cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Innate Immunological Response of an Alternative Nonhuman Primate Model of Infectious Disease; the Common Marmoset

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is increasingly being utilised as a nonhuman primate model for human disease, ranging from autoimmune to infectious disease. In order to fully exploit these models, meaningful comparison to the human host response is necessary. Commercially available reagents, primarily targeted to human cells, were utilised to assess the phenotype and activation status of key immune cell types and cytokines in naive and infected animals. Single cell suspensions of blood, spleen, and lung were examined. Generally, the phenotype of cells was comparable between humans and marmosets, with approximately 63% of all lymphocytes in the blood of marmosets being T cells, 25% B-cells, and 12% NK cells. The percentage of neutrophils in marmoset blood were more similar to human values than mouse values. Comparison of the activation status of cells following experimental systemic or inhalational infection exhibited different trends in different tissues, most obvious in cell types active in the innate immune response. This work significantly enhances the ability to understand the immune response in these animals and fortifies their use as models of infectious disease.
Teacher Expectations of Student Behavior Social Skills Necessary for Success in Elementary School Classrooms

This study explored elementary school teachers' expectations of student behavior in terms of teachers' demographic characteristics as well as level (primary vs. intermediate vs. combined) and program type (general vs. special educator). Teachers identified which social skills they viewed as critical for success in their classrooms. Results showed that primary and intermediate teachers view skills in the areas of self-control and cooperation as equally important for success and perceive assertion skills as substantially less important. General and special educators placed similar value on the importance of assertion and self-control skills, but general educators viewed cooperation skills as more essential for success than did special educators. Implications for prereferral intervention and service delivery for special education students are discussed.
Hassle-Free Energy Consumption Measurements of Electrical Devices

A n inexpensive, new electricity usage moniI which tor, ich pluabs directly into any ordinary 120 -V ac socket, greatly simplifies the process of safely measuring energy consumption of any electrical device plugged into it. Multiple pushbutton options display numeric values for voltage, current, power, elapsed time, and energy consumed for any load (lamp, drill, computer, refrigerator, etc.) up to 15 amperes. This device operates without any peripheral meters or extension cords, and the load can be left on and remain monitored for as long as desired. Lynch recently reported' in the The Physics Teacher that monitoring electrical parameters of various ac appliances might serve as an effective strategy for capitalizing on students' preexisting knowledge when introducing basic topics about electricity and electric energy consumption (a subject3 of increasing interest to the physics community and general public). He used a multimeter with a modified extension cord to monitor the current drawn by various ac appliances in order to calculate energy consumption; this setup, while useful in a supervised classroom context, calls for a certain vigilance about safety (as the editor noted) and would not be suitable for use by unsupervised students outside the classroom. A safe, convenient, and inexpensive 4 new instrument for monitoring electrical parameters, the Kill-A-Watt' m monitor,' consists of circuitry in a compact 13-x-6-x-4-cm plastic case with a built-in 3-prong male plug on its back side (which simply plugs into any 120-V ac household electrical socket), a standard female threeconductor socket (for the power cord from any device to be monitored) on its front side along with a 2-x-5-cm LCD screen with five pushbuttons. According to the button pushed, the
New Approach to the Renormalization Group

A new set of renormalization-group equations is presented. These equations are based on a renormalization procedure in which counterterms are calculated for zero unrenormalized mass. Unlike the Gell-Mann-Low and Callan-Symanzik equations, they can be solved for arbitrary momenta. The solutions involve a momentum-dependent effective mass as well as a momentum-dependent effective coupling constant. By studying these solutions at large momenta, it can be shown that the nonleading terms discarded by previous authors do, in fact, remain negligible when the perturbation series is summed to all orders if, and only if, the effective mass vanishes at large momentum, which will be the case if a certain anomalous dimension is less than unity, as it is in asymptotically free theories. In this case, the new renormalization-group equations can be used at large momentum to derive not only the leading term, but the first three terms in an asymptotic expansion of any Green's function. These results are also applied to Wilson coefficient functions, and an important cancellation of anomalous dimensions is noted.
Explaining optical flow events with parameterized spatio-temporal models

A spatio-temporal representation for complex optical flow events is developed that generalizes traditional parameterized motion models (e.g. affine). These generative spatio-temporal models may be non-linear or stochastic and are event-specific in that they characterize a particular type of object motion (e.g. sitting or walking). Within a Bayesian framework we seek the appropriate model, phase, rate, spatial position, and scale to account for the image variation. The posterior distribution over this parameter space conditioned on image measurements is typically non-Gaussian. The distribution is represented using factored sampling and is predicted and updated over time using the condensation algorithm. The resulting framework automatically detects, localizes, and recognizes motion events.
Automated Fix Generator for SQL Injection Attacks

A critical problem facing todaypsilas Internet community is the increasing number of attacks exploiting flaws found in Web applications. This paper specifically targets input validation vulnerabilities found in SQL queries that may lead to SQL Injection Attacks (SQLIAs). We introduce a tool that automatically detects and suggests fixes to SQL queries that are found to contain SQL Injection Vulnerabilities (SQLIVs). Testing was performed against phpBB v2.0, an open source forum package, to determine the accuracy and efficacy of our software.
Policy Without Technology: A Barrier to Improving Nursing Home Care

Standards of care are written for nursing homes without a realistic assessment of whether there is an intervention protocol or resources to meet these standards. This situation produces unfair pressures on nursing home providers, who react with paper compliance strategies, and creates a barrier to implementing new interventions that do meet care standards once they are developed. This article explores this barrier and illustrates examples of interventions that have been attempted in nursing homes using a continuous quality improvement model. The development of quality indicators based on assessment data available in all nursing homes is a step toward making the survey process more focused on outcomes rather than on paper compliance. Much more research is needed to design effective clinical interventions and to provide nursing homes with the technologies necessary to target them. Internal nursing home quality assurance programs based on principles of continuous quality improvement, with reinforcement from the external survey process, are suggested as a strategy to maintain clinically effective interventions. Applied research centers based in long-term care facilities should be supported in order to accomplish such research designed to improve the care and quality of life our increasing frail nursing home population.
Evaluation of duration of corneal anesthesia induced with ophthalmic 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride by use of a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in clinically normal horses

Objective—To measure duration of corneal anesthesia and time and degree of maximal anesthetic effect of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride by use of a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in horses. Animals—10 clinically normal adult horses. Procedures—Baseline corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured in millimeters for 1 randomly selected eye of each horse by use of the aesthesiometer by applying the filament to the cornea at maximum length (60 mm) and decreasing in 5-mm increments until a consistent blink response was elicited. Following baseline CTT measurement, 0.2 mL of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride was instilled in the selected eye. The CTT was measured within 1 minute following proparacaine administration and every 5 minutes thereafter for 60 minutes. A mixed-model ANOVA with tested eye varying between subjects and measurement time varying within subject was used to test for main effects and any interaction between these factors. A contrast between means of baseline and each subsequent CTT identified the ...
trans‐1,2‐Dihydrophthalic Acid

trans-1,2-Dihydrophthalic Acid product: trans-1,2-Dihydrophthalic acid Keywords: reduction, CC HC–CH; sodium amalgam, 3%
Altered tRNA characteristics and 3' maturation in bacterial symbionts with reduced genomes.

Translational efficiency is controlled by tRNAs and other genome-encoded mechanisms. In organelles, translational processes are dramatically altered because of genome shrinkage and horizontal acquisition of gene products. The influence of genome reduction on translation in endosymbionts is largely unknown. Here, we investigate whether divergent lineages of Buchnera aphidicola, the reduced-genome bacterial endosymbiont of aphids, possess altered translational features compared with their free-living relative, Escherichia coli. Our RNAseq data support the hypothesis that translation is less optimal in Buchnera than in E. coli. We observed a specific, convergent, pattern of tRNA loss in Buchnera and other endosymbionts that have undergone genome shrinkage. Furthermore, many modified nucleoside pathways that are important for E. coli translation are lost in Buchnera. Additionally, Buchnera’s A + T compositional bias has resulted in reduced tRNA thermostability, and may have altered aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase recognition sites. Buchnera tRNA genes are shorter than those of E. coli, as the majority no longer has a genome-encoded 3' CCA; however, all the expressed, shortened tRNAs undergo 3′ CCA maturation. Moreover, expression of tRNA isoacceptors was not correlated with the usage of corresponding codons. Overall, our data suggest that endosymbiont genome evolution alters tRNA characteristics that are known to influence translational efficiency in their free-living relative.
Using proxemics to evaluate human-robot interaction

Recent feasibility studies involving children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) interacting with socially assistive robots have shown that children can have both positive and negative reactions to robots. These reactions can be readily identified by a human observer watching videos from an overhead camera. Our goal is to automate the process of such behavior analysis. This paper shows how a heuristic classifier can be used to discriminate between children that are attempting to interact socially with a robot and children that are not.
Commitment and monopoly pricing in durable goods models

Abstract This article investigates the issue of commitment by a durable goods monopolist. Two models of the interaction between durability, recycling, and market power are compared. The two differ according to the ability of the seller to credibly commit to a given sales strategy. This article takes the standard durable goods monopoly model, extends it to allow for depreciation, and compares the monopoly markup with Swan's predicted markup for a recycled good. The difference between the two models is shown to reduce to a single parameter in the markup equation.
Ablation for ventricular tachycardia: is more always better? How much more is too much?

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) remains one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality after myocardial infarction (MI) ([1,2][1]). Surviving myofibers within scar tissue have been shown to represent the arrhythmogenic substrate of post-infarction VT ([3][2]). Identification of these myocytes and
Strong ITO index Modulation for Switching Devices

We report on strong index modulation of ITO-hybrid-plasmon gate stacks at telecomm wavelengths verified by gated ellipsometry for the first time. Using these results we design a compact 3-waveguide electro-optic switch for photonic integration.
Flexure Behavior of Composite Spoolable Tubes

Composite tubes are a realistic alternative to metals in many offshore applications, offering high specific stiffness and strength as well as tailorability to sustain environmental loads [1]. Furthermore the manufacturing options that are available enable them to be coiled onto spools for ease of storage, handling, and ease of installation. Some current applications of inland spoolable composite tubulars include buried and above ground flowlines, pipeline relining applications, and downhole injection strings [2]. Our objective is to develop a synergistic methodology that integrates testing and computational modeling to identify the minimum spool radius for storage without introducing damage in the composite tube. Four-point flexure tests are conducted to simulate the spooling conditions. The computational models are based on the two dimensional shell elements of ABAQUS finite element package. These models incorporate non-linear geometry effects as well as a user material subroutine with residual stresses to predict damage progression. Parametric studies are conducted to assess the effects of lay-up, geometry, and constitutive material on the flexural behavior of the composite tubes and compared with the experimental data.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Evaluation of Waste Stabilization Pond Performance in Missouri and Kansas, U.S.A.

Twenty waste stabilization ponds in Missouri and Kansas were evaluated as to their ability to meet the State effluent requirements. It was found that a large number of these ponds were violating the BOD or the suspended solids requirements on many occasions. The performance of these ponds did not correlate well with the traditional design parameters, such as BOD loading rates or mean hydraulic detention time. The use of multiple cells was also not found to be advantageous in all situations. Some of the pond design equations did not provide a valid method of estimating their performance. Effluent polishing methods are necessary to remove excess suspended solids during the critical summer months.
The Geography of Child Maltreatment A Spatiotemporal Analysis Using Bayesian Hierarchical Analysis With Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation

This study quantifies the spatiotemporal risk of child abuse and neglect in Los Angeles at the census tract level over a recent 4-year period, identifies areas of increased risk, and evaluates the role of structural disadvantage in substantiated child maltreatment referrals. Child maltreatment data on 83,379 child maltreatment cases in 1,678 census tracts spanning 2006-2009 were obtained from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Substantiated referral counts were analyzed across census tracts with Bayesian hierarchical spatial models using integrated nested Laplace approximations. Results showed that the unadjusted yearly rate of child abuse and neglect held fairly steady over the study period decreasing by only 2.57%. However, the temporal term in the spatiotemporal model reflected a downward trend beginning in 2007. High rates of abuse and neglect were predicted by several neighborhood-level measures of structural burden. Every 1-unit decrease in the social vulnerability index reduced the risk of child abuse and neglect by 98.3% (95% CrI = 1.869-2.1042) while every 1-unit increase in the Black-White dissimilarity index decreased child abuse and neglect risk by 70.6%. The interaction of these variables demonstrated the protective effect of racial heterogeneity in socially vulnerable neighborhoods. No such effect was found in neighborhoods characterized by low levels of vulnerability. Population-based child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention efforts should be aided by the characteristics of neighborhoods that demonstrate strong spatial patterns even after accounting for the role of race and place.
Aero-Structural Acoustics of Uneven Surfaces Part 1: A General Model Approach to Radiated Sound

This paper, in 2 parts, presents a unified analytical model of flow induced sound from elastic or rigid surfaces with geometric irregularities of small arbitrary shapes. The cases in point are general and include surfaces on which are dispersed geometric shape irregularities which may be randomized (distributed roughness, say) or which may be geometric and regular. In either case, the shape protrudes into the boundary layer above it, acting as a flow spoiler and generating forces and wakes in the immediate region of the roughness element. It is assumed that these shapes are small and in the range of 10 to several hundred viscous scales. Regular patterns of 2dimensional geometries are also generally accommodated by the work presented here and might also include ridges and gaps in surfaces which also spoil the flow; these cases will not be discussed, but the general analysis presented here does include such surfaces implicitly. We will discuss the effects of service elasticity on the sources of sound that might be produced both above the surface (on the flow side for both elastic and inelastic surfaces) below the surface on the quiescent fluid side (in the case of elastic surfaces). A method for modeling forcing functions will be presented in the context of overall theory, but this paper deals specifically with the case of fully-rough turbulent boundary layers of 3-dimensional roughness when they are on either rigid surfaces or elastic surfaces.
Normal and adapted visuooculomotor reflexes in goldfish.

Marsh, Eric and Robert Baker. Normal and adapted visuooculomotor reflexes in goldfish. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 1099–1118. Under normal physiological conditions, whole field visual motion generally occ...
Research on joining methods for roof to body-side assembly

As the increase of requirement for automobiles safety performance,strength of roof to body-side joint is becoming more and more important.It will affect human security especially when the automobile turn over after crash.This paper will generally introduce the present joining methods of roof to body-side including laser welding,laser brazing,plasma brazing,hybrid joining besides traditional resistance spot welding.The cost,process,technical advantage and disadvantage are related.
A Multivariate Model to Predict the Distance From the Skin to the Epidural Space in an Obstetric Population

Background and Objectives Several attempts to relate epidural space depth to individual patient parameters or details of technique have yielded modest correlations. An attempt has been made to construct a multivariate model to predict the depth from the skin of the epidural space with use of several such factors. Methods The depth of the epidural space from the skin was measured in 263 obstetric patients by using calibrated needles. In 53 patients, the angle of insertion of the epidural needle was also measured, with protractors. For each patient, 14 descriptors of patient habitus and anesthetic technique were recorded. Multiple regression analysis was used to construct models incorporating combinations of these variables to predict the epidural space depth; the model balancing the highest correlation coefficient and greatest statistical significance was selected. The validity of the model was tested on the 53 patients in whom the angle of the needle had been measured but whose data have not been used to construct the model. Results A model containing the seven variables present—weight, height, body mass index, age, parity, interspace, and patient position—yielded r = .689, P Conclusions While this model is the best predictor of epidural space depth yet published, it is probably not sufficiently accurate to be clinically useful in confirming proper epidural catheter placement. Further work in this area is probably not justified.
Radiation Oncology and Online Patient Education Materials: Deviating From NIH and AMA Recommendations.

Purpose Physicians encourage patients to be informed about their health care options, but much of the online health care–related resources can be beneficial only if patients are capable of comprehending it. This study's aim was to assess the readability level of online patient education resources for radiation oncology to conclude whether they meet the general public's health literacy needs as determined by the guidelines of the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Medical Association (AMA). Methods Radiation oncology–related internet-based patient education materials were downloaded from 5 major professional websites (American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Association of Physicists in Medicine, American Brachytherapy Society, RadiologyInfo.org, and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group). Additional patient education documents were downloaded by searching for key radiation oncology phrases using Google. A total of 135 articles were downloaded and assessed for their readability level using 10 quantitative readability scales that are widely accepted in the medical literature. Results When all 10 assessment tools for readability were taken into account, the 135 online patient education articles were written at an average grade level of 13.7 ± 2.0. One hundred nine of the 135 articles (80.7%) required a high school graduate's comprehension level (12th-grade level or higher). Only 1 of the 135 articles (0.74%) met the AMA and NIH recommendations for patient education resources to be written between the third-grade and seventh-grade levels. Conclusion Radiation oncology websites have patient education material written at an educational level above the NIH and AMA recommendations; as a result, average American patients may not be able to fully understand them. Rewriting radiation oncology patient education resources would likely contribute to the patients' understanding of their health and treatment options, making each physician-patient interaction more productive and efficient.
Psychological Trauma Exposure and Pain-Related Outcomes Among People with Chronic Low Back Pain: Moderated Mediation by Thought Suppression and Social Constraints

Background Research links people’s lifetime frequency of traumatic events to chronic pain. Attempts to suppress intrusive thoughts about trauma can paradoxically increase rumination, distress, and pain. Moreover, trauma-exposed individuals may experience social constraints against disclosure about their trauma, which might amplify thought suppression’s effect on pain.
Law and Institutional Legitimacy in the Practice of Human Rights

The Heart of Human Rights develops an account of human rights as legal entities that serve important moral purposes in a legitimate international human rights practice. This paper examines Allen Buchanan’s general concept of institutional legitimacy and aims to expand that concept by emphasizing its connection with several ideas developed in the book about the nature and function of a system of international human rights. When it incorporates those ideas, Buchanan’s ‘Metacoordination View’ can be seen to set a standard of legitimacy not only for assessments of an international scheme of human rights institutions, but also for the basic institutional structures of domestic states. Furthermore, we can see how the nature and function of human rights in the international practice of human rights bears on legitimacy assessments of particular domestic institutions.
Advancing Empire: English Interests and Overseas Expansion, 1613-1688

In Advancing Empire, L. H. Roper explores the origins and early development of English overseas expansion. Roper focuses on the networks of aristocrats, merchants, and colonial-imperialists who worked to control the transport and production of exotic commodities, such as tobacco and sugar, as well as the labor required to produce them. He is primarily interested in the relationship between the English state and the people it governed, the role of that state in imperial development, the socio-political character of English colonies and English relations with Asians, Africans, American Indians, and other Europeans overseas. The activities stimulated the expansion and integration of global territorial and commercial interests that became the British Empire in the eighteenth century. In exploring these activities from a wider perspective, Roper offers a novel conclusion that revises popular analyses of the English Empire and of Anglo-America.
In localised prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy was associated with more sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence than radiation or active surveillance.

Commentary on: Barocas DA, Alvarez J, Resnick MJ, et al . Association between radiation therapy, surgery, or observation for localized prostate cancer and patient-reported outcomes after 3 years. JAMA 2017;317:1126–40. Widespread prostate cancer (PCa) screening has reduced PCa mortality, but also leads to overdiagnosis. After diagnosis, men are faced with a variety of management options that often have similar rates of cure but considerable risks to quality of life (QoL). The Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Surgery and Radiation (CEASAR) study was developed to examine patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) after treatment for localised PCa.1 CEASAR is a prospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort study composed of patients from five Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries and the …
Characterization of uranium isotopes using laser ablation and tunable laser spectroscopy

Recent results using nanosecond and femtosecond laser ablation combined with tunable laser absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy show the potential for rapid standoff characterization of uranium isotopes in solid samples at atmospheric pressure.
Role of the median preoptic nucleus in the autonomic response to heat-exposure.

The preoptic area (POA) is a critical brain region for the regulation of body temperature in mammals. Neurons in the POA are believed to integrate information concerning environmental temperature, ...
Explication Work for Science and Philosophy

This article disentangles the various assumptions and expectations tied to case studies, to testing philosophy through cases, and to historical adequacy. Several notions of historical adequacy are distinguished: 1) adequacy to the standards of professional history of science, 2) historical accuracy, i.e. capturing the historical record, 3) relevance of historical episodes to the epistemic interests of philosophers of science, and 4) withstanding tests by historical cases. I argue that philosophers’ preoccupation with historical adequacy is misplaced if we understand “historical adequacy” as adequacy to professional history of science, capturing the historical record, a path to philosophical discovery, or as a test. In the last part of the article, I identify two important roles for philosophically informed studies of science: case studies of current issues can do explication work for the sciences . Tracing the history of philosophical reflections in past science can do explication work in the service of philosophy. Both kinds of endeavors are worthwhile but have very different goals and should not be conflated.
The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Registry: A Multicenter Electronic Health Record Registry of Pediatric Emergency Care.

Background Electronic health record (EHR)-based registries allow for robust data to be derived directly from the patient clinical record and can provide important information about processes of care delivery and patient health outcomes. Methods A data dictionary, and subsequent data model, were developed describing EHR data sources to include all processes of care within the emergency department (ED). ED visit data were deidentified and XML files were created and submitted to a central data coordinating center for inclusion in the registry. Automated data quality control occurred prior to submission through an application created for this project. Data quality reports were created for manual data quality review. Results The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) Registry, representing four hospital systems and seven EDs, demonstrates that ED data from disparate health systems and EHR vendors can be harmonized for use in a single registry with a common data model. The current PECARN Registry represents data from 2,019,461 pediatric ED visits, 894,503 distinct patients, more than 12.5 million narrative reports, and 12,469,754 laboratory tests and continues to accrue data monthly. Conclusion The Registry is a robust harmonized clinical registry that includes data from diverse patients, sites, and EHR vendors derived via data extraction, deidentification, and secure submission to a central data coordinating center. The data provided may be used for benchmarking, clinical quality improvement, and comparative effectiveness research.
2.03 Prins Reactions and Carbonyl, Imine, and Thiocarbonyl Ene Reactions

Aldehydes and ketones react with alkenes either thermally or in the presence of Bronsted or Lewis acids to afford either Prins or ene products. This chapter covers advances in this area since the publication of the first edition of COS in 1991. Intermolecular ene reactions of formaldehyde, chloral, fluoral, glyoxylate esters, aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, ketones, and electron-deficient ketones such as pyruvate esters are broadly useful. Thermal and Lewis acid-catalyzed intramolecular type I ene reactions leading to 2-alkenylcyclopentanols and cyclohexanols and type II ene reactions leading to 3-methylenecyclohexanols and cycloheptanols provide a general route to these ring systems. Intramolecular Prins reactions are useful for the preparation of functionalized cycloalkanols. Alkoxonium cations undergo oxonium ene reactions and Prins cyclizations that provide a general route to substituted tetrahydropyrans. The ene reactions of imines and thiocarbonyl compounds are also covered. Major advances that have been made since the first edition was published include asymmetric intermolecular ene reactions of electron-deficient aldehydes and ketones, Prins cyclizations, and Prins-pinacol reactions.
Amnesia: Declarative and Nondeclarative Memory

Amnesia refers to difficulty in acquiring new declarative (conscious) knowledge and in remembering the recent past. This condition results from bilateral damage to the medial temporal lobe or diencephalic midline. Memory impairment can occur as a well-circumscribed disorder against a background of otherwise intact intellectual and cognitive functions. Older memories that have undergone a process of consolidation and reorganization are usually intact in amnesic patients and are stored in the neocortex independently of the medial temporal lobe. Amnesic patients retain the ability to learn nondeclaratively (unconsciously), as in the case of habits and skills, in which memory is expressed through performance rather than recollection.
Reduced activity of DAF on complement enzymes bound to alternative pathway activators. Similarity with Factor H.

Attachment of C3b to activators of the alternative pathway of complement results in a decrease in regulatory activity expressed by Factor H. Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and Factor H were found to exhibit quantitatively similar decreases in regulatory activity toward the C3 convertase (C3b,Bb) bound to activators, such as zymosan (Zym) and rabbit erythrocytes (ER), compared to non-activators, such as sheep (ES) and bovine (EB) erythrocytes. Purified DAF and Factor H, in 0.1% NP-40, were assayed by measuring the amount required to release 50% of the radiolabelled Bb in 10 min from C3b,Bb on Zym or cross-linked erythrocytes. The relative effectiveness (i.e. the restriction index, RI) of DAF for accelerating the decay of C3b,Bb on the various particles was: ES (1.0), ER (0.04) and Zym (0.03). The RI for Factor H was: ES (1.0), ER (0.04) and Zym (0.07). The rate of decay of C3b,Bb induced by DAF and Factor H showed similar restriction. The results suggest that the regulatory properties of DAF are reduced if the cells on which it resides become activators of the alternative pathway as a result of transformation, virus infection or surface alteration. These findings may explain reports of dysfunctional DAF on alternative pathway-activating cells.
Request Confirmation Networks in MicroPsi 2

To combine neural learning with the sequential detection of hierarchies of sensory features, and to facilitate planning and script execution, we propose Request Confirmation Networks (ReCoNs). ReCoNs are spreading activation networks with units that contain an activation and a state, and are connected by typed directed links that indicate partonomic relations and spatial or temporal succession. By passing activation along the links, ReCoNs can perform both neural computations and controlled script execution. We demonstrate the application of ReCoNs in the context of performing simple arithmetic, based on camera images of mathematical expressions.
Genomic transitions during host race and species formation.

Darwin recognized species as discontinuous, yet considered them to be formed by an incremental process of natural selection. Recent theoretical work on ‘genome-wide congealing’ is bridging this gap between the gradualism of divergent selection and rapid genome-wide divergence, particularly during ecological speciation-with-gene-flow. Host races and species of phytophagous insects, displaying a spectrum of divergence and gene flow among member taxa, provide model systems for testing predicted non-linear transitions from ‘genic’ divergence at a few uncoupled loci to ‘genomic’ divergence with genome-wide coupling of selected loci and strong reproductive isolation. Integrating across natural history, genomics, and evolutionary theory, emerging research suggests a tipping point from ‘genic’ to ‘genomic’ divergence between host races and species, during both sympatric speciation and secondary contact.
Cell type-specific gene expression patterns associated with posttraumatic stress disorder in World Trade Center responders

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a chronic disorder resulting from severe trauma, has been linked to immunologic dysregulation. Gene expression profiling has emerged as a promising tool for understanding the pathophysiology of PTSD. However, to date, all but one gene expression study was based on whole blood or unsorted peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC), a complex tissue consisting of several populations of cells. The objective of this study was to utilize RNA sequencing to simultaneously profile the gene expression of four immune cell subpopulations (CD4T, CD8T, B cells, and monocytes) in 39 World Trade Center responders (20 with and 19 without PTSD) to determine which immune subsets play a role in the transcriptomic changes found in whole blood. Transcriptome-wide analyses identified cell-specific and shared differentially expressed genes across the four cell types. FKBP5 and PI4KAP1 genes were consistently upregulated across all cell types. Notably, REST and SEPT4, genes linked to neurodegeneration, were among the top differentially expressed genes in monocytes. Pathway analyses identified differentially expressed gene sets involved in mast cell activation and regulation in CD4T, interferon-beta production in CD8T, and neutrophil-related gene sets in monocytes. These findings suggest that gene expression indicative of immune dysregulation is common across several immune cell populations in PTSD. Furthermore, given notable differences between cell subpopulations in gene expression associated with PTSD, the results also indicate that it may be valuable to analyze different cell populations separately. Monocytes may constitute a key cell type to target in research on gene expression profile of PTSD.
Area Under the Curve of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Detects Spinal Cord Injury.

Purpose:Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring using somatosensory evoked potentials has been linked to a reduction in the incidence of neurological deficits during corrective surgery. Nonetheless, quantitative assessments of somatosensory evoked potential waveforms are often difficult to eval
A moment with Louis: courtly temporality in opera prologues during the Dutch War

Contemporaries like the Duke of Saint-Simon and more recent historians like Jean-Marie Apostolides have claimed that court life under Louis XIV ran “like clockwork”, and served to promote the futur...
On the Dynamics of Gradient Descent for Autoencoders

We provide a series of results for unsupervised learning with autoencoders. Specifically, we study shallow two-layer autoencoder architectures with shared weights. We focus on three generative models for data that are common in statistical machine learning: (i) the mixture-of-gaussians model, (ii) the sparse coding model, and (iii) the sparsity model with non-negative coefficients. For each of these models, we prove that under suitable choices of hyperparameters, architectures, and initialization, autoencoders learned by gradient descent can successfully recover the parameters of the corresponding model. To our knowledge, this is the first result that rigorously studies the dynamics of gradient descent for weight-sharing autoencoders. Our analysis can be viewed as theoretical evidence that shallow autoencoder modules indeed can be used as feature learning mechanisms for a variety of data models, and may shed insight on how to train larger stacked architectures with autoencoders as basic building blocks.
On a Transformation of the Sturm-Liouville Equation with Slowly Decaying Potentials and the Titchmarsh-Weyl m -function

We put forward a new transformation of the half-line Sturm-Liouville equation with non-smooth potentials from L p ,with p ≥ 2. This transformation yields existence of the Weyl solution with higher order WKB-type asymptotic behavior (spatial and spectral parameter). We apply our approach to the study of high-energy asymptotics for the Titchmarsh-Weyl m-function, improving on some relevant results of others.
APPENDIX 4A Statistical Analysis

In this Appendix, we provide an outline of methods used in analyzing molecular biology data. We give a summary of types of data encountered and the appropriate methods to apply for the questions of interest. Statistical techniques described include the t test, the Wilcoxon rank sum test, the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test, ANOVA, regression, and the chi-square test. For each method, we give the appropriate assumptions, the details of the test, and a complete concrete example to follow. We also discuss related ideas such as multiple comparisons and why correlation does not imply causation. Keywords: Data Analysis; Hypothesis Testing; Confidence Intervals
Geology and characteristics of uranium mineralzation in Morrison Formation at Dennison-Bunn Claim, Sandoval County

Uranium at the Dennison-Bunn claim, south of Cuba, New Mexico, and along the east margin of the San Juan Basin, occurs in fluvial channel sandstone of the Westwater Canyon Member of the Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic). An anomalously radioactive zone is bounded on the north and south by buff and orange sandstone of variable width. Within the anomalous zone, uranium is concentrated along the margins of smaller tongues of oxidized rock in a configuration similar to that found in roll-type uranium deposits. The uranium content in the mineralized rock ranges from 0.002 to 0.07 percent U/sub 3/O/sub 8/. The uranium is believed to have originated within the Westwater Canyon Member or to have been derived from the overlying Brushy Basin Member. Based on observed outcrop relations, two hypotheses are proposed to explain the origin of the mineralization: the anomalous zone represents 1) an original roll-type uranium deposit, or 2) an original tabular deposit that has undergone subsequent oxidation with remobilization and redeposition of uranium around the margins of smaller tongues of oxidized rock. Similarities between the mineralization at the Dennison-Bunn claim and that in roll-type uranium deposits near San Ysidro suggest that a roll-type origin is the most probable formore » this deposit. Similar deposits unaffected by surface oxidation may be present in the subsurface along the east side of the basin.« less
Self-Perceptions and Benefit Finding Among Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders and Their Caregivers: A Qualitative Analysis Guided by Social Identity Theory of Cessation Maintenance:

Substance use disorders (SUDs) among young people have been linked with a range of adverse health consequences that can be successfully mitigated with early SUD treatment. According to the Social I...
Does Myelopathy Increase the Morbidity and Mortality of Elective Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion? An Updated Propensity-Matched Analysis of 3938 Patients From the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database.

BACKGROUND Myelopathy is thought to be associated with higher morbidity and mortality after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF); however, the literature investigating this association has limitations. OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of myelopathy on early perioperative complications of elective single-level ACDF. METHODS Patients who underwent ACDF between 2016 and 2018 were reviewed from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. Propensity score matching analysis was used. RESULTS Twenty percent of the cohort was myelopathic. These patients were significantly older, had more comorbidities, more likely to be functionally dependent, and to undergo emergency surgery when compared to the nonmyelopathic cohort. When 1969 myelopathic patients were 1:1 propensity matched with nonmyelopathic patients, there was no difference between the myelopathic and nonmyelopathic patients in incidence of postoperative intensive care unit admission or death. Patients in the myelopathic group were significantly more likely to have a nonhome discharge and less likely to be discharged on the first postoperative day. Myelopathic patients had a higher rate of return to operating room within the same admission (2.2%) as well as a higher unplanned readmission rate (4.2%). The total operation time (143 min) and average length of hospital stay (52 h) were significantly higher in the myelopathic group when compared to the nonmyelopathic group (117 min) and (33 h), respectively. CONCLUSION Patients with myelopathy who undergo elective single-level ACDF have higher risks of several perioperative events including longer operative time, longer hospital stay, higher return to operating room, and unplanned readmission rates, when compared to nonmyelopathic patients. On the other hand, myelopathic patients did not exhibit higher mortality rate.
Neuroinflammatory profiles regulated by the redox environment predicted cognitive dysfunction in people living with HIV: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND Despite effective combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), people living with HIV (PLWH) remain at risk for developing neurocognitive impairment primarily due to systemic inflammation that persists despite virologic suppression, albeit the mechanisms underlying such inflammation are poorly understood. METHODS Herein, we evaluate the predictive capacity of the mitochondrial redox environment on circulating neuro- and T-lymphocyte-related inflammation and concomitant cognitive function in 40 virally-suppressed PLWH and 40 demographically-matched controls using structural equation modeling. We used state-of-the-art systems biology approaches including Seahorse Analyzer of mitochondrial function, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to measure superoxide levels, antioxidant activity assays, and Meso Scale multiplex technology to quantify inflammatory proteins in the periphery. FINDINGS We observed disturbances in mitochondrial function and the redox environment in PLWH compared to controls, which included reduced mitochondrial capacity (t(76) = -1.85, p = 0.034, 95% CI: -∞,-0.13), elevated levels of superoxide (t(75) = 1.70, p = 0.047, 95% CI: 8.01 E 3, ∞) and alterations in antioxidant defense mechanisms (t(74) = 1.76, p = 0.041, 95% CI: -710.92, ∞). Interestingly, alterations in both superoxide- and hydrogen peroxide-sensitive redox environments were differentially predictive of neuro-, but not T-lymphocyte-related inflammatory profiles in PLWH and controls, respectively (ps < 0.026). Finally, when accounting for superoxide-sensitive redox pathways, neuroinflammatory profiles significantly predicted domain-specific cognitive function across our sample (β = -0.24, p = 0.034, 95% CI: -0.09, -0.004 for attention; β = -0.26, p = 0.018, 95% CI: -0.10, -0.01 for premorbid function). INTERPRETATION Our results suggest that precursors to neuroinflammation apparent in PLWH (i.e., mitochondrial function and redox environments) predict overall functionality and cognitive dysfunction and importantly, may serve as a proxy for characterizing inflammation-related functional decline in the future. FUNDING National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Science Foundation.
Conversing with Readers: A Framework for the Reading Experience Conversation

Based on the critical analysis and creative synthesis of the existing approaches to conversing with readers in libraries, this article proposes a new three-pronged framework for facilitating the re...
Authoring Platform for Mobile Citizen Science Apps with Client-side ML

Data collection is an integral part of any citizen science project. Given the wide variety of projects, some level of expertise or, alternatively, some guidance for novice participants can greatly improve the quality of the collected data. A significant portion of citizen science projects depends on visual data, where photos or videos of different subjects are needed. Often these visual data are collected from all over the world, including remote locations. In this article, we introduce an authoring platform for easily creating mobile apps for citizen science projects that are empowered with client-side machine learning (ML) guidance. The apps created with our platform can help participants recognize the correct data and increase the efficiency of the data collection process. We demonstrate the application of our proposed platform with two use cases: a rip current detection app for a planned pilot study and a detection app for biodiversity-related projects.