cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two-dimensional crosstalk avoidance codes

Global buses in deep submicron system-on-chip designs suffer from increasing crosstalk delay as the feature size shrinks. As an technology-independent solution, crosstalk avoidance coding alleviates the problem while requiring less area and power than shielding. Most previously considered crosstalk avoidance codes are one-dimensional, and have limited code rates. In this paper, we propose two-dimensional crosstalk avoidance codes (TDCAC), which achieve higher code rate at the expense of longer latency. Specifically, we investigate the maximum code rate for TDCAC with and without memory.
Anterior and Posterior Association Cortex Contributions to the Somatosensory P300

A P300 (P3)-evoked response is generated in a variety of mammalian species upon detection of significant environmental events. The P3 component has been proposed to index a neural system involved in attention and memory capacity. We investigated the contribution of anterior and posterior association cortex to somatosensory P3 generation. Somatosensory event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in controls (n = 10) and patients with unilateral lesions in temporal-parietal junction (n = 8), lateral parietal cortex (n = 8), or dorsolateral frontal cortex (n = 10). Subjects pressed a button to mechanical taps of the fifth finger (targets; p = 0.12), randomly interposed in sequences of taps to the second (standards; p = 0.76) and the third or fourth finger (tactile novels; p = 0.06). Occasional shock stimuli were delivered to the wrist (shock novels; p = 0.06). The scalp-recorded P3 was differentially affected by anterior and posterior association cortex lesions. Subjects with temporal-parietal lesions showed markedly reduced P3s to all types of stimuli at all scalp locations. The reductions were largest at the parietal electrode site over the lesioned hemisphere. Parietal patients had normal P3s for all stimulus types except for contralateral shock novels, which generated reduced P3s. Frontal lesions had reductions of the novelty P3 over frontal sites with minimal changes in the target P3. The data support the existence of multiple intracranial P3 sources. The data further indicate that association cortex in the temporal-parietal junction is critical for generating the scalp-recorded target and novelty P3s, whereas dorsolateral frontal cortex contributes preferentially to novelty P3 generation. The N2 component was reduced by parietal and frontal lesions in patients who had intact target P3s, suggesting that different neural systems underlie N2 and P3 generation.
Travel Writing as Evidence with Special Attention to Nineteenth‐Century Anglo‐America

Travel writing is simultaneously one of the most commonly used sources in history, literary studies, and anthropology, and among the most problematic. An examination of some of the theoretical and applied literature of modern American and British travel writing suggests that scholars have identified the conventions of travel writing, the homogenizing apparatus of tourist industries, and the ritual nature of leisure travel as among the most important reasons why travel accounts present flawed representations of foreign lands. At the same time, these limitations have made travel writings very useful sources for understanding the ideological background of travelers and their home societies, and for comprehending the ways in which travelers have encountered ‘others’– whether Europeans traveling to the United States, Americans to Europe, or westerners to other parts of the world. Some recent literature is critical of this perspective, however, arguing that modern travel does present women and men with the potential for personal growth, self-reflection, and an enhanced understanding of foreign societies.
Multiple Learning Strategies and Assessments used in an Online Technology, Society & Ethics Course

The author of this article has taught Electronics Engineering Technology courses for 20+ years, mostly in a classroom face-to-face setting. The assessment of student learning depends mostly on the evaluation of how well the students have learned the theory-based, numerically-involved, and hands-on applications of each course’s content. For the past three summers, the author has also taught an on-line course entitled Technology, Society & Ethics. This kind of course calls for an emphasis on discussion and student writing, which requires a very different style of teaching and assessment than the instructor had used in the past. As a preparation for teaching the course for the first time, the learning outcomes of the course were developed before the specific teaching style and assessment process were chosen. Suskie1 says that for good assessment, the instructor at the start needs to “develop clearly articulated written statements of expected learning outcomes”, that is, what will the students know and be able to do by the end of the course. For the course, the Student Learning Outcomes statements must meet the requirements of three different entities: ABET, the university’s General Education requirements, and the student evaluation of teaching process the university uses, which comes from the IDEA Center2. The IDEA Center has developed a list of twelve Learning Objectives (‘Objective’ as used by IDEA means the same as ‘Outcome’) that the course instructor can choose from, as the focus of the student’s evaluation of the learning the students achieved in the course. The course instructor chose three objectives to focus on: Learning how to find and use resources for answering questions or solving problems; Developing a clearer understanding of, and a commitment to, personal values; and Acquiring an interest in learning more by asking my own questions and seeking answers. Educational research highlighted by the IDEA Center and others show that multiple learning strategies can engage students in a wide variety of ways and provide learning opportunities for many types of learners, in order to help them reach the learning objectives chosen for the course. The different strategies that the course instructor has used are: textbook readings, posting PowerPoints outlining the course topics, short video presentations on the course topics, student-to-student and student-to-instructor discussion postings using the online course management system (D2L), live Collaborate (online, interactive voice) discussion sessions, three rounds of writing and feedback on a research paper on a specific topic, individual reviews of the course topics, and individual reviews of TED Talks. Some learning strategies have worked well, some have not, as measured by informal and formal student feedback. The paper will review the course assessment results, including student evaluation of teaching scores.
18F NaF PET/CT in the Assessment of Malignant Bone Disease

Diagnostic imaging plays a major role in the evaluation of patients with malignant bone disease. (18)F-Labeled sodium fluoride ((18)F NaF) is a positron-emitting radiopharmaceutical with desirable characteristics (rapid blood clearance and bone uptake) for high-quality functional imaging of the skeleton. In addition to higher sensitivity and specificity, (18)F NaF PET combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) allows for shorter imaging time, thus improving patients' convenience and benefiting the overall workflow of the imaging facility. Although as yet no robust evidence-based data exist, this article summarizes the published data currently available on the role of (18)F NaF PET/CT in the assessment of malignant bone disease.
Putting the “war” in cyberwar: Metaphor, analogy, and cybersecurity discourse in the United States

Public policy discourse about cyber security in the United States is dominated by a metaphor of war and analogies to the Cold War. This essay critically evaluates the contradictory tendency within U.S. cyber war discourse to see cyber conflict as simultaneously revolutionary and unprecedented, but also amenable to the tenets of Cold War nuclear deterrence. This contradiction points to an ongoing crisis of effectively identifying and understanding what is old and new, the same and different about cyber conflict. The first tendency overemphasizes the new/different aspects of cyber conflict while the second simultaneously overemphasizes the old/same aspects. This essay argues that current contradictory tendencies are unproductive and even potentially dangerous. It argues that the war metaphor and nuclear deterrence analogy are neither natural nor inevitable and that abandoning them would open up new possibilities for thinking more productively about the full spectrum of cyber security challenges, including the as-yet unrealized possibility of cyber war.
Influence of landscape structure on local and regional climate

This paper discusses the physical linkage between the surface and the atmosphere, and demonstrates how even slight changes in surface conditions can have a pronounced effect on weather and climate. Observational and modeling evidence are presented to demonstrate the influence of landscape type on the overlying atmospheric conditions. The albedo, and the fractional partitioning of atmospheric turbulent heat flux into sensible and latent fluxes is shown to be particularly important in directly affecting local and regional weather and climate. It is concluded that adequate assessment of global climate and climate change cannot be achieved unless mesoscale landscape characteristics and their changes over time can be accurately determined.
Signal threshold estimation in a sensor field for undersea target tracking

This paper addresses the problem of online surveillance of undersea targets moving over a deployed sensor field. A real-time algorithm has been formulated to estimate the detection threshold based on the ensemble of sensor time series data collected from the track of a moving target. The probabilistic-state-machine-based algorithm is optimal in the sense of weighted linear least squares. The algorithm has been tested with sensor data from several tracks on a simulation test bed.
Automatic detection and response to environmental change

Robots typically have many sensors, which are underutilized. This is usually because no simple mathematical models of the sensors have been developed or the sensors are too noisy to use techniques, which require simple noise models. We propose to use these underutilized sensors to determine the state of the environment in which the robot is operating. Being able to identify the state of the environment allows the robot to adapt to current operating conditions and the actions of other agents. Adapting to current operating conditions makes robot robust to changes in the environment by constantly adapting to the current conditions. This is useful for adapting to different lighting conditions or different flooring conditions amongst many other possible desirable adaptations. The strategy we propose for utilizing these sensors is to group sensor readings into statistical probability distributions and then compare the probability distributions to detect repeated states of the environment.
An efficient finite-domain constraint solver for circuits

We present a novel hybrid finite-domain constraint solving engine for RTL circuits, that automatically uses data-path abstraction. We describe how DPLL search can be modified by using efficient finite-domain constraint propagation to improve communication between interacting integer and Boolean domains. This enables efficient combination of Boolean SAT and linear integer arithmetic solving techniques. We use conflict-based learning using the variables on the boundary of control and data-path for additional performance benefits. Finally, the hybrid constraint solver is experimentally analyzed using some example circuits.
Ka-band (35 GHz) 3-stage SiGe HBT low noise amplifier

We present design, simulation, and measurement of a Ka-band (35 GHz) low noise amplifier (LNA) fabricated in a 120 GHz f t /f m a x SiGe BiCMOS technology (IBM 7HP). To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a Ka-band LNA in a SiGe technology, representing the first of a set of desired building blocks for integrating a Ka-band transmit and receive (T/R) module in a single chip environment. At 35 GHz, the 3-stage LNA exhibited 15.1 dB gain, -5.9 dBm output compression (P1dB), 9 dBm third order intercept (IP3), and 5.6 dB noise figure at 25.6 mW DC power. Peak gain and bandwidth of the LNA were found to be 19.0 dB and 10.7 GHz respectively at a center frequency of 31.3 GHz.
Development and Validation of a Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assay for the Detection and Quantification of Perkinsus marinus in the Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica

ABSTRACT Perkinus marinus causes a devastating disease, known as Dermo, in the Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Routine detection of the disease is traditionally accomplished by the use of the Ray/Makin assay, using Fluid Thioglycollate Medium (RFTM). A simple real-time quantitative PCR assay was developed as a diagnostic tool to detect and quantify P. marinus, to complement and serve as an alternate to the RFTM method. Using a dual-labeled probe approach, a sensitive assay was designed to accurately detect a range of one to several thousand P. marinus organisms present in oyster tissues. A simple extraction method was used to increase throughput of the assay. Cultured P. marinus cells were quantified prior to DNA extraction, generating a standard curve and allowing cell counts to be derived from PCR cycle threshold values. Direct comparison of the RFTM and real-time PCR methods was accomplished by using tissue samples from the same oyster for both tests. Plotting cycle threshold values against the k...
Permanent mesh results in long-term symptom improvement and patient satisfaction without increasing adverse outcomes in hiatal hernia repair

Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to evaluate symptom relief, patient satisfaction, and safety of permanent mesh following Nissen fundoplication and hiatal hernia repair. Methods Patients who underwent Nissen fundoplication and hiatal hernia repair with permanent mesh (Crurasoft; Davol, Inc, Bard, Warwick, RI) between 2005 and 2011 were identified. A retrospective chart review was conducted. Long-term follow-up data were obtained via telephone interviews using a modified 5-point Likert scale. Results Forty-one patients were identified. Twenty-six patients (63%) had complete follow-up data. Mean follow-up period was 65 months (14 to 96 months). Symptomatic improvement occurred in 23 patients (88%). Twenty-three patients (88%) reported overall satisfaction with the procedure as either excellent or good, and 23 of 26 patients (89%) would undergo surgery again. Three patients (12%) reported hernia recurrence. There were no mesh erosions. Conclusion The use of permanent (Crurasoft; Davol, Inc) mesh resulted in symptom improvement as well as patient satisfaction, and no mesh erosions were seen.
Emotional Simultaneity and the Construction of Victim Unity

One of the concerns in recent work on the sociology of emotions is the link between emotions and social bonding. A version of this issue has also been discussed in research on disasters, with the focus being on how the crisis leads to the cohesion essential to recovery and rebuilding. This paper provides an analysis of a fire and its aftermath and shows how central emotions are to understanding the social psychology of the event. Most important here is the fact that, when identifying themselves as fire victims, those affected by the disaster assumed that they experienced the same profound emotions at the same time. This emotional simultaneity led fire victims to emphasize their bonds to one another and heighten their boundaries with nonvictims. In turn, this led to their providing social support, comparative experiences, and practical assistance to each other.
Epiphloeinae Kuwert, 1893 and Ichneinae Spinola, 1841: Two Names for the Same Subfamily of Checkered Beetles (Coleoptera: Cleridae)

Abstract Epiphloeinae Kuwert, 1893, (nomen protectum) is preserved over Ichneinae Spinola, 1841 (nomen oblitum). The correct name of the type genus of Epiphloeinae is Epiphloeus Spinola, 1841.
Between Sanctity and Depravity: Human Dignity in Protestant Perspective

This Article argues that Martin Luther's classic tract, Freedom of a Christian (1520) had a shaping influence on modern theories of human dignity, liberty, and equality. For Luther, the essence of human dignity lies in the juxtaposition of human depravity and human sanctity. Human dignity is something of a divine fulcrum that keeps our depravity and sanctity in balance. The essence of human freedom is our right and duty to serve God, neighbor, and self, and to do so with the ominous assurance of divine judgment. Human freedom is the divine calling that keeps our individuality and community in balance. While Luther did not draw out the radical implications of his theory for law, politics, and society, later Protestants did, eventually rendering Protestantism a formidable force for the construction of modern Western theories of law, liberty, and democracy.
Autoamputation of the appendix presenting as a calcified abdominal mass following necrotizing enterocolitis

Autoamputation of the appendix has previously been reported in the literature, but it is likely an unusual event. We report a 2-year-old male child who had previously undergone laparotomy and bowel resection for necrotizing enterocolitis. Two years later a calcified intra-abdominal mass was identified on abdominal radiography and ultrasonography. Eventual laparotomy revealed a densely calcified mass within the transverse mesocolon. The mass was uneventfully resected. Pathologic evaluation showed appendiceal tissue, consistent with prior autoamputation of the vermiform appendix. Autoamputation of the appendix has not to our knowledge previously been associated with a calcified mass nor been associated with a history of necrotizing enterocolitis, and these factors distinguish this case as noteworthy.
Chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its ligand SDF-1 in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis

AIM: To determine the role of chemokine and its receptors in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclea r cells (PBMC) in 13 AS patients and 7 healthy volunteers were determined by cDN A microarray with 588 targeting gene filter. Differentiated expressed CXCR4 and its only ligand SDF-1 were confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA, immunoh istochemistry and FACS analysis using PBMC, synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SF MC) and synoviocytes. RESULTS: The gene expression profile of AS patients was signific antly different from those of healthy volunteers. Higher expression of CXCR4 in monocytes and CD8+ T lymphocytes from PBMC in AS patients were found with st atis tical significance (P0.05) compared to those of healthy volunteers. The e xpression of SDF-1 was increased in PBMC, SFMC, synovial fibroblasts and lining layer cells of synovial membrane. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of CXCR4 was significantly increased in PBMC in AS patients. Its ligand SDF-1 was also found highly expressed in syno vial fibroblast cell line and synovial membrane cells of AS patients, indicating that CXCR4 and SDF-1 may play a potential key role in the development and perpe tuation of joint inflammation in AS patients.
Using Magnets and Classroom Flipping to Promote Student Engagement and Learning about Protein Translation in a Large Microbiology Class.

It is generally accepted within the education community that active learning is superior to traditional lecturing alone. Many science educators, however, are reluctant to give up classroom time for activities because they fear that they will not have time to cover as much content. Classroom flipping has been gaining momentum in higher education as one way to engage students in the classroom while still exposing students to the same volume of course content. The activity presented here demonstrates how flipping one lecture period can be used in conjunction with an engaging in-class activity to teach a concept that is often difficult for students to learn through lecture alone. Specifically, we asked students to view a lecture video on bacterial protein translation before coming to class. We then used the classroom period to conduct a hands-on activity that allowed students to interact with magnetic pieces representing the components of protein translation to generate a protein from a given piece of DNA. Survey data showed that students liked the flipped classroom format associated with this activity, but they would not want every class flipped, and they perceived that the hands-on protein translation activity helped them to learn the material. Preliminary summative assessment data showed that this activity may have been useful in helping students to achieve the fundamental learning outcome that students will be able to translate a protein from a given piece of bacterial DNA.
Amputations of the leg for peripheral vascular insufficiency.

From July 1964 to July 1970, 193 major lower-extremity amputations were performed on 177 consecutive patients for ischemia by the Prosthetics Research Study team. Of these amputations, 101 were performed in diabetic patients; eighty-three in non-diabetic patients; and four in patients with Buerger's disease. The initial levels of amputation were above-the-knee in twenty-eight, below-the-knee in 157, Syme in two, and knee disarticulation in three. The final levels were above the knee in forty, knee disarticulation in three, below the knee in 145 (two bilateral) and Syme in two (one bilateral). Selection of the level for amputation, the technique of below-the-knee amputation, the rigid dressing, immediate postsurgical prosthetic regimen, the procedure for weight-bearing and ambulation, and the method of follow-up are described. The results in terms of rehabilitation of the patients to a functional status are analyzed. Only nine of the 132 below-the-knee and Syme amputees and eight of the thirty-one above-the-knee and knee-disarticulation amputees who were fitted with a definitive prosthesis failed to gain independence out of the home. Seventy-four of the eighty-one below-the-knee and Syme amputees, who were sixty years old or older, were fitted with a definitive prosthesis and gained full independence out of their homes. Twelve below-the-knee amputations failed to heal and reamputation above the knee was required. Of these failures, seven could be attributed to incorrect selection of the level and five to inadequate postoperative management. It is concluded that with strict adherence to the precepts outlined with respect to the selection of the level, surgical technique, and postsurgical management. consistently high rates of healing and rehabilitation can be achieved after below-the-knee amputation for vascular insufficiency.
On-die CMOS leakage current sensor for measuring process variation in sub-90nm generations

This paper describes an on-die leakage current sensor in 1.2V, 90nm CMOS technology for accurately measuring process variation. Results based on measured leakage data show (i) higher signal-to-noise ratio and (ii) reduced sensitivity to supply and P/N skew variations compared to prior designs, while the proposed sensor only requires a single bias generator even for multi-bit resolution sensing. A 6-channel leakage current monitor testchip fabricated in 90nm dual-Vt CMOS is also described.
Cascading blackout overall structure and some implications for sampling and mitigation

Abstract Cascading blackouts can be thought of as initiating events followed by propagating events that progressively weaken the power system. We briefly discuss the implications for assessing cascading risk by proper sampling from the various sources of uncertainty and for mitigating cascading risk by reducing both the initiating events and their propagation.
Moderate (20%) fructose-enriched diet stimulates salt-sensitive hypertension with increased salt retention and decreased renal nitric oxide

Previously, we reported that 20% fructose diet causes salt-sensitive hypertension. In this study, we hypothesized that a high salt diet supplemented with 20% fructose (in drinking water) stimulates salt-sensitive hypertension by increasing salt retention through decreasing renal nitric oxide. Rats in metabolic cages consumed normal rat chow for 5 days (baseline), then either: (1) normal salt for 2 weeks, (2) 20% fructose in drinking water for 2 weeks, (3) 20% fructose for 1 week, then fructose + high salt (4% NaCl) for 1 week, (4) normal chow for 1 week, then high salt for 1 week, (5) 20% glucose for 1 week, then glucose + high salt for 1 week. Blood pressure, sodium excretion, and cumulative sodium balance were measured. Systolic blood pressure was unchanged by 20% fructose or high salt diet. 20% fructose + high salt increased systolic blood pressure from 125 ± 1 to 140 ± 2 mmHg (P < 0.001). Cumulative sodium balance was greater in rats consuming fructose + high salt than either high salt, or glucose + high salt (114.2 ± 4.4 vs. 103.6 ± 2.2 and 98.6 ± 5.6 mEq/Day19; P < 0.05). Sodium excretion was lower in fructose + high salt group compared to high salt only: 5.33 ± 0.21 versus 7.67 ± 0.31 mmol/24 h; P < 0.001). Nitric oxide excretion was 2935 ± 256 μmol/24 h in high salt-fed rats, but reduced by 40% in the 20% fructose + high salt group (2139 ± 178 μmol /24 hrs P < 0.01). Our results suggest that fructose predisposes rats to salt-sensitivity and, combined with a high salt diet, leads to sodium retention, increased blood pressure, and impaired renal nitric oxide availability.
Two applications of finite side conditions at $$\omega _2$$ ω 2

We present two applications of forcing with finite sequences of models as side conditions, adding objects of size $$\omega _2$$ . The first involves adding a $$\Box _{\omega _1}$$ sequence and variants of such sequences. The second involves adding partial weak specializing functions for trees of height $$\omega _2$$ .
Crystal structure of {N-[(6-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)(phen-yl)methyl-idene]-2,6-di-methyl-aniline-κ2N,N'}di-chlorido-zinc di-chloro-methane hemisolvate.

The solvated title compound, [ZnCl2(C20H17BrN2)]·0.5CH2Cl2, comprises a bidentate imino­pyridine ligand and two Cl atoms bound to a zinc2+ cation in a distorted tetra­hedral arrangement. The chelate bond lengths are consistent with localized C=N double bonds and a C—C single bond, as expected for an unreduced ligand bound to a closed-shell transition metal cation. Apart from weak nonclassical C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds between the complex mol­ecules and the disordered solvent mol­ecules (occupancy = 0.5), no further significant inter­molecular inter­actions are observed.
Kiowa Calendars and the Search for Sacred Power

AbstractThis article explores Kiowa sai-gut, or calendars produced in the 1880s and 1890s to show how makers used material culture to represent new ritual practices as both broadly indigenous and particularly Kiowa. Using calendars as one form of Kiowa cultural expression, the article considers how Kiowas navigated their reservation’s changing religious landscape. Building on literature in American Indian studies that emphasizes native agency and activity in this period, the article suggests that scholars of American religions can look to forms of material culture as ways to track American Indian religious life in this period.
Comparison of prostate distortion by inflatable and rigid endorectal MRI coils in permanent prostate brachytherapy imaging.

Abstract Purpose To study the deformation of the prostate by a rigid reusable endorectal coil and a balloon-type endorectal coil (BTC) during MRI of the prostate in brachytherapy imaging. Methods and Materials The prostate gland was contoured on 157 MRI scans from 52 prostate cancer patients undergoing brachytherapy. The curvature of the posterior prostate surface deformation was computed as a measure of prostate distortion and compared between scans with a BTC, rigid endorectal coil (REC), or no endorectal coil. For the nine patients who had MRIs with all three endorectal scenarios, a mean prostate deformation vector was also calculated between scenarios using deformable image registration. These measures of prostate distortion were compared with the prostate anterior-to-posterior to left-to-right ratio (AP/LR) on the largest prostate axial slice. Results Significant differences in prostate curvature were found between scans without an endorectal coil versus a REC versus a BTC (p Conclusions The REC caused minimal deformation of the prostate compared with a BTC with adequate MR image quality, and calculation of the cross-sectional AP/LR ratio on the largest axial prostate slice can serve as a simple measure of prostate distortion.
Liver induced transgene tolerance with AAV vectors

Immune tolerance is a vital component of immunity, as persistent activation of immune cells causes significant tissue damage and loss of tolerance leads to autoimmunity. Likewise, unwanted immune responses can occur in inherited disorders, such as hemophilia and Pompe disease, in which patients lack any expression of protein, during treatment with enzyme replacement therapy, or gene therapy. While the liver has long been known as being tolerogenic, it was only recently appreciated in the last decade that liver directed adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy can induce systemic tolerance to a transgene. In this review, we look at the mechanisms behind liver induced tolerance, discuss different factors influencing successful tolerance induction with AAV, and applications where AAV mediated tolerance may be helpful.
Sailing Across the Divide: Challenges to the Transfer of Teacher Leadership:

Responding to questions on how to develop and support teacher leaders, this article draws on sensemaking theory to discuss teacher leaders’ transfer of ideas from Developing Exemplary Educators (DE...
Computational analysis of next generation sequencing data and its applications in clinical oncology

Abstract Next generation sequencing (NGS) has made great strides in sequencing technology as it enables sequencing of genes in a high throughput manner with low cost. Various NGS platforms such as Illumina, Roche, ABI/SOLiD are used for wet-lab analysis of NGS data and computational tools such as BWA, Bowtie, Galaxy, SanGeniX are used for dry-lab analysis of NGS data. One of the important aspects of NGS data is its usage in early disease diagnosis especially in cancer which was earlier not possible with conventional sequencing technologies such as Sanger sequencing, NGS can identify all those mutations which cannot be identified using conventional sequencing technologies as researchers can now sequence the whole genome, exome or transcriptome. Exome sequencing is preferred, as a higher number of mutations are found to exist in the exome part of genes. The present comprehensive review encompasses the complete NGS data analysis workflow that includes alignment of NGS reads, identification and annotation of mutations and visualization, discussion of software tools for variant identification and annotation, evaluation of structural variation in NGS data, and study of different DNA sequencing technologies. In the field of clinical oncology, NGS has already proven its usefulness, and the mortality rate has been reduced, as now doctors can suggest a proper treatment to their patients by checking the complete genomic profile. However, data storage and the complexity in interpreting enormous amounts of data obtained with NGS still remain a computational challenge to researchers, as for each sample, the number of different and very large analysis files are generated directly from the raw sequence read file to the final result file. NGS resultant data is very complex, and its interpretation requires expert bioinformatics assistance, as a large number of mutations are identified from samples, but to differentiate clinically significant mutations among them with appropriate use of validation methods is a challenging task. This review is intended to provide researchers with a complete overview of NGS along with knowledge of how the tools will be employed, and insight into identification and interpretation of cancer mutations for clinical diagnostics.
Categorization and Similarity Models: Neuroscience Applications

Many alternative theories and models have been proposed of how people learn new categories of objects or events. Recent advances in neuroscience have provided a new means with which to test among these models. In particular, there is now good evidence that the frontal cortex and basal ganglia contribute to category learning, that medial temporal lobe structures make a more minor contribution, and that categorization rules are not represented in the visual cortex. These results support classical, rule-based models of categorization and models that assume category learning depends on procedural learning and memory. They also argue against models that assume categorization requires people to access detailed representations of previously seen category exemplars. There is also strong evidence that normal category learning is mediated by at least two separate systems. A recent neuropsychological theory of category learning that is consistent with these data is described.
Loss Rate Representation in the HEC-1 Watershed Model

The HEC-1 watershed model is a very popular computer program for computing watershed runoff. The methods used in this model for computing rainfall losses are described and critically evaluated. The application of the loss rate methods is described via example.
Correlation of Cineradiographic Image and Pressure Tracing of Ureteral Peristalsis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the correlation of cineradiographic image and pressure tracing of ureteral peristalsis. The major portion of the fluid, and thus the bolus itself, passes the recording area of the catheter during a low-pressure phase of the recording. If wall tension is related to the pressure recorded by a catheter in any way, it would appear that the major bolus passes the catheter during a low-tension phase in the ureteral wall. After the visible image of the contractile event has passed the catheter recording hole, there is a further contraction that occurs and produces the high-pressure phase of the pressure tracing. This would appear to occur when the ureter is empty and with a time lag of varying intervals after the visible event. So far as can be ascertained, there does not appear to be any relationship between the catheter hole size and the lag in the pressure event. With the knowledge of a time lag between the occurrence of the visible event at the pressure recording area and the peak of the pressure curve, a redefinition of the relationships of pressure to visible bolus will have to be undertaken.
Deriving the Lagrangian Density of an Electromagnetic Field

As part of understanding relativistic particles and electromagnetic fields, we need to have some awareness of the kinematic special theory of relativity, and then turn our attention to the dynamic aspect of charged particle motion in external electromagnetic fields. Thus, in this chapter we take a Lagrangian approach to the equations of motion and deal with the total energy involved with the motion of a particle. We also introduce the Hamiltonian in relation to the total energy of particle motion; analogous to classical mechanics, it relates to the corresponding kinetic and potential energy of the particle or system of concern. The Lagrangian approach is based in electrodynamics; thus, equations of motion are presented mainly as an avenue to introduce the concept of a Lorentz invariant action to a Hamiltonian, with the definition of the canonical momentum discussed in this chapter.
Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma: Management

Since nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas do not present with a clinical syndrome of pituitary hormone excess, common presentations include neurologic symptoms such as visual impairment and/or headache, symptoms of pituitary hormone deficiency, or an incidental sellar mass on an imaging study. The evaluation of a newly diagnosed pituitary adenoma should include a detailed history and physical exam, a dedicated pituitary MRI, biochemical evaluation of pituitary hormone excess and deficiency, and visual field and acuity testing if clinically indicated. Vision impairment due to optic chiasm compression is a clear indication for transsphenoidal surgery. Transsphenoidal surgery may also be considered in cases of high risk of visual impairment, clinically significant tumor growth, and/or hypopituitarism. Transsphenoidal surgery is typically successful in reducing tumor volume and improving vision and is less successful in reversing hypopituitarism. If there is little or no residual adenoma on pituitary MRI, the patient should still be monitored for recurrence with serial pituitary MRI scans. If there is significant residual adenoma on pituitary MRI or progressive adenoma regrowth after surgery, postoperative radiation therapy may be considered.
A Tropical Stochastic Skeleton Model for the MJO, El Niño, and Dynamic Walker Circulation: A Simplified GCM

AbstractA simple dynamical stochastic model for the tropical ocean atmosphere is proposed that captures qualitatively major intraseasonal to interannual processes altogether including El Nino–South...
Alaska Resources Library and Information Services: Pioneering Partnerships on the Last Frontier

SUMMARY Five federal agencies, one state agency, one state-federal entity, and one university combined their library resources to create the Alaska Resources Library and Information Services (ARLIS), which opened in Anchorage in 1997. This new library focuses on Alaska's natural and cultural resources, and serves agency personnel, university faculty and students, and local and international researchers from the public and private sectors. Funded by its parent agencies and collectively directed by a team of six librarians, ARLIS is recognized for its unique and innovative structure, one-of-a-kind collections, and quality in-depth service.
4 – General Equilibrium

Publisher Summary The existence of equilibrium is of importance to both normative and positive economics. From a positive viewpoint, theories of the economy are often equilibrium theories, and therefore, it is absolutely necessary to know that the equilibrium exists. In proving the existence of equilibrium, various convexity assumptions are used, just as in welfare economics. Therefore, the generality of positive economics theory is not great as it stands, especially insofar as it assumes competition. The chapter presents conditions for the continuity and convexity of excess demand. These properties are used to show competitive equilibrium. The chapter also discusses the integration of monopolies, oligopolies, and other noncompetitive individuals into the economy. Also, the local uniqueness of equilibrium is shown for almost all wealths. The nature of prices over infinite time remains a problem. Minkowski's theorem is proved by a highly abstract construction involving an uncountable algebraic base and the Axiom of Choice.
Weight Poisoning Attacks on Pretrained Models

Recently, NLP has seen a surge in the usage of large pre-trained models. Users download weights of models pre-trained on large datasets, then fine-tune the weights on a task of their choice. This raises the question of whether downloading untrusted pre-trained weights can pose a security threat. In this paper, we show that it is possible to construct ``weight poisoning'' attacks where pre-trained weights are injected with vulnerabilities that expose ``backdoors'' after fine-tuning, enabling the attacker to manipulate the model prediction simply by injecting an arbitrary keyword. We show that by applying a regularization method which we call RIPPLe and an initialization procedure we call Embedding Surgery, such attacks are possible even with limited knowledge of the dataset and fine-tuning procedure. Our experiments on sentiment classification, toxicity detection, and spam detection show that this attack is widely applicable and poses a serious threat. Finally, we outline practical defenses against such attacks. Code to reproduce our experiments is available at https://github.com/neulab/RIPPLe.
Physiological and pathological functions of beta-amyloid in the brain and alzheimer's disease: A review

Alzheimer's disease is a major health problem all over the world. The role of beta-amyloid (Aβ) is at the center of investigations trying to discover the disease pathogenesis and to develop drugs for treatment or prevention on Alzheimer's disease. This review summarizes both physiological and pathological functions of Aβ and factors that may participate in the disease development. Known genetic factors are trisomy of chromosome 21, mutations of presenilin 1 and 2, and apolipoprotein E4. Lifetime stresses that increase the risk of development of Alzheimer's disease are described. Another important factor is the level of education, especially of linguistic ability. Lifestyle factors include mental and physical exercise, head injury, social contacts, and diet. All these factors might potentiate the effect of aging on the brain to increase the risk of development of pathological changes. The review summarizes pathological features of Alzheimer brain, Aβ plaques, neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau, and brain atrophy. Consequences of Alzheimer's disease that are reviewed include cognitive deficit, loss of function, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Because there is no effective treatment, many persons with Alzheimer's disease survive to severe and terminal stages which they may fear. Alzheimer's disease at this stage should be considered a terminal disease for which palliative care is indicated. Importance of advance directives, promoting previous wishes of the person who was developing dementia and who subsequently lost decision-making capacity, and limitations of these directives are discussed. Information in this review is based on author's knowledge and clinical experience that were updated by searches of PubMed.
In-hospital Mortality after Septic Revision TKA: Analysis of the New York and Florida State Inpatient Databases.

The aims of this study were to investigate (1) in-hospital mortality rates following septic revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA); (2) compare septic rTKA mortality rates between differing knee revision volume (KRV) hospitals; and (3) identify independent risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality after septic rTKA (up to 2-year follow-up). The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases of New York and Florida were used to identify septic rTKA, and control groups of aseptic rTKA and primary TKA between 2007 and 2012 via International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Mortality was compared between septic rTKA and aseptic rTKA/primary TKA control groups. Hospital KRV was stratified, and independent risk factors of in-hospital mortality were identified and analyzed using unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses. In this study, 3,531 septic rTKA patients were identified; 105 (3%) patients suffered in-hospital mortality, compared with the control aseptic rTKA (n = 178; 1.7%; p 81 years and higher comorbidity burden were found to contribute to increased risk of 2-year postoperative mortality after septic rTKA. This association could not be established for hospital KRV.
Chordoid Glioma With Dot-Like Immunoreactivity for Synaptophysin.

Chordoid gliomas arise near the third ventricle and commonly present around 40 years of age. These rare tumors are non-invasive and often present with headaches and visual disturbances. Contrast enhancement on MRI is typical for these tumors and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining is positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Surgical resection is the treatment of choice. We present this case of chordoid glioma because of its unique characteristics. The tumor lacked contrast enhancement on MRI and demonstrated juxtanuclear dot-like immunoreactivity for synaptophysin which is a feature not previously reported in the literature. It is important for pathologists and radiologists to be on the lookout for atypical presentations of these rare tumors.
Circuit and neuropeptide mechanisms of the paraventricular thalamus across stages of alcohol and drug use.

Abstract The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) is a midline thalamic brain region that has emerged as a critical circuit node in the regulation of behaviors across domains of affect and motivation, stress responses, and alcohol- and drug-related behaviors. The influence of the PVT in this diverse array of behaviors is a function of its ability to integrate and convey information about salience and valence through its connections with cortical, hypothalamic, hindbrain, and limbic brain regions. While understudied to date, recent studies suggest that several PVT efferents play critical and complex roles in drug and alcohol-related phenotypes. The PVT is also the site of signaling for many neuropeptides released from the synaptic terminals of distal inputs and local neuropeptidergic neurons within. While there is some evidence that neuropeptides including orexin, neurotensin, substance P, and cocaine and amphetamine-related transcript (CART) signal in the PVT to regulate alcohol/drug intake and reinstatement, there remains an overall lack of understanding of the roles of neuropeptides in the PVT in addiction-related behaviors, especially in a circuit-specific context. In this review, we present the current status of preclinical research regarding PVT circuits and neuropeptide modulation of the PVT in three aspects of the addiction cycle: reward/acquisition, withdrawal, and relapse, with a focus on alcohol, opioids (particularly morphine), and psychostimulants (particularly cocaine). Given the PVT's unique position within the broader neural landscape, we further discuss the potential ways in which neuropeptides may regulate these behaviors through their actions upon PVT circuits. This article is part of the special Issue on ‘Neurocircuitry Modulating Drug and Alcohol Abuse'.
Outcomes of transfemoral carotid artery stenting and transcarotid artery revascularization for restenosis after prior ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy.

Abstract Objective Restenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) poses unique therapeutic challenges, with no specific guidelines available on the operative approach. Traditionally, transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TfCAS) has been regarded as the preferred approach to treating restenosis after CEA. Recently, transcarotid artery revascularization with a flow-reversal neuroprotection system (TCAR) has gained popularity as an effective alternative treatment modality for de novo carotid artery stenosis. The aim of the present study was to compare the contemporary perioperative outcomes of TfCAS and TCAR in patients with prior ipsilateral CEA. Methods The Vascular Quality Initiative database was reviewed for patients who had undergone TfCAS and TCAR for restenosis after prior ipsilateral CEA between January 2016 and August 2020. The primary outcome was the 30-day composite outcome of stroke and death. The secondary outcomes included 30-day stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), myocardial infarction (MI), death, and composite 30-day outcomes of stroke, death, and TIA, stroke and TIA, and stroke, death, and MI. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the outcomes of interest after adjustment for potential confounders and baseline differences between cohorts. Results Of 3508 patients, 1834 and 1674 had undergone TfCAS and TCAR, respectively. The TCAR cohort was older (mean age, 71.6 years vs 70.2 years; P Conclusions Among patients undergoing carotid revascularization for restenosis after prior ipsilateral CEA, TCAR was associated with decreased odds of 30-day TIA compared with TfCAS. However, the two treatment approaches were similarly safe in terms of the remaining perioperative outcomes, including stroke and death and stroke, death, and MI. Our results support the safety and efficacy of TCAR in this subset of patients deemed at high risk of reintervention.