cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3D Stereo Viewing Evaluation for the Virtual Haptic Back Project

The purpose of the Virtual Haptic Back (VHB) project is to develop a realistic haptic/graphical model of the human back that can be used for palpation (diagnosis though touch) in medical training. The goal of this research is to design, implement, and evaluate methods to improve viewing realism for the VHB project by applying 3D stereo effects and bringing the virtual model to the user’s fingertips like in the real world. Two graphical viewing methods were designed and applied to the VHB project for evaluation along with the standard 23-inch flat-screen LCD monitor: a Head Mounted Display (HMD) with head tracking and a Mirror Viewing System (MVS) which combines graphic and haptic images so that the 3D stereo VHB model appears at the user’s fingertips. Evaluations with osteopathic medical students showed that both of these methods (especially the MVS) improve the VHB realism compared to the flat-screen monitor.
Modulation noise in thin-film metallic media: elements of pulse/transition modulation theory

This paper is a mathematical preliminary to a pulse/transition modulation theory in magnetic recording. Equations are given for single-tone pulse modulations of different types (pulse position, width, shape). The theory is applied to noise generation in thin-film metallic media. As longitudinal bit size becomes comparable to the grain size, medium noise manifests itself as significant errors in the traditional mapping of write current to media magnetization. Thus, noise has a character of random multidimensional modulation of pulse parameters of the magnetization derivative. Transition jitter in recording is followed by the transformation of double-sideband recording modulation into single-sideband readback modulation, because of the bandwidth limitation in the readback transducer. Readback output becomes modulated 50% in pulse amplitude and 50% in pulse position. The fluctuation of transition length in recording causes pulse shape modulation. This amounts to simultaneous pulse-width and pulse-amplitude modulations acting against each other, so that virtually no modulation sidebands are generated. The compensation process is hidden in the recording cycle and is not visible in the frequency domain of the readback signal. Therefore, the traditional technique of media noise measurement with a spectrum analyzer is flawed, because the analyzer is blind to pulse shape modulation, which is the dominant source of sampling errors in practical channels.
Copia is transcriptionally responsive to environmental stress

Adult Drosophila subjected to a variety of environmental stresses that induce classic Drosophila heat shock response simultaneously exhibit a rapid and significant rise in copia homologous transcripts. Levels of Drosophila Adh (alcohol dehydrogenase gene) and 18s ribosomal RNA were unaffected by environmental stress. Copia's ability to be induced by stress is correlated with the presence of sequences homologous to the heat shock promoter consensus sequence which appear to be appropriately positioned within the element's long terminal repeat (LTR). Although the copia-like element 297 also contains homologous sequences within its LTR, they are atypically positioned relative to the element's transcription start site and are non-functional in that the 297 element was not stress inducible. Hence, the position of the consensus sequence relative to a gene's transcription start site may be a factor in stress inducibility.
Diverse phage-encoded toxins in a protective insect endosymbiont.

The lysogenic bacteriophage APSE infects “Candidatus Hamiltonella defensa,” a facultative endosymbiont of aphids and other sap-feeding insects. This endosymbiont has established a beneficial association with aphids, increasing survivorship following attack by parasitoid wasps. Although APSE and “Ca. Hamiltonella defensa” are effectively maternally transmitted between aphid generations, they can also be horizontally transferred among insect hosts, which results in genetically distinct “Ca. Hamiltonella defensa” strains infecting the same aphid species and sporadic distributions of both APSE and “Ca. Hamiltonella defensa” among hosts. Aphids infected only with “Ca. Hamiltonella defensa” have significantly less protection than those infected with both “Ca. Hamiltonella defensa” and APSE. This protection has been proposed to be connected to eukaryote-targeted toxins previously discovered in the genomes of two characterized APSE strains. In this study, we have sequenced partial genomes from seven additional APSE strains to address the evolution and extent of toxin variation in this phage. The APSE lysis region has been a hot spot for nonhomologous recombination of novel virulence cassettes. We identified four new toxins from three protein families, Shiga-like toxin, cytolethal distending toxin, and YD-repeat toxins. These recombination events have also resulted in reassortment of the downstream lysozyme and holin genes. Analysis of the conserved APSE genes flanking the variable toxin cassettes reveals a close phylogenetic association with phage sequences from two other facultative endosymbionts of insects. Thus, phage may act as a conduit for ongoing gene exchange among heritable endosymbionts.
Fine mapping of the uterine leiomyoma locus on 1q43 close to a lncRNA in the RGS7-FH interval

Mutations in fumarate hydratase (FH) on chromosome 1q43 cause a rare cancer syndrome, hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC), but are rare in nonsyndromic and common uterine leiomyoma (UL) or fibroids. Studies suggested that variants in FH or in a linked gene may also predispose to UL. We re-sequenced 2.3 Mb of DNA spanning FH in 96 UL cases and controls from the multiethnic NIEHS-uterine fibroid study, and in 18 HLRCC-associated UL probands from European families then selected 221 informative SNPs for follow-up genotyping. We report promising susceptibility associations with UL peaking at rs78220092 (P=7.0x10(-5)) in the RGS7-FH interval in African Americans. In race-combined analyses and in meta-analyses (n=916), we identified promising associations with risk peaking upstream of a non-protein coding RNA (lncRNA) locus located in the RGS7-FH interval closer to RGS7, and associations with tumor size peaking in the distal phospholipase D family, member 5 (PLD5) gene at rs2654879 (P=1.7x10(-4)). We corroborated previously reported FH mutations in nine out of the 18 HLRCC-associated UL cases and identified two missense mutations in FH in only two nonsyndromic UL cases and one control. Our fine association mapping and integration of existing gene profiling data showing upregulated expression of the lncRNA and downregulation of PLD5 in fibroids, as compared to matched myometrium, suggest a potential role of this genomic region in UL pathogenesis. While the identified variations at 1q43 represent a potential risk locus for UL, future replication analyses are required to substantiate our observation.
Balanced Budgets and Depressions

Since 1791, the earliest data available, the national debt has been increased in 112 years, decreased in 93 years. 57 of those balanced-budget, debt-reduction years have been concentrated in six sustained periods of varying length. Also since 1791, there have been six significant economic depressions among the innumerable "business cycles." Each sustained period of budget-balancing was immediately followed by a significant depression. There are as yet no exceptions to this historical pattern. This is the record of six depressions: 1. 1817-21: in five years, the national debt was reduced by 29 percent, to $90 million. A depression began in 1819. 2. 1823-36: in 14 years, the debt was reduced by 99.7 percent, to $38,000. A depression began in 1837. 3. 1852-57: in six years, the debt was reduced by 59 percent, to $28.7 million. A depression began in 1857. 4. 1867-73: in seven years, the debt was reduced by 27 percent, to $2.2 billion. A depression began in 1873. 5. 1880-93: in 14 years, the debt was reduced by 57 percent, to $1 billion. A depression began in 1893. 6. 1920-30: in 11 years, the debt was reduced by 36 percent, to $16.2 billion. A depression began in 1929. There has been no sustained period of budget-balancing since 1920-30, and no new depression, the longest such period in our history. The question is whether this consistent pattern of balance the budget-reduce the national debt-have a big depression is anything other than a set of coincidences. According to economic myths, none of these sequences should have occurred at all. How on earth, for example, could we virtually wipe out the national debt in the mid-1830s, then fall immediately into one of the six recognized collapses in our history? Those who write about the desirability of reducing the national debt frequently praise Andrew Jackson for his vigorous pursuit of such a goal, but do not mention "depression" in the same breath. It is helpful to the maintenance of economic myth to say little about depressions in textbooks, thus making it easy to avoid looking at connections considered impossible anyway. The mutual finger-pointing now underway is aimed at the 1996 elections, Democrats and Republicans each blaming the other for the agreed disaster of high deficits and debt. Yet the deficits of the 1930s and recent years were trivial, relative to GNP, when compared with the wartime deficits of the 1940s that ended the Great Depression. …
Effect of maternal ethanol intake on fetal rabbit gastrointestinal development.

Maternal ingestion of alcohol is believed to be one factor that greatly influences the development of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and postnatal growth failure. The present study was undertaken to determine whether maternally ingested alcohol adversely affects fetal growth and intestinal mucosal function. Five time-mated New Zealand white rabbit does were given ethanol intravenously (ETH group) (30% vol/vol; 1.0 g/kg/d) on gestational days (GD) 15 through 29 (term, 31 days). Two other rabbits received the same dose of ethanol. Maternal, fetal, and amniotic fluid alcohol levels were measured on GD 24. Four control rabbits (SH group) received normal saline (25 mL, intravenously). At term, the animals were delivered by cesarean section and killed. Seventeen of the 42 ETH fetuses survived the study period (43%); all 24 SH fetuses survived. On GD 24, within 60 minutes after maternal ethanol infusion, the fetal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increased to 153 +/- 1.97 mg/dL (v maternal, 179 +/- 1.75 mg/dL); the amniotic ethanol level increased to 46 +/- 1.32 mg/dL. Birth weight was lower in the ETH group (46.88 +/- 2.21 g) than in the SH group (55.78 +/- 1.80 g) (P < .01). Disaccharidase activity, an indicator of intestinal mucosal function, showed that lactase activity (per milligram of protein) was significantly lower in ETH fetuses (2.60 x 10(-2) +/- 0.22 UE/mg) than in SH fetuses (3.50 x 10(-2) +/- 0.25 UE/mg) (P = .01); maltase activity and protein content were not affected significantly. This report provides the first description of the adverse effects of maternal alcohol ingestion on the small intestinal mucosal function of the fetal rabbit.
Listeria monocytogenes: Strain Heterogeneity, Methods, and Challenges of Subtyping

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne bacterial pathogen that is associated with 20% to 30% case fatality rate. L. monocytogenes is a genetically heterogeneous species, with a small fraction of strains (serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, 4b) implicated in human listeriosis. Monitoring and source tracking of L. monocytogenes involve the use of subtyping methods, with the performance of genetic-based methods found to be superior to phenotypic-based ones. Various methods have been used to subtype L. monocytogenes isolates, with the pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) being the gold standard. Although PFGE has had a massive impact on food safety through the establishment of the PulseNet, there is no doubt that whole genome sequence (WGS) typing is accurate, has a discriminatory power superior to any known method, and allows genome-wide differences between strains to be quantified through the comparison of nucleotide sequences. This review focuses on the different techniques that have been used to type L. monocytogenes strains, their performance challenges, and the tremendous impact WGS typing could have on the food safety landscape.
Time-Resolved Crystallography at X-ray Free Electron Lasers and Synchrotron Light Sources

Serial femtosecond crystallography with biological macromolecules is a rapidly developing method tailored to the immense brilliance of the emerging free electron lasers for hard X-rays (X-ray FELs). Recently, the first successful time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallographic experiment at near atomic resolution was conducted at the Linac Coherent Light Source. The X-ray FEL-based experiments will trigger new developments not only at the X-ray FELs, but also at existing synchrotron light sources. This review will attempt to summarize some of the most important experiments to date and give a brief outlook on what to expect.
Reduced incidence of skin cancer in patients with alopecia areata: A retrospective cohort study

The risk of skin cancer in patients with alopecia areata (AA) is unknown. While the risk of skin cancer in chronic inflammatory alopecias may be elevated, AA shares many characteristics with vitiligo, an autoimmune illness associated with decreased risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. In this retrospective cohort study, we determined the risk of developing skin cancer among patients with AA in a validated cohort relative to matched controls at two tertiary care hospitals in Massachusetts. There was a significantly decreased risk of NMSC in AA patients than controls (OR=0.63, 95% CI=0.48-0.81). There was a trend towards a protective effect of AA associated with melanoma (OR=0.65, 95% CI=0.39-1.09). There was no difference in anatomic distribution of skin cancer between patients with AA and controls. Our study demonstrates a decreased risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer and a trend towards reduced risk of melanoma in patients with AA.
PERCEPTION OF DEPTH IN ROTATING OBJECTS: 7. INFLUENCE OF ATTRIBUTES OF DEPTH ON STEREOKINETIC PERCEPTS

-The effects of a number of factors that influence apparent depth on the fluctuation rates of three visual information processing mechanisms were examined, viz., the near-far, one object-multiple object, and anchor point mechanisms. The factors tested were overlay, brightness, shadows, texture, asymmetry, speed, and differential brightness, size and speed within the stimulus, and viewing time. Any increase in apparent depth tended to stabilize all three mechanisms. However, each was shown to occur independent of the others, and each could be selectively inhibited by at least one condition. The relationship of apparent slant and velocity was discussed.
Thermodynamic and Modeling Study of Thin n‑Heptane Films Adsorbed on Magnesium Oxide (100) Surfaces

Thermodynamic properties of n-heptane adsorbed on the MgO(100) surface were investigated using high-resolution, volumetric adsorption isotherms in the temperature range of 205–275 K. Two distinct molecular layers were observed in all isotherms. The heat, differential enthalpy, differential entropy, and isosteric heat of adsorption were determined. Using the temperature dependence of the two-dimensional compressibility, two phase transitions were observed at 246.0 ± 2.0 K and 249.3 ± 1.2 K for the first and second layers, respectively. The average area per n-heptane molecule adsorbed on MgO was estimated to be 99 ± 10 A2, suggesting that the carbon backbone is preferentially oriented parallel to the surface. The COMPASS force field was used to calculate the minimum energy configurations of an n-heptane molecule on the MgO(100) surface. The calculations support experimental evidence of the carbon backbone oriented parallel to the surface and additionally suggest a preferential alignment of the molecule alon...
Spin-Relaxation Effects on the EPR Spectrum of Gaseous Hydrogen Atoms.

A theoretical analysis is presented of the relaxation processes which lead to the magnetization of gaseous hydrogen atoms in a strong magnetic field. Experiments are described which demonstrate that the spin-lattice relaxation time in a pure H2 carrier can be of the order of 10 ms. From the effects of traces of O2 on the hydrogen atom EPR spectrum, a H-O2 spin-exchange collision cross section of (8.0 ± 2.5) × 10-16 cm2 was derived.
An Impact Factors Study on the Risk Management Level of Medical Device Manufacturers

Objective:This article aim to study the impact factors on the risk management level of medical device manufacturers.Methods:Use SPSS to analyze the data collected by social survey and site study.Conclusions:Production range and staff quality of quality management department had significant influence on the risk management level of medical device manufacturers;therefore,Governmental Authorities should strength the motoring to the medical device manufacturers with limited in staff quality.
How to Constructing a New Innovative Electric Technique System Based on Low-carbon Way

Climate change and energy dilemma gives the world severe problem,low-carbon economy is a way to solve.This paper analyzed advantage and disadvantage in Jiangxi province,than provide the necessity to constructing a new innovative electric technique system.And introduced the technique construction of low-carbon electric power system,relations between smart grid technology and energy saving-emission reduction is discussed.all aspects of how to constructing a new innovative electric technique system is been given an detailed exploratory research.
Neurologic Aspects of Detrusor-sphincter Dyssynergia, with Reference to the Guarding Reflex

Abstract: Of 137 patients with neurogenic detrusor hyperreflexia 71 with and 66 without vesicosphincter dyssynergia were analyzed. Intracranial lesions did not lead to vesicosphincter dyssynergia, which occurs only after spinal cord transection. The normal increase in striated sphincter activity with bladder filling (guarding reflex) usually is lost, while vesicosphincter dyssynergia usually appears after complete spinal cord injury. This finding provides evidence of supraspinal mediation of detrusor-sphincter interaction. Vesicosphincter dyssynergia is hypothesized to be an abnormal flexor response of the perineal musculature to bladder contraction, which is peculiar to humans.
Molecular analysis of idiopathic subglottic stenosis for Mycobacterium species

Objectives/Hypothesis Idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) is an unexplained obstruction involving the lower laryngeal and upper tracheal airway. Persistent mucosal inflammation is a hallmark of the disease. Epithelial microbiota dysbiosis is found in other chronic inflammatory mucosal diseases; however, the relationship between tracheal microbiota composition and iSGS is unknown. Given the critical role for host defense at mucosal barriers, we analyzed tissue specimens from iSGS patients for the presence of microbial pathogens. Methods Utilizing 30 human iSGS, 20 intubation-related tracheal stenosis (iLTS), and 20 healthy control specimens, we applied molecular, immunohistochemical, electron microscopic, immunologic, and Sanger-sequencing techniques. Results With unbiased culture-independent nucleic acid, protein, and immunologic approaches, we demonstrate that Mycobacterium species are uniquely associated with iSGS. Phylogenetic analysis of the mycobacterial virulence factor rpoB suggests that, rather than Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a variant member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex or a closely related novel mycobacterium is present in iSGS specimens. Conclusion These studies identify a novel pathogenic role for established large airway bacteria and provide new targets for future therapeutic intervention. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 127:179–185, 2017
Hundreds of Genes Experienced Convergent Shifts in Selective Pressure in Marine Mammals

Mammal species have made the transition to the marine environment several times, and their lineages represent one of the classical examples of convergent evolution in morphological and physiological traits. Nevertheless, the genetic mechanisms of their phenotypic transition are poorly understood, and investigations into convergence at the molecular level have been inconclusive. While past studies have searched for convergent changes at specific amino acid sites, we propose an alternative strategy to identify those genes that experienced convergent changes in their selective pressures, visible as changes in evolutionary rate specifically in the marine lineages. We present evidence of widespread convergence at the gene level by identifying parallel shifts in evolutionary rate during three independent episodes of mammalian adaptation to the marine environment. Hundreds of genes accelerated their evolutionary rates in all three marine mammal lineages during their transition to aquatic life. These marine-accelerated genes are highly enriched for pathways that control recognized functional adaptations in marine mammals, including muscle physiology, lipid-metabolism, sensory systems, and skin and connective tissue. The accelerations resulted from both adaptive evolution as seen in skin and lung genes, and loss of function as in gustatory and olfactory genes. In regard to sensory systems, this finding provides further evidence that reduced senses of taste and smell are ubiquitous in marine mammals. Our analysis demonstrates the feasibility of identifying genes underlying convergent organism-level characteristics on a genome-wide scale and without prior knowledge of adaptations, and provides a powerful approach for investigating the physiological functions of mammalian genes.
Hormonal Control of Folliculogenesis

The primordial follicle is an oocyte whose nucleus is arrested in the diplotene stage of meiotic prophase, following the first maturation division which begins in prenatal life. Conversion of oogonia to oocytes and incorporation of these into primordial follicles are not completed until 6 months postnatally. Those oocytes that fail to be incorporated into primordial follicles degenerate. Studies of fetal rhesus monkeys support a role of the fetal pituitary in supporting follicle growth (371).
11 – Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases of Unknown Etiology

Abstract Chapter 11 covers a wide range of diffuse parenchymal or interstitial lung diseases without a known etiologic agent triggering the disease. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a generally progressive disease with a relatively poor prognosis, is the most common entity within a broader category of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. Also classified as an idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), which is commonly associated with underlying systemic rheumatic disease but can also be idiopathic. Two other entities within this category are desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) and respiratory bronchiolitis-interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD), which are likely related and notable for a strong association with smoking. Rounding out the category of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias are two other disorders, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) and acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP). Sarcoidosis, a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, most commonly affects the lungs and/or intrathoracic lymph nodes, and is notable for a variable prognosis and the potential for therapeutic suppression of disease with corticosteroids. The chapter concludes by summarizing what is known about the pathogenesis and clinical aspects of several miscellaneous disorders involving the pulmonary parenchyma. These include pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (also called eosinophilic granuloma of the lung), lymphangioleiomyomatosis, Goodpasture syndrome, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
Unique Lipid Chemistry of Synaptic Vesicle and Synaptosome Membrane Revealed Using Mass Spectrometry

Synaptic vesicles measuring 30–50 nm in diameter containing neurotransmitters either completely collapse at the presynaptic membrane or dock and transiently fuse at the base of specialized 15 nm cup-shaped lipoprotein structures called porosomes at the presynaptic membrane of synaptosomes to release neurotransmitters. Recent study reports the unique composition of major lipids associated with neuronal porosomes. Given that lipids greatly influence the association and functions of membrane proteins, differences in lipid composition of synaptic vesicle and the synaptosome membrane was hypothesized. To test this hypothesis, the lipidome of isolated synaptosome, synaptosome membrane, and synaptic vesicle preparation were determined by using mass spectrometry in the current study. Results from the study demonstrate the enriched presence of triacyl glycerols and sphingomyelins in synaptic vesicles, as opposed to the enriched presence of phospholipids in the synaptosome membrane fraction, reflecting on the tight...
Production of a Thymosin α1-like Material by T-Cell Lymphomas

Thymosin α1 is a peptide (MW 3108) originally isolated from calf thymosin fraction 5, a partially purified preparation of bovine thymus (Low and Goldstein, 1979). It is believed to be one of the thymic hormones secreted by the thymic epithelium (Kater et al., 1979; Dalakas et al., 1981; Hirokawa et al., 1982; Haynes et al., 1983) and has known biological properties in inducing differentiation and maturation of T lymphocytes in experimental animal models as well as in man (Zatz et al., 1982).
62 : The integrated stress response regulates the severity of DSS colitis via chop-mediated control of inflammatory cytokine gene expression

The integrated stress response (ISR) engages cellular mechanisms that enable eukaryotic cells to respond to diverse stresses. Multiple studies have shown that the ISR can impact on immune and inflammatory responses by regulating the magnitude and duration of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression via the induction of the transcription factor cEBP homologous protein (CHOP). Indeed, in bone marrow derived macrophages cell stress elevates IL-6 gene expression via CHOP-dependent prolongation of transcription. To determine the impact of this mechanism in vivo we employed dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in irradiated mice reconstituted with bone marrow from either wt or CHOP-/- mice. While disease initiation appears to be comparable in both wt and CHOP-/- chimeras, recovery is markedly improved in mice with CHOP-/- bone marrow. This is reflected by reduced clinical scores (weight loss, diarrhea, rectal bleeding), reduced myeloid cell infiltration and inflammatory histopathology, and increased survival. Moreover, IL-6 levels in colon tissue and in CD11b+ cells from the lamina propria were significantly lower in mice with CHOP-/- bone marrow. The ISR can also impact on T cell responses through arginase or indolamine deoxygenase mediated depletion of essential amino acids (arg, trp) and activation of the eIF2a-specific protein kinase GCN2. Irradiated mice reconstituted with GCN2-/- bone marrow exhibit DSS-induced colitis that is comparable to or more severe than that seen in mice receiving wt bone marrow. Because GCN2 deficiency does not appear to compromise IL-6 expression in myeloid cells from DSS-treated mice, the protective effect of CHOP deficiency appears to be operating in the myeloid cell population and not in the T cell population.
The impact of tillage regime and row cover use on insect pests and yield in organic cucurbit production

Control of cucurbit pests, such as striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum), spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) and squash bug (Anasa tristis), in organic systems is difficult due to a lack of effective insecticide options. This has led to the development of many integrated pest management techniques, such as use of row covers, crop rotation and cover crops. This study explored the novel use of strip tillage and row covers to reduce pest pressure in summer squash (Cucurbita pepe) and muskmelon (Cucumis melo) production systems. Results showed that although strip tillage reduced striped cucumber beetle and squash bug numbers, there was a yield reduction in both crops compared with the plasticulture system. Row cover increased marketable yield in both systems, with the highest yield being in the plasticulture system. Unmarketable fruit directly attributed to insect damage was higher in the plasticulture systems, but was not significantly different when compared with the strip tillage system. Although there are many documented positive attributes of strip tillage, results from this study indicate that a combination of plasticulture and row cover may be a superior system for organic cucurbit production.
Nonparametric Methods of Ranking from Paired Comparisons

Ranking by row-sum scores in the case of balanced paired-comparison experiments was generalized to unbalanced experiments in David [7]. Statistical properties of the proposed scores and associated tests of significance are developed in Andrews and David [2], where extensions to unbalanced ranked data are also treated. A brief account of this work is given and a possible generalization is introduced and examined. The simple methods here advanced make no assumptions on the pairwise preference probabilities. A secondary aim of this paper is to provide a critical review of competing methods also involving no such assumptions as well as of related methods requiring only mild assumptions. Many of the procedures discussed are illustrated on a worked example.
Online and Unsupervised Face Recognition for Humanoid Robot: Toward Relationship with People

Abstract : The ability to recognize and remember individuals is crucial and has important implications for the evolution of animal social behavior, particularly complex interactions within groups. Male dolphins have been found to form coalitions, where each group possesses a fertile female. Observation of behavior within the coalitions indicates complex social behavior where dolphins often form coalitions of coalitions , but each sub-coalition mates only with its own female. This implies the existence of complex social interaction, such as preferential treatment, cooperative behavior, and reciprocity [2]. Such a relationship demands the ability to distinguish conspecific group members as individuals and as kin, remember their relative ranks and past affiliations, and in some cases, remembers the personal histories of help given and received from others [3].
ANATOMIC VARIATIONS OF THE MANDIBLE MIMICKING RADIOLUCENT LESIONS IN THE JAW

Background The mandible can present marked anatomic variations that mimic lytic lesions radiographically. Most of the variations are well known in the posterior region but can represent diagnostic challenges when located in the unusual anterior area. We present 2 cases of anterior morphologic variants of the mandible incidentally identified after evaluation of panoramic radiographs. Previous multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images were utilized for the confirmation of our interpretations. Clinical and Radiologic Findings First case: A 65-year-old man came to our department for dental treatment. A panoramic radiograph of the patient revealed a well-defined, corticated, unilocular, oval-shaped, radiolucent entity inferior to teeth #27 to #28, mimicking an apical radicular cyst, traumatic bone cyst, or keratocystic odontogenic tumor. However, the vitality of the involved teeth and the thick cortical border of this entity led to our interpretation of the lesion as an anterior Stafne defect, which was confirmed with a prior MDCT made from a previous oral cancer screening. Second case: A 34-year-old male came to the hospital for extraction of infected retained roots. A panoramic radiograph was made, and it demonstrated a large cyst-like radiolucent area in the anterior mandible, with apparent scalloping margins, possible root resorption, and divergence of the involved teeth. However, the prior MDCT image revealed that the radiolucent area in the mandibular anterior region was a result of marked facial and lingual undercuts, with no evidence of pathosis. Differential or Definitive Interpretation Case #1: anterior Stafne bone defect. Case #2: facial and lingual anterior undercuts. Discussion/Conclusions Panoramic radiographs can demonstrate that any localized marked anatomic depression in the mandible could mimic a cystic lesion and, in some cases, more aggressive pathosis. It is important to recognize the specific radiographic features and the location of the morphologic variants of the mandible and utilize other available imaging studies before making any interpretation and/or initiating unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures.
Novel Therapeutic Targets in Neuroblastoma

Abstract This chapter introduces the molecular targeted therapies and immunotherapies currently in use to treat neuroblastoma, which is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. It presents a clinical introduction to high-risk disease including staging and risk stratification. The chapter then identifies the tumor biology and genomic alterations that drive neuroblastoma proliferation and risk. We present an overview of the currently recommended therapy for the high-risk disease, including induction chemotherapy, local control, myeloablative consolidation, and maintenance treatment for the minimal residual disease. The chapter will discuss the various targets that have been identified for the precision treatment of neuroblastoma, as well as current clinical trials of targeted therapies. Finally, new targeted therapies under preclinical investigation and future directions will be presented.
Traditional Knowledge and the Public Domain in Intellectual Property

The protection of traditional knowledge is among the most vexing and morally compelling issues in international intellectual property law today. As a matter of conventional IP law, many applications of traditional knowledge—its dizzying array of expressions, forms, and utilities—easily overlay the globally ubiquitous trade secret, patent, copyright, and trademark categories. But as a matter of political and economic organization, the epistemological core of traditional knowledge is based on the distinctiveness and cultural autonomy of indigenous groups and local communities. Amid the notable arguments against recognizing proprietary rights for traditional knowledge holders, the most provocative is the claim that such knowledge is already in the public domain. The claim that traditional knowledge consists principally of public domain material has significant implications for the welfare and development capacity of indigenous groups. It undermines treaties that already acknowledge or require protection for the rights of indigenous groups and, by extension, traditional knowledge holders. Moreover, it violates central obligations of the international IP framework such as non-discrimination and protection for non-economic interests associated with cultural goods. There is no meaningful basis for the argument that exclusive property rights for traditional knowledge are unavailing because of its unique characteristics. This article addresses public domain concerns in the context of ongoing efforts to secure an international regime of protection for traditional knowledge.
Time-reversed ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) optical focusing through highly scattering ex vivo human cataractous lenses for congenital cataract treatment (Conference Presentation)

Normal development of the visual system in infants relies on clear images being projected onto the retina, which can be disrupted by lens opacity caused by congenital cataract. This disruption, if uncorrected in early life, results in amblyopia (permanently decreased vision even after removal of the cataract). Doctors are able to prevent amblyopia by removing the cataract during the first several weeks of life, but this surgery risks a host of complications which can be equally visually disabling. Here, we investigated the feasibility of focusing light noninvasively through highly scattering cataractous lenses to stimulate the retina, thereby preventing amblyopia. This approach would allow the cataractous lens removal surgery to be delayed and hence greatly reduce the risk of complications from early surgery. Employing a wavefront shaping technique named time-reversed ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) optical focusing in reflection mode, we focused 532 nm light through a highly scattering ex vivo adult human cataractous lens of 112 mean free path thick. This work demonstrates a potential clinical application of wavefront shaping techniques.
Social Media in the Age of the "New Polio".

Social Media in the Age of the “New Polio” When her son developed acute flaccid myelitis, a neurologist turned to a parent support group on Facebook, where she found recommended rehabilitation expe...
The Influence of Vertical Wind Shear on Moist Thermals

AbstractAlthough it is well established that vertical wind shear helps to organize and maintain convective systems, there is a longstanding colloquial notion that it inhibits the development of dee...
Learning from Tribal Innovations: Lessons in Climate Change Adaptation

The threat of climate change is real and has the capacity to impact every American in some way. Yet, despite this threat, the federal government is currently doing nothing to either mitigate or adapt to the impacts of climate change. Within this leadership void, other sovereigns, such as states, are stepping up to address the plague that is climate change. Although the vast amount of literature focuses on the efforts of states to address climate change, they are not the only sovereigns who are working to address the negative impacts of climate change in the vacuum left by the federal government. As demonstrated by this Article, tribal governments have also emerged as innovators in this area. This Article fills the scholarly void by demonstrating that, despite the fact that tribes are not part of the federalist system, they are still capable of regulatory innovation that may prove helpful to other sovereigns, such as other tribes, states, and the federal government. The Article examines what steps tribes are taking related to climate change adaptation and mitigation. This examination results in a wealth of information related to tribal regulations, in addition to helpful themes and patterns. This in and of itself is valuable to other sovereigns – tribes are enacting regulations related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and, as a result, other sovereigns may learn from these tribal “experiments.” The Article goes on to demonstrate, however, that tribal climate change adaptation planning is truly innovative in some notable ways when compared to state climate change adaptation planning. First, the inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge in tribal climate change adaptation plans is truly unique to tribes and incorporation of such knowledge can prove quite beneficial to effective adaptation planning. Traditional adaptation and mitigation strategies promote methods of community resiliency that are effective, utilize years of ecological knowledge, and are more cost-effective than alternative solutions. Tribes also involve their communities in their plans, unlike most states, by surveying and involving community members in the adaptation implementation phase. Furthermore, tribal adaptation plans stand out from plans created by states by promoting the preservation of cultural resources. In this regard, other sovereigns would do well to learn from these tribal innovations, as tribes are providing valuable paths forward in the effort to develop effective climate change adaptation measures. This Article is therefore truly groundbreaking in that it is the first to survey tribal climate change adaptation since 2015 and in that it demonstrates tribal innovations that are potentially of great value to other sovereigns engaged in this work.
Palaeoecology of the archaeocyathan reefs from the lower Cambrian Harkless Formation, southern Nevada, western United States and carbon isotopic evidence for their demise

Abstract Archaeocyath sponges, the first group of reef-building organisms, have a globally distributed albeit restricted stratigraphic occurrence. Archaeocyathan reefs are well known from the western United States, particularly in units like the Montenegro, Poleta, and Harkless formations of the White-Inyo ranges and Esmeralda County, Nevada. While it is recognized that these organisms disappear at some time above the last occurrence of their reefs in the Harkless Formation, the precise timing of their disappearance is unknown. Here, we show that the last archaeocyathan reefs in the upper Harkless Formation near Gold Point, Nevada, are overlain by 20–60 m of interbedded siltstone and carbonate that preserve a negative carbon isotopic excursion consistent with the AECE event (archaeocyath extinction carbon excursion). Point counts of reef thin sections and analysis of acid-insoluble residues of reef and reef-adjacent samples illustrate that these last reefs also harbor previously undescribed diversity and abundance of animals living in and among the reefs, including an array of small shelly fossil taxa. We confirm previous work that the reefs of the early Cambrian were ecologically diverse and functioned in many ways like reefs of the later Paleozoic, even just prior to their global demise in the late early Cambrian, and that the extinction of archaeocyaths is recorded in strata of the Harkless Formation.
Natural music context biases musical instrument categorization

Perception of sounds occurs in the context of surrounding sounds. When spectral properties differ between earlier (context) and later (target) sounds, categorization of later sounds becomes biased through spectral contrast effects (SCEs). Past research has shown SCEs to bias categorization of speech and music alike. Recent studies have extended SCEs to naturalistic listening conditions when the inherent spectral composition of (unfiltered) sentences biased speech categorization. Here, we tested whether natural (unfiltered) music would similarly bias categorization of French horn and tenor saxophone targets. Preceding contexts were either solo performances of the French horn or tenor saxophone (unfiltered; 1 second duration in Experiment 1, or 3 seconds duration in Experiment 2) or a string quintet processed to emphasize frequencies in the horn or saxophone (filtered; 1 second duration). Both approaches produced SCEs, producing more “saxophone” responses following horn / horn-like contexts and vice versa. One-second filtered contexts produced SCEs as in previous studies, but 1-second unfiltered contexts did not. Three-second unfiltered contexts biased perception, but to a lesser degree than filtered contexts did. These results extend SCEs in musical instrument categorization to everyday listening conditions.
Fried eggs and all-women gangs: the geopolitics of Chinese gold mining in Ghana, bodily vulnerability, and resistance:

Between 2008 and 2016, more than 50,000 Chinese citizens migrated to Ghana to mine gold on small-scale concessions. This is particularly surprising given that small-scale mining is an activity rese...
Social Support and Pain: How Does the Brain Feel the Ache of a Broken Heart?

Studies of the animal brain have long suggested that the pain of social loss evolved from the capacity to feel physi- cal pain. The most robust communality is the fact that both separation distress and physical pain share some brain systems, especially the opioid modulation of the affective intensity of both. The following essay summarizes this ev- idence and discusses some implications for pain management. (Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Hierarchical Energy-Efficient Mobile-Edge Computing in IoT Networks

The ever-growing demand of the Internet of Things (IoT) imposes great challenges in the existing cellular systems and calls for novel approaches for the wireless network design. In this article, we develop a joint energy and computation optimization paradigm in an IoT network. The tasks collected at local IoT devices can be computed at hierarchical mobile-edge computing facilities. Both nonorthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) are used for computation offloading. The system model considers both long-term and short-term system behaviors and makes the best decision for energy consumption and computation efficiency. The long short-term memory (LSTM) network is applied to predict the long-term workload, based on which the number of active process units in the edge layer is optimized. In the short-term model, a resource optimization problem is formulated. Due to the dynamic arrival workload and nonconvex features of the problem, the Lyapunov optimization approach and successive convex approximation for the low-complexity method are applied to solve this problem. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme can significantly improve the delay and energy consumption performance.
Mu Opioid Receptor Gene Dosage Influences Reciprocal Social Behaviors and Nucleus Accumbens Microcircuitry

The mu opioid receptor regulates reward derived from both drug use and natural experiences, including social interaction. Homozygous genetic knockout of the mu opioid receptor (Oprm1-/-) causes social deficits in mice, whereas partial dysregulation of mu opioid signaling has been documented in several human neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we investigated the social behavior of male and female mice with heterozygous genetic knockout of the mu opioid receptor (Oprm1+/-), modeling partial reduction of mu opioid signaling. Reciprocal social interaction and social conditioned place preference were diminished in Oprm1+/- and Oprm1-/- mutants of both sexes. Interaction with Oprm1 mutants also altered the social behavior of genotypical test partners. We corroborated this latter result using a social preference task, in which genotypical mice preferred interactions with another typical mouse over Oprm1 mutants. We also analyzed inhibitory synapses in the nucleus accumbens, a key brain region for mu opioid regulation of social behavior, using methods that differentiate between medium spiny neurons (MSNs) expressing the D1 or D2 dopamine receptor. Inhibitory synaptic transmission was increased in D2-MSNs of male mutants, but not female mutants, while the density of inhibitory synaptic puncta at the cell body of D2-MSNs was increased in both male and female mutants. These changes in nucleus accumbens microcircuitry were more robust in Oprm1+/- mutants than Oprm1-/- mutants, demonstrating that partial reductions of mu opioid signaling can have large effects on brain function and behavior. Our results support a role for partial dysregulation of mu opioid signaling in social deficits associated with neuropsychiatric conditions.