cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Developing a Robust Disaster Response Robot: CHIMPźand the Robotics Challenge

CHIMP, the CMU Highly Intelligent Mobile Platform, is a humanoid robot capable of executing complex tasks in dangerous, degraded, human-engineered environments, such as those found in disaster response scenarios. CHIMP is uniquely designed for mobile manipulation in challenging environments, as the robot performs manipulation tasks using an upright posture, yet it uses more stable prostrate postures for mobility through difficult terrain. In this paper, we report on the improvements made to CHIMP-both in its mechanical design and its software systems-in preparation for the DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals in June 2015. These include details on CHIMP's novel mechanical design, actuation systems, robust construction, all-terrain mobility, supervised autonomy approach, and unique user interfaces utilized for the challenge. Additionally, we provide an overview of CHIMP's performance, and we detail the various lessons learned over the course of the challenge. CHIMP was one of the winners of the DARPA Robotics Challenge, completing all tasks and finishing in 3rd place out of 23 teams. Notably, CHIMP was the only robot to stand back up after accidentally falling over, a testament to the robustness engineered into the robot and a remote operator's ability to execute complex tasks using a highly capable robot. We present CHIMP as a concrete engineering example of a successful disaster response robot.
Predicting speech reception thresholds of cochlear implant users using a modified envelope based measure

Investigation of a model to predict cochlear implant users intelligibility in noise.Participants aided hearing loss and model predictions were weakly correlated.A modified model which adjusts the model predictions based on aided hearing loss.Higher prediction accuracy using the modified model.The new model generalizes to listeners with a wider range of audiometric thresholds. An envelope-correlation based measure (ECM), proposed in Yousefian and Loizou (2012), was applied to predict the speech reception thresholds (SRTs) of nine pre- and post-lingual cochlear implant (CI) users in the presence of speech-shaped masker and a female competing talker. A principal component analysis showed that CI users aided pure-tone thresholds were almost orthogonal to the predictions made by ECM, indicating that the ECM does not take aided hearing loss into account. A modified ECM is proposed which includes pure-tone thresholds into the predictions. The proposed model adjusts the ECM predictions based on the pure tone threshold values, and is able to predict CI users SRTs with higher correlation (r=0.92) compared to the original ECM (r=0.59). The results reported in this study indicate that information available on MAPs (e.g. T-levels, number of active electrodes) may not be sufficient to predict CI users SRTs in noise. In additions, results show that lack of audibility (i.e. elevated pure-tone thresholds) can dramatically limit speech intelligibility in noise in (even experienced) CI users.
Low concentrations of large inedible particles reduce feeding rates of echinoderm larvae

The planktonic larvae of many marine invertebrates must feed to develop to metamorphosis. The rate at which feeding larvae accumulate energy affects the amount of time they must spend in the plankton, which affects larval dispersal and mortality; it may also affect the amount of energy gained before metamorphosis, and thus limit growth or survivorship of early juveniles. Rates of energy acquisition are partly determined by the quantity of edible particles in the plankton. However, the plankton also contains many particles that are too large to be ingested. Prior studies suggest that high concentrations of such large inedible particles reduce larval feeding rates. This study examines whether the feeding rates of larvae of southern California echinoderms are reduced by lower, more frequently encountered concentrations of large inedible particles. Larvae of a holothuroid, two asteroids, and three echinoids were fed 6-µm beads alone or with large inedible beads at 25–500 inedible beads mL−1. Five of the six species showed reduced clearance rates on 6-µm beads when exposed to as few as 25 inedible beads mL−1. In similar experiments on an asteroid and an echinoid using natural large inedible particles (centric diatoms), larval clearance rates were reduced at 25 cells mL−1 and higher. Larval clearance rates were reduced by ~50% in treatments of 100 or 500 large inedible particles mL−1. These results suggest that in nature, rates of food acquisition by larvae may depend not only on the abundance of food particles, but also on the abundance of potentially interfering non-food particles.
Low-Overpotential Electroreduction of Carbon Monoxide Using Copper Nanowires

We report on Cu nanowires as highly active and selective catalysts for electroreduction of CO at low overpotentials. The Cu nanowires were synthesized by reducing pregrown CuO nanowires, with the surface structures tailored by tuning the reduction conditions for improved catalytic performance. The optimized Cu nanowires achieved 65% faradaic efficiency (FE) for CO reduction and 50% FE toward production of ethanol at potentials more positive than −0.5 V (versus reversible hydrogen electrode, RHE). Structural analyses and computational simulations suggest that the CO reduction activity may be associated with the coordinately unsaturated (110) surface sites on the Cu nanowires.
Legal Mandates in Criminal Background Checks: An Evaluation of Disparate Impact in New York State

This paper presents a stylized model of “disparate impact”, showing that background check decisions could create unequal opportunities for minorities since minorities are more likely to have certain types of criminal records. We evaluate a state mandated criminal background check for employment, implemented by the New York State Department of Health (DOH). The DOH process follows a statute that determines certain crimes as automatically disqualifying from and certain others as automatically approving of employment. We show that adding these legal mandates to a statistically optimal approach which considers all factors of a conviction record, does not add any predictive power to decision-making but inadvertently leads to a disparate impact on minorities. The paper concludes that over-reliance on such mandates generates inefficient and inequitable outcomes.
Whole Blood Redox Potential Correlates With Progressive Accumulation of Oxygen Debt and Acts as A Marker of Resuscitation in A Swine Hemorrhagic Shock Model.

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Oxidation-reduction reactions involve electron exchanges that require optimal balance for proper cell function. This balance is measured via redox potential and reflects oxidative stress. Despite the critical role of oxidative stress in critical illness and injury, little is kno
Diffusive loss of argon in response to melt vein formation in polygenetic impact melt breccias

Many planetary surfaces in the Solar System have experienced prolonged bombardment. With each impact, new rocks can be assembled that incorporate freshly generated impact melts with fragments of older rocks. Some breccias can become polygenetic, containing multiple generations of impact melt products, and can potentially provide important insights into the extensive bombardment history of a region. However, the amount of chronological information that can be extracted from such samples depends on how well the mineral-isotopic systems of geochronometers can preserve the ages of individual melt generations without being disturbed by younger events. We model the thermal evolution of impact melt veins and the resulting loss of Ar from K-bearing phases common in impact melt breccias to assess the potential for preserving the 40Ar/39Ar ages of individual melt generations. Our model results demonstrate that millimeter-scale, clast-free melt veins cause significant heating of adjacent host rock minerals, and can cause detectable Ar loss in contact zones that are generally thinner than, and at most about the same thickness as, the vein width. The incorporation of cold clasts in melt veins reduces the magnitudes of heating and Ar loss in the host rocks, and Ar loss can be virtually undetectable for sufficiently clast-rich veins. Quantitative evidence of the timing of impacts, as measured with the 40Ar/39Ar method, can be preserved in polygenetic impact melt breccias, particularly for those containing mm-scale bodies of clast-bearing melt products.
Allies to the East

From the first, Louis XIV planned to bypass the Spanish Netherlands in any invasion of the United Provinces. He wished, of course, to spare the feelings of the English, whose maxim, like that of the Dutch, was to keep France out of the Low Countries. But equally, because he did not wholly trust his Britannic cousin, he desired to avoid giving him any pretext for bringing the Triple Alliance into action.
Preparation of Small Particles of Titanium (IV) Oxide

Preparation of small particles of Titanium (IV) oxide, TiO2, is important because understanding the particle size effects of TiO2 in a photocatalytic system is beneficial. Titanium (IV) oxide was prepared by an aerogel technique, which was varied by preparing the gel in different solvents, namely, methanol, 1-butanol, and toluene. Using different solvents altered the size and surface area of the particles, which were characterized by powder X-ray Diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy.
What We Learn From Unusual Cases: A Review of Azari and Gelman's “19 Things We Learned From the 2016 Election”

No one needs to be told that 2016 was an unusual election year. For social science, its strangeness has two implications. First, it is a learning opportunity. Whether we think of 2016 as a high-lev...
Diagnostic Performance of Measurement of Fecal Elastase-1 in Detection of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background & Aims Tests to quantify fecal levels of chymotrypsin like elastase family member 3 (CELA3 or elastase-1) in feces are widely used to identify patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). However, the diagnostic accuracy of this test, an ELISA, is not clear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the accuracy of measurement of fecal elastase-1 in detection of EPI. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, and reference lists for articles through November 2016 describing studies that compared fecal level of elastase-1 with results from a reference standard, direct method (secretin stimulation test), or indirect method (measurement of fecal fat) for detection of EPI. Sensitivity and specificity values were pooled statistically using bivariate diagnostic meta–analysis. Results We included total of 428 cases of EPI and 673 individuals without EPI (controls), from 14 studies, in the meta-analysis. The assay for elastase-1, compared to secretin stimulation test, identified patients with pancreatic insufficiency with a pooled sensitivity value of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.58–0.89) and specificity value of 0.88 (95% CI, 0.78–0.93). In an analysis of 345 cases of EPI and 312 controls, from 6 studies, the fecal elastase-1 assay identified patients with EPI with a pooled sensitivity value of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.79–0.99) and specificity value of 0.88 (95% CI, 0.59–0.97), compared to quantitative fecal fat estimation. In patients with low pre–test probability of EPI (5%), the fecal elastase-1 assay would have a false-negative rate of 1.1% and a false-positive rate of 11%, indicating a high yield in ruling out EPI but not in detection of EPI. In contrast, in patients with high pre-test probability of EPI (40%), approximately 10% of patients with EPI would be missed (false negatives). Conclusions In a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that compared fecal level of elastase-1 for detection of EPI, we found that normal level of elastase-1 (above 200 mcg/g) can rule out EPI in patients with a low probability of this disorder (such as those with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea). However, in these patients, an abnormal level of elastase-1 (below 200 mcg/g) has a high false-positive rate.
Effects of immunization against bone morphogenetic protein-15 and growth differentiation factor-9 on ovarian function in mares.

Currently there is no contraceptive vaccine that can cause permanent sterility in mares. This study investigates the effect of vaccination against oocyte-specific growth factors, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 (BMP-15) and Growth Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF-9), on ovarian function of mares. It was hypothesized that immunization against these growth factors would prevent ovulation and/or accelerate depletion of the oocyte reserve. For this study, 30 mares were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 10/group) and vaccinated with BMP-15 or GDF-9 peptides conjugated to KLH and adjuvant, or a control of phosphate buffered saline and adjuvant. Horses received vaccinations at weeks 0, 6, 12, and 18. Ovarian activity and estrous behavior were evaluated 3 days a week via ultrasonography and interaction with a stallion. The study was initiated on March1, 2016. Upon evaluation of ovulation rate, the GDF-9 group did not have a difference (P = 0.66) in ovulation rate when compared to controls (10.8 and 10.0 ovulations, respectively), but the number of ovulations in the BMP-15 group was less (P = 0.02; 4.9 ovulations). Average follicle size prior to ovulation was less (P < 0.0001) in both treatment groups compared to controls. Estrous behavior was altered in both the BMP-15 and GDF-9 groups compared to controls after the second vaccination (P = 0.05 and 0.03, respectively). Although further research is required to determine the continued effects of vaccination against GDF-9 on ovulation rates, these results indicate that vaccination against BMP-15 and GDF-9 could serve as a contraceptive in wild horse populations.
Assessment of Perceived Parenting Behaviors: The Exposure to Abusive and Supportive Environments Parenting Inventory (EASE-PI)

Due to an awareness of the frequency of child abuse and lack of a single instrument to assess the extent of exposure to both the abusive and supportive environments provided by parents, a 70 item inventory (the EASE-PI) was developed that is a self-report on how both mother and father treated the respondent. A factor analysis, which was subsequently replicated, revealed three abusive factors (representing emotional, physical, and sexual abusiveness) and three supportive factors (love/support, promotion of independence, and positive modeling/fairness). The same factors emerged regardless of gender of respondent and gender of parent. The inventory provides a means to investigate the differential and interactive effects of exposure to emotional, physical, and sexual abusiveness and the possible mitigating effects of different types of supportive behaviors by each parent.
Prediction-Based Decisions and Fairness: A Catalogue of Choices, Assumptions, and Definitions

A recent flurry of research activity has attempted to quantitatively define "fairness" for decisions based on statistical and machine learning (ML) predictions. The rapid growth of this new field has led to wildly inconsistent terminology and notation, presenting a serious challenge for cataloguing and comparing definitions. This paper attempts to bring much-needed order. First, we explicate the various choices and assumptions made---often implicitly---to justify the use of prediction-based decisions. Next, we show how such choices and assumptions can raise concerns about fairness and we present a notationally consistent catalogue of fairness definitions from the ML literature. In doing so, we offer a concise reference for thinking through the choices, assumptions, and fairness considerations of prediction-based decision systems.
Improved gas transport properties of cellulose acetate via sub-Tg acid-catalyzed silanation

Abstract Cellulose acetate (CA) remains one of the few polymers to be commercialized for use in industrial CO2/CH4 gas separations, despite the fact that other polymeric materials, such as polymers of intrinsic microporosity and thermally rearranged polymers, have demonstrated higher gas separation performance. The availability of this renewable polymer, in addition to its high inherent selectivities and facile processing, make CA a preferred candidate for industrial applications. This study describes a modification for fabricating improved CA membranes through acid-catalyzed silanation of dense CA films. Processing advantages include using neat CA films and a reaction temperature well below the glass transition temperature of CA. In addition, the resulting modified CA membranes exhibit substantially higher gas permeabilities for both pure and mixed gas feeds. In comparing neat CA to modified CA, CO2 permeability increases from 4.6 to 24.5 Barrer in 100 psi pure gas feeds and from 2.7 to 12.7 Barrer in 800 psi mixed gas feeds. The crosslinking present in the modified CA also increases plasticization resistance in high pressure mixed gas streams, which causes modified CA's CO2/CH4 selectivity to increase from 25.3 at 200 psi to 26.1 at 800 psi, whereas neat CA's CO2/CH4 selectivity markedly drops from 35.9 at 200 psi to 28.8 at 800 psi. TGA and gel fractions, as well as FTIR NMR and SEM/EDS, confirm that this acid-catalyzed silanation reaction both silanates and crosslinks the membrane.
Transmission of α-synuclein seeds in neurodegenerative disease: recent developments

Cell-to-cell transmission of proteopathic alpha-synuclein (α-syn) seeds is increasingly thought to underlie the progression of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and related synucleinopathies. As such, it is important to understand the chemical and biological relationships between cells and pathological aggregates of α-syn. This brief review updates our understanding of the templated spread of α-syn pathology in neurodegenerative disease from the perspective of proteopathic α-syn seeds, including how these seeds are processed by cells as well as their effects on cellular function. Recent advances in understanding the conformations of α-syn seeds are highlighted, and the possible structural basis for the observed heterogeneity of synucleinopathies is discussed. Finally, we propose the possibility that some known risk factors for synucleinopathies may in fact potentiate the cell-to-cell transmission of α-syn pathology via imbalances in interrelated cell biological processes.
Comprehending the IoT cyber threat landscape: A data dimensionality reduction technique to infer and characterize Internet-scale IoT probing campaigns

Abstract The resource-constrained and heterogeneous nature of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices coupled with the placement of such devices in publicly accessible venues complicate efforts to secure these devices and the networks they are connected to. The Internet-wide deployment of IoT devices also makes it challenging to operate security solutions at strategic locations within the network or to identify orchestrated activities from seemingly independent malicious events from such devices. Therefore, in this paper, we initially seek to determine the magnitude of IoT exploitations by examining more than 1 TB of passive measurement data collected from a/8 network telescope and by correlating it with 400 GB of information from the Shodan service. In the second phase of the study, we conduct in-depth discussions with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and backbone network operators, as well as leverage geolocation databases to not only attribute such exploitations to their hosting environment (ISPs, countries, etc.) but also to classify such inferred IoT devices based on their hosting sector type (financial, education, manufacturing, etc.) and most abused IoT manufacturers. In the third phase, we automate the task of alerting realms that are determined to be hosting exploited IoT devices. Additionally, to address the problem of inferring orchestrated IoT campaigns by solely observing their activities targeting the network telescope, we further introduce a theoretically sound technique based on L1-norm PCA, and validate the utility of the proposed data dimensionality reduction technique against the conventional L2-norm PCA. Specifically, we identify “in the wild” IoT coordinated probing campaigns that are targeting generic ports and campaigns specifically searching for open resolvers (for amplification purposes). The results reveal more than 120,000 Internet-scale exploited IoT devices, some of which are operating in critical infrastructure sectors such as health and manufacturing. We also infer 140 large-scale IoT-centric probing campaigns; a sample of which includes a worldwide distributed campaign where close to 40% of its population includes video surveillance cameras from a single manufacturer, and another very large inferred coordinated campaign consisting of more than 50,000 IoT devices. The reported findings highlight the insecurity of the IoT paradigm at large and thus demonstrate the importance of understanding such evolving threat landscape.
Metaphors and other slippery creatures.

What are cells? How are they related to each other and to the organism as a whole? These questions have exercised biology since Schleiden and Schwann (1838–1839) first proposed cells as the key units of structure and function of all living things. But how do we try to understand them? Through new technologies like the achromatic microscope and the electron microscope. But just as importantly, through the metaphors our culture has made available to biologists in different periods and places. These two new volumes provide interesting history and philosophy of the development of cell biology. Reynolds surveys the field's changing conceptual structure by examining the varied panoply of changing metaphors used to conceptualize and explain cells – from cells as empty boxes, as building blocks, to individual organisms, to chemical factories, and through many succeeding metaphors up to one with great currency today: cells as social creatures in communication with others in their community. There is some of this approach in the Visions edited collection as well. But this collection also includes rich material on the technologies used to visualize cells and their dialectical relationship with the epistemology of the emerging distinct discipline of cell biology. This volume centres on, but is not limited to, ‘reflections inspired by [E.V.] Cowdry's [1924 volume] General Cytology’; it benefits from a conference on the Cowdry volume as well as a 2011 Marine Biological Lab/Arizona State University workshop on the history of cell biology.
Insights into the NOX NADPH Oxidases Using Heterologous Whole Cell Assays

Assays based on ectopic expression of NOX NADPH oxidase subunits in heterologous mammalian cells are an important approach for investigating features of this family of enzymes. These model systems have been used to analyze the biosynthesis and functional domains of NOX enzyme components as well as their regulation and cellular activities. This chapter provides an overview of the basic principles and applications of heterologous whole cell assays in studying NOX NADPH oxidases.
Is Human Capital in Higher Education Ready for Thailand 4.0: A Case Study of SSRUIC Students, Nakorn Pathom Education Center

Presently, the Thai government has implemented its so-called Thailand 4.0 policy to move away from the middle-income trap to a value-based economy. Howbeit, human capital development is a crucial part for driving the policy’s success. Hence, this study aims to assess the perception of Thailand 4.0, the factors affecting learning, and the effectiveness of teaching. A mixed method research approach was applied; this comprised researcher administered structured observation in the classroom and in-depth interviews. The AMOS was manipulated for structural equation modeling to test the relationship between exogenous and endogenous variables. The result revealed that 63 per cent of the respondents understand the policy at a fair level. Surprisingly, only 2 per cent were shown to have the highest degree of understanding the policy. Whilst, the top three factors affecting learning are enhancement from family, motives to learn, and passion to be successful in future careers. Whereas, the most preferable methods of learning are lecture, simulation and role-play. In summary, there are myriad methods for educating as well as multiple contexts affecting learning. In particular, the motives, values and culture of learners. As a result, teachers should motivate student more and prepare the teaching approaches that fit the specific learners of within each classroom.
How Many Bots in Russian Troll Tweets

ABSTRACT Increased usage of bots through the Internet in general, and social networks in particular, has many implications related to influencing public opinion. Mechanisms to distinguish humans from machines span a broad spectrum of applications and hence vary in their nature and complexity. Here we use several public Twitter datasets to build a model that can predict whether or not an account is a bot account based on features extracted at the tweet or the account level. We then apply the model to Twitter's Russian Troll Tweets dataset. At the account level, we evaluate features related to how often Twitter accounts are tweeting, as previous research has shown that bots are very active at some account levels and very low at others. At the tweet level, we noticed that bot accounts tend to sound more formal or structured, whereas real user accounts tend to be more informal in that they contain more slang, slurs, cursing, and the like. We also noted that bots can be created for a range of different goals (e.g., marketing and politics) and that their behaviors vary based on those distinct goals. Ultimately, for high bot-prediction accuracy, models should consider and distinguish among the different goals for which bots are created.
Tumor Microenvironment as a Regulator of Radiation Therapy: New Insights into Stromal-Mediated Radioresistance

: A tumor is a complex "organ" composed of malignant cancer cells harboring genetic aberrations surrounded by a stroma comprised of non-malignant cells and an extracellular matrix. Considerable evidence has demonstrated that components of the genetically "normal" tumor stroma contribute to tumor progression and resistance to a wide array of treatment modalities, including radiotherapy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts can promote radioresistance through their secreted factors, contact-mediated signaling, downstream pro-survival signaling pathways, immunomodulatory effects, and cancer stem cell-generating role. The extracellular matrix can govern radiation responsiveness by influencing oxygen availability and controlling the stability and bioavailability of growth factors and cytokines. Immune status regarding the presence of pro- and anti-tumor immune cells can regulate how tumors respond to radiation therapy. Furthermore, stromal cells including endothelial cells and adipocytes can modulate radiosensitivity through their roles in angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, and their secreted adipokines, respectively. Thus, to successfully eradicate cancers, it is important to consider how tumor stroma components interact with and regulate the response to radiation. Detailed knowledge of these interactions will help build a preclinical rationale to support the use of stromal-targeting agents in combination with radiotherapy to increase radiosensitivity.
SPATIALLY RESOLVED LOW-FREQUENCY VERY LARGE ARRAY OBSERVATIONS OF THE SUPERNOVA REMNANT 3C 391

We present VLA images of the supernova remnant (SNR) 3C 391 at 74, 330, and 1465 MHz. This remnant has been known for some time to exhibit a turnover in its integrated radio continuum spectrum at frequencies <100 MHz, indicative of free-free absorption from thermal ionized gas along the line of sight. For the first time, our data reveal the spatially resolved morphology of the low-frequency free-free absorption with a resolution of ~70''. Contrary to the expectation that such absorption arises from unrelated low-density H II regions (or their envelopes) along the line of sight, these data suggest that in this case the absorbing medium is directly linked to the SNR itself. 3C 391 has been shown in a number of recent papers to be interacting with a molecular cloud. Indeed, it exhibits a number of signposts of SNR/molecular cloud shocks, including OH (1720 MHz) masers and broad molecular emission lines. Comparison of the regions of strongest 74 MHz absorption with existing X-ray, IR, and molecular data suggests that the free-free absorption originates from the SNR/molecular cloud shock boundaries due to ionized gas created from the passage of a J-type shock with a speed of ~100 km s-1. This makes it only the second SNR for which such (extrinsic) spatially resolved absorption has been measured and the only one for which the absorption is thought to arise from a SNR/molecular cloud interface region.
Phylogenetic Permulations: A Statistically Rigorous Approach to Measure Confidence in Associations in a Phylogenetic Context

Many evolutionary comparative methods seek to identify associations between phenotypic traits or between traits and genotypes, often with the goal of inferring potential functional relationships between them. Comparative genomics methods aimed at this goal measure the association between evolutionary changes at the genetic level with traits evolving convergently across phylogenetic lineages. However, these methods have complex statistical behaviors that are influenced by non-trivial and oftentimes unknown confounding factors. Consequently, using standard statistical analyses in interpreting the outputs of these methods leads to potentially inaccurate conclusions. Here, we introduce phylogenetic permulations, a novel statistical strategy that combines phylogenetic simulations and permutations to calculate accurate, unbiased p-values from phylogenetic methods. Permulations construct the null expectation for p-values from a given phylogenetic method by empirically generating null phenotypes. Subsequently, empirical p-values that capture the true statistical confidence given the correlation structure in the data are directly calculated based on the empirical null expectation. We examine the performance of permulation methods by analyzing both binary and continuous phenotypes, including marine, subterranean, and long-lived large-bodied mammal phenotypes. Our results reveal that permulations improve the statistical power of phylogenetic analyses and correctly calibrate statements of confidence in rejecting complex null distributions while maintaining or improving the enrichment of known functions related to the phenotype. We also find that permulations refine pathway enrichment analyses by correcting for non-independence in gene ranks. Our results demonstrate that permulations are a powerful tool for improving statistical confidence in the conclusions of phylogenetic analysis when the parametric null is unknown.
Outcomes of Patients With Active Diabetic Macular Edema at the Time of Cataract Surgery Managed With Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injections.

Purpose To investigate the outcomes of cataract surgery in patients with active diabetic macular edema (DME) who are receiving active treatment with intravitreal anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections in the perioperative period. Design Retrospective clinical cohort study. Methods We reviewed all patients who underwent cataract surgery and were receiving intravitreal anti-VEGF injections from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2017. Thirty-seven eyes underwent cataract surgery and received ≥1 intravitreal anti-VEGF injection for a diagnosis of DME within 6 months before surgery. Outcome measures included the development of subretinal or intraretinal fluid in the 6 months after surgery, timing of injections, number of injections, best-corrected visual acuity, and central subfield thickness. Results There was a significant improvement between pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity when comparing all eyes (Ps .05). There were 30 eyes (81.1%) that had fluid on the preoperative optical coherence tomography scan. Seventeen eyes (45.9%) developed new or worsening postoperative DME. Comparing the eyes that did or did not develop worsening DME, there were no differences in postoperative visual acuities (P > .05). Eyes that did develop new fluid had significant increases in postoperative central subfield thickness at both 1 month (350 vs 320 μm, P = .036) and 6 months (342 vs 305 μm, P = .013). Conclusion In a real-world setting, patients with cataracts and actively treated DME may undergo cataract surgery but may see a worsening of DME not immediately affecting the best-corrected visual acuity.
Plasma Kidney Injury Molecule 1 in CKD: Findings From the Boston Kidney Biopsy Cohort and CRIC Studies.

Abstract Rationale & Objective Plasma kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) is a sensitive marker of proximal tubule injury, but its association with risks of adverse clinical outcomes across a spectrum of kidney diseases is unknown. Study Design Prospective, observational cohort study. Setting & Participants 524 individuals undergoing clinically indicated native kidney biopsy with biopsy specimens adjudicated for semiquantitative scores of histopathology by two kidney pathologists enrolled into the Boston Kidney Biopsy Cohort (BKBC) Study and 3,800 individuals with common forms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) enrolled into the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study. Exposure Histopathologic lesions and clinicopathologic diagnosis in cross-sectional analyses, baseline plasma KIM-1 in prospective analyses. Outcomes Baseline plasma KIM-1 in cross-sectional analyses, kidney failure (defined as initiation of kidney replacement therapy) and death in prospective analyses. Analytical Approach Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models tested associations of plasma KIM-1 with histopathologic lesions and clinicopathologic diagnoses. Cox proportional hazards models tested associations of plasma KIM-1 with future kidney failure and death. Results In the BKBC Study, higher plasma KIM-levels were associated with more severe acute tubular injury, tubulointerstitial inflammation, and more severe mesangial expansion after multivariable adjustment. Participants with diabetic nephropathy, glomerulopathies, and tubulointerstitial disease had significantly higher plasma KIM-1 levels after multivariable adjustment. In the BKBC Study, 124 participants progressed to kidney failure and 85 participants died during a median follow-up time of 5 years. In the CRIC Study, 1153 participants progressed to kidney failure and 1356 participants died during a median follow-up time of 11.5 years. In both cohorts, each doubling of plasma KIM-1 was associated with an increased risk of kidney failure after multivariable adjustment (BKBC: HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.38 and CRIC: HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.15). There was no statistically significant association of plasma KIM-1 with death in either cohort. Limitations Generalizability and unmeasured confounding. Conclusions Plasma KIM-1 is associated with underlying tubulointerstitial and mesangial lesions and progression to kidney failure in two cohort studies of individuals with kidney diseases.
What an Ethics of Discourse and Recognition Can Contribute to a Critical Theory of Refugee Claim Adjudication: Reclaiming Epistemic Justice for Gender-Based Asylum Seekers

Using examples drawn from gender-based asylum cases, this chapter examines how far recognition theory (RT) and discourse theory (DT) can guide social criticism of the judicial processing of women’s applications for protection under the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951) and subsequent protocols and guidelines put forward by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). I argue that these theories can guide social criticism only when combined with other ethical approaches. In addition to humanitarian and human rights law, these theories must rely upon ideas drawn from distributive, compensatory, and epistemic justice. Drawing from recent literature on epistemic injustice, this chapter shows how DT and RT illuminate the failure of asylum courts to respect the credibility of women’s testimony and understand their trauma. I argue that the institutional privileges accorded to asylum boards and the interpretative frameworks available within immigration law impose a burden of proof on women asylum applicants that they cannot meet. I maintain that this burden of proof is unjust because it violates the implicit discursive procedures of argumentative fairness and, in addition, disrespects women as privileged witnesses to their own criminal victimization. I conclude that this injustice need not reflect an irremediable tension between competing epistemic and hermeneutical standpoints.
Advancements in Endoscopic Biliary Interventions by Gastroenterology

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an endoscopic technique in which a specialized side-viewing endoscope is guided into the duodenum, allowing for instruments to access the biliary and pancreatic ducts. ERCP was initially developed as a diagnostic tool as computed tomography was in its infancy during that time. ERCP has evolved since its inception in the 1960s to becoming not only a valuable diagnostic resource but now an effective therapeutic intervention in the treatment of various biliary disorders. The most common biliary interventions performed by ERCP include the management of biliary obstructions for benign and malignant indications. Additionally, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been increasingly utilized in diagnosing and intervening on pancreaticobiliary lesion. This article will discuss the various methods currently available for various endoscopic biliary interventions and future interventional techniques. For the management of biliary strictures, EUS can be utilized with fine need aspiration, while ERCP can be used for the placement of various stents and diagnostic modalities. Another example is radiofrequency ablation, which can be used for the treatment of hilar strictures. Achieving bile duct access can be challenging in patients with complicated clinical scenarios; other techniques that can be used for bile duct access include EUS-guided rendezvous approach, transluminal approach, Choleodochoduodenostomy, and hepatogastrostomy, along with gaining access in complicated anatomy such as in patients with Rou-en-Y anatomy. Another useful endoscopic tool is nonsurgical drainage of the gallbladder, which can be a suitable option when patients are not optimal surgical candidates. There has also been an increase in outpatient utilization of ERCP, which was previously seen as a predominantly inpatient procedure in the past. Possible future evolutions of biliary interventions include robotic manipulation of a duodenoscope and direct infusion of chemotherapeutic or immunomodulatory agents into the pancreaticobiliary tree. These advancements will depend on parallel advancements in other imaging and laboratory as well as breakthrough technology or techniques by other disciplines including interventional radiology and minimally invasive surgery.
Factors that Predict Survival From Mesenteric Ischemia in the Geriatric Patient: Not a Death Sentence.

Background The mortality rate from mesenteric ischemia is reported to be as high as 80%. The goal of our study was to identify demographic and clinical predictors of post-operative mortality and discharge disposition among elderly patients with mesenteric ischemia. Methods All patients 65 years and older who underwent emergency surgery (ES) for the management of mesenteric ischemia in the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2007 to 2017 were included. Univariate analyses and logistic regressions were used to identify independent predictors of mortality and discharge disposition. Results A total of 2438 patients met inclusion criteria, with a median age of 77 years and 60.8% being female. The 30-day mortality of the overall cohort was 31.5% and the 30-day morbidity was 65.3%. The following were the major predictors of 30-day mortality: pre-operative diagnosis of septic shock [OR: 2.46, (95% CI: 1.94-3.13)], dialysis dependence [OR: 2.05, (95% CI: 1.45-2.90)], recent weight loss [OR: 1.80, (95% CI: 1.16-2.79)], age ≥80 years [OR: 1.67, (95% CI: 1.25-2.23)], and ventilator dependence [OR: 1.65, (95% CI: 1.23-2.23)]. In the absence of these predictors, survival rate was 84%. The major predictors of discharge to post-acute care (PAC) included age ≥80 years [OR: 3.70, (95% CI: 2.50-5.47)] and pre-operative septic shock [OR: 2.20, (95% CI: 1.42-3.41)]. Conclusion In the geriatric patient, a diagnosis of mesenteric ischemia does not equate to an automatic death sentence. The presence of certain pre-operative risk factors confers a high risk of mortality, whereas their absence is associated with a high chance of survival.
Trading Elephants for Ants: Efficient Post-attack Reconstitution

While security has become a first-class consideration in systems’ design and operation, most of the commercial and research efforts have been focused on detection, prevention, and forensic analysis of attacks. Relatively little work has gone into efficient recovery of application and data after a compromise. Administrators and end-users are faced with the arduous task of cleansing the affected machines. Restoring the system using snapshot is disruptive and it can lead to data loss.
An improved asymmetric watermarking system using matrix embedding

In the asymmetric watermarking problem, we wish to embed a signal in a piece of multimedia and later prove that we have done so, but without revealing information that can be used by an adversary to remove the signal later. There have been several published solutions to this problem, which suffer from the twin problems of size and time complexity. We provide a protocol similar to the one described in [5], but with substantial improvements in time and space. Our protocol is non-interactive, and each exchange of information between the prover and verifier involves a smaller payload of data. The algorithm uses a form of matrix embedding with pseudo-random Gaussian matrices. Aside from an improvement in efficiency, it possesses other practical advantages over previous protocols.
Real Commerce in Virtual Worlds

This teaching case considers the challenges and opportunities faced by an entrepreneur in Second Life, one of the more popular virtual world environments. Second Life provides the economic and technological platform required for immersion, social interaction and the potential of private enterprise. Many entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the various business opportunities offered in Second Life and a number have earned significant real dollars through their in-world creations and services. Stuart O'Brian, the CEO and founder of VirtualCircle, was one of the early pioneers of virtual commerce. Over the last three years, his organization faced multiple business and technology challenges while negotiating the hypercompetitive and turbulent environment within Second Life. However, he now questions the sustainability of the ever-changing and agile business model that enabled the success of VirtualCircle. Stuart also faces questions regarding avenues of future growth and is grappling with issues concerning interoperability and the replication of his prior success in other virtual environments and the real world.
The Electrocardiogram Is a Poor Diagnostic Tool to Detect Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Children: A Comparison with Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Mass

Objective The electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to detect left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in children and young adults, and it is considered an important screening tool for the most common causes of sudden cardiac arrest in the United States. However, the reliability and accuracy of the ECG in the detection of LVH are poorly understood. This study's objective was to assess the reliability and accuracy of ECG parameters predicting LVH in comparison with echocardiographic two-dimensional left ventricular mass (2D-LVM) assessment. Design Two hundred fifty patients met study criteria with complete 2D-LVM measurements, temporally matched ECGs and no confounding structural heart defects. The echocardiographic diagnosis of LVH was made by 2D-LVM z-score > 2. The electrocardiographic diagnosis of LVH was fulfilled if specific Q, R, or S wave voltages exceeded the normal limits for the respective age groups established by the Davignon, Macfarlane and Rijnbeek datasets, or fulfilled the LVH criteria set forth by adult indices (Sokolow–Lyon, Cornell, Gubner, Romhilt–Estes). Results None of the ECG parameters showed significant correlation with 2D-LVM z-scores. In the detection of LVH, the most commonly used R in V6 voltages showed the following results: sensitivity 13–29%, specificity 77–96%, positive predictive value (PPV) 29–50%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 77%. The overall accuracy ranged 65–75%. The accuracy of adult indices for LVH ranged from 49% to 78%. Conclusions The ECG's prediction of LVH is unreliable with dismal sensitivity, variable specificity, poor PPV, and barely acceptable NPV. With such overall poor reliability, the use of current ECG standards in screening for LVH warrants reassessment.
Coevolutionary Learning: A Case Study

Coevolutionary learning, which involves the embedding of adaptive learning agents in a tness environment that dynamically responds to their progress, is a potential solution for many technological chicken and egg problems. However, several impediments have to be overcome in order for coevolutionary learning to achieve continuous progress in the long term. This paper presents some of those problems and proposes a framework to address them. This presentation is illustrated with a case study: the evolution of CA rules. Our application of coevolutionary learning resulted in a very signi cant improvement for that problem compared to the best known results.
Multiparametric MRI reveals dynamic changes in molecular signatures of injured spinal cord in monkeys.

Purpose To monitor the spontaneous recovery of cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) using longitudinal multiparametric MRI methods. Methods Quantitative MRI imaging including diffusion tensor imaging, magnetization transfer (MT), and chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) were conducted in anesthetized squirrel monkeys at 9.4T. The structural, cellular, and molecular features of the spinal cord were examined before and at different time points after a dorsal column lesion in each monkey. Results Images with MT contrast enhanced visualization of the gray and white matter boundaries and the lesion and permitted differentiation of core and rim compartments within an abnormal volume (AV). In the early weeks after SCI, both core and rim exhibited low cellular density and low protein content, with high levels of exchanging hydroxyl, amine, and amide protons, as evidenced by increased apparent diffusion coefficient, decreased fractional anisotropy, decreased MT ratio, decreased nuclear Overhauser effect, and large CEST effects. Over time, cellular density and fiber density increased, whereas amide, amine, and hydroxyl levels dropped significantly, but at differing rates. Histology confirmed the nature of the AV to be a cyst. Conclusion Multiparametric MRI offers a novel method to quantify the spontaneous changes in structure and cellular and molecular compositions of SC during spontaneous recovery from injury. Magn Reson Med 74:1125–1137, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.