cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Source of Fecal and Oral Bacteria on Infant, Child, and Adult Hands.

ABSTRACT Modern hygienic practices are applied to avoid exposure to pathogens that spread via fecal-oral transmission. Despite this, the gastrointestinal tract is quickly colonized by fecal microbes. The hands are an important vector for the transmission of microbes, but the frequency at which fecal and oral microbes exist on hands and the source of those microbes have not been extensively described. Using data from a previous study that characterized the fecal, oral, and skin microbiota from 73 families, we found a significant incidence of fecal and oral microbes on hands. Of palms, 48.9% had fecal signal and 67.2% had oral signal. Fecal, oral, and forehead microbes were tracked to family members and an individual’s own palms far more often than to unrelated individuals and showed relationships with age, gender, and parental status. For instance, oral microbes that were specifically sourced to the same individual (oneself) were most common on infant palms; mothers had more infant-child-sourced and oral-sourced microbes on their palms than nonparents. Fecal microbes on palms more often sourced to members of the family than unrelated individuals, but more often to other members of the family than oneself. This study supports that the hands are an important vector for the transfer of fecal and oral microbes within families. IMPORTANCE Bacteria live all around us, and we are constantly exposed to them during our everyday lives. Modern standards of hygiene aim to limit exposure to fecal bacteria, and yet bacteria rapidly colonize the gut in early life and following antibacterial treatment. Exposures to fecal and oral microbes provide risk of disease, but are also necessary since commensal microbes play important roles in health. This work establishes that bacteria of both fecal and oral origins are commonly found on hands. It also establishes that the uniqueness of fecal and oral bacterial communities across people can allow for determination of the likely individual from whom the fecal and oral bacteria came. These techniques allow for understanding the hands as a vector for microbial transmission within families and across populations, which has important implications for public health.
Swelling and plasticization of polymeric binders by Li-containing carbonate electrolytes using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation

Abstract Lithium ion battery electrodes are highly engineered, but their performance can be impacted by the properties of the polymeric binder in the electrode. Here, the swelling and plasticization of PVDF, PAA, BPEI and SEPDM by common carbonate-based electrolytes is probed using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). The swelling of the PVDF increased with increasing temperature and decreased slightly with addition of Li salt. The composition of ethylene and propylene carbonate in the electrolyte impacts the swelling more significantly than salt selection. Despite the large differences in the swelling (25%–75%), the high frequency shear modulus of the swollen PVDF remains nearly invariant for all conditions examined, which is attributed to its semi-crystalline network. In contrast, BPEI, SEPDM, and PAA are marginally swollen by carbonate electrolytes. These measurements provide insight into the electrolyte-binder interactions to help select pairs for emerging high-performance electrodes.
A matter of phylogenetic scale: Distinguishing incomplete lineage sorting from lateral gene transfer as the cause of gene tree discord in recent versus deep diversification histories.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Discordant gene trees are commonly encountered when sequences from thousands of loci are applied to estimate phylogenetic relationships. Several processes contribute to this discord. Yet, we have no methods that jointly model different sources of conflict when estimating phylogenies. An alternative to analyzing entire genomes or all the sequenced loci is to identify a subset of loci for phylogenetic analysis. If we can identify data partitions that are most likely to reflect descent from a common ancestor (i.e., discordant loci that indeed reflect incomplete lineage sorting [ILS], as opposed to some other process, such as lateral gene transfer [LGT]), we can analyze this subset using powerful coalescent-based species-tree approaches. METHODS Test data sets were simulated where discord among loci could arise from ILS and LGT. Data sets where analyzed using the newly developed program CLASSIPHY (Huang et al., ) to assess whether our ability to distinguish the cause of discord among loci varied when ILS and LGT occurred in the recent versus deep past and whether the accuracy of these inferences were affected by the mutational process. KEY RESULTS We show that accuracy of probabilistic classification of individual loci by the cause of discord differed when ILS and LGT events occurred more recently compared with the distant past and that the signal-to-noise ratio arising from the mutational process contributes to difficulties in inferring LGT data partitions. CONCLUSIONS We discuss our findings in terms of the promise and limitations of identifying subsets of loci for species-tree inference that will not violate the underlying coalescent model (i.e., data partitions in which ILS, and not LGT, contributes to discord). We also discuss the empirical implications of our work given the many recalcitrant nodes in the tree of life (e.g., origins of angiosperms, amniotes, or Neoaves), and recent arguments for concatenating loci.
Facebook Stakeholder Engagement by High-Asset Foundations

Do foundations effectively engage stakeholders via social media, and specifically Facebook? This article bridges practice and theory by building on existing scholarship regarding social media use o...
Hypoxia-derived exosomes induce putative altered pathways in biosynthesis and ion regulatory channels in glioblastoma cells.

Hypoxia, a hallmark characteristic of glioblastoma (GBM) induces changes in the transcriptome and the proteome of tumor cells. We discovered that hypoxic stress produces significant qualitative and quantitative changes in the protein content of secreted exosomes from GBM cells. Among the proteins found to be selectively elevated in hypoxic exosomes were protein-lysine 6-oxidase (LOX), thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), vascular derived endothelial factor (VEGF) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 1 (ADAMTS1), well studied contributors to tumor progression, metastasis and angiogenesis. Our findings demonstrate that hypoxic exosomes induce differential gene expression in recipient glioma cells. Glioma cells stimulated with hypoxic exosomes showed a marked upregulation of small nucleolar RNA, C/D box 116-21 (SNORD116-21) transcript among others while significantly downregulated the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily J member 3 (KCNJ3) message. This differential expression of certain genes is governed by the protein cargo being transferred via exosomes. Additionally, compared to normoxic exosomes, hypoxic exosomes increased various angiogenic related parameters vis-a-vis, overall tube length, branching intervals and length of isolated branches studied in tube formation assay with endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Thus, the intercellular communication facilitated via exosomes secreted from hypoxic GBM cells induce marked changes in the expression of genes in neighboring normoxic tumor cells and possibly in surrounding stromal cells, many of which are involved in cancer progression and treatment resistance mechanisms.
Predicting Cyber Threats through Hacker Social Networks in Darkweb and Deepweb Forums

We present an approach that combines social network analysis with machine learning techniques to predict future cyber threats through darkweb/deepweb discussions with hacking-related content. Our approach harnesses features derived from hacker social networks and from online sources of cybersecurity advisories. We address the problem of predicting the exploitability of software vulnerabilities to show that features computed from hacker social networks are important indicators of future cybersecurity incidents. We conduct a suite of experiments on real-world hacker and exploit data and demonstrate that social network data improves recall by about 19%, F1 score by about 6% while maintaining precision. We believe this is because social network structures related to certain exploit authors is indicative of their ability to write exploits that are subsequently employed in an attack.
Bladder Surface Glycosaminoglycans: An Epithelial Permeability Barrier

Sulfated polysaccharide's ability to modulate the movement of small molecules was examined both in vivo and in vitro. For the in vivo test, the rabbit bladder was utilized and C-14 labeled urea 45-Ca, or 3H2O was placed into the lumen of control bladders, bladders pretreated with protamine sulfate (20 mg./cc) and bladders pretreated with protamine sulfate (20 mg./cc) plus pentosanpoly-sulfate (PPS), 10 mg./cc. After 45 minutes, the controls absorbed 21% of the urea, 16% of the calcium, and 38% of the 3H2O; the protamine treated group 40% urea, 23% calcium, and 51% H2O; the PPS only group 22% urea and the protamine plus PPS group absorbed 24% of urea, 18% calcium, and 44% water. Differences between the control and protamine groups were statistically significant, p less than 0.01 for urea 45-Ca and 3H2O. The bladder mucosa contained a significantly higher concentration of urea and calcium after protamine treatment which were both reversed by PPS (p less than 0.01) while 3H2O content went down significantly (p = 0.03), reflecting a loss of the hydrophilic effect of bladder GAG. The control mucosas had 250 cpm/mg. tissue urea for Ca 64 cpm/mg. and water 262 cpm/mg., the protamine group urea 498 cpm/mg., Ca 190 cpm/mg., and H2O 139 cpm/mg.; the protamine plus PPS group urea 344 cpm/mg., Ca 129 cpm/mg., and water 168 cpm/mg. For the in vitro studies, an Ussing chamber was employed. Normal rabbit bladder membranes were placed in the chambers and the potential difference was zeroed across the membrane. There were three groups, membranes that were treated only with the irrigating solution, membranes pretreated with protamine, and membranes pretreated with protamine plus PPS. At the end of 40 minutes, there was an approximately 1.2% movement of urea across the control membrane, a 3.5% movement across the protamine treated membrane (a significant increase p less than 0.001) and a 1.1% movement across the protamine plus PPS treated membrane. It would appear that the surface polysaccharide may play an important role as a bladder permeability barrier in modulating both charged and uncharged small molecule movement in that its ability to impair such movement can be inhibited by protamine and this protamine effect can be reversed by a treatment with an exogenous sulfated polysaccharide.
Computational Aspects of Dirichlet Distribution

In contrast to the vast amount of theoretical work on the Dirichlet distribution there is very little work done on the practical aspects of the distribution like parameter estimation, computer simulation, and testing small sample properties. The thesis of this paper is to investigate such aspects of the distribution which have been neglected so far.
In Vitro Behavior of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells Under the Influence of Chemoattractants: Stromal Cell–Derived Factor-1, Steel Factor, and the Bone Marrow Environment

How multiple chemoattractants cooperate in directing the migration of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) for homing and peripheral blood mobilization has not yet been established. We report here the behavior of HPC under the influence of two different chemoattractants, stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1 and steel factor (SLF), and the chemotactic nature of the bone marrow (BM) environment using a two-chamber in vitro migration system. Various formulae were adopted to quantitate these effects. Based on these quantitations, SDF-1 showed only chemotactic activity, while SLF showed both chemotactic and chemokinetic activities on factor-dependent MO7e cells. SLF, like SDF-1, attracted human HPC from a population of CD34+ cells and induced actin polymerization in MO7e cells. SLF and SDF-1 cooperated in attracting MO7e cells, as well as cord blood (CB) and BM CD34+cells. A negative concentration gradient of SLF and SDF-1, formed by the presence of chemoattractants in the upper chamber, showed potent inhibitory effects on MO7e cell migration induced by either of these chemoattractants in the lower chamber, and SDF-1 and SLF were synergistic in mobilizing cells to the lower chamber from this negative chemoattractant gradient. Plasma obtained from BM aspirates, but not CB or peripheral blood, showed strong chemotactic effects on BM and CB CD34+ cells, and an inhibitory effect in a negative gradient on SDF-1–dependent CD34+ cell migration. These in vitro migration experiments suggest that chemoattractants such as SDF-1 and SLF with other unidentified BM chemoattractants may be involved cooperatively in the migration of HPC to the BM and in preventing spontaneous mobilization of HPC out of the BM.
The Effect of Undergraduate Coursework on Students' Performance in the First Year at a U.S. Dental School.

The aim of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between students’ academic history and their performance in the first year of dental school, with a focus on academic load in undergraduate education. A total of 174 student records from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine Classes of 2011 to 2018 were analyzed. These records included students at the top and bottom of each class at the end of their first term of study. Outcomes were broad measures of student success: student continued in curriculum, student withdrew/was dismissed, or student remediated at least one course. In the comparison of the top and bottom ten students across the classes, the following variables were found to be significant: Barron’s score of undergraduate institution, undergraduate science GPA, number of failures or withdrawals from science courses during undergraduate education, DAT scores, and underrepresented minority status. The results of this study are not meant to inform the admissions process, but to highlight opportunities for enhancing student services via early identification of students who may benefit from additional academic support while in dental school.
Fingerprints of native defects in monolayer PbTe

Understanding the intricate interplay of defects and electron–electron interactions is crucial to exploiting the full potential of materials for practical applications. At the nanoscale, the combined effects are more pronounced due to quantum confinement and can have both positive and negative subtle effects on device performance. Herein, we report optoelectronic properties of pristine and disordered monolayer PbTe. We obtain the pristine electronic structure from first-principles calculations with the modified Becke–Johnson potential. We study the combined impact of random defects due to Te and Pb vacancies and material-specific electron–electron interactions on the electronic and optical properties of monolayer PbTe. We use a generalized energy-dependent Anderson–Hubbard Hamiltonian within a first-principles-based many-body typical medium method to self-consistently calculate the single-particle electronic structure. The absorption spectra, which also accounted for the effects of electron–hole interactions, are studied using valence electron energy-loss spectroscopy (VEELS) and they are obtained by solving the Bethe–Salpeter equation. Our results show an anomalous dependence on spin–orbit coupling for the pristine nanostructure and demonstrate that increased vacancy concentrations lead to, among other things, enhancement of the band gap, resonant shallow impurities, strong renormalization of the VEELS, and a systematic increase of the effective plasmon energy.
Immunogenicity characterization of genetically fused or chemically conjugated heat-stable toxin toxoids of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in mice and pigs.

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) producing type Ib heat-stable toxin (STa) are a main cause of children's diarrhea and travelers' diarrhea, thus STa needs to be targeted in ETEC vaccine development. However, because this 19-amino acid STa is poorly immunogenic, attempts to genetically fuse or chemically couple it to carrier proteins have been made to enhance STa immunogenicity. In this study, we selected one genetic fusion and one chemical conjugate to comparatively evaluate STa immunogenicity. The genetic fusion is 3xSTaN12S-mnLTR192G/L211A carrying three toxoid (STaN12S) genetically fused to a double mutant LT monomer (mnLTR192G/L211A); the chemical conjugate is BSA-STaA14T, which has toxoid STaA14T chemically coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA). We immunized mice with the STa toxoid fusion and chemical conjugates, and examined antibody responses. Furthermore, we immunized pigs and evaluated derived antibodies for efficacy to passively provide protection against ETEC diarrhea using a piglet model. Data showed that mice subcutaneously immunized with BSA-STaA14T or 3xSTaN12S-mnLTR192G/L211A developed a strong anti-STa antibody, and the induced antibodies exhibited equivalent toxin-neutralizing activities. Pigs immunized with 3xSTaN12S-mnLTR192G/L211A or BSA-STaA14T developed similar levels of anti-STa antibodies; piglets with passively acquired antibodies induced by the genetic fusion appeared better protected against STa + ETEC. Results from the current study indicate that the fusion and conjugate approaches are viable options for facilitating STa immunogenicity and developing ETEC vaccines.
Optimality in quantum data compression using dynamical entropy

In this article we study lossless compression of strings of pure quantum states of indeterminate-length quantum codes which were introduced by Schumacher and Westmoreland. Past work has assumed that the strings of quantum data are prepared to be encoded in an independent and identically distributed way. We discuss the notion of quantum stochastic ensembles, allowing us to consider strings of quantum states prepared in a general way. For any quantum stochastic ensemble we define an associated quantum dynamical system and prove that the optimal average codeword length via lossless coding is equal to the quantum dynamical entropy of the associated quantum dynamical system.
The marine sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis is a globally-distributed invasive species

In Elkhorn Slough, a tidal estuary draining into Monterey Bay, California, the intertidal is occupied by a conspicuous orange sponge known by the name Hymeniacidon sinapium. This same species is found in the rocky intertidal zone of the outer coast of California, and is described herein from subtidal kelp forests of Southern California. Farther afield, morphologically and ecologically indistinguishable sponges are common in estuaries and intertidal areas in Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa. Here I use morphological, ecological, and genetic data to show that these sponges are all members of the same globally-distributed species, which should be known by the senior synonym H. perlevis. Though previous authors have remarked upon the morphological, ecological, and/or genetic similarity of various distant populations, the true scope of this sponge9s distribution appears to be unrecognized or unacknowledged in the literature. Limited larval dispersal, historically documented range expansion, and low genetic variation all support a hypothesis that this sponge has achieved its extraordinary range via human-mediated dispersal, making it the most widely-distributed invasive sponge known to date.
Corrections to the classification of the Neotropical ant-like stone beetles misplaced in Euconnus Thomson (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae). Part 1.

Taxonomic placement of five Neotropical species of Glandulariini, previously misplaced in Euconnus, is corrected based on examination of type specimens. Euconnus brunneus Franz is placed in Tridensius gen. n.; Euconnus sibyllensis Franz in Sibylloconnus gen. n.; Euconnus fimbriatulus Reitter in Protandroconnus Franz; Euconnus johnsoni Franz in Amimoscydmus Jaloszynski; and Scydmaenus asserculatus L.W. Schaufuss (placed in Euconnus by Csiki and Franz) in Venezolanoconnus Franz. Each species is redescribed: Tridensius brunneus (Franz) comb. n., Sibylloconnus sibyllensis (Franz) comb. n., Protandroconnus fimbriatulus (Reitter) comb. n., Amimoscydmus johnsoni (Franz) comb. n., and Venezolanoconnus asserculatus (L.W. Schaufuss) comb. n. A key to identification of the new Neotropical genera is given.
The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the Healthcare Workforce.

Abstract Background Diversity and inclusion are terms that have been used widely in a variety of contexts, but these concepts have only been intertwined into the discussion in healthcare in the recent past. It is important to have a healthcare workforce which represents the tapestry of our communities as it relates to race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, physical disability status, and socioeconomic level to render the best possible care to our diverse patient populations. Methods We explore efforts by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), the Institute of Medicine (IOM), and other medical organizations to improve diversity and inclusion in medicine. Conclusion Finally, we report on best practices, frameworks, and strategies which have been utilized to improve diversity and inclusion in healthcare.
Effects of Surface Energy Reducing Agents on Adhesion Force in Liquid Bridge Microstereolithography

Abstract Projection microstereolithography (MSL) is a layer-by-layer manufacturing process used to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) microstructures. In this process, each layer of a photoreactive liquid resin is crosslinked by modulated ultraviolet (UV) light through a digital micromirror device (DMD). Despite the capabilities of MSL, there are some drawbacks such as incompatibility with highly viscous materials, long manufacturing time, large material consumption, and oxygen inhibition. To address these issues, liquid bridge microstereolithography (LBMSL) has been proposed as a vat-free process, which involves using a liquid resin supported by a capillary bridge between two substrates. One of the most important manufacturing steps in the LBMSL process is to detach the cured layers from the upper transparent substrate, without causing any damage to the structure during the 3D printing process. This paper has investigated the use of a small molecule additive, a surface energy reducing agent (SERA) that tends to migrate toward the transparent substrate and reduces adhesion at this interface. This has been proven through a series of adhesion force measurements and material characterization methods. The migration of SERA molecules has been studied using contact angle measurements and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, tensile measurements reveal that there are no detrimental effects on the mechanical properties of the resin due to adding SERA in the formulation. Multiple 3D microstructures have been fabricated to illustrate the advantage of adding SERA to reduce the adhesion of the resin to the transparent substrate in LBMSL.
KNOWLEDGE OF VESTIBULAR OCULAR DYSFUNCTION AND UTILIZATION OF VESTIBULAR OCULAR MOTOR SCREENING (VOMS) TOOL COMPONENTS AMONG PROFESSIONAL SPORTS LEAGUE ATHLETIC TRAINERS.

Background The Vestibular Ocular Motor Screen (VOMS) is a relatively new measurement tool intended for the non-vestibular practitioner to identify vestibular ocular dysfunction (VOD) following sport related concussion (SRC). Specific knowledge of VOD and usage of the VOMS among athletic trainers in professional sports leagues is currently unknown. Hypothesis/purpose The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge of VOD following SRC and utilization of the VOMS tool and other vestibular ocular tests and measures among athletic trainers in professional sports. Study design Cross Sectional Study. Methods A total of 117 athletic trainers from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League and Major League Soccer, with a mean of 17 ± 9 years in the athletic training profession were surveyed via Qualtrics™ with a response rate of 33%. The survey contained three primary sub-sections; demographics, knowledge of vestibular ocular deficits following SRC, and VOMS component utilization at baseline, acute and return-to-play phases of management. Total knowledge scores as well as percentage of utilization based on concussion management stages were calculated. Results The average percentage correct on the knowledge items was 56% (range of 30% to 65%). There was no difference in knowledge score among athletic trainers with formal post-professional concussion training (p = 0.29) compared to those with no formal training. There was no relationship found between total years practicing and total knowledge score, r = -.128, (p = 0.17). Smooth pursuit testing was the most commonly utilized (70%) in clinical practice and Visual Motion Sensitivity (VMS) was the least utilized (17%). Balance assessment measures to examine vestibular functioning remained the highest utilized examination technique at all-time points in management of SRC. Conclusion The range of correct responses from 30% to 65% indicates that at the time of survey the participants had decreased knowledge of VOD following SRC. There was low overall utilization of all VOMS components despite recent evidence showing good sensitivity and low false positive rates in SRC. The results of this study identify an opportunity for future training specific to vestibular-ocular impairments and assessment following concussion injury. Level of evidence 2c.
Specialists as risk managers: The competition between intermediated and non-intermediated markets

Abstract We develop a model that analyzes competition between a non-intermediated market (such as an electronic communications network) and an intermediated market (such as via the market specialist’s structure within the NYSE) when both markets are allowed to trade the same securities. Specialists are viewed as providers of a “volatility dampening” service, a mechanism for reducing round-trip trading costs, as well as an “order execution risk management” service. The economic value of these three specialist services is determined by five key factors (the difference in spreads between the two financial market types, investors’ holding periods, the specialist’s quoted spread in relation to the asset’s price, the relative probability of executing an order in the intermediated market, and the short-term risk-free rate).
SLE strikes the heart! A rare presentation of SLE myocarditis presenting as cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND Although systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect the cardiovascular system in many ways with diverse presentations, a severe cardiogenic shock secondary to SLE myocarditis is infrequently described in the medical literature. Variable presenting features of SLE myocarditis can also make the diagnosis challenging. This case report will allow learners to consider SLE myocarditis in the differential and appreciate the diagnostic uncertainty. CASE PRESENTATION A 20-year-old Filipino male presented with acute dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, fevers, and diffuse rash after being diagnosed with SLE six months ago and treated with hydroxychloroquine. Labs were notable for leukopenia, non-nephrotic range proteinuria, elevated cardiac biomarkers, inflammatory markers, low complements, and serologies suggestive of active SLE. Broad-spectrum IV antibiotics and corticosteroids were initiated for sepsis and SLE activity. Blood cultures were positive for MSSA with likely skin source. An electrocardiogram showed diffuse ST-segment elevations without ischemic changes. CT chest demonstrated bilateral pleural and pericardial effusions with dense consolidations. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 45% with no valvular pathology suggestive of endocarditis. Although MSSA bacteremia resolved, the patient rapidly developed cardiopulmonary decline with a repeat echocardiogram demonstrating LVEF < 10%. A Cardiac MRI was a nondiagnostic study to elucidate an etiology of decompensation given inability to perform late gadolinium enhancement. Later, cardiac catheterization revealed normal cardiac output with non-obstructive coronary artery disease. As there was no clear etiology explaining his dramatic heart failure, endomyocardial biopsy was obtained demonstrating diffuse myofiber degeneration and inflammation. These pathological findings, in addition to skin biopsy demonstrating lichenoid dermatitis with a granular "full house" pattern was most consistent with SLE myocarditis. Furthermore, aggressive SLE-directed therapy demonstrated near full recovery of his heart failure. CONCLUSION Although myocarditis during SLE flare is a well-described cardiac manifestation, progression to cardiogenic shock is infrequent and fatal. As such, SLE myocarditis should be promptly considered. Given the heterogenous presentation of SLE, combination of serologic evaluation, advanced imaging, and myocardial biopsies can be helpful when diagnostic uncertainty exists. Our case highlights diagnostic methods and clinical course of a de novo presentation of cardiogenic shock from SLE myocarditis, then rapid improvement.
A-GWR: Fast and Accurate Geospatial Inference via Augmented Geographically Weighted Regression

Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) is a seminal technique with rich applications in geospatial data analysis. However, it has critical drawbacks in the age of big data in terms of expressiveness, i.e., predictive power, and scalability. This work proposes Augmented GWR (A-GWR) that alleviates these drawbacks. A-GWR adapts a novel technique, Stateless-MGWR or S-MGWR, that enriches the predictive power by allowing different training data features to influence at different spatial scales. S-MGWR uses a customized black-box optimization approach for discovering optimal parameters in a fast and efficient way. In addition, A-GWR modularly combines S-MGWR with versatile models such as random forest models. Moreover, A-GWR enables scalability by operating on partitioned data to adapt to tight computational budgets. Our extensive experiments on various real and synthetic datasets demonstrate the scalability and accuracy benefits of the proposed techniques over state-of-the-art competitors.
Difficult Polyps: Conventional Methods

All colorectal cancers arise in a benign neoplasm. Removal of the premaligant lesion is key to preventing cancer, but in some large or awkwardly placed lesions, removal can be risky and difficult. New techniques have been developed to facilitate effective and safe removal (such as endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection), but these are associated with a steep learning curve. Many “difficult” polyps can be resected effectively using simple polypectomy. The purpose of this chapter is to describe ways of removing difficult lesions using simple techniques.
A Doctoral Program With Specialization in Information Security

A doctoral program in computer science with a specialization in information security is described. The focus of the program is constructive security. Key elements of the program are the strong computer science core upon which it builds, coursework on the theory and principles of information assurance, and a unifying research project. The doctoral candidate is a member of the project team, whose research contributes to the goals of the project and to fundamental advancements in high assurance security.
Switching Memories ON and OFF

Control of new protein synthesis regulates whether an experience is translated into a long-term memory.
Atomic force microscopy: High resolution dynamic imaging of cellular and molecular structure in health and disease

The atomic force microscope (AFM), invented in 1986, and a member of the scanning probe family of microscopes, offers the unprecedented ability to image biological samples unfixed and in a hydrated environment at high resolution. This opens the possibility to investigate biological mechanisms temporally in a heretofore unattainable resolution. We have used AFM to investigate: (1) fundamental issues in cell biology (secretion) and, (2) the pathological basis of a human thrombotic disease, the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). These studies have incorporated the imaging of live cells at nanometer resolution, leading to discovery of the "porosome," the universal secretory portal in cells, and a molecular understanding of membrane fusion from imaging the interaction and assembly of proteins between opposing lipid membranes. Similarly, the development of an in vitro simulacrum for investigating the molecular interactions between proteins and lipids has helped define an etiological explanation for APS. The prime importance of AFM in the success of these investigations will be presented in this manuscript, as well as a discussion of the limitations of this technique for the study of biomedical samples.
Space plasma physics at the Applied Physics Laboratory over the past half-century

An overview is given of space-plasma experiments conducted at the Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) at Johns Hopkins University including observational campaigns and the instrumentation developed. Specific space-plasma experiments discussed include the study of the radiation environment in the Van Allen radiation belt with solid-state proton detectors. Also described are the 5E-1 satellites which acquired particle and magnetic-field data from earth orbit. The Triad satellite and its magnetometer system were developed for high-resolution studies of the earth's magnetic field, and APL contributions to NASA's Interplanetary Monitoring Platforms are listed. The review mentions the International Ultraviolet Explorer, the Atmosphere Explorer mission, and the Active Magnetic Particle Tracer Explorers mission. Other recent programs reviewed include a high-latitude satellite, contributions to the Voyager mission, and radar studies of space plasmas.
Development of a pneumatic high-angle-of-attack flush airdata sensing system

The HI-FADS system design is an evolution of the FADS systems (e.g., Larson et al., 1980, 1987), which emphasizes the entire airdata system development. This paper describes the HI-FADS measurement system, with particular consideration given to the basic measurement hardware and the development of the HI-FADS aerodynamic model and the basic nonlinear regression algorithm. Algorithm initialization techniques are developed, and potential algorithm divergence problems are discussed. Data derived from HI-FADS flight tests are used to demonstrate the system accuracies and to illustrate the developed concepts and methods.
Asymptotically Stable Direct Model Reference Adaptive Controllers for Processes Not Necessarily Satisfying a Positive Real Constraint

A new modification is suggested to guarantee asymptotic output tracking for an easily implemented direct model reference adaptive controller. This result, which alleviates a very restrictive positive real constraint, greatly expands the class of processes that can now be controlled. This paper presents an illustrative example demonstrating the utility of the algorithm.
A New Start for Mathematics Curriculum

This writer advances the thesis that a major re-thinking of the mathematics curriculum is needed at secondary school and upper-division college levels. Two-year colleges suffer the most from the problems in the current curriculum and may be the best place to initiate change.
Zymogen activation in the streptokinase-plasminogen complex. Ile1 is required for the formation of a functional active site.

Plasminogen (Plgn) is usually activated by proteolysis of the Arg561-Val562 bond. The amino group of Val562 forms a salt-bridge with Asp740, which triggers a conformational change producing the active protease plasmin (Pm). In contrast, streptokinase (SK) binds to Plgn to produce an initial inactive complex (SK.Plgn) which subsequently rearranges to an active complex (SK.Plgn*) although the Arg561-Val562 bond remains intact. Therefore another residue must substitute for the amino group of Val562 and provide a counterion for Asp740 in this active complex. Two candidates for this counterion have been suggested: Ile1 of streptokinase and Lys698 of Plgn. We have investigated the reaction of SK mutants and variants of the protease domain of microplasminogen (muPlgn) in order to determine if either of these residues is the counterion. The mutation of Ile1 of SK decreases the activity of SK.Plgn* by 100-fold (Ile1Val) to >/= 104-fold (Ile1-->Ala, Gly, Trp or Lys). None of these mutations perturb the binding affinity of SK, which suggests that Ile1 is not required for formation of SK.Plgn but is necessary for SK.Plgn*. The substitution of Lys698 of muPlgn decreases the activity of SK.Plgn* by only 10-60-fold. In contrast with the Ile1 substitutions, the Lys698 mutations also decreased the dissociation constant of the SK complex by 15-50-fold. These observations suggest that Lys698 is involved in formation of the initial SK.Plgn complex. These results support the hypothesis that Ile1 provides the counterion for Asp740.
Transcription of the Genomes of Type 1 and Type 3 Reoviruses

Abstract The double-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) genome of type 1 reovirus was fragmented into three size classes on extraction, as has already been shown for reovirus type 3. The relative amounts and molecular weights of the three classes were the same for the two viruses. Cells infected with type 1 virus synthesized three classes of messenger RNA. Each class of messenger RNA hybridized exclusively with a denatured double-stranded RNA fragment of equivalent length, as had also been found for type 3 reovirus. The double-stranded RNA segments thus act as specific units for transcription of messenger RNA in the infected cells. In cells infected with type 3 reovirus, the three classes of messenger RNA are made in equal amounts throughout the course of multiplication. In contrast, cells infected with type 1 virus produced only half as much of the largest messenger RNA as they did of the other two classes at all times during the replicative cycle. This finding suggests that transcription of the largest segments of type 1 viral genome is restricted.
Prospective evaluation of visual acuity assessment: a comparison of snellen versus ETDRS charts in clinical practice (An AOS Thesis).

Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to prospectively compare visual acuity (VA) scores obtained with Snellen charts versus Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts in a “real world” retinal practice, and second, to see if there was a difference in visual acuity measurements obtained with ETDRS charts starting at 4 or 2 meters.
Missing the wave? Scattershot funding has its costs

Funding initiatives often drive large-scale research agendas in both academia and industry. In many instances, these initiatives arise from projects led by a few individuals who articulate a compelling vision of the future. In our fields, the late 1980s and early '90s provided several such visions and demonstrations. Mark Weiser at Xerox PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) coined the term ubiquitous computing in 1988 and is often credited with the vision that we still hold today. Focused initiatives often gather a community of researchers and industry people who normally might not communicate as readily. This community helps set the research agenda for the field and set the standards by which results can be accessed. It defines benchmarks and produces common resources such as hardware and software infrastructure and reference databases that can help transition the technology to industrial partners. Scattershot funding can lead to research being applied to many different areas without the research's own internal discipline.
Specific chemotaxis of magnetically labeled mesenchymal stem cells: implications for MRI of glioma.

Purpose Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal disease marked by infiltration of cancerous cells into the surrounding normal brain. The dire outcome of GBM patients stems in part from the limitations of current neuroimaging methods. Notably, early cancer detection methodologies are lacking, without the ability to identify aggressive, metastatic tumor cells. We propose a novel approach for tumor detection using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on imaging specific tumor tropism of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) labeled with micron-sized iron oxide particles (MPIOs).
Growth rate of high-quality large diamond crystals

Abstract In the diamond growth by temperature gradient method under high pressure and high temperature, the growth of a high-quality diamond crystal without metal inclusions has been investigated. Large high-quality type IIa diamond crystals without impurities of 7–8 ct (about 10 mm across) can be grown at a high growth rate of 6–7 mg/h by prolonged maintenance of a high-precision temperature control with an adequate selection of solvent metal and additives. Type Ib diamond crystals containing nitrogen impurities can be grown at higher growth rates up to 15 mg/h by using large seed crystals and adjusting the morphology with temperature control. This large seed method is not applicable for growing a type IIa diamond crystal because it is hard to control the crystal morphology of it.
Experimental phase relations of a low MgO Aleutian basaltic andesite at XH 2 O = 0.7-1

We conducted melting experiments on a low MgO (3.29 wt.%) basaltic andesite (54.63 wt.% SiO2) from Westdahl volcano, Alaska, at XH2O = 0.7–1 and fO2 ~ Ni–NiO, at pressures = 0.1–180 MPa and temperatures = 900–1,200 °C. We examine the evolution of the melt along a liquid line of descent during equilibrium crystallization at high H2O and fO2 conditions, starting from a high FeOt/MgO, low MgO basaltic andesite. Ti-magnetite formed on the liquidus regardless of XH2O, followed by clinopyroxene, plagioclase, amphibole, and orthopyroxene. We observe slight but significant differences in the phase stability curves between the XH2O = 1 and 0.7 experiments. Early crystallization of Ti-magnetite and suppression of plagioclase at higher pressures and temperatures resulted in strongly decreasing melt FeOt/MgO with increasing SiO2, consistent with a “calc-alkaline” compositional trend, in agreement with prior phase equilibria studies on basalt at similar H2O and fO2. Our study helps quantify the impact of small amounts of CO2 and high fO2 on the evolution of melts formed during crystallization of a low MgO basaltic andesite magma stored at mid- to shallow crustal conditions. Like the prior studies, we conclude that H2O strongly influences melt evolution trends, through stabilization of Ti-magnetite on the liquidus and suppression of plagioclase at high P–T conditions.
A polarization independent GaAs-AlGaAs electrooptic modulator

Two designs for polarization independent GaAs-AlGaAs interferometric electrooptic modulators are described. One design uses the linear electrooptic effect to couple degenerate TE/TM eigenmodes of a single-mode waveguide. In the other design the eigenmodes need only be near degenerate. The design using the coupling between near degenerate TE/TM modes utilizes a novel biasing scheme. A novel polarization independent GaAs-AlGaAs interferometric optical modulator based on this design has been fabricated and characterized at 1.3 /spl mu/m. This modulator is fabricated as a traveling wave modulator incorporating 50 /spl Omega/, phase velocity matched, low microwave loss electrodes for maximum electrical bandwidth.
Science in the service of art (and vice versa)

The Center for Art/Science Studies (CASS) was established at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 1974 in order to foster formal interactions between students and faculty in the arts with students and faculty in the sciences. The majority of these cross-disciplinary activities have involved members of the Schools of Visual Arts, Theater, Oceanography, Physics, Medicine, Chemistry, Space Sciences, and Applied Mechanics. In its early years CASS developed into a program of "science in the service art." Technologies such as isotopic analyses, holography, laser illumination and surface modification, digital-computer image processing, ultrasonic imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were applied to art in the areas of display, history, interpretation, performance, restoration, conservation and creation. For the most part the stimulus for developing such connections came from searching for ways of applying current scientific innovation to the arts. However, it was a surprising revelation to eventually realize that the artists were contributing to the sciences, as well. This reversal that we experienced has roots going back to the earliest civilizations and includes notable recent artistic contributions to general relativity, quantum electrodynamics, and cosmology. At the present time the activities of CASS are being carried on by the Center for Research in Computing for the Arts (CRCA).
Citizenship in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland: Courts, Legislatures, and Administrators1:

A common claim has been that liberalization of citizenship policy depends on making policy behind closed doors. I challenge one variant of this line of argument, which regards courts as the primary “countermajoritarian” champion of the expansion of immigrant rights, through a comparison of citizenship policy in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. In all three countries subnational authorities play a significant role in the administration of naturalization policy. Courts have played more of a “nationalizing” rather than a “countermajoritarian” role. I also show how differences in federal structures affected recent efforts to reform citizenship policy in these countries.
Somatic symptoms as predictors of time to onset of response to fluoxetine in major depressive disorder.

Objective In the present study we assessed the relationship between somatic symptoms and the time to onset of clinical response to fluoxetine in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Method 87 outpatients (mean age = 41.4 +/- 10.2 years; 59.8% women) with DSM-III-R MDD who had sustained acute response to fluoxetine completed the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ) at baseline. Onset of response was defined as a 30% decrease in the total score for the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression that led to a 50% decrease by week 8. With the use of 2 separate multiple regressions, controlling for the severity of depression at baseline, we then assessed the relationship between the number of somatic symptoms as assessed by the SQ subscale for somatic symptoms (SQ-SS) and both the time to onset of clinical response and the time to clinical response. The study was conducted between November 1992 and January 1999. Results A greater number of somatic symptoms at baseline predicted a greater amount of time to onset of clinical response to fluoxetine (p =.0233). The relationship between SQ-SS scores and time to response was not found to be statistically significant (p >.05). Conclusion Somatic symptoms of depression were found to be associated with a delayed onset of antidepressant response to fluoxetine in MDD.
Complex Glycan Catabolism by the Human Gut Microbiota: The Bacteroidetes Sus-like Paradigm*

Trillions of microbes inhabit the distal gut of adult humans. They have evolved to compete efficiently for nutrients, including a wide array of chemically diverse, complex glycans present in our diets, secreted by our intestinal mucosa, and displayed on the surfaces of other gut microbes. Here, we review how members of the Bacteroidetes, one of two dominant gut-associated bacterial phyla, process complex glycans using a series of similarly patterned, cell envelope-associated multiprotein systems. These systems provide insights into how gut, as well as terrestrial and aquatic, Bacteroidetes survive in highly competitive ecosystems.