cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct Measurement of a Biomarker’s Native Optimal Frequency with Physical Adsorption Based Immobilization

The optimal frequency (OF) of a biomarker in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is the frequency at which the EIS response best reflects the binding of the biomarker to its molecular recognition element. Commonly, biosensors rely on complicated immobilization chemistry to attach biological molecules to the sensor surface, making the direct study of a biomarker’s native OF a challenge. Physical adsorption presents a simple immobilization strategy to study the native biomarker’s OF, but its utility is often discouraged due to a loss in biological activity. To directly study a biomarker’s native OF and investigate the potential of OF to overcome the limitations of physical adsorption, a combination of EIS and glutaraldehyde-mediated physical adsorption was explored. The experimental sensing platform was prepared by immobilizing either anti-lactoferrin (Lfn) IgG or anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) onto screen printed carbon electrodes. After characterizing the native OFs of both biomarkers, investigation...
Extracellular Phospholipases as Universal Virulence Factor in Pathogenic Fungi

Microbial pathogens use a number of genetic strategies to invade the host and cause infection. These common themes are found throughout microbial virulence factors. Secretion of enzymes, such as phospholipase, has been proposed as one of these themes which is used by bacteria, parasite, and pathogenic fungi. The role of extracellular phospholipase as a potential virulence factor in pathogenic fungi, including Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus has gained credence recently. In this address data implicating phospholipase as a virulence factor in Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus will be presented. This will be followed by a more detailed description of our molecular and biochemical approaches we used to more definitively delineate the role of phospholipase in the virulence of C. albicans. First, we purified the phospholipase B protein, the dominant phospholipase secreted by C. albicans, obtained the amino acid sequence of its N-terminus and an internal peptide fragment, and used this information to clone the gene encoding the protein using a PCR-based approach. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed an ORF of 1818 bp that predicted for a pre-protein of 605 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequences of the cloned gene (PLB 1) showed 42.3%, 45%, and 47.8% overall sequence identity, with the reported sequences of phospholipase B cloned from Penicillium notatum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Saccharomyces rosei, respectively. Second, using targeted gene disruption, URA blaster, we created C. albicans null mutants which failed to secrete phospholipase B. Third, we tested the ability of these isogenic strain pairs to cause lethality using a murine model of hematogenously disseminated candidiasis. Our data demonstrate that the parent phospholipase-producing strain caused more fatality in mice, while the null phospholipase-deficient strain was avirulent. Importantly, the parent and null mutants had similar growth and germination rates. These data prove that phospholipase B is essential for candidal virulence, and pave the way for studies directed at determining the mechanism/s through which phospholipase modulate candidal virulence. Understanding phospholipase as a common theme in fungal pathogenicity is critical for developing new antifungal strategies based on anti-virulence.
Improving Grades: Urban Public Schools, Racial and Socioeconomic Segregation, and the Promise of Innovation

Increasingly, public schools have student populations that are overwhelmingly minority, disproportionately poor, and more likely to drop out or have below grade-level skills in academic performance (Orfield and Gordon 2001). The path to this juncture has been well chronicled in the vast literature on urban education, which describes decades of racial and socioeconomic shifts in neighborhood composition, misguided policies, ill-informed intervention strategies, blatant neglect, and well-intentioned but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to compensate for past indifferences. Going forward, we face the prospect of a trove of innovations and policies that address the academic attainment of minority youth who are overrepresented in poorly performing urban public schools. Whether these efforts will have a fundamental impact on the school outcomes of poor urban Americans or will register as just another piecemeal approach to system change is unclear. Ultimately, however, the likelihood of success will depend in large part on a coordinated approach to change, one that addresses the root causes of inequality, including socioeconomic and residential segregation as well as the disconnect between the out-of-school and academic experiences of urban, minority families.
All or Nothing? The Obama Budget Proposals and BEPS

There is a wide bipartisan consensus that the US international tax regime is broken. We have the highest corporate tax in the OECD, which at 35% imposes a real burden on corporations earning mostly US source income. At the same time, US based multinationals pay very low effective tax rates on foreign source income earned through their subsidiaries, leading to a strong incentive to shift profits out of the US. Finally, the US is among the few countries to fully tax dividends paid by foreign subsidiaries to their domestic parents, leading to the “trapped income” phenomenon in which $2 trillion of low-taxed earnings of those subsidiaries cannot be repatriated because of the tax on repatriations, and have to be declared as “permanently reinvested” overseas despite increasing difficulties to find something to do with this pile of money.There is also a broad consensus about what needs to be done: reduce the corporate rate, broaden the base by taxing offshore profits, and eliminate the tax on repatriations, which affects behavior in negative ways without raising revenue. President Obama’s budget for fiscal 2016 does all three, but in a half hearted way that does not fully address the problems and creates new ones.There is, however, a better way. The G20 and OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project has established that our major trading partners all want to eliminate double non-taxation, and that they are willing to revise their Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules to do so, with specific proposals due in September, 2015. The President should use this opportunity to convince the leaders of the G20 to eliminate deferral or exemption of CFCs at their normal corporate rate, which is always higher than 20%. Such a multilateral solution deals with all the normal objections to abolishing deferral unilaterally in the name of competitiveness, neutrality, or the need to prevent corporate expatriations. It will enable the US to achieve real corporate rate reduction and base broadening without leaving in place the incentives to invert or to shift profits overseas. And it will generate extra revenue that can be used to reduce the top marginal individual tax rate, a move that will please Congressional Republicans and make tax reform easier to swallow for the non-incorporated sector of US business.
Bayesian multidimensional scaling procedure with variable selection

Abstract Multidimensional scaling methods are frequently used by researchers and practitioners to project high dimensional data into a low dimensional space. However, it is a challenge to integrate side information which is available along with the dissimilarities to perform such dimension reduction analysis. A novel Bayesian integrative multidimensional scaling procedure, namely Bayesian multidimensional scaling with variable selection, is proposed to incorporate external information on the objects into the analysis through the use of a latent multivariate regression structure. The proposed Bayesian procedure allows the incorporation of covariate information into the dimension reduction analysis through the use of a variable selection strategy. An efficient computational algorithm to implement the procedure is also developed. A series of simulation experiments and a real data analysis are conducted, and the proposed model is shown to outperform several benchmark models based on some measures commonly used in the literature.
Impaired heterologous protein-protein interaction is an essential cause for non-viability of WNV/DENV recombinants

Flavivirus RNA replication starts at 3'-end, where it folds into a highly conserved stem-loop structure. We attempted to identify the viral non-structural proteins (NSPs) that might specifically interact with the 3'-stemloop (3'SL) through a genetic approach. WNV/DENV2 chimeric recombinants that contain Dengue2 (DENV2) gene(s) in West Nile virus (WNV) backbone were tested for replication competence. Three of seven recombinant viruses, containing the DENV2 NS1, NS2A, or NS4B gene and terminated with a mutated 3'SL (MutC 3'SL), were viable. Of these three, only those bearing the DENV2 NS1 and NS2A substitutions remained infectious when the MutC 3'SL was replaced by the wildtype WNV 3'SL. However, none of the seven chimeric recombinants bearing the DENV2 3'SL were viable. We then investigated the causes for failed replication of WNV/DENV2 chimeric recombinants. Proteolytic cleavage of NS polyproteins was defective by heterologous protease NS2B/3, but was efficient by homologous DENV2 NS2B/3 protease. Whereas, the heterologous polyproteins that contained DENV2 homologous protease were found to produce abnormal vesicles. WNV/DENV2 recombinants expressing the DENV2 homologous protease did not produce infectious virus either. We examined NS protein-protein interaction (PPI) and found that heterologous PPI (hPPI) between WNV and DENV2 NSPs were impaired to various degrees. Insufficient PPIs occurred mainly between heterologous NS2B and NS3; NS2B and NS4A; NS3 and NS5, correlating to those non-viability of substitution mutants. Our results indicate that impaired PPI may decrease protease activity and affect vesicle formation, and is the essential cause for non-viability of the WNV/DENV2 recombinants.
A framework for analyzing international business and legal ethical standards

Abstract Globalization increasingly brings businesses and legal providers together. With the help of lawyers, savvy businesspeople can complete complicated international transactions or create multinational networks of related corporations. This isolates risk, facilitates local business transactions, and carefully tailors localized ownership structures. However, these globalization activities can also facilitate activities such as international jurisdiction shopping, tax evasion, money laundering, and even terrorist financing. The resultant challenges undermine the ability of all parties to both compete and pursue ethical behavior across national markets. This article develops a framework for analyzing international business and legal ethics. Specifically, we focus on four key topics: (1) how globalization impacts both business and legal ethics; (2) the special role played by national interests in shaping the applicable ethics and legal standards; (3) a framework to explain how the configuration of international business networks and related legal services can have dramatic ethical implications; and (4) applicable issues identified in the Panama Papers and the Paradise Papers.
Additive Manufacturing of Transparent Glass Structures

Abstract Advancements in manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution enabled the widespread use of glass in buildings and household objects. Nonetheless, processes for the fabrication of complex...
SPATIO-TEMPORAL CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORK FOR ELDERLY FALL DETECTION IN DEPTH VIDEO CAMERAS

Emergency departments treat around 2.5 million older people for fall injuries each year. Preserving the elderlys’ right of aging in a home of their own choice is mandatory in today’s world, as more elderly people are willing to live independently. Current implementations of fall detection systems lack accuracy. Despite efforts to detect elderly falls, it is possible that daily life activities, such as lying down, trigger false alarms. Moreover, privacy is the main concern for visual cameras. In this research we used deep convolutional neural networks to describe the overall space-time appearance pattern of a fall-event in depth video cameras. We developed a 3D convolutional neural network to capture both the spatial information available in video frames, and the temporal information presented through successive video frames. Our method outperformed the state-of-the art accuracy with a large margin.
Dasotraline in ADHD: novel or me too drug?

ABSTRACTIntroduction: A ‘holy grail’ of treatment options for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been an agent with low abuse potential and peak-trough clinical effects, providing ...
Intramural duodenal hematoma in children. The role of the radiologist in its conservative management.

Excellent results can be obtained with conservative therapy of intramural doudenal hematomas, and thus the radiologist plays a crucial role in their management and followup. Six children in whom intramural duodenal hematoma was diagnosed, based on clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings, were managed conservatively. Treatment consisted of restricted oral intake, intravenous infusion of fluids and electrolytes, and nasogastric suction when indicated. The satisfactory response of these patients to nonoperative therapy was demonstrated on serial upper gastrointestinal studies and by regression of clinical signs and symptoms.
Limits to deployment of nuclear power for decarbonization: Insights from public opinion

Abstract Decarbonization will require deployment of low-carbon technologies, but analysts have struggled to quantify which ones could be deployed in practice—especially where technologies have faced public opposition. For nuclear power, some analysts have tried to solve this problem with caps on deployment or nuclear-free scenarios; however, social science research has not offered nuanced guidance about these caps. We deploy an experiment involving a large U.S. sample (N = 1226) to disentangle public opposition due to the dread of nuclear power from opposition stemming from its actuarial risk. Respondents are asked to build a power generation portfolio that cuts CO2 emissions, given information about the actuarial risks of technologies. Half the sample is exposed to the nuclear power label while the other half is treated with the risk information but blinded to the label. Respondents who see the labels deploy 6.6 percentage points less nuclear power as a share of the U.S. electricity mix. Our results suggest that dread about nuclear power leads respondents to choose 40% less nuclear generation in 2050 than they would have chosen in the absence of this dread. These methods could apply to other technologies, such as carbon storage, where there may be gaps between actuarial and perceived risks.
The use of context in resolving syntactic ambiguity: structural and semantic influences

Verb bias facilitates parsing of temporarily ambiguous sentences, but it is unclear when and how comprehenders use probabilistic knowledge about the combinatorial properties of verbs in context. In a self-paced reading experiment, participants read direct object/sentential complement sentences. Reading time in the critical region was investigated as a function of three forms of bias: structural bias (the frequency with which a verb appears in direct object/sentential complement sentences), lexical bias (the simple co-occurrence of verbs and other lexical items), and global bias (obtained from norming data about the use of verbs with specific noun phrases). For reading times at the critical word, structural bias was the only reliable predictor. However, global bias was superior to structural and lexical bias at the post-critical word and for offline acceptability ratings. The results suggest that structural information about verbs is available immediately, but that context-specific, semantic information becomes increasingly informative as processing proceeds.
Supported Employment in the Public Sector: Procedural Issues in Implementation:

Supported employment for persons with severe disabilities has maintained a focus upon jobs within private industry, frequently bypassing opportunities within the public sector. Although public employment represents a large percentage of available jobs, many states have reported procedural regulations that create barriers to establishing supported employment in public jobs. A survey of 10 states was conducted to identify policy or procedural barriers that present particular problems in implementing supported employment. Results indicate the presence of hiring procedures that discourage or limit employment for many persons having severe disabilities. Suggestions are made for modifying civil service practices to reduce or eliminate the effects of certain barriers and to facilitate development of supported employment within public jobs. The authors suggest that reasonable accommodations for employing persons with severe disabilities in the public sector should require consideration of the ongoing support avai...
AD molecular: Imaging tau aggregates with positron emissions tomography.

Abstract Pathologic aggregates of tau protein are observed in several neurodegenerative diseases and are used to diagnose and stage disease postmortem. Recent advances in positron emission tomography radioligands allow for the detection of aggregated tau proteins in living persons. This chapter describes the development and characterization of several positron emission tomography radioligands used to detect tau pathophysiology in vivo, and how these ligands are being used in clinical aging and neurodegenerative disease research with a focus on imaging tau aggregates in Alzheimer's disease.
Effects of Rescheduling Hydrocodone on Opioid Prescribing in Ohio

Background We quantified opioid prescribing after the 2014 rescheduling of hydrocodone from schedule III to II in the United States using a state-wide prescription database and studied trends three years before and after the policy change, focusing on certain specialties. Methods We used Ohio's state prescription drug monitoring program database, which includes all filled schedule II and III prescriptions regardless of payer or pharmacy, to conduct an interrupted time series analysis of the nine most prescribed opioids: hydrocodone, oxycodone, tramadol, codeine, and others. We analyzed hydrocodone prescribing trends for the physician specialties of internal medicine, anesthesiology, and emergency medicine. We evaluated trends 37 months before and after the rescheduling change. Results Rescheduling was associated with a hydrocodone level change of -26,358 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -36,700 to -16,016) prescriptions (-5.8%) and an additional decrease in prescriptions of -1,568 (95% CI = -2,296 to -839) per month (-0.8%). Codeine prescribing temporarily increased, at a level change of 6,304 (95% CI = 3,003 to 9,606) prescriptions (18.5%), indicating a substitution effect. Hydrocodone prescriptions by specialty were associated with a level change of -805 (95% CI = -1,280 to -330) prescriptions (-8.5%) for anesthesiologists and a level change of -14,619 (95% CI = -23,710 to -5,528) prescriptions (-10.2%) for internists. There was no effect on prescriptions by emergency physicians. Conclusions The 2014 federal rescheduling of hydrocodone was associated with declines in hydrocodone prescriptions in Ohio beyond what had already been occurring, and hydrocodone may have been briefly substituted with codeine. These results indicate that rescheduling did have a lasting effect but affected prescribing specialties variably.
Newborn Screening Pulse Oximetry to Detect Critical Congenital Heart Disease: A Follow-Up Survey of Current Practice at Army, Navy and Air Force Hospitals.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to assess the evolution of newborn pulse oximetry screening (+POx) among Army, Air Force, and Naval military hospitals (MH), including prevalence, protocol use, quality assurance processes, access to echocardiography, and use of telemedicine. This is a follow-up from a prior study published in 2011. MATERIALS AND METHODS An Internet-based questionnaire was forwarded to the chief pediatrician at MH worldwide which support newborn deliveries. Descriptive data were reported using percentages. Grouped responses, as applicable, were further compared using the chi-square test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Seventy-eight percent (36/46) of MH supporting deliveries worldwide responded to the survey (17 Army hospitals, 11 Navy Hospitals, 8 Air Force hospitals). All responding hospitals utilize +POx, of which 94% endorsed protocol compliance with the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Nine (25%) hospitals were located outside of the United States. Delivery volumes (infants per month) range between 1-49 (36%), 50-99 (28%), 100-199 (19%), and 200-300 (17%). Eleven hospitals reported regular review of +POx data, with most reviewing them monthly. Four MH share findings with state institutions. Ten hospitals either have a staff pediatric cardiologist or use tele-echocardiography for on-site evaluations. Ten hospitals are located greater than 60 miles from the nearest center with echocardiography capabilities. Of the five hospitals using tele-echocardiography, four confirmed critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) using this practice, and all five reported averting transfer of an infant using this technology. Of the 22 hospitals lacking the ability to obtain on-site echocardiography, 12 (55%) are interested in implementing a tele-echocardiography protocol. CONCLUSIONS All responding MH use +POx, representing significant increase from the 30% of MH reporting use of +POx seven years ago. The majority of MH follow AAP +POx guidelines, and though most have providers review results prior to discharge, only one-third report periodic chart review for quality assurance. Most MH transfer infants with positive +POx results for evaluation due to a lack of on-site echocardiography. Tele-echocardiography was reported as a potential solution to diagnose or rule out CCHD. Over half of remaining hospitals without cardiologists are interested in using this technology to evaluate stable infants with positive CCHD screening.
Verizon Uses Advanced Analytics to Rationalize Its Tail Spend Suppliers

The Verizon Global Supply Chain organization currently manages thousands of active supplier contracts. These contracts account for several billion dollars of annualized Verizon spend. Managing thou...
Psychosocial Health of School-aged Children during the Initial COVID-19 Safer-At-Home School Mandates in Florida: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Given the emerging literature regarding the impacts of lockdown measures on mental health, this study aims to identify risk factors in school-aged children for being at risk for psychosocial disorders during the COVID-19 Safer-at-Home School mandates in Florida Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2020 (n=280). Bivariate analysis and logistic and multinomial logistic regression models are used to examine socio-demographic and knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) predictors of anxiety, depression, and obsessive- compulsive disorder (OCD). Results Loss of household income was associated with being at risk for depression [aOR=3.130, 95% CI= (1.41-6.97)], anxiety [aOR=2.531, 95%CI= (1.154-5.551)], and OCD [aOR=2.90, 95%CI= (1.32-6.36)]. Being female was associated with risk for depression [aOR=1.72, 95% CI=(1.02-2.93)], anxiety [aOR=1.75, 95% CI=(1.04-2.97)], and OCD[aOR=1.764, 95%CI= (1.027-3.028)]. Parental practices that are protective against COVID-19 were associated with children being at risk of depression [aOR=1.55, 95% CI= (1.04-2.31)]. Being at a lower school level was risk factor for anxiety and OCD. Conclusions Efforts to address mental health risk in children, as a result schools should prioritize girls, younger children, and children of families who lose income. Limiting the spread of COVID-19 through school closure may exacerbate the risk of psychosocial disorders in children, thus school administrators should move quickly to target those at greatest risk.
Nonlinear pricing and mechanism design

In applications of theories of incentives, the information known privately by an economic agent is represented by a point in a Euclidean space. Other agents know the probability distribution of this point, but not its realization, which is called the agent’s type. For models of this sort, designs of optimal incentive schemes present few difficulties when agents’ types are one-dimensional. The computational difficulties are severe, however, when the types are multidimensional. When the types are m -dimensional, the main task is to solve a family of partial differential equations to obtain a map : < ! < that provides the Lagrange multipliers for each type’s incentive-compatibility constraints. This chapter describes methods for solving simple versions that arise in nonlinear pricing and mechanism design. The exposition concentrates initially on nonlinear pricing, but later the similar problems that arise in mechanism design are described briefly.
Textile-Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells: Fabrication, Characterization, and Challenges

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) developed from natural plant-based dyes gained prominence due to low manufacturing costs and environmental friendliness. There is a strong demand for wearable solar cells utilizing natural plant-based dyes. Currently, a significant focus is on improving the efficiency of a DSSC. Every component and step in the fabrication of a DSSC is crucial in ensuring that a stable and efficient DSSC is developed. Different coating methods were reviewed in the fabrication of both counter and working electrodes in textile-based DSSCs (TDSSC). Various types of plant dyes were used to achieve an excellent conversion efficiency in a TDSSC. A suitable coating method will also allow for proper adhesion of the TiO2 paste, thereby improving the electron transport in the TDSSC. Various methods used in the analysis of the dye to test for the optical properties and photo-electrochemical properties of DSSCs will be studied and analyzed. In a conventional DSSC, both the working and counterelectrodes are made of fluorine-doped glass, while in a TDSSC, either the working or counterelectrodes are made from textile fabric. A DSSC that is all-textile, with an efficiency rating similar or better than that of a glass DSSC, has yet to be developed. The challenges in the fabrication of TDSSC will be reviewed. The purpose of this chapter is to review and compare various conductive coating methods reported in a TDSSC; additionally, various plant-based dyes used for that purpose will also be reviewed.
Lessons learned working with protected assets in an open-source collaborative scientific software project

We describe a use-case for balancing the demands of commercial intellectual property and open-source in a collaborative scientific software project.
Transrectal intracolon cooling prevents paraplegia and mortality in a rat model of aortic occlusion-induced spinal cord ischemia

Abstract Objective Spinal cord ischemia–reperfusion injury (SC-IRI) occurs in many medical conditions such as aneurysm surgical repair but no treatment of SC-IRI is available in clinical practice. The objective of the present study was to develop a novel medical device for the treatment of SC-IRI. Methods A rat model of SC-IRI was used. A novel transrectal intracolon (TRIC) temperature management device was developed to maintain an intracolon wall temperature at either 37°C (TRIC37°C) or 12°C (TRIC12°C). The upper body temperature was maintained as close as possible to 37°C in both groups. A 2F Fogarty balloon catheter was inserted via the left common carotid artery to block the distal aortic blood flow to the spinal cord. The proximal blood pressure was controlled by the withdrawal and infusion of blood via the jugular vein catheter, such that the distal tail artery blood pressure was maintained at ∼10 mm Hg for 13 and 20 minutes, respectively. Next, the balloon was deflated, and the TRIC temperature management was continued for an additional 30 minutes to maintain the colon wall temperature at either 37°C or 12°C during the reperfusion period. Results All the rats subjected to 13 minutes of spinal cord ischemia in the TRIC37°C group had developed paraplegia during the postischemic phase. In striking contrast, TRIC at 12°C completely prevented the paraplegia, dramatically improved the arterial blood gas parameters, and avoided the histopathologic injuries to the spinal cord in rats subjected to 13 minutes of spinal cord ischemia. Furthermore, TRIC 12°C allowed for the extension of the ischemia duration from 13 minutes to 20 minutes, with significantly reduced functional deficits. Conclusions Directly cooling the intestine focally with the TRIC device offered an exceptional survival rate and functional improvement after aortic occlusion-induced spinal cord ischemia.
How do women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome make treatment choices?

There is a relative lack of data regarding how patients weigh various factors when choosing a treatment strategy for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Our aim is to describe patient experience with their current and prior treatments and discuss factors they consider when choosing a treatment. Twenty-one women with IC/BPS participated in five focus groups moderated by a psychologist. Focus groups were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. Group discussions were transcribed and independently coded by two reviewers. Emergent themes and concepts were identified using grounded theory methodology. Data on symptoms and beliefs regarding medications were collected using validated questionnaires: Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Problem Index (ICSI and ICPI) and Beliefs in Medications Questionnaire-Specific (BMQ-S). The median age of participants was 42 years, and all had some college education. Median score (range) for the ICSI was 12 (4, 20) and for the ICPI was 10 (3, 16), indicating moderate symptom burden. Most patients had tried only first- or second-line treatments. The median BMQ-S score was 2, indicating a neutral attitude toward medication. Several themes were identified. Patients expressed interest in self-management of symptoms using a structured care plan that incorporates guided self-care practices and care that can be delivered virtually. Patients desired to minimize treatment side effects by reducing prescription medications and avoiding surgical procedures. Finally, patients had considerable interest in alternative treatments; however, they wanted these treatments to be evidence-based. Women with IC/BPS have a strong interest in guided programs that teach self-care practices and deliver alternative treatments through remote platforms.
Abstract representations emerge naturally in neural networks trained to perform multiple tasks

Humans and other animals demonstrate a remarkable ability to generalize knowledge across distinct contexts and objects during natural behavior. We posit that this ability depends on the geometry of the neural population representations of these objects and contexts. Specifically, abstract, or disentangled, neural representations -- in which neural population activity is a linear function of the variables important for making a decision -- are known to allow for this kind of generalization. Further, recent neurophysiological studies have shown that the brain has sufficiently abstract representations of some sensory and cognitive variables to enable generalization across distinct contexts. However, it is unknown how these abstract representations emerge. Here, using feedforward neural networks, we demonstrate a simple mechanism by which these abstract representations can be produced: The learning of multiple distinct classification tasks. We demonstrate that, despite heterogeneity in the task structure, abstract representations that enable reliable generalization can be produced from a variety of different inputs -- including standard nonlinearly mixed inputs, inputs that mimic putative representations from early sensory areas, and even simple image inputs from a standard machine learning data set. Thus, we conclude that abstract representations of sensory and cognitive variables emerge from the multiple behaviors that animals exhibit in the natural world, and may be pervasive in high-level brain regions. We make several specific predictions about which variables will be represented abstractly as well as show how these representations can be detected.
The zipper foldings of the diamond

A zipper folding of a polygon P given a source point x ∈ ∂P is the polyhedron generated by identifying all points in ∂P equidistant from x, measured along the perimeter of P , in essence “zipping” the boundary of the polygon. A theorem of Alexandrov shows that as long as every glued point has nonnegative curvature, then any zipper folding of a convex polygon leads to unique convex polyhedron (where a doubly covered polygon is considered a “flat” polyhedron). Alexandrov’s theorem is existential, but a more recent constructive proof by Bobenko and Izmestiev allows for the explicit construction of the polyhedron by solving a certain differential equation [2]. An implementation of the constructive algorithm has been coded by Stefan Sechelmann, which will output the folded convex polyhedron given a input triangulation of the polygon with gluing instructions. However, it is difficult to extract the creases and adjacencies from the initial polygon in their final output polyhedron. We seek a more combinatorial approach to computing this information. Previous work has also looked at determining all the combinatorially different polyhedra obtained via foldings, primarily for regular convex polygons as well as a few other shapes such as the Latin cross [3]. In this paper, we classify and compute the convex foldings of a diamond shape which are obtained via zipper foldings. Our primary goal was to seek a simpler combinatorial approach to testing for the correct set of folds, or crease pattern. As was observed by Alexandrov and noted in [1], there are a finite number of possible crease patterns. However, in our experience, verifying or discounting a crease pattern has been surprisingly difficult in more
Tyk2: Interferon-α regulated PTK (vertebrates) (p135tyk2)

Tyk2, the product of the human TYK2 gene, is a member of a structurally distinct subfamily of nonreceptor PTKs, which also includes the Jakl/2 kinases. Recently, genetic and biochemical evidence has linked Tyk2 to the interferon-α (IFNα) signaling pathway. Specifically, it is associated with an IFNα receptor and is rapidly phosphorylated on tyrosine following IFNα treatment. The activated Tyk2 kinase, in turn, is believed to phosphorylate a set of latent transcription factors, which directly stimulate the transcription of IFNα responsive genes. Sequence comparisons indicate that in addition to a typical PTK domain near the C-terminus, Tyk2 contains a second PK-like domain that is missing some of the highly conserved residues found in all known PKs, including the aspartic acid considered to be the catalytic residue. No functional activity has been reported for this domain; it has been postulated that it may regulate the PTK domain. The mRNA of protein is widely expressed, consistent with the widespread expression of the IFNα receptor.
Spurious Correlation in Hydraulics and Hydrology

Spurious correlation is the correlation built into ratios, products, or other functions of two sets of random variables when the two sets have some elements in common. In hydraulic and hydrologic literature, many instances may be found of spurious correlations that are mistakenly interpreted as establishing relationships between single elements when such relationships may not exist or may not be as closely defined as they appear to be. Examples are given from technical literature. Tables are presented giving means, standard deviations, and correlation coefficients for ratios and products of variables, for both general and specific cases. Caution is advised in the use of functions with common elements.
Cascaded models for articulated pose estimation

We address the problem of articulated human pose estimation by learning a coarse-to-fine cascade of pictorial structure models. While the fine-level state-space of poses of individual parts is too large to permit the use of rich appearance models, most possibilities can be ruled out by efficient structured models at a coarser scale. We propose to learn a sequence of structured models at different pose resolutions, where coarse models filter the pose space for the next level via their max-marginals. The cascade is trained to prune as much as possible while preserving true poses for the final level pictorial structure model. The final level uses much more expensive segmentation, contour and shape features in the model for the remaining filtered set of candidates. We evaluate our framework on the challenging Buffy and PASCAL human pose datasets, improving the state-of-the-art.
A cluster of genes for the biosynthesis of spinosyns, novel macrolide insect control agents produced by Saccharopolyspora spinosa

Spinosyns A and D are the active ingredients in a family of insect control agents produced by fermentation of Saccharopolyspora spinosa. Spinosyns are 21-carbon tetracyclic lactones to which are attached two deoxysugars. Most of the genes involved in spinosyn biosynthesis are clustered in an 74 kb region of the S. spinosa genome. This region has been characterized by DNA sequence analysis and by targeted gene disruptions. The spinosyn biosynthetic gene cluster contains five large genes encoding a type I polyketide synthase, and 14 genes involved in modification of the macrolactone, or in the synthesis, modification and attachment of the deoxysugars. Four genes required for rhamnose biosynthesis (two of which are also required for forosamine biosynthesis) are not present in the cluster. A pathway for the biosynthesis of spinosyns is proposed.
Thrombin-induced release of lysophosphatidylcholine from endothelial cells

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) increases extracellularly during ischemia in vivo in both animals and man as judged by measurements from venous effluents, but more recent studies have shown little or no increase in buffer-perfused, isolated heart preparations. The appearance of LPC in blood and lymph in animals and in venous effluents in man in response to ischemia suggests a vascular site for the production of LPC. The present study was performed to assess whether thrombin could stimulate phospholipase A2 in endothelial cells and whether this would evoke an increase in and release of LPC. Endothelial cells were disassociated from canine aortas by incubating with 0.1% collagenase for 20 min. Cells were plated and allowed to grow to confluence. Measurement of LPC was performed using Bligh and Dyer extraction of lipids, high performance liquid chromatography separation, and quantification of LPC using a recently developed radiometric assay employing [3H]acetic anhydride. Incubation of endothelial cells with thrombin (0.05 unit/ml) resulted in a 2.5-fold increase in LPC to 2.3 +/- 0.1 nmol/mg of protein at 2 min (p < 0.01) and returned to control levels within 20 min. The increase in LPC induced by thrombin exhibited a concentration-dependent response with an ED50 = 0.04 unit/ml. A concentration-dependent increase in LPC was also elicited by stimulation with the peptide portion of the thrombin receptor's tethered ligand SFLLRNPNDKYEPF with an ED50 = 8 microM. The LPC produced was rapidly and completely released into the surrounding media. Hirudin completely blocked the thrombin-induced increase in LPC. Dansylarginine N-(3-ethyl-1,5-pentanediyl)amide (0.1 microM), which rapidly inactivates thrombin's proteolytic activity in situ without impairing binding, or phenyl-prolyl-arginyl-chloromethyl ketone (PPACK, 5 nM), which inactivates thrombin due to chemical alteration of the proteolytic site, each prevented the increase in LPC in response to thrombin. Stimulation of protein kinase C with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA, 1 microM) enhanced the response to thrombin. In contrast, staurosporine (100 nM), H7 (15 microM), or chronic treatment with PMA for 20 h to down-regulate protein kinase C completely prevented the increase in LPC in response to thrombin. Thus, thrombin stimulation of endothelial cells in vivo during ischemia may be a primary mechanism contributing to the marked increase in LPC extracellularly during ischemia.
Get Real: Climate Change and All That ‘It’ Entails

This article builds on Carolan’s three natures scheme, where he distinguishes between the strata of ‘nature’, nature and Nature, by overlaying his previous framework with further analytic distinctions. Doing this, the authors argue, adds an important layer of analytical and conceptual robustness that his earlier scheme lacks. After building on this framework, attention turns to the phenomena of climate change. A selection of agrifood studies on this subject is used to help illustrate the utility of the revised model. The literatures reviewed involve the following: those looking at attitudes among farmers toward climate change; the bark beetle outbreaks in British Columbia; and food regimes. With this move the authors seek to illustrate the explanatory and descriptive utility of the revised model, specifically in its ability to provide a sustained defence of a type of realism that relational social theorists implicitly ascribe to. They also show how their conceptual labours – and the ecologically embedded relational realism it brings to the fore – can help further inform the aforementioned literatures by highlighting some of their conceptual and analytic blind spots.
Failure diagnosis on the LT1280

The high-density circuitry and I/O pin population of the thermal conduction module (TCM), the VLSI package used in the IBM 3081 processor models, dictates that there be a precise and cost-effective method of detecting and diagnosing TCM defects. This paper describes the challenge faced in testing the logic and random access memories of the TCM and the diagnostic approach used in the LT1280 test system for testing the TCM through its I/O pins. The generation and application of tests are discussed, and the automated multiple-defect diagnostic (AMDD) algorithm is presented in detail.
Dynamics of a Quadratic Map in Two Complex Variables

Abstract We study the map Ψ: C 2→ C 2 defined by Ψ(w, z)=(z, z+w2) and the associated collection of sequences {zj} satisfying the recurrence zj+2=zj+1+z2j. Iteration of Ψ is equivalent to the study of such sequences. We analyze growth rates of the sequences, positive sequences, periodic and asymptotically periodic sequences and establish the existence of doubly infinite homoclinic sequences, non-zero sequences whose limits as j→±∞ are 0. We investigate some associated functional equations, f (x+2)=f(x+1)+f(x)2 and L(L(x))=L(x)+x2.
Chromosomes of the North American prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus.

Die Analyse der mitotischen Chromosomen beiCynomys ludovicianus ergibt die diploide Zahl 50 und einen Karyotypen mit nur metazentrischen und submetazentrischen Autosomen. Der FallCynomys ist einzigartig unter den Sciuridae: hohe 2n Zahl und Fehlen acrozentrischer Chromosomen.
Differences in the GH-IGF-I axis in children of different weight and fitness status

Objective To determine if differences in the GH-IGF-I axis exist between children of high and low aerobic fitness who are obese or of normal weight.
Aging impairs induction of cyclin-dependent kinases and down-regulation of p27 in mouse CD4(+) cells.

Abstract To define the link between the early activation defects and the impaired proliferation response of cells from old mice, we characterized the influence of age on expression and activity of proteins that participate in cell-cycle regulation. We found that aging led to significant declines in the ability of mouse CD4 + T cells to respond to CD3 and CD28 stimuli by induction of the cyclin-dependent kinases CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6, whether the defect was assessed by protein level or functional activity. Induction of CDK2 activity was also impaired in cells from old mice that were activated with PMA plus ionomycin, stimuli that bypass the TCR/CD3 complex, or by CD3/CD28 in the presence of IL-2, indicating that the age-related changes lie, at least in part, downstream of the enzymes activated by these stimuli. We also noted an impairment in the ability of CD4 + cells from old mice to down-regulate the CDK inhibitor p27 after activation, but we found no change in induction of p21, an inhibitor of CDK that may also play other roles in cell-cycle control. Altered CDK activation is likely to mediate the age-related decline in T cell proliferation to polyclonal stimulation.
Metaphysical Myths, Mathematical Practice: The Ontology and Epistemology of the Exact Sciences

Acknowledgements Part I. Mathematical Practice and its Puzzles: 1. Metaphysical inertness 2. Metaphysical inertness and reference 3. The virtues of (second-order) theft 4. Intuitions about reference and axiom systems 5. Comparing mathematical terms and empirical terms I 6. Comparing mathematical terms and empirical terms II 7. The epistemic role puzzle 8. Benacerraf's puzzle 9. Comparing puzzles 10. Quine's approach I 11. Quine's approach II Part II. The Stuff of Mathematics: Posits and Algorithms: 12. Introduction 13. An initial picture 14. Application and truth 15. Systems, application and truth 16. Quine's objections to truth by convention 17. Grades of ontological commitment 18. Multiply interpreting systems 19. Intuitions about reference revisited Part III. The Geography of the A Priori: 20. Introduction 21. Algorithms again 22. Some observations on metamathematics 23. Incorrigible co-empiricalness 24. Why there are no incorrigible co-empirical truths 25. Normative considerations, the success of applied mathematics, concluding thoughts Appendix Bibliography Index.
Fertilization after standard in vitro fertilization versus intracytoplasmic sperm injection in subfertile males using sibling oocytes

Abstract Objective: To compare conventional IVF with ICSI in the subfertile male population using sibling oocytes. Results from males with isolated severe teratozoospermia also are analyzed. Design: Prospective experimental study. Setting: University based IVF clinic. Patient(s): Group A: 18 patients with one or more abnormalities in count, motility, or morphology. Group B: 20 patients with isolated severe teratozoospermia (≤4% Kruger Strict Criteria). Intervention(s): Ovulation induction, random allocation of sibling oocytes, and IVF or ICSI. Main Outcome Measure(s): Fertilization rates (fertilization per cycle, fertilization per oocytes, and fertilization per couple) and embryo quality. Result(s): In group A, fertilization occurred in 13 of 18 (72%) of IVF cycles and 17 of 18 (94%) of ICSI cycles. Overall, 69 of 120 (58%) oocytes fertilized after IVF, whereas 80 of 131 (61%) fertilized after ICSI. The mean (±SEM) percent of oocytes fertilized per couple was 44.6% ± 9.0% with IVF and 62.7% ± 5.6% with ICSI (not statistically significant). In group B, fertilization occurred in 18 of 20 (90%) cycles after IVF and 20 of 20 (100%) cycles with ICSI. Overall, 54 of 113 (48%) of the oocytes fertilized after IVF, whereas 82 of 124 (66%) fertilized with ICSI. The mean (±SEM) percent of oocytes fertilized per couple was 50.9% ± 7.1% with IVF and 66.6% ± 4.7% with ICSI. No statistically significant difference in embryo quality after IVF versus ICSI was demonstrated. Conclusion(s): With severe teratozoospermia, ICSI results in higher fertilization rates than conventional IVF, without altering embryo quality. In our subfertile male population, there is a trend toward improved fertilization with ICSI, with less failed fertilization.