cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of a paleosol catena, the Zinj archeological level, Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania

Abstract Paleosols record paleoclimatic processes in the Earth's Critical Zone and are archives of ancient landscapes associated with archeological sites. Detailed field, micromorphologic, and bulk geochemical analysis of paleosols were conducted near four sites at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania within the same stratigraphic horizon as the Zinjanthropus (Paranthropus) boisei archeological site. Paleosols are thin (
Digital inking and lecture screencasts

Contribution to Boston University's First Annual Instructional Innovation Conference, held March 27, 2009. Describes the use of digital inking on electronic slides during lectures, and live recording of screencasts, as used by the author during her teaching in Spring 2009 for the Fluid Mechanics course in the College of Engineering, Boston University. Explains the technology requirements, educational objectives and benefits. In Spring 2010, the new version of the class screencasts for the Fluid Mechanics course were uploaded to iTunes U. See link below.
T Cells and Gene Regulation: The Switching On and Turning Up of Genes after T Cell Receptor Stimulation in CD8 T Cells

Signaling downstream of the T cell receptor (TCR) is directly regulated by the dose and affinity of peptide antigen. The strength of TCR signaling drives a multitude of T cell functions from development to differentiation. CD8 T cells differentiate into a diverse pool of effector and memory cells after activation, a process that is critical for pathogen clearance and is highly regulated by TCR signal strength. T cells rapidly alter their gene expression upon activation. Multiple signaling pathways downstream of the TCR activate transcription factors, which are critical for this process. The dynamics between proximal TCR signaling, transcription factor activation, and CD8 T cell function are discussed here. We propose that Inducible T cell kinase (ITK) acts as a rheostat for gene expression. This unique regulation of TCR signaling by ITK provides a possible signaling mechanism for the promotion of a diverse T cell repertoire in response to pathogen.
Aligned-Crystalline Si Films on Glass

We report structural and electronic properties of Aligned-Crystalline Si (ACSi) films on glass substrates. These films show enhanced majority carrier mobilities and minority carrier lifetimes with increasing crystallinity, i.e., with improving alignment and connectivity of the grains. A 0.4-μm-thick ACSi film with a total grain mosaic spread of 4.2° showed Hall mobility of 47 cm 2 /V.s for a p-type doping concentration of 1.9×10 18 cm −3 . A prototype n+/p/p+–type diode fabricated using a 4.2-μm-thick ACSi film showed minority carrier lifetime of ∼3.5 μs and estimated diffusion length of ∼30 μm in the p layer with a doping concentration of 5×10 16 cm −3 .
Gene expression of peripheral blood cells reveals pathways downstream of glucocorticoid receptor antagonism and nab-paclitaxel treatment.

OBJECTIVES Whereas paclitaxel treatment is associated with leukopenia, the mechanisms that underlie this effect are not well-characterized. In addition, despite the importance of glucocorticoid signaling in cancer treatment, the genomic effects of glucocorticoid receptor antagonism by mifepristone treatment in primary human cells have never been described. METHODS As part of a randomized phase 1 clinical trial, we used microarrays to profile gene expression in peripheral blood cells sampled from each of four patients at baseline, after placebo/nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) treatment (cycle 1), and after mifepristone/nab-paclitaxel treatment (cycle 2). RESULTS We found that 63 genes were differentially expressed following treatment with nab-paclitaxel, including multiple genes in the tubulin pathway. We also found 606 genes that were differentially expressed in response to mifepristone; genes downregulated by mifepristone overlapped significantly with those previously identified as being upregulated by dexamethasone. CONCLUSION These results provide insights into the mechanisms of paclitaxel and glucocorticoid receptor inhibition in peripheral blood cells.
Interaction of Myosin Phosphatase Target Subunit (MYPT1) with Myosin Phosphatase-RhoA Interacting Protein (MRIP): A Role of Glutamic Acids in the Interaction

Scaffold proteins bind to and functionally link protein members of signaling pathways. Interaction of the scaffold proteins, myosin phosphatase target subunit (MYPT1) and myosin phosphatase-RhoA interacting protein (MRIP), causes co-localization of myosin phosphatase and RhoA to actomyosin. To examine biophysical properties of interaction of MYPT1 with MRIP, we employed analytical ultracentrifugation and surface plasmon resonance. In regard to MRIP, its residues 724-837 are sufficient for the MYPT1/MRIP interaction. Moreover, MRIP binds to MYPT1 as either a monomer or a dimer. With respect to MYPT1, its leucine repeat region, LR (residues 991-1030) is sufficient to account for the MYPT1/MRIP interaction. Furthermore, point mutations that replace glutamic acids 998-1000 within LR reduced the binding affinity toward MRIP. This suggests that the glutamic acids of MYPT1 play an important role in the interaction.
Role of an Inverted CCAAT Element in Human Topoisomerase IIα Gene Expression in ICRF-187-Sensitive and -Resistant CEM Leukemic Cells

DNA topoisomerase (topo) IIα gene expression or activity is altered in tumor cells selected for resistance to inhibitors of topoII. To better understand the mechanisms by which topoIIα expression levels are modulated, we examined topoIIα transcriptional regulation in ICRF-187-sensitive and ICRF-187-resistant human leukemic cell lines that express an increased amount of topoIIα protein and mRNA. Transient transfections of luciferase reporter plasmids containing either the full-length human topoIIα promoter or fragments of it revealed that topoIIα transcriptional activity was significantly increased in the drug-resistant CEM/ICRF-8 cells, compared with CEM cells. Specifically, the transcriptional activity of the full-length topoIIα promoter (nucleotides −557 to +90) was doubled in CEM/ICRF-8 compared with CEM cells. Serial deletion of the topoIIα promoter permitted localization of the region responsible for its up-regulation in the drug-resistant cells between nucleotides −557 and −162, which includes the last three inverted CCAAT elements (ICE) 3 to 5. Note that construction of a point mutation in ICE3 resulted in a significant increase in transcriptional activity of the topoIIα promoter in the drug-sensitive CEM cells. In addition, by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, ICE3 was recognized by a protein complex containing NF-YB that was present at reduced levels in the topoIIα-overexpressing CEM/ICRF-8 extracts, suggesting that ICE3 plays a negative regulatory role in human topoIIα gene expression. This is the first study to show that topoIIα transcriptional up-regulation in ICRF-187-resistant cells is mediated in part by altered regulation of the third inverted CCAAT box in the topoIIα promoter.
Non-Native Accent and Listener Perceptions of Grammaticality

‘Foreign accent’ is a term popularly used to refer to the characteristics of L2 speech that make it noticeably different from that of native speakers of a particular community (Munro, Derwing and Sato, 2006). Foreign accent can be defined as ‘non-pathological speech produced by second language learners that differs in partially systematic ways from the speech characteristics of native speakers of a given dialect’ (Southwood and Flege, 1999, p. 335). Munro and Derwing (1999/1995) define accentedness as a listener’s perception of how different a speaker’s accent is from that of the L1 community. It should be noted that, while a ‘foreign accent’ can result in what come across as mispronunciations in many cases, it is not necessarily always the case. As an example, if a Spanish speaker pronounces unaspirated /p/, /t/ or /k/ sounds where a native English speaker would aspirate, this might be noticed by a listener, but not processed as a blatant mispronunciation.
Collection and Analysis of Physiological Measures in Driving Research

Driving research has recently seen a surge in the collection and use of physiological measurements. This use of physiological data is often part of an attempt to either measure cognitive load or de...
Rho resonance parameters from lattice QCD

We perform a high-precision calculation of the phase shifts for $$\pi$$-$$\pi$$ scattering in the I = 1, J = 1 channel in the elastic region using elongated lattices with two mass-degenerate quark favors ($N_f = 2$). We extract the $$\rho$$ resonance parameters using a Breit-Wigner fit at two different quark masses, corresponding to $$m_{\pi} = 226$$MeV and $$m_{\pi} = 315$$MeV, and perform an extrapolation to the physical point. The extrapolation is based on a unitarized chiral perturbation theory model that describes well the phase-shifts around the resonance for both quark masses. We find that the extrapolated value, $$m_{\rho} = 720(1)(15)$$MeV, is significantly lower that the physical rho mass and we argue that this shift could be due to the absence of the strange quark in our calculation.
The Way to Coordinated Regional Economy Development of Liaoning Province

The coordinated development of regional economy is an important strategy of economic and social development in china. By analyzing the phenomenon of the out of line of Liaoning province’s economic development, we develop the external characterization, and provide the way to achieve coordinated development.
Analysis on testing results of microbial contamination in food in Longlin County of Guangxi from 2011-2012

[Objective]To investigate the status of microbial contamination in food in Longlin County,provide the scientific basis for preventing the food-borne diseases.[Methods]The sampling and detection were conducted according to the National food-borne disease monitoring handbook in 2011 and 2012.[Results]A total of 182 samples were detected in 2 years,and the qualified rate was 79.67%.6 strains of pathogens were found in 28 samples of fruit and vegetable juices,with the detection rate of 21.43%,and 4 strains of pathogens were found in 32 samples of supplementary foods for infants,with the detection rate of 12.5%.The qualified rates of coliform group in rice noodle packmeal,and fruit and vegetable juices,as well as mould in cakes,biscuits and cooked rice and flour products were lower.[Conclusion]The microbial contamination in food samples in Longlin County is serious.It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of microbial contamination in all kinds of food,and carry out the related prevention and control measures,to prevent the food-borne diseases.
The Cause and Countermeasure of High Bed Temperature of a 440 t/h Circulating Fluidized Bed Boiler

From the view point of circulating material balancing,the paper analyzed the high bed temperature problem of a 440 t/h circulating fluidized bed boiler made by Harbin Boiler works in terms of the startup bed material selection,coal quality,the slag-cooling equipment selection,boiler startup time and the capability of recirculation valve,etc.It put forward the corresponding countermeasures and acquired satisfactory result.
Building The Mental Health Workforce Capacity Needed To Treat Adults With Serious Mental Illnesses

There are widespread shortages of mental health professionals in the United States, especially for the care of adults with serious mental illnesses. Such shortages are aggravated by maldistribution of mental health professionals and attractive practice opportunities treating adults with less severe conditions. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and legislation extending mental health parity coverage are contributing to an increasing demand for mental health services. I consider four policy recommendations to reinvigorate the mental health workforce to meet the rising mental health care demand by adults with serious mental illnesses: expanding loan repayment programs for mental health professionals to practice in underserved areas; raising Medicaid reimbursement for treating serious mental illness; increasing training opportunities for social workers in relevant evidence-based psychosocial services; and disseminating service models that integrate mental health specialists as consultants in general medical care. Achieving progress in attracting mental health professionals to care for adults with serious mental illnesses will require vigorous policy interventions.
Phoria variation secondary to cover test technique at near.

Background: This study examined variations in near-point phoria measurements as a result of cover test technique. Two observing positions by the clinician were assessed: (1) a a mid-line position, with the clinician directly behind the near-point accommodative target and (2) an off-midline position, so as to not be within the patient's central field of vision. Methods: One hundred thirteen subjects (55 men and 58 women) were classified using the off-midline cover test technique. A second set of measurements was taken with the examiner on the midline. All other testing aspects were held constant. Results: No significant differences were observed between techniques for patients who were orthophoric or esophoric. Significant differences (P< 0.00001) were observed in subjects who were exophoric. The midline positioning of the examiner was associated with a decrease in the measured exophoria by an average of more than four prism diopters Conclusions: While either measuring position by the clinician is comparable for patients with esophoria or orthophoria, the findings suggest that larger amounts of heterophoria will be measured if the cover test at near is performed from an off-midline position when patients with exophoria are examined.
BRICS| Road to India—A Brazilian Love Story: BRICS, Migration, and Cultural Flows in Brazil’s Caminho das Indias

The Brazilian telenovela Caminho das Indias or India, a Love Story garnered more than 40 million viewers in Brazil and went on to win an international Emmy for best telenovela. Set in India and Brazil, Caminho das Indias highlights the challenges to established traditional values such as caste, lifestyles, and norms in emerging economies because of global migration. Through a textual and discursive analysis of the novella, this article hones in on the global migrations among the emerging economies India and Brazil to study the changes migrations bring about in terms of the spatial organization of social relations and familial and cultural ties using the concepts of deterritorialization and hybridity. Framing the novella in the context of BRICS, we interrogate the political economy of the text as a notable South­–South international product, one that considerably increased the awareness of one BRICS country in another.
A censored-Poisson model based approach to the analysis of RNA-seq data

With the recent advance of sequencing technology, the collection of RNA expression (RNA-seq) data has been growing rapidly. RNA-seq data are statistically count-type measurements. Poisson distribution is a basic probability distribution for modeling count-type data. With Poisson regression models, various experimental factors, GC content as well as alternative splicing isoforms can be flexibly considered in RNA-seq data analysis. Due to the biochemical and technical limitations of sequencing technology, the biases among RNA-seq data have been recognized. In this study, an artificial censoring approach has been proposed to an isoform-specific Poisson regression model for analyzing RNA-seq data. Low expression values can be grouped (censored) into one probability category, and high expression values can also be grouped (censored) into another probability category. We have implemented the related Newton-Raphson numeric computing procedure to achieve the maximum likelihood estimation for our censored-Poisson regression model. The related mathematical simplifications have been derived for the consideration of stable and convenient numerical computing. The advantages of our artificial censoring approach have been demonstrated in both simulation studies and application analysis of experimental data. Our proposed artificial censoring approach allows us to focus on the majority of data. As the extreme values (tails) of data are artificially censored, more efficient analysis results can be obtained, even from relatively simple Poisson regression models. Our proposed artificial censoring approach can certainly be considered for other well-developed models or methods for RNA-seq data analysis.
Integrate Ethnic Diversity into Marketing Education

Changing demographics in the American society have made ethnic diversity one of the focal points in the discussion of improving the quality of higher education. Various academic disciplines in the ...
The contribution of prospective studies to the understanding of etiologic factors in alcoholism

The dimension of time is crucial to the comprehension of unfolding natural phenomena. Thanks to Newton and Einstein this fact will not surprise workers in the natural sciences, but the effects of time continue to bewilder social scientists. Through their interest in static and statistical relationships between individuals and between groups, social scientists sometimes lose track of dynamisms within the single individual. Such dynamisms can only be elucidated by combining prospective study with focus upon case histories. Such study can be best accomplished by personal interviews at multiple points in time. As water refracts the passage of light and so produces visual illusions, so do lives passing through time bend memory and understanding and thus produce cognitive illusions. In examining how prospective studies dispel such illusions, the intent of this review will be to be representative rather than exhaustive.
Germline and somatic genetics of osteosarcoma - connecting aetiology, biology and therapy.

Osteosarcoma typically occurs during the adolescent growth spurt and is the most common primary cancer of bone. Here, Sharon A. Savage and colleagues discuss how advances in germline and somatic genetics, tumour biology and animal models have enhanced our understanding of osteosarcoma aetiology and could lead to new therapeutic approaches to treat the disease. Clinical outcomes and treatment modalities for osteosarcoma, the most common primary cancer of bone, have changed very little over the past 30 years. The peak incidence of osteosarcoma occurs during the adolescent growth spurt, which suggests that bone growth and pubertal hormones are important in the aetiology of the disease. Tall stature, high birth weight and certain inherited cancer predisposition syndromes are well-described risk factors for osteosarcoma. Common genetic variants are also associated with osteosarcoma. The somatic genome of osteosarcoma is highly aneuploid, exhibits extensive intratumoural heterogeneity and has a higher mutation rate than most other paediatric cancers. Complex pathways related to bone growth and development and tumorigenesis are also important in osteosarcoma biology. In this Review, we discuss the contributions of germline and somatic genetics, tumour biology and animal models in improving our understanding of osteosarcoma aetiology, and their potential to identify novel therapeutic targets and thus improve the lives of patients with osteosarcoma.
Special report : Can we copy the brain? - The neuromorphic chip's make-or-break moment

People in the tech world talk of a technology "crossing the chasm" by making the leap from early adopters to the mass market. A case study in chasm crossing is now unfolding in neuromorphic computing. The approach mimics the way neurons are connected and communicate in the human brain, and enthusiasts say neuromorphic chips can run on much less power than traditional CPUs. The problem, though, is proving that neuromorphics can move from research labs to commercial applications. The field's leading researchers spoke frankly about that challenge at the Neuro Inspired Computational Elements Workshop, held in March at the IBM research facility at Almaden, Calif. "There currently is a lot of hype about neuromorphic computing," said Steve Furber, the researcher at the University of Manchester, in England, who heads the SpiNN aker project, a major neuromorphics effort. "It's true that neuromorphic systems exist, and you can get one and use one. But all of them have fairly small user bases, in universities or industrial research groups. All require fairly specialized knowledge. And there is currently no compelling demonstration of a high-volume application where neuromorphic outperforms the alternative."
Diagnostic Radiology and Pain in the Rehabilitation Patient

Although, historically, clinical history and physical examination have been the mainstay in the workup of pain, diagnostic imaging has played an increasingly important role. Sometimes, there are conflicting clinical findings, and imaging can be utilized as a problem-solving tool. At other times, the diagnosis is known and imaging is used for pre-procedural planning or to assess for post-procedural complications. Radiographs, fluoroscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and nuclear medicine are the tools at our disposal, and they will be discussed in this chapter. However, given the emphasis on cost-efficiency in the current climate of healthcare economics, it is important for referring providers to have an understanding of when it is appropriate to supplement clinical evaluation with diagnostic imaging, as well as which diagnostic studies should be performed. Additionally, some types of imaging expose patients to ionizing radiation, which can increase the risk of carcinogenesis, and therefore must be used prudently.
Invasion of Personal Space as a Function of the Age of the Invader

The personal space of adults was invaded in a public setting by children ages 5, 8, and 10. Both men and women were approached, and an equal number of boys and girls were used as invaders; 2 observers recorded reactions of the persons invaded. The results indicated that the capacity to elicit adult-like reactions in a spatial invasion appears between the ages of 5 and 10. 5-year-old invaders received a generally positive reaction, 8-year-olds were often ignored, and 10-year-olds received a negative reaction similar to that received by an adult in a similar situation. There was some evidence to indicate that sex of S and invader are factors influencing the reaction to spatial invasion, but the age of the invader was a much more important factor.
De-Stalinising Eastern Europe. The Rehabilitation of Stalin’s Victims after 1953

This edited volume details the rehabilitation of Stalin’s former victims in ‘five Soviet republics: Russia, Ukraine, Moldavia, Latvia, and Belarus, and in six countries in the post-war Soviet “sphe...
How explicit is the cognitive science foundation of geoscience education research? A study of syntactical units in JGE articles

ABSTRACTThe National Research Council's report, Discipline-Based Education Research: Understanding and Improving Learning in Undergraduate Science and Engineering (Singer, Nielsen, & Schweingruber,...
A 32 Gb/s ADC-based PAM-4 receiver with 2-bit/stage SAR ADC and partially-unrolled DFE

A PAM-4 ADC-based receiver employs a 32-way time-interleaved 6-bit 2-bit/stage loop-unrolled SAR ADC with a single capacitive reference DAC. Digital equalization complexity is reduced with a new PAM-4 DFE architecture that has a gate count comparable to an NRZ DFE, while simultaneously halving the critical path delay. A 3-tap FFE is embedded in the ADC using an additional non-binary DAC to improve the coverage of the 6-bit FFE coefficient space. This 3-tap embedded FFE and CTLE front-end partial equalization allows placement of the CDR’s Mueller-Muller phase detector directly at the ADC output to avoid excessive loop delay. Fabricated in GP 65nm CMOS, the 32Gb/s receiver operates at a BER < 10−11 with a 27 dB loss channel and < 10−9 with a 30 dB loss channel without utilizing any transmit equalization. The complete ADC-based receiver achieves a power efficiency of 8.25pJ/bit, including all the front-end, ADC, and DSP power.
Oxytocin receptor mRNA expression in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in major psychiatric disorders: A human post-mortem study.

Abstract There is growing interest in oxytocin as a putative treatment for various psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. However, potential alterations in the endogenous brain oxytocin system in these disorders are poorly characterized. Brain expression of oxytocin and its receptor genes in patients with these psychiatric disorders has not been well studied outside the hypothalamus. We measured expression of mRNA for oxytocin and its receptor in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of postmortem brains using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in a total of 581 individuals. These individuals either were diagnosed with major depressive disorder ( n = 135), bipolar disorder ( n = 57), schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder ( n = 169), or were control subjects, defined as individuals with no lifetime history of any of these disorders ( n = 220). Diagnoses of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder were associated with significantly increased oxytocin receptor mRNA levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. This finding is discussed in light of the extant literature on the dysregulation of oxytocin signaling in individuals with major psychiatric disorders.
Ca2+/H+ exchange in acidic vacuoles of Trypanosoma brucei

The use of digitonin to permeabilize the plasma membrane of Trypanosoma brucei procyclic and bloodstream trypomastigotes allowed the identification of a non-mitochondrial nigericin-sensitive Ca2+ compartment. The proton ionophore carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) was able to cause Ca2+ release from this compartment, which was also sensitive to sodium orthovanadate. Preincubation of the cells with the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 greatly reduced the nigericin-sensitive Ca2+ compartment. Bafilomycin A1 inhibited the initial rate of ATP-dependent non-mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and stimulated the initial rate of nigericin-induced Ca2+ release by permeabilized procyclic trypomastigotes. ATP-dependent and bafilomycin A1- and 7-chloro-4-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl)-sensitive Acridine Orange uptake was demonstrated in permeabilized cells. Under these conditions Acridine Orange was concentrated in abundant cytoplasmic round vacuoles by a process inhibited by bafilomycin A1, NBD-Cl, nigericin, and Ca2+. Vanadate or EGTA significantly increased Acridine Orange uptake, while Ca2+ released Acridine Orange from these preparations, thus suggesting that the dye and Ca2+ were being accumulated in the same acidic vacuole. Acridine Orange uptake was reversed by nigericin, bafilomycin A1 and NH4Cl. The results are consistent with the presence of a Ca2+/H(+)-ATPase system pumping Ca2+ into an acidic vacuole, that we tentatively named the acidocalcisome.
THE QUEST FOR ULTIMATE RESOLUTION OF THE UNIT-SYSTEM CONTROVERSY IN U.S.A.

Depuis longtemps, le probleme de l'adoption du systeme metrique aux etats-Unis a ete etudie sur une base realiste dans des milieux officiels. En aout 1968, le Congres a vote un texte autorisant le “ National Bureau of Standards” a entreprendre une etude approfondie sur le pour et le contre de cette question. Les avantages paraissent attrayants : le vieux probleme du cout entraine par le changement est apparu a beaucoup comme effrayant. On attend avec beaucoup d'interet la solution du probleme en Angleterre et l'importance de l'arithmetique decimale a trouve un regain d'interet. On passe rapidement en revue les attitudes et les circonstances actuelles.
Multi-resolutional brain network filtering and analysis via wavelets on non-Euclidean space

Advances in resting state fMRI and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) have led to much interest in studies that evaluate hypotheses focused on how brain connectivity networks show variations across clinically disparate groups. However, various sources of error (e.g., tractography errors, magnetic field distortion, and motion artifacts) leak into the data, and make downstream statistical analysis problematic. In small sample size studies, such noise have an unfortunate effect that the differential signal may not be identifiable and so the null hypothesis cannot be rejected. Traditionally, smoothing is often used to filter out noise. But the construction of convolving with a Gaussian kernel is not well understood on arbitrarily connected graphs. Furthermore, there are no direct analogues of scale-space theory for graphs — ones which allow to view the signal at multiple resolutions. We provide rigorous frameworks for performing ’multi-resolutional’ analysis on brain connectivity graphs. These are based on the recent theory of non-Euclidean wavelets. We provide strong evidence, on brain connectivity data from a network analysis study (structural connectivity differences in adult euthymic bipolar subjects), that the proposed algorithm allows identifying statistically significant network variations, which are clinically meaningful, where classical statistical tests, if applied directly, fail.
Robotic Extrusion of Architectural Structures with Nonstandard Topology

This paper presents a fast and flexible method for robotic extrusion (or spatial 3D printing) of designs made of linear elements that are connected in nonstandard, irregular, and complex topologies. Nonstandard topology has considerable potential in design, both for visual effect and material efficiency, but usually presents serious challenges for robotic assembly since repeating motions cannot be used. Powered by a new automatic motion planning framework called Choreo, this paper’s robotic extrusion process avoids human intervention for steps that are typically arduous and tedious in architectural robotics projects. Specifically, the assembly sequence, end-effector pose, joint configuration, and transition trajectory are all generated automatically using state-of-the-art, open-source planning algorithms developed in the broader robotics community. Three case studies with topologies produced by structural optimization and generative design techniques are presented to demonstrate the potential of this approach.
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) risk with daratumumab (Dara) therapy post allogeneic transplantation (alloHCT) for multiple myeloma (MM).

8028Background: Daratumumab (Dara) is an antibody targeting CD38+ MM cells that also affects CD38+ non-myeloma cells, including T cells, which mediate GVHD. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are reduced w...
Seismocardiography Can Assess Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test Parameters in Patients with Heart Failure

Background Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is an important risk stratification tool in patients (pts) with heart failure (HF) and measures such as peak VO 2 , VE/VCO 2 slope, Oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) have prognostic value in HF pts. In our previous studies, we have shown that wearable chest patch based seismocardiogram (SCG) signals - the local body vibrations of the chest wall in response to cardiac ejection - can accurately quantify cardiac contractility changes [pre-ejection period (PEP)], which can be used to differentiate between compensated and decompensated HF pts following exercise (six-minute walk test). Hypothesis We hypothesized that CPET variables can be assessed using changes in PEP from simultaneously recorded SCG. The degree of impairment in myocardial contractility should reflect the severity of HF and it could be used for risk stratification. Methods CPET was performed using a modified Naughton protocol. SCG and ECG signals were simultaneously recorded using our custom built wearable chest patch ( Fig. 1 A). We segmented these signals into heart beats and averaged the beats over 30 seconds window and compared the PEP (normalized to the resting values) with corresponding CPET variables. We compared changes in PEP (percentage change from baseline value) following exercise with CPET variables. Results We enrolled 8 patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (age 61 ± 11, 50% women, ejection fraction 0.25 ± 0.08). We found that normalized PEP at anaerobic threshold (AT) correlated with VO 2 at AT (R 2 = 0.56), while normalized PEP at VO 2 max correlated with OUES (R 2 =0.64) and O 2 pulse at VO 2 max (R 2 =0.43). Percentage change in PEP following exercise correlated with VO 2 at AT (R 2 = 0.61) and VO 2 max (R 2 = 0.48). Conclusions Using SCG and simultaneous ECG we can assess corresponding CPET variables for patients with HF. This wearable device can potentially provide value in stratifying risk in patients with HF by tracking hemodynamic parameters during daily activities.
Benchmarking Vended Authority Control Practices in ARL Libraries

ABSTRACTThis article presents the results of a survey designed to benchmark the use of vendors to support authority control activities in Association of Research Libraries member libraries. Such ac...
Membrane cholesterol depletion reduces downstream signaling activity of the adenosine A2A receptor.

Abstract Cholesterol has been shown to modulate the activity of multiple G Protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), yet whether cholesterol acts through specific interactions, indirectly via modifications to the membrane, or via both mechanisms is not well understood. High-resolution crystal structures of GPCRs have identified bound cholesterols; based on a β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) structure bound to cholesterol and the presence of conserved amino acids in class A receptors, the cholesterol consensus motif (CCM) was identified. Here in mammalian cells expressing the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), ligand dependent production of cAMP is reduced following membrane cholesterol depletion with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MβCD), indicating that A2AR signaling is dependent on cholesterol. In contrast, ligand binding is not dependent on cholesterol depletion. All-atom molecular simulations suggest that cholesterol interacts specifically with the CCM when the receptor is in an active state, but not when in an inactive state. Taken together, the data support a model of receptor state-dependent binding between cholesterol and the CCM, which could facilitate both G-protein coupling and downstream signaling of A2AR.
Construction Capacity and New Housing Demand Caused by Tornados

Recent research shows that construction of new houses takes the majority of the recovery time after a tornado. The rapid procurement of new houses depends largely on the existing construction capacity in the region affected. In this study, information about the construction industry in a tornado-prone region is extracted from U.S. economic Census data by using NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) categories. The present capacity of the construction industry is calculated by extracting (1) the inventories of materials and supplies, and (2) the value of new houses put in place in a targeted tornado-prone region, in this study, Oklahoma. A method is proposed to calculate the extra construction capacity in the targeted region using the information extracted from U.S. Census data. The extra construction capacity hence calculated is then compared to the anticipated need for new houses after a severe tornado, calculated by considering the historical records of damages caused by past tornados. The results of the study indicate that the existing construction capacity in the Oklahoma region is not enough to rapidly respond to the anticipated need for new houses after a tornado.
Controversies in antenatal corticosteroids

Antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) successfully reduce the rates of neonatal mortality and morbidity after preterm birth. However, this translational success story is not without controversies. This chapter explores some contemporary controversies with ACS, including the choice of corticosteroid, use in threatened preterm birth less than 24 weeks' gestation, use in late preterm birth, use at term before cesarean delivery, and issues surrounding repeated and rescue dosing of antenatal corticosteroids. The use of ACS in special populations is also discussed. Finally, areas of future research in ACS are presented, focusing on the ability to individualize therapy.
Asymptotic tools and projections

Some crucial results about limit theorems in probability theory, including those about convergence in probability, almost everywhere convergence, and convergence in distribution that are used in the rest of the book are reviewed. Some basic facts about Hilbert spaces and projections are also outlined.
Disruption of the Blood-Brain Barrier During Neuroinflammatory and Neuroinfectious Diseases

As the organ of highest metabolic demand, utilizing over 25% of total body glucose utilization via an enormous vasculature with one capillary every 73 μm, the brain evolves a barrier at the capillary and postcapillary venules to prevent toxicity during serum fluctuations in metabolites and hormones, to limit brain swelling during inflammation, and to prevent pathogen invasion. Understanding of neuroprotective barriers has since evolved to incorporate the neurovascular unit (NVU), the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier, and the presence of CNS lymphatics that allow leukocyte egress. Identification of the cellular and molecular participants in BBB function at the NVU has allowed detailed analyses of mechanisms that contribute to BBB dysfunction in various disease states, which include both autoimmune and infectious etiologies. This chapter will introduce some of the cellular and molecular components that promote barrier function but may be manipulated by inflammatory mediators or pathogens during neuroinflammation or neuroinfectious diseases.
Analogías misioneras en el Congo y el Brasil coloniales a finales del siglo XVII

A comparative study between two missionary accounts which were written by two Capuchin priests: the French Martin de Nantes, author of (Relation Succincte et Sincere [...], 1707), and the Italian, Girolamo Sorrento (Breve e Succinta Relatione [...], 1692). This essay intends to highlight, through a rhetorical-literary study, the very similar modus operandi present in both texts, to achieve this objective, an imagological analysis of the descriptions about the evangelized people and the places of Brazil and Congo carried out by French and the Italian priests will be taken as starting point. Additionally, I will mention the main lines of every missionary ministry and I will pore over how their mission’s responsibilities were incorporated within their texts. Likewise, I will analyze the scriptural elements concomitant to the preacher’s zeal when performing their religious duties.
Practical Machine Learning Approach for Stock Trading Strategies using Alternative Dataset

AI technologies are helping more and more companies leverage their resources to expand business, reach higher financial performance and become more valuable for investors. However, it is difficult to capture and predict the impacts of AI technologies on companies’ stock prices through traditional financial factors. Moreover, common information sources such as company’s earnings calls and news are not enough to quantify and predict the actual AI premium for a certain company. In this paper, we utilize scholar data as alternative data for trading strategy development and propose a practical machine learning approach to quantify the AI premium of a company and capture the scholar data driven alpha in the AI industry. First, we collect the scholar data from the Microsoft Academic Graph database, and conduct feature engineering based on AI publication and patent data, such as conference/journal publication counts, patent counts, fields of studies and paper citations. Second, we apply machine learning algorithms to weight and re-balance stocks using the scholar data and traditional financial factors every month, and construct portfolios using the “buy-and-hold-long only” strategy. Finally, we evaluate our factor and portfolio in terms of factor performance and portfolio’s cumulative return. The proposed scholar data driven approach achieves a cumulative return of 1029.1% during our backtesting period, which significantly outperforms the Nasdaq 100 index’s 529.5% and S&P 500’s 222.6%. The traditional financial factors approach only leads to 776.7%, which indicates that our scholar data driven approach is better at capturing investment alpha in AI industry than traditional financial factors.
A Bayesian hierarchical model for characterizing the diffusion of new antipsychotic drugs.

New prescription medications are a primary driver of spending growth in the United States. For patients with severe mental illnesses, second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) medications feature prominently. However, many SGAs are costly, particularly before generic entry, and some may increase the risk of diabetes. Because physicians play a prominent role in new prescription adoption, understanding their prescribing behaviors is policy-relevant. Several features of prescription data, such as different antipsychotic choice sets over time, variable physician prescription volumes, and correlation among drug choices within physicians, complicate inferences. We propose a multivariate Bayesian hierarchical model with piecewise random effects to characterize the diffusion of new antipsychotic drugs. This model captures the complex prescriber-specific relationships among the different diffusion processes and takes advantage of the Bayesian paradigm to quantify uncertainty for all parameters straightforwardly. To evaluate the prescribing patterns for each physician, we propose various indices to identify early new SGA adopters. A sample of nearly 17,000 US physicians whose antipsychotic drug prescribing information was collected between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2007 illustrates the methods. Determinants of high prescription rates and adoption speeds of new SGAs included physician sex, age, hospital affiliation, physician specialty, and office location. Large within- and between-provider variations in prescribing patterns of new SGAs were identified. Early adopters for one drug were not early adopters for another drug.
GHz-rate positive conversion efficiency via FWM in multi-layer SiNx/a-Si:H waveguides

We demonstrate high-speed positive FWM conversion efficiency (CE) at 1-GHz repetition rate in a multi-layer platform of SiNx/a-Si:H waveguides. Positive CE is first measured at a peak pump power of 2-W, with up to 5-dB positive CE (corresponding to 6.2-dB of signal gain) at 3.35-W.
Distribution-free Inventory Risk Pooling in a Multi-location Newsvendor

We study a multi-location newsvendor network when the only information available on the joint distribution of demands are the values of its mean vector and covariance matrix. We adopt a distributionally robust model to find inventory levels that minimize the worst-case expected cost among the distributions consistent with this information. This problem is NP-hard. We find a closed-form tight bound on the expected cost when there are only two locations. This bound is tight under a family of joint demand distributions with six support points. This result extends the well-known Scarf (1958) bound for a single location. For the general case, we develop a computationally tractable upper bound on the worst-case expected cost if the costs of fulfilling demands have a nested structure. This upper bound is the optimal value of a semidefinite program whose dimensions are polynomial in the number of locations. We propose an algorithm that can approximate general fulfillment cost structures by nested structures, yielding a computationally tractable heuristic for distributionally robust inventory optimization on general newsvendor networks. We conduct experiments on networks resembling U.S. e-commerce distribution networks to show the value of a distributionally robust approach over a stochastic approach that assumes an incorrect demand distribution.
Employment disruption among women with gynecologic cancers.

BACKGROUND Adverse employment outcomes pose significant challenges for cancer patients, though data patients with gynecologic cancers are sparse. We evaluated the decrease in employment among patients in the year following the diagnosis of a gynecologic cancer compared with population-based controls. METHODS Patients aged 18 to 63 years old, who were diagnosed with cervical, ovarian, endometrial, or vulvar cancer between January 2009 and December 2017, were identified in Truven MarketScan, an insurance claims database of commercially insured patients in the USA. Patients working full- or part-time at diagnosis were matched to population-based controls in a 1:4 ratio via propensity score. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the risk of employment disruption in patients versus controls. RESULTS We identified 7446 women with gynecologic cancers (191 vulvar, 941 cervical, 1839 ovarian, and 4475 endometrial). Although most continued working following diagnosis, 1579 (21.2%) changed from full- or part-time employment to long-term disability, retirement, or work cessation. In an adjusted model, older age, the presence of comorbidities, and treatment with surgery plus adjuvant therapy versus surgery alone were associated with an increased risk of employment disruption (p<0.0003, p=0.01, and p<0.0001, respectively) among patients with gynecologic cancer. In the propensity-matched cohort, patients with gynecologic cancers had over a threefold increased risk of employment disruption relative to controls (HR 3.67, 95% CI 3.44 to 3.95). CONCLUSION Approximately 21% of patients with gynecologic cancer experienced a decrease in employment in the year after diagnosis. These patients had over a threefold increased risk of employment disruption compared with controls.
Life-history evolution at the molecular level: adaptive amino acid composition of avian vitellogenins

Avian genomes typically encode three distinct vitellogenin (VTG) egg yolk proteins (VTG1, VTG2 and VTG3), which arose by gene duplication prior to the most recent common ancestor of birds. Analysis of VTG sequences from 34 avian species in a phylogenetic framework supported the hypothesis that VTG amino acid composition has co-evolved with embryo incubation time. Embryo incubation time was positively correlated with the proportions of dietary essential amino acids (EAAs) in VTG1 and VTG2, and with the proportion of sulfur-containing amino acids in VTG3. These patterns were seen even when only semi-altricial and/or altricial species were considered, suggesting that the duration of embryo incubation is a major selective factor on the amino acid composition of VTGs, rather than developmental mode alone. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the level of EAAs provided to the egg represents an adaptation to the loss of amino acids through breakdown over the course of incubation and imply that life-history phenotypes and VTG amino acid composition have co-evolved throughout the evolutionary history of birds.