cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Building on the Hopes and Dreams of Latino Families with Young Children: Findings from Family Member Focus Groups

In the past, Latino families were often regarded as being uninvolved in their child’s education, particularly within the parent involvement literature. More recently, authors are encouraging educational professionals to look at a family’s “funds of knowledge” to encourage their involvement. This expression takes into account the knowledge a teacher can gain from a family and child, including awareness of culture, familial background, and other contributions the family can add to the child’s education. This article reviews findings from the analyses of focus groups conducted with Latino family members who have a child(ren) enrolled at a Head Start Center. Findings indicate that Latino families openly communicated strengths, interests, aspirations and learning opportunities for their child and family yet often faced barriers in conveying these to teachers and other staff in their child’s life. Implications for using inquiry-based approaches to bridge this gap in family-school communication are discussed.
Which Edges Matter

In this paper, we investigate the ability of humans to recognize objects using different types of edges. Edges arise in images because of several different physical phenomena, such as shadow boundaries, changes in material albedo or reflectance, changes to surface normals, and occlusion boundaries. By constructing synthetic photo realistic scenes, we control which edges are visible in a rendered image to investigate the relationship between human visual recognition and that edge type. We evaluate the information conveyed by each edge type through human studies on object recognition tasks. We find that edges related to surface normals and depth are the most informative edges, while texture and shadow edges can confuse recognition tasks. This work corroborates recent advances in practical vision systems where active sensors capture depth edges (e.g. Microsoft Kinect) as well as in edge detection where progress is being made towards finding object boundaries instead of just pixel gradients. Further, we evaluate seven standard and state-of-the-art edge detectors based on the types of edges they find by comparing the detected edges with known informative edges in the synthetic scene. We suggest that this evaluation method could lead to more informed metrics for gauging developments in edge detection, without requiring any human labeling. In summary, this work shows that human proficiency at object recognition is due to surface normal and depth edges and suggests that future research should focus on explicitly modeling edge types to increase the likelihood of finding informative edges.
Buddhism in the re-ordering of an early modern world: Chinese missions to Cochinchina in the seventeenth century

In the seventeenth century, Chan Buddhist masters from monasteries in South China boarded merchant ships to Chinese merchant colonies in East and Southeast Asian port cities to establish or maintain monasteries. Typically, Chinese seafarers and merchants sponsored their travel, and sovereigns and elites abroad offered their patronage. What were these monks and their patrons seeking? This study will investigate the question through the case of one Chan master, Shilian Dashan, who journeyed to the Vietnamese kingdom of Cochinchina (Dang Trong) in 1695 and 1696. In Dashan, we see a form of Buddhism thought to have vanished with the Silk Road: that is, Buddhism as a ‘missionary religion’ able to propagate branch temples through long-distance networks of merchant colonies, and to form monastic communities within the host societies that welcomed them. This evident agency of seafaring Chan monks in early modern times suggests that Buddhism’s role in commerce, diaspora, and state formation in early modern maritime Asia may compare to religions like Islam and Christianity, and deserves further study.
Advanced Information Processing System (AIPS)-based fault tolerant avionics architecture for launch vehicles

An avionics architecture for the advanced launch system (ALS) that uses validated hardware and software building blocks developed under the advanced information processing system program is presented. The AIPS for ALS architecture is preliminary, and reliability requirements can be met by the AIPS hardware and software building blocks that are built using the state-of-the-art technology available in the 1992-3 time frame. The level of detail in the architecture definition reflects the level of detail available in the ALS requirements. As the avionics requirements are refined, the architecture can also be refined and defined in greater detail with the help of analysis and simulation tools. A useful methodology is demonstrated for investigating the impact of the avionics suite to the recurring cost of the ALS. It is shown that allowing the vehicle to launch with selected detected failures can potentially reduce the recurring launch costs. A comparative analysis shows that validated fault-tolerant avionics built out of Class B parts can result in lower life-cycle-cost in comparison to simplex avionics built out of Class S parts or other redundant architectures. >
Photobiomodulation Induced by 670 nm Light Ameliorates MOG35-55 Induced EAE in Female C57BL/6 Mice: A Role for Remediation of Nitrosative Stress

Background Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most commonly studied animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. Immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive therapies currently approved for the treatment of MS slow disease progression, but do not prevent it. A growing body of evidence suggests additional mechanisms contribute to disease progression. We previously demonstrated the amelioration of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced EAE in C57BL/6 mice by 670 nm light-induced photobiomodulation, mediated in part by immune modulation. Numerous other studies demonstrate that near-infrared/far red light is therapeutically active through modulation of nitrosoxidative stress. As nitric oxide has been reported to play diverse roles in EAE/MS, and recent studies suggest that axonal loss and progression of disability in MS is mediated by nitrosoxidative stress, we investigated the effect of 670 nm light treatment on nitrosative stress in MOG-induced EAE.
Collaborative International Usability Testing: Moving from Document-based Reporting to Information Object Sharing

Usability testing is an activity that has traditionally been carried out in specialized labs in a specific geographical location. As test subjects tend to be drawn from the community in which the lab is located, problems can occur in identifying design issues related to people in other countries. This paper will examine internet-based approaches to the execution of remote usability tests and the collection of general guidelines on usability design for specific communities. The collection and communication of such knowledge through web-based communities is argued to be a better approach than the current report format of usability test communication.
Population Resettlement in War: Theory and Evidence from Soviet Archives

Why do combatants intentionally uproot civilians? The forcible relocation of families and communities to concentration camps, “protected villages,” and other special settlements is a regular featur...
The write brain: How to educate and entertain with learner‐centered writing

This article presents a conceptual framework for the writing process to facilitate motivation, learning, retention, and knowledge transfer in readers of expository material. Drawing from four well-developed bodies of knowledge—cognitive science, learning theory, technical communication, and creative writing—the author creates a model that allows developers of performance and educational content to facilitate learning by addressing such principles as engagement, connection, metacognition, learning, and practice.
Characterization of a specific progesterone receptor in decidualized hamster uterus.

Decidualization in the hamster depends on progesterone action. The purpose of this study was to characterize progesterone-binding components in the cytosol fraction of hamster deciduomal tissue on day 7 of pseudopregnancy. Density gradient centrifugation studies performed with deciduomal and myometrial cytosol revealed two progesterone-binding components. Component 1 had a 6–7 S sedimentation coefficient, was heat labile and was insensitive to cortisol competition. Component 2 had a 4–5 S sedimentation coefficient, was heat stable, and sensitive to cortisol competition. Serum contained a progesterone binder with properties similar to those of component 2. Competitive binding studies revealed that component 1 possessed hormonal binding specificity (progesterone > 5α-pregnanedione > deoxycorticosterone > testosterone > estradiol > cortisol), and the binding specificity of component 2 was similar to that of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG). Neither of these components bound [3H]dexamethasone, but a [3H]...
Inhibition of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase impairs NO·-mediated endothelium-dependent relaxations

The superoxide anion ( O 2 − ⋅ ) appears to be an important modulator of nitric oxide (NO ⋅) bioavailability. The present study was designed to characterize the role of copper/zinc superoxide dismu...
Ticks and tick-borne novel bunyavirus collected from the natural environment and domestic animals in Jinan city, East China

Since 2011, 73 cases of the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, a novel tick-borne disease, have been reported in Jinan city through information system for disease control and prevention. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the species, distribution, host animals of ticks and tick-borne pathogens. A total of 722 ticks were collected from two types of natural environment and six kinds of domestic animal in Jinan city. All the sampled ticks belonged to the same species, namely Haemaphysalis longicornis, and 94.7 % of them were adult. The density of free-living ticks in grassland was nearly six times that in shrub. The prevalence of the goat (53.3 %) was highest among the domestic animals. The host body region most frequently parasitized by H. longicornis was the head (77.8 %), especially ears and periocular region. Novel bunyavirus was detected on the free-ranging goats in Jinan city. Acaricide treatment with a higher concentration on the ears, periocular region and the groin of domestic animals should be recommended to control the ticks effectively.
Integrating molecular testing in the diagnosis and management of children with thyroid lesions

Thyroid nodules occur in 1–2% of children, and identifying which nodules are malignant is often challenging. Cytologic evaluation facilitates the diagnosis of thyroid lesions (TLs), but in 10–40% of cases the interpretation is indeterminate. Patients with indeterminate diagnoses are often treated with hemithyroidectomy followed by completion thyroidectomy, if cancer is found in the initial specimen. Exposing patients to multiple surgeries increases costs and morbidity. The American Thyroid Association states that a combination of molecular markers is likely to optimize the management of patients with indeterminate cytology. However, few studies have addressed the molecular alterations present in pediatric TL. Twenty-seven thyroid carcinomas from patients 10 to 19 years of age were tested for alterations common in adult TL, including BRAF V600E mutation, RET fusions, and TERT promoter mutations. Mutation-negative cases were subsequently analyzed with a next-generation sequencing (NGS) mutation panel to sea...
Embedding Operational Intelligence into Junos Devices Through On-Box Scripts

Juniper Networks included automation as an early feature of its Junos operating system by offering a comprehensive API that could deliver the same degree of control to applications or scripts as is possible from the device CLI. While this automation is also possible from remote centralized servers, this chapter explores local device automation through on-box scripts. Because these scripts execute on the Junos device itself, they allow operational intelligence to be embedded directly into the device, allowing it to automatically react to changing conditions in the network without operator involvement. The three types of Junos on-box scripts are covered along with each of their unique abilities to customize and manage Junos devices.
LOADINGS ON LARGE PIERS IN WAVES AND CURRENTS

Through scale-model tests, the forces, moments, and the pressure distributions, including impact pressures, were determined for large diameter piers extending through large-amplitude wave system in which current strengths vary Tests were performed at 1/100 scale, simulating piers of the bridge for the Northumberland Strait Crossing, Canada These piers are partially cylindrical with a base diameter of 100 feet Close to the surface, where the wave action is greatest, they are conical Waves up to 25 feet and current up to 4 knots have been reproduced m the laboratory, according to Froude similitude The tests results fully support the known concept that, when the pier diameter is large in comparison with the wave length, mertial force becomes dominant Generally, the presence of current, either with or against the wave tram, results in a decreasing wave force Semiempirical relations were developed for force predictions that require the experimental determination of a singular coefficient.
In the Process of Preventing Triple Taxation of a Subsidiary's Income, Congress Created a Great Indoor Game

In this report, Profs. Seago and Barkhi analyze the section 338(h)(10) election to treat a parent's sale of a subsidiary as a sale of the subsidiary's assets. They conclude that because the buyer and the parent must enter into the election, the buyer is able to share in the relief from the triple taxation of the subsidiary's income that accrued while the parent owned the subsidiary. Further they explain, by permitting the parent to make the election, instead of a joint election with the buyer, the parent could capture all of the relief from the triple taxation of the subsidiary's appreciation in value. They also note that the joint election enhances the tax benefits of the election, at the cost of government revenues, while reducing the parent's share of those benefits.
Exploring a technological hermeneutic: understanding the interpretation of computer-mediated messaging systems

Empirical evidence suggests that individuals can hold different interpretations of a technology. In this research, I explore the question of where these different interpretations come from. What influences an individual’s interpretation of a technology? And what is the nature of these interpretations? I explore these questions through studies of computer-mediated messaging systems, including instant messaging, photo-enhanced instant messaging, multimedia messaging (cameraphones), and mobile messaging (BlackBerries). In this research, I draw from philosophical hermeneutics, a domain of study examining the nature of interpretation, and present a technological hermeneutic, a descriptive theory of how individuals interpret technology—how they come to understand the meaning of technology in their own lives. This theory offers insight into the myriad resources individuals draw from when constructing an interpretation of technology, including their own experiences with related technologies as well as their interactions with others’ use and understanding of the technology. This theory also offers insight into the nature of the interpretive process. Interpretations are dynamic and evolving; individuals continually draw from new experiences, reengaging and reinterpreting technology. Interpretations are also hybrid and synthesized; individuals draw from multiple resources in an active process of interpretive bricolage.
Differential effects of cooling in hibernator and nonhibernator cells: Na permeation

Unidirectional Na influx is less inhibited by cooling in guinea pig red blood cells than in ground squirrel cells. To isolate the source of this difference, component pathways of 24Na entry were estimated by use of selective inhibitors (ouabain, bumetanide, amiloride). Amiloride slightly inhibited influx in ground squirrel cells at every temperature between 37 and 5 degrees C. Amiloride did not consistently inhibit Na influx at 37 degrees C in guinea pig cells but caused a 44% inhibition at 25 degrees C and a 35% inhibition at 5 degrees C. Cytoplasmic acidification caused an increase in amiloride-sensitive influx in guinea pig cells, which was greater at 20 degrees C than at 37 degrees C; cytoplasmic acidification decreased amiloride-sensitive Na influx in ground squirrel cells at 37 degrees C and had no effect at 20 degrees C.
Cellular response of the respiratory tract of chickens to infection with Massachusetts 41 and Australian T infectious bronchitis viruses

Cellular response of chickens to infection with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was investigated by lavage of the respiratory tract of five 2-week-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens at 2, 8, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours postinfection (PI) with either Massachusetts 41 (IBV-M41) or Australian T (IBV-T) IBV. Tissue response was monitored by microscopic examination of trachea and lung from five non-lavaged infected chickens collected at the same intervals. The total number of cells recovered by lavage from IBV-M41-infected chickens was dramatically higher than the total number recovered from IBV-T-infected chickens and uninfected controls. By contrast, the total number of cells recovered from IBV-T-infected chickens was no higher than that of the uninfected chickens. Heterophils constituted the majority of inflammatory cells recovered from both IBV-M41-infected and IBV-T-infected chickens. Heterophil numbers in IBV-M41-infected chickens paralleled total cell-number recovery, whereas heterophil numbers in IBV-T-infected birds were no higher than those in uninfected chickens. The number of lymphocytes recovered from IBV-M41-infected chickens increased 72 hours PI and continued to increase for the duration of the study. Lymphocyte numbers in IBV-T-infected chickens exceeded those in uninfected chickens only at 96 hours PI. The number of lavage macrophages in IBV-M41-infected chickens increased earlier than the number of lymphocytes but later reached a plateau. IBV-T macrophage numbers did not exceed those of uninfected chickens. Tissue damage occurred most consistently in the trachea and occurred when lavage heterophil numbers were rising or at their peak. Lavage cell recovery and composition reflected tracheal mucosa inflammatory cell infiltrate.
Going All In

When faced with risky decisions, people typically choose to diversify their choices by allocating resources across a variety of options and thus avoid putting “all their eggs in one basket.” The current research revealed that this tendency is reversed when people face an important cue to mating-related risk: skew in the operational sex ratio, or the ratio of men to women in the local environment. Counter to the typical strategy of choice diversification, findings from four studies demonstrated that the presence of romantically unfavorable sex ratios (those featuring more same-sex than opposite-sex individuals) led heterosexual people to diversify financial resources less and instead concentrate investment in high-risk/high-return options when making lottery, stock-pool, retirement-account, and research-funding decisions. These studies shed light on a key process by which people manage risks to mating success implied by unfavorable interpersonal environments. These choice patterns have important implications for mating behavior as well as other everyday forms of decision making.
Changes in protein degradation in chickens due to an inflammatory challenge.

AbstractTissue-specific changes in protein catabolism were examined in chicks 16 hr following an inflammatory challenge. It was determined that tyrosine was not catabolized or converted to phenylal...
The 'Look-Through Approach': Why Delaware Must Use this Approach for Determining Attorneys' Fees in Derivative Suits Similar to Southern Peru

Derivative suits permit shareholders of a corporation to sue management on the corporation’s behalf if, for example, management breaches a fiduciary duty. Damages awarded in derivative suits go into a common fund, from which attorneys’ fees are deducted. In Delaware, a five-factor test is used to determine the percentage of the common fund to be paid as attorneys’ fees. Under firmly established Delaware precedent, any monetary award in a derivative suit must go to the corporation in its entirety, and not to the shareholders who brought the suit. This precedent applies even if the majority shareholder of the corporation on whose behalf the derivative suit has been brought is a defendant in the derivative suit. In Southern Peru, that was exactly the case. In Southern Peru, the Delaware Court of Chancery awarded a common fund of over $2 billion in a derivative suit. Subsequently, the Chancellor awarded more than $300 million of the common fund as attorneys’ fees. This amounted to an hourly rate of over $35,000 per hour, leading to claims that the attorneys’ fee award was a windfall. The majority shareholder defendant in Southern Peru appealed the fee award to the Delaware Supreme Court, which upheld the award. The majority shareholder defendant then filed a motion for reargument, claiming that only a portion of the common fund should have been used as the basis for attorneys’ fees, corresponding to the percentage of the corporation on whose behalf the derivative suit had been brought that was owned by minority shareholders. This approach, called the "look-through approach," was rejected by the Delaware Supreme Court, as being incompatible with Delaware precedent requiring that any monetary award in a derivative suit go to the corporation in its entirety. The motion was denied. This Note argues that, in cases similar to Southern Peru, Delaware needs to use the "look-through approach" to determine the portion of the common fund to be the basis for attorneys’ fees. As the approach would only be used to determine attorneys’ fees, it is compatible with Delaware precedent. The common fund would still go to the corporation in its entirety. Therefore, Delaware precedent is not violated. This Note argues that the "look-through approach" must be used by the Delaware courts when the majority shareholder of the corporation on whose behalf the derivative suit has been filed is a defendant in the derivative suit, and when the amount of the common fund is over $500 million. When those two conditions are met, use of the "look-through approach" would be bright-line and automatic. This Note argues that use of the "look-through approach" in such situations would further two important goals of the Delaware courts. Those two goals are discouraging forum-shopping and thus keeping shareholder litigation in Delaware, and reducing the possibility of attorneys’ fee awards being perceived as windfalls.
Dynamic Changes of Pulmonary Function Peri-Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease

Objective To study the dynamic changes of pulmonary function peri-cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) for preventing and reducing acute lung injury caused by CPB in infants with congenital heart disease.Methods Sixty-eight infants with ventricular septal defect(VSD) underwent corrective surgery which had 47 male and 21 famale from Mar.to Sep.2007 in the hospital were detected,aged(5.1±2.3) months,weight(6.4±3.8) kg,the average time of CPB was(66.04±18.68) minutes,and the aortic clamping time was(38.46±13.76) minutes.There were no pneumonia and other pulmonary disease before operation.All cases were underwent mechanical ventilation in synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation(SIMV) mode,duration of mechanical ventilation was(11.44±9.63) hours.pa(O2),pa(CO2) and FiO2 were measured before CPB,and 2,6,12,24,48 h after CPB.Lung oxygenation indicators:oxygenation index(OI),pulmonary alveolar oxygen partial pressure ratio [pa(O2)/pA(O2)],respiratory index(RI) and alveolar-arterial blood oxygen difference(A-aDO2) were calculated.Results OI:2 h(393.20±189.03),6 h(385.35±175.09) post-CPB were lower than that of pre-CPB(517.17±86.29)(t=4.955,5.569 Pa0.01),there were no differences at 12 h(481.58±239.72),24 h(488.94±244.26),48 h(476.02±227.85) post-CPB compared with that of pre-CPB(t=1.152,0.899,1.393 Pa0.05).pa(O2)/pA(O2): 2 h(0.54±0.26),6 h(0.69±0.32) post-CPB were lower than that of pre-CPB(0.79±0.13)(t=2.837 P0.01,t=2.387 P0.05),there were no significant differences at 12 h(0.74±0.31),24 h(0.82±0.42),48 h(0.76±0.39) post-CPB compared with that of pre-CPB(t=1.227,0.563,0.602 Pa0.05).(A-aDO2): there were no significant differences at 2 h(156.10±148.48),6 h(141.46±133.52) compared with that of pre-CPB(125.53±70.85)(t=1.532,0.869 Pa0.05),12 h(96.33±76.09),24 h(98.63±75.73),48 h(100.77±69.48) post-CPB were significantly lower than that of pre-CPB(125.53±70.85)(t=2.316,2.139,2.058 Pa0.05).RI: 2 h(0.90±0.73),6 h(0.86±0.69)post-CPB were significantly higher than that of pre-CPB(0.41±0.20)(t=5.338,5.165 Pa0.01),there were no significant differences at 12 h(0.49±0.41),24 h(0.51±0.46),48 h(0.53±0.49)compared with that of pre-CPB(t=1.446,1.644,1.870 Pa0.05).Conclusions The early damage of lung function after CPB is obviously in infants.Accurate management of circulation and respiration are important for reducing acute lung injury and improving pulmonary function.
A Real-Time MRI Study of Articulatory Setting in Second Language Speech

Previous work has shown that languages differ in their articulatory setting, the postural configuration that the vocal tract articulators tend to adopt when they are not engaged in any active speech gesture, and that this posture might be specified as part of the phonological knowledge speakers have of the language. This study tests whether the articulatory setting of a language can be acquired by non-native speakers. Three native speakers of German who had learned English as a second language were imaged using real-time MRI of the vocal tract while reading passages in German and English, and features that capture vocal tract posture were extracted from the inter-speech pauses in their native and non-native languages. Results show that the speakers exhibit distinct inter-speech postures in each language, with a lower and more retracted tongue in English, consistent with classic descriptions of the differences between the German and the English articulatory settings. This supports the view that non-native speakers may acquire relevant features of the articulatory setting of a second language, and also lends further support to the idea that articulatory setting is part of a speaker’s phonological competence in a language. Index Terms: articulatory setting, speech production, second language speech acquisition, real-time MRI.
A Revision of the Eastern Nearctic Genus Custotychus Park and Wagner, 1962 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

Abstract The eastern Nearctic pselaphine genus Custotychus Park and Wagner consisting of 14 species is revised, with ten new species being proposed: C. carloritaorum Chandler and Geromini new species, C. cavei Chandler and Geromini new species, C. chickasaw Chandler and Geromini new species, C. leei Chandler and Geromini new species, C. lobatus Chandler and Geromini new species, C. natchez Chandler and Geromini new species, C. rothorum Chandler and Geromini new species, C. spinosus Chandler and Geromini new species, C. turnbowi Chandler and Geromini new species, and C. watrousi Chandler and Geromini new species. Tychus spiculifer Casey is placed as a junior synonym of T. verticalis Casey, new synonymy. A diagnostic key and figures are provided for identification of the species.
My “Investigation of Things”

“Confucianism” can refer to two topics, namely “Philosophical Confucianism” and “State Confucianism.” Regarding contemporary China and the global world, the one that has a positive content is not the latter but is the former. Philosophical Confucianism takes Mencius’ thesis as its key. It emphasizes knowledge, emotions, and intentions to act as an interrelated mental cluster. It encourages people to focus on family love and its societal expansion. At the same time, through the investigation of such universal topics as humane love, mental tranquility, care, suffering, and empathy, it provides a rich scholarly content and raises positive questions for reflection. Thus, that very old concept of Philosophical Confucianism doubtless has a new destiny, because currently a number of American ethicists and scientists work in closely related topics. Chinese and American scholars not only can develop cooperative work, but also that cooperation will definitely bear abundant fruit.
Pharmacotherapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome-the long and winding road.

Ashbaugh’s original case series of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) had a mortality of 58% (1). Significant gains have been made in the treatment of ARDS with contemporary mortality ranging between 25% and 45% depending upon disease severity (2). In part, improvements are due to general advancements in critical care. Since 1967, new antibiotics have become available for treating pneumonia, continuous renal replacement therapies allow for improved volume management in patients with ARDS and acute renal failure, and sepsis resuscitation is more aggressive and protocolized. Changes in mechanical lung ventilation practices have also improved outcomes.
Exponentiated-exponential geometric regression model

A regression model, based on the exponentiated-exponential geometric distribution, is defined and studied. The regression model can be applied to count data with under-dispersion or over-dispersion...
Performance of underprepared students in traditional versus animation-based flipped-classroom settings

Student performance in a flipped classroom with an animation-based content knowledge development system for the bottom third of the incoming first year college students was compared to that in a traditional lecture-based teaching method. 52% of these students withdrew from the traditionally taught General Chemistry course, compared to 22% in a similar course taught in a flipped classroom teaching method. Of the students who persisted in the course and obtained a grade, there was an increase in A's and B's as well as an increase in D's and F's for students taught in a flipped classroom teaching method when compared to those in the traditional setting. When the course that was initially taught in a flipped classroom method reverted to a traditional teaching method, students in that course generally performed worse than students who were in a traditionally taught course all throughout.
Decision making under measure-based granular uncertainty

In situations, where an uncertain variable takes its value in a large space, we can use granulation of the space to simplify the knowledge acquisition process. We observe, however, that this use of granulation can come at the price of introducing imprecision into the related decision process. We note that answers to questions about values related to the original space can often only be answered using interval values. We look at two classes of decision problems where uncertain information about relevant variables is expressed indirectly via information about the uncertainty on related granular objects. To make a precise decision, we require the decision maker to provide some subjective preference information to resolve the interval uncertainty induced by the granulation. In this paper, our major contribution is that we provide an approach to decision making in the face of uncertainty where the uncertain information is expressed on a space of granular objects and the underlying uncertainty is most generally represented by a measure.
A20 upregulation during treated HIV disease is associated with intestinal epithelial cell recovery and function

Untreated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is characterized by intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction and chronic inflammation, related features that are attenuated to variable degrees by suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). Specific mediators of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) dysfunction and restoration during HIV disease and treatment have yet to be identified. We studied IECs isolated from intestinal biopsies by RNAseq and found that mRNA levels for the ubiquitin-modifying enzyme, A20, are upregulated in ART-treated individuals and are positively correlated with markers of epithelial function (e.g., CTNNB, CLDN4, and TJP1). In a murine intestinal organoid model, A20 expression was suppressed by interferon-alpha (IFNα), which is highly expressed during HIV viremia and induces IFN-mediated signaling. Notably, A20 deletion rendered intestinal organoids more susceptible to cell death and inhibition of barrier-related genes mediated by interferon-gamma (IFNγ), a cytokine also present at elevated levels during untreated infection. Furthermore, A20 specifically restricted expression of IL-17A-induced inflammatory genes in organoids. Finally, ART-suppressed chronically infected individuals treated with pegylated IFNα2a for five weeks demonstrated reduced expression of A20 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our results are thus consistent with a model in which enhanced type I interferons suppress A20 levels, leading to IFNγ-mediated dysfunction. As such, variation in A20 expression during the course of HIV infection could underlie both the development of epithelial dysfunction before the initiation of ART and the recovery of intestinal epithelial integrity thereafter. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Clinical Trial NCT00594880
Linear programming applied to dairy cattle selection

A linear programming model that accounts for the economic consequences of response to selection to the producer enterprise over a given planning horizon is described. A procedure is given in detail for defining upper and lower bounds constraints on variables that are correlated in the linear programming model. This procedure enabled the linear programming model to construct a feasible hyperspace that reflects the relationship between the variables in terms of the trend in the relationship and the variation around this trend. The linear programming model was used to compute optimal rates of response to selection for four planning horizons. The optimal response to selection per year for the production traits was closest to the maximums achievable from a gene-flow model. Of all the non-production traits, days open had the greatest proportion of its maximum achievable from a gene-flow model. The linear programming model was used to compute relative economic weights (REV) for the nine traits for each planning horizon. The REVs for milk, fat, and protein production were considerably larger than the REVs for the non-production traits for all planning horizons. Somatic cell score had the largest REVs of the non-production traits in all planning horizons.
How Close is “Close Enough”?

The scientific realism debate is a debate over which virtues are appropriate to the evaluation of scientific theories. The realist takes a virtuous scientific theory to be true, in that the physical world is one of its models. One sort of non-realist takes a virtuous scientific theory to be empirically adequate, in that observable phenomena are isomorphic to an empirical substructure of one of its models.1 Another sort of non-realist takes a virtuous scientific theory to attain an instrumental efficacy in the hands of its practitioners. By a kind of non-axiomatizable craft feeling, physicists extract verifiable predictions from the theory, and behavior conforming to those predictions from their antic laboratory apparatus.2
Platforms: Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

An autonomous underwater vehicle, or AUV, is a self-propelled, unmanned, untethered underwater vehicle capable of carrying out simple activities with little or no human supervision. AUVs are often used as survey platforms to map the seafloor or characterize physical, chemical, or biological properties of the water. A large variety of AUVs are in existence, ranging from vehicles weighing tens of kilograms, to vehicles weighing thousands of kilograms. Motivations for employing AUVs range from the ability to obtain superior data quality, for example, obtaining high-resolution maps of the deep seafloor, or to establish a pervasive ocean presence, for example, using many small AUVs to observe oceanographic fields. While AUV technology development and occasional scientific use of AUVs have occurred since the 1960s, routine use of AUVs for science is a phenomenon of the last few years. Adoption of AUVs has led to increasing investment in AUV technology, and the establishment of successful commercial suppliers of AUVs and AUV services. AUV technology continues to evolve rapidly and a wide range of new AUVs and new AUV applications are under development as of the writing of this article.
Improved wettability of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP)/copper porous coatings for dramatic improvements in pool boiling heat transfer

Abstract Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) are known for their excellent thermal and mechanical properties making them suitable candidates for a variety of engineering applications. In this work, a novel GNP/Cu porous coating obtained via a multistep electrodeposition technique is presented and tested for their efficacy in improved critical heat flux (CHF) and heat transfer coefficient (HTC). An array of hierarchical porous coatings was obtained by systematically increasing the GNP concentration in the electrodeposition bath and were found to be superhydrophilic with very high wicking rates. Our pool boiling tests indicate that 2% GNP/Cu (wt/vol.) surfaces yielded a CHF of 286 W/cm2 and a heat transfer coefficient of 204 kW/m2-°C, representing an improvement of 130% in CHF and 290% in HTC compared to pristine copper surfaces. The reported CHF and HTC represent the highest values reported in the literature till date for pool boiling on a plain surface. This enhancement in heat transfer properties is attributed to the hierarchical pores that serve as the nucleation sites and influence the overall bubble dynamics that is responsible carry the heat between liquid and vapor phases. The porous surfaces also improved the surface wickability and wettability that further promoted nucleation and microlayer evaporation.
MYOPERICARDITIS IN THE SETTING OF CLASSIC ACUTE GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE (GVHD): A RARE COMPLICATION

Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD) is a serious complication of allogenic stem cell transplant (SCT). Although cardiac involvement is rare, outcomes are poor with mortality as high as 43%. A 25 yo male with ALL status post Hyper-CVAD (cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Adriamycin, Dexamethasone) and SCT
Abstract 450: Global Phosphopeptide Analyses Identifies a Profile that Distinguishes Advanced Heart Failure Patients Capable of Cardiac Recovery Following LVAD Unloading

The classical view of the human heart characterizes it as an organ with limited ability to recover and restore itself. Consequently, left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), which provide mechanical...
Accuracy of MEPDG Dynamic Modulus Predictions for Short-Term and Long-Term Aged Asphalt Mixtures

AbstractThis study examines the accuracy of dynamic modulus, |E*|, predictions made by the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) for short-term and long-term aged hot mix asphalt (HMA...
Functional Plasmonic Fiber-Optic Based Sensors Using Low-Cost Microsphere Photolithography

This paper presents a technique for the low-cost fabrication of plasmonic fiber-optic based refractive-index sensors. The Microsphere Photolithography (MPL) technique was used to pattern nanoholes in a thin aluminum film to create Extraordinary Optical Transmission (EOT) based sensors on the cleaved tip of SMF-28 optical fibers. This technique uses self-assembled microspheres as an optical element and facilitates very low-cost patterning of the plasmonic probes. As the refractive index of the media changes, the reflected spectrum of optical fiber changes. The fabricated sensors were immersed in water with different concentrations of glucose, and the lowest detection limit was found to be 33 mg/mL.
Not at the dinner table – take it to your room: adolescent reports of parental screen time rules

Parents today are faced with the challenge of regulating their children’s technology use in a society where the screens are becoming more pervasive. While the American Academy of Pediatrics has iss...
Pentamethine sulfobenzoindocyanine dyes with low net charge states and high photostability

A series of Cy5.5 dye analogs and targeted probes with net charges varied from -3 to 0 were synthesized by an optimized method, followed by comparing their spectral and photostability properties in saturated solutions of air, oxygen, and argon. The Cy5.5 analogs with reduced charge were relatively stable when irridated at their excitation maxima, with a trend of higher stability with lower net charge states. The photostability of dyes was markedly lower in pure oxygen and higher in inert argon relative to ambient atmospheric conditions. The stability of c(RGDyK) conjugates as models of targeted molecular imaging agents mirrored these results and demonstrated the practical utility of the new family of Cy5.5 fluorophores.
FRACTURE AND FATIGUE CRACK GROWTH ANALYSIS IN ALUMINUM-LITHIUM ALLOYS

ABSTRACT An experimental investigation was conducted to characterize the fracture and fatigue behavior of 2090-T8, 2091-T3 and 2024-T3 aluminum-alloy sheet material ranging in thickness from 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm. Compact tension specimens, and cruciform specimens were used for J-R curve evaluation. Single-edge notched specimens were used to study the fatigue crack propagation under constant load conditions. J-R curves were determined by partial unloading compliance method using compact tension specimens and compared with those obtained by moire interferometry method using cruciform specimens. Jc values corresponding to the maximum stress level attained in the unbroken ligament of the specimen were determined. Aluminum lithium alloys were found to have lower crack growth rates than that of 2024-T3 aluminum alloy.
Population Count on Intel® CPU, GPU and FPGA

Population count is a primitive used in many applications. Commodity processors have dedicated instructions for achieving high-performance population count. Motivated by the productivity of high-level synthesis and the importance of population count, in this paper we investigated the OpenCL implementations of population count algorithms, and evaluated their performance and resource utilizations on an FPGA. Based on the results, we select the most efficient implementation. Then we derived a reduction pattern from a representative application of population count. We parallelized the reduction with atomic functions, and optimized it with vectorized memory accesses, tree reduction, and compute-unit duplication. We evaluated the performance of the reduction kernel on an Intel® Xeon® CPU and an Intel ® Iris™ Pro integrated GPU, and an FPGA card that features an Intel ® Arria ® 10 FPGA. When DRAM memory bandwidth is comparable on the three computing platforms, the FPGA can achieve the highest kernel performance for large workload. On the other hand, we described performance bottlenecks on the FPGA. To make FPGAs more competitive in raw performance compared to high-performant CPU and GPU platforms, it is important to increase external memory bandwidth, minimize data movement between a host and a device, and reduce OpenCL runtime overhead on an FPGA.
Maternal Prenatal Depression in Pregnancies With Female and Male Fetuses and Developmental Associations With C-reactive Protein and Cortisol.

Abstract Background Prenatal depression has lasting effects on development in offspring, including later mental illness risk. Maternal responses to depression include inflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stimulation. Effects on development of cerebral inhibitory neurocircuits may differ for female and male fetuses. Methods Mothers (N = 181) were assessed periodically, beginning at 16 weeks’ gestation, using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale. Maternal prenatal C-reactive protein and hair cortisol and cortisone levels were determined. Cortisone was determined in neonatal hair. Development of cerebral inhibitory neurocircuits was assessed in 162 1-month-old newborns by inhibition of P50 electrophysiological responses to repeated sounds. Results Maternal depression was associated with decreased newborn P50 inhibition in both sexes. Maternal C-reactive protein levels were significantly associated with depression only in pregnancies with male fetuses and with decreased newborn P50 inhibition only in male newborns. Maternal cortisol levels were significantly associated with depression only in pregnancies with female fetuses and with decreased newborn P50 inhibition only in female newborns. In pregnancies with male fetuses compared with pregnancies with female fetuses, cortisol was more robustly metabolized to cortisone, which does not activate cortisol receptors. Conclusions This study finds sex-specific associations of C-reactive protein and cortisol levels with prenatal depression in women and with decreased development of newborn P50 inhibition. Sex-based differences in maternal response to depression with inflammation or cortisol and their developmental effects may reflect evolutionary influences to promote survival in adversity. Decreased newborn P50 inhibition is associated with later childhood behavioral problems, and decreased P50 inhibition is a pathophysiological feature of several mental illnesses.
The therapeutic implications of the genomic analysis of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Delineation of the genomic complexities of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) has lagged behind other malignancies. Zhang et al. meaningfully add to our understanding of MPM, and their findings emphasize the need to combine drug development efforts with appropriate predictive biomarkers.
Black lives matter in the sports world

On 25 May 2020, George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin. A 17-year-old bystander, Darnella Frazier, recorded his slow and methodical killing on her mobile p...