cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Turkey's unique role in nipping in the bud the ‘clash of civilizations’

This paper focuses on Turkey, a Muslim (but secular) country located culturally and geographically in, and between, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It has a well-embedded Jewish community, enjoys a strong positive relationship with the State of Israel and is a long-term member of North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Turkey has also been negotiating entry into the European Union, the pre-eminent example of the Kantian system of ‘perpetual peace.’ The paper addresses these and other aspects of Turkey's complex identity, exploring their implications for ‘civilizational’ peace, security and stability regionally and worldwide. The paper contributes, therefore, to the discussion on the complex relationship between Islam and the West by framing Turkey as uniquely well positioned to undermine and perhaps even reverse self-fulfilling, post-9/11 trajectories toward a full-blown ‘clash of civilizations.’
HiPER: a compact narrow channel router with hop-by-hop error correction

Multiprocessor architectures demand efficient interprocessor communication to maximize system utilization and performance. To meet future demands, these interconnects must communicate at significantly higher speeds while operating more efficiently to meet system size, weight, power, and energy requirements. As high-performance parallel computing architectures make their way into portable systems, compact, efficient, and error-tolerant computing and communication mechanisms will be required. This paper presents the High-Performance Efficient Router (HiPER), an efficient multidimensional router supporting high-throughput error-corrected communication channels. HiPER is a proof-of-concept vehicle for efficient implementations of routing, switching, and error control mechanisms. It combines mad postman (bit-pipelined) switching with dimension-order routing, producing a low-latency routing router that is less sensitive to message distance than a word parallel crossbar router. To maintain robust communication as link speeds increase and link power budgets decrease, HiPER employs flit-level hop-by-hop retransmission of erroneous flits, which provides builtin error control at the network level. Data presented on the implemented bit serial version of HiPER offer insight into future router designs with channel sizes between bit-serial and word-wide.
Efficient search strategies for non-myopic sensor scheduling in target tracking

We propose two tree pruning algorithms to reduce the computational complexity of non-myopic sensor scheduling for target tracking. We consider a mobile bearings-only sensor that chooses from a finite set of possible moves at each time epoch. The scheduling objective is to select the sequence of sensor moves to minimize a tracking cost over M > 1 future time epochs. Tracking is performed with a particle filter, and expected future costs are calculated using an unscented transform with the particle filter. Simulation shows that the two algorithms significantly reduce the time and memory requirements compared to exhaustive search.
Analysis of enhanced transdermal transport by skin electroporation

Abstract The transport of charged molecules across human skin can be dramatically enhanced by application of high-strength, pulsed electric fields. This phenomenon is theoretically characterized here in terms of the electroporation of lipid bilayers within the stratum corneum above the transbilayer voltage for which electropores have been observed in single bilayer membranes. Accounting for the size, shape and charge of the transporting molecules, predictions of transdermal molecular flux are made in two electric field conditions. At small field strengths (transdermal voltage ⪡ 100 V), representative of standard skin iontophoresis, charged molecules are modeled as transporting through the pre-existing shunt routes of the skin. At electric field strengths sufficiently large (transdermal voltage > 100 V) to electroporate lipid bilayers, a transcorneocyte pathway is accessible to charged molecules, with transbilayer transport occurring through electropores within the lipid bilayers. Experimental data of transdermal molecular flux compared favorably with the respective theoretical predictions in the small and large electric field strength limits. Predictions of the skin's electrical resistance are also found to be consistent with experimental data at small and large electric field strengths. In both limits, electrophoretic transport is shown to be predominantly convective (i.e., dominated by electric-field drift); however, a unique form of transport enhancement involving convective dispersion may be significant during skin electroporation.
Partisan Mobilization Campaigns in the Field: Results from a Statewide Turnout Experiment in Michigan

Political parties have recently rediscovered grassroots tactics for voter mobilization. The only solid evidence for the effectiveness of such get out the vote (GOTV) tactics is based upon non-partisan field experiments that may not accurately capture the effectiveness of partisan campaign outreach. In order to address this lacuna, during the 2002 Michigan gubernatorial election, a large field experiment across 14 state house districts evaluated the cost effectiveness of three mobilization technologies utilized by the Michigan Democratic Party's Youth Coordinated Campaign: door hangers, volunteer phone calls, and face-to-face visits. Contrary to past non-partisan experiments, our results indicate that all three GOTV strategies possess similar cost-effectiveness.
Drugs and angina pectoris.

Abstract Angina pectoris may be relieved pharmacologically by improving coronary blood flow, diminishing cardiac effort, or affecting pain transmission and reception. Unfortunately, there is no good correlation between pharmacodynamics and clinical efficacy of many drugs used in the treatment of angina pectoris. This results because (1) drugs may have different actions in different species and in the normal heart as opposed to the diseased heart; (2) drugs may have multiple sites of action, some unrecognized at present; (3) the actual mechanism of anginal pain has not been adequately defined to permit unqualified interpretation of a given drug's effect.
Filling the terahertz gap with sand: High-power terahertz radiators in silicon

This paper reviews our recent work on Si and SiGe THz sources that generate high-power coherent radiation. Our design approach blends the optimization of device operation near or above f max with unconventional circuit topologies and energy-efficient electromagnetic structures. Using a 130-nm SiGe HBT process (f max =3D280 GHz), our 320-GHz transmitter produces a record radiated power (3.3 mW) and DC-to-THz radiation efficiency (0.54%) among all THz signal sources in silicon. This transmitter also demonstrates fully-integrated phase-locking capability for THz radiators for the first time. In this paper, a 260-GHz pulse radiator and a 340-GHz phased array, which are based on a 65-nm bulk CMOS process, are also presented. The former generates a radiated power of 1.1 mW, and provides THz pulses with 25-GHz bandwidth. The latter generates a radiated power of 0.8 mW and has a 50° beam-steering capability. These works demonstrate a promising roadmap towards future THz microsystems using silicon integrated-circuit technologies.
The Nutritional Pathways of Articular Cartilage: An Autoradiographic Study In Rabbits Using 35s Injected Intravenously

An autoradiographic study of the nutrition of articular cartilage in rabbits using intravenous 35S described. In immature rabbits (open epiphyses) the isotope appeared to enter the cartilage from both the synovial fluid and the subchondral bone, while in the mature animals (closed epiphyses) the isotope appeared to enter articular cartilage only from the synovial fluid. The experiment provides additional evidence that the route of nutrients for the articular cartilage is affected by skeletal maturity.
What is the Lichen Parmelia graminicola B. de Lesd.

The lichen Punctelia semansiana, common and widely distributed in North America and differing from P. hypoleucites by conidial size and substrate ecology, is identical to P. graminicola (B. de Lesd.) Egan, comb. nov. Authentic material of the older epithet, thought to have been destroyed but recently discovered at New Mexico's College of Santa Fe, permits the nomenclatural correction.
Predominantly Extraaxial Astroblastoma: Imaging and Proton MR Spectroscopy Features

The CT, angiographic, MR, and proton MR spectroscopy findings in a case of astroblastoma, a rare neoplasm of glial cell origin, are presented. Of particular interest is the predominantly extraaxial location of the tumor. CT and MR demonstrated a complex mass consisting of a solid nodule and a peripheral septated cystic component. The extraaxial nature of the mass was suggested on MR.
Development of broad-spectrum antimicrobial latex paint surfaces employing active amphiphilic compounds.

With the increase in antibiotic-resistant microbes, the production of self-decontaminating surfaces has become an area of research that has seen a surge of interest in recent years. Such surfaces, when incorporated into commercial products such as children’s toys, medical devices and hospital surfaces could reduce the number of infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms. A number of active components for self-decontaminating surfaces have been investigated, including common antibiotics, metal ions, quaternary ammonium salts (QAS), and antimicrobial peptides (AMP). A recent research focus has been development of a wide range of amphiphilic antimicrobial additives that when combined with modern low volatile organic compound (VOC), water-based paints leads to a surface concentration of the active compounds as the coating cures. Herein we report the development of antimicrobial coatings containing a variety of additives, both QAS and AMP that are active against a broad-spectrum of potentially pathogenic b...
Endotoxin-induced production of plasminogen activator inhibitor by human monocytes is autonomous and can be inhibited by lipid X.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMs) produce both tissue factor and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) in response to gram- negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cellular roles in the tissue factor response have been previously elucidated, and we now report those roles in PAI-2 production. Monocytes are the only cells among LPS-stimulated PBMs that produce PAI-2 as assessed by measurement of PAI-2 activity and antigen. Concomitant immunohistochemistry demonstrated that monocytes contain PAI-2, with a greater number staining positively and more intensely after exposure to LPS. LPS- stimulated monocytes produced increased amounts of PAI-2 with or without addition of lymphocytes. Lymphocytes prestimulated with LPS and then washed did not induce PAI-2 production in monocytes to which they were added. Lipid X, a precursor in the biosynthetic pathway of lipid A and LPS, was able to inhibit LPS induction of monocyte PAI-2 in a dose- dependent manner. This inhibition was not due to cellular toxicity, the phospholipidlike nature of lipid X, interference with the PAI-2 assay, or monocyte production of a substance interfering with PAI-2. Lipid X was an effective inhibitor of PAI-2 production even when added up to 30 minutes after LPS.
Chronic exposure to lidocaine does not alter flux through sodium channels in cultured neuronal cells.

Background and Objectives. Although tachyphylaxis to local anesthetics has been reported in the clinical literature for more than two decades,1 the molecular mechanism(s) remain unknown. The authors described an attempt to create an in vitro model for tachyphylaxis to local anesthetics using cultured neuronal cells. Methods. Murine neuroblastoma cells (N1E115) and rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC-12) were grown in the presence or absence of lidocaine or tetrodotoxin for between 1 and 14 days. Thereafter, the authors tested flux through sodium channels by measuring total and tetrodotoxin-sensitive flux of 14C-labeled guanidinium (a ligand for the sodium channel) into the cells using the technique of Jacques et al.2 Results. Chronic lidocaine or tetrodotoxin treatment caused no change relative to control cells in total or tetrodotoxin-sensitive guanidinium flux, or in the subsequent ability of lidocaine in the flux assay mixture to inhibit guanidinium flux. Conclusions. The authors concluded that chronic lidocaine or tetrodotoxin application did not produce changes in stimulated sodium channel activity or subsequent lidocaine susceptibility in this model. To the extent that this model simulated the clinical situation, mechanisms other than up-regulation of sodium channel number or maximal stimulated flux per channel may have been responsible for producing tachyphylaxis.
A Small-Molecule Anti-secretagogue of PCSK9 Targets the 80S Ribosome to Inhibit PCSK9 Protein Translation

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a secreted protein that downregulates low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDL-R) levels on the surface of hepatocytes, resulting in decreased clearance of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C). Phenotypic screening of a small-molecule compound collection was used to identify an inhibitor of PCSK9 secretion, (R)-N-(isoquinolin-1-yl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-(piperidin-3-yl)propanamide (R-IMPP), which was shown to stimulate uptake of LDL-C in hepatoma cells by increasing LDL-R levels, without altering levels of secreted transferrin. Systematic investigation of the mode of action revealed that R-IMPP did not decrease PCSK9 transcription or increase PCSK9 degradation, but instead caused transcript-dependent inhibition of PCSK9 translation. In support of this surprising mechanism of action, we found that R-IMPP was able to selectively bind to human, but not E. coli, ribosomes. This study opens a new avenue for the development of drugs that modulate the activity of target proteins by mechanisms involving inhibition of eukaryotic translation.
The cytotoxic synergy of nanosecond electric pulses and low temperature leads to apoptosis

Electroporation by nanosecond electric pulses (nsEP) is an emerging modality for tumor ablation. Here we show the efficient induction of apoptosis even by a non-toxic nsEP exposure when it is followed by a 30-min chilling on ice. This chilling itself had no impact on the survival of U-937 or HPAF-II cells, but caused more than 75% lethality in nsEP-treated cells (300 ns, 1.8-7 kV/cm, 50-700 pulses). The cell death was largely delayed by 5-23 hr and was accompanied by a 5-fold activation of caspase 3/7 (compared to nsEP without chilling) and more than 60% cleavage of poly-ADP ribose polymerase (compared to less than 5% in controls or after nsEP or chilling applied separately). When nsEP caused a transient permeabilization of 83% of cells to propidium iodide, cells placed at 37 °C resealed in 10 min, whereas 60% of cells placed on ice remained propidium-permeable even in 30 min. The delayed membrane resealing caused cell swelling, which could be blocked by an isosmotic addition of a pore-impermeable solute (sucrose). However, the block of swelling did not prevent the delayed cell death by apoptosis. The potent enhancement of nsEP cytotoxicity by subsequent non-damaging chilling may find applications in tumor ablation therapies.
Using Cultural Theory to Analyze the Metagovernance of the Nuclear Renaissance in Britain, France, and the United States

The governments of Britain, France, and the United States are seeking to promote renewed investment in nuclear power through metagovernance. Metagovernance describes the way governments can leverage state power and resources to shape the behavior of networked actors to advance policy goals. To metagovern, governments use a variety of policy tools but the factors shaping the design of these policy tools remains unclear. Grid-group cultural theory is used to show that the design of the policy tools used in metagovernance reflects both an underlying cultural bias within government and prevailing institutional circumstances. The paper demonstrates the utility of cultural theory in the study of metagovernance.
Sapphirine, Kornerupine, and Sillimanite + Orthopyroxene in the Charnockitic Region of South India

Sapphirine, kornerupine, and the associations sillimanite-orthopyroxene and sillimanite-gedrite are reported from 23 localities (or areas of closely spaced localities) in Fermor's (1936) charnockitic region and in transitional zones to Fermor's non-charnockitic region in south India (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and southern Karnataka). The rocks containing these minerals and mineral associations are believed to have a pelitic sedimentary precursor. They are in general closely associated with khondalite (garnet-sillimanite gneiss), quartzite, and calc-silicate rocks, and less commonly with metabasites of presumed metavolcanic origin. However, the sapphirine occurrences in the Sittampundi anorthosite complex, where sapphirine and sillimanite-gedrite are found in reaction zones between anorthosite and chromite layers, are an exception. Assemblages of sapphirine with garnet and sillimanite are not rare, but sapphirine in direct contact with quartz, which has not previously been reported from south India, was found at Paderu, Vishakhapatnam District, A. P. Kornerupine occurs with sillimanite at three localities but with orthopyroxene only at Ganguvarpatti, a new locality for kornerupine. Temperatures and pressures calculated from pyroxenes, garnets, and feldspars in associated rocks suggest that sapphirine, kornerupine, and sillimanite-orthopyroxene crystallized at 800-850°C and 6-10 kbar in the charnockitic region and sapphirine at 780°C in a transition zone between the granulite and amphibolite-facies near Sargur. Water partial pressure during the metamorphism was significantly less than total pressure. Regional differences in pressure are reflected in the distribution of mineral assemblages: sillimanite-orthopyroxene is found in Madras and Andhra Pradesh, but is conspicuously absent in the Palni Hills, where spinel-cordierite is an important assemblage. Sapphirine and sillimanite-orthopyroxene (and sillimanite-gedrite) are restricted to rocks relatively rich in Al 2 O 3 with high Mg/Fe ratios relative to khondalite. Kornerupine appears to be confined to rocks containing boron. These special rock compositions (except Sittampundi) are believed to reflect unusual compositions of the precursor pelitic sediments rather than changes in chemistry during metamorphism.
CXCR4-SDF-1 Signaling Mediated up-Regulation of Survivin Expression In Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Is Critical for Their Proliferation and Maintenance of Osteoblastic Niche

Abstract 941 Hematopoietic stem cells reside in osteoblastic and vascular niches within the bone marrow. The osteoblastic niche is composed of mesenchymal stem cell derived progenitor cells (MPC) and osteoblasts and are the main sources of the CXC chemokine CXCL12/SDF-1 in the bone marrow microenvironment. Several published studies suggest that the interaction between CXCR4 expressed on hematopoietic stem cells with SDF-1 produced in the bone marrow microenvironment is important for their retention in the bone-marrow. However, the role of SDF-CXCR4 signaling in formation and maintenance of osteoblastic niches in the bone marrow is not known. In this study, we examined the role of CXCR4 signaling in MPC proliferation and differentiation and its effects on hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that CXCR4 is expressed on the phenotypically defined MPC. Deletion of CXCR4 in tamoxifen cre inducible CXCR4 flox-flox mice (verified by PCR and flow cytometry; 90% gene deletion and surface CXCR4 expression) results in significantly decreased numbers of Lin - CD45 - CD31 - Sca-1 + ALCAM - MPC (39±4.2%) and Lin - CD45 - CD31 - Sca-1 - CD51 + osteoblasts (25±2.6%) in bone marrow 15 days after tamoxifen treatment. SDF-1 induced proliferation of CXCR4 deficient MPC was decreased by 4-fold compared to control, measured by the colony forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assay. To determine, whether CXCR4 deficiency in bone marrow stromal cells affects SDF-1 induced HSC proliferation, we cultured FACS sorted wild-type SLAM SKL (10 3 cells) on CXCR4 deficient stroma for 5 days and total SLAM SKL cell numbers were counted by flow-cytometey analysis. CXCR4 deficient stroma failed to support optimal HSC proliferation and 48±5.2% less SLAM KSL cells was observed on CXCR4 deficient stroma compared to wild-type stroma. To investigate the mechanisms through which CXCR4-SDF-1 signaling regulates MPC proliferation, we evaluated the effect of SDF-1 treatment on expression of the anti-apoptotic and cell-cycle regulator protein, Survivin, in MPC. Multivariate intracellular flow cytometry demonstrated that Survivin expression increased by 23±4.2% in wild-type MPC after SDF-1 treatment (50ng/ml), however no significant increased was demonstrated in CXCR4 deficient MPC cells. CFU-F formation was reduced by 2.5 fold when the Survivin gene was conditionally deleted in MPC. Moreover, fewer SLAM SKL cells were detected on Survivin deficient stroma compared to wild-type stroma after SDF-1 treatment for 5 days. In conclusion, our data suggest that CXCR4-SDF-1 signaling mediated Survivin expression in MPC is important for their proliferation and maintenance of the bone-marrow hematopoietic niche. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
New developments in the management of narcolepsy.

Narcolepsy is a life-long, underrecognized sleep disorder that affects 0.02%–0.18% of the US and Western European populations. Genetic predisposition is suspected because of narcolepsy’s strong association with HLA DQB1*06-02, and genome-wide association studies have identified polymorphisms in T-cell receptor loci. Narcolepsy pathophysiology is linked to loss of signaling by hypocretin-producing neurons; an autoimmune etiology possibly triggered by some environmental agent may precipitate hypocretin neuronal loss. Current treatment modalities alleviate the main symptoms of excessive daytime somnolence (EDS) and cataplexy and, to a lesser extent, reduce nocturnal sleep disruption, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Sodium oxybate (SXB), a sodium salt of γ hydroxybutyric acid, is a first-line agent for cataplexy and EDS and may help sleep disruption, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. Various antidepressant medications including norepinephrine serotonin reuptake inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants are second-line agents for treating cataplexy. In addition to SXB, modafinil and armodafinil are first-line agents to treat EDS. Second-line agents for EDS are stimulants such as methylphenidate and extended-release amphetamines. Emerging therapies include non-hypocretin-based therapy, hypocretin-based treatments, and immunotherapy to prevent hypocretin neuronal death. Non-hypocretin-based novel treatments for narcolepsy include pitolisant (BF2.649, tiprolisant); JZP-110 (ADX-N05) for EDS in adults; JZP 13-005 for children; JZP-386, a deuterated sodium oxybate oral suspension; FT 218 an extended-release formulation of SXB; and JNJ-17216498, a new formulation of modafinil. Clinical trials are investigating efficacy and safety of SXB, modafinil, and armodafinil in children. γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) modulation with GABAA receptor agonists clarithromycin and flumazenil may help daytime somnolence. Other drugs investigated include GABAB agonists (baclofen), melanin-concentrating hormone antagonist, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone agonists. Hypocretin-based therapies include hypocretin peptide replacement administered either through an intracerebroventricular route or intranasal route. Hypocretin neuronal transplant and transforming stem cells into hypothalamic neurons are also discussed in this article. Immunotherapy to prevent hypocretin neuronal death is reviewed.
Testing the validity of conflict drift-diffusion models for use in estimating cognitive processes: A parameter-recovery study

Researchers and clinicians are interested in estimating individual differences in the ability to process conflicting information. Conflict processing is typically assessed by comparing behavioral measures like RTs or error rates from conflict tasks. However, these measures are hard to interpret because they can be influenced by additional processes like response caution or bias. This limitation can be circumvented by employing cognitive models to decompose behavioral data into components of underlying decision processes, providing better specificity for investigating individual differences. A new class of drift-diffusion models has been developed for conflict tasks, presenting a potential tool to improve analysis of individual differences in conflict processing. However, measures from these models have not been validated for use in experiments with limited data collection. The present study assessed the validity of these models with a parameter-recovery study to determine whether and under what circumstances the models provide valid measures of cognitive processing. Three models were tested: the dual-stage two-phase model (Hubner, Steinhauser, & Lehle, Psychological Review, 117(3), 759-784, 2010), the shrinking spotlight model (White, Ratcliff, & Starns, Cognitive Psychology, 63(4), 210-238, 2011), and the diffusion model for conflict tasks (Ulrich, Schroter, Leuthold, & Birngruber, Cogntive Psychology, 78, 148-174, 2015). The validity of the model parameters was assessed using different methods of fitting the data and different numbers of trials. The results show that each model has limitations in recovering valid parameters, but they can be mitigated by adding constraints to the model. Practical recommendations are provided for when and how each model can be used to analyze data and provide measures of processing in conflict tasks.
Standardized ultrasound templates for diagnosing appendicitis reduce annual imaging costs

Abstract Background Ultrasound is preferred over computed tomography (CT) for diagnosing appendicitis in children to avoid undue radiation exposure. We previously reported our experience in instituting a standardized appendicitis ultrasound template, which decreased CT rates by 67.3%. In this analysis, we demonstrate the ongoing cost savings associated with using this template. Methods Retrospective chart review for the time period preceding template implementation (June 2012-September 2012) was combined with prospective review through December 2015 for all patients in the emergency department receiving diagnostic imaging for appendicitis. The type of imaging was recorded, and imaging rates and ultrasound test statistics were calculated. Estimated annual imaging costs based on pretemplate ultrasound and CT utilization rates were compared with post-template annual costs to calculate annual and cumulative savings. Results In the pretemplate period, ultrasound and CT rates were 80.2% and 44.3%, respectively, resulting in a combined annual cost of $300,527.70. Similar calculations were performed for each succeeding year, accounting for changes in patient volume. Using pretemplate rates, our projected 2015 imaging cost was $371,402.86; however, our ultrasound rate had increased to 98.3%, whereas the CT rate declined to 9.6%, yielding an annual estimated cost of $224,853.00 and a savings of $146,549.86. Since implementation, annual savings have steadily increased for a cumulative cost savings of $336,683.83. Conclusions Standardizing ultrasound reports for appendicitis not only reduces the use of CT scans and the associated radiation exposure but also decreases annual imaging costs despite increased numbers of imaging studies. Continued cost reduction may be possible by using diagnostic algorithms.
Speech Research at Google to Enable Universal Speech Interfaces

Since the wide adoption of smartphones, speech as an input modality has developed from a science fiction dream to a widely accepted technology. The quality demand on this technology that allowed fueling this adoption is high and has been a continuous focus of research activities at Google. Early adoption of large neural network model deployments and training of such models on large datasets has significantly improved core recognition accuracy. Adoption of novel approaches like long short-term memory models and connectionist temporal classification have further improved accuracy and reduced latency. In addition, algorithms that allow adaptive language modeling improve accuracy based on the context of the speech input. Focus on expanding coverage of the user population in terms of languages and speaker characteristics (e.g., child speech) has lead to novel algorithms that further pushed the universal speech input vision. Continuing this trend, our most recent investigations have been on noise and far-field robustness. Tackling speech processing in those environments will enable applications of in-car, wearable, and in-the-home scenarios and as such be another step towards true universal speech input. This chapter will briefly describe the algorithmic developments at Google over the past decade that have brought speech processing to where it is today.
Learned protein embeddings for machine learning.

Motivation: Machine-learning models trained on protein sequences and their measured functions can infer biological properties of unseen sequences without requiring an understanding of the underlying physical or biological mechanisms. Such models enable the prediction and discovery of sequences with optimal properties. Machine-learning models generally require that their inputs be vectors, and the conversion from a protein sequence to a vector representation affects the model’s ability to learn. We propose to learn embedded representations of protein sequences that take advantage of the vast quantity of unmeasured protein sequence data available. These embeddings are low-dimensional and can greatly simplify downstream modeling. Results: The predictive power of Gaussian process models trained using embeddings is comparable to those trained on existing representations, which suggests that embeddings enable accurate predictions despite having orders of magnitude fewer dimensions. Moreover, embeddings are simpler to obtain because they do not require alignments, structural data, or selection of informative amino-acid properties. Visualizing the embedding vectors shows meaningful relationships between the embedded proteins are captured.
Arthroscopy and arthrotomy to address intra-articular pathology during PAO for hip dysplasia demonstrates similar short-term outcomes.

Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) remains the gold standard procedure for joint preservation in symptomatic developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Hip arthroscopy (HA) and open arthrotomy have been used to correct intra-articular pathology at the time of PAO, but there is limited data regarding differences in outcomes between these techniques when performed at the time of PAO. The aim of this study was to determine if short-term clinical outcomes differed between patients managed with HA versus arthrotomy to evaluate and treat intra-articular pathology at the time of PAO to discern if one technique is associated with better pain and functional results. Data were retrospectively reviewed from two surgeons at one institution managing DDH patients from September 2013 to December 2015. One surgeon treated patients with PAO and arthrotomy (N = 32), while the other performed PAO and HA (N = 39). There were 87% women, median age was 28 years and mean BMI was 25. Seventy-five percent of all patients received an intra-articular intervention. Patients completed 13 PROs at the pre-operative and 1-year post-operative clinical visits. Pre-operatively, there were no differences in any of the 13 PROs between patients treated with HA versus arthrotomy (P ≥ 0.076). Patients treated with PAO and arthrotomy experienced greater mean improvement in two out of the 13 PROs; the other 11 showed no differences. No treatment effect was observed for any of the 13 PROs using multivariable modelling that accounted for severity of dysplasia and degree of arthritis. Few differences were shown in short-term clinical outcomes between HA and arthrotomy at the time of PAO. This work highlights the need for a high quality randomized clinical trial to provide definitive guidance on whether hip preservation surgeons should address intra-articular pathology at the time of PAO for DDH and which technique best serves this purpose.
Biomedical Engineering: Biomolecular Engineering I: Biotechnology

LEARNING OBJECTIVES After reading this chapter, you should: Understand the relationship between biomolecular engineering and chemical engineering. Understand the concepts of drug effectiveness and toxicity, the limitations of some of the simplest methods of drug administration, and the need for controlled delivery systems that optimize therapy for a particular drug. Understand how polymeric materials with different physical properties can be fashioned into matrix, microsphere, transdermal, and other delivery systems. Understand how tissue engineering has emerged as a possible solution for organ replacement or healing. Understand the biological significance of materials with nanoscale dimensions and how material scientists are learning to assemble materials that use or mimic biological principles of self-assembly. Prelude The early chapters of this book introduce some of the chemicals that are important in human biology. In fact, it is possible to think of the human body as an elaborate bag of chemicals. In the subspecialty called biomolecular engineering (or biotechnology), biomedical engineers examine the changes in chemical components within a biological system and develop methods for modifying these chemicals or their interactions. The concept of introducing chemicals to induce a change in a biological system is familiar; for example, we all have some experience with taking purified chemicals such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen as drugs to relieve pain. But new biological tools now make it possible to consider more complex chemical interventions such as gene therapy (in which a new deoxyribonucleic acid [DNA] sequence is introduced to allow expression of a new genetic activity).
Use of electrical-resistance strain elements in three-dimensional stress analysis

A method for constructing resistance-wire strain gages which may be imbedded in a plastic model without materially altering the stress pattern in the model is presented. The methods used to calibrate the gages and the photoelastic tests made to investigate the effect of the gages on the stress pattern are described. The application of this new three-dimensional technique to evaluate the stress distribution in a thick-walled cylindrical pressure vessel is discussed. Correlation between experimental data and calculated values is given.
Postnatal Restriction of Activity-Induced Ca2+ Responses to Schwann Cells at the Neuromuscular Junction Are Caused by the Proximo-Distal Loss of Axonal Synaptic Vesicles during Development

Terminal or perisynaptic Schwann cells (TPSCs) are nonmyelinating, perisynaptic glial cells at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) that respond to neural activity by increasing intracellular calcium (Ca2+) and regulate synaptic function. The onset of activity-induced TPSC Ca2+ responses, as well as whether axonal Schwann cells (ASCs) along the nerve respond to nerve stimulation during development, is unknown. Here, we show that phrenic nerve stimulation in developing male and female mice elicited Ca2+ responses in both ASCs and TPSCs at embryonic day 14. ASC responses were lost in a proximo-distal gradient over time, but could continue to be elicited by bath application of neurotransmitter, suggesting that a loss of release rather than a change in ASC competence accounted for this response gradient. Similar to those of early postnatal TPSCs, developing ASC/TPSC responses were mediated by purinergic P2Y1 receptors. The loss of ASC Ca2+ responses was correlated to the proximo-distal disappearance of synaptophysin immunoreactivity and synaptic vesicles in phrenic axons. Accordingly, developing ASC Ca2+ responses were blocked by botulinum toxin. Interestingly, the loss of ASC Ca2+ responses was also correlated to the proximo-distal development of myelination. Finally, compared with postnatal TPSCs, neonatal TPSCs and ASCs displayed Ca2+ signals in response to lower frequencies and shorter durations of nerve stimulation. Together, these results with GCaMP3-expressing Schwann cells provide ex vivo evidence that both axons and presynaptic terminals initially exhibit activity-induced vesicular release of neurotransmitter, but that the subsequent loss of axonal synaptic vesicles accounts for the postnatal restriction of vesicular release to the NMJ. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neural activity regulates multiple aspects of development, including myelination. Whether the excitation of developing neurons in vivo results in the release of neurotransmitter from both axons and presynaptic terminals is unclear. Here, using mice expressing the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP3 in Schwann cells, we show that both terminal/perisynaptic Schwann cells at the diaphragm neuromuscular junction and axonal Schwann cells along the phrenic nerve exhibit activity-induced calcium responses early in development, mediated by the vesicular release of ATP from the axons of motor neurons acting on P2Y1 receptors. These ex vivo findings corroborate classic in vitro studies demonstrating transmitter release by developing axons, and thus represent a tool to study the mechanisms and significance of this process during embryonic development.
Proximal Femoral Reorientational Osteotomies for the Hip Deformities in Children with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita

Children with arthrogryposis and severe hip contractures face great difficulties with ambulation and often even with comfortable positioning for seating. These multiplanar joint deformities are a challenge for treatment. The surgical goal is to align the lower extremity in a functional position relative to the body, exploiting the most optimal range of hip motion available. While flexion or flexion-abduction contractures can be improved with a percutaneous anterior soft tissue release of the hip, the more severe contractures can reliably be corrected with a reorientational osteotomy of the proximal femur. This procedure leaves the actual “ball in socket” hip joint undisturbed but aligns the lower extremity with the body axis.
The End Is Nigh: Fundamental Particle Fears

John Ringo’s 2005 novel Into the Looking Glass begins with an explosion equivalent to 60 kilotons of TNT, marking the accidental destruction of a university particle accelerator in Florida. The preface to Dan Brown’s novel Angels & Demons makes a point of describing for the reader just how powerful antimatter is, with the reaction of one gram of antimatter and the same amount of matter releasing energy on par with a small atomic weapon. In Martin Caiden’s novel Star Bright a fusion experiment creates a mini star that evolves into a miniature black hole. Russian scientist Vasily Tretyakov admits that the Russians had previously developed a superbomb using similar technology to Star Bright that had resulted in a flood of unknown radiation that created “a tornado of naked electrical force” [1]. The Russians aid the American scientists in trying to contain Star Bright, but earthquakes intensify and the strange electromagnetic effects caused by the unknown radiation lead to widespread irrational behavior (Fig. 3.1).
Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy: a Review of Current Standards of Care and Innovations to Improve Gingival and Periodontal Health

Regular home care delivered by patients as well as professional mechanical debridement is a cornerstone of periodontal and peri-implant health. This report will examine current therapies for nonsurgical periodontal and peri-implant diseases, including oral hygiene measures and behavioral modification, scaling and root planing, adjunctive systemic and local antibiotic therapy, and novel pharmacologic and physical adjunctive treatments. Periodontitis is a highly prevalent, destructive disease and has been estimated to result in $54 billion of lost productivity yearly worldwide. Additionally, it is estimated that up to 5 million dental implants are placed each year and, with the increasing number of implants comes increasing numbers of cases of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. Nonsurgical therapy is the first line of treatment and long-term prevention for both of these conditions. Mechanical therapy requires a high level of operator skill and an understanding of expected results and the modifiers which may affect treatment outcomes. Proper patient selection, patient compliance, and assessment of optimal treatment options are required for successful results of therapy. Adjunctive therapy in high-risk patients, for example, smokers, may improve treatment outcomes, and care should be taken to select adjunctive therapies based upon their mechanisms of action and the deficits in host defense noted in patients with additional risk factors. Furthermore, long-term maintenance and surveillance of disease recurrence are necessary in the management of these chronic diseases. Nonsurgical therapy is a cost-effective intervention to address periodontal diseases, and patients with select risk factors may receive additional benefit when adjunctive therapies are employed during this phase of treatment.
Noise analysis method for monitoring the moderator temperature coefficient of pressurized water reactors: Neural network calibration

A neural network was trained with data for the frequency response function between in-core neutron noise and core-exit thermocouple noise in a pressurized water reactor, with the moderator temperature coefficient (MTC) as target. The trained network was subsequently used to predict the MTC at other points in the same fuel cycle. Results support use of the method for operating pressurized water reactors provided noise data can be accumulated for several fuel cycles to provide a training base.
From Community Exploration to Social Justice Mathematics: How Do Mathematics Teacher Educators Guide Prospective Teachers to Make the Move?

Prospective elementary teachers (PSTs) often bring commitments to social justice to their teacher education programs but may not always know how to act on those commitments in the context of teaching mathematics. In this chapter, we analyze PSTs’ Community Mathematics Exploration Module activities (n = 23) to better understand how PSTs bring forth ideas of social justice into mathematics tasks that have strong connections to students’ communities, as well as reflect on how to support PSTs to move toward designing socially just mathematics tasks firmly rooted in community issues. Our analysis shows that while only 6 mathematics tasks had strong social justice components, 11 had strong community connections with the potential to “pivot” toward social justice by, for example, shifting the purpose of the mathematics involved without changing the context. This finding suggests that mathematics teacher educators can support PSTs to rethink and rewrite mathematics tasks building on students’ community knowledge with explicit social justice goals as part of their mathematics methods course completion. We conclude the chapter by framing some challenges for mathematics teacher educators to consider and address around making mathematically rich and socially just mathematics tasks.
Reverse Takatsubo's Pattern in Donor Hearts Not Associated with Left Ventricular Systolic Recovery

Background Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is the most common reason that potential donor hearts are not allocated. However, a significant proportion of brain-dead donors (BDDs) have transient LV dysfunction, and these allocated hearts have equivalent post-transplant outcomes. It is difficult to determine which potential donors with cardiac dysfunction on initial assessment are likely to recover. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) patterns, specifically reverse takatsubo's- LV basal hypokinesis with apical hyperkinesis, are often observed in BDDs, however its association with donor LV recovery remains unclear. We retrospectively reviewed echocardiograms from our OPO's recovery center to determine if specific strain patterns predict functional recovery. Methods All BDDs managed at a single OPO recovery center between 1/1/2015-6/1/2018 with reduced initial LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 40% were included. Initial echocardiograms were adjudicated for image quality, with donors with poor quality or inability to obtain longitudinal strain (LS) excluded. All echocardiograms were interpreted by a single reader, with segmental and global longitudinal strain (SLS and GLS) analysis conducted in apical views. Composite LV apical and basal SLS obtained in each view were used to quantify apical-to-basal strain ratio. LV recovery was defined as an LVEF ≥ 50% on a subsequent echocardiogram during the evaluation process. Results 54 donors were included in this analysis, 29 (54%) had LV recovery and 25 (46%) donors did not have LV recovery. Donors with LV recovery had higher initial LVEF and greater overall LVEF improvement, with greater average overall LV and RV GLS (Table 1). The LV recovery group also had higher average LV apical and basal LS. However, LV, RV, apical, and basal LS were not independently associated with LV recovery when normalized for initial LVEF. Among all donors, the LV apical-to-basal LS ratio was 2.11 ± 1.7. There was no difference in apical-to-basal strain ratio between LV recovery and no recovery groups. Conclusion Reverse takatsubo's-type pattern with elevated apical-to-basal LS ratio was generally observed among all BDDs with LV dysfunction, however this ratio was not associated with LV recovery. Multiple echocardiographic measures were associated with recovery, including initial LVEF, LV GLS and SLS. However, strain does not appear to provide added predictive value for recovery when accounting for initial LVEF. Additional work, combining imaging and clinical data, is needed to better predict donor LV recovery and thus expand the cardiac donor pool.
Structured multimaterial filaments for 3D printing of optoelectronics

Simultaneous 3D printing of disparate materials; metals, polymers and semiconductors with device quality interfaces and at high resolution remains challenging. Moreover, the precise placement of discrete and continuous domains to enable both device performance and electrical connectivity poses barriers to current high-speed 3D-printing approaches. Here, we report filaments with disparate materials arranged in elaborate microstructures, combined with an external adhesion promoter, to enable a wide range of topological outcomes and device-quality interfaces in 3D printed media. Filaments, structured towards light-detection, are printed into fully-connected 3D serpentine and spherical sensors capable of spatially resolving light at micron resolution across its entire centimeter-scale surface. 0-dimensional metallic microspheres generate light-emitting filaments that are printed into hierarchical 3D objects dotted with electroluminescent pixels at high device resolution of 55 µm not restricted by surface tension effects. Structured multimaterial filaments provides a path towards custom three-dimensional functional devices not realizable by existing approaches. Though additive manufacturing methods are highly attractive for the high-throughput fabrication of 3D electronic materials and devices, printing multimaterial devices remains a serious challenge. Here, the authors report optoelectronic multimaterial filaments for 3D-printed optoelectronics.
The transition from subordinate to supervisor.

(1975). The Transition From Subordinate To Supervisor. Hospital Topics: Vol. 53, No. 6, pp. 20-22.