cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlled, multi-center trials are needed in pediatric nephrology.

Focal segmental glomernlosclerosis (FSGS) is a progressive condition, often presenting as steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and, in many cases, progressing to endstage renal failure. In children, FSGS is the most common progressive glomernlar disease and the second most common cause of end-stage renal failure [1]. This issue of Pediatric Nephrology contains an article by Waldo et al. describing their experience in treating 13 children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Three children had biopsy-proven minimal-change nephrotic syndrome and the other 10 had FSGS. They used a protocol involving multiple intravenous infusions of methylprednisolone. Three patients also received a course of oral chlorambucil. The results were disappointing, differing greatly from the outcome reported from our centers in a group of children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome and biopsy-proven FSGS [2-4]. The reasons for these differences are not clear. Our patients were largely either Caucasian or Hispanic, while many of the children reported by Waldo et al. were black. It is important to note, however, that there were a number of differences between the two treatment protocols, some of which may be critical. First, Waldo et al. used a lower dose of methylprednisolone (20 mg/kg) than we did (30 mg/kg). Second, patients who either failed to respond to the initial course of methylprednisolone or who responded partially were not treated further by Waldo et al. In our series, most patients who had a partial initial response achieved complete remission with additional therapy. A pattern of gradual improvement with continued therapy was relatively common. Third, a number of our patients, including many who are currently in a long-lasting remission of their disease, required more than one course of alkylating agent therapy. Waldo et al. did not give more than one course of chlorambucil and they used the alkylating agent in only 3 of 13 patients. Of our 25 patients, 17 had at least one course of alkylating agent therapy and 7 had more than one course. Fourth, their patients were "rested" for 4 or more weeks of no therapy before starting the methylprednisolone protocol, which was not done in our patients. The purpose of our comments is not to assert that these differences in the two protocols were responsible for the markedly different outcomes in the two series. Instead, these discrepancies illustrate the dangers of comparing uncontrolled clinical observations. We feel strongly, and Waldo et al. agree, that it is essential for the methylprednisolone protocol to be tested in a multi-center controlled clinical trial. If this is not done, anecdotal experiences will continue to accumulate on both sides of the issue and the pediatric nephrology community will never learn the optimal treatment for this condition. An application proposing such a clinical trial has been submitted to the National Institutes of Health.
Mapping the cyber security terrain in a research context

In this paper we present a mapping of cyber-security research to information technology as a technical research discipline. We first discuss the evolution of IT as an academic discipline and use this to establish technical research objectives in an IT context. We then present our definition of cyber-security and a proposed research agenda based on these objectives and conclude with a discussion of current projects within our institution.
Nutritional Tools for LD Teachers

This paper has attempted to provide practical pointers for teachers in preventing nutrition related learning problems. In the first part, suggestions for educating children on the importance of nutrition to learning are provided. Ideas at both the theoretical and practical levels are included. Particular emphasis is placed in the use of the Basic Four Food Guide. In the second part, an Appearance, Behaviors, Complaints (A,B,C) checklist for identification of nutritionally deprived learners is presented. We propose that such tools will provide a systematic base for improved nutritional programming at home and at school.
Entropy, inflation and the arrow of time

One of the motivations for the introduction of inflation was to explain the large entropy of the observed Universe. Penrose has recently pointed out that the entropy of the observable Universe is small when compared with the maximal possible entropy. The authors show that this phenomenon is also a natural consequence of inflation. Furthermore, inflation is generic in the expanding phase but exceedingly unlikely in the collapsing phase. This introduces an asymmetry in the evolution of the Universe which resembles to a large extent the asymmetry that appears in the growth of entropy and it might be related to the question of the arrow of time.
A systematic review of meta-analyses of the efficacy of oral atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of adult patients with schizophrenia

Introduction: Meta-analyses are a convenient way for clinicians and researchers to review data regarding different interventions. Meta-analyses can overcome many of the limitations of individual studies, namely the power to detect differences, and help resolve the results of inconsistent studies. Areas covered: This paper is a review of meta-analyses of oral atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia, located through PubMed and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. A total of 91 meta-analyses were identified that included efficacy outcome data for the 10 atypical antipsychotics available in the USA (11 focused on clozapine, 17 for risperidone, 8 for olanzapine, 5 for quetiapine, 3 for ziprasidone, 10 for aripiprazole, 5 for paliperidone, 1 for iloperidone, 0 for asenapine or lurasidone, and 31 others that were classified more broadly). These include Cochrane Reviews and other similarly executed reports, as well as pooled analyses meta-tagged in PubMed as a meta-analysis. Expert opin...
A factor from bovine granulosa cells preventing oocyte maturation

Abstract A factor preventing spontaneous dissolution of germinal vesicle (GVBD) of mouse oocytes in vitro was isolated from bovine granulosa cells and designated as granulosa cell factor (GCF). Granulosa cells from medium sized (2–5 mm) follicles were suspended in 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 8.3, containing 1 M urea and 5 mM EDTA. GCF was separated from the extract by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 column. The molecular weight (Mr) of GCF was estimated to be less than 6,000 daltons. Oocytes treated with GCF and resuspended in control medium resumed GVBD. The partially purified GCF lost GVBD-preventing activity when digested with pronase but retained its activity when treated with DNase, RNase, or glycosidase. GCF was stable to heating at 100° C for 15 min, not absorbed by charcoal, and did not bind to Concanavalin A-Sepharose 4B. The present findings suggest that GCF is a heat-stable polypeptide and its action is reversible.
Calculation of solar radiation in mountainous terrain

Abstract A study was performed to assess the accuracy of a daily solar radiation model for horizontal or sloping sites in terrain where surrounding ridges and tall trees block both direct beam and diffuse sky short wave radiation. To simulate adequately the major effects of these environments on radiation, the model incorporated (1) standard treatment of solar geometry (after Harris, 1983); (2) separation of direct and diffuse radiation by considering scattering and absorption due to aerosols, water vapor, air molecules and ozone (after Iqbal, 1983); (3) anisotropy of diffuse radiation modeled as a circumsolar component (15–50% of the total clear sky diffuse) plus an isotropic background; and (4) proper calculation of the proportions of sky radiation and ground reflected radiation sensed by both horizontal and inclined sensors. The model was calibrated using data from both horizontal and inclined pyranometers at six sites over four years. Values for the Angstrom turbidity coefficient and the percentage of circumsolar diffuse radiation were determined using an iterative best fit technique. Mean monthly values of these coefficients and mean monthly ozone and water vapor concentrations from nearby weather service stations could be used for predicting total, cloud free, daily radiation with acceptable accuracy. Required site measurements include slope, aspect, latitude, longitude, date, time, effective horizon for the site, and an assessment of albedo for the surrounding terrain (including vegetation).
Narcissism and Internet Pornography Use

This study examined the relation between Internet pornography use and narcissism. Participants (N=257) completed an online survey that included questions on Internet pornography use and 3 narcissism measures (i.e., Narcissistic Personality Inventory, Pathological Narcissistic Inventory, and the Index of Sexual Narcissism). The hours spent viewing Internet pornography was positively correlated to participants' narcissism level. In addition, those who have ever used Internet pornography endorsed higher levels of all 3 measures of narcissism than did those who have never used Internet pornography.
Will Stream Periphyton Respond to Increases in Light Following Forecasted Regional Hemlock Mortality

ABSTRACT The hemlock woolly adelgid invasion is expected to cause widespread mortality of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) throughout much of New England. Light levels in streams with hemlock riparian zones are anticipated to increase as hemlock trees are replaced by deciduous trees. We sought to: (1) quantify differences in light reaching streams with hemlock and deciduous riparian zones, (2) determine if increases in light result in higher periphyton biomass, and (3) explore the role of macroinvertebrate grazing on periphyton biomass as light increases in an attempt to help predict stream ecosystem responses to hemlock mortality. Light measurements were taken along 100–800 m stream reaches with riparian zones of healthy hemlock and deciduous trees in Massachusetts and Connecticut. In addition, a 2 × 2 factorial experimental design with five replicates was executed on a deciduous reach of Egypt Brook in central Massachusetts, in which light (high light vs. low light) and grazing (high grazing vs. low g...
THE ETHOS PROBLEM IN THE PRESENT PLURALISTIC SOCIETY

they are to be inviolable, presuppose the communitarian virtues of solidarity and truthfulness. The pacta sunt servanda ? the basis of societal forms ? cannot infer from a prior contract that contracts must be kept; this would imply a regressus infinitus. Hence, if and when the basic community spirit and forms wither, the societal forms, too, will lose their vitality. Thirdly, human society exists in contingency; consequently it is sub? ject to change. Change may be gradual and slow; or it may be radical and continuous; hence the distinction between (relatively) static and dynamic periods. In dynamic eras the dominant ethics and ethos pat? terns enter a stage of flux. Rationalist intervals in the evolution of civilizations expose the traditional standards of ethics and ethos to
Avoidance Measures and Household Perceptions of Water Quality in Uganda

The importance that households place on reducing health risks from drinking water can guide policies intended to enhance safety. Self-reported household water quality opinions and avoidance measures used by households in Kampala, Uganda, to manage health risks were analyzed. The paper is based on survey data collected from four divisions in Kampala district and analyzed using binary logit model. Survey results indicate that the majority of the respondents boil water to manage potential health risks. On the other hand, logit results confirmed the existence of strong relationships between household characteristics, opinions on water quality, and the use of avoidance measures.
Muscle-specific deletion of the Glut4 glucose transporter alters multiple regulatory steps in glycogen metabolism

Mice with muscle-specific knockout of the Glut4 glucose transporter (muscle-G4KO) are insulin resistant and mildly diabetic. Here we show that despite markedly reduced glucose transport in muscle, muscle glycogen content in the fasted state is increased. We sought to determine the mechanism(s). Basal glycogen synthase activity is increased by 34% and glycogen phosphorylase activity is decreased by 17% (P < 0.05) in muscle of muscle-G4KO mice. Contraction-induced glycogen breakdown is normal. The increased glycogen synthase activity occurs in spite of decreased signaling through the insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1)-phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase-Akt pathway and increased glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta) activity in the basal state. Hexokinase II is increased, leading to an approximately twofold increase in glucose-6-phosphate levels. In addition, the levels of two scaffolding proteins that are glycogen-targeting subunits of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1), the muscle-specific regulatory subunit (RGL) and the protein targeting to glycogen (PTG), are strikingly increased by 3.2- to 4.2-fold in muscle of muscle-G4KO mice compared to wild-type mice. The catalytic activity of PP1, which dephosphorylates and activates glycogen synthase, is also increased. This dominates over the GSK3 effects, since glycogen synthase phosphorylation on the GSK3-regulated site is decreased. Thus, the markedly reduced glucose transport in muscle results in increased glycogen synthase activity due to increased hexokinase II, glucose-6-phosphate, and RGL and PTG levels and enhanced PP1 activity. This, combined with decreased glycogen phosphorylase activity, results in increased glycogen content in muscle in the fasted state when glucose transport is reduced.
Ultrafast optical pulse shaping: A tutorial review

article i nfo Article history: This paper presents a tutorial on the field of femtosecond pulse shaping, a technology that enables generation of nearly arbitrary, user defined, ultrafast optical waveforms, with control of phase, amplitude, and polari- zation. The emphasis is on Fourier transform pulse shaping, the most widely applied technique. Selected pulse shaping applications are described, with specific discussion of coherent control of quantum and nonlinear processes and of lightwave communications. Two new areas of pulse shaping research, namely, hyperfine spectral resolution pulse shaping and pulse shaping applications in ultrabroadband RF photonics, are discussed and illustrated with examples taken from the author's laboratory.
Radio interferometric tracking of mobile wireless nodes

Location-awareness is an important requirement for many mobile wireless applications today. When GPS is not applicable because of the required precision and/or the resource constraints on the hardware platform, radio interferometric ranging may offer an alternative. In this paper, we present a technique that enables the precise tracking of multiple wireless nodes simultaneously. It relies on multiple infrastructure nodes deployed at known locations measuring the position of tracked mobile nodes using radio interferometry. In addition to location information, the approach also provides node velocity estimates by measuring the Doppler shift of the interference signal. The performance of the technique is evaluated using a prototype implementation on mote-class wireless sensor nodes. Finally, a possible application scenario of dirty bomb detection in a football stadium is briefly described.
The population of ancient Rome

What was the population of imperial Rome? City blocks in Pompeii and Ostia are sufficiently well explored that a fair estimate of population density can now be arrived at. That peoples the city of ancient Rome with roughly 450,000 inhabitants, within the known population and density range of pre-industrial and modern urban centres.
Aortic valve replacement with pulmonary autograft: The Ross procedure

The aortic valve is replaced with the patient's own pulmonary valve (pulmonary autograft) and a pulmonary homograft used to replace the pulmonary valve. It has the advantage of placing autogenous, viable tissue in the high pressure aortic position, which should last indefinitely assuming the operation is technically correct. The allograft tissue is placed in the low pressure pulmonary position where even if it should fail the valve incompetence should be well tolerated for a long time.
Characteristics of Regional Seismograms Produced by Delay-Fired Explosions at the Minntac Iron Mine, Minnesota

This study utilized seismograms from the U.S. Geological Survey seismological station near Ely, Minnesota, at which 39 delay-fired explosions at the U.S. Steel Minntac iron mine in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, were recorded. The waveforms were analyzed in both the time and frequency domains to characterize amplitude and energy levels as recorded over the regional travel path. The measurements were then related to delay-firing parameters as furnished by Minntac. The seismograms were filtered in five one-octave bands from 0.5 Hz to 16 Hz, and peak velocities were measured for the P and the Rg / Lg arrivals in each frequency band. Peak velocities for each phase in each frequency band were plotted against total yield, yield/delay period, yield/hole, and spall. Only highly scattered, poor correlation between peak time-domain measurements and any blast parameter could be observed. Spectral amplitude modulations (scalloping) in the 0.3-3.0 Hz range were observed for all of the recorded mining explosions. Each spectrum also showed an unusual increase in P -wave spectral amplitude with increasing frequency beginning at about 3 Hz. Using blast parameters provided by the mine, a linear superposition model successfully predicted the major features of the observed spectra, including the existence and variability of the spectral modulations, which in turn account for the poor correlation of peak ground measurements with yield. The model results also indicate that the unusual increase in P -wave spectral amplitude beginning at about 3 Hz may be due to the high P -wave velocity in the area being mined.
Theory of Dependent-Care in Research With Parents of Toddlers: The NEAT Project:

This paper contains a description of the use of the theory of dependent-care in the Nutrition Aimed at Toddlers project, a nursing intervention study with parents of toddlers, and discusses the research and practice utility of the theory of dependent-care, a corollary theory to Orem's self-care theory. In particular, the concepts of dependent-care, dependent-care agency, therapeutic self-care demand and an educative-supportive nursing system are discussed within the context of the Nutrition Aimed at Toddlers project.
A low-power 4-b 2.5 Gsample/s pipelined flash analog-to-digital converter using differential comparator and DCVSPG encoder

This paper presents a 4-bit high-speed, low-power, pipelined flash analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The proposed ADC is pipelined and mainly consists of three stages: 1) track-and-hold (T/H), 2) differential comparator, and 3) differential cascode voltage switch with pass gates (DCVSPG) encoder. The T/H uses a current mode, dual-array structure to reduce the aperture jitter for high input frequency. The differential comparator eliminates the use of a resistor ladder circuit by generating the reference voltages internally. The DCVSPG encoder has a full output signal swing and compact logic design style of pass gate circuits which makes it suitable for high sampling frequency. The DCVSPG encoder reduces the power consumption by a factor of 88% as compared to the conventional ROM encoder. The ADC is designed in 130 nm CMOS technology. FFT tests prove proper operation of the ADC sampled at 2.5 GHz for an input signal frequency up to 1 GHz.
The spectrum of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis beyond infancy: a clinical series of 30 children.

The spectrum of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis beyond infancy: a clinical series of 30 children
The protective role of chelators and antioxidants on mancozeb-induced toxicity in rat hippocampal astrocytes

Mancozeb, manganese ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate with zinc salts, is one of the most commonly used fungicides in the United States. Epidemiological and experimental data showed that mancozeb causes detrimental effects on various organ systems including the reproductive, endocrine, immune, and central nervous system. Increasing evidence has shown a strong association between pesticides and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we examined the neurotoxic potential of mancozeb in rat hippocampal astrocytes. The cytotoxicity of mancozeb was found to be dose dependent and recovery studies showed that cells exposed to mancozeb for 1 h did not recover from mancozeb-induced insult. Atomic absorption data showed a significant accumulation of manganese in astrocytes after 1 h of treatment. This study further investigated whether various chelators and antioxidants could prevent mancozeb-induced cytotoxicity. Our data reported that butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) was the most effective agent in protecting against...
Diversion of heat by Archean cratons: a model for southern Africa

Abstract The surface heat flow in the interior of Archean cratons is typically about 40 mW m −2 while that in Proterozoic and younger terrains surrounding them is generally considerably higher. The eighty-four heat flow observations from southern Africa provide an excellent example of this contrast in surface heat flow, showing a difference of some 25 mW m −2 between the Archean craton and younger peripheral units. We investigate two possible contributions to this contrast: (1) a shallow mechanism, essentially geochemical, comprising a difference in crustal heat production between the two terrains, and (2) a deeper mechanism, essentially geodynamical, arising from the existence of a lithospheric root beneath the Archean craton which diverts heat away from the craton into the thinner surrounding lithosphere. A finite element numerical model which explores the interplay between these two mechanisms suggests that a range of combinations of differences in crustal heat production and lithospheric thickness can lead to the contrast in surface heat flow observed in southern Africa. Additional constraints derived from seismological observations of cratonic roots, the correlation of surface heat flow and surface heat production, petrological estimates of the mean heat production in continental crust and constraints on upper mantle temperatures help narrow the range of acceptable models. Successful models suggest that a cratonic root beneath southern Africa extends to depths of 200–400 km. A root in this thickness range can divert enough heat to account for 50–100% of the observed contrast in surface heat flow, the remainder being due to a difference in crustal heat production between the craton and the surrounding mobile belts in the range of zero to 0.35 μW m −3 .
Nonmammalian nuclear receptors: Evolution and endocrine disruption*

Most research to identify endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their impacts has re- lied on mammalian models or in vitro systems derived from them. But nuclear receptors (NRs), the proteins that transduce hydrophobic hormonal signals and are major mediators of endocrine disruption, emerged early in animal evolution and now play biologically essential roles throughout the Metazoa. Nonmammalian vertebrates and invertebrates, many of which are of considerable ecological, economic, and cultural importance, are therefore potentially subject to endocrine disruption by synthetic environmental pollutants. Are methods that rely solely on mammalian models adequate to predict or detect all chemicals that may disrupt NR signaling? Regulation of NRs by small hydrophobic mole- cules is ancient and evolutionarily labile. Within and across genomes, the NR superfamily is very diverse, due to many lineage-specific gene and genome duplications followed by inde- pendent divergence. Receptors in nonmammalian species have in many cases evolved unique molecular and organismal functions that cannot be predicted from those of their mammalian orthologs. Endocrine disruption is therefore likely to occur throughout the metazoan king- dom, and a significant number of the thousands of synthetic chemicals now in production may disrupt NR signaling in one or more nonmammalian taxa. Many of these endocrine dis- ruptors will not be detected by current regulatory/scientific protocols, which should be re- formulated to take account of the diversity and complexity of the NR gene family.
Does Hedging Reduce the Cost of Delegation

I incorporate the choice of hedging instrument into a moral hazard model to study the impact of derivatives on a rm’s value. A hedging instrument creates value by minimizing the expected costs of distress. In the model, managers who exert eort on their project under
Long-term almond supplementation without advice on food replacement induces favourable nutrient modifications to the habitual diets of free-living individuals*

Epidemiological and metabolic studies have shown that regular nut consumption may protect against risk of heart disease and diabetes. None has investigated the effect of adding nuts to a self-selected habitual diet (containing little or no nuts) on dietary patterns. The present study evaluated the impact of long-term almond supplementation in healthy men (n 43) and women (n 38) aged 25-70 years on nutrient profile and nutrient displacement. All subjects were followed for 1 year. During the first 6 months, subjects followed their habitual diets; in the second 6 months, subjects added almonds to their diets. Diets were assessed by seven random 24 h telephone diet recalls during each diet period. On average, the almond supplement was 52 g/d (about forty-two nuts) containing 1286 kJ. When subjects changed from their habitual diet to the almond-supplemented diet, the intakes of MUFA, PUFA, fibre, vegetable protein, alpha-tocopherol, Cu and Mg significantly (P 245%. A daily supplement of almonds can induce favourable nutrient modifications for chronic disease prevention to an individual's habitual diet.
Feedback Inhibition of Chorismate Mutase/Prephenate Dehydrogenase (TyrA) of Escherichia coli: Generation and Characterization of Tyrosine-Insensitive Mutants

In order to get insights into the feedback regulation by tyrosine of the Escherichia coli chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydrogenase (CM/PDH), which is encoded by the tyrA gene, feedback-inhibition-resistant (fbr) mutants were generated by error-prone PCR. The tyrAfbr mutants were selected by virtue of their resistance toward m-fluoro-d,l-tyrosine, and seven representatives were characterized on the biochemical as well as on the molecular level. The PDH activities of the purified His6-tagged TyrA proteins exhibited up to 35% of the enzyme activity of TyrAWT, but tyrosine did not inhibit the mutant PDH activities. On the other hand, CM activities of the TyrAfbr mutants were similar to those of the TyrAWT protein. Analyses of the DNA sequences of the tyrA genes revealed that tyrAfbr contained amino acid substitutions either at Tyr263 or at residues 354 to 357, indicating that these two sites are involved in the feedback inhibition by tyrosine.
Evaluation of Wound Care and Health-Care Use Costs in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers Treated with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy versus Advanced Moist Wound Therapy

Background: We conducted a post-hoc retrospective analysis of patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial to evaluate overall costs of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT; V.A.C. Therapy; KCI USA, Inc, San Antonio, Texas) versus advanced moist wound therapy (AMWT) in treating grade 2 and 3 diabetic foot wounds during a 12-week therapy course. Methods: Data from two study arms (NPWT [n = 169] or AMWT [n = 166]) originating from Protocol VAC2001-08 were collected from patient records and used as the basis of the calculations performed in our cost analysis. Results: A total of 324 patient records (NPWT = 162; AMWT = 162) were analyzed. There was a median wound area reduction of 85.0% from baseline in patients treated with NPWT compared to a 61.8% reduction in those treated with AMWT. The total cost for all patients, regardless of closure, was $1,941,472.07 in the NPWT group compared to $2,196,315.86 in the AMWT group. In patients who achieved complete wound closure, the mean cost per patient in the ...
12-kV p-Channel IGBTs With Low On-Resistance in 4H-SiC

SiC bipolar devices are favored over SiC unipolar devices for applications requiring breakdown voltage in excess of 10 kV. We have designed and fabricated p-channel insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) in 4H-SiC with 12-kV blocking voltage for high-power applications. A differential on-resistance of 18.6 mOmega ldr cm2 was achieved with a gate bias of 16 V, corresponding to a forward voltage drop of 5.3 V at 100 A/cm2, indicating strong conductivity modulation in the p-type drift region. A moderately doped current enhancement layer grown on the lightly doped drift layer effectively reduces the JFET resistance while maintaining a high carrier lifetime for conductivity modulation. The p-channel IGBT (p-IGBT) exhibits a transconductance that is 3times higher than that of the 12-kV n-channel SiC IGBTs. An inductive switching test was done at 1.5 kV and 0.55 A (~440 A/cm2) for the p-IGBTs, and a turn-on time of 40 ns and a turn-off time of ~2.8 mus were measured.
The MMPI-2 and Vocational Assessment: A Brief Report:

A review of the brief literature concerning the utilization of the MMPI-2 in vocational assessment is presented. Particular areas of focus include personnel selection, malingering, and applications with military personnel. Conclusions and implications are discussed.
Improve Searching by Reinforcement Learning in Unstructured P2Ps

Existing searching schemes in unstructured P2Ps can be categorized as either blind or informed. The quality of query results in blind schemes is low. Informed schemes use simple heuristics that lack the theoretical background to support the simulation results. In this paper, we propose to improve searching by reinforcement learning (RL), which has been proven in artificial intelligence to be able to learn the best sequence of actions in order to achieve a certain goal. Our approach, ISRL (intelligent searching by reinforcement learning), aims at locating the best path to desired files at low cost. It explores new paths by forwarding queries to randomly chosen neighbors. It also exploits the paths that have been discovered to reduce the cumulative query cost. Two models of ISRL are proposed: the basic ISRL for finding one desired file, and MP-ISRL (multipath ISRL) for finding multiple desired files. ISRL outperforms existing searching approaches in unstructured P2Ps by achieving higher query quality with less query traffic. The experimental result supports the performance improvement of ISRL.
THE FULL ROTATION GROUP

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview on the full rotation group. To obtain the irreducible representations of half-integral angular momentum the method of Weyl is presented in the chapter. The chapter presents that there is a homomorphism between the two-dimensional special unitary group and the pure rotation group in three dimensions. Thereafter, the irreducible representations of the 2-dimensional unitary group are obtained. The method enables one to determine the integral as well as half-integral angular momentum irreducible representations. The unimodular unitary matrix is called the special unitary matrix. These matrices form a group as the product of any two matrices results in another matrix of this form so the set is closed. A unit matrix exists, each element has an inverse, and matrix multiplication is associative.
Detect Cells and Cellular Behaviors in Phase Contrast Microscopy Images

This chapter focuses on image analysis and understanding of live cell populations in time lapse phase contrast microscopy. The computer vision tasks involve cell segmentation and cell behavior understanding, including cell migration, division (mitosis), death (apoptosis), and differentiation. We will describe the problem definition for each topic, introduce the general schools of approaches that have been explored, discuss details of the state-of-the-art algorithms, and propose promising directions for future investigation.
Design and Fabrication of Superamphiphobic Paper Surfaces

Cellulose-based paper remains a vital component of modern day society; however, its use is severely limited in certain applications because of hydrophilic and oleophilic properties. In this manuscript we present a novel method to create superamphiphobic paper by combining the control of fiber size and structure with plasma etching and fluoropolymer deposition. The heterogeneous nature of the paper structure is drastically different from that of artificially created superamphiphobic surfaces. By refining the wood fibers, smaller diameter fibers (fibrils) are created to support fluid droplets. After oxygen plasma etching and deposition of a fluoropolymer film, paper samples are able to support motor oil contact angles of 149 ± 3°, although these structures readily absorb n-hexadecane. Exchange of water in the pulp solution with sec-butanol provides additional control over fiber spacing to create superamphiphobic substrates with contact angles >150° for water, ethylene glycol, motor oil, and n-hexadecane.
Rural Aspirations, Rural Futures: From “Problem” to Possibility

The rural America of today is fundamentally different from rural places and communities of decades past. Crop dusters now swoop across thousands of identical green acres, and wind towers slowly spi...
Integrating RFID: Data management and inventory control are about to get a whole lot more interesting.

RFID (radio frequency identification) has received a great deal of attention in the commercial world over the past couple of years. The excitement stems from a confluence of events. First, through the efforts of the former Auto-ID Center and its sponsor companies, the prospects of low-cost RFID tags and a networked supply chain have come within reach of a number of companies. Second, several commercial companies and government bodies, such as Wal-Mart and Target in the United States, Tesco in Europe, and the U.S. Department of Defense, have announced RFID initiatives in response to technology improvements.
Aspiration biopsy smear pattern as a predictor of biologic behavior in adenocarcinoma of the breast.

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is increasingly used for the initial diagnosis of breast carcinoma, yet few studies have investigated the prognostic importance of cytologic features seen in breast FNAC. We studied the relationship between prognosis and smear morphology in 26 patients with breast carcinoma for whom information from long-term follow-up was available. Specifically, we attempted to correlate nuclear grade and smear pattern with hormonal receptor status, lymph node status, breast recurrence and distant metastasis. In an additional five patients (on whom insufficient follow-up information was available), smear pattern and nuclear grade were correlated with hormonal status. Smears were classified into three patterns: typical (sheets and clusters), individual cell predominant and cluster predominant. The individual cell predominant pattern was associated with an increased incidence of distant metastasis when compared with the other two smear patterns (P less than .05). No statistically significant association was observed between smear pattern and the other factors studied. Nuclear grade 2 (of 3) was also associated with an increased incidence of distant metastasis. However, most grade 2 tumors (10/12) were of the individual cell predominant pattern. Smear pattern classification, along with DNA ploidy analysis and hormone receptor analysis of FNAC-derived material, may yield valuable prognostic information.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Cardiac Imaging

There has been a trend over the past few decades toward increasing use of quantitation in cardiac perfusion imaging, initially for planar imaging ([1–3][1]) and subsequently for SPECT imaging ([4–8][2]). Such quantitation may assist the novice reader, thereby increasing the accuracy of the
A Speeding-Up and Slowing-Down Strategy for Distributed Source Seeking With Robustness Analysis

Inspired by behaviors of schools of fish seeking darker (shaded) regions in environments, this paper proposes a distributed source seeking strategy for a mobile sensor network. The strategy allows each sensing agent to take instantaneous measurements of the field and collectively move against the direction of spatial gradient, without explicitly estimating the gradient. For each agent, one portion of its velocity is designed to be proportional to its measurement of the field, and another portion of its velocity is devoted to keep a formation with other agents. This strategy generates a speeding-up and slowing-down (SUSD) behavior that is very similar to what has been observed in schools of fish. Convergence analysis of this SUSD strategy shows that the moving direction of the agent formation will be aligned with the opposite gradient direction so that the formation moves toward a local minimum of the field, which is referred to as the source of the field. The SUSD strategy is also robust to deterministic disturbances and stochastic noise, which is rigorously justified by proving that the resulting closed-loop system is input-to-state stable and noise-to-state stable. Both simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the SUSD strategy.
Dedifferentiation of Glioma Cells to Glioma Stem-like Cells By Therapeutic Stress-induced HIF Signaling in the Recurrent GBM Model

Increasing evidence exposes a subpopulation of cancer cells, known as cancer stem cells (CSCs), to be critical for the progression of several human malignancies, including glioblastoma multiforme. CSCs are highly tumorigenic, capable of self-renewal, and resistant to conventional therapies, and thus considered to be one of the key contributors to disease recurrence. To elucidate the poorly understood evolutionary path of tumor recurrence and the role of CSCs in this process, we developed patient-derived xenograft glioblastoma recurrent models induced by anti-glioma chemotherapy, temozolomide. In this model, we observed a significant phenotypic shift towards an undifferentiated population. We confirmed these findings in vitro as sorted CD133-negative populations cultured in differentiation-forcing media were found to acquire CD133 expression following chemotherapy treatment. To investigate this phenotypic switch at the single-cell level, glioma stem cell (GSC)-specific promoter-based reporter systems were engineered to track changes in the GSC population in real time. We observed the active phenotypic and functional switch of single non-stem glioma cells to a stem-like state and that temozolomide therapy significantly increased the rate of single-cell conversions. Importantly, we showed the therapy-induced hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) 1α and HIF2α play key roles in allowing non-stem glioma cells to acquire stem-like traits, as the expression of both HIFs increase upon temozolomide therapy and knockdown of HIFs expression inhibits the interconversion between non-stem glioma cells and GSCs post-therapy. On the basis of our results, we propose that anti-glioma chemotherapy promotes the accumulation of HIFs in the glioblastoma multiforme cells that induces the formation of therapy-resistant GSCs responsible for recurrence. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(12); 3064-76. ©2016 AACR.
Travel analytics: Understanding how destination choice and business clusters are connected based on social media data ☆

Abstract Understanding how destination choice and business clusters are connected is of great importance for designing sustainable cities, fostering flourishing business clusters, and building livable communities. As sharing locations and activities on social media platforms becomes increasingly popular, such data can reveal destination choice and activity space which can shed light on human-environment relationships. To this end, this research models the relationship between characteristics of business clusters and check-in activities from Los Angeles County, California. Business clusters are analyzed via two lenses: the supply side (employment data by industry) and the demand side (on-line check-in data). Spatial and statistical analyses are performed to understand how land use and transportation network features affect the popularity of the identified clusters and their relationships. Our results suggest that a cluster with more employment opportunities and more types of employment is associated with more check-ins. A business cluster that has access to parks or recreational services is also more popular. A business cluster with a longer road network and better connectivity of roads is associated with more check-ins. The visualization of the common visitors between clusters reveals that there are a few clusters with outstanding strong ties, while most have modest ties with each other. Our findings have implications on the influence of urban design on the popularity of business clusters.
Predicting Dropout in Counseling Using Affect Coding of the Therapeutic Relationship: An Empirical Analysis

This study used an observational research method to examine affective counselor–client exchanges during the initial session of counseling for clients who dropped out of counseling and clients who remained in counseling. Results confirmed significant differences in the affect codes of clients and counselors between the 2 groups. Discriminant function analyses classified 77% of counselors and clients in the correct groups and correctly classified over 94% of clients who returned for 4 or more sessions.
Zonotope-based set-membership parameter identification of linear systems with additive and multiplicative uncertainties: A new algorithm

This paper develops a set-membership estimation algorithm for identification of time-varying parameters in linear models, where both additive and multiplicative uncertainties are considered explicitly. We show that a recursive algorithm we develop is capable of providing tight overbounds on the feasible solution set. Examples are considered to demonstrate the utility and effectiveness of the algorithm, including an application to health monitoring in marine dual fuel engines.
Mechanistic Insights in X-chromosome Inactivation

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a critical epigenetic mechanism for balancing gene dosage between XY males and XX females in eutherian mammals. A long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), XIST, and its associated proteins orchestrate this multi-step process, resulting in the inheritable silencing of one of the two X-chromosomes in females. The XIST RNA is large and complex, exemplifying the unique challenges associated with the structural and functional analysis of lncRNAs. Recent technological advances in the analysis of macromolecular structure and interactions have enabled us to systematically dissect the XIST ribonucleoprotein complex, which is larger than the ribosome, and its place of action, the inactive X-chromosome. These studies shed light on key mechanisms of XCI, such as XIST coating of the X-chromosome, recruitment of DNA, RNA and histone modification enzymes, and compaction and compartmentalization of the inactive X. Here, we summarize recent studies on XCI, highlight the critical contributions of new technologies and propose a unifying model for XIST function in XCI where modular domains serve as the structural and functional units in both lncRNA-protein complexes and DNA-protein complexes in chromatin.This article is part of the themed issue 'X-chromosome inactivation: a tribute to Mary Lyon'.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone: structure and function.

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a pituitary-derived glycoprotein of molecular weight 28,000 that is composed of two noncovalently linked subunits, α and β. TSH is chemically related to the pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as to placental chorionic gonadotropin (CG). TSH is synthesized by thyrotropes of the anterior pituitary and stored in secretory granules. TSH is released into the circulation in a regulated manner, binds to thyroid cells and activates them to release thyroid hormones.
Fast track article: Detecting stereotypical motor movements in the classroom using accelerometry and pattern recognition algorithms

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) frequently engage in stereotyped and repetitive motor movements. Automatically detecting these movements using comfortable, miniature wireless sensors could advance autism research and enable new intervention tools for the classroom that help children and their caregivers monitor, understand, and cope with this potentially problematic class of behavior. We present activity recognition results for stereotypical hand flapping and body rocking using accelerometer data collected wirelessly from six children with ASD repeatedly observed by experts in real classroom settings. An overall recognition accuracy of 88.6% (TP: 0.85; FP: 0.08) was achieved using three sensors. We also present pilot work in which non-experts use software on mobile phones to annotate stereotypical motor movements for classifier training. Preliminary results indicate that non-expert annotations for training can be as effective as expert annotations. Challenges encountered when applying machine learning to this domain, as well as implications for the development of real-time classroom interventions and research tools are discussed.
Gender, Nation, and the Vicissitudes of Kalpana: Choreographing Womanly Beauty in Tagore’s Dance Dramas

The last in a series of Tagore dance dramas centering women, Shyama is haunted by a poetic query: “Who will relieve the beautiful from bondage in the hands of the cruel?” Far from being isolated, this troubling linkage of beauty and pleasure with masculinist domination recurs in a number of gender-centered works Rabindranath Tagore wrote late in life. In this essay, the author takes issue with Dipesh Chakrabarty’s and Ashis Nandy’s positions on nationalist aesthetics and demonstrates how, in such late dance dramas as Chitrangada (1935) and Shyama (1939), Tagore imagined ways to choreograph the desires of marginal women (a warrior, a courtesan) so as to critique nationalist articulations of proper manhood (sexually chastened/celibate; morally elevated) and instead to explore the ethical potential of women-nurtured beauty and sexuality.
Response of an Insulating Material to Photoexcitation

We focus on the dynamics of polaron formation following photoexcitation of a deform able insulator. A bare exciton is seen to evolve toward a polaron-like state by shedding energy into the vibrations of the medium. The radiated energy propagates away from the excitation region in the form of sound waves, resulting in the emergence of a persistent deformation of the medium about the excitation region.
The MOVB Approach to Ground State Stereochemistry

Consider a four electron composite system CL, made up of a core, C, and a set of ligands, L, with two orbitals spanning the core and one orbital spanning the ligands. We ask the question: What is the stereochemistry which permits optimum ground state bonding of C and L? Stated in different language, what is the point group symmetry of the CL system which dictates the point group symmetry of the three orbitals, which, in turn, allows the three orbitals to best accomodate the four electrons?