cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EPIGENETICS AND HUMAN DISEASE

▪ Abstract Epigenetics is comprised of the stable and heritable (or potentially heritable) changes in gene expression that do not entail a change in DNA sequence. The role of epigenetics in the etiology of human disease is increasingly recognized with the most obvious evidence found for genes subject to genomic imprinting. Mutations and epimutations in imprinted genes can give rise to genetic and epigenetic phenotypes, respectively; uniparental disomy and imprinting defects represent epigenetic disease phenotypes. There are also genetic disorders that affect chromatin structure and remodeling. These disorders can affect chromatin in trans or in cis, as well as expression of both imprinted and nonimprinted genes. Data from Angelman and Beckwith-Wiedemann syndromes and other disorders indicate that a monogenic or oligogenic phenotype can be caused by a mixed epigenetic and genetic and mixed de novo and inherited (MEGDI) model. The MEGDI model may apply to some complex disease traits and could explain negati...
Getting graphic about infographics: design lessons learned from popular infographics

AbstractPeople learn and remember more efficiently and effectively through the use of text and visuals than through text alone. Infographics are one way of presenting complex and dense informational content in a way that supports cognitive processing, learning, and future recognition and recollection. But the power of infographics is that they are a way of delivering the maximum amount of content in the least amount of space while still being precise and clear; because they are visual presentations as opposed to oral or text presentations, they can quickly tell a story, show relationships, and reveal structure. The following paper reports on an exploration of top 20 ‘liked’ infographics on a popular infographic sharing website to better understand what makes an effective infographic in order to better prepare graduate students as consumers and designers of infographics. The paper concludes with recommendations and strategies on how educators might leverage the power of infographics in their classrooms.
Surface Modification of Indium–Tin Oxide with Functionalized Perylene Diimides: Characterization of Orientation, Electron-Transfer Kinetics and Electronic Structure

Charge-transfer efficiency at the active layer/transparent conducting oxide (TCO) interface is thought to be a key parameter contributing to the overall efficiency of organic electronic devices such as organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Modification of the TCO surface with a redox-active surface modifier is a possible approach toward enhancing OPV efficiency by providing an efficient charge-transfer pathway between either hole- or electron-harvesting contacts and the organic active layer. Here we report on the modification of indium–tin oxide (ITO) electrodes with two perylene diimides (PDIs), coupled to phosphonic acid (PA) binding groups through a p-phenylene bridge or a biphenyl-4,4′-diyl bridge (PDI–phenyl–PA and PDI–diphenyl–PA, respectively). We used two different deposition techniques: adsorption from solution (SA) and spin coating (SC), to create three types of monolayer films on ITO: SA PDI–phenyl–PA, SA PDI–diphenyl–PA, and SC PDI–phenyl–PA. These thin films, designed to act as “charge-transfer media...
Collaborative PBL & architectural construction: design of active constructive learning units strategically interrelated with collaborative planning; using the Moodle platform

This paper analyses a new approach to learning in the field of Architectural Construction based on a series of strategically designed and interactive units. The centre of these is the collaborative project; this is based on complex problem-solving situations akin to the professional world; where theory and practice are combined in a discovery-learning process. The tools of Information and Communication Technology are applied, simultaneously facilitating the student's autonomy in acquiring skills and knowledge.
Religion as a Controlling Interference in Medical Decision Making by Minors

It is well settled that adult Jehovah’s Witnesses are permitted to refuse life-saving blood transfusions in accordance with their religious beliefs, but parents may not refuse the same on behalf of their children. In cases involving adolescents and religious refusals, the argument is often asserted that the decision is being made by the minors themselves. Several jurisdictions have adopted the so-called mature minor doctrine, which permits older minors to rebut the presumption of legal incompetence. The existing literature and case law in the United States inadequately address the extent to which religious families and church leaders may impermissibly influence the adolescent’s choice. The broad deference that it is generally given to religious decisions is inappropriate in this context, particularly when dealing with religions that isolate the adolescents in question and teach adherents to follow church authority unquestioningly and to avoid independent thought. In such situations, medical professionals (or the courts) must play an active role in determining whether controlling interferences are present that prevent the adolescent from making a substantially autonomous choice.
The Ethics of the Complete Management Buyout Cycle: A Multi-Perspective Analysis

Management buyouts occur when incumbent managers (typically in association with third party investors) purchase all of a firm's outstanding stock and remove it from public trading. Prior ethical analyses of such activities have ignored the fact that large numbers of such buyouts return to public trading. The ethical implications of management buyout activity can be more fully understood if the entire buyout process is considered, beginning with the time the firm is taken private until it is returned to public trading. Using a widely employed strategic management ethical framework developed by Hosmer (1994), this paper examines the ethics of the complete buyout cycle.
Catching a Falling Star: Star Human Capital Mobility and the Performance of NFL Teams

Recent research questions the strategy of hiring stars to improve organizational performance. This prior research finds that when stars are hired, they tend to perform at a lower level than in thei...
Statistical Evaluation of Bacterial 16S rRNA Gene Sequences in Relation to Travertine Mineral Precipitation and Water Chemistry at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, USA

It is possible that common earth-surface geological features can arise as a result of bacteria interacting with purely physical and chemical processes. The ability to distinguish ancient and modern mineral deposits that are biologically influenced from those that are purely abiotic in origin will advance our ability to interpret microbial evolution from the ancient rock record on earth and potentially other planets. As a step toward deciphering biotic from abiotic processes, we have combined carbonate mineralogical and geochemical analyses together with community-based microbial genetic analyses in hot spring drainage systems at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. Previously (Fouke et al. 2000, 2003), we reported the shape and chemistry of carbonate mineral deposits (travertine), which have formed along the hot spring outflow. This travertine exhibits five distinct ecological zonations (termed sedimentary depositional facies) even though most physical and chemical attributes of the spring water change smoothly and continuously over the course of the drainage outflow path. Here, we document an unexpectedly sharp correlation between microbial phylogenetic diversity and travertine facies, which suggests that changes in bacterial community composition are a sensitive indicator of environmental conditions along the spring outflow. These results provide an environmental context for constraining abiotic and biotic theories for the origin of distinct crystalline structures and chemistries formed during hot spring travertine precipitation.
Functional and Shape Data Analysis

(2017). Functional and Shape Data Analysis. Journal of Quality Technology: Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 419-420.
Trends in oral and vaginally administered estrogen use among US women 50 years of age or older with commercial health insurance.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to provide information through 2015 about use in the United States of estrogen products, including orally and vaginally administered products, in postmenopausal women. METHODS We used prescription claims for US commercial health insurance to calculate, in women 50 years of age or older (n = 12,007,364), the age-standardized and age-specific annual prevalence of estrogen use, by formulation and route of administration, for the period 2006 through 2015. RESULTS The age-standardized annual prevalence of a prescription claim for oral estrogens declined over time, from 83 per 1,000 women in 2007 to 42 per 1,000 women in 2015. The age-standardized annual prevalence of a prescription claim for vaginal estrogens peaked in 2011, at 42 per 1,000 women, before declining to 35 per 1,000 women in 2015. The age-standardized annual prevalence of a prescription claim for transdermal estrogen fluctuated between 15 and 17 per 1,000 women. In age groups under 65 years of age, annual prevalence rates for vaginal rings and inserts declined over the latter half of the study period. CONCLUSIONS Analyses of US prescription claims data between 2006 and 2015 for women 50 years of age or older showed declining use of oral estrogen generally and vaginally administered estrogen products specifically in age groups less than 65 years of age.
Stability and change in the vocal signatures of common marmoset mobbing calls

Alarm calls that carry information about the identity of the caller may help the receiver decide how to react. We recorded the tsik calls of six captive adult marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) in two ...
Online games and family ties: influences of social networking game on family relationship

How do online games impact intergenerational family relationships? To answer this question, we investigated QQ Farm, the most popular online game available on a popular Chinese social networking site. We conducted observations and semi-structured interviews with sixteen pairs of Chinese parents and their adult children. Of the sixteen pairs, seven lived locally; nine pairs lived remotely. The findings of this study suggest that online games provide common conversational topics among local family members and enrich family time. Online games with well-designed shared virtual spaces can also help enhance remote families' awareness of each other's real-life activity. For future intergenerational games, we recommend a game design that requires minimal effort, has a 'healthy' theme, and provides features, such as an activity log and message board, which help maintain game based family communications.
Knowledge building for use of the internet in education

The purpose of this commentary is not so much to critique the studiesin this special issue as to stimulate deeper thinking and dialogueabout the issues raised by these studies, in the hope of improvingthe usefulness of research in this important area. The key issuesare represented by the following three questions: 1) What kind ofknowledge is needed for how to use the Internet most effectivelyfor educational purposes? 2) What kind of research is needed togenerate that knowledge? 3) What role should technology play inthe nature of that knowledge? In addressing these questions, thisarticle explores the value of design theory relative to descriptivetheory. It explores the value of design-based research relative todescriptive and comparative studies. And it explores the value ofintegrating technology into the methods we have traditionally usedin education relative to harnessing technology to transform thosemethods into ones more focused on learners' needs.
INITIAL EXPLOITATION OF SHELLFISH IN THE NARRAGANSETT BAY REGION

The first direct evidence for expansion and diversification of the subsistence base at the Greenwich Cove site dates to the Terminal Archaic period, when shellfish were initially collected from nearby waters. Only 10 excavation levels from one-square-meter units in the Greenwich Cove shell midden date to the Terminal Archaic, making this period the sparsest occupation represented. Five levels from the column samples also date to this period, and the shellfish remains from them indicate the early predominance of oyster. Given the millions of years of human existence, the systematic and intensive exploitation of mollusks for food seems to be a relatively late occurrence. Current evidence suggests that this late use of shellfish is most likely true for the north-eastern coast of North America. The relationship between the stabilization of environmental conditions and the beginning of large-scale use of coastal resources is observed throughout the North American continent.
Self-Organized Criticality of Belief Propagation in Large Heterogeneous Teams

Large, heterogeneous teams will often be faced with situations where there is a large volume of incoming, conflicting data about some important fact. Not every team member will have access to the same data and team members will be influenced most by the teammates with whom they communicate directly. In this paper, we use an abstract model to investigate the dynamics and emergent behaviors of a large team trying to decide whether some fact is true. Simulation results show that the belief dynamics of a large team have the properties of a Self-Organizing Critical system. A key property of such systems is that they regularly enter critical states, where one additional input can cause dramatic, system wide changes. In the belief sharing case, this criticality corresponds to a situation where one additional sensor input causes many agents to change their beliefs. This can include the entire team coming to a “wrong” conclusion despite the majority of the evidence suggesting the right conclusion. Self-organizing criticality is not dependent on carefully tuned parameters, hence the observed phenomena are likely to occur in the real world.
Using knowledge translation for quality improvement: an interprofessional education intervention to improve thromboprophylaxis among medical inpatients.

Background Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is an effective means of preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) among medical inpatients. Compared with unfractionated heparin, LMWH is equivalent or superior in efficacy and risk of bleeding. Despite its advantages, LMWH is underused in VTE prophylaxis for general-medicine patients hospitalized at our institution. Thus, a quality improvement (QI) initiative was undertaken to increase LMWH use for VTE prophylaxis among medical patients hospitalized on resident teaching services. Methods A QI team was formed, consisting of resident and attending physicians with pharmacy leaders. A systems analysis was performed, which showed gaps in resident knowledge as the greatest barrier to LMWH use. A knowledge translation framework was used to improve prescribing practices. Several Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were executed, including resident-of-resident and pharmacist-of-resident education with performance audit and feedback. Results Pharmacist-of-resident education elicited the largest improvement and was sustained through a recurring pharmacist-led, interprofessional educational session as part of the monthly hospital orientation for incoming residents. Data analysis showed a statistically significant increase in LMWH use among treatment-eligible hospitalized medical patients, from 12.1% to 69.2%, following intervention (P<0.001). Extrapolated over 1 year, this improvement conserved 9,490 injections and nearly 791 hours of nurse time. Conclusions This QI project indicates that an interprofessional education intervention can lead to sustainable improvement in resident prescribing practices. This project also highlights the value of knowledge translation for the design of tailored interventions in QI initiatives.
On Stage and Screen

Crafting music for dramatic purposes, whether on stage or on screen, requires a highly specialized skill set. In some cases music must dominate and carry the weight of the storytelling; in others it must assume a more subservient role. Philip Glass and Carl Davis discuss their approaches to writing music to complement filmed images, while John McGlinn, Tommy Tune, and John Kander all discuss matters of re-creation and authenticity, whether it is in art of restoration or capturing a historical era’s distinctive dances and sounds.
Health Outcomes Associated With Internalizing Problems in Early Childhood and Adolescence

Physical and mental health problems are becoming more common among the general population. Studies examining mental and physical health often indicate that mental illness early in life is associated with more detrimental health outcomes later. However, additional work is needed to better identity which psychological problems may contribute to poorer health outcomes. Given recent increases in childhood anxiety and depression specifically, it is beneficial to further investigate the relationship between internalizing problems, both early and later in life, and related health problems. Furthermore, little work has focused on studying internalizing problems in children as young as preschool-aged. Therefore, the current project used a longitudinal design to assess the effects of preschool and adolescent internalizing problems on health-related problems in adolescence. We analyzed data from 70 youth (47% male) who had been tested in our lab when they were 5 years old and then were administered questionnaires over a telephone interview when they were adolescents, between the ages of 12 and 20 years old. We used multi-informant measures, including parent-report at age 5 and youth-report at follow-up, 7 to 15 years later. Parents reported on children's internalizing behavior problems and negative emotionality (NE). Youth reported on their own internalizing behavior problems as well as health problems, physical activity, and overeating behaviors. Path modeling was used to examine predictions of internalizing and health behaviors. At age 5, parent-reported NE and internalizing problems were related, in addition to 5-year-old internalizing predicting health problems and overeating at follow-up. At follow-up, youth-reported internalizing was positively related to health problems and negatively related to physical activity, suggesting some similarities and differences between parent and youth responses. Additionally, girls reported significantly higher rates of internalizing and health problems at follow-up. These results indicate a significant relationship between preschool-aged and adolescent internalizing problems and related health outcomes experienced in adolescence.
A General Problem Solving Approach for Wicked Problems: Theory and Application to Chemical Weapons Verification and Biological Terrorism

“Wicked” ill-defined problems such as violent crime, illegal drugs and terrorism may contain technical, economic, and political elements operating together as systems. Practical resolution requires “simple solutions” that are technically feasible, economically sustainable and politically implementable. Here we show an approach to achieve simple solutions to these problems. The approach was derived and tested in two experiments: first to develop verification measures for the Chemical Weapons Convention and subsequently to develop response concepts for biological terrorism. The approach's validity derives from its close relationship to the scientific method in objectively testing results, and its power is achieved by focusing a team of people directly on the problem of interest in the setting of a learning organization. The approach appears to provide access at will of the full human potential to resolve wicked problems and, thereby, yields a general problem solving tool of substantial power.
Proteomics of reproduction: Prospects and perspectives.

Abstract In recent years, proteomics has been used widely in reproductive research in order to understand the molecular mechanisms related to gametes at the cellular level and the role of proteins involved in fertilization. Network and pathway analysis using bioinformatic tools have paved way to obtain a wider picture on the possible pathways associated with the key differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and its implication in various infertility scenarios. A brief overview of advanced techniques and bioinformatic tools used for reproductive proteomics is presented. Key findings of proteomic-based studies on male and female reproduction are also presented. Furthermore, the chapter sheds light on the cellular pathways and potential biomarkers associated with male and female infertility. Proteomics coupled with bioinformatic analysis provides an ideal platform for non-invasive management of infertility in couples.
Between-network connectivity occurs in brain regions lacking layer IV input

To better understand the cortical circuitry underlying connectivity between large-scale neural networks, we develop a novel, data-driven approach to identify potential integration subregions. Between-network connectivity (BNC) associated with any anatomical region is the amount of connectivity between that point and all large-scale networks, as measured using simple and multiple correlations. It is straightforward to calculate and applicable to functional networks identified using independent components analysis. We calculated BNC for all fMRI voxels within the brain and compared the results to known regional cytoarchitectural patterns. Based on previous observations of the relationship between macroscopic connectivity and microscopic cytoarchitecture, we predicted that areas with high BNC will be located in paralimbic subregions with an undifferentiated laminar structure. Results suggest that the anterior insula and dorsal posterior cingulate cortices play prominent roles in information integration. Cytoarchitecturely, these areas show agranular or dysgranular cytologies with absent or disrupted cortical layer IV. Since layer IV is the primary recipient of feed-forward thalamocortical connections, and due to the exclusive nature of driving connections to this layer, we suggest that the absence of cortical layer IV might allow for information to be exchanged across networks, and is an organizational characteristic of brain-subregions serving as inter-network communication hubs.
Technical and Non-technical Challenges of Development of Offshore Petroleum Reservoirs: Characterization and Production

Offshore oil and gas reservoirs comprise a significant portion of the world’s reserve base, and their development is expected to help close a potential gap in the supply of hydrocarbons in the near future. Continuous advances in technology have helped the oil and gas industry to extend the exploration and production activities to deep and ultra-deep waters in harsher environments. Field development in the offshore environment is associated with numerous significant challenges in different phases including exploration, reservoir description and characterization, development planning, drilling, production, improved oil recovery (IOR) and enhanced oil recovery (EOR), transportation, and decommissioning. These challenges are further complicated by economic restrictions, especially in periods when low or unstable oil prices weaken the incentives of investments due to the high risks and uncertainties involved. Environmental concerns including the adverse effects of seismic surveys, drilling activities, discharge of waste material and produced water, and accidental spills and blowouts add another level of complexity to the design and implementation of offshore projects. Safe, reliable, and efficient development of offshore hydrocarbon reservoirs can be achieved through the proper identification of the challenges and use of modern technologies and innovative methods. This work is an effort to provide a comprehensive review of the history, global distribution, production share, classification, characteristics, and characterization methods of offshore reservoirs, and some of the main aspects and challenges of the experimental and modeling works as well as IOR/EOR planning and implementations from the reservoir engineering and production standpoint. These challenges are categorized based on their area of impact, i.e., characterization and recovery (production) phases. Furthermore, economic and environmental challenges are reviewed. After the recent downturn that caused a decline in offshore investments, current investment trends and the forecasts show that the offshore industry is booming again with more focus on cost saving and operational efficiency. The key technologies that can expedite the growth of the offshore petroleum industry have also been discussed.
Orthognathic Surgery in Cleidocranial Dysplasia.

ABSTRACT Optimal surgical correction of the craniofacial manifestations of cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) has not been established due to the rarity of the condition. A 27-year-old female with CCD is presented. She underwent virtual surgical planning (VSP) followed by LeFort-I disimpaction, bone grafting, bilateral sagittal-split osteotomy, genioplasty, submental lipectomy, and targeted facial fat grafting. The patient necessitated 15-mm of vertical maxillary disimpaction centrally, stabilized with wide maxillary plates and interpositional allogenic fibula grafts. Six-month postoperative examination demonstrated improved appearance and functional symptoms. Skeletal relationships were normalized on computed tomography (CT) and there was minimal change between immediate and 6-month postoperative CT measurements, demonstrating a stable result. Orthognathic surgery used to establish dentofacial harmony in patients with CCD can test the extremes of single-stage facial skeletal expansion. Use of VSP, wide maxillary plates, and interpositional bone grafts can help optimize maxillary expansion and stability, while concurrent fat redistribution optimizes facial aesthetics.
Trends in Tobacco Use among Young Adults Presenting for Military Service in the United States Air Force between 2013 and 2018.

Background: The US military has historically higher tobacco use compared to civilians, and tobacco use increases following enlistment. While the military is vulnerable to tobacco use, current surve...
The feasibility of ultrasound-assisted endovascular laser thrombolysis in an acute rabbit thrombosis model

PURPOSE This study aimed to test the feasibility of combined ultrasound and laser technique, namely, ultrasound-assisted endovascular laser thrombolysis (USELT), for thrombolysis by conducting in vivo tests in a rabbit thrombosis model. MATERIALS AND METHODS An acute thrombus was created in the right jugular vein of rabbit and then was treated with ultrasound only, laser only, and USELT to dissolve the blood clot. A total of 20 rabbits were used. Out of which, the first three rabbits were used to titrate the laser and ultrasound parameters. Then, five rabbits were treated with ultrasound only, five rabbits were treated with laser only, and seven rabbits were treated with USELT. During USELT, 532-nm laser pulses were delivered endovascularly directly to the clot through a fiber optic, and 0.5 MHz ultrasound pulses were applied noninvasively to the same region. A laser fluence of 4 to 12 mJ/cm2 and ultrasound amplitude of 1 to 2 MPa were used. Recanalization of the jugular vein was assessed by performing ultrasound Doppler imaging immediately after the treatment. The maximum blood flow speed after the treatment as compared to its value before the treatment was used to calculate the blood flow recovery in vessel. RESULTS The blood flow was fully recovered (100%) in three rabbits, partially recovered in two rabbits (more than 50% and less than 100%) with mean percentage recovery of 69.73% and poorly recovered in two rabbits (<50%) with mean percentage recovery of 6.2% in the USELT group. In contrast, the treatment group with ultrasound or laser alone did not show recanalization of vein in any case, all the five rabbits were poorly/not recovered with a mean percentage recovery of 0%. CONCLUSIONS The USELT technology was shown to effectively dissolve the blood clots in an acute rabbit jugular vein thrombosis model.
Development of a Team Role Behavior Observation Tool: Insights and Considerations for Future Research:

Today’s workforce is dependent on teams. Organizations are interested in positively influencing antecedents to team effectiveness such as team composition. While many factors have been studied thor...
Maintenance of Trichomonas vaginalis in simplified trypticase serum medium without maltose.

Abstract These data show that Trichomonas vaginalis will survive and grow in simplified trypticase serum medium without maltose. This experimental evidence supports the clinical observation of the survival of this flagellate in a vaginal environment lacking in epithelial glycogen. The metabolic requirements of the organism are met by the presence of serum and the nutritional stimulation of bacteria. The resulting metabolism and rate of division of Trichomonas vaginalis in this medium afford a method of conserving the flagellates with a minium expenditure of material and time.
Free Dynamics and Algebraic Semantics

Adamek has recently given general criteria for the construction of a free X-dynamics. We specialize this result to the case in which the free dynamics is over the initial object, noting that the result, μ0:A X → A is an isomorphism. This result not only specializes to the theory of minimal fixed points, but provides a new method of constructing solutions to Scott's domain equations which does not require coincidence of limits and colimits. Finally, we show how free dynamics allow us to construct semantics for programming schemes.
Language Proficiency and Home Languages of Students in New York City Elementary and Middle Schools.

In New York City, elementary and middle school students speak a wide variety of languages in their homes (167) and come from a vast number of countries (192). Over 1 in 10 children are limited English proficient (LEP) and another 3 in 10 are English proficient and from homes where languages other than English are spoken. Given the challenges to educating students with varying language needs, it is important to gain an understanding of the differences and similarities between students who are not yet proficient in English and those who are proficient, and to further distinguish among the English proficient students who are and are not exposed to English at home. What are the differences in the characteristics and school performance of LEP and English proficient students? Do English proficient students exposed to English at home differ from those exposed to other languages?This report, a companion to our report on immigrant students, answers these and other questions through a statistical portrait of the demographic characteristics and academic performance of New York City's elementary and middle school students by English language proficiency and home language groups.
Predictability of Solids-Not-Fat Content in Milk, ,

Abstract For a long time milk has been evaluated on the basis of its fat content. However, because of the changing preference of diet-conscious consumers and the needs for milk solids by manufacturers of dry milk and cheese, a considerable amount of interest and research has been initiated in recent years to develop a ne basis for evaluating milk (2). The solids-not-fat (SNF) fraction of milk appeared to be a most suitable basis, because it represents the proteins in milk and because accurate methods, adaptable for use by field technicians on series of samples, were available for determination of this fraction (1, 3, 10). While research is proceeding on genetic and environmental factors affecting SNF contents in milk, marketing authorities have hesitated to change the present system of evaluating or pricing milk. Unless SNF is a criterion for pricing milk, dairy cattle breeders have no incentive to test and select sows and bulls for different SNF levels.
Learning to tag from open vocabulary labels

Most approaches to classifying media content assume a fixed, closed vocabulary of labels. In contrast, we advocate machine learning approaches which take advantage of the millions of free-form tags obtainable via online crowd-sourcing platforms and social tagging websites. The use of such open vocabularies presents learning challenges due to typographical errors, synonymy, and a potentially unbounded set of tag labels. In this work, we present a new approach that organizes these noisy tags into well-behaved semantic classes using topic modeling, and learn to predict tags accurately using a mixture of topic classes. This method can utilize an arbitrary open vocabulary of tags, reduces training time by 94% compared to learning from these tags directly, and achieves comparable performance for classification and superior performance for retrieval. We also demonstrate that on open vocabulary tasks, human evaluations are essential for measuring the true performance of tag classifiers, which traditional evaluation methods will consistently underestimate. We focus on the domain of tagging music clips, and demonstrate our results using data collected with a human computation game called TagATune.
Advances in the Development of Interactive Robotics Technology for the Severely Disabled

It has been hypothesized that industrial robotics technology can be adapted to serve the manipulation needs of people with severe physical disabilities. A computer-controlled device, called the Robotic Aid, has been built and is being evaluated. It allows the disabled person to control the motion of a Unimation PUMA 250 robot in real time. Various devices, such as sensate grippers, are being developed to lessen the control burden on the user. The results of this investigation are relevant to industrial automation in unstructured environments and to the general study of interactions of people and "intelligent" machines.
EEG Artifact Due to a Metallic Prosthetic Eye

(1975). EEG Artifact Due to a Metallic Prosthetic Eye. American Journal of EEG Technology: Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 75-78.
Partitions which are simultaneously t 1 and t 2 -core

For a positive integer t, a partition is t-core if each of the hook numbers from its Ferrers-Young diagram is not divisible by t. For two relatively prime t values, say t1 and t2, there are only finitely many partitions which are both t1- and t2-core. Moreover, the number of partitions has a nice combinatorial representation.
Post-operative respiratory outcomes using a standard extubation protocol after elective gastrostomy tube placement in pediatric patients with spinal muscular atrophy type 1

Medical records of spinal muscular atrophy type 1 patients, who underwent elective laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and gastrostomy tube insertion and extubation using a standardized clinical protocol, were retrospectively reviewed. All seven patients were successfully extubated using the protocol and discharged home on bi-level positive airway pressure without oxygen supplementation. There were no major respiratory complications in the post-operative period.
Total Dietary Fiber Content of Selected Traditional Beverages in Egypt: A Brief Profile

Escalating obesity rates have become a major public health concern in North Africa and the Middle East. Culturally-congruent dietary health education and strategies continue to be warranted to address this increasing public health crisis. Knowledge and familiarity with traditional foods and their nutritive value would assist public health practitioners in becoming culturally competent when educating on healthy eating patterns. The aim of this study is to provide a brief dietary profile of the total dietary fiber (TDF) contents of selected traditional beverages in Egypt. Five cookbooks for Egyptian food recipes were reviewed for traditional beverages. Beverage recipes (n = 19) were selected and reviewed for their TDF content using the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference (Release 27). The published values for TDF content were tabulated and reported per 100 mL of consumable portions. The highest TDF content was found in carob juice (8.0 g) and the lowest found in peppermint tea (0.0 g) with an overall TDF mean content of 2.8 g. Traditional beverages could be regarded as important sources of TDF within a healthy Egyptian dietary pattern. Cultural awareness and familiarities to traditional foods and their respective dietary profiles should be encouraged as an objective towards building culturally-competent health professionals and combating obesity in Egypt. Furthermore, developments of a traditional Egyptian food nutrient database for public access should be explored.
Adapting Conservation Easements to Climate Change

Perpetual conservation easements (CEs) are popular for restricting development and land use, but their fixed terms create challenges for adaptation to climate change. The increasing pace of environmental and social change demands adaptive conservation instruments. To examine the adaptive potential of CEs, we surveyed 269 CEs and interviewed 73 conservation organization employees. While only 2% of CEs mentioned climate change, the majority of employees were concerned about climate change impacts. CEs share the fixed-boundary limits typical of protected areas with additional adaptation constraints due to permanent, partial property rights. CEs often have multiple, potentially conflicting purposes that protect against termination but complicate decisions about principled, conservation-oriented adaptation. Monitoring is critical for shaping adaptive responses, but only 35% of CEs allowed organizations to conduct ecological monitoring. Additionally, CEs provided few requirements or incentives for active stewardship of private lands. We found four primary options for changing land use restrictions: CE amendment, management plan revisions, approval of changes through discretionary consent, and updating laws or policies codified in the CE. Conservation organizations, funders, and the IRS should promote processes for principled adaptation in CE terms, provide more active stewardship of CE lands, and consider alternatives to the CE tool.
Physiology of Nitric Oxide in Skeletal Muscle

In the past five years, skeletal muscle has emerged as a paradigm of “nitric oxide” (NO) function and redox-related signaling in biology. All major nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, including a muscle-specific splice variant of neuronal-type (n) NOS, are expressed in skeletal muscles of all mammals. Expression and localization of NOS isoforms are dependent on age and developmental stage, innervation and activity, history of exposure to cytokines and growth factors, and muscle fiber type and species. nNOS in particular may show a fast-twitch muscle predominance. Muscle NOS localization and activity are regulated by a number of protein-protein interactions and co- and/or posttranslational modifications. Subcellular compartmentalization of the NOSs enables distinct functions that are mediated by increases in cGMP and byS-nitrosylation of proteins such as the ryanodine receptor-calcium release channel. Skeletal muscle functions regulated by NO or related molecules include force production (excitation-cont...
Integration and Excision of a Newly Discovered Bacteroides Conjugative Transposon, CTnBST

Conjugative transposons (CTns) are major contributors to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among Bacteroides species. CTnBST, a newly discovered Bacteroides conjugative transposon, carries an erythromycin resistance gene, ermB, and previously has been estimated to be about 100 kbp in size. We report here the locations and sequencing of both of its ends. We have also located and sequenced the gene that catalyzes the integration of CTnBST, intBST. The integrase gene encodes a 377-amino-acid protein that has the C-terminal R-K-H-R-H-Y motif that is characteristic of members of the tyrosine recombinase family of integrases. DNA sequence comparisons of the ends of CTnBST, the joined ends of the circular intermediate, and the preferred site into which the circular form of CTnBST had integrated revealed that the preferred integration site (attB1) contained an 18-bp sequence of identity to the crossover region, attBST, on CTnBST. Although this site was used in about one-half of the integration events, sequence analysis of these integration events revealed that both CTnBST and a miniature form of CTnBST (miniBST) integrated into a variety of other sites in the chromosome. All of the sites had two conserved regions, AATCTG and AAAT. These two regions flanked a 2-bp sequence, bp 10 and bp 11 of the 18-bp sequence, that varied in some of the different sites and sometimes in the attBST sequences. Our results suggest that CTnBST integrates site selectively and that the crossover appears to occur within a 12-bp region that contains the two regions of conserved sequences.
Non-conducting functions of voltage-gated ion channels

Various studies, mostly in the past 5 years, have demonstrated that, in addition to their well-described function in regulating electrical excitability, voltage-dependent ion channels participate in intracellular signalling pathways. Channels can directly activate enzymes linked to cellular signalling pathways, serve as cell adhesion molecules or components of the cytoskeleton, and their activity can alter the expression of specific genes. Here, I review these findings and discuss the extent to which the molecular mechanisms of such signalling are understood.
Permeability and Separation Characteristics of Polypeptide-Functionalized Polycarbonate Track-Etched Membranes

The use of polypeptide-functionalized membranes with known porosity and uniform pore sizes allows a better understanding of the separation characteristics in nanodomains. A stimuli-responsive polypeptide, poly-l-glutamic acid (PLGA), was immobilized on a polycarbonate track-etched (PCTE) membrane. First, PCTE membrane was gold-coated under convective conditions, and a thiol, 3-mercapto 1,2-propanediol (MPD), was chemisorbed on the modified surface. Second, the MPD molecule was oxidized with sodium periodate to obtain an aldehyde functionality, which was further reacted with the amino group on the PLGA molecule, making possible a single point polypeptide attachment. The morphology of the modified membrane was analyzed by electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) imaging, confirming uniform structure. Modified membrane performances, with starting diameters of 30 and 100 nm, were evaluated in terms of solute (ionic and neutral) rejections and water permeability. Both solute and water transport through membrane were rev...
Upper bound on the free energy of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg ferromagnet

The authors obtain an upper bound on the free energy of the spin 1/2 Heisenberg ferromagnet. The zero field bound is, at low temperature, similar to the formula given by the magnon approximation. That is, its functional dependence on temperature is the same but the constant is different.
Deregulation by zinc of the sodium efflux in barnacle muscle fibers

Single muscle fibers from the barnacle Balanus nubilus were employed to study the behavior of the resting Na+ efflux toward external and internal application of zinc (Zn2+). This involved both unpoisoned and ouabain-poisoned fibers. The results obtained are as follows: (i) External application of Zn2+, e.g., 2 mM (a maximal dosage) in 10 mM Hepes-ASW (pH 7.3) causes a fall in the resting Na+ efflux which exceeds that caused by 10−4 M ouabain in companion controls. (ii) The buffer of choice is found to be Hepes, rather than HCO3− or imidazole. (iii) The observed fall in the resting Na+ efflux caused by external application of Zn2+ is concentration-dependent, the IC50 being 10 μM. (iv) The inhibitory effect of Zn2+ is partially reversible; occasionally, however, reversibility is not seen. (v) The Zn2+-insensitive component of the Na+ efflux is reduced by 10−4 M ouabain. (vi) The ouabain-insensitive component of the Na+ efflux is reduced by external application of Zn2+. This response is concentration-dependent. (vii) Preinjection of EGTA reduces the sensitivity of the Na+ efflux to external application of Zn2+. This is true of both unpoisoned and ouabain-poisoned fibers. (viii) (a) The resting Na+ efflux is reduced by injecting Zn2+. Ouabain application reduces the remaining Na+ efflux. (b) Injection of Zn2+ reduces the ouabain-insensitive component of the Na+ efflux. (c) External application of Zn2+ following the injection of Zn2+ reduces the remaining Na+ efflux. Ouabain is ineffective when applied after both maneuvers. (d) Injection of Zn2+ after its external application is without effect. Subsequent application of ouabain is also without effect. (e) Injection or external application of Zn2+ reduces the ouabain-insensitive Na+ efflux. Whereas in the former case subsequent external application of Zn2+ reduces the remaining Na+ efflux, in the latter case Zn2+ injection after external application of Zn2+ is ineffective. Collectively, these results provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that Zn2+ is a potent inhibitor of the ouabain-sensitive and ouabain-insensitive components of the Na+ efflux, and that the inhibitory effect is partly due to the entry of Zn2+ into the myoplasm. They also raise the possibility that the inhibitory effect caused by Zn2+ injection may be the result of Zn2+ leakage from the fiber interior.
Novel method for [M + Cu]+ ion formation by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization

Abstract Direct deposition of a MALDI sample onto a copper sample stage and irradiation with UV light (337 nm) produces copper adduct ions of both the matrix and analyte molecules. This technique for introducing Cu+ into the gas-phase avoids suppression of ion signal that accompanies addition of metal salts to the sample solution. We observe good correlation between the number of basic residues in peptides and the number of Cu+ ions that add to the peptide. For example, the peptide KRQHPG contains three basic residues and forms ions with up to three Cu+ adducts. Postsource decay experiments demonstrate that for arginine containing peptides, arginine anchors the Cu+ ion. That is, all metastable ions contain the arginine complexed to Cu+ and the only immonium ion observed is that of arginine–Cu+. In addition, preliminary calculations indicate that guanidine has the highest Cu+ ion affinity followed by histidine.
Thermosphere extension of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model

[1] In atmospheric and space environment studies it is key to understand and to quantify the coupling of atmospheric regions and the solar impacts on the whole atmosphere system. There is thus a need for a numerical model that encompasses the whole atmosphere and can self-consistently simulate the dynamic, physical, chemical, radiative, and electrodynamic processes that are important for the Sun-Earth system. This is the goal for developing the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). In this work, we report the development and preliminary validation of the thermospheric extension of WACCM (WACCM-X), which extends from the Earth's surface to the upper thermosphere. The WACCM-X uses the finite volume dynamical core from the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model and includes an interactive chemistry module resolving most known neutral chemistry and major ion chemistry in the middle and upper atmosphere, and photolysis and photoionization. Upper atmosphere processes, such as nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium, radiative transfer, auroral processes, ion drag, and molecular diffusion of major and minor species, have been included in the model. We evaluate the model performance by examining the quantities essential for the climate and weather of the upper atmosphere: the mean compositional, thermal, and wind structures from the troposphere to the upper thermosphere and their variability on interannual, seasonal, and daily scales. These quantities are compared with observational and previous model results.