cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interprofessional Teamwork During Family Meetings in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.

Abstract Context Parents of children in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) report inadequate communication and a lack of empathy during conversations with their clinicians. Objective To assess quantitatively and qualitatively the contributions made by team members of different professions in communicating with parents during family meetings. Methods Prospective observational study. The study was conducted in the pediatric CICU at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Subjects were members of the interprofessional team attending family meetings for patients admitted to the CICU longer than two weeks. We used quantitative conversation attribution and coding to compare durations of attendee contributions and contribution type by professional role. The SCOPE codebook and other quantitative codes drawn from best practices in family meetings were used to measure communication behaviors. A qualitative analysis of nurses' and social workers' contributions was used to identify themes not otherwise captured. Results Across 10 meetings, physicians spoke for an average of 78.1% (SD 10.7%) of each meeting, nonphysicians 9.6% (SD 7.8%), and parents 17.4% (SD 12.2%). Parental understanding was assessed an average of 0.2 (SD 0.4) times per meeting. Parents expressed emotion an average of 4.2 times per meeting (SD 7.1), and the clinical team responded empathetically 2.2 times per meeting (SD 4.3). All clinician empathic responses were a minority of their overall contributions. Conversation was almost exclusively between physicians and families until physicians indicated other team members could contribute. Conclusions Coordination of team members' roles in the meetings may improve parental engagement necessary for decision-making and empathic responses that are often missed.
Level repulsion and band sorting in phononic crystals

Abstract In this paper we consider the problem of avoided crossings (level repulsion) in phononic crystals and suggest a computationally efficient strategy to distinguish them from normal cross points. This process is essential for the correct sorting of the phononic bands and, subsequently, for the accurate determination of mode continuation, group velocities, and emergent properties which depend on them such as thermal conductivity. Through explicit phononic calculations using generalized Rayleigh quotient, we identify exact locations of exceptional points in the complex wavenumber domain which results in level repulsion in the real domain. We show that in the vicinity of the exceptional point the relevant phononic eigenvalue surfaces resemble the surfaces of a 2 by 2 parameter-dependent matrix. Along a closed loop encircling the exceptional point we show that the phononic eigenvalues are exchanged, just as they are for the 2 by 2 matrix case. However, the behavior of the associated eigenvectors is shown to be more complex in the phononic case. Along a closed loop around an exceptional point, we show that the eigenvectors can flip signs multiple times unlike a 2 by 2 matrix where the flip of sign occurs only once. Finally, we exploit these eigenvector sign flips around exceptional points to propose a simple and efficient method of distinguishing them from normal crosses and of correctly sorting the band-structure. Our proposed method is roughly an order-of-magnitude faster than the zoom-in method and correctly identifies > 96% of the cases considered. Both its speed and accuracy can be further improved and we suggest some ways of achieving this. Our method is general and, as such, would be directly applicable to other eigenvalue problems where the eigenspectrum needs to be correctly sorted.
Bifunctional Metal Nanocrystals for Catalyzing and Reporting on Chemical Reactions

Bifunctional nanocrystals with integrated plasmonic and catalytic activities hold great promise for analyzing chemical reactions by in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. This Minireview gives a brief introduction to the general strategies for designing such nanocrystals, followed by four typical examples, including their fabrication, characterization, and potential limitation. We then use the reduction of 4-nitrothiophenol and oxidation of 4-aminothiophenol as two model systems to demonstrate the capabilities of these bifunctional nanocrystals to monitor chemical reactions for the elucidation of reaction mechanisms and measurement of kinetics. We conclude with perspectives on further development of these bifunctional nanocrystals into a viable platform for investigating other types of catalytic reactions.
Virtual competitions and the gamer’s dilemma

This paper expands Rami Ali’s dissolution of the gamer’s dilemma (Ethics Inf Technol 17:267–274, 2015). Morgan Luck’s gamer’s dilemma (Ethics Inf Technol 11(1):31–36, 2009) rests on our having diverging intuition when considering virtual murder and virtual child molestation in video games. Virtual murder is seemingly permissible, when virtual child molestation is not and there is no obvious morally relevant difference between the two. Ali argues that virtual murder and virtual child molestation are equally permissible/impermissible when considered under different modes of engagement. To this end, Ali distinguishes between story-telling gameplay and simulation games, discussing both in depth. I build on the dissolution by looking into competitive gameplay in order to consider what the morally relevant difference between virtual murder and virtual child molestation might be when competing in a video game. I argue that when competitors consent to participate in a competition, the rules of the competition supersede everyday moral intuitions. As such, virtual competitions ought to represent such consent from virtual characters. Virtual children cannot be represented as giving consent to be molested because (1) children cannot be represented as giving sexual consent, and (2) consent to be possibly molested cannot be given. This creates a morally relevant difference between murder and molestation. By fully addressing competitive gameplay, I answer Luck’s worry that Ali’s dissolution is incomplete (Ethics Inf Technol 20:157–162, 2018).
Lipid Species in the GI Tract are Increased by the Commensal Fungus Candida albicans and Decrease the Virulence of Clostridioides difficile

Prior antibiotic treatment is a risk factor for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI); the commensal gut microbiota plays a key role in determining host susceptibility to the disease. Previous studies demonstrate that the pre-colonization of mice with a commensal fungus, Candida albicans, protects against a lethal challenge with C. difficile spores. The results reported here demonstrate that the cecum contents of antibiotic-treated mice with C. albicans colonization contained different levels of several lipid species, including non-esterified, unsaturated long-chain fatty acids compared to non-C. albicans-colonized mice. Mice fed olive oil for one week and challenged with C. difficile spores showed enhanced survival compared to PBS-fed mice. The amount of olive oil administered was not sufficient to cause weight gain or to result in significant changes to the bacterial microbiota, in contrast to the effects of a high-fat diet. Furthermore, the direct exposure of C. difficile bacteria in laboratory culture to the unsaturated fatty acid oleic acid, the major fatty acid found in olive oil, reduced the transcription of genes encoding the toxins and reduced the survival of bacteria in the post-exponential phase. Therefore, the effects of C. albicans on the metabolite milieu contributed to the attenuation of C. difficile virulence.
Epicortical Brevetoxin Treatment Promotes Neural Repair and Functional Recovery after Ischemic Stroke

Emerging literature suggests that after a stroke, the peri-infarct region exhibits dynamic changes in excitability. In rodent stroke models, treatments that enhance excitability in the peri-infarct cerebral cortex promote motor recovery. This increase in cortical excitability and plasticity is opposed by increases in tonic GABAergic inhibition in the peri-infarct zone beginning three days after a stroke in a mouse model. Maintenance of a favorable excitatory-inhibitory balance promoting cerebrocortical excitability could potentially improve recovery. Brevetoxin-2 (PbTx-2) is a voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) gating modifier that increases intracellular sodium ([Na+]i), upregulates N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) channel activity and engages downstream calcium (Ca2+) signaling pathways. In immature cerebrocortical neurons, PbTx-2 promoted neuronal structural plasticity by increasing neurite outgrowth, dendritogenesis and synaptogenesis. We hypothesized that PbTx-2 may promote excitability and structural remodeling in the peri-infarct region, leading to improved functional outcomes following a stroke. We tested this hypothesis using epicortical application of PbTx-2 after a photothrombotic stroke in mice. We show that PbTx-2 enhanced the dendritic arborization and synapse density of cortical layer V pyramidal neurons in the peri-infarct cortex. PbTx-2 also produced a robust improvement of motor recovery. These results suggest a novel pharmacologic approach to mimic activity-dependent recovery from stroke.
A Novel Optical for ATLAS Pixel Detector

An optical package of novel design has been developed for the ATLAS pixel detector. The package contains two VCSELs and one PIN diote to transmit and receive optical signals. The design is based on a simple connector-type concept and is made of radiation-hard material. Several packages have been fabricated and show promising results.
Quantification of arterial, venous, and cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics by magnetic resonance imaging under simulated micro-gravity conditions: a prospective cohort study.

Astronauts undergoing long-duration spaceflight are exposed to numerous health risks, including Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), a spectrum of ophthalmic changes that can result in permanent loss of visual acuity. The etiology of SANS is not well understood but is thought to involve changes in cerebrovascular flow dynamics in response to microgravity. There is a paucity of knowledge in this area; in particular, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics have not been well characterized under microgravity conditions. Our study was designed to determine the effect of simulated microgravity (head-down tilt [HDT]) on cerebrovascular flow dynamics. We hypothesized that microgravity conditions simulated by acute HDT would result in increases in CSF pulsatile flow. In a prospective cohort study, we measured flow in major cerebral arteries, veins, and CSF spaces in fifteen healthy volunteers using phase contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) before and during 15° HDT. We found a decrease in all CSF flow variables [systolic peak flow (p = 0.009), and peak-to-peak pulse amplitude (p = 0.001)]. Cerebral arterial average flow (p = 0.04), systolic peak flow (p = 0.04), and peak-to-peak pulse amplitude (p = 0.02) all also significantly decreased. We additionally found a decrease in average cerebral arterial flow (p = 0.040). Finally, a significant increase in cerebral venous cross-sectional area under HDT (p = 0.005) was also observed. These results collectively demonstrate that acute application of −15° HDT caused a reduction in CSF flow variables (systolic peak flow and peak-to-peak pulse amplitude) which, when coupled with a decrease in average cerebral arterial flow, systolic peak flow, and peak-to-peak pulse amplitude, is consistent with a decrease in cardiac-related pulsatile CSF flow. These results suggest that decreases in cerebral arterial inflow were the principal drivers of decreases in CSF pulsatile flow.
Role of Speculative Short Sales in Price Formation: Case of the Weekend Effect

We argue that short sellers affect prices in a significant and systematic manner. In particular, we contend that speculative short sales contribute to the weekend effect: the inability to trade over the weekend is likely to cause these short sellers to close their speculative positions on Fridays and reestablish new short positions on Mondays causing stock prices to rise on Fridays and fall on Mondays. We find evidence in support of this hypothesis based on a comparison of high short-interest stocks and low short-interest stocks, stocks with and without actively traded options, IPOs, zero short-interest stocks, and highly volatile stocks.
Religion in the Law: An Open Access Casebook (1st Ed.)

This casebook features nearly sixty cases from American courts that involve, in some important way, religious belief and action. The book is divided into sections: First Principles, Establishment, Free Exercise, and Special Problems. Each section includes landmark or otherwise influential cases that have influenced American law and religious practice. Most cases come from the U.S. Supreme Court but the lower federal and state courts are also represented. In the contextual introductions to each section and subpart, I have tried to give the reader a basis for understanding how the cases came about and why I chose them for this book. I have tried to minimize editorial comment. I have cited some scholarship where I think it would be helpful, but please do not mistake this as an attempt to produce a comprehensive treatise on the subject of religion in the law. It is a casebook, and a short one, all things considered. At the end of each introductory part is a short “further reading” list. I chose those articles because I found each of them interesting and useful to under-standing the topics that precede them. Their selection is not necessarily an endorsement of each author’s arguments, though I do agree with some of them. I designed this casebook specifically for my own use in a 400-level undergraduate seminar called Law & Society. Class sessions using this book are intended to be student-led, roundtable talks with the professor acting as discussion prompter and neutral mediator. Generally, two cases are assigned for each class session. I selected, edited, and arranged the cases to complement each other thematically and chronologically to the best of my ability. Many of the cases include overlapping topics and could fit into multiple categories, so I took some liberties in their arrangement. Your mileage may vary.
Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in the Patient with Ulcerative Colitis

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders in gastroenterology, affecting 10–15 % of the US population and accounting for one-quarter to one-half of all visits to digestive health specialists. With such a high prevalence, it may be inferred that a significant number of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) also suffer from coexisting IBS. Indeed, it is widely believed that the prevalence of IBS is greater in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), affecting an estimated one-third of UC patients in remission. Recent research demonstrating a possible association between low-grade inflammation and IBS highlights the interconnecting relationship between inflammatory and functional disorders.
Proton-translocating Nicotinamide Nucleotide Transhydrogenase RECONSTITUTION OF THE EXTRAMEMBRANOUS NUCLEOTIDE-BINDING DOMAINS

The nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase of bovine mitochondria is a homodimer of monomer Mr = 109,065. The monomer is composed of three domains, an NH2-terminal 430-residue-long hydrophilic domain I that binds NAD(H), a central 400-residue-long hydrophobic domain II that is largely membrane intercalated and carries the enzyme's proton channel, and a COOH-terminal 200-residue-long hydrophilic domain III that binds NADP(H). Domains I and III protrude into the mitochondrial matrix, where they presumably come together to form the enzyme's catalytic site. The two-subunit transhydrogenase of Escherichia coli and the three-subunit transhydrogenase of Rhodospirillum rubrum have each the same overall tridomain hydropathy profile as the bovine enzyme. Domain I of the R. rubrum enzyme (the α1 subunit) is water soluble and easily removed from the chromatophore membranes. We have isolated domain I of the bovine transhydrogenase after controlled trypsinolysis of the purified enzyme and have expressed in E. coli and purified therefrom domain III of this enzyme. This paper shows that an active bidomain transhydrogenase lacking domain II can be reconstituted by the combination of purified bovine domains I plus III or R. rubrum domain I plus bovine domain III.
Hiding More of Hidden Algebra

Behavioral specification is a rapidly advancing area of algebraic semantics that supports practical applications by allowing models (implementations) that only behaviorally satisfy specifications, infinitary data structures (such as streams), behavioral refinements, and coinduction proof methods. This paper generalizes the hidden algebra approach to allow: (P1) operations with multiple hidden arguments, and (P2) defining behavioral equivalence with a subset of operations, in addition to the already present (P3) built-in data types, (P4) nondeterminism, (P5) concurrency, and (P6) non-congruent operations. All important results generalize, but more elegant formulations use the new institution in Section 5. Behavioral satisfaction appeared 1981 in [20], hidden algebra 1989 in [9], multiple hidden arguments 1992 in [1], congruent and behavioral operations in [1 18], behavioral equivalence defined by a subset of operations in [1], and non-congruent operations in [5]; all this was previously integrated in [21], but this paper gives new examples, institutions, and results relating hidden algebra to information hiding. We assume familiarity with basics of algebraic specification, e.g., [11 13].
Pyruvate Kinase Isozymes from Rat Tissues DEVELOPMENTAL STUDIES

Abstract Developmental and aging patterns of pyruvate kinase (PK) isozymes (PK 1, PK 2, PK 3, and PK 4) from rat liver, kidney, heart, and skeletal muscle were studied by electrophoretic, chromatographic and immunochemical techniques. During the first 2 weeks of postnatal life a decline of total PK activity occurred in liver, kidney, and heart followed by an increase to adult or higher than adult levels after weaning. Skeletal muscle PK increased steadily from very low levels before birth to steady state levels by the end of the 2nd month. It was demonstrated that changes in enzyme activity during development were the result of changes in the amount of enzyme protein. Both PK isozymes from rat liver (PK 1 and PK 4) decreased during the first 2 weeks of postnatal life. Liver PK 1 sharply increased after weaning, whereas liver PK 4 remained at the level of 3 to 10% of the total enzymatic activity. PK 4, the only isozyme detected in fetal rat kidney, predominated throughout development, although PK 1, PK 2, and PK 3 appeared shortly after birth. A shift of PK 4 to PK 3 occurred in both cardiac and skeletal muscle with passage from the fetal to the neonatal stage of development. Adult skeletal muscle contains only PK 3, which is also the predominant form in cardiac muscle. Antiserum prepared against purified PK 3 from skeletal muscle neutralized PK 2, PK 3, and PK 4 from kidney but did not cross-react with liver and kidney PK 1. Developmental changes in total PK activity and in PK isozyme patterns in rat liver and kidney are discussed in terms of their possible significance in the regulation of gluconeogenesis.
Metformin and sex: Why suppression of aging may be harmful to young male mice.

Intriguingly, in this issue of Aging, Anisimov et al reported that lifelong treatment with metformin (an anti-diabetic drug with potentially anti-aging effects) was beneficial for female mice but shortened lifespan in males. Here I discuss why suppression of aging may be unfavorable in young males. Metformin is used for treatment of type II (adult-onset) diabetes. Also, metformin and its analog phenformin prevent cancer and increase lifespan in rodents [1-7]. Yet, effects of metformin depend on mice strains and gender. In one strain (transgenic female HER-2/neu mice), metformin slowed down aging and tumor development [3]. In another strain (female SHR mice), metformin slowed down aging without inhibiting spontaneous tumorigenesis [4]. In third strain (female 129/Sv mice), metformin decreased carcinogenesis but only marginally increased life span [8]. Unexpectedly, in male mice of the same 129/Sv strain, metformin decreased the mean life span by 13% [8]. How can this be explained? There are 3 additional pieces to the puzzle. First, metformin via several mechanisms inhibits the mTOR pathway [9-15]. Second, inhibition of mTOR may explain the anti-aging effect of metformin [16,17]. Third, death rate was increased specifically in young males, thus decreasing their mean life span. Still, metformin did not affect lifespan of the last 10% of survivors and maximum life span [8].
Stabilization of linear and nonlinear systems with state and measurement delays

This paper considers the problem of stabilizing linear and nonlinear continuous-time systems with state and measurement delay. For linear systems we address stabilization via fixed-order dynamic output feedback compensators and present sufficient conditions for stabilization involving a system of modified Riccati equations. For nonlinear systems we provide sufficient conditions for the design of static full-state feedback stabilizing controllers. The controllers obtained are delay-independent and hence apply to systems with infinite delay.
Nitrogen reducing solar cells

The increasing awareness of the limits of our supplies of natural gas has created some interest in recent years in replacing existing methods of industrial ammonia synthesis either with less energy-demanding variants, or by altogether new methods of synthesis that would be independent of conventional energy sources. While it is fully recognized that the HABER-BOSCH Process of ammonia synthesis will probably never be fully replaced by other methods, it is nevertheless worthwhile to examine the feasibility of alternative approaches to the problem. Nature’s way of fixing nitrogen is one such alternative which obviously works and which in fact exhibits all desirable features of a process which, if it could be carried out on a large scale technically, could replace the HABER-BOSCH Process.
Simultaneous stabilization under stable multiplicative perturbations

Simultaneous stabilization of a given linear, time-invariant, multi-input multi-output nominal plant and a given multiplicatively perturbed plant is considered. The multiplicative perturbation is stable and no restrictions are imposed on its gain. Necessary and sufficient conditions are derived for existence of simultaneously stabilizing controllers.
The archival imagination of David Bearman, revisited

Many archivists regard the archival imagination evidenced in the writings of David Bearman as avant-garde. Archivist Linda Henry has sharply criticized Bearman for being irreverent toward the archival theory and practice outlined by classical American archivist T. R. Schellenberg. Although Bearman is sometimes credited-and sometimes berated-for establishing "a new paradigm" centered on the archival management of electronic records, his methods and strategies are intended to encompass all forms of record keeping. The essay provides general observations on Bearman's archival imagination, lists some of its components, and addresses elements of Henry's critique. Although the longlasting impact of Bearman's imagination upon the archival profession might be questioned, it nonetheless deserves continued consideration by archivists and inclusion as a component of graduate archival education.
Molecular mechanisms of diabetic renal hypertrophy.

Molecular mechanisms of diabetic renal hypertrophy. Altered growth of renal cells is one of the early abnormalities detected after the onset of diabetes. Cell culture studies whereby renal cells are exposed to high glucose concentrations have provided a considerable amount of insight into mechanisms of growth. In the glomerular compartment, there is a very early and self-limited proliferation of mesangial cells with subsequent hypertrophy, whereas proximal tubular cells primarily undergo hypertrophy. There is overwhelming evidence from in vivo and cell culture studies that induction of the transforming growth factor-βbgr; (TGF-βbgr;) system mediates the actions of high ambient glucose and that this system is pivotal for the hypertrophy of mesangial and tubular cells. Other factors such as hemodynamic forces, protein glycation products, and several mediators (for example, angiotensin II, endothelin-1, thromboxane, and platelet-derived growth factor) may further amplify the synthesis of TGF-βbgr; and/or the expression of its receptors in the diabetic state. Cellular hypertrophy can be characterized by cell cycle arrest in the G 1 phase. The molecular mechanism arresting mesangial cells in the G 1 phase of the cell cycle is the induction of cyclin-dependent kinase (CdK) inhibitors such as p27 Kip1 and p21, which bind to and inactivate cyclin-CdK complexes responsible for G 1 -phase exit. High-glucose–induced activation of protein kinase C and stimulated TGF-βbgr; expression appear to be essential for stimulated expression of p27 Kip1 . In addition, a decreased turnover of protein caused by the inhibition of proteases contributes to hypertrophy. The development of irreversible renal changes in diabetes mellitus such as glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis is always preceded by the early hypertrophic processes in the glomerular and the tubular compartments. It may still be debated whether diabetic renal hypertrophy will inevitably lead to irreversible fibrotic changes in the absence of other factors such as altered intraglomerular hemodynamics and genetic predisposition. Nevertheless, understanding cellular growth on a molecular level may help design a novel therapeutic approach to prevent or treat diabetic nephropathy effectively.
Ecology and population structure of the bayou darter, Etheostoma rubrum: disjunct riffle habitats and downstream transport of larvae

The bayou darter, Etheostoma rubrum (Percidae), is endemic to the Bayou Pierre system in Mississippi. Adult and juvenile E. rubrum occupy swift, shallow riffles or runs over coarse gravel and pebble substrata. Habitat requirements of larval and post-larval stages, and the role of downstream dispersal of larvae in colonizing riffles are poorly known. The potential for movement and the high level of habitat specificity for the discontinuous riffle habitat suggest that E. rubrum may comprise a metapopulation of linearly arranged local populations. The greatest population densities of E. rubrum occur in the upper reaches of Bayou Pierre. We hypothesized that metapopulation structure of E. rubrum may include source–sink dynamics, whereby downstream areas are a sink for larvae/early juveniles originating upstream. We tested hypotheses that a transport mechanism, larval drift, occurred in E. rubrum, and that downstream riffles showed characteristics of population sinks. We captured larval stages of E. rubrum in cross-sectional and longitudinal drift nets, and rates of drift tended to increase during the day. Larval E. rubrum (n=19) occurred in samples above and below riffle areas, with no differences among longitudinal drift nets placed above and below riffles. Thus, larval drift is a viable transport mechanism. Relative abundance of adults and juveniles declined from upstream to downstream, and inter-riffle distances increased with cumulative downstream distance. However, both predictions of the source–sink hypothesis were not supported. The distribution of size classes did not change between upstream and downstream riffles nor did the mean size-adjusted body mass.
Human protein requirements: evaluation of the 1973 FAO/WHO safe level of protein intake for young men at high energy intakes

1. Six Caucasian male Massachusetts Institute of Technology students participated in a 77–87 d metabolic balance study to determine the adequacy of the 1973 FAO/WHO egg protein allowance for men (0.57 g/kg body-weight per d). Each subject was given an initial energy allowance calculated to meet his particular requirements, and these intakes were raised by increments of 10% approximately every 2 weeks until a slightly positive balance was achieved. Each individual's energy intake was maintained at this final level for the remainder of the study. 2. At energy intakes sufficient to meet their estimated requirements, five of six subjects were in negative nitrogen balance. In five subjects, N balance improved with increased energy intake until N balance was achieved. The mean change in N balance was 0.335 mg N/additional kJ consumed. All of the subjects gained weight at the higher energy intakes. 3. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities increased with continued intake of the experimental diet and reached abnormal levels in five of the six subjects. In the two subjects showing the earliest increases in serum transferase activity, the levels returned towards normal when protein intake was raised to 0.73–1.0 g/kg body-weight per d. All subjects showed normal serum transferase values on an ad lib. diet 2–3 weeks after termination of the study. 4. The findings indicate that at energy intakes necessary to bring subjects into slightly positive N balance at the level of 0.57 g egg protein/kg per d, a significant proportion of young adults continue to gain weight for as long as 70 d. 5. These findings suggest that the 1973 FAO/WHO safe allowance of 0.57 g egg protein/kg per d is not sufficient for most healthy young men receiving dietary energy intakes appropriate for long-term maintenance of body-weight.
Ensemble Online Clustering through Decentralized Observations

We investigate the problem of online learning for an ensemble of agents clustering incoming data, i.e., the problem of combining online local clustering decisions made by distributed agents to improve knowledge and accuracy of implicit clusters hidden in the incoming data streams. We focus on clustering using the well-known K-means algorithm for numerical data due to its efficiency in clustering large data sets. Nevertheless, our results can be straightforwardly extended to, e.g., the K-modes variant of the K-means algorithm to handle categorical data, as well as to other clustering algorithms. We show that the proposed ensemble online solutions, which are based on a simple majority-voting scheme, converge to the centralized solutions that would be made by a fusion center, that is, the solutions resulting from one agent with access to all information across agents. Given the dimensions of the clustering model, the aforementioned convergence is demonstrated to be achievable for relatively small sizes of the ensemble.
Spinosides A and B. Two cytotoxic cucurbitacin glycosides from Desfontainia spinosa

Abstract Fractionation of the active ethanol extract of Desfontainia spinosa based on cytotoxicity has led to the discovery of three new derivatives of the parent compound, 1 1-deoxocucurbitacin I. The structures of 23,24-dihydro-11-deoxocucurbitacin I and the glycosides, spinosides A and B were elucidated on the basis of extensive analysis of their high field 1H NMR, 13C NMR, high resolution mass spectra (fast atom bombardment, field desorption, chemical ionization, electron impact) and chemical interconversions. Spinosides A and B were cytotoxic in the KB cell culture assay.
Prevention and Management of Hemorrhage Associated with Cautery Wire Balloon Incision of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

The functional significance of crossing lower pole vessels in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction is controversial. However, there is clear evidence that the incidence of such vessels in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction is significantly higher than in the general population. We report on a patient with secondary ureteropelvic junction obstruction treated with retrograde cautery wire balloon incision in whom significant hemorrhage developed as a result of disruption of a lower pole accessory artery crossing the ureteropelvic junction. Angiographic intervention with selective arterial embolization resulted in immediate, complete resolution with salvage of the kidney. Because the incidence of crossing vessels is relatively high in this patient population, steps should be taken to identify and possibly exclude affected patients before the use of blind incisional procedures.
Induction of donor-specific tolerance in sublethally irradiated recipients by gene therapy.

Abstract Donor-specific transplantation tolerance can be established through the induction of molecular chimerism following reconstitution of lethally irradiated mice with autologous bone marrow expressing retrovirally transduced allogeneic MHC antigens. Here, we set out to define nonmyeloablative host conditioning regimens that would allow for establishment of molecular chimerism and the induction of donor-specific tolerance. Recipient mice received various doses of whole-body irradiation, together with costimulatory blockade using anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody prior to reconstitution with syngeneic bone marrow cells transduced with retroviruses carrying the gene encoding H-2K b . Conditioning consisting of 3 Gy whole-body irradiation and treatment with anti-CD154 was sufficient to induce molecular chimerism resulting in stable multilineage expression of K b on hematopoietic cells. T cells from molecular chimeras were unable to lyse allogeneic targets expressing K b and contained substantially fewer K b -reactive IL-2- and IFN-γ-producing CD4 T cells than controls receiving mock-transduced bone marrow. Induction of molecular chimerism using nonmyeloablative host conditioning allowed for permanent survival of K b -disparate allogeneic skin grafts. These data suggest that nonmyeloablative host conditioning can be used effectively to induce molecular chimerism resulting in transplantation tolerance.
Charge Density Analysis of an Organic Ferroelectric. Croconic Acid: an Experimental and Theoretical Study

The charge density in the high density (ρ = 1.912 g·cm–3) organic ferroelectric, croconic acid, was determined from low temperature (20 K) X-ray diffraction data, and DFT theoretical calculations. The high density was associated with strong intermolecular interaction energies. The spontaneous polarization is correlated with the derived molecular dipole moment (9.3 Debye). Improvements in multipole refinement protocols are described. Limitations in the multipole model with respect to heteronuclear bond properties are discussed.
Mind the skills gap: the role of Internet know-how and gender in differentiated contributions to Wikipedia

Despite the egalitarian rhetoric surrounding online cultural production, profound gender inequalities remain in who contributes to one of the most visited Web sites worldwide, Wikipedia. In analyzing this persistent disparity, previous research has focused on aspects of current contributors and the existing Wikipedia community. We draw on unique panel survey data of young adults with information about both Wikipedia contributors and non-contributors. We examine the role of people's background attributes and Internet skills in participation on the site. We find that the gender gap in editing is exacerbated by a similarly significant Internet skills gap. Our results show that the most likely contributors are high-skilled males and that among low-skilled Internet users no gender gap in Wikipedia contributions exists. Our findings suggest that efforts to understand the gender gap must also take Internet skills into account.
Birdsong: motor function and the evolution of communication

Abstract Communication differs from other behaviors in the potential for an arbitrary relationship between a signal's function and the motor patterns used to produce it. Also, signals often incorporate motor patterns that have been co-opted from non-signal behaviors, resulting in a linkage between communication and other behaviors using the same functional systems. We examine possible evolutionary consequences of these attributes of communication, using birdsong as a focus. Syringeal function provides a case where co-adaptation with other behaviors is weak. By contrast, functional systems of the vocal tract have evolved in response to competing influences of divergent selective pressures.
Epithelial-specific keratin gene expression: identification of a 300 base-pair controlling segment

To elucidate the elements required for regulation of keratin expression in epidermis, we have linked a short, 300 base pair segment, corresponding to the promoter region of a human K#14 gene, to the chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase gene. This construct was introduced into various mammalian cell lines and primary cultures via Ca3(PO4)2 precipitation. The 300 base pair segment from the keratin gene promoter region was active in all epithelial cells studied including transformed, simple epithelial cells such as HeLa and ME-180, cell lines derived from stratified epithelium, such as SCC-12, as well as primary cultures of epithelial cells. The construct was inactive in all non-epithelial cells tested including fibroblasts and melanocytes. The segment does not function as a silencer in nonepithelial cells but it can function as an enhancer in epithelial cells. Using the polymerase chain reaction we have constructed a series of deletions of the promoter and have localized an essential function within a 40 bp sequence. We conclude that we have identified the keratin gene promoter that is sufficient to confer epithelial-specific expression.
CD-R Acquisition Hashes Affected by Write Options

ABSTRACT While conducting a validation study of proficiency test media we found that applying the same hash algorithm against a single CD using different applications resulted in different hashes. This was unexpected because the only plausible explanation of the different hashes would be if the CD media changed between hashing procedures. We formulated a series of experiments using several variables to determine the cause of the anomalous results. The results suggested that certain write options cause hash applications to report different hashes. We conclude with a discussion of possible consequences of these anomalies in a court of law, along with recommendations regarding best practices involving hashing procedures.
An empirical input allocation model for the multiproduct firm

Laitinen (1980) derives an input allocation model for a multiproduct firm that first maximizes revenue and second maximizes profit. While theoretically elegant, the model has never been formulated empirically because of the complexity of the model’s price-deflated terms. This paper derives the linear parameterization of the input allocation model that can be used for empirical estimation.
Limit Circle Results for Second Order Equations.

It is known that for second order linear equations the assumption of limit circle (all solutions being square integrable) is not sufficient to imply boundedness of solutions. We investigate what additional hypotheses are needed to insure that all solutions are bounded. Also, we prove certain limit circle results using Liapunov functions.
Herringbone Calcite: Petrography and Environmental Significance

ABSTRACT Herringbone calcite is a previously undescribed carbonate cement and sea-floor precipitate that is common in Archean carbonates but rare in Proterozoic and Phanerozoic rocks. It is abundant in the 2520 Ma Campbellrand-Malmani platform, South Africa, where field relationships, such as erosional truncation of layers of herringbone calcite and interbedding of herringbone calcite with grainstones, demonstrate that it precipitated from ambient marine water. This interpretation is supported by depositional relationships in the >= 2.6 Ga Huntsman Limestone of the Bulawayo greenstone belt, Zimbabwe; the 2.6 Ga Carawine Dolomite, Australia; the 1.90 Ga Rocknest Formation and the 1.8-1.2 Ga Dismal Lakes Group, Canada; the Ordovician Porterfi ld carbonate buildup, Virginia; and various Silurian carbonate buildups in the Midcontinent, United States. Each of these occurrences is associated with anaerobic depositional environments or organic-rich sediments. Herringbone calcite consists of alternating light and dark crenulated bands; each light-dark pair is 0.5-1.0 mm thick. Microscopically, each pair of bands consists of a row of elongate crystals with their long axes aligned perpendicular to banding and along the growth direction of the cement. The bases of the crystals are optically unoriented, but upwards in each crystal, the optical c axis rotates until it is perpendicular to crystal elongation. The tops of the elongate crystal are thus optically aligned and length slow. The light bands of herringbone calcite correspond to the optically oriented parts of the elongate crystals, whereas the dark bands correspond to the optically unoriented, lower parts of the elongate crystals. Microspar crystals are also present in some dark ba ds. A Mg-calcite precursor for herringbone calcite, now preserved as low-Mg calcite or dolomite, is supported by the presence of micro-dolomite inclusions and textural differences between herringbone calcite and textures interpreted as neomorphosed former aragonite or low-Mg calcite. Precipitation of herringbone calcite may be consistent with a diffusionally controlled growth model involving branching growth of fibrous crystals and diffusion of a precipitation inhibitor away from the crystallization surface. Since herringbone calcite is associated with anaerobic depositional environments, the inhibitor promoting precipitation of herringbone calcite may be present only in poorly oxygenated sea water. Thus, the stratigraphic distribution of herringbone calcite may be an important indicator of the abundance of oxygen in carbonate depositional environments through time.
Simple method of detecting ferroelectric domains with non-phase-matched second-harmonic generation.

We demonstrate a new method of detecting the presence of ferroelectric domains based on non-phase-matched second-harmonic generation. If a domain boundary is tilted relative to the input and output faces of the crystal, the far-field second-harmonic light consists of multiple beams, in contrast to the single beam generated in a single-domain crystal. The angular separation of the beams provides a measure of the tilt of the domain wall if the refractive-index difference n2ω - nω is known.
Quantum discord for qubit–qudit systems

We present two formulae to calculate quantum discord, a kind of quantum correlation, between a qubit and a second party of arbitrary dimension d. The first formula is the original entropic definition and the second is a recently proposed geometric distance measure which leads to an analytical formulation. The tracing over the qubit in the entropic calculation is reduced to a very simple prescription. And, when the d-dimensional system is a so-calledX-state, the density matrix having non-zero elements only along the diagonal and anti-diagonal, the entropic calculation can also be carried out analytically. Such states of the full bipartite qubit–qudit system may be named ‘extended X-states’, whose density matrix is built of four block matrices, each visually appearing as an X. The optimization involved in the entropic calculation is generally over two parameters, reducing to one for many cases, and avoided altogether for an overwhelmingly large set of density matrices as our numerical investigations demonstrate. In the case of N = 2, extended X-states encompass the entire 15-dimensional parameter space, that is, they represent the full qubit–qubit system.
Interpretation of the Composition of Vermiculites and Hydrobiotites1

Formulas calculated from modern analyses of vermiculites and hydrobiotites show that these minerals resemble phlogopites and magnesian biotites in tetrahedral and octahedral layer composition, but usually have a higher proportion of trivalent octahedral cations. None of the formulas studied resembles those of ferroan biotites in composition. In a few formulas the negative layer unit charge and the neutralizing positive interlayer charge are as high as those found in phlogopite; about 1.00 in the half-cell formula, but in most vermiculite formulas the charge on the layer unit and the interlayer charge are considerably lower than in phlogopite. Such a decrease in the amount of these charges may be due to oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+, which would increase the positive octahedral charge, and, consequently, decrease the layer unit charge. Oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ also explains the higher proportion of trivalent octahedral cations in vermiculites and hydrobiotites. Few papers furnish both cation exchange data and analyses of the samples studied; consequently it is difficult to correlate interlayer charge and cation exchange capacity, but empirically the interlayer charge multiplied by 200 yields a value that approximates the cation exchange capacity, provided the Mg has been allotted correctly between octahedral and interlayer positions. On the basis of composition and charge relations, vermiculites may be interpreted as formed from phlogopites or magnesian biotites by replacement of K by Mg.
The algorithmic nature of a reaction-diffusion development process

An example is given of how steady state, reaction-diffusion concentration patterns can be used to generate a developmental sequence of linear arrays of cells. The generative process shows a distinct local character which is regular enough to be described algorithmically and which is suggestive of the successive regionalization which occurs in actual development. Two algorithmic descriptions are provided: one as the composition of two Markov normal algorithms, and the other in terms of a new kind, called a segment algorithm.
Raman spectra of imino acids and poly-L-hydroxyproline

The Raman spectra of poly-L-hydroxyproline in the solid state and aqueous solution have been obtained. From the spectra, the conformations of the polypeptide in the solid and aqueous solution are found to be the same. Major differences in the spectra between the solid and solution are traced to environmental influences of the pyrrolidine group as indicated by studies of the monomers. The Raman spectra of the imino acids, proline and hydroxyproline, as the dipolar ions, the hydrochlorides, and the sodium salts are also reported.
Feminist reflections on the Peruvian university politics

This study reviews the nature of politics within Peruvian universities, seeking to identify the extent to which they have considered gender issues. Since university students have traditionally been active in politics and have sought to address national issues involving democracy and the protection of human rights, the article focuses on student politics. Student politics have been controlled by men and their various outcomes, ranging from demonstrations to guerilla warfare, have occured in the context of an analytical framework that gives predominance to economic forces to the exclusion of ideological influences. The students have wanted, therefore, to defend and ally themselves with workers and peasants, and assumed that women’s issues are secondary to the promotion of social and economic justice. The universities in Peru have undergone a tremendous expansion in the last two decades. Despite this growth, the faculty continues to be mostly male. The growing presence of students from low-income sectors has contributed to radicalizing the university, yet the prevalent Marxist analysis subsumes gender within class issues. Although one of the most radical departments in the university — education — has also a large number of women, this has not yet led to the adoption of a feminist agenda. In the meantime, the feminist movement in Peru is growing outside the university and becoming very effective in the promotion of women’s rights. The article proposes a number of measures that could facilitate the university’s adoption of a stronger position regarding women’s concerns.