cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lattice-based Minimum Error Rate Training for Statistical Machine Translation

Minimum Error Rate Training (MERT) is an effective means to estimate the feature function weights of a linear model such that an automated evaluation criterion for measuring system performance can directly be optimized in training. To accomplish this, the training procedure determines for each feature function its exact error surface on a given set of candidate translations. The feature function weights are then adjusted by traversing the error surface combined over all sentences and picking those values for which the resulting error count reaches a minimum. Typically, candidates in MERT are represented as N-best lists which contain the N most probable translation hypotheses produced by a decoder. In this paper, we present a novel algorithm that allows for efficiently constructing and representing the exact error surface of all translations that are encoded in a phrase lattice. Compared to N-best MERT, the number of candidate translations thus taken into account increases by several orders of magnitudes. The proposed method is used to train the feature function weights of a phrase-based statistical machine translation system. Experiments conducted on the NIST 2008 translation tasks show significant runtime improvements and moderate BLEU score gains over N-best MERT.
Conjugation of Smt3 to Dorsal May Potentiate the Drosophila Immune Response

A variety of transcription factors are targets for conjugation to the ubiquitin-like protein Smt3 (also called SUMO). While many such factors exhibit enhanced activity under conditions that favor conjugation, the mechanisms behind this enhancement are largely unknown. We previously showed that the Drosophila melanogaster rel family factor, Dorsal, is a substrate for Smt3 conjugation. The conjugation machinery was found to enhance Dorsal activity at least in part by counteracting the Cactus-mediated inhibition of Dorsal nuclear localization. In this report, we show that Smt3 conjugation occurs at a single site in Dorsal (lysine 382), requires just the Smt3-activating and -conjugating enzymes, and is reversed by the deconjugating enzyme Ulp1. Mutagenesis of the acceptor lysine eliminates the response of Dorsal to the conjugation machinery and results in enhanced levels of synergistic transcriptional activation. Thus, in addition to controlling Dorsal localization, Smt3 also appears to regulate Dorsal-mediated activation, perhaps by modulating an interaction with a negatively acting nuclear factor. Finally, since Dorsal contributes to innate immunity, we examined the role of Smt3 conjugation in the immune response. We find that the conjugation machinery is required for lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of antimicrobial peptides in cultured cells and larvae, suggesting that Smt3 regulates Dorsal function in vivo.
A Review of Literature in Mobile Learning: Affordances and Constraints

Mobile learning, sometimes referred to as ‘m-learning’ or ‘handheld learning,’ has become a new focus for technical issues as well as pedagogical issues for instructional technology [1, 2]. This paper reviews literature that deals with the definition of mobile learning, distinguishing it from traditional e-learning. It also reviews the affordances and constraints of mobile learning, and addresses how mobile learning is being deployed as a supplement to traditional e-learning or in addition to a classroom. Later, the paper reviews the learning theories that are addressed in the literature, as well as the strategies employed for mobile learning development. Finally the paper reveals some of the gaps in research literature.
Experimental Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Increases Exposure to Simvastatin Hydroxy Acid by Decreasing Hepatic Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide Expression

Simvastatin (SIM)-induced myopathy is a dose-dependent adverse drug reaction (ADR) that has been reported to occur in 18.2% of patients receiving a 40- to 80-mg dose. The pharmacokinetics of SIM hydroxy acid (SIMA), the bioactive form of SIM, and the occurrence of SIM-induced myopathy are linked to the function of the organic anion transporting polypeptide (Oatp) hepatic uptake transporters. Genetic polymorphisms in SLCO1B1, the gene for human hepatic OATP1B1, cause decreased elimination of SIMA and increased risk of developing myopathy. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and is known to alter drug transporter expression and drug disposition. The purpose of this study was to assess the metabolism and disposition of SIM in a diet-induced rodent model of NASH. Rats were fed a methionine- and choline-deficient diet for 8 weeks to induce NASH and SIM was administered intravenously. Diet-induced NASH caused increased plasma retention and decreased biliary excretion of SIMA due to decreased protein expression of multiple hepatic Oatps. SIM exhibited increased volume of distribution in NASH as evidenced by increased muscle, decreased plasma, and no change in biliary concentrations. Although Cyp3a and Cyp2c11 proteins were decreased in NASH, no alterations in SIM metabolism were observed. These data, in conjunction with our previous data showing that human NASH causes a coordinated downregulation of hepatic uptake transporters, suggest that NASH-mediated transporter regulation may play a role in altered SIMA disposition and the occurrence of myopathy.
Measurement of global functional performance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using rheumatology function tests

Outcome assessment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) includes measurement of physical function. We derived a scale to quantify global physical function in RA, using three performance-based rheumatology function tests (RFTs). We measured grip strength, walking velocity, and shirt button speed in consecutive RA patients attending scheduled appointments at six rheumatology clinics, repeating these measurements after a median interval of 1 year. We extracted the underlying latent variable using principal component factor analysis. We used the Bayesian information criterion to assess the global physical function scale's cross-sectional fit to criterion standards. The criteria were joint tenderness, swelling, and deformity, pain, physical disability, current work status, and vital status at 6 years after study enrolment. We computed Guyatt's responsiveness statistic for improvement according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) definition. Baseline functional performance data were available for 777 patients, and follow-up data were available for 681. Mean ± standard deviation for each RFT at baseline were: grip strength, 14 ± 10 kg; walking velocity, 194 ± 82 ft/min; and shirt button speed, 7.1 ± 3.8 buttons/min. Grip strength and walking velocity departed significantly from normality. The three RFTs loaded strongly on a single factor that explained ≥70% of their combined variance. We rescaled the factor to vary from 0 to 100. Its mean ± standard deviation was 41 ± 20, with a normal distribution. The new global scale had a stronger fit than the primary RFT to most of the criterion standards. It correlated more strongly with physical disability at follow-up and was more responsive to improvement defined according to the ACR20 and ACR50 definitions. We conclude that a performance-based physical function scale extracted from three RFTs has acceptable distributional and measurement properties and is responsive to clinically meaningful change. It provides a parsimonious scale to measure global physical function in RA.
Local principal component pursuit for nonlinear datasets

A robust version of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) can be constructed via a decomposition of a data matrix into low rank and sparse components, the former representing a low-dimensional linear model of the data, and the latter representing sparse deviations from the low-dimensional subspace. This decomposition has been shown to be highly effective, but the underlying model is not appropriate when the data are not modeled well by a single low-dimensional subspace. We construct a new decomposition corresponding to a more general underlying model consisting of a union of low-dimensional subspaces, and demonstrate the performance on a video background removal problem.
Dynamics of the Shallow Meridional Circulation around Intertropical Convergence Zones

The generally accepted view of the meridional circulation in the tropical east Pacific is that of a single deep overturning cell driven by deep convective heating in the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), similar to the zonal mean Hadley circulation. However, recent observations of the atmosphere from the tropical eastern Pacific have called this view into question. In several independent datasets, significant meridional return flows out of the ITCZ region were observed, not only at high altitudes, but also at low altitudes, just above the atmospheric boundary layer. This paper presents a theory and idealized simulations to understand the causes and dynamics of this shallow meridional circulation (SMC). Fundamentally, the SMC can be seen as a large-scale sea-breeze circulation driven by sea surface temperature gradients when deep convection is absent in the ITCZ region. A simple model of this circulation is presented. Using observed values, the sea-breeze model shows that the pressure gradient above the boundary can indeed reverse, leading to the pressure force that drives the shallow return flow out of the ITCZ. The Weather Research and Forecast Model (WRF) is used to simulate an idealized Hadley circulation driven by moist convection in a tropical channel. The SMC is reproduced, with reasonable similarity to the circulation observed in the east Pacific. The simulations confirm that the SMC is driven by a reversal of the pressure gradient above the boundary layer, and that the return flow is strongest when deep convection is absent in the ITCZ, and weakest when deep convection is active. The model also shows that moisture transport out of the ITCZ region is far greater in the low-level shallow return flow than in the high-altitude return flow associated with the deep overturning, and that a budget for water transport in and out of the ITCZ region is grossly incomplete without it. Much of the moisture carried in the shallow return flow is recycled into the boundary layer, but does not appear to contribute to enhanced cloudiness in the subtropical stratocumulus poleward of the ITCZ.
Directional Spread of Alphaherpesviruses in the Nervous System

Alphaherpesviruses are pathogens that invade the nervous systems of their mammalian hosts. Directional spread of infection in the nervous system is a key component of the viral lifecycle and is critical for the onset of alphaherpesvirus-related diseases. Many alphaherpesvirus infections originate at peripheral sites, such as epithelial tissues, and then enter neurons of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), where lifelong latency is established. Following reactivation from latency and assembly of new viral particles, the infection typically spreads back out towards the periphery. These spread events result in the characteristic lesions (cold sores) commonly associated with herpes simplex virus (HSV) and herpes zoster (shingles) associated with varicella zoster virus (VZV). Occasionally, the infection spreads transsynaptically from the PNS into higher order neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). Spread of infection into the CNS, while rarer in natural hosts, often results in severe consequences, including death. In this review, we discuss the viral and cellular mechanisms that govern directional spread of infection in the nervous system. We focus on the molecular events that mediate long distance directional transport of viral particles in neurons during entry and egress.
The Influence of Center of Mass Effect on the Distribution of Spatial Attention in the Vertical and Horizontal Dimensions

Normal subjects attend toward the middle of grouped items (center of mass effect). In order to learn if mass effect could influence performance on line bisection tasks and if the spatial orientation of the line (vertical vs. horizontal) could influence center of mass effect, we administered bisection tasks to 16 normal subjects using either lines composed of two unequal segments (one thick and one thin) or unsegmented lines. When the longer segment was to the right, left, up, or down, subjects erred by deviating their bisection toward the longer segment (center of mass effect). Our results demonstrate that the center of mass effect can be seen with bisection tasks and is greater in the vertical than in the horizontal dimension.
Beam-stack search: integrating backtracking with beam search

We describe a method for transforming beam search into a complete search algorithm that is guaranteed to find an optimal solution. Called beam-stack search, the algorithm uses a new data structure, called a beam stack, that makes it possible to integrate systematic backtracking with beam search. The resulting search algorithm is an anytime algorithm that finds a good, sub-optimal solution quickly, like beam search, and then backtracks and continues to find improved solutions until convergence to an optimal solution. We describe a memory-efficient implementation of beam-stack search, called divide-and-conquer beam-stack search, as well as an iterative-deepening version of the algorithm. The approach is applied to domain-independent STRIPS planning, and computational results show its advantages.
bearded-ear Encodes a MADS Box Transcription Factor Critical for Maize Floral Development

Although many genes that regulate floral development have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana, relatively few are known in the grasses. In normal maize (Zea mays), each spikelet produces an upper and lower floral meristem, which initiate floral organs in a defined phyllotaxy before being consumed in the production of an ovule. The bearded-ear (bde) mutation affects floral development differently in the upper and lower meristem. The upper floral meristem initiates extra floral organs that are often mosaic or fused, while the lower floral meristem initiates additional floral meristems. We cloned bde by positional cloning and found that it encodes zea agamous3 (zag3), a MADS box transcription factor in the conserved AGAMOUS-LIKE6 clade. Mutants in the maize homolog of AGAMOUS, zag1, have a subset of bde floral defects. bde zag1 double mutants have a severe ear phenotype, not observed in either single mutant, in which floral meristems are converted to branch-like meristems, indicating that bde and zag1 redundantly promote floral meristem identity. In addition, BDE and ZAG1 physically interact. We propose a model in which BDE functions in at least three distinct complexes to regulate floral development in the maize ear.
Ten years of Nature Physics: Numerical models come of age

When Nature Physics celebrated 20 years of high-temperature superconductors, numerical approaches were on the periphery. Since then, new ideas implemented in new algorithms are leading to new insights.
September 11 from the viewpoint of a Swiss trauma fellow in New York

This is the report of the events of September 11th seen through the eyes of a Swiss Trauma Fellow. This ill-fated day is described by someone who went down to ground zero with other doctors to help and save lives and came back frustrated because there was so little to be done. Language: de
The use of Doppler ultrasound to assess intrauterine growth retardation in the fetus.

presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Society or Gynecologic Investigation, Atlanta, GA, March 18-2 I, 1987 82. Horensetin JH, Brar HS, Platt LD, et al: Cardiovascular evaluation of the post term fetus. Abstract presented at the 34th Annual Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation. Atlanta, GA, March 18-21, 1987 83. Rightmire DA, Campbell S: Fetal and maternal Doppler blood flow parameters in postterm pregnancies. Obstet Gym- col 69:891-894, 1987 84. Bracero L, Schulman H, Fleischer A, et al: Umbilical artery velocimetry in diabetes and pregnancy. Obster Gynecol 68:654-658, 1986 85. Friedman DM. Rutkowski M, Snyder JR, et al Doppler blood velocity waveforms in the umbilical artery as an indicator of fetal well being. JCU 13: 161.165, 1985 86. Trudinger BJ, Cook CM, Jones L, et al: A comparison of fetal heart rate monitoring and umbilical artery \haveforms in the recognition of fetal compromise. Br J Obstet Gynaeccll 93:171-175, 1986 87. Trudinger BJ, Cook CM, Giles WB. et al. ijmhilical artery flow velocity waveforms in high risk pregnancy. Ran- domized controlled trial. Lancet I: 188-190, 1987 88. Giles WB, Lingman G. Marsal K. et al: Fetal volume blood flow and umbilical artery flow velocity waveforms anal- ysis: A comparison. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 93:461-465. 1986 89. Griffin DR, Teague MJ, Tallet , et al: A combmed ultrasonic linear array scanner and pulsed Doppler velocmetry for estimation of blood flow in the foetus and adult abdomen. 11. Clinical evaluation. Ultrasound Med Biol 11:37-4 1, I985 90. Teague MJ. Wilson K, Battye CK. et al: A combined ultrasonic linear array scanner and pulsed Doppler velocimetry for the estimation of blood flow in the foetus and adult abdo- men. I. Technical aspects. Ultrasound Med Biol I I 27-36. 1985
Comparison of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy on Absorbing and Nonabsorbing Nanostructured Substrates

Comparison between surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on optically absorbing and nonabsorbing nanostructured substrates has been conducted. Nanostructured Si and Si3N4 substrates covered with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by identical fabrication process based on metal thin film thermal dewetting technique. Images of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show similar morphology between both devices. According to finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulation, electric field enhancement from localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is stronger in nonabsorbing Si3N4 substrate in comparison to that of the optically absorbing Si with the same structures. The results of Raman measurements agree with FDTD simulated results and consistently show that the enhancement factor (EF) of nanostructured Si3N4 SERS device is higher than that of Si by around 4 times for various targeted analytes and excitation wavelengths. This suggests that optically nonabsorbing material is more appropriate as SERS su...
Geology of Santiago, Rábida, and Pinzón Islands, Galápagos

Santiago, Pinzon, and Rabida Islands are each single volcanoes that lie along a north-trending line near the center of the Galapagos Archipelago. The core volcano of Santiago Island and its flanking lava fields are composed of basaltic to intermediate lava of alkalic parentage. The smaller islands of Rabida and Pinzon are constructed of tholeiitic lava and tuff, ranging in composition from basalt to siliceous trachyte. On each of these two islands, products of eruptive cycles are preserved as tuff-flow sequences of decreasing degree of differentiation and increasing phenocryst abundance up-section, possibly a consequence of tapping successively deeper levels of compositionally zoned magma chambers. Island age generally increases to the south away from the Galapagos rift. Volcanic activity on Santiago spanned most of the past 0.7 m.y. K-Ar ages of rocks exposed on Rabida range from about 1.0 to 0.7 m.y.; those on Pinzon are approximately 1.2 to 0.8 m.y. in age. A part of the tectonic history of the central and southeastern Galapagos Islands is recorded in conspicuous, east-trending alignments of volcanic vents on Santiago and parallel normal faults and some aligned vents on six other islands to the southeast. The central islands among this group are also characterized by uplifted submarine rocks. On the basis of geological and geophysical observations, we hypothesize that this uplift, north-south distention, and associated volcanism may have resulted when an east-trending curtain of mantle upwelled beneath the center of the archipelago during the past 0.5 m.y. The east-trending tectonic pattern appears to be superimposed on the older northwest and northeast trends that have been cited for the entire island group.
How does education inequality respond to policy? A method and application to survey data from Albania and Nepal

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to measure inequality in education and examine how socioeconomic factors affect education inequality in Albania and Nepal. Design/methodology/approach – Using large household survey data sets the authors calculate income-related inequality in education and decompose the inequality into factors that determine educational attainment. The decomposition procedure establishes the role played by two sets of factors: elasticities of education demand with respect to its determinants; and inequalities in those determinants. The paper then proposes a new mechanism to quantify the effects of policy simulations regarding income, urbanization, and distance to school on education inequality. Findings – Both the countries show significant inequality in education. Educational attainment in Albania and Nepal is determined by socioeconomic, demographic and geographic factors of which three are particularly significant in affecting inequality – income, urbanization and distance to scho...
Exciton Transport in an Organic Semiconductor Exhibiting Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence

Organic semiconductors characterized by a small singlet–triplet exciton energy splitting exhibit efficient reverse intersystem crossing and thermally activated delayed fluorescence. Consequently, exciton transport may occur along both the singlet and the triplet excited states, each with unique photophysical behavior and exciton energy transfer mechanisms. Delayed fluorescence systems, therefore, provide a unique test bed for characterizing the role of exciton spin in transport and diffusion. Concentration- and temperature-dependent photophysical characterization combined with measurements of the exciton diffusion length (LD) for 1,2,3,5-tetrakis(carbazol-9-yl)-4,6-dicyanobenzene (4CzIPN) elucidate the relative degree and magnitude of transport along the singlet and triplet molecular excited states as well as the role of the local dielectric environment in determining the intersystem balance.
Analysis of the related factors of preschool children's blood lead level in urban areas of Zhengzhou city

Aim: To investigate the blood lead level of preschool children in the urban areas of Zhengzhou city and to identify the related risk factors.Methods: A total of 201 vein blood samples from the children in three kindergartens of Zhengzhou city were sampled.Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was employed to determine blood lead level after microwave digestion and questionare survey of related risk factors was also performed. SPSS10.0 was used to analyze the correlation between blood lead level and risk factors.Results: Blood lead content of the 201 children were(128.70± 44.14) μg/L,of which 161 children(76.6%) were found with a blood lead level ≥100 μg/L.The blood lead level for boys(135.83±9.56) μg/L and that for girls(121.01±47.60) μg/L had no significant difference (u=1.893,P 0.05).The residential environment and the civilization degree and work type of the father were the risk factors of the blood lead level of children by a multivariable regression analysis.Washing hands before meals and higher civilization degree were the protective factors of the children' s blood lead level.Conclusion: The blood lead level of the preschool children in urban areas of Zhengzhou city is significantly higher and related measures should be taken to protect the children.
Long Term Societal Costs of Anterior Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) versus Cervical Disc Arthroplasty (CDA) for Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy.

Background Current literature suggests that anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) have comparable clinical outcomes for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy. Given similar outcomes, an understanding of differences in long-term societal costs can help guide resource utilization. The purpose of this study was to compare the relative long-term societal costs of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) to cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) for the treatment of single level cervical disc disease by considering upfront surgical costs, lost productivity, and risk of subsequent revision surgery. Methods We completed an economic and decision analysis using a Markov model to evaluate the long-term societal costs of ACDF and CDA in a theoretical cohort of 45-65 year old patients with single level cervical disc disease who have failed nonoperative treatment. Results The long-term societal costs for a 45-year old patient undergoing ACDF are $31,178 while long-term costs for CDA are $24,119. Long-term costs for CDA remain less expensive throughout the modeled age range of 45 to 65 years old. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that CDA remains less expensive than ACDF as long as annual reoperation rate remains below 10.5% annually. Conclusions Based on current data, CDA has lower long-term societal costs than ACDF for patients 45-65 years old by a substantial margin. Given reported reoperation rates of 2.5% for CDA, it is the preferred treatment for cervical radiculopathy from an economic perspective.
Apparent CB1 receptor rimonabant affinity estimates: combination with THC and synthetic cannabinoids in the mouse in vivo triad model

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) represent an emerging class of abused drugs associated with psychiatric complications and other substantial health risks. These ligands are largely sold over the internet for human consumption, presumably because of their high cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) affinity and their potency in eliciting pharmacological effects similar to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as well as circumventing laws illegalizing this plant. Factors potentially contributing to the increased prevalence of SC abuse and related hospitalizations, such as increased CB1R efficacy and non-CB1R targets, highlight the need for quantitative pharmacological analyses to determine receptor mediation of the pharmacological effects of cannabinoids. Accordingly, the present study used pA2 and pKB analyses for quantitative determination of CB1R mediation in which we utilized the CB1R-selective inverse agonist/antagonist rimonabant to elicit rightward shifts in the dose-response curves of five SCs (i.e., A-834,735D; WIN55,212-2; CP55,950; JWH-073; and CP47,497) and THC in producing common cannabimimetic effects (i.e., catalepsy, antinociception, and hypothermia). The results revealed overall similarity of pA2 and pKB values for these compounds and suggest that CB1Rs, and not other pharmacological targets, largely mediated the central pharmacological effects of SCs. More generally, affinity estimation offers a powerful pharmacological approach to assess potential receptor heterogeneity subserving in vivo pharmacological effects of SCs.
Franck-Condon Models for Simulating the Band Shape of Electronic Absorption Spectra.

Band shape is an essential ingredient in the simulation of electronic absorption spectra. The excitation of multiple series of vibrational levels during an electronic excitation is a main contributor to band shapes. Here we present two simple models based on the Franck–Condon displaced-harmonic-oscillator model. The models are both derived from the time-dependent formulation of electronic spectroscopy. They assume that the transition dipoles do not depend on geometry and that the potential energy surfaces are locally quadratic; one model is second order in time and is called LQ2, and the other is third order in time and is called LQ3. These models are suitable for simulating the unresolved vibronic band shapes of electronic spectra that involve many vibrational modes. The models are straightforward and can be easily applied to simulate absorption spectra that are composed of many electronic transitions. As compared to carrying out molecular dynamics simulations, they require relatively few electronic stru...
Special Session on Robotics and Computer Vision in Latin America

Abstract The aim of this sesion is the presentation of some activities and cooperation between researcher in Latin America. Some of the papers are original with new ideas in Robotics and Computer Vision.
Nuclear roles for cilia-associated proteins

Cilia appear to be derived, evolutionarily, from structures present in the ancestral (pre-ciliary) eukaryote, such as microtubule-based vesicle trafficking and chromosome segregation systems. Experimental observations suggest that the ciliary gate, the molecular complex that mediates the selective molecular movement between cytoplasmic and ciliary compartments, shares features with nuclear pores. Our hypothesis is that this shared transport machinery is at least partially responsible for the observation that a number of ciliary and ciliogenesis-associated proteins are found within nuclei where they play roles in the regulation of gene expression, DNA repair, and nuclear import and export. Recognizing the potential for such nuclear roles is critical when considering the phenotypic effects that arise from the mutational modification of ciliary proteins.
Lethal avian influenza A (H5N1) virus induces ataxic breathing in mice with apoptosis of pre-Botzinger complex neurons expressing neurokinin-1 receptor

Lethal influenza A (H5N1) induces respiratory failure in humans. Although it also causes death at 7 days postinfection (dpi) in mice, the development of the respiratory failure and the viral impact...
A Candid Advantage? The Social Benefits of Candid Photos:

Photos are a ubiquitous mode of social communication. Analysis of thousands of online profiles finds that people overwhelmingly post posed photos of themselves. But might candids actually lead obse...
Energy-efficient algorithm of control of exoskeleton verticalization

The exoskeleton of the lower limbs is considered and the problem of increasing its energy efficiency is solved. The problem of nonlinear optimization is stated. The coefficients of the exoskeleton control system regulator act as optimized parameters. The target function is selected so that the optimal set of coefficients provides high accuracy of operation of the control system and its energy efficiency. A numerical method of solving the optimization problem is described and the simulation results are presented.
Retest reliability of self-reported function, self-care, and disease history

Background: Exposures and outcomes frequently are measured by self-reports in epidemiologic studies. However, compared with objective data based on physiologic or laboratory tests, self-reports may suffer from lower accuracy and reliability. In addition, few reports examine reliability in population subgroups, such as black adults. Methods: The authors examined the retest reliability of common self-reports concerning self-care, function, and chronic conditions in a random subsample of 92 middle-aged black subjects from a larger cohort of 998 subjects in St. Louis, Missouri. Subjects completed in-home interviews between September 2000 and July 2001. Measures: Function and self-care measures included 7 basic activities of daily living, 8 instrumental activities of daily living, and 9 items based on the Nagi physical performance scale. Chronic conditions included a list of 11 common diseases and conditions and the 7 items of the Rose Angina protocol. Item level agreement was measured by kappa and scale level agreement was measured by intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: Function and self-care items demonstrated highly variable agreement with 7 items failing to reach even moderate (kappa = 0.40) levels of agreement. Scale reliability was better, and intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.75 to 0.95. Self-reported chronic conditions all achieved at least moderate agreement, except for angina based on the Rose protocol. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that summary measures of function and a number of chronic conditions and diseases are reliable based on self-reports from urban black adults.
Efficacy of sanitizing agents against Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on high-density polyethylene cutting board surfaces.

This study compared the effectiveness of 10 commercially available sanitizers against Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on high-density polyethylene cutting boards. Smooth and rough surface high-density polyethylene coupons (2 by 5 cm) were inoculated (approximately 6 log CFU/cm2) with a five-strain composite of L. monocytogenes in ham homogenate and incubated at 24 degrees C and > or = 90% relative humidity for up to 21 days. The coupons were subjected to repeated 24-h cycles simulating use and cleaning in the home. Each day, 0.3 ml of a 10-fold-diluted tryptic soy broth containing 0.6% yeast extract was added to each coupon (simulating exposure to nutrients during food preparation), and 8 h later each coupon was rinsed with sterile distilled water. Coupons were subjected to sanitizer treatments on days 0, 0.25, 7, 14, and 21. Eight quaternary ammonium compound (QAC)-based sanitizers, one of lactic acid-based sanitizer, and one sodium hypochlorite-based sanitizer were applied to individual coupons according to the manufacturers' instructions. Coupons were analyzed for L. monocytogenes (PALCAM agar) and total bacteria (tryptic soy agar with 0.6% yeast extract). At 0 and 0.25 days, nine of the sanitizers (all except for QAC-based sanitizer 10) had reduced L. monocytogenes to or = 7-day-old biofilms, the lactic acid-based sanitizer (pH 3.03) was the most effective, and the QAC-based sanitizers were more effective when at pH 10.42 to 11.46 than at pH 6.24 to 8.70. Sanitizer efficacies were greater (P < 0.05) against younger (7 days) than older (21 days) biofilms on smooth surfaces. For 7- and 14-day-old biofilms, sanitizer efficacies were higher (P < 0.05) on smooth than on rough surfaces.
Generalizations of the Sampling Theorem

There have been a number of significant generalizations of the sampling theorem. Some are straightforward variations on the fundamental cardinal series. Oversampling, for example, results in dependent samples and allows much greater flexibility in the choice of interpolation functions. In Chapter 5, we will see that it can also result in better performance in the presence of sample data noise.
Mechanism of red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate increase in neonatal lambs

The tenfold increase in red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) concentration that occurs during the first 5 days of life in lambs is an important adaptation to extrauterine life. In lambs, DPG reduces hemoglobin oxygen affinity by the Bohr effect. Our data on 10 neonatal lambs suggest that the biochemical mechanism underlying this DPG increase involves the following: (1) a rise in plasma glucose from 40 to 100 mg/dl in the first 48 hr of life, which allows for increased glucose consumption in the highly glucose-permeable neonatal RBC; (2) a transitory rise in blood pH begins at birth, peaks at about 20 hr, and falls slightly; (3) the pH increase coincides with a threefold increase in RBC fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) concentration due, we believe, to pH activation of phosphofructokinase; (4) glycolytic intermediates after the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) step do not rise in the first 24 hr of life, possibly due to insufficient inorganic phosphate (Pi), a substrate of GAPD; (5) plasma Pi increases from about 7 mg/dl at birth to 11 mg/dl at 72 hr, activates the GAPD, and FDP levels decline; and (6) the in vitro activity of the DPG synthetic enzyme, DPG mutase, is increased 12-fold in neonatal compared to adult RBC. We conclude that the postnatal rise in DPG is explained at least in part by the sequential effects of these metabolic changes.
Real-time rocks: shader-based labradorite

Great assignments in computer graphics rock! Being slated to complete something concrete that engages interest and provokes solid personal development while not being completely set in stone is a monumental experience. Mining ideas for learning graphics, representing something visually complex such as labradorite can be unearthed as a gem of an assignment, and one can learn a fragment of shading while procedurally chipping away at the assignment.
Risk tolerance and attitudes toward chemotherapy: Who chooses palliative treatment when cure is possible?

10054Background: Many patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) face a difficult choice about whether to receive palliative chemotherapy or high-dose, potentially-curative chemotherapy that poses ...
Human Expert Labeling Process: Valence-Arousal Labeling for Students’ Affective States

Affect has emerged as an important part of the interaction between learners and computers, with important implications for learning outcomes. As a result, it has emerged as an important area of research within learning analytics. Reliable and valid data labeling is a key tenet for training machine learning models providing such analytics. In this study, using Human Expert Labeling Process (HELP) as a baseline labeling protocol, we investigated an optimized method through several experiments for labeling student affect based on Circumplex Model of Emotion (Valence-Arousal). Using the optimized method, we then had the human experts label a larger quantity of student data so that we could test and validate this method on a relatively larger and different dataset. The results showed that using the optimized method, the experts were able to achieve an acceptable consensus in labeling outcomes as aligned with affect labeling literature.
TU‐B‐207B‐00: Challenges in Radiomics and Big Data

The general learning objectives are to get a better understanding of •The pitfalls along the radiomics/radiogenomics (imaging genomics) pipeline •The crucial role of statistics in the design and evaluation of radiomics/radiogenomics phenotypes and systems •The special challenges associated with big data 1.Introduction a.Basic statistical concepts b.Association, correlation, and causality c.Know when your numbers are significant 2.Reproducibility a.Replication studies i.The extent of the problem ii.Curse of dimensionality, overfitting, multiple hypothesis testing iii.Sample size, P-value variability 3.“Big Data” a.“Big data” vs. “medium data” vs. “small data” b.Training and testing data sets c.Harmonization KD receives royalties from Hologic
Photosynthetic generation of heterologous terpenoids in cyanobacteria.

The work aims to convert the secondary slow metabolism of the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway into a primary activity in cyanobacteria and to generate heterologous products using these photosynthetic microorganisms as cell factories. Case study is the production of the 10-carbon monoterpene β-phellandrene (PHL) in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (Synechocystis). Barriers to this objective include the slow catalytic activity of the terpenoid metabolism enzymes that limit rates and yield of product synthesis and accumulation. "Fusion constructs as protein overexpression vectors" were applied in the overexpression of the geranyl diphosphate synthase (GPPS) and β-phellandrene synthase (PHLS) genes, causing accumulation of GPPS up to 4% and PHLS up to 10% of the total cellular protein. Such GPPS and PHLS protein overexpression compensated for their slow catalytic activity and enabled transformant Synechocystis to constitutively generate 24 mg of PHL per g biomass (2.4% PHL:biomass, w-w), a substantial improvement over earlier yields. The work showed that a systematic overexpression, at the protein level, of the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway genes is a promising approach to achieving high yields of prenyl product biosynthesis, on the way to exploiting the cellular terpenoid metabolism for commodity product generation.
The Pros and Cons of Structured Reports

Structured radiology reporting has emerged as a necessary tool to achieve value-based medicine and to improve teaching of radiology residents. The pros and cons of structured reporting are compared to shed more light on its uses and aid in its further utilization. Structured reporting is a promising tool that when used in conjunction with artificial intelligence will help boost research, and facilitate extraction of data and integration of decision support tools. This article will provide a review of the pros and cons of structured reporting.
The 2018 AHA/ACC/Multi-Society Cholesterol guidelines: Looking at past, present and future

The authors review more than three decades of progress in providing clinicians and patients with guidance on risk assessment, patient evaluation and cholesterol management. Beginning with the National Cholesterol Education Program's Initial Adult Treatment Panel report, the cholesterol guidelines increasingly reflect the progress made in understanding the benefits of improved lifestyle and nutrition to improve lipid profiles, major risk factors and reduce ASCVD risk. Moreover, they now provide qualitative and quantitative assessment tools to guide appropriate risk reduction LDL-C lowering therapy. Use of the Pooled Cohort Equations to determine Low, Borderline, Intermediate and High 10-year ASCVD risk is now joined by recognition of conditions and biomarkers that enhance ASCVD risk. This personalizes the risk discussion for the patient. An important addition is the selective use of coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring to reclassify risk in patients at borderline or intermediate risk, but for whom a risk decision regarding statin therapy is uncertain. In secondary prevention, current guidelines provide criteria for determining a "very high" risk group in whom risk is especially high and in whom aggressive LDL-C lowering can be shown to provide increased absolute benefit. Current guidelines provide a comprehensive look at children and adolescents, young adults, elderly, women and issues specific to women through the life course. They provide guidance for those adults at risk due to severe hypercholesterolemia, persistent hypertriglyceridemia after secondary causes have been addressed, those with inflammatory disorders and HIV, those adults with chronic kidney disease, and those affected by issues of race/ethnicity. They conclude with a brief summary of recommendations emphasizing important concepts for providing safety with LDL-C lowering therapy. This combination of best external evidence and clinical expertise from the expert panel should provide a solid foundation for lipid management of patients at risk for or with clinical ASCVD.
Eye Tracking Technology in the Marketing Classroom: An Experiential Learning Method.

Employers and students are increasingly demanding applied, relevant skills. Eye tracking technology is used extensively by companies to test consumer attention and awareness of advertisements, pack...
Predictors of Overnight and Emergency Treatment among Homeless Adults.

High usage of emergency treatment and hospitalization has been reported among homeless individuals. Hence, this study aimed to identify the sociodemographic predictors associated with overnight and emergency hospital treatment among a sample of homeless adults. Participants were recruited from a shelter in Dallas, Texas (N = 354; Mage = 43.7 ± 11.7) and were predominantly uninsured, low-income men from various racial groups. The outcome variables were: (a) stayed overnight for treatment in a hospital; and (b) treated in a hospital emergency room. In logistic regression models, sex emerged as the only predictor of overnight treatment in a hospital (OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.61–4.47), and treatment in an emergency room (OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.34–3.65), such that women were more likely than men to be treated overnight and use emergency care. Targeted interventions and policies are needed to address homeless women’s primary care needs and reduce costlier treatment.
Efficacy and retention of silicone punctal plugs for treatment of dry eye in patients with and without ocular graft-versus-host-disease

Abstract Purpose To examine the retention rates and efficacy of silicone punctal plugs for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) in patients with ocular graft-versus-host-disease (oGVHD) in comparison to dry eye disease due to non-oGVHD etiologies. Methods We reviewed the case-records of 864 consecutive patients with DED who were symptomatic despite topical therapy and had silicone punctal plugs placed over an eight-year- period at a single academic center. We compared plug retention rates in oGVHD and non-oGVHD DED patients using Kaplan–Meier analyses. Furthermore, we analyzed changes in objective ocular surface parameters including tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer's test, and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score in plug-retaining patients at two-, six- and twelve-month follow-up. Results Median age of dry eye patients was 58 years, and 606 (70%) of patients were women. In the cohort, 264 (31%) patients were diagnosed with oGVHD. Plug retention was significantly lower in oGVHD-DED patients compared to non-oGVHD-DED patients (p Conclusions An improvement in ocular surface disease parameters was observed in both plug-retaining oGVHD and non-oGVHD DED patients. However, a majority of oGVHD DED patients spontaneously lost their punctal plugs within 90 days of placement. Therefore, regular follow-up after plug placement is recommended to detect plug loss and ensure adequate disease control.
Brief Report: Predictors of Teacher-Rated Academic Competence in a Clinic Sample of Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder

The rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) necessitates a greater understanding of the academic experience of diagnosed children. The present study investigates several predictors of teacher-reported academic competence among a sample of elementary school children. All children in the sample were referred for an ASD evaluation and approximately half received a diagnosis. Children with and without ASD did not differ on overall academic competence, social skills, or problem behaviors. Regression analyses indicated that cognitive ability, social skills, and problem behaviors accounted for significant variance in academic competence. Moderation analyses indicated that the relations between the predictors and academic competence were comparable for children with and without ASD. Implications and future directions are discussed.
6G and Internet of Things: a survey

The 5G networks which have begun to spread worldwide are expected to contribute to an increase in the use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and applications, which require massive connectivi...