cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of Open Access Platforms for Clinical Trial Data

Concerns over bias in clinical trial reporting have stimulated calls for more open data sharing.1 In response, multiple pharmaceutical companies have created mechanisms for investigators to access patient-level clinical trials data. However, if and how these shared clinical trial data are being used is unknown.
Mechanistic Models of Infectious Disease and Their Impact on Public Health

From the 1930s through the 1940s, Lowell Reed and Wade Hampton Frost used mathematical models and mechanical epidemic simulators as research tools and to teach epidemic theory to students at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (then the School of Hygiene and Public Health). Since that time, modeling has become an integral part of epidemiology and public health. Models have been used for explanatory and inferential purposes, as well as in planning and implementing public health responses. In this article, we review a selection of developments in the history of modeling of infectious disease dynamics over the past 100 years. We also identify trends in model development and use and speculate as to the future use of models in infectious disease dynamics.
Two ways of looking at a problem – leukaemias of ambiguous lineage in a paediatric population

Aims Acute leukaemias of ambiguous lineage refer to leukaemias that show no clear differentiation along a single lineage. The criteria used in the recent 2008 WHO classification of ambiguous lineage leukaemias differ from the EGIL scoring system for biphenotypic leukaemias (BAL) in a number of ways. This review compares the use of the two scoring systems in a cohort of children with ambiguous lineage leukaemias. Methods The morphological, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic features and treatment outcomes of these children were reviewed. Results From 2000 to 2009, nine cases (1.5% of 582 children with acute leukaemias) were classified as biphenotypic leukaemias (BAL) using the EGIL scoring system. Based on WHO 2008 criteria, seven cases (1.2%) were classified as mixed phenotype acute leukaemias (MPAL). The majority (71.4%) had a T-lymphoid/myeloid phenotype, followed by the B-lymphoid/myeloid phenotype. Most had complex cytogenetic abnormalities, with two cases (28.6%) presenting with variations of monosomy 7. There was no difference in 5-year overall survival (OS; 53%) between the MPAL cohort and those reclassified as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)/acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Conclusion Regardless of the scoring system used, ambiguous lineage leukaemias in our cohort have poorer 5-year OS of 53% compared to the ALL cohort (80%) but similar survival rates compared to the AML cohort (56%).
Comparison of Letter Identification by Touch between Blind and Sighted People

The main purpose of this project was to see if there is a difference in performance between blind and sighted subjects when reading raised letters by feel. A secondary purpose was to attempt to find the optimum height while keeping all other variables constant. Six blind and 22 blindfolded subjects were asked to identify raised plastic letters by feel. The following confusion letters were used: E,F,P,R,G,C,O,Q,D,B,U,V,J,I,T. The heights were 1.27, 1.91 and 2.54 cm. The time it took to identify the letter and whether or not the letter was misidentified were recorded. There was not enough evidence to conclude a difference between blind and blindfolded subjects. The sizes 1.91 and 2.54 cm were not significantly different. However, 1.27 cm was harder to identify. There were significant differences between letters. There was no correlation between identification time and accuracy.
Declarative cyber physical systems modeling to facilitate autonomous vehicles design

Major challenges faced by connected intelligent vehicles, particularly autonomous vehicles, include complexity, dynamics, concurrency, timing, safety, security, and reliability. Among them, the complexity is the key factor for vehicle design. Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are systems consisting of computational components and physical elements. In this paper a declarative CPS modeling framework is proposed such that autonomous vehicles can be articulately modeled to effectively overcome above challenges. A CPS is made up of sensing units in physical environment that input physical signals to control units, actuation units that alter the physical environment, and control units that sends optimized control signals to actuation units. The declarative CPS model can be used to unify the design of both cyber and physical components. This paper also compares the performance of two implementations of CPS sensing and actuation units: one using declarative networking, the other using imperative networking.
In science communication, why does the idea of the public deficit always return? Exploring key influences:

Despite mounting criticism, the deficit model remains an integral part of science communication research and practice. In this article, I advance three key factors that contribute to the idea of the public deficit in science communication, including the purpose of science communication, how communication processes and outcomes are conceptualized, and how science and scientific knowledge are defined. Affording science absolute epistemic privilege, I argue, is the most compelling factor contributing to the continued use of the deficit model. In addition, I contend that the deficit model plays a necessary, though not sufficient, role in science communication research and practice. Areas for future research are discussed.
Active Microrheology of Intestinal Mucus in the Larval Zebrafish

Mucus is a complex biological fluid that plays a variety of functional roles in many physiological systems. Intestinal mucus in particular serves as a physical barrier to pathogens, a medium for the diffusion of nutrients and metabolites, and an environmental home for colonizing microbes. Its rheological properties have therefore been the subject of many investigations, thus far limited, however, to in vitro studies due to the difficulty of measurement in the natural context of the gut. This limitation especially hinders our understanding of how the gut microbiota interact with the intestinal environment, since examination of this calls not only for in vivo measurement techniques, but for techniques that can be applied to model organisms in which the microbial state of the gut can be controlled. We address this challenge by developing a method that combines magnetic microrheology, light sheet fluorescence microscopy, and microgavage of particles, applying this to the larval zebrafish, a model vertebrate. We present measurements of the viscosity of mucus within the intestinal bulb of both germ-free (devoid of intestinal microbes) and conventionally reared larval zebrafish. At the length scale probed (≈ 10 μ m), we find that mucus behaves as a Newtonian fluid, with no discernable elastic component. Surprisingly, despite known differences in the the number of secretory cells in germ-free zebrafish and their conventional counterparts, the fluid viscosity for these two groups was very similar. Our measurements provide the first in vivo measurements of intestinal mucus rheology at micron length scales in living animals, quantifying of an important biomaterial environment and highlighting the utility of active magnetic microrheology for biophysical studies.
Experimental Study on Soil Impulse Characteristics Surrounding Coaxial Cylindrical Electrode

It is the key point to understand the impulse characteristics of soil for the research on spark discharge of the soil surrounding grounding device under the impact of lightning current,and is also the foundation of lightning protection for power transmission and transformation system.The influencing regularities of soil moisture content,impulse polarity etc.on delay discharging time,50% impulse breakdown voltage and breakdown field-strength of soil are researched by experiments,and the soil resistivities under different soil moisture content are measured and tested.Experimental result show that soil resistivity decreases with the increase of soil moisture content;the delay discharging time decreases with the increase of soil moisture content;under the same soil moisture content,the delay discharging time decreases with the increase of breakdown voltage and increases with the increase of current wavefront duration and the delay discharging time under negative impulse polarity is longer than that under positive impulse polarity.Under lower soil moisture content the 50% impulse breakdown voltage decreases with the increase of soil moisture content,and so does corresponding breakdown field strength,which is evidently lower than 30 kV/cm,the breakdown field strength of air under standard temperature and pressure,and the breakdown voltage under positive impulse polarity is lower than that under negative impulse polarity.
On the rotation class of knotted Legendrian tori in R5

Abstract In this paper we show how to combinatorially compute the rotation class of a large family of embedded Legendrian tori in R 5 with the standard contact form. In particular, we give a formula to compute the Maslov index for any loop on the torus and compute the Maslov number of the Legendrian torus. These formulas are a necessary component in computing contact homology. Our methods use a new way to represent knotted Legendrian tori called Lagrangian hypercube diagrams.
Existential Philosophy as Attitude and Pedagogy for Self and Student Liberation

Grounding myself in existential philosophy, I speak to an existential pedagogy of resistance in which the individual educator might reclaim her subjectivity and agency in these neoliberal times. Such a pedagogy, teaching as and for resistance, emerges from an intentionally proactive manifestation of the “existential attitude” (Solomon, 2005, p. 1), a consciously internalized realization of one’s own personhood amidst the oppressive realities of a dehumanizing educational system. In the portrait that follows, I represent my stance against neoliberal education as a resistor within and defector from the K-12 public school system where I worked as a teacher/librarian for thirteen years. Now, as an instructor (foundations of education) of undergraduate students preparing to be future teachers, I continue to position myself as a resistor by exposing my students to critical and philosophical forms of pedagogy that can be adapted to their own evolving teaching philosophies and future pedagogical practices. Using excerpts from a semester’s worth of autobiographical field notes (Spring 2013), I offer a portrait of pedagogical resistance against neoliberalism’s prescriptive teaching model whereby I emphasize existential themes of freedom, subjectivity, choice, action, and responsibility within a seminar setting. My purpose is to encourage students to develop their individual capacities for self-inquiry, personal expression (verbal and written), interactive dialogue, philosophical thinking, and relationship building.
Ovarian cancer patients' and their family members' perspectives on novel vaccine and virotherapy trials.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Some of the most promising avenues of cancer clinical investigation center on immunotherapeutic approaches. These approaches have provided notable gains in cancer therapeutics with recent Food and Drug Administration approvals of agents of this class in several types of cancers, although gains for ovarian cancer lag behind. This study examined perceptions of therapeutic trials including immunotherapy and virotherapy among ovarian cancer patients and their family members. METHODS A total of 72 semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 33 patients and 39 family members at two National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers. Eligible patients were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube carcinoma and had experience with clinical trial conversations; family members were nominated by patients and interviewed separately. Applied thematic analysis was used to understand and interpret the data. RESULTS More participants were aware of vaccine trials than virus trials, although more than half had heard of at least one of them. Initial reactions to vaccine trials were generally favorable. For many, childhood experience with vaccines lent a familiar frame of reference. Virus trials elicited more negative initial reactions, including the use of adjectives such as "scary" and "dreadful." Viruses seemed contagious or difficult to control. Increased receptivity to these trials occurred in the context of limited therapeutic options and cancer recurrence. Most participants, including those not immediately drawn to these types of trials, indicated openness to learning more. CONCLUSION Although vaccine and viral trials are both immunologically based therapeutic approaches, patients who are offered these trials may perceive their potential benefit and safety quite differently. There is a need to consider terminology, solicit and address "gut reactions," and provide information that enables patients and their family members to better understand the science behind these trials.
Indications of creation in contemporary astrophysics

L'article traite de la cosmologie du Big Bang et de ses liens a la creation et a un Createur hors de l'univers affirmes par des philosophes. L'A. presente les donnees recentes de l'astrophysique et des mathematiques sur la finitude du temps passe pour montrer qu'elles convergent avec l'approche de la cosmologie des musulmans, des juifs et des chretiens. L'A. etudie aussi des tentatives de physiciens d'interpreter son sens metaphysique.
Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Ruptured Mitral Chordae Tendineae

The chordal structure is a part of mitral valve geometry that has been commonly neglected or simplified in computational modeling due to its complexity. However, these simplifications cannot be used when investigating the roles of individual chordae tendineae in mitral valve closure. For the first time, advancements in imaging, computational techniques, and hardware technology make it possible to create models of the mitral valve without simplifications to its complex geometry, and to quickly run validated computer simulations that more realistically capture its function. Such simulations can then be used for a detailed analysis of chordae-related diseases. In this work, a comprehensive model of a subject-specific mitral valve with detailed chordal structure is used to analyze the distinct role played by individual chordae in closure of the mitral valve leaflets. Mitral closure was simulated for 51 possible chordal rupture points. Resultant regurgitant orifice area and strain change in the chordae at the papillary muscle tips were then calculated to examine the role of each ruptured chorda in the mitral valve closure. For certain subclassifications of chordae, regurgitant orifice area was found to trend positively with ruptured chordal diameter, and strain changes correlated negatively with regurgitant orifice area. Further advancements in clinical imaging modalities, coupled with the next generation of computational techniques will enable more physiologically realistic simulations.
The Role of MicroRNAs in Modulating Tissue Response to Radiation

MicroRNAs are a critical class of regulators for cells to deal with DNA damage. Abnormal miRNA function is associated with tumor initiation and progression, and altered miRNA expression found in tumor tissues are frequently associated with heterogeneity of tumor responses to therapeutic agents, including radiotherapy. In this chapter, we review recent advances of the functional role of microRNAs in the context of the DNA damage response, tissue specific tumor initiation and progression. We further discuss clinical implications of using miRNA signatures as biomarkers for radiosensitivity and targeting specific miRNAs as therapeutic approaches.
Evidence of a temperature transition for denuded zone formation in nanocrystalline Fe under He irradiation

Nanocrystalline materials are radiation-tolerant materials’ candidates due to their high defect sink density. Here, nanocrystalline iron films were irradiated with 10 keV helium ions in situ in a t...
An extendible semantic-based content representation method for distributed image databases

This paper introduces a scheme for semantic-based image content representation in a distributed heterogeneous database environment. The summary-schemas model (SSM) is used as the underlying platform. With the ability of summarizing the content information and guiding data distribution, the SSM provides a quality-guaranteed and time-efficient image accessing strategy. The advantages of representing and indexing images on the platform of SSM are as follows: (1) the SSM has mathematical capability of representing semantic content precisely and concisely; (2) content-based queries are efficiently resolved through hierarchical organization and classification of image objects according to their contents; and (3) imprecise text descriptions can be included in queries, which further enhances the searching capability of image databases. A conceptual framework of the proposed model is presented. The proposed scheme has been simulated, and the results are presented and analyzed. Finally, the proposed image representation and retrieval scheme has been compared and contrasted against several content-based retrieval systems as presented in the literature.
Low power considerations in the design of pipelined FIR filters

This paper discusses some design considerations in building deeply pipelined FIR filters using CMOS technology. Filters are good candidates for studying various design trade-offs. They have a regular structure where the multiply-accumulate cells (MACs) have unit fan-out. Hence, the output capacitance and consequently, power and delay, are dominated by the interconnect and clocking scheme which scale with circuit size.
Electrical Characterization of Low-Profile Copper Foil for Reduced Surface Roughness Loss

Abstract Signal attenuation in transmission lines is a major issue for reliable transmission in high frequency range. Knowledge of the electrical parameters of printed circuit board (PCB), including dielectric constant and loss tangent, is critical. Moreover, surface roughness has a great effect on loss in high frequency. This paper demonstrates an effective simulation fitting method for electrical material characterization. Cavity resonator is chosen as the circuit for characterization. A methodology is presented to measure surface roughness from cross sections, and compared with values extracted from resonator measurements. Several materials and copper foils treatments, including low-profile, are analyzed in this paper.
Transfemoral access assessment for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: evidence-based application of computed tomography over invasive angiography.

Background— Although computed tomography (CT) is commonly used for iliofemoral evaluation for transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement, many centers worldwide use invasive angiography alone for this purpose. No study to date has evaluated the value of CT over angiography for the prediction of vascular complications. In addition, no data exist for the value of noncontrast CT. Methods and Results— Of the 588 transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients, we reviewed 496 consecutive transfemoral cases. Vessel diameters were measured by CT or angiography. Sheath-related complication (SRC) was defined as an iliofemoral arterial injury not including a cannulation site. Receiver operating characteristic models were generated using sheath-to-iliofemoral artery ratios as a variable and SRC as an end point. In patients undergoing both contrast CT and angiography (n=283; 35 SRCs), contrast CT showed a greater predictive value than angiography by area under the curve P <0.001): 0.87 (95% confidence interval: 0.82–0.91) versus 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.66–0.77). In patients undergoing both noncontrast CT and angiography (n=103; 17 SRCs), there was no difference between noncontrast CT and angiography: 0.79 (95% confidence interval: 0.70–0.86) versus 0.73 (95% confidence interval: 0.63–0.81). Three-dimensional assessments of calcification and tortuosity provided limited additional value for SRC prediction. Conclusions— Contrast CT has a greater predictive value for post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement vascular complications than angiography. Because these complications increase mortality, an accurate assessment of the vasculature is a critical component of proper access selection.
Alcohol treatment outcomes following discharge from a partial hospital program.

Background: Thousands of individuals in the United States seek alcohol treatment each year, typically in outpatient settings. Partial hospital programs provide a high level of structured, individua...
Cost of Cancer-Related Neutropenia or Fever Hospitalizations, United States, 2012.

Purpose:Neutropenia and subsequent infections are life-threatening treatment-related toxicities of chemotherapy. Among patients with cancer, hospitalizations related to neutropenic complications result in substantial medical costs, morbidity, and mortality. Previous estimates for the cost of cancer-related neutropenia hospitalizations are based on older and limited data. This study provides nationally representative estimates of the cost of cancer-related neutropenia hospitalizations.Methods:We examined data from the 2012 National Inpatient Sample and Kids’ Inpatient Database. Hospitalizations for cancer-related neutropenia were defined as those with a primary or secondary diagnosis of cancer and a diagnosis of neutropenia or a fever of unknown origin. We examined characteristics of cancer-related neutropenia hospitalizations among children (age < 18 years) and adults (age ≥ 18 years). Adjusted predicted margins were used to estimate length of stay and cost per stay.Results:There were 91,560 and 16,859 ca...
Breast cancer in adolescent and young adult women: Are there delays in treatment?

e12085 Background: Adolescent and young adult women (AYAs), defined as ages of 15-39, account for 7% of breast cancer cases each year. Previous studies demonstrate AYAs present with later stage hav...
Enhanced Inflammasome Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Is Mediated via Type I Interferon-Induced Up-Regulation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 1.

Objective The inflammasome complex is a driver of organ damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although type I interferons (IFNs) are well established as mediators of SLE pathogenesis, their role in inflammasome activation in SLE has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to examine type I IFNs as regulators of the inflammasome. Methods SLE patients fulfilled ≥4 American College of Rheumatology criteria and were recruited from the University of Michigan Lupus Cohort. Primary monocytes were isolated from SLE patients or healthy controls by negative selection, treated with inflammasome activators in the presence or absence of IFNα, and IL-1β secretion was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression levels of IFN and inflammasome-related molecules were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. IFN regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) expression was specifically down-regulated by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection and a chemical inhibitor. Results Monocytes from patients with SLE exhibited increased expression and enhanced activation of the inflammasome by ATP when compared with control monocytes. Expression of inflammasome and IFN-regulated genes was significantly correlated in monocytes from SLE patients but not in control monocytes. Inflammasome activity was increased after prolonged exposure to IFNα. Reduction of IRF-1 expression via siRNA blocked caspase 1 up-regulation after treatment with IFNα. Importantly, hyperactivity of the inflammasome in the monocytes of SLE patients was significantly reduced after knockdown or inhibition of IRF-1. Conclusion Prolonged type I IFN exposure, as seen in SLE patients, primes monocytes for robust inflammasome activation in an IRF-1–dependent manner. IRF-1 inhibition may serve as a novel target for treatment of SLE-associated inflammation and organ damage.
Faculty led study abroad: Influences on student intercultural communication, interprofessional attitudes, and professional identity

Interprofessional education is valued within healthcare professional programs as reflected in accreditation standards and program outcomes as well as college-wide initiatives. Little is known about the relationships between interprofessional attitudes among healthcare students (nursing, occupational therapy, social work), their degree of intercultural communication skills, and their professional identity. Thirty three students participating in interprofessional faculty-led study abroad completed pre- and post- measures of the constructs under study: interprofessional attitudes, intercultural communication, and professional identity. Statistically significant positive relationships were found between interprofessional attitudes and intercultural communication skills which are discussed as well as implications for education and practice. This quantitative, descriptive study explored relationships between the variables which included cultural communication, interprofessional attitudes, and professional identity. This study supports the need for interprofessional exposure and experience for healthcare students. Educational pedagogy and practices will need to be adjusted to allow for increased emphasis on these variables, specifically for students in service-oriented health related fields.
Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectromicroscopy on the Angstrom Scale: Bare and CO-Terminated Ag Tips

The tip is key to the successful execution of tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) measurements in the single molecule limit. We show that nanoscopically smooth silver tips, batch produced through field-directed sputter sharpening, reliably attain TERS with enhancement factors that reach 1013, as measured by the Raman spectra of single CO molecules attached to the tip apex. We validate the bare tips by demonstrating spectromicroscopy with submolecular spatial resolution and underscore that TERS is a near-field effect that does not obey simple selection rules. As a more gainful analytical approach, we introduce TERS-relayed molecular force microscopy using CO-terminated tips. By taking advantage of the large Stark tuning rate of the CO stretch, molecular structure and charges can be imaged with atomic resolution. As illustration, we image a single Ag atom adsorbed on Au(111) and show that the adatom carries +0.2e charge.
Severe Hyponatremia Presenting with Minimal Symptoms

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte abnormality, however, encountering a patient with serum sodium level below 100 mEq/L and minimal symptoms is unusual. We present the case of an 86-year-old woman who was found to have serum sodium levels of 99 mEq/L. Her only complaint was difficulty in walking. On admission, and throughout her hospital stay, she did not have altered mental status, focal neurological deficits, or adverse outcomes. Her history, blood work, and urine studies pointed towards a diagnosis of thiazide-associated hyponatremia. Thiazide-associated hyponatremia can occur at any time during the course of thiazide administration. The first step that should be taken to manage this condition is discontinuing the medication. The lesson learned from this case is that the degree of hyponatremia does not always correlate with the severity of symptoms.
Numerical computation of time-domain Green's functions for the Treeby-Cox space-fractional wave equation

The attenuation of ultrasound in soft tissue follows a frequency-dependent power law. As an alternative to the time-fractional partial differential equations that describe power law attenuation and dispersion, Treeby and Cox derived a space-fractional model that accounts for both power law attenuation and dispersion. The Treeby-Cox space-fractional wave equation is convenient for simulations with the pseudo-spectral approach; however, numerical calculations of the time-domain Green's function for the Treeby-Cox wave equation are more challenging because numerical evaluation of a highly oscillatory improper integral is required. When applied to this problem, most standard numerical integration techniques perform poorly, so an alternative approach is required.
Cellular immunotherapy as a therapeutic approach in multiple myeloma.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Immunotherapy seeks to restore and augment the unique ability of the immune system to recognize and kill malignant cells. This strategy has previously been incorporated into standard of care in myeloma with the use of immunomodulatory drugs and allogeneic transplant. The following review will discuss the rationale for immunotherapy to reverse critical aspects of the immunosuppressive milieu in myeloma and avenues where cellular therapies are now revolutionizing myeloma treatment.Areas covered: A particular focus is outcomes of clinical trials in myeloma published in PubMed database or abstract form using vaccines or adoptive cell transfer: marrow infiltrating lymphocytes, T-cell receptor and chimeric antigen receptor T cells.Expert commentary: Immunotherapy has extraordinary potential in myeloma. Combinations of cellular therapies with immunomodulatory molecules or checkpoint inhibitors are likely to be synergistic and now underway. Future directions include neoantigen or nanoparticl...
DNA Helicases: Hexameric Enzyme Action

Helicases are nucleoside triphosphatase-driven nanomotors that move on nucleic acid (NA) to facilitate reactions of DNA and RNA metabolic processes in the living cells. A subset of these enzymes is active as oligomeric complexes; their ring-shaped structure endows them with unique NA motor functions. The understanding of ring-shaped motor proteins is shaped by extensive biochemical and structural studies including pre-steady-state adenosine triphosphatase kinetics, single molecule NA translocation kinetics, electron microscopy, and X-ray crystallography. These studies continue to reveal the amazing coordination of conformational changes in the ring subunits prompted by nucleoside triphosphate hydrolysis that allows translocation of the NA through the central channel. In this article, we discuss the major viewpoints on the mechanisms of NA binding and translocation, active and passive mechanisms of DNA unwinding, and coordinated adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis by these motor proteins, in the light of their latest available crystal structures.
Whittaker modules for Uq(sl2)

Abstract We define and study the class of Whittaker modules for the quantum enveloping algebra U q ( sl 2 ) of sl 2 . One of our main results describes an arbitrary Whittaker module as a quotient of U q ( sl 2 ) . From this description, we determine precise criteria for when a Whittaker module is simple as well as a decomposition of an arbitrary Whittaker module into indecomposable submodules. We also prove that the annihilator ann U q ( sl 2 ) ( V ) of a Whittaker module V is generated by its intersection with the center of U q ( sl 2 ) . This is the analogue of a classical result in the Lie algebra setting due to Kostant.
Polymer microlayer structures with anisotropic conductivity

Continuous layer-multiplying coextrusion offers a new approach for processing metal-filled polymers into conducting structures. In this process, filled and unfilled polymers are combined into unique structures with many alternating layers of two or more components. The total number of layers can range from tens to thousands. The ability of microlayering to “organize” anisotropic particles was used to obtain metal-filled polypropylene tape with highly anisotropic electrical properties. Orientation of metal flakes by microlayering increased the anisotropy in resistivity by two orders of magnitude over compression molding. Isolation of individual filled layers by alternating filled and unfilled layers resulted in materials with many independent conducting pathways. Filled layers with 10% (v/v) copper flakes or 15% (v/v) nickel flakes were conductive only if the filled layers were thick compared to the thickness of the flake particles. When the thickness of the filled layers approached the particle thickness, the conductive properties were lost. This behavior was understood by comparing the three-dimensional arrangement of flakes in thick conductive layers with the two-dimensional particle layout of thin non-conductive layers.
Three-Dimensional Radiative Transfer for Hyperspectral Imaging Classification and Detection

Hyperspectral image exploitation algorithms typically require inputs of reflectance spectra, which must be retrieved from the observed radiance spectra. This retrieval process is very challenging under the complex illumination conditions typical of urban settings due the influence of three-dimensional structure in the form of shadows and reflections, which must be taken into account by the algorithms. In order to advance the state of the art on this problem, MIT Lincoln Laboratory recently conducted an airborne data collection experiment in a light urban environment that included hyperspectral, laser radar, and pan-chromatic modalities. A comprehensive ground truth data set was collected and extensive efforts were directed at sensor characterization to enable the development of hyperspectral exploitation algorithms. Additionally, the laboratory is developing an extremely compact but high performance imaging spectrometer that will be ideal for the data collections required by this new image processing paradigm.
Rare variants in MYH15 modify amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disorder characterized by progressive muscular atrophy and respiratory failure. The G4C2 repeat expansion in the C9orf72 gene is the most prevalent genetic risk for ALS. Mutation carriers (C9ALS) display variability in phenotypes such as age-at-onset and duration, suggesting the existence of additional genetic factors. Here we introduce a three-step gene discovery strategy to identify genetic factors modifying the risk of both C9ALS and sporadic ALS (sALS) using limited samples. We first identified 135 candidate genetic modifiers of C9ALS using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of extreme C9ALS cases diagnosed ~30 years apart. We then performed an unbiased genetic screen using a Drosophila model of the G4C2 repeat expansion with the genes identified from WGS analysis. This genetic screen identified the novel genetic interaction between G4C2 repeat-associated toxicity and 18 genetic factors, suggesting their potential association with C9ALS risk. We went on to test if 14 out of the 18 genes, those which were not known to be risk factors for ALS previously, are also associated with ALS risk in sALS cases. Gene-based-statistical analyses of targeted resequencing and WGS were performed. These analyses together reveal that rare variants in MYH15 represent a likely genetic risk factor for ALS. Furthermore, we show that MYH15 could modulate the toxicity of dipeptides produced from expanded G4C2 repeat. Our study presented here demonstrates the power of combining WGS with fly genetics to facilitate the discovery of fundamental genetic components of complex traits with a limited number of samples.
Effects of training on sensitivities to spatial changes in auditory scenes

Previous work has shown that change deafness can occur with changes in the spatial location of objects within auditory scenes. Whether performance can be improved with training has yet to be directly tested. In the present study, the impact of training was examined in a “flicker”-like paradigm, where an initial scene comprising environmental sounds presented on the horizontal plane alternated with the presentation of a comparison scene, which was either the same or contained a change in the location of one or more sounds. Trained participants were trained on a set of sounds on day 1, while control subjects completed an unrelated visual task. On day 2, participants were tested using the same paradigm, with trained subjects hearing either the sounds they were trained on or new sounds, and controls being exposed to the paradigm for the first time. Overall, trained participants performed better (93% accuracy) than untrained participants (79%). Both groups had lower reaction times on correct-response change trials than on correct-response no-change trials. Trained subjects performed no better on trained sounds than new sounds. These data indicate that training can improve task performance, but improvements may be not be limited to sounds experienced during training.Previous work has shown that change deafness can occur with changes in the spatial location of objects within auditory scenes. Whether performance can be improved with training has yet to be directly tested. In the present study, the impact of training was examined in a “flicker”-like paradigm, where an initial scene comprising environmental sounds presented on the horizontal plane alternated with the presentation of a comparison scene, which was either the same or contained a change in the location of one or more sounds. Trained participants were trained on a set of sounds on day 1, while control subjects completed an unrelated visual task. On day 2, participants were tested using the same paradigm, with trained subjects hearing either the sounds they were trained on or new sounds, and controls being exposed to the paradigm for the first time. Overall, trained participants performed better (93% accuracy) than untrained participants (79%). Both groups had lower reaction times on correct-response change tr...
Psychiatric Genetics, Epigenetics, and Cellular Models in Coming Years

Psychiatric genetic studies have uncovered hundreds of loci associated with various psychiatric disorders. We take the opportunity to review achievements in the past and provide our view of what is coming in the fields of molecular genetics, epigenetics, and cellular models. We expect that SNP-array and sequencing-based studies of genetic associations will continue to expand, covering more disorders, drug responses, phenotypes, and diverse populations. Epigenetic studies of psychiatric disorders will be another promising field with the growing recognition that environmental factors impact the risk for psychiatric disorders by modulating epigenetic factors. Functional studies of genetic findings will be needed in cellular models to provide important connections between genetic and epigenetic variants and biological phenotypes.
NMDA receptors and the ontogeny of post-shock and retention freezing during contextual fear conditioning.

The ontogeny and NMDA-receptor (NMDAR) mechanisms of context conditioning were examined during standard contextual fear conditioning (sCFC) - involving context and context-shock learning in the same trial - as a comparison with our previous reports on the Context Preexposure Facilitation Effect (CPFE), which separates these two types of learning by 24 hr. In Experiment 1, systemic administration of the NMDAR antagonist, MK-801, prior to conditioning disrupted retention but not post-shock freezing during sCFC in PD31 rats. Experiment 2 replicated and extended this effect to PD17 versus PD31 rats. Consistent with Experiment 1, pre-training MK-801 spared post-shock freezing but impaired retention freezing in PD31 rats. In contrast, pre-training MK-801 disrupted post-shock freezing in PD17 rats, which showed no retention freezing regardless of drug. These results reveal developmental differences in the role of NMDAR activity in the acquisition versus retention of a context-shock association during sCFC in pre-weanling and adolescent rats.
College Ready at a Cost: Underrepresented Students Overwhelmed, Scared, Increasingly Stressed, and Coping

As the push and expectation to attend college continues to increase, making the process of getting into college more competitive than ever before, there is a need to interrogate whether and how eff...
Screening in Si-H bonds during plasma processing

The screening of Si-H bond during high field stress degradation in an n-channel MOSFET was investigated. To emulate the plasma processing conditions, devices were subjected to current stress and the source and drain terminals were reverse biased by a screening potential. Subsequent hot carrier stress was carried out to evaluate the screening effect. Interface state density was measured before and after the high field injection using charge pumping technique. The Si-H bond concentration was estimated using a model based on a simple first order kinetic equation. Si-H concentration is a function of the screening potential and it was compared with that of the interface state densities. It was observed that screening of the drain edges was effective for both gate injection and substrate injection at specific screening potentials.
“The Souls of White Folk” (1920–2020): a century of Peril and prophecy

Published in 1920, W. E. B. Du Bois’s Darkwater: Voices from Within the Veil contains a provocative chapter entitled “The Souls of White Folk.” The chapter is a tour de force of the relationship of...
Using Monte Carlo models to predict hydrocarbon column heights and to illustrate how faults influence buoyant fluid entrapment

Faults are often assumed to play a significant role in the migration and entrapment of hydrocarbons, either offering conduits for, or barriers to, fluid flow. They may also affect fluid-phase trapping and influence phase fractionation in the subsurface. A Monte Carlo modelling approach is used to model these effects for trap analysis. The aim is to show how varying fault seal capacity, the fault orientation, the regional stress tensor and the trap geometry can all affect how both oil and gas are retained within a trap. The model reduces the problem to a 1D analysis with a structural description depth-referenced to the crest of a prospect. Both juxtaposition and membrane fault seal are modelled, together with hydrodynamic effects and fault reactivation risk. The potential of a prospect to trap hydrocarbons is evaluated in a roll-up of results with the outputs including a predicted hydrocarbon column height distribution and column height control statistics. The technique also offers an insight into the potential fluid-phase partitioning that may occur dependent on the interplay between the active leakage mechanisms and spill control, enabling gas v. oil columns to be predicted. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Fault and top seals collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/fault-and-top-seals-2019
Administrative Interns As Legitimate Participants in the Community of Practice.

In recent years, many programs in Educational Administration have added the requirement of an administrative internship. This paper explores how internship learning differs from classroom learning ...
Why Do Companies Disclose Realizable or Realized Executive Compensation in Proxy Statements

This paper examines the determinants of companies’ disclosure policy regarding alternative compensation measures (realizable and realized CEO compensation). We hypothesize and find that a company is more likely to disclose realizable and/or realized CEO compensation in the following cases: (1) when a CEO gets higher compensation; (2) when the company’s performance is relatively poor; (3) when a major proxy advisory firm indicates higher concern about pay for performance; and (4) when the company receives relatively unfavorable Say on Pay votes in the preceding proxy season. We also find that following disclosure of alternative compensation measures, companies receive more favorable votes on Say on Pay by shareholders.
Trans-hemispheric artivism: Mexican and Latinx Grafica

In this article, I connect the resistant, sociopolitically expressive graphic art created in Mexico with the political artivist work of U.S. Latinx nonfiction cartoonists creating today. I do so by...
In vivo imaging of newt lens regeneration with OCT

Newts have the exceptional capability of regenerating the lens through their lifetime. The transparency of the anterior chamber makes OCT an idea imaging technology to track the entire process of the lens regeneration in vivo without interruptions. We demonstrated, for the first time, that OCT can capture not only essential morphological changes similar to the changes observed in histology but some fine structures, like zonular fibers, which are not visible in histology. Our initial results warrant the future research of tailoring OCT for dynamically imaging the lens regeneration in newts.
Exploiting end-of-use and end-of-life photovoltaic options to support renewable energy market growth

Energy demand continues to grow with the world’s burgeoning population but meeting that demand solely through non-renewable sources is unsustainable. Utilizing renewable sources will address global energy needs more sustainably and with fewer negative environmental impacts [1] but renewable sources still have constraints that can limit market growth [2]. Constraints can include limitations in manufacturing processes, supply chain networks, or supply [3]-[5].
Color Vision Deficits

Color provides important information about the identity of the objects we encounter. After early processing stages in the retinal cones, thalamus, and occipital cortex, retinal signals reach the ventral temporal cortex for high-level color and object processing, which links color perception with top-down expectations and knowledge. In the language-dominant hemisphere, some of these regions communicate with the language systems; by assigning verbal labels to percepts, these circuits speed up stimulus categorization, and permit fast and accurate inter-individual communication. This paper provides a review of color processing deficits, from dysfunction of wavelength discrimination in the retinal photoreceptors to deficits of high-level processing in the ventral temporal cortex. Neuroimaging evidence defined the existence and localization of color-preferring domains in the ventral occipito-temporal cortex. Evidence from the performance of a brain-damaged patient with color anomia but preserved color categorization demonstrated the independence of color categorization from color naming in the adult brain. Evidence from patients with brain damage suggests that high-level color processing may be divided into at least three functional domains: perceptual color experience, color naming, and color knowledge.
History of Actuarial Profession

A profession is an occupation or vocation requiring advanced study in a specialized field. The actuarial profession started out from life insurance and pension plans. Later, its development ran parallel to the accounting profession. To safeguard the goals and objectives of the profession, actuarial organizations were established on an international level but also on a national level where often rules for proper accreditation have been established. Economic and financial developments have broadened the required skills of an actuary. The future actuary will face new challenges that emerge from regulation, globalization and expanding knowledge. Keywords: classical professions; globalization; public purpose; regulation