cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rewriting the Battles of Algiers Ephemeral Tactics in the City at War

Following conventions in metropolitan France, colonial Algiers was a city of posted proclamations. During the war for independence, officially declared in 1954, posters supporting “French Algeria” transformed buildings into agents of propaganda. Counterclaims by the National Liberation Front advocating Algeria’s independence were scrawled on walls throughout the city, and later aggressively contested by the far-right Secret Army Organization’s own poster campaign. New housing estates were animated by painted inscriptions and more fleeting actions, from choreographed illuminations to coordinated choruses from apartment balconies. Here Henri Lefebvre’s analysis of the ephemeral provides a critical framework for understanding how urban spaces were given multivalent meanings. Such ephemeral tactics challenged the logic of buildings designed as structures of containment to reimagine them as sites of collective resistance. These performative interventions served to actively produce a conjectural space, one in which it became possible to envision a different future for the city and its residents. Language: en
The relation between DNA polymerase activity and DNA synthesis in specific regions of proliferating rat brain

The relation between DNA polymerase activity and DNA synthesis in specific regions of proliferating rat brain
The active metal brazing of TZM-Mo and SiN ceramics

The active metal brazing of ceramics holds the opportunity to design metal-ceramic brazing processes without conventional metallization and nickel-plating steps. Because of their intermediate thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) properties, molybdenum and the TZM-Mo alloy (Mo-0.5Ti-0.08Zr) are attractive candidates for joining to silicon- nitride ceramics. The recently developed Fe-Ni-Co-based Thermo-Span™ alloy, with reduced TCE from room temperature up to ≈400°C, is also an attractive candidate material for 700°C joint service applications. This article discusses the wetting, solid-state aging, and mechanical behavior of unalloyed molybdenum, TZM-Moalloy, Thermo-Span alloy, and silicon-nitride ceramic brazes made with three different active-metal braze alloys.
Psychotherapy Techniques for Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia.

The paper describes how standard psychotherapy techniques need to be modified to suit the specialized needs of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Patients with psychosis often have lost their a...
Fatty Acid Biosynthesis

Abstract: Fatty acids are normally synthesized from acetyl-CoA, a process that requires ATP, biotin, Mg++, and Mn++. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in fatty acid biosynthesis, is inhibited by glucagon and epinephrine, and stimulated by insulin. Intermediates in fatty acid biosynthesis are attached to acyl carrier protein (ACP). Malonyl-CoA serves as an activated donor of acetyl groups in fatty acid biosynthesis. Propionate (C3) may be used in place of acetate (C2) as a priming molecule for fatty acid biosynthesis in adipocytes and in the lactating mammary gland. Fatty acid elongation beyond palmitate takes place in mitochondria, or on the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER). Animals are capable of synthesizing all of the FAs they need except for the essential FAs, which must be supplied through the diet. The hexose monophosphate shunt, malic enzyme, and cytoplasmic isocitrate dehydrogenase assist in providing NADPH for palmitate biosynthesis. Fatty acid biosynthesis occurs in adipocytes of ruminant animals, and in the liver of non-ruminant animals.
Effects of ontogeny and odors on behavior: The influence of crayfish size and fish odors on crayfish movement

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors interact in complex ways to influence individual behavior. We characterized how ontogenetic stage and chemicals from potential predators influence nocturnal movement of Orconectes virilis before and during exposure to chemicals from rock bass, yellow perch, darters, and a control. Smaller crayfish spent more time moving and moved faster than larger individuals. Fish odor did not alter the short‐term movement rates of crayfish. Thus, intrinsic factors such as individual size influence crayfish behavior. Our results corroborate other studies showing that predator odors alone do not change the short‐term activity patterns of O. virilis. Because studies have established that O. virilis can detect these odors and shift their activity when predators are present, we suggest that odor cues may function as primers (i.e., stimuli that change the motivational state of animals without altering behavior).
Gonadal hormones and the developing brain.

Research during the past 15 years has revealed that the developing brain has a sensitivity and response to gonadal hormones which differs from that of the fully mature brain. This age-dependent sensitivity of brain to hormones has been shown in studies of the ontogeny of gonadal function as well as in studies of the development of behavior. Research in these areas has been extensively reviewed in the past few years (Beach, 1971; Gorski, 1971; Goy, 1968; Whalen, 1968). Thus, no attempt will be made here to review all aspects of the hormonal control of sexual development. Rather, we will focus on one species, the rat, and will attempt to illustrate some principles of hormone action as they relate to the development of sexual behavior.
Integrated Distributed Transversal Filters for Pulse Shaping and Interference Suppression in UWB Impulse Radios

The stringent emission mask and interference specifications in ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radios present great challenges for the transceiver architecture design and circuit implementation. This paper proposes to use integrated distributed transversal filters (DTF) for pulse shaping in the transmitter, and for narrow-band interference (NBI) suppression in the receiver. Analyses show that an integrated DTF can accurately generate notches at multiple frequencies with tunability and relatively low power consumption. A 7-tap DTF prototype was implemented using a commercial 0.18 ?m SiGe BiCMOS technology. Measurement results demonstrate the pulse shaping and interference suppression capabilities of DTFs. The typical power consumption of the prototype is 30 mW.
Remembering Matilal on Remembering

Although memory is pivotal to consciousness and without it no perceptual judgment or thinking is possible, Nyāya epistemology does not accept memory as a knowledge source (pramāņa). Prof Matilal elucidates and defends Udayana’s justification for calling into question the knowledgehood or even truth of any recollection. Deepening Matilal’s argument, this paper first shows why, if a remembering reproduces exactly the original experience from which it borrows its truth-claim, then there is a mismatch between the time of experience and the time of recall and the remembering ends up being false. To correct that error, if we change the tense in the content of recollection, the added past-ness goes beyond the original experience and violates the purely reproductive nature of memory. The paper ends by responding to this Nyāya position using arguments from Dvaita Vedānta and Jaina epistemology where remembering can be veridical and memory is accepted as an important knowledge source. The additional element of past-ness (a sense of “back-then”) cannot be derived from sense perception. It has to be a spontaneous contribution of the inner sense.
A Requirements-Driven Optimization Method for Acoustic Liners Using Analytic Derivatives

More than ever, there is flexibility and freedom in acoustic liner design. Subject to practical considerations, liner design variables may be manipulated to achieve a target attenuation spectrum. But characteristics of the ideal attenuation spectrum can be difficult to know. Many multidisciplinary system effects govern how engine noise sources contribute to community noise. Given a hardwall fan noise source to be suppressed, and using an analytical certification noise model to compute a community noise measure of merit, the optimal attenuation spectrum can be derived using multidisciplinary systems analysis methods. In a previous paper on this subject, a method deriving the ideal target attenuation spectrum that minimizes noise perceived by observers on the ground was described. A simple code-wrapping approach was used to evaluate a community noise objective function for an external optimizer. Gradients were evaluated using a finite difference formula. The subject of this paper is an application of analytic derivatives that supply precise gradients to an optimization process. Analytic derivatives improve the efficiency and accuracy of gradient-based optimization methods and allow consideration of more design variables. In addition, the benefit of variable impedance liners is explored using a multi-objective optimization.
Hydrogen enhances the radiation resistance of amorphous silicon oxycarbides

Abstract We use first principles molecular dynamics to investigate unit displacement processes in amorphous silicon oxycarbides (SiOC) and demonstrate that the introduction of hydrogen (H) into these materials enhances their radiation resistance. Our simulations show that 100 eV knock-ons in H-free SiOC redistribute C through the formation of C O and C C bonds. H counteracts this trend by passivating dangling O bonds and preventing C from coming out of solution. This effect arises from the exceptionally high mobility of H, which leads to the saturation of radiation-induced O and C radicals even before the thermal-spike induced by a high-energy knock-on dies down. Our work suggests that fully hydrogenated SiOC is a promising radiation-resistant material for future nuclear energy applications.
Markov Modeling and Analysis of Team Communication

This paper presents a predictive data analytics process for examining the relationship between team communication and performance in planning tasks. Team performance is measured in terms of the time each team spends in completing the planning task and the cost of the concomitant work schedule. The predictive data analytics process encompasses three data abstraction techniques for data preparation, three probabilistic models that represent the temporal features of data abstracted from team communication interactions, and a validation process that selects the best pair of data abstraction and model for subsequent insight analysis. Experimental data obtained from 32 teams of three members each, tasked to solve a personnel scheduling problem, is used for validating the proposed methodology.
Equations for Isometries

The equations for a general translation were incorporated in the definition of a translation. Equations for a reflection were determined in Theorem 4.2. We now turn to rotations. Equations for the rotation about the origin through a directed angle of Θo are considered first. Let ρ(0,),Θ =where l is the X-axis. Then one directed angle from l to m has directed measure Θ/2. From the definition of the trigonometric functions, we know (cos(Θ/2), sin(Θ/2)) is a point on m. So line m has equation (sin(Θ/2))X - (cos(Θ/2))Y+ 0 = 0. Hence σm has equations $$\begin{gathered} x' = x - \frac{{2\left( {\sin \left( {\Theta /2} \right)} \right)x - \left( {\cos \left( {\Theta /2} \right)} \right)y]}}{{{{\sin }^2}\left( {\Theta /2} \right) + {{\cos }^2}\left( {\Theta /2} \right)}} \hfill \\ = \left[ {1 - 2{{\sin }^2}\left( {\Theta /2} \right)} \right]x + \left[ {2\sin \left( {\Theta /2} \right)\cos \left( {\Theta /2} \right)} \right]y \hfill \\ = \left( {\cos \Theta } \right)x + \left( {\sin \Theta } \right)y, \hfill \\ y' = y + \frac{{2\left( {\cos \left( {\Theta /2} \right)} \right)\left[ {\left( {\sin \left( {\Theta /2} \right)x - \left( {\cos } \right)\left( {\Theta /2} \right)} \right)y} \right]}}{{{{\sin }^2}\left( {\Theta /2} \right) + {{\cos }^2}\left( {\Theta /2} \right)}} = \left( {\sin \Theta } \right)x - \left( {\cos \Theta } \right)y \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$
Stress-Adaptive Responses Associated with High-Level Carbapenem Resistance in KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) organisms have emerged to become a major global public health threat among antimicrobial resistant bacterial human pathogens. Little is known about how CREs emerge. One characteristic phenotype of CREs is heteroresistance, which is clinically associated with treatment failure in patients given a carbapenem. Through in vitro whole-transcriptome analysis we tracked gene expression over time in two different strains (BR7, BR21) of heteroresistant KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, first exposed to a bactericidal concentration of imipenem followed by growth in drug-free medium. In both strains, the immediate response was dominated by a shift in expression of genes involved in glycolysis toward those involved in catabolic pathways. This response was followed by global dampening of transcriptional changes involving protein translation, folding and transport, and decreased expression of genes encoding critical junctures of lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. The emerged high-level carbapenem-resistant BR21 subpopulation had a prophage (IS1) disrupting ompK36 associated with irreversible OmpK36 porin loss. On the other hand, OmpK36 loss in BR7 was reversible. The acquisition of high-level carbapenem resistance by the two heteroresistant strains was associated with distinct and shared stepwise transcriptional programs. Carbapenem heteroresistance may emerge from the most adaptive subpopulation among a population of cells undergoing a complex set of stress-adaptive responses.
Fatigue Performance Prediction of Asphalt Pavements with FlexPAVETM, the S-VECD Model, and DR Failure Criterion:

Reliable predictions of asphalt materials and pavement performance are important elements in mixture design, mechanistic-empirical pavement design, and performance-related specifications. This pape...
Fast Dynamo Theory

Basic ideas of dynamo theory are reviewed, the emphasis being on kinematic induction in the limit of infinite magnetic Reynolds number. The distinction between a dynamo in a perfect conductor, and one in a “near perfect” conductor of large but finite conductivity, is emphasized. The analysis of the “perfect” fast dynamo is identified with the geometrical problem of average orientation of material lines in a stretching flow. Constructions based upon baker’s maps and pulsed flows in the unsteady case, and stochastic webs in the steady case, are reviewed. Finally, analytical problems arising in the perfect case, mainly associated with the non-existence of smooth eigenfunctions, are discussed. It is concluded that, while fast dynamos are very likely ubiquitous objects among three-dimensional fluid motions, and the examples are convincing of accessible kinematic mechanisms, there is as yet no proper theoretical setting for rigorously establishing perfect fast dynamo action.
Effect of cellulose nanocrystals on crystallization kinetics of polycaprolactone as probed by Rheo-Raman.

Abstract The development of biocompatible polymer nano-composites that enhance mechanical properties while maintaining thermoplastic processability is a longstanding goal in sustainable materials. When the matrix is semi-crystalline, the nanoparticles may induce significant changes to crystallization kinetics and morphology due to their ability to act as nucleating agents. To fully model this behavior in a process line, an understanding of the relationship between crystallinity and modulus is required. Here, we introduce a scalable model system consisting of surface-compatibilized cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) dispersed into poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) and study the effects of nanoparticle concentration on isothermal crystallization kinetics. The dispersion is accomplished by exchange of the Na+ of sulfated cellulose nanocrystals by tetra-butyl ammonium cations (Bu4N+) followed by melt mixing via twin-screw extrusion. Crystallization kinetics are measured through the recently developed rheo-Raman instrument which extracts the relationship between the growth of the transient mechanical modulus and that of crystallinity. With extrusion and increasing CNC content, we find the expected enhancement of crystallization rate, but we moreover find a significant change in the relative kinetics of increase in modulus versus crystallinity. We analyze this via generalized effective medium theory which allows computation of a critical percolation threshold ξ c and discuss the results in terms of a change in nucleation density and a change in the anisotropy of crystallization.
The Effect of Delay to Reinforcement and Response Effort on Response Variability for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a tool used by individuals unable to communicate or experience difficulty communicating vocally. Previous research has demonstrated that individuals will vary their communicative responding when reinforcement is delayed and when the response effort to communicate is increased. This study evaluated the effect of adjusting these variables to alter responding of three elementary age individuals with autism spectrum disorder who used AAC. A reversal design allowed for an evaluation of a functional relation between delay to reinforcement, response effort, and communication response allocation. When these parameters were changed, two participants shifted their responding while the third participant maintained his response allocation. This research provides further evidence that altering delay to reinforcement and response effort may aid in moving an individual from an AAC to spoken language. The researchers discuss outcomes in terms of how these variables can be manipulated in practice and the potential for altering other parameters of reinforcement in context of communication training.
Mate pair sequencing improves detection of genomic abnormalities in acute myeloid leukemia.

Objective Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be subtyped based on recurrent cytogenetic and molecular genetic abnormalities with diagnostic and prognostic significance. Although cytogenetic characterization classically involves conventional chromosome and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays, limitations of these techniques include poor resolution and the inability to precisely identify breakpoints. Method We evaluated whether an NGS-based methodology that detects structural abnormalities and copy number changes using mate pair sequencing (MPseq) can enhance the diagnostic yield for patients with AML. Results Using 68 known abnormal and 20 karyotypically normal AML samples, each recurrent primary AML-specific abnormality previously identified in the abnormal samples was confirmed using MPseq. Importantly, in eight cases with abnormalities that could not be resolved by conventional cytogenetic studies, MPseq was utilized to molecularly define eight recurrent AML-fusion events. In addition, MPseq uncovered two cryptic abnormalities that were missed by conventional cytogenetic studies. Thus, MPseq improved the diagnostic yield in the detection of AML-specific structural rearrangements in 10/88 (11%) of cases analyzed. Conclusion Utilization of MPseq represents a precise, molecular-based technique that can be used as an alternative to conventional cytogenetic studies for newly diagnosed AML patients with the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of hematologic malignancies.
Next-Generation ERα Inhibitors for Endocrine-Resistant ER+ Breast Cancer

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Because estrogen receptor-α (ERα) is expressed in ~70% of patients, therapeutic intervention by ERα-targeted endocrine therapies remains the leading strategy to prevent progression and/or metastasis in the adjuvant setting. However, the efficacy of these therapies will be diminished by the development of acquired resistance after prolonged treatment regimens. In preclinical models of endocrine-resistant metastatic breast cancers that retain ERα expression, antiestrogens with improved efficacy and potency can overcome resistance to shrink tumors and prevent metastasis. In particular, selective ER degraders or downregulators, which both antagonize ERα actions and induce its degradation, have demonstrated substantial antitumor efficacy in this setting. In the present review, we have discussed the mechanisms of acquired endocrine resistance in luminal breast cancers and the strategies used by next-generation endocrine therapies to antagonize ERα.
Nitrous Oxide Exposure Among Dental Personnel and Comparison of Active and Passive Sampling Techniques

This study measured dental personnel's exposure to nitrous oxide during dental procedures to compare exposures to occupational exposure limits, exposures between similar exposure groups, and results between passive and active sampling methods. Forty-one paired samples were collected using the Thermo Scientific™ Miran SapphIRe portable analyzer and the Advanced Chemical Sensor™ N-10 Passive Badge. Results were compared to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists nitrous oxide 250 parts per million by volume (p.p.m.v) excursion limit and 50 p.p.m.v 8-h threshold limit values. Similar exposure groups were determined by job title for dentists and dental assistants across six dental clinics. An independent t-test was used to determine if there was a mean difference between exposures for similar exposure groups. A Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess level of agreement between the two methods. Results over the 250 p.p.m.v excursion limit were identified in 21 of 41 (51%) paired procedures. Two passive 8-h threshold limit value-time weighted averages were over the 50 p.p.m.v occupational exposure limit, one for each similar exposure group. There was no significant difference between similar exposure group concentrations using either sampling method (Miran, P = 0.071; passive badge, P = 0.106). However, the sampling results revealed dentists had higher exposures than assistants 81-86% of the time. The Bland-Altman analysis revealed the direct reading instrument and passive sampling methods differed by >25%. However, unexpectedly, the passive sampling method generally produced higher nitrous oxide results compared to the direct reading instrument sampling method. This study suggests nitrous oxide remains a serious exposure concern for both short-term high-intensity exposures and longer term 8-h exposures. Greater nitrous oxide exposures among dentists compared to dental assistants allow for prioritizing control measures between similar exposure groups. Both sampling methods provide valuable worker exposure information, with the direct reading instrument monitoring providing a larger range for short-term exposures and passive sampling providing a less invasive monitoring option.
Understanding Female-Focused Hackathon Participants' Collaboration Styles and Event Goals

Collegiate hackathons are informal learning environments where students build new projects in a limited amount of time and often compete for prizes. Previous hackathon research has shown that students go to these events to learn new technical skills, work on projects with friends, or network with the technical community; however, little is known about the different ways in which students collaborate with other participants and how students' event goals affect their trajectory at the hackathon. In the literature, students are typically described as working in competitive teams that build one project to be entered into a competition. However, there are gaps when it comes to discussing other ways students may work together or what other non-competitive projects/activities students may want to engage with at a hackathon. This paper reports on different collaboration styles and event goals documented at a Spring 2018 female-focused hackathon. Findings include three types of collaboration styles: team-based, cooperative group, and individual participation; as well as four types of event goals: competition, exploration, dabbling, and observing. These findings can inform the collegiate hackathon literature and help hackathons diversify their events by offering insight into ways diverse participants choose to participate at a hackathon and offering design suggestions that mainstream collegiate hackathons can adopt to be more inclusive of different types of students.
Emergent Digital Discourses: What Can We Learn From Hashtags and Digital Games to Expand Learners’ Second Language Repertoire?

In recent years, digital technologies have expanded the possibilities for human interactions in ways that were never before imagined, further complicating the teaching and learning of languages (Taguchi & Sykes, 2013; Thorne, Sauro, & Smith, 2015). Despite this complexity, when approached as meaningful, high-stakes practices, discourses in digital contexts can be highly useful for language learning and teaching. This article synthesizes work related to two digital discourse contexts, specifically hashtags and digital games. Moving away from technology as the vehicle to deliver “important content,” the analysis to follow examines digital discourses as both the content and context to be examined as part of learners’ multilingual experiences. The article begins by situating the discussion focused on digital discourses, reviewing relevant work addressing interactional patterns in each context, and then applying findings to second language teaching and learning. Drawing on empirical work, the article then describes a framework with specific examples for learner exploration of digital discourses as part of their language learning experience. The article concludes with implications for future research and teaching.
RNA Delivery via DNA-Inspired Janus Base Nanotubes for Extracellular Matrix Penetration.

RNA delivery into deep tissues with dense extracellular matrix (ECM) has been challenging. For example, cartilage is a major barrier for RNA and drug delivery due to its avascular structure, low cell density and strong negative surface charge. Cartilage ECM is comprised of collagens, proteoglycans, and various other noncollagneous proteins with a spacing of 20nm. Conventional nanoparticles are usually spherical with a diameter larger than 50-60nm (after cargo loading). Therefore, they presented limited success for RNA delivery into cartilage. Here, we developed Janus base nanotubes (JBNTs, self-assembled nanotubes inspired from DNA base pairs) to assemble with small RNAs to form nano-rod delivery vehicles (termed as “Nanopieces”). Nanopieces have a diameter of ~20nm (smallest delivery vehicles after cargo loading) and a length of ~100nm. They present a novel breakthrough in ECM penetration due to the reduced size and adjustable characteristics to encourage ECM and intracellular penetration.
Chlamydia trachomatis Is Associated With Medically Indicated Preterm Birth and Preeclampsia in Young Pregnant Women.

BACKGROUND Studies on Chlamydia trachomatis-associated pregnancy outcomes are largely conflicting, ignoring the heterogeneous natures of pregnancy complications and potential effect modification by maternal age. This study determined if prenatal C. trachomatis infection is associated with preterm birth (PTB) and preeclampsia subtypes. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted using 22,772 singleton pregnancies with a prenatal C. trachomatis diagnostic test. Spontaneous and medically indicated PTBs, and term and preterm preeclampsia were outcomes. Modified Poisson regression calculated relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with propensity score adjustments stratified by maternal ages <25 and ≥25 years. RESULTS Overall, C. trachomatis was significantly associated with term preeclampsia (adjusted RR [RRadj], 1.88; 95% CI, 1.38-2.57). Among young women (age <25 years), C. trachomatis was significantly associated with medically indicated PTB (RRadj, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.38-3.78) and term preeclampsia (RRadj, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.05-2.36) in propensity-adjusted models. No significant associations in older women were detected. CONCLUSION C. trachomatis was associated with medically indicated PTB and term preeclampsia in young women. Associations between chlamydia and perinatal outcomes may depend on the subtype of PTB and preeclampsia, which should be investigated through mechanistic studies.
Ongoing Cognitive Processing Influences Precise Eye-Movement Targets in Reading.

Reading is a highly complex learned skill in which humans move their eyes three to four times every second in response to visual and cognitive processing. The consensus view is that the details of ...
Immune checkpoint inhibitor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Multi-institution experience.

6538Background: The current standard treatment for unresectable recurrent/metastatic (R/M) nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is cytotoxic chemotherapy but prognosis remains poor. Recent phase I-II tri...
Radiological dose calculations for the diode region of the Light Ion Fusion Target Development Facility

Biological dose rate calculations have been performed for a point external to the diode vacuum casing of the proposed Light Ion Fusion Target Development Facility for times following an operational period of 1 month. The primary diode material considered is Type 304LN stainless steel, with an alternative material of Al-6061-T6. Using a realistic pulse-sequence calculation scheme to account for the pulsed operation mode of the facility, it is shown that for both the stainless steel and aluminum diodes the dose rates external to the diode vacuum casing are >1 rem/h after a 1-day shutdown period. After a 1-week shutdown period, the dose rates have dropped to 90 and 12 mrem/h, respectively.
Remote sensing applications for tracking biodiversity

The twenty-first century has already been defined by ever-accelerating advances in technology that are transforming our daily lives. In the past six decades, we have gone from the world’s first sat...
Gaussian orthogonal latent factor processes for large incomplete matrices of correlated data

We introduce the Gaussian orthogonal latent factor processes for modeling and predicting large correlated data. To handle the computational challenge, we first decompose the likelihood function of the Gaussian random field with a multi-dimensional input domain into a product of densities at the orthogonal components with lower-dimensional inputs. The continuous-time Kalman filter is implemented to compute the likelihood function efficiently without making approximations. We also show that the posterior distribution of the factor processes is independent, as a consequence of prior independence of factor processes and orthogonal factor loading matrix. For studies with large sample sizes, we propose a flexible way to model the mean, and we derive the marginal posterior distribution to solve identifiability issues in sampling these parameters. Both simulated and real data applications confirm the outstanding performance of this method.
Online Rehabilitation Protocols for Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction With and Without Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy Are Variable Among Institutions.

Purpose To compare and contrast the various rehabilitation protocols for medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction and MPFL reconstruction plus tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) published online by academic orthopaedic surgery residency programs and private practice institutions throughout the United States. Methods We performed a systematic electronic search of MPFL reconstruction rehabilitation protocols in academic orthopaedic surgery residency programs in the United States using Google’s search engine ( www.google.com ) based on the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access System (FREIDA). Private practice organizations publishing MPFL reconstruction or MPFL reconstruction–TTO rehabilitation protocols that were found on the first page of search results were also included, but no comprehensive search for private practice protocols was performed. Protocols specifying an MPFL reconstruction with TTO were included for separate review because of altered weight-bearing status postoperatively. A list of comparative criteria was created to assess the protocols for the presence and timing of the various rehabilitation components. Results From the list of 189 U.S. academic residency programs, as well as additional private practice protocols found in the Google search, 38 protocols were included for review (31 protocols for isolated MPFL reconstruction and 7 protocols for MPFL reconstruction plus TTO). A return to full range of motion by week 6 was recommended by 15 (48.4%) of the isolated MPFL reconstruction protocols and 6 (85.7%) of the MPFL reconstruction–TTO protocols. Six weeks of knee brace wear was recommended by 13 isolated MPFL reconstruction protocols (43.3%) and 4 MPFL reconstruction–TTO protocols (57.1%). Moreover, 6 isolated MPFL reconstruction protocols (19.4%) and 3 MPFL reconstruction–TTO protocols (42.9%) recommended use of a patellar stabilizing brace postoperatively. Conclusions There is substantial variability among rehabilitation protocols after MPFL reconstruction, as well as MPFL reconstruction plus TTO, including postoperative range of motion, weight-bearing status, and time until return to sport. Furthermore, many online protocols from academic orthopaedic surgery residency programs and private practices in the United States fail to mention several of these parameters, most notably functional testing to allow patients to return to sport. Clinical Relevance Proper rehabilitation after MPFL reconstruction with or without TTO is an important factor to a patient’s postoperative outcome. This study outlines the variability in online rehabilitation protocols after MPFL reconstruction with or without TTO published online by academic residency programs and private practice institutions.
Facilitators of African American male PGA members

African American males experience far fewer opportunities in management positions within sports organizations. Evidence shows the racial divide within the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of ...
Sociodemographic characteristics are associated with prevalence of high-risk waist circumference and high-risk waist-to-height ratio in U.S. adolescents.

Adiposity status in adolescence is associated with various health outcomes in adulthood. Waist circumference [WC] and waist-to-height ratio [WHtR] are measures of abdominal obesity and have shown to be valid predictors of future chronic diseases. However, the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and WC, as well as WHtR in U.S. adolescents remain unclear. Thus, the study aims to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and abdominal obesity among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents. The sample included 4712 adolescents (12–19 years) in the 2007–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and abdominal obesity (WC and WHtR) were examined using multiple logistic regression models, adjusted for age, physical activity level, and sedentary activity. Around 18% of adolescents had high-risk WC (≥90th percentile) and 34% had high-risk WHtR (≥0.5). Females had higher odds of high-risk WHtR compared to males (OR = 1.46, 95%CI = 1.23–1.72). Mexican American adolescents had higher odds of high-risk WHtR compared to non-Hispanic White (OR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.24–2.20), non-Hispanic Black (OR = 1.73, 95%CI = 1.26–2.36), and other race/multi-racial adolescents (OR = 1.84, 95%CI = 1.21–2.80). When their parent were college graduates, adolescents had lower odds for high-risk WC compared to when the parent had some college education (OR = 0.68, 95%CI = 0.49–0.93) or a high school degree or less (OR = 0.70, 95%CI = 0.51–0.97). Similar associations were seen between parental education level and high-risk WHtR, as well as between household income and high-risk WHtR. Measures of abdominal obesity should be considered to assess burden of adiposity, especially among female adolescents, adolescents from racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status backgrounds. Additionally, future health interventions should consider including changes in WC and WHtR to measure the impact of these interventions.
Aluminum Oxide (Alumina), Hydrated

The term alumina hydrates or hydrated aluminas is used in industry and commerce to designate aluminum hydroxides. These compounds are true hydroxides and do not contain water of hydration. The most well-defined crystalline forms are the trihydroxides, Al(OH)3: gibbsite, bayerite, and nordstrandite. In addition, two aluminum oxide–hydroxides, AlO(OH), boehmite and diaspore, have been clearly defined. The terms gelatinous alumina or alumina gel cover a range of products in which colloidal hydrated alumina is the predominant solid phase. Structural order varies from x-ray indifferent (amorphous) to some degree of crystallinity. Apart from the crystalline forms, aluminum hydroxide often forms a gel. Gel products have considerable technical use. Aluminum hydroxides are technically the most widely used members of the alumina chemicals family. The most important source of aluminum hydroxides is the bauxite refining plant (Bayer process) for alumina production. Several commercial grades of aluminum hydroxide are produced. Hydroxide grades can be surface-treated to modify dispersion behavior and rheological properties. Aluminum hydroxides are minimally absorbed by the body. Death upon ingestion occurs from intestinal blockage rather than systemic aluminum toxicity. In recognition of the possible adverse effects of long-term exposure to alumina dusts, threshold limit values have been established by the ACGIH. Aluminum hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide oxide are reported in EPA TSCA inventory. Keywords: aluminum hydroxide; alumina; hydrate; gel; sinter; crystalline; aluminum hydrate
Does the Gown Help the Town? Examining Town–Gown Relationship Influence on Local Environmental Sustainability in the United States

A US municipality environmental sustainability index, the OSSPI (Opp-Saunders Sustainability Practices Index), found an overwhelming percentage of top-ranked sustainable cities were home to higher education institutions. While this may be a coincidence, this research seeks to determine if and how local communities partner or collaborate with higher education institutions for environmental sustainability purposes. The results of two case studies, San Antonio, Texas and Dubuque, Iowa, suggest there is considerable variability in the town-gown relationships. However, it is found that larger, public universities are more likely to have stronger relationships and effects on local sustainability efforts.
From GATTzilla to the Green Giant: Winning the Environmental Battle for the Soul of the World Trade Organization

While American environmentalists are not of one mind as to the environmental implications of the rise of the World Trade Organization (WTO), one major response has been to suggests that the WTO is incompatible with environmental protection and that the United States should take unilateral action to systematically ban the importation of goods that are made in ways deemed to cause unnecessary harm to the environment. While recognizing many environmental criticisms of the WTO as valid, this article makes the case that it would not be wise to eliminate the WTO or to unilaterally ban foreign products in an attempt to influence offshore environmental policy. Rather, the author argues that the WTO has the potential to be an effective forum for the creation and enforcement of harmonized international standards relating to process production methods ("PPMs").
The All-Alpha-Domains of Coupling Proteins from the Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB/VirD4 and Enterococcus faecalis pCF10-encoded Type IV Secretion Systems Confer Specificity to Binding of Cognate DNA Substrates

ABSTRACT Bacterial type IV coupling proteins (T4CPs) bind and mediate the delivery of DNA substrates through associated type IV secretion systems (T4SSs). T4CPs consist of a transmembrane domain, a conserved nucleotide-binding domain (NBD), and a sequence-variable helical bundle called the all-alpha domain (AAD). In the T4CP structural prototype, plasmid R388-encoded TrwB, the NBD assembles as a homohexamer resembling RecA and DNA ring helicases, and the AAD, which sits at the channel entrance of the homohexamer, is structurally similar to N-terminal domain 1 of recombinase XerD. Here, we defined the contributions of AADs from the Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirD4 and Enterococcus faecalis PcfC T4CPs to DNA substrate binding. AAD deletions abolished DNA transfer, whereas production of the AAD in otherwise wild-type donor strains diminished the transfer of cognate but not heterologous substrates. Reciprocal swaps of AADs between PcfC and VirD4 abolished the transfer of cognate DNA substrates, although strikingly, the VirD4-AAD PcfC chimera (VirD4 with the PcfC AAD) supported the transfer of a mobilizable plasmid. Purified AADs from both T4CPs bound DNA substrates without sequence preference but specifically bound cognate processing proteins required for cleavage at origin-of-transfer sequences. The soluble domains of VirD4 and PcfC lacking their AADs neither exerted negative dominance in vivo nor specifically bound cognate processing proteins in vitro . Our findings support a model in which the T4CP AADs contribute to DNA substrate selection through binding of associated processing proteins. Furthermore, MOBQ plasmids have evolved a docking mechanism that bypasses the AAD substrate discrimination checkpoint, which might account for their capacity to promiscuously transfer through many different T4SSs. IMPORTANCE For conjugative transfer of mobile DNA elements, members of the VirD4/TraG/TrwB receptor superfamily bind cognate DNA substrates through mechanisms that are largely undefined. Here, we supply genetic and biochemical evidence that a helical bundle, designated the all-alpha domain (AAD), of T4SS receptors functions as a substrate specificity determinant. We show that AADs from two substrate receptors, Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirD4 and Enterococcus faecalis PcfC, bind DNA without sequence or strand preference but specifically bind the cognate relaxases responsible for nicking and piloting the transferred strand through the T4SS. We propose that interactions of receptor AADs with DNA-processing factors constitute a basis for selective coupling of mobile DNA elements with type IV secretion channels.
Magmatic-metering controls the stopping and restarting of eruptions

[1] We use time-series of magma efflux and GPS-derived surface deformation observations to constrain the transfer of compressible magma within the crustal plumbing of the Soufriere Hills volcano for three cycles of effusion and pause. Our system model has two vertically-stacked spherical chambers. Deep melt supply to the system is constrained to be continuous and steady, yielding a rate of 1.2 m3/s, which fixes the geometry of the dual interconnected chambers to depths of about 5 and 19 km. The eruptive volume change of the shallow chamber is in-phase and an order of magnitude smaller than the deep chamber. Significantly, the shallow chamber seems to control the periodic system behavior: surface magma efflux resumes when the shallow chamber reinflates to its initial threshold pre-eruptive volume (triggering re-opening of an eruptive feeder dike), and ceases when it has lost 14–22 Mm3 (106 m3) of its volume (sealing the conduit and staunching magma flow). These observations are consistent with eruption re-initiation and re-cessation controlled by magma overpressure thresholds.
Large Equivalent Width Lyα line Emission at z=4.5: Young Galaxies in a Young Universe?

The Large Area Lyman Alpha survey has found ≈150 Lyα emitters at z = 4.5. While stellar models predict a maximum Lyα equivalent width (EW) of 240 A, 60% of the Lyα emitters have EWs exceeding this value. We attempt to model the observed EW distribution by combining stellar population models with an extrapolation of a Lyman break galaxy luminosity function at z = 4, incorporating observational selection effects and Malmquist bias. To reproduce the high EWs seen in the sample, we need to postulate a stellar initial mass function with an extreme slope of α = 0.5 (instead of 2.35), zero-metallicity stars, or narrow-line active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Not all the high-EW sources can be AGNs without exceeding the X-ray background or postulating a very steep redshift evolution. Only 7.5%-15% of galaxies need to show Lyα emission to explain the observed number counts. This raises the possibility either that star formation in high-redshift galaxies is episodic or that the Lyα galaxies we are seeing are the youngest 7.5%-15% and that Lyα is strongly quenched by dust at about 107 yr of age.
Teaching the History of Human Rights and "Humanitarian" Interventions

This article explores how I teach about human rights and so-called humanitarian interventions to MA and Ph.D. students. The course has three main themes or foci. First, what are human rights and why have the social and economic human rights laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights been so neglected or rejected, especially by the U.S. Second, how has American foreign policy used and abused human rights. Third, why have liberal or humanitarian interventions of a militarized sort become so prevalent since the end of the Cold War and why are they so damaging. The goal is to get students to look critically at the meaning and uses of human rights, about which many display a naive enthusiasm.
Qualitative and quantitative Tc-99m MAA whole body scans for diagnosis of right to left shunt

344 Objectives Qualitative and various quantitative methods have been used to confirm the presence or absence of a right to left shunt with whole body Tc-99m MAA scintigraphy. However, there is limited data comparing the different methodologies. Methods Retrospective review of 52 patients who had Tc-99m MAA whole body scans and echocardiography (Echo) for suspected right to left shunt. Anterior and posterior whole body scans were acquired. Images were reviewed qualitatively for the presence of cortical brain uptake. Various quantitative methods were used to determine the percent shunt. Results All 28 patients who had visual cortical brain uptake (group 1) had Echo evidence of a shunt (age 49 ± 15, 15 F/13 M). In 24 patients (age 51 ± 13, 17 F, 8 M) without cortical uptake (group 2), 5 had Echo evidence of a shunt. There was statistically significant difference in brain ROI total counts (28513 ± 23199 vs. 3076 ± 2464, P Conclusions No quantitative method was completely satisfactory in separating patients with and without shunt compared to visual estimation of brain cortical uptake or Echo. Visual estimation is recommended for diagnosis right to left shunt. Shunt quantification is of value for estimation of the degree of shunt
Active mask hierarchies for object detection

This paper presents a new object representation, Active Mask Hierarchies (AMH), for object detection. In this representation, an object is described using a mixture of hierarchical trees where the nodes represent the object and its parts in pyramid form. To account for shape variations at a range of scales, a dictionary of masks with varied shape patterns are attached to the nodes at different layers. The shape masks are "active" in that they enable parts to move with different displacements. The masks in this active hierarchy are associated with histograms of words (HOWs) and oriented gradients (HOGs) to enable rich appearance representation of both structured (eg, cat face) and textured (eg, cat body) image regions. Learning the hierarchical model is a latent SVM problem which can be solved by the incremental concave-convex procedure (iCCCP). The resulting system is comparable with the state-of-the-art methods when evaluated on the challenging public PASCAL 2007 and 2009 datasets.