cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the inadequacy of Golomb-Rice codes for adaptive coding

Summary form only given. Complex data sources, like images and audio, require sophisticated coding contexts and source modeling. Fortunately, in many cases the high cost for estimating a very large number of conditional probabilities and then computing optimal codes, can be avoided by storing sets of codewords, and selecting the best choice based on local source estimates. Golomb-Rice prefix codes are commonly used for such purposes because of their convenient features. We consider the fact that, even when the source distribution is geometric, the Golomb-Rice codes are truly optimal only when the source parameter, /spl rho/, is known with certainty, which in practice is never the case. We investigate how these codes perform - on sources with geometric distribution - depending on how /spl rho/ is estimated from previous samples. We analyze possible changes in the code to increase robustness, but keeping the useful structural properties. The intention is not to propose a "new" type of code for particular applications, but to observe how the optimal codes change with different models of source uncertainty and estimation methods. Numerical results show that the optimal codes are, as expected, always better than Golomb-Rice codes.
Pascal's Wager and the Many Gods Objection

Pascal's Wager is finding ever more defenders who aim to undermine the old Many Gods Objection. It is my thesis that they are mistaken. After describing the Wager and the objection, I report on Jeff Jordan's repeated attempt to limit legitimate religious hypotheses to those that are traditional. In separate sections I criticize Jordan, first coming from epistemology and second from anthropology. Then I describe George Schlesinger's repeated appeal to the ‘simplest’ religious hypothesis, and argue that it fails for similar reasons. Finally, I summarize and reject miscellaneous defences of Pascal by Robert Anderson, Bradley Armour-Garb, James Franklin, Joshua Golding, and Nicholas Rescher.
An improved inverse kinematic and velocity solution for spatial hyper-redundant robots

A new and efficient kinematic position and velocity solution scheme for spatial hyper-redundant manipulators is presented. The manipulator's arm has discrete links and universal joints. Backbone curve concepts and a modal approach are used to resolve the manipulator's redundancy. The effects of the mode shapes and the slope of the backbone curve at the starting point on the workspace are studied. It is shown that the usage of conventional mode shapes limits the workspace of the hyper-redundant arm. By introducing new mode shapes, an improved workspace is obtained. A simple and efficient recursive fitting method is introduced to avoid complications involved with solving systems of nonlinear algebraic equations. This method also guarantees the existence of solutions for the inverse kinematic problem at the velocity level. Velocity properties of the backbone curve are investigated and the inverse velocity propagation is solved for the spatial hyper-redundant arm. The velocity propagation scheme is recursive and is efficiently applicable to any number of links.
DNA methylation of the oxytocin receptor gene predicts neural response to ambiguous social stimuli

Oxytocin and its receptor (OXTR) play an important role in a variety of social perceptual and affiliative processes. Individual variability in social information processing likely has a strong heritable component, and as such, many investigations have established an association between common genetic variants of OXTR and variability in the social phenotype. However, to date, these investigations have primarily focused only on changes in the sequence of DNA without considering the role of epigenetic factors. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism by which cells control transcription through modification of chromatin structure. DNA methylation of OXTR decreases expression of the gene and high levels of methylation have been associated with autism spectrum disorders. This link between epigenetic variability and social phenotype allows for the possibility that social processes are under epigenetic control. We hypothesized that the level of DNA methylation of OXTR would predict individual variability in social perception. Using the brain’s sensitivity to displays of animacy as a neural endophenotype of social perception, we found significant associations between the degree of OXTR methylation and brain activity evoked by the perception of animacy. Our results suggest that consideration of DNA methylation may substantially improve our ability to explain individual differences in imaging genetic association studies.
Estimating Open-Ocean Barotropic Tidal Dissipation: The Hawaiian Ridge

The generalized inverse of a regional model is used to estimate barotropic tidal dissipation along the Hawaiian Ridge. The model, based on the linear shallow-water equations, incorporates parameterizations for the dissipation of energy via friction in the bottom boundary layer and form drag due to internal waves generated at topographic slopes. Sea surface height data from 364 orbit cycles of the Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX)/Poseidon satellite mission are used to perform inversions at eight diurnal and semidiurnal tidal frequencies. It is estimated that the barotropic M2 tide loses energy at a rate of 19 GW, of which 88% is lost within 250 km of the ridge, presumably via conversion to the internal or baroclinic tide. Uncertainty in the assumed model error and wave drag in the forward model suggest that M2 dissipation values from 18 to 25 GW are consistent with the altimetric observations. Other barotropic tidal constituents are estimated to lose a total of 5.7 GW. The spatial distribution of barotropic dissipation along the ridge is similar to that inferred from three-dimensional primitive equation models, and it is largely insensitive to details of assumed model and data errors. Dissipation at semidiurnal frequencies is most intense at the French Frigate Shoals with lesser, but significant, contributions at other sites. Diurnal tidal dissipation is concentrated to the east of the French Frigate Shoals, at the Gardner Pinnacles. Further work with threedimensional models will be necessary to determine the fate of the energy that is removed from the barotropic tide.
The Muon Scattering Experiment (MUSE) at PSI and the proton radius puzzle

The unexplained large discrepancy of the proton charge radius measurements with muonic hydrogen Lamb shift and determinations from elastic electron scattering and Lamb shift in regular hydrogen of seven standard deviations is known as the proton radius puzzle. Suggested solutions of the puzzle range from possible errors in the experiments through unexpectedly large hadronic physics effects to new physics beyond the Standard Model. A new approach to verify the radius discrepancy in a systematic manner will be pursued with the Muon Scattering Experiment (MUSE) at PSI. The experiment aims to compare elastic cross sections, the proton elastic form factors, and the extracted proton charge radius with scattering of electrons and muons of either charge and under identical conditions. The difference in the observed radius will be probed with a high precision to verify the discrepancy. An overview of the experiment and the current status will be presented.
2,5-Dialkylresorcinol Biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aurantiaca: Novel Head-to-Head Condensation of Two Fatty Acid-Derived Precursors

2-Hexyl-5-propylresorcinol is the predominant analog of several dialkylresorcinols produced by Pseudomonas aurantiaca (Pseudomonas fluorescens BL915). We isolated and characterized three biosynthetic genes that encode an acyl carrier protein, a β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III, and a protein of unknown function, all of which collectively allow heterologous production of 2-hexyl-5-propylresorcinol in Escherichia coli. Two regulatory genes exhibiting similarity to members of the AraC family of transcriptional regulators are also present in the identified gene cluster. Based on the deduced functions of the proteins encoded by the gene cluster and the observed incorporation of labeled carbons from octanoic acid into 2-hexyl-5-propylresorcinol, we propose that dialkylresorcinols are derived from medium-chain-length fatty acids by an unusual head-to-head condensation of β-ketoacyl thioester intermediates. Genomic evidence suggests that there is a similar pathway for the biosynthesis of the flexirubin-type pigments in certain bacteria belonging to the order Cytophagales.
The Opuntias Of Mississippi

Literature on distributions, habitat characteristics, and identification of Opun- tia species in the southeastern US is scant. Regional treatments of Opuntia are often ambig - uous, limited studies based primarily on herbarium specimens. The present work provides a detailed description of the opuntias found in Mississippi along with their distributions and habitat descriptions. Observations, collections, and measurements were made from natural populations within Mississippi and other parts of the southeastern United States. Plants of all taxa were greenhouse grown for approximately two years to monitor morphological char - acteristics, which sometimes can be quite plastic. Our two-year study encompassed nearly 150 natural populations among several eastern states. Five species are recognized. Of these, Opuntia ces pitosa, O. humifusa, and O. pusilla are the most common in Mississippi . O. aff al- lairei and O. stricta are found infrequently.
Genetic algorithms for minimal source reconstructions

Under-determined linear inverse problems arise in applications in which signals must be estimated from insufficient data. In these problems the number of potentially active sources is greater than the number of observations. In many situations, it is desirable to find a minimal source solution. This can be accomplished by minimizing a cost function that accounts for both the compatibility of the solution with the observations and for its "sparseness". Minimizing functions of this form can be a difficult optimization problem. Genetic algorithms are a relatively new and robust approach to the solution of difficult optimization problems, providing a global framework that is not dependent on local continuity or on explicit starting values. We describe the use of genetic algorithms to find minimal source solutions, using as an example a simulation inspired by the reconstruction of neural currents in the human brain from magnetoencephalographic (MEG) measurements. >
Transforming Learning Through Two Pair of Eyes

This essay is a report on the experience of adult transformative learning under the conditions of travel to and within a foreign culture. It is written in the voices and from the perspectives of both teacher and .student. The role of both is analyzed in the context of Mezirow’s criteria for transformative learning. this involves structuring the learning experience to bring out the total collective resources of the adult. The task of the teacher is to set up a learning environment so that the best chances for deep learning are in place to challenge and support adult students to take transformative learning risks--steps, plunges, and leaps that lead into a new and unknown world of differences. In the present case, the study of another culture coupled with actual travel and cultural immersion with the people was life changing.
Leader switching occurs during the rescue of defective RNAs by heterologous strains of the coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus.

A defective RNA (D-RNA), CD-61, derived from the Beaudette strain of the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), was rescued (replicated and packaged) using four heterologous strains of IBV as helper virus. Sequence analysis of the genomic RNA from the four heterologous IBV strains (M41, H120, HV10 and D207) identified nucleotide differences of up to 17% within the leader sequence and up to 4·3% within the whole of the adjacent 5′ untranslated region (UTR). Analysis of the 5′ ends of the rescued D-RNAs showed that the Beaudette leader sequence, present on the initial CD-61, had been replaced with the corresponding leader sequence from the helper IBV strain but the adjacent 5′ UTR sequence of the rescued D-RNAs corresponded to the original CD-61 Beaudette sequence. These results demonstrated that the phenomenon of leader switching previously identified for the coronaviruses murine hepatitis virus and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) also occurred during the replication of IBV D-RNAs. Three predicted stem–loop structures were identified within the 5′ UTR of IBV. Stem–loop I showed a high degree of covariance amongst the IBV strains providing phylogenetic evidence that this structure exists and is potentially involved in replication, supporting previous observations that a BCoV stem–loop homologue was essential for replication of BCoV defective interfering RNAs.
Electronic cigarettes. A position statement of the forum of international respiratory societies.

Background: Awareness and usage of electronic cigarettes has exponentially increased during the last few years, especially among young people and women in some countries. The rapid acceptance of electronic cigarettes may be attributed in part to the perception created by marketing and the popular press that they are safer than combustible cigarettes.Goals: To alert and advise policy makers about electronic cigarettes and their potential hazards.Methods: Using The Union’s position paper on electronic cigarettes as the starting template, the document was written using an iterative process. Portions of the manuscript have been taken directly from the position papers of participating societies.Results: Because electronic cigarettes generate less tar and carcinogens than combustible cigarettes, use of electronic cigarettes may reduce disease caused by those components. However, the health risks of electronic cigarettes have not been adequately studied. Studies looking at whether electronic cigarettes can aid s...
Liquid fuel cells

The advantages of liquid fuel cells (LFCs) over conventional hydrogen–oxygen fuel cells include a higher theoretical energy density and efficiency, a more convenient handling of the streams, and enhanced safety. This review focuses on the use of different types of organic fuels as an anode material for LFCs. An overview of the current state of the art and recent trends in the development of LFC and the challenges of their practical implementation are presented.
Integrated fast implementation of mathematical morphology operations in image processing

A systolic architecture for two basic mathematical morphology operations is presented. Mathematical morphology has been proven to be a very useful tool for applications such as image restoration, image skeletonization, pattern recognition, machine vision, etc. The advantages of the design stem from the fact that it has a pipeline period alpha =1, requires simple communications, and exploits the simplicity of the morphological operations to make it possible to implement them in a linear target machine without using multiprojection, although the starting algorithm is a generalized two-dimensional convolution. The optimal partitioning strategy for a constrained mapping when the number of PEs is fixed is given, achieving 100% processor utilization, and a systolic chip design which is capable of real-time video performance is proposed as the basic processing element. >
Numerical solution of the Stratonovich- and Ito-Euler equations: Application to the stochastic piston problem

We consider a piston with a velocity perturbed by Brownian motion moving into a straight tube filled with a perfect gas at rest. The shock generated ahead of the piston can be located by solving the one-dimensional Euler equations driven by white noise using the Stratonovich or Ito formulations. We approximate the Brownian motion with its spectral truncation and subsequently apply stochastic collocation using either sparse grid or the quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) method. In particular, we first transform the Euler equations with an unsteady stochastic boundary into stochastic Euler equations over a fixed domain with a time-dependent stochastic source term. We then solve the transformed equations by splitting them up into two parts, i.e., a 'deterministic part' and a 'stochastic part'. Numerical results verify the Stratonovich-Euler and Ito-Euler models against stochastic perturbation results, and demonstrate the efficiency of sparse grid and QMC for small and large random piston motions, respectively. The variance of shock location of the piston grows cubically in the case of white noise in contrast to colored noise reported in [1], where the variance of shock location grows quadratically with time for short times and linearly for longer times.
Hybrid genetic algorithm for container packing in three dimensions

The concept of genetics using multiple-chromosomes is applied to a 3D container packing problem. The 3D packing problem deals with packing a given set of regular shaped boxes of different sizes and weights into larger containers. The algorithm must seek to minimize the wasted space under a constraint: the heavier and the larger boxes must be placed below the lighter ones. The present emphasis is to find a good solution quickly by heuristic means. A set of heuristic rules is incorporated into the genetic algorithm (GA) approach to aid in optimization. This hybrid GA yields an optimization algorithm that outperforms either of the parts. The simulation results showed that the new algorithm has better adaptivity for large problems and near optimal solutions for small problems. >
Alternative energy supply chain management issues: wind generation considerations in Ohio

The companies that involve in the sustainability in supply chain help regions and states like Ohio to establish an environment of sustainability. As a primary operations management decision, supply chain management (SCM), attempts at briefly examining best business practices were used to showcase selected manufacturing companies that have adapted their internal structures and processes to take advantage of the alternative energy industry. SCM specially deals with strategic initiatives that are designed to enhance relationships with a firm's marketing, logistics, production and operations management efforts. There are over 106 Ohio-based companies are doing business with the wind power industry and 63 companies in the state are part of the solar energy supply chain. These businesses are looking forward to sound policies that will support the domestic market for clean energy, creating more jobs and economic growth for Ohio. A discussion of a number of Ohio-based companies and the economic and legislative opportunities as well as managerial challenges are included in this case study.
Some Social Science Applications of Ordered Sets

Ordered sets arise in artifact dating in archaeology, in preference measurement in psychology, in hierarchies in sociology, in decision problems in economics and political science. In this lecture, we discuss the nature of the ordered sets that arise in each of these disciplines and the nature of the problems in ordered sets that arise. Finally we shall consider the order-theoretic aspects of two problems that arise throughout these fields: the problem of determining a consensus from a group of orderings and the problem of making statistically significant statements about orderings.
Randomly-oriented k-d Trees Adapt to Intrinsic Dimension

The classic k-d tree data structure continues to be widely used in spite of its vulnerability to the so-called curse of dimensionality. Here we provide a rigorous explanation: for randomly rotated data, a k-d tree adapts to the intrinsic dimension of the data and is not affected by the ambient dimension, thus keeping the data structure efficient for objects such as low-dimensional manifolds and sparse data. The main insight of the analysis can be used as an algorithmic pre-processing step to realize the same benefit: rotate the data randomly; then build a k-d tree. Our work can be seen as a refinement of Random Projection trees [Dasgupta 2008], which also adapt to intrinsic dimension but incur higher traversal costs as the resulting cells are polyhedra and not cuboids. Using k-d trees after a random rotation results in cells that are cuboids, thus preserving the traversal efficiency of standard k-d trees.
Air blast recognition and location using regional seismographic networks

Abstract Regional seismic networks are occasionally useful for purposes other than earthquake studies. Three such applications which involve surface and atmospheric phenomena are described in this report: (1) the detection and location of a missile silo explosion in Arkansas; (2) analysis of an aircraft sonic boom; and (3) attempts to determine the time and location of ground impacts of aircraft and a meteorite. When the source of the disturbance is in the air, seismic instruments respond to the air-coupled surface waves generated in the wake of the atmospheric shock front advancing with the speed of sound in air. Thus, the disturbance9s point and time of origin can be determined using a standard iterative hypocenter program with a “crustal” velocity model appropriate to the prevailing atmospheric temperature and pressure conditions. Simplified theory predicts that air-coupling is significant only when the speed of sound in air is close to the shear wave velocity of the surface crustal layer. This is normally the case only when unconsolidated material is present at the surface. The observations discussed here support this prediction: seismic network instruments sited on soft ground recorded signals from atmospheric disturbances much more clearly than did higher gain instruments on hard rock.
Cognitive tasks and cerebral blood flow through anterior cerebral arteries: a study via functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound recordings

Functional transcanial Doppler ultrasound (fTCD) is a convenient approach to examine cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) in major cerebral arteries. In this study, the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) was insonated on both sides, that is, right ACA (R-ACA) and left ACA (L-ACA). The envelope signals (the maximum velocity) and the raw signals were analyzed during cognitive processes, i.e. word-generation tasks, geometric tasks and resting state periods separating each task. Data which were collected from 20 healthy participants were used to investigate the changes and the hemispheric functioning while performing cognitive tasks. Signal characteristics were analyzed in time domain, frequency domain and time-frequency domain. Significant results have been obtained through the use of both classic/modern methods (i.e. envelope/raw, time and frequency/information-theoretic and time-frequency domains). The frequency features extracted from the raw signals highlighted sex effects on cerebral blood flow which revealed distinct brain response during each process and during resting periods. In the time-frequency analysis, the distribution of wavelet energies on the envelope signals moved around the low frequencies during mental processes and did not experience any lateralization during cognitive tasks. Even if no lateralization effects were noticed during resting-state, verbal and geometric tasks, understanding CBFV in ACA during cognitive tasks could complement information extracted from cerebral blood flow in middle cerebral arteries during similar cognitive tasks (i.e. sex effects).
Count-Wheels: A Mathematical Problem Arising in Horology

(1995). Count-Wheels: A Mathematical Problem Arising in Horology. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 102, No. 4, pp. 310-316.
Long-Term Retention of Spatial Knowledge Acquired in Virtual Reality

Retention of spatial knowledge was compared after acquisition using virtual reality (VR), a map, and a real building. Participants were trained to navigate a route and to note the locations of landmarks. Two weeks later they were tested on their ability to navigate the route and to point to the landmarks they had learned. They were tested in either an aligned or contra-aligned orientation. The orientation specificity for VR observed immediately after training in our previous experiment (Clawson, Miller, Knott, & Sebrechts, 1998) was magnified after retention. On the route test, the VR group performed better than the map group, but only when tested in the aligned orientation. On the survey test, the VR group was less accurate than the map or real building groups, especially in the contra-aligned condition. Potential cognitive and perceptual causes of this orientation specificity are discussed.
MATHER THEORY, WEAK KAM THEORY, AND VISCOSITY SOLUTIONS OF HAMILTON-JACOBI PDE'S

We call the following three assumptions standard assumptions • H is convex in p, i.e. for all x ∈ T we have that the Hessian matrix ∂ pipjH(x, p) is positive definite for all p ∈ R. • H is superlinear in p, i.e. for all x ∈ T we have that lim H(x, p)/|p| → +∞ as |p| → +∞ • The flow defined by (1) is complete, i.e. for each initial condition (x0, p0) ∈ T × R solutions of (1) exists for all time. Actually weak KAM and Mather theories we describe below work for a Hamiltonian defined on any smooth compact manifold. We consider the case of a Hamiltonian on a torus for exposition purposes only. The Basic Example is the standard mechanical system: H(x, p) = 〈p,p〉 2 + V (x) with 〈·, ·〉 — Euclidean scalar product and V (x) — C smooth potential on T. Let {(x(t), p(t))}t∈R be a trajectory of (1) with an initial conditions (x(0), p(0)) = (x0, p0). Denote by x(t) ∈ R a lift of x(t) ∈ T to the universal cover R over T = R/T. Definition 1.1. (Position) rotation vector of a trajectory {(x(t), p(t))}t∈R (if exists) equals average asymptotic velocity of x, i.e.
Temperature dependence of hyperfine density shifts. IV. Na 23 , K 39 , and Rb 85 in He, Ne, Ar, and N 2 at low temperatures

Measurements of the temperature dependence of the hyperfine density shifts of $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$, $^{39}\mathrm{K}$, and $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ in He, Ne, Ar, and ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ buffer gases have been extended to low temperatures (- 125 to 25 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C). The results confirm and extend the nonlinear temperature dependence. Low-order polynomial fits of the density shifts vs $T(\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{C})$ have been calculated for each alkali metal and buffer gas.
Image-Guided High-Dose Rate Brachytherapy in Cervix Carcinoma Using Balloon Catheter and Belt Immobilization System.

Purpose:The efficacy of image-guided high-dose rate brachytherapy for cervical cancer is limited by the ineffective rectal sparing devices available commercially and the potential applicator moveme...
Beyond fakers and fanatics: A reply

I’d like to thank Maarten Boudry and Jerry Coyne for their thought-provoking piece. Though I found much to disagree with, I also found working to the core of our disagreement rewarding. They also p...
Linear Sine Wave Profiling to Machine Instability Targets

Specialized machining processes and programming have been developed to deliver thin tin and copper Richtmyer-Meshkov instability targets that have different amplitude perturbations across the face ...
Biventricular Repair of Double Outlet Right Ventricle with Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defect

The combination of double outlet right ventricle and complete atrioventricular septal defect (DORV-AVSD) is a rare congenital heart malformation. Double outlet right ventricle with complete atrioventricular septal defect is commonly associated with heterotaxy but is distinct from DORV as associated with tetralogy of Fallot. Biventricular repair of DORV-AVSD is challenging because it requires not only correction of the complete AVSD and DORV, but often also involves resection of the outlet portion of the ventricular septum to create an unobstructed left ventricular outflow tract as well as repair of the frequently associated systemic and pulmonary venous connection anomalies and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Because of this high degree of complexity, functional single ventricle palliation has been recommended as a treatment option for DORV-AVSD by some groups. However, biventricular repair in these patients, despite its complexity, can be accomplished with excellent results. Reoperation is common in this difficult group of patients, most commonly for conduit replacement. Reintervention for recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction or atrioventricular valve stenosis or regurgitation is uncommon. We feel that biventricular repair of DORV-AVSD is the preferred treatment option, although further studies are needed to define long-term outcomes.
Decision Under Risk: From the Field to the Laboratory and Back

Few topics attract as much attention across the social and behavioral sciences as risk. Enter “risk” as a search term in Google or in the books section at Amazon and you will turn up more results than searches for terms such as “judgment,” “decision,” or even “happiness.” Despite all of this interest, most laypeople, professionals, and clinical researchers understand risk very differently than do decision theorists. For instance, the Oxford English Dictionary (2015) defines risk as “exposure to the possibility of loss, injury, or other adverse or unwelcome cir­ cumstance; a chance or situation involving such a possibility.” That accords with the clinical definition of risk which includes behaviors that can result in loss or harm to oneself or others such as skydiving, recreational drug use, and unprotected sex (e.g., Furby & Beyth‐Marom, 1992; Steinberg, 2008), and it likewise accords with the view of managers who see risk as exposure to possible negative outcomes (March & Shapira, 1987). Psychometric studies of risk intuitions similarly implicate exposure to potential dangers, revealing a dread component that is characterized by lack of control or potential catastrophic consequences, and an unknown com­ ponent that is characterized by unobservable, unknown, or delayed consequences (Slovic, 1987). An important problem with the lay conception of riskiness is that its major elements – loss, lack of control, unknown consequences – do not lend themselves to a coherent operationalization of the construct. Surely an option can be risky without the possibility of a loss – for instance, {gain $100 if a fair coin lands heads 2
Models of Collaborative Remote Laboratories and Integration with Learning Environments

Development of remote laboratories in academic settings has been held back because of the lack of standardization of technology, processes, operation and their integration with formal educational environments. Remote laboratories are used in educational settings for a variety of reasons, for instance, when the equipment is not available in the physical laboratory; when the physical laboratory space available is not sufficient to, either, set up the experiments or permit access to all on-site students in the course; or when the teacher needs to provide online laboratory experiences to students taking courses via distance education. Centers have been forming platforms that grant remote access to a collection of physical experiments that provide alternatives to educational institutions to reduce budgets of not only equipment purchases but also other expenses, such as, people, space, maintenance, and electricity consumption. This paper offers a taxonomy and examples of types of laboratories and hybrid combinations, and proposes Unified Modeling Language (UML) models for remote laboratories incorporating access models for collaborative user roles in the educational context that support synchronous and asynchronous formats in learning environments. The need for development of adaptive interfaces for remote laboratories based on difficulty level and demonstrated user knowledge is presented. Finally, the paper proposes a scheme of virtualization of the infrastructure and an adaptive scheme of assisted remote laboratories where part of the experience is carried out by the user (student) and part is assisted by the system (teacher avatar) that is able to act as a team mate for the students during the experimentation process.
Homogeneous Transition Metal Catalysis of Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Alcohol Oxidation: Applications in Hydrogen Storage and to Heterocycle Synthesis

The different types of acceptorless alcohol dehydrogenation (AAD) reactions are discussed, followed by the catalysts and mechanisms involved. Special emphasis is put on the common appearance in AAD of pincer ligands, of noninnocent ligands, and of outer sphere mechanisms. Early work emphasized precious metals, mainly Ru and Ir, but interest in nonprecious metal AAD catalysis is growing. Alcohol–amine combinations are discussed to the extent that net oxidation occurs by loss of H2. These reactions are of potential synthetic interest because they can lead to N heterocycles such as pyrroles and pyridines. AAD also has green chemistry credentials in that an oxidation occurs without the need for an oxidizing agent and hence without the waste formation that would result from its use.
Resistant Hypertension: Mechanisms and Treatment

Emerging evidence suggests that multiple mechanisms may be responsible for the development of treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH). This review aims to summarize recent data on potential mechanisms of resistance and discuss current pharmacotherapeutic options available in the management of TRH. Excess sodium and fluid retention, increased activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and heightened activity of the sympathetic nervous system appear to play an important role in development of TRH. Emerging evidence also suggests a role for arterial stiffness and, potentially, gut dysbiosis. Therapeutic approaches for TRH should include diuretic optimization and the addition of aldosterone antagonists as the preferred fourth agent in most patients. Further therapeutic approaches may be guided by the suspected underlying mechanism of TRH in conjunction with other patient-specific factors. The pathophysiology of TRH is multifaceted; however, increasing evidence supports several mechanisms that may be targeted to improve blood pressure control among patients with TRH. Further studies are needed to determine whether such approaches may be more effective than usual care.
Drag Culture, Global Participation and RuPaul’s Drag Race

Co-editors Brennan and Gudelunas introduce RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR) by considering its unique place and unexpected success in reality/competition television. The authors situate RPDR within a framework of gender/drag performativity (Butler 1990) and camp sensibility (Newton 1972). Following, they account for RPDR’s elevation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) visibility through public and private queer histories. The authors discuss how RPDR has captivated American and global viewers – LGBTQ and straight – by portraying drag as art and profession via multiple un/official broadcast and digital spaces. They consider feminist/oppositional readings of RPDR, noting the fluidity of queer discourse in the current political landscape. Finally, they outline the main themes of the volume: representation and the boundaries of drag identity; drag, community and belonging; and drag, globalization and the social media landscape.
Organic Molecular Crystals: Anthracene

Interest in the electronic properties of organic solids has grown spectacularly in the last few years. The speculation that a superconducting transition was occurring near 60° K in a high-conductivity organic crystal(1) played a big role in focusing the attention of scientists on the field. More generally, however, it has been recognized that organic molecular crystals provide a medium for the study of excited molecular states and their interactions and that the knowledge gained from these studies will provide fundamental knowledge applicable to physical, chemical, and biological systems.
Photosystem I with benzoquinone analogues incorporated into the A1 binding site.

Time-resolved FTIR difference spectroscopy has been used to study photosystem I (PSI) particles with three different benzoquinones [plastoquinone-9 (PQ), 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DMBQ), 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzoquinone (Cl4BQ)] incorporated into the A1 binding site. If PSI samples are cooled in the dark to 77 K, the incorporated benzoquinones are shown to be functional, allowing the production of time-resolved (P700+A1−−P700A1) FTIR difference spectra. If samples are subjected to repetitive flash illumination at room temperature prior to cooling, however, the time-resolved FTIR difference spectra at 77 K display contributions typical of the P700 triplet state (3P700), indicating a loss of functionality of the incorporated benzoquinones, that occurs because of double protonation of the incorporated benzoquinones. The benzoquinone protonation mechanism likely involves nearby water molecules but does not involve the terminal iron–sulfur clusters FA and FB. These results and conclusions resolve discrepancies between results from previous low-temperature FTIR and EPR studies on similar PSI samples with PQ incorporated.
Why are rented dwellings less energy-efficient? Evidence from a representative sample of the U.S. housing stock

Abstract This paper compares energy-efficient appliance adoption rates across U.S. residential markets. The focus is to explore variation across tenure modes (rented or owner-occupied residences). Bivariate probits are used to correct for endogenous determination of tenure mode and energy efficiency outcomes. Results suggest that, when compared to renters, homeowners are significantly more likely to have energy-efficient appliances. The mechanisms that could be driving those differences are also investigated. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that rented dwellings are more likely to have efficient appliances when landlords incur utility payments. Adoption rate differences are also shown to be inversely related to energy prices. Those findings are consistent with a problem of asymmetric information in the housing market, typically referred to as the “landlord-tenant problem.” This paper is also the first to assess how tenancy duration influences efficiency investments in this context. Results suggest that investments in rented homes are more likely to occur at later periods of tenancy, when relations between landlords and tenants might be better established.
Genetic characterization and population structure of six brown layer pure lines using microsatellite markers

OBJECTIVE The first stage in both breeding and programs for the conservation of genetic resources are the identification of genetic diversity in the relevant population. The aim of the present study is to identify genetic diversity of six brown layer pure chicken lines (Rhode Island Red [RIRI, RIRII], Barred Rock [BARI, BARII], Columbian Rock [COL], and line 54 [L-54]) with microsatellite markers. Furthermore, the study aims to employ its findings to discuss the possibilities for the conservation and sustainable use of these lines that have been bred as closed populations for a long time. METHODS In the present study, a total number of 180 samples belonging to RIRI (n = 30), RIRII (n = 30), BARI (n = 30), BARII (n = 30), L-54 (n = 30), and COL (n = 30) lines were genotyped using 22 microsatellite loci. Microsatellite markers are extremely useful tools in the identification of genetic diversity since they are distributed throughout the eukaryotic genome in multitudes, demonstrate co-dominant inheritance and they feature a high rate of polymorphism and repeatability. RESULTS In this study, we found all loci to be polymorphic and identified the average number of alleles per locus to be in the range between 4.41 (BARI) and 5.45 (RIRI); the observed heterozygosity to be in the range between 0.31 (RIRII) and 0.50 (BARII); and FIS (inbreeding coefficient) values in the range between 0.16 (L-54) and 0.46 (RIRII). The FIS values obtained in this context points out to a deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium due to heterozygote deficiency in six different populations. The Neighbour-Joining tree, Factorial Correspondence Analysis and STRUCTURE clustering analyzes showed that six brown layer lines were separated according to their genetic origins. CONCLUSION The results obtained from the study indicate a medium level of genetic diversity, high level inbreeding in chicken lines and high level genetic differentiation between chicken lines.
Review: a web-based simulation viewer for sharing evolutionary robotics results

Evolutionary robotics researchers often need to share results that may be too difficult to describe in text and too complex to show using images. Many researchers include links to videos as supplementary materials, but videos have a predefined view of the scene and do not allow watchers to adjust the viewing angle to their preference. In this paper we present a web-based application (based on three.js) for sharing interactive animations. Specifically, our tool (called Review) enables researchers to generate simple animation log data that can be loaded in any modern web browser on a computer or mobile device. The camera in these animations is controlled by the user such that they can pan, tilt, rotate, and zoom in and out of the scene. Review is meant to improve the ability of researchers to share their evolved results with one another.
Specific and Nonspecific Incorporation of Selenium into Macromolecules

Selenium, first discovered by Berzelius and named after the goddess of the moon Selene, is a trace metalloid present in a variety of chemical forms in the environment, both inorganic and organic. Chemists have studied selenium since the nineteenth century, including a seminal study by Alexander Graham Bell in his early reports of the photophone at the turn of the century. Although selenium was studied for its toxicity in the first half of the twentieth century, experiments on animals in the 1950s led to the knowledge that selenium is essential as a micronutrient in animals. In 1973, selenium was found to be present in both a mammalian enzyme (glutathione peroxidase) and two bacterial enzymes (glycine reductase selenoprotein A and formate dehydrogenase) and these findings led to expansion of the study of selenium at the molecular level, primarily in bacterial model systems. We know that selenium plays a critical role in redox reactions in mammals and that selenium-dependent enzymes are critical for ATP synthesis in a small group of anaerobic bacteria. Even so, not all biological organisms require selenium for growth or metabolism, but for those that are capable of specific incorporation of selenium into a catalytic form within proteins and enzymes, selenium is a critical micronutrient. Moreover, specific incorporation of selenium into macromolecules appears widespread in strict anaerobes, suggesting that an oxygenic environment may have altered the evolutionary pressure to maintain or lose this capability. The emergence of the field of genomics has had a great impact on the prediction of the presence of selenoproteins in a large number of organisms, opening new vistas to experimental discovery in the forthcoming decades.
Auto-PERCIST™: A semi-automated system for the quantitative assessment of FDG PET images by PERCIST 1.0

1301 Learning Objectives To demonstrate the advantages of a semi-automated tool for the objective measurement and quantitative assessment of disease for treatment response based on the PERCIST 1.0 criteria in FDG PET imaging. Our AUTO-PERCIST™ program is a Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) system for personalized disease detection and quantitative assessment of FDG-PET images. It was developed to provide the user with access to the tools required to perform an accurate PERCIST 1.0 analysis, but is capable of supporting multiple, user-selectable criteria for disease measurement and response assessment. The unique features of the program include the automated extraction of key image quality criteria for both intra- and inter-study quality control (i.e. radiotracer dosing, uptake duration, scanner parameters, etc.); automatic identification and measurement of normal reference hepatic tissue for objective calculation of disease threshold values; the identification, assessment and characterization of disease objects through the use of user-selectable detectors (PEAK, MAX, PAX, Cluster) and measurement statistics (PEAK, MAX, MEAN, TLG, Volume, Heterogeneity, etc.), including a unique hyper-accurate method for measuring spherical volumes of interest (for PEAK and hepatic tissue sampling); and the automatic transmission of these results to an industry standard database where a variety of reporting templates have been developed which automatically compile, cross-reference and compare results providing immediate and objective reports of treatment response.
Association of altered frontal plane kinematics and physical activity levels in females with patellofemoral pain.

Abstract Background Females with patellofemoral pain (PFP) present with altered frontal plane kinematics, decreased physical activity, and elevated psychological features. However, the relationship between these factors has not been evaluated. Research Question Does a relationship exist between frontal plane kinematics, physical activity levels, and fear avoidance beliefs in females with PFP. Methods 16 females with PFP (Age = 23.2 ± 4.9years; Height = 166.1 ± 5.9 cm; Mass = 66.3 ± 13.5 kg) completed a 3-D biomechanical assessment during a single leg squat, step-down, and jogging task. Physical activity was collected with an activity monitor over 2-weeks and the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire physical activity subscale was used to assess fear avoidance beliefs. Frontal plane kinematics were correlated with physical activity and fear avoidance, with significant variables included in a multiple regression. Results Significant correlations were identified between physical activity and single leg squat hip adduction (r=−0.626, p = 0.01), step-down knee abduction (r=−0.783, p Significance Altered frontal plane kinematics during step-down and jogging provide insight for clinicians to identify females with patellofemoral pain that may be less physically active, while step-down and squatting kinematics related to fear avoidance beliefs. While these relationships were found, it is essential to identify the underlying mechanism for this activity modification so clinicians and researchers can evaluate successful interventions.
Middle Class Decline? The Growth of Professional-Managers in the Neoliberal Era

This study examines changes in the U.S. class structure under neoliberalism. Applying a Marxian analytic framework to U.S. Census data from 1970 to 2010, we find that the professional middle class ...
Clinical implications of the 2012 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) PSA screening recommendation in prostate cancer diagnoses and 5-year survival at a Minnesota safety net health care system.

5051Background: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer has declined following the USPSTF 2012 recommendation. How screening rates and prostate cancer diagnoses have subsequen...