perform, we utilized ab-initio calculations to predict the effect of stress on B solubility. We find strongly enhanced solubility under compressive biaxial stress, whereas tensile biaxial stress leads to a reduction. In contrast to other work the enhancement/reduction is primarily due to the size effect of substitutional B. We compared our calculated B strain relaxation effect with various x-ray diffraction data, which shows excellent agreement. Measurements in different SiGe alloys also support our predictions.
Powerful Partnerships: Linkages between HR and Strategic Business Activities in the Delaware Valley

The challenge of the 80’s was seen as effectively linking human resource planning to business planning and strategic activities (Burack, 1986). The current literature offers the same prescription for organizations which want to be able to survive the accelerating change and instability of the business environment going into the 1990’s.
The American prophetic tradition and social justice activism among Muslims in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This article responds to recent research calling for more nuanced discussions of Muslim political and social activist subjectivities (Ahmed 2011; Maira 2016; Mansouri et al. 2016; Nagel and Staeheli 2011). We analyze community and social justice activism among Muslims in Milwaukee through the lens of the American prophetic tradition. We argue that Muslim leaders in Milwaukee represent their activism as part of this tradition, and that they draw upon a complex of religious, social and political discourses and social practices. These include American civil rights activism, Islamically inspired social action, and a desire to engage in placemaking that responds to the specific conditions of Milwaukee, a city that features intense racial segregation, dense pockets of poverty, and increased immigration from the Arabo-Islamic world. Thus, we see a pluralization of Muslim social activist subjectivity: social justice activism which is religiously based, related to the civil rights tradition, and which is also highly attuned to the specific ways in which Muslims may practice a politics of belonging in this Midwestern city.
Nd:YAG capsulotomy for the management of posterior capsular amyloidosis.

Abstract Purpose To describe the accumulation of amyloid in Berger's space. Observations A 35-year-old man with autosomal-dominant, familial transthyretin-associated amyloidosis and bilateral vitreous opacities had a recurrence of amyloidosis following vitrectomy. The recurrent amyloid was attached to the posterior capsule of the lens. Phacoemulsification followed by neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy was helpful in restoring vision. Conclusions and importance Amyloid can reaccumulate in Berger's space, which is difficult to reach in phakic eyes during vitrectomy and can then cause decreased vision. Recognition of this interesting anatomic problem will allow for faster visual rehabilitation of the patient.
Substituting wood pellets for coal in large-scale power stations: a dynamic life cycle assessment examination

This study assesses the environmental impacts resulting from the use of wood pellets produced in the Southeastern USA and burned for electricity generation in the UK. A cradle-to-grave, comparative life cycle assessment is performed, comparing electricity produced from wood pellets versus electricity generated from coal. Assuming immediate carbon neutrality of the wood biomass, the results presented here indicate an 86% reduction in climate change impacts when utilising wood pellets as compared to coal. Incorporating the timing of emissions, using dynamic life cycle assessment methodologies, shifts the time horizon of carbon dioxide savings in comparison to emissions from coal. When accounting for the timing of emissions, wood pellets equate to a 94% or 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, depending upon whether the trees utilised for wood pellets are considered to be planted or harvested in year one, respectively, given a 100-year time horizon.
Examining the Perception and Effectiveness of a System Awareness Briefing During Cruise Flight

Automation has increased the safety of air transportation by assisting pilots during periods of high workload and during critical phases of flight. However, an unintended consequence of automation proliferation has been the reduction in attention resulting from its use. Prior research has shown that during periods of high automation and low workload, pilots’ minds begin to wander and occupy themselves with thoughts other than the current task at hand. This research involved conducting four separate studies addressing the following research questions: 1) Would the use of a system awareness briefing result in the general public being more willing to fly on commercial airlines? 2) Do student pilots support the use of a system awareness briefing? and 3) Does a system awareness briefing actually improve pilot awareness of automation and aircraft parameters during cruise flight? The results from Studies 1 and 2 indicated participants preferred flying with a pilot who was using the system awareness briefing compared to a pilot not using the briefing. The findings from Study 3 did not reveal any significant differences between pilots who used the system awareness briefing versus those that did not. In Study 4, pilots who used the system awareness briefing were more accurate in reporting current heading, fuel flow, and electrical volts, compared to pilots who did not use the briefing. They also reported that they felt more situational awareness compared to the control group. Keywords: system awareness briefing; experimental research; automation; training
The Impact of Initial Condition and Warm Conveyor Belt Forecast Uncertainty on Variability in the Downstream Waveguide in an ECWMF Case Study

AbstractPerturbations to the potential vorticity (PV) waveguide, which can result from latent heat release within the warm conveyor belt (WCB) of midlatitude cyclones, can lead to the downstream ra...