cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Product Aggregation Bias as a Specification Error in Demand Systems

Inherent in all demand studies is some form of product aggregation which can lead to product aggregation bias. This article develops a simple procedure for incorporating product aggregation bias in demand systems that permits testing of product aggregation bias with a standard likelihood ratio test. An empirical illustration of the procedure demonstrates the importance of proper product aggregation.
Growth of Bragg gratings produced by continuous-wave ultraviolet light in optical fiber

We have written Bragg gratings of as much as 94% reflectance in germanium-doped optical fiber by two-beam interference of 244-nm continuous-wave UV light. We measured grating reflectance as a function of exposure time for UV light intensities ranging from 1.5 to 47 W/cm2. The observed dependence of index modulation on time and intensity does not agree with the predictions of a model based on depletion of a defect population by one-photon absorption.
Tracking Interacting Subcellular Structures By Sequential Monte Carlo Method

With the wide application of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in the study of live cell, which leads to a better understanding of biochemical events at subcellular level, there is a surging need for the computer-aided analysis on the huge amount of image sequence data acquired by the advanced microscopy devices. One of such tasks is the motility analysis of the multiple subcellular structures. In this paper, an algorithm using sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) method for multiple interacting object tracking is proposed. We use joint state to represent all the objects together, and model the interaction between objects in the 2D plane by augmenting an extra dimension and evaluating their overlapping relationship in the 3D space. Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method with a novel height swap move is applied to sample the joint state distribution efficiently. To facilitate distinguishing between different objects, a new observation method is also proposed by matching the size and intensity profile of the object. The experimental results show that our method is promising.
Distributed case-based planning: Multi-agent cooperation for high autonomy

A drawback of typical knowledge-based systems, including case-based reasoning systems, is that human intervention is often unavoidable when there is a lack of knowledge necessary to solve a problem. The concept of cooperative case-based reasoning, where a case-based system may interact with another case-based system or other knowledge-based system to acquire the missing knowledge it needs to solve a problem is introduced. The basic mechanism by which this knowledge transfer takes place is the knowledge interface. The knowledge interface translates information in a knowledge-based system and places it into a globally recognized format; likewise, the knowledge interface converts information in the globally recognized format and places it into the context of the local system. >
Effects of Nutrients versus Herbivores on Reef Algae: A New Method for Manipulating Nutrients on Coral Reefs

There has been much discussion and some controversy regarding the role of nutrient enrichment versus other factors, such as altered rates of herbivory, in the degradation of coral reef ecosystems. The resolution of this controversy has been hampered by the lack of manipulative field studies testing the effects of ecologically relevant levels of nutrient enrichment on coral reef communities. We present a new method for adding ecologically relevant levels of nutrients to experimental substrates on coral reefs. The method elevates nutrients for sustained periods of time ( .41 d without replenishment of nutrients) and allows for testing interactions of nutrients and altered levels of herbivory. Results from an offshore reef in Key Largo, Florida, show strong effects of excluding large herbivorous fishes, negligible effects of nutrient enrichment—or effects that are opposite of predictions, and no interaction between nutrient levels and herbivory in affecting algal abundance. Patterns observed for this reef did not confirm predictions of previously proposed models that frondose macroalgal or crustose algal abundance would be enhanced with nutrient enrichment or that dominance of filamentous turfs would be greater in unenriched conditions. In contrast to previous predictions, the abundance of larger macroalgae at this site was not increased by elevating nutrients above predicted threshold response levels of 1.0 mM for total inorganic nitrogen or 0.10 mM for soluble reactive phosphate. Also conflicting with some models, filamentous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria were enhanced, rather than suppressed, by nutrient enrichment.
Quantitative ultrasonic methods for characterization of skin lesions in vivo

Quantitative ultrasonic methods were studied for characterizing skin lesions in vivo using contact dermatitis as an example. The parameters studied include skin thickness, echogenicity, attenuation coefficient slope and parameters related to echo statistics (signal-to-noise ratio and shape parameters of Weibull, K and generalized gamma distributions). Data were collected using a high-frequency ultrasound (US) system (center frequency = 33 MHz). To compensate for depth-dependent diffraction effects, correction curves as a function of the distance between the transducer and the tissue were first empirically obtained. Diffraction-corrected quantitative parameters were then compared between healthy and affected skin of volunteers, who underwent patch testing for allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. A significant increase in skin thickness, decrease in echogenicity of the upper dermis and decrease in attenuation coefficient slope were found at the affected sites compared to those of healthy skin. However, no differences in parameters related to the echo statistics of the mid-dermis were found. These results indicate that a combination of quantitative ultrasonic parameters have the potential for extracting information for characterizing skin conditions.
Developing an e‐Commerce System Using Active Server Pages

This paper describes a case to illustrate analysis, design, and implementation issues involving a multitier e‐commerce system. The case is designed for use in advanced accounting systems or systems analysis and design courses. The case involves analysis of a sales order system that will be implemented using a web interface and relational database, conceptual design of the system, and implementation of the system. A variety of tasks are involved in the case, but an instructor can select the tasks of relevance in a particular course.
CFTR involvement in chloride, bicarbonate, and liquid secretion by airway submucosal glands.

Previous studies demonstrated that ACh-induced liquid secretion by porcine bronchi is driven by active Cl− and H CO 3 − secretion. The present study was undertaken to determine whether this process...
Comparison of Two Continuous Passive Motion Protocols for Patients with Total Knee Implants

We compared the effects of continuous passive motion (CPM) given for a minimum of 20 hours a day to Group 1 patients (n = 15) or a maximum of 5 hours a day to Group 2 patients (n = 8) who received total knee joint replacements. Four variables were analyzed on the third and sixth days after surgery: 1) range of motion, 2) edema-effusion, 3) pain, and 4) length of hospital stay. We found significant improvements in knee extension ( p > .001) in the Group 2 patients on Day 6 after surgery. We also found a significant negative correlation between the length of hospital stay and the number of physical therapy treatments received. No between-group differences were found in measurements of 1) total knee excursion, 2) edema-effusion, 3) pain, 4) length of hospital stay, and 5) number of PT treatments received. This lack of differences implies that comparable results can be obtained by using the CPM machine either 20 hours a day or 5 hours a day.
In Vitro Evaluation of Ocular Irritants Using Tissue Isoelectric Focusing Protein Profiles from Human, Rabbit, and Bovine Corneal Specimens

Tissue isoelectric focusing (TIF) was used to establish a reference bovine corneal protein profile and to compare the human, rabbit, and bovine corneal response to in vitro chemical exposure. TIF provided a direct, semiquantitative comparison of tissue-irritant interactions without the potential limitations of standard homogenization and extraction procedures. The in vitro exposure of corneal sections to acetic acid (2%) and ammonium hydroxide (1%) solutions resulted in selective modifications of tissue protein profiles, which were evaluated by scanning densitometry. Comparison of the human and rabbit corneal protein changes associated with in vitro chemical exposure revealed a similar acid/base effect on a common rabbit and human corneal protein band (pl = 8.1). The pl = 8.1 protein band did not occur in the bovine protein profile; however, a similar acid/base effect occurred with a protein band having a pl = 7.2.
GMl Ganglioside Injections Increase Axon Sprouting in the Retinotectal System of the Hamster

Biochemical and neuroanatomical experiments have shown a GMl-stimulated, time-dependent increase in levels of transmitters and their precursors (1) and an increased number of neuronal connections following partial hemitransections of the nigrostriatal pathway (2). Because the evidence was indirect, we hoped to obtain a more definite answer to the question of whether GMl enhances central sprouting. For that purpose, we have studied the abnormally recrossing retinotectal system of the hamster.
Expected versus Actual Outcomes of Environmental Policies: The Clean Water State Revolving Fund

This paper examines the performance of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), a federally funded program to provide loans to local publically owned treatment works (POTWs) in four states: Iowa, Indiana, Maryland and Texas. We find that between 2007 and 2014, the typical plant receiving a loan in these states substantially improved the quality of effluent discharges of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and organic nitrogen (N) in all four states, compared to a sample of plants in the same states that did not receive loans. We also found, however, that plants receiving loans tended to better the performance of plants that did not receive loans in 2007, before the funds were distributed. Thus, while loans were effective in improving water quality, it appeared that the plants receiving loans were not the plants most in need of improvement, but were already among the best. Thus, state authorities responsible for choosing plants receiving loans favored plants with a record of prior success rather than a record of current need.
The gendered impact of conflict and peacekeeping in Africa

Patterns of violent conflict and war are changing in Africa, and one of the reasons for this may be improved and more robust peacekeeping operations. It is important to rethink what conflict and transitions out of conflict look like in today's Africa. It is equally important to understand those changes through gender analyses.
Stereocilia-staircase spacing is influenced by myosin III motors and their cargos espin-1 and espin-like

Hair cells tightly control the dimensions of their stereocilia, which are actin-rich protrusions with graded heights that mediate mechanotransduction in the inner ear. Two members of the myosin-III family, MYO3A and MYO3B, are thought to regulate stereocilia length by transporting cargos that control actin polymerization at stereocilia tips. We show that eliminating espin-1 (ESPN-1), an isoform of ESPN and a myosin-III cargo, dramatically alters the slope of the stereocilia staircase in a subset of hair cells. Furthermore, we show that espin-like (ESPNL), primarily present in developing stereocilia, is also a myosin-III cargo and is essential for normal hearing. ESPN-1 and ESPNL each bind MYO3A and MYO3B, but differentially influence how the two motors function. Consequently, functional properties of different motor-cargo combinations differentially affect molecular transport and the length of actin protrusions. This mechanism is used by hair cells to establish the required range of stereocilia lengths within a single cell.
Uterine adenomyosis: Incidence, symptoms, and pathology in 1,856 hysterectomies

Abstract We concur with others that adenomyosis is a distinct pathologic entity, not physiologic or neoplastic, characterized by heterotopic endometrium in hyperplastic myometrium. This may or may not be connected with the endometrium proper at the time the operative specimen is studied. By the use of definite criteria for the clinical diagnosis and accurate gross and microscopic observations, it was found oftener and in younger age groups than has previously been reported except by Cullen.2 Although by far the greatest number occur in the fourth decade, nine cases were found in women between the ages of 27 to 30 years. In each of these, adenomyosis was the chief factor, if not the only one, which caused enough distress to warrant operation. Seven of these nine cases presented adenomyosis alone. In the remaining two, one had a prolapse and the other uterus contained a small leiomyoma. Six of these were diagnosed preoperatively. Distribution with regard to age for the entire group was: 27 to 30 years 9 31 to 40 years 120 41 to 50 years 259 51 to 60 years 100 61 to 73 years 13 In arriving at our conclusions regarding the characteristic symptomatology of adenomyosis, we selected 110 cases which were adenomyosis alone by gross examination. The symptoms in this series in order of frequency of occurrence were menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, pain before or during the menstrual period, dysuria and frequency, and a bearing down feeling in the pelvis. These symptoms when combined with the physical findings of a globoid, slightly enlarged, smooth, and tender uterus often establish the diagnosis, clinically. If the above symptomatology occurs in conjunction with a tender nodular uterus by bimanual examination, a diagnosis of adenomyosis associated with leiomyoma will usually be correct. Adenomyosis occurs independently or associated with other uterine pathology and presents a definite symptomatology which can and should be recognized and diagnosed preoperatively.
Research of Stator Cooling Method on High Power Density Asynchronism Motor

The high power density asynchronism motor produces loss in movement,which causes the internal temperature of motor rising very high.For lower the rise of temperature of the motor stator,to adopt the circulated oil cooling method and the circulated water cooling method.This text passes the theories analysis and the hot analysis calculation in transient state of the software of ANSYS,result proofing the rise of temperature of the motor stator as the high power density asynchronism motor stator adopted water circulate cools off stator is lower,than as which adopted oil circulate cools off stator.
Priority Areas and Potential Solutions for Successful Integration and Sustainment of Health Systems Science in Undergraduate Medical Education.

Educators, policy makers, and health systems leaders are calling for significant reform of undergraduate medical education (UME) and graduate medical education (GME) programs to meet the evolving needs of the health care system. Nationally, several schools have initiated innovative curricula in both
Tradition as Fact and Norm

Tradition and authority are so closely linked in writings on political theory and philosophy that it is very difficult to discuss one without taking up the other. Max Weber made tradition one of the sources and hence one of the types of authority and of legitimacy as well, contrasting it with charismatic and rational-legal sources.1 In doing so, he remained in the well-known habit of the Enlightenment which contrasted reason and authority. The implication was that the methods of reason were scientific as contrasted with the methods of authority based upon revelation or irrational belief. And much of that belief had its base in tradition. The possibility that both tradition and authority might themselves be rational was more or less excluded for thinkers of this ‘tradition’. Charles S. Pierce wrote a generation ago that ‘when the method of authority prevailed, the truth meant little more than the Catholic faith’.2 This is a typical statement, although incorrect in itself.
GSA Advisors' Self-Efficacy Related to LGBT Youth of Color and Transgender Youth.

ABSTRACTGay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and heterosexual youth from diverse backgrounds. Although some attention has been given to youth members in general, little attention has been given to adult advisors. Among 47 GSA advisors from 33 high schools (39 cisgender female, 8 cisgender male), the authors examined advisors' self-efficacy to address issues pertinent to LGBT youth of color and transgender youth specifically. Advisors' self-efficacy was lower for LGBT youth of color than for transgender youth. LGB advisors reported greater efficacy than did heterosexual advisors to address issues pertinent to transgender youth but not those pertinent to LGBT youth of color. Younger advisors and advisors in schools with a greater proportion of youth of color reported greater efficacy for LGBT youth of color but not for transgender youth. These findings carry implications for ensuring that advisors are equipped to work with GSA-involved youth who may be among the mos...
Impact of a decision aid on newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients' understanding of the rationale for active surveillance.

Abstract Objective To compare newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer patients who did and did not view a decision aid (DA) on their knowledge of the rationale for active surveillance (AS). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 452 newly diagnosed low-risk localized prostate cancer patients. Patients were mailed the video/DVD DA and completed a web-based questionnaire that contained two multiple choice questions assessing knowledge of the rationale for AS. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of the DA on knowledge of the rationale for AS. Results Patients who watched the DA were more likely to correctly respond to each rationale for AS question; both comparisons were statistically significant. After adjustment, men who viewed the DA were 2.9 times as likely to correctly respond to both rationale for AS questions than men who did not view the DA (95% CI: 1.9–4.5). Conclusion Patients who viewed a DA better understand the reasons why AS is a viable treatment option for localized prostate cancer than patients who did not view a DA. Practice implications Urology clinics and practices should implement the utilization of a treatment DA for newly diagnosed, localized prostate cancer prior to the patients’ first cancer consultation.
Serial Plasma Concentrations of Adipocytokines during Chemotherapy in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Disturbances in the production of adipocyte-derived hormones may represent a new link explaining the well-known relationship between obesity and increased prevalence of malignancies. Very few studies have evaluated adipokines concentration at diagnosis and during remission of a cancer. Purpose of our study was to investigate adipocytokines secretion, at diagnosis and during chemotherapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients and Methods: Measurements were performed at diagnosis, after the induction-consolidation phase and at standard time points before each cycle in nine consecutive patients with ALL aged 2–7 years (median 4.3 yrs). All patients suffered from ≥5% BMI reduction in the 6 months before recruitment. BMI and leukemic burden were estimated at the same time points and correlated with adipocytokines levels. Nine healthy children matched for age and sex were used as controls. Results: At diagnosis, mean adiponectin levels were low (12.6±2.3 μg/ml vs. 18.2±2.4 μg/ml in controls, p th cycle of chemotherapy. Mean adiponectin was still low, compared with controls, (p th cycle. Delta (final-baseline) mean adiponectin was positively correlated with delta mean BMI-SD score of the patients (0.512, p=0.016), while delta mean leptin and resistin was negatively correlated with it (−0.626, p=0.009, and −0.527, p=0.013, respectively). However, when considering for lipids, LDH or leukemic burden, the positive association of adiponectin with BMI (0.087, p>0.05) and the negative association of leptin and resistin with BMI do not persist (−0.098, p>0.05 and −0.094, p>0.05 respectively). Delta mean adiponectin was negatively correlated with leukemic burden (−0.439, p=0.019), while delta mean leptin and resistin was positively correlated with it (0.581, p=0.011 and 0.375, p=0.031, respectively). Delta mean adiponectin was negatively correlated with delta mean LDH (−0.315, p=0.041), delta mean triglycerides (−0.412, p=0.025) and positively correlated with delta mean HDL-C (0.306, p=0.042), while delta mean leptin and resistin was positively correlated with delta mean LDH (0.423, p=0.028, and 0.387, p=0.032, respectively), delta mean triglycerides (0.372, p=0.035, and 0.523, p=0.022, respectively) and negatively correlated with delta mean HDL-C (−0.467, p=0.020, and −0.356, p=0.034, respectively). Finally, delta mean BMI-SD was positively correlated with delta mean HDL-C (0.502, p=0.018) and negatively with delta triglycerides (−0.420, p=0.023) and delta LDH (−0.605, p Conclusion: Our results suggest that low serum adiponectin level and high leptin and resistin level are present in almost all patients with ALL at diagnosis. This is probably due to neuroendocrine imbalance and inflammation. The abnormalities are restored during remission. More studies are needed to substantiate associations between leukemia development and these hormones in the population of ALL children.
In vitro study of antimicrobial percutaneous nephrostomy catheters for prevention of renal infections

Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) catheters are the primary method for draining ureters obstructed by malignancy and preventing a decline of renal function. However, PCN catheter-related infections, such as pyelonephritis and urosepsis, remain a significant concern. Currently, no antimicrobial PCN catheters are available for preventing infection complications. Vascular catheters impregnated with minocycline-rifampin (M/R) and M/R with chlorhexidine coating (M/R plus CHD) have previously demonstrated antimicrobial activity. Therefore, in this study, we examined whether these combinations could be applied to PCN catheters and effectively inhibit biofilm formation by common uropathogens. An in vitro biofilm colonization model was used to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of M/R and M/R-plus-CHD PCN catheters against nine common multidrug-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative uropathogens as well as Candida glabrata and Candida albicans Experimental catheters were also assessed for durability of antimicrobial activity for up 3 weeks. PCN catheters coated with M/R plus CHD completely inhibited biofilm formation for up to 3 weeks for all the organisms tested. The reduction in colonization compared to uncoated PCN catheters was significant for all Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungal organisms (P < 0.05). M/R-plus-CHD PCN catheters also produced significant reductions in biofilm colonization relative to M/R PCN catheters for Enterobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, C. glabrata, and C. albicans (P < 0.05). M/R-plus-CHD PCN catheters proved to be highly efficacious in preventing biofilm colonization when exposed to multidrug-resistant pathogens common in PCN catheter-associated pyelonephritis. M/R-plus-CHD PCN catheters warrant evaluation in a clinical setting to assess their ability to prevent clinically relevant nephrostomy infections.
The effects of red cell transfusion donor age on nosocomial infection among trauma patients

Abstract Background We hypothesized that packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions from older donors would be associated with fewer nosocomial infections among trauma patients. Methods We performed a four-year retrospective analysis of 264 consecutive adult trauma patients who received ≥1 PRBC transfusion during admission. The capacity of donor age to predict nosocomial infection was assessed by logistic regression. Results Thirty-three percent of all patients developed a nosocomial infection. Donor age was significantly higher among patients with nosocomial infection (40.3 vs. 37.6 years, p = 0.035), and the incidence of infection was directly proportional to donor age. The association between donor age and infection was strongest among recipients age ≥60 years, and was significant on multivariate regression for this cohort (OR 1.07 (95% CI 1.01–1.13), p = 0.024). Conclusions Among trauma patients receiving PRBC transfusions, blood from older donors may be associated with increased risk for nosocomial infection.
The impact of urbanization on the streamflows and the 100-year floodplain extent of the Sims Bayou in Houston, Texas

ABSTRACTThe Houston Metropolitan Statistical Area has experienced rapid population growth in the past decades. The impact of this growth on the streamflows and 100-year floodplain extent in the Sims Bayou over the 1980–2000 period has been studied and is reported. Development and imperviousness over time was determined using parcel data provided by the Harris County Appraisal District and Fort Bend Central Appraisal District, and aerial photographs. The change in the annual streamflow volume over time was studied, and found to have a statistically significant increasing trend. A similar analysis of the annual instantaneous peak flows showed that, although an increasing trend in their values is not apparent, there is a statistically discernible increase in their variability. Strong relationships between the annual streamflow volume and annual instantaneous peak flow, and the imperviousness were found. The imperviousness increased from 15% in 1980 to 18% in 2000. For the 100-year 24-h storm event, hydrologi...
Climate and anthropogenic contributions to the desiccation of the second largest saline lake in the twentieth century

Abstract Urmia Lake, once the second largest saline lake in the world, is on the verge of complete desiccation. It has been suggested that the desiccation is caused by intensified human activities, especially irrigation, and prolonged droughts in the lake basin, but there is a lack of quantitative analysis to attribute the observed water level decline to natural and anthropogenic causes. In this study, we use remote sensing data, ground observations, and a hydrological model with human impact assessment capabilities (HiGW-MAT) to investigate the natural and human-induced changes in the hydrology of Urmia Lake basin from 1980 to 2010. Based on the analysis of remote sensing data, we find a ∼98% and ∼180% increase in agricultural lands and urban areas, respectively, from 1987 through 2016, with a corresponding shrinkage in lake area by ∼86%. Further, we use model results to examine the changes in terrestrial water storage (TWS) over the basin including the lake. Results indicate that TWS declined over the lake region and the lake lost water at a faster rate than the watershed did. Comparison of river inflow to the lake from two simulations—one with and the other without human activities—suggests that human water management activities caused a reduction in streamflow of ∼1.74 km3/year from 1995 to 2010, which accounts for ∼86% of the total depletion in lake volume during the same period. It is also found that irrigation water requirement almost tripled, causing high withdrawals from rivers. These results demonstrate that the on-going depletion of Urmia Lake is not solely due to prolonged droughts but also due to direct anthropogenic alterations which caused significant changes in land use, streamflow, and water storage within the basin. This study provides important insights on the natural and human-induced changes in the hydrology of Urmia Lake and highlights the need for a high resolution regional scale modeling approach for better understanding potential future changes toward restoring the lake and putting forth a course of action to stop further desiccation and avoid a major environmental catastrophe.
Domains of Childhood Disadvantage and Functional Limitation Trajectories Among Midlife Men and Women in China

Objective: To examine the impacts of four childhood disadvantage domains-parental behavior, hunger, health, and socioeconomic status (SES)-on functional limitation trajectories among midlife adults in China. Method: Data (2011-2015) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 8,646) were used to examine the associations between different domains of childhood disadvantage and functional limitation trajectories among adults aged 45 to 64. Results: Adverse parental behavior was not associated with baseline functional limitation but was associated with steeper trajectories for men. Health, hunger, and SES were associated with more functional limitations at baseline, and SES with steeper trajectories for men and women. Adulthood SES largely accounted for the associations between childhood SES and functional limitations for men. Discussion: It is important to examine multiple domains of childhood conditions because the type and magnitude of disadvantage may influence functional limitations in different ways among men and women in China.
NON-SYNAPTIC MECHANISMS | Nonsynaptic Mechanisms of Neuronal Synchronization: A Possible Role in Fast Oscillations

Nonsynaptic mechanisms of neuronal interaction include electronic coupling via gap junctions, electrical field effects (or ephaptic transmission through the extracellular space) and shifts in the concentration of extracellular ions such as potassium and calcium. Although all three mechanisms likely play a critical role in neuronal synchronization during seizures in cortical structures, the first two of these mechanisms are probably especially important in the synchronization of action potentials. One longstanding line of evidence that nonsynaptic mechanisms are important in synchronization of neuronal activity during seizures is that low-calcium solutions, which block active chemical synapses, can induce profound afterdischarges of synchronized activity, reminiscent of electrographic seizures. Recent studies have shown that very fast oscillations in the electroencephalogram (i.e., 100–500 Hz), also called ‘fast ripples,’ seem to occur in seizure onset zones in both animal models and human cortex. Other studies have suggested that connexin-36 (vs. other connexins, such as connexin-43 and -32) mediates electrotonic coupling through neuronal gap junctions in hippocampus and neocortex. These gap junctions on pyramidal cells and granule cells are thought to be present on somata, dendrites, and even axons, and likely mediate fast prepotentials or spikelets (previously thought to be due to dendritic action potentials). Although the role of electrical interactions in seizure synchronization remains controversial, there is increasing support for the hypothesis that this mechanism could be important in the synchronization of neuronal activities characteristic of epileptic seizures.
Selective Functionalization of Aliphatic Amines via Myoglobin-catalyzed Carbene N-H Insertion.

Engineered myoglobins have recently gained attention for their ability to catalyze a variety of abiological carbene transfer reactions including the functionalization of amines via carbene insertion into N–H bonds. However, the scope of myoglobin and other hemoprotein-based biocatalysts in the context of this transformation has been largely limited to aniline derivatives as the amine substrates and ethyl diazoacetate as the carbene donor reagent. In this report, we describe the development of an engineered myoglobin-based catalyst that is useful for promoting carbene N–H insertion reactions across a broad range of substituted benzylamines and α-diazo acetates with high efficiency (82–99% conversion), elevated catalytic turnovers (up to 7,000), and excellent chemoselectivity for the desired single insertion product (up to 99%). The scope of this transformation could be extended to cyclic aliphatic amines. These studies expand the biocatalytic toolbox available for the selective formation of C–N bonds, which are ubiquitous in many natural and synthetic bioactive compounds.
PoDD: power-capping dependent distributed applications

Power budgeting (or capping) has become essential for large-scale computing installations. Meanwhile, as these systems scale out, they can concurrently execute dependent applications that were previously processed serially. Such application coupling reduces IO traffic and overall time to completion as the applications now communicate at runtime instead of through disk. Coupled applications are predicted to be a major workload for future exascale supercomputers; e.g., scientific simulations will execute concurrently with in situ analysis. One critical challenge for power budgeting systems is implementing power capping for coupled applications while still achieving high performance. Existing approaches on power capping coupled workloads, however, have major limitations including: (1) poor practicality, due to dependence on offline application profiling; and (2) limited optimization opportunity, as they consider power reallocation on a strictly global level (from node-to-node), without considering node-level optimization opportunities. To overcome these limitations, we propose PoDD, a hierarchical, distributed power management system for coupled applications. PoDD uses classifiers and online model building to determine optimal power and performance tradeoffs without offline profiling or application instrumentation. We implement it on a 49-node cluster and compare it to SLURM, a state-of-the-art job scheduler that considers power, but not coupling, and PowerShift, a power capping system for coupled applications without node-level optimization. PoDD improves mean performance over SLURM by 14--22% and over PowerShift by 11--13%. Finally, PoDD is resilient to tail behavior and system noise, improving performance in noisy environments by 44% on average compared to even power distribution.
A emergência do Direito Ambiental Internacional

Os danos ambientais nao estao mais restritos ao territorio dos Estados em que foram gerados. O Direito Ambiental Internacional emergiu lentamente, acompanhando a nova consciencia ambiental. Nao existe um marco historico do surgimento desse ramo do direito, mas a Conferencia de Estocolmo de 1972 e a Conferencia do Rio de Janeiro de 1992 sao consideradas fundamentais para a formacao de um regramento internacional sobre o meio ambiente. A autonomia, a multidimensionalidade e a presenca de soft norms caracterizam o Direito Ambiental Internacional. O regramento internacional ambiental segue principios gerais proprios, e o descumprimento das normas ambientais internacionais autoriza a ingerencia ecologica.
Both ADP-Ribosyl-Binding and Hydrolase Activities of the Alphavirus nsP3 Macrodomain Affect Neurovirulence in Mice.

ABSTRACT Macrodomain (MD), a highly conserved protein fold present in a subset of plus-strand RNA viruses, binds to and hydrolyzes ADP-ribose (ADPr) from ADP-ribosylated proteins. ADPr-binding by the alphavirus nonstructural protein 3 (nsP3) MD is necessary for the initiation of virus replication in neural cells, whereas hydrolase activity facilitates replication complex amplification. To determine the importance of these activities for pathogenesis of alphavirus encephalomyelitis, mutations were introduced into the nsP3 MD of Sindbis virus (SINV), and the effects on ADPr binding and hydrolase activities, virus replication, immune responses, and disease were assessed. Elimination of ADPr-binding and hydrolase activities (G32E) severely impaired in vitro replication of SINV in neural cells and in vivo replication in the central nervous systems of 2-week-old mice with reversion to wild type (WT) (G) or selection of a less compromising change (S) during replication. SINVs with decreased binding and hydrolase activities (G32S and G32A) or with hydrolase deficiency combined with better ADPr-binding (Y114A) were less virulent than WT virus. Compared to the WT, the G32S virus replicated less well in both the brain and spinal cord, induced similar innate responses, and caused less severe disease with full recovery of survivors, whereas the Y114A virus replicated well, induced higher expression of interferon-stimulated and NF-κB-induced genes, and was cleared more slowly from the spinal cord with persistent paralysis in survivors. Therefore, MD function was important for neural cell replication both in vitro and in vivo and determined the outcome from alphavirus encephalomyelitis in mice. IMPORTANCE Viral encephalomyelitis is an important cause of long-term disability, as well as acute fatal disease. Identifying viral determinants of outcome helps in assessing disease severity and developing new treatments. Mosquito-borne alphaviruses infect neurons and cause fatal disease in mice. The highly conserved macrodomain of nonstructural protein 3 binds and can remove ADP-ribose (ADPr) from ADP-ribosylated proteins. To determine the importance of these functions for virulence, recombinant mutant viruses were produced. If macrodomain mutations eliminated ADPr-binding or hydrolase activity, viruses did not grow. If the binding and hydrolase activities were impaired, the viruses grew less well than the wild-type virus, induced similar innate responses, and caused less severe disease, and most of the infected mice recovered. If binding was improved, but hydrolase activity was decreased, the virus replicated well and induced greater innate responses than did the WT, but clearance from the nervous system was impaired, and mice remained paralyzed. Therefore, macrodomain function determined the outcome of alphavirus encephalomyelitis.
Trends in lobectomy/amygdalohippocampectomy over time and the impact of hospital surgical volume on hospitalization outcomes: A population‐based study

OBJECTIVE Despite national guidelines supporting surgical referral in drug-resistant epilepsy, it is hypothesized that surgery is underutilized. We investigated the volumes of lobectomy/amygdalohippocampectomy surgeries over time and examined differences in outcomes between (1) high-volume (HV), middle-volume (MV), and low-volume (LV) hospitals and (2) Level 4 Centers versus non-Level 4 Centers. METHODS The 2003-2014 National Inpatient Sample (the largest all-payer hospitalization database, representative of the US population) was utilized. Epilepsy was identified using a previously validated International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) case definition and surgeries using ICD-9-CM procedure codes. A hospital was considered a Level 4 Center if it performed intracranial electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring. Tumor surgeries were excluded. Linear regression was used to perform trend tests. Weighted multivariate logistic regression was used to summarize association of surgery with outcomes. RESULTS A total of 4,487 lobectomy/amygdalohippocampectomy surgeries were performed in children and adults with epilepsy. Lobectomy/amygdalohippocampectomy surgeries significantly decreased over time (slope: -0.24, P < .001). This declining surgical trend was greater for all resective/disconnective surgery (slope: -0.45, P < .001), and greatest when compared to all types of epilepsy surgery, for example, resection/disconnection/radiosurgery/laser interstitial thermal therapy/vagus nerve stimulation/deep brain stimulation/responsive neurostimulation/intracranial EEG (slope: -0.95, P < .001). LV compared to HV hospitals had higher odds of transfer to other facilities (13.60% vs 4.24%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-6.82). LV hospitals had higher odds of surgical complications versus MV (12.69% vs 6.80%, OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.01-5.09). HV hospitals incurred the least total charges. There were no differences in discharge status, adverse events, length of stay, or cost between Level 4 Centers versus non-Level 4 Centers. SIGNIFICANCE Lobectomies/amygdalohippocampectomies are decreasing over time, suggesting ongoing underutilization. LV centers are associated with greater complication and transfer rates. Future studies are required to understand the reason for worse outcomes in LV centers and to determine whether a minimum number of surgeries must be performed to meet necessary standards.
Multi-task deep learning for cardiac rhythm detection in wearable devices.

Wearable devices enable theoretically continuous, longitudinal monitoring of physiological measurements such as step count, energy expenditure, and heart rate. Although the classification of abnormal cardiac rhythms such as atrial fibrillation from wearable devices has great potential, commercial algorithms remain proprietary and tend to focus on heart rate variability derived from green spectrum LED sensors placed on the wrist, where noise remains an unsolved problem. Here we develop DeepBeat, a multitask deep learning method to jointly assess signal quality and arrhythmia event detection in wearable photoplethysmography devices for real-time detection of atrial fibrillation. The model is trained on approximately one million simulated unlabeled physiological signals and fine-tuned on a curated dataset of over 500 K labeled signals from over 100 individuals from 3 different wearable devices. We demonstrate that, in comparison with a single-task model, our architecture using unsupervised transfer learning through convolutional denoising autoencoders dramatically improves the performance of atrial fibrillation detection from a F1 score of 0.54 to 0.96. We also include in our evaluation a prospectively derived replication cohort of ambulatory participants where the algorithm performed with high sensitivity (0.98), specificity (0.99), and F1 score (0.93). We show that two-stage training can help address the unbalanced data problem common to biomedical applications, where large-scale well-annotated datasets are hard to generate due to the expense of manual annotation, data acquisition, and participant privacy.
“It’s a Sea-change”: Understanding the Role the Racial and Socio-Political Climate Play on the Role-Shift of the American College Presidency

This inquiry is part of a larger study focused on whether white male presidents in higher education can respond to racism. In the initial study, the author concluded that while presidents were responsive, their responses were not void of privilege, and highlighted the need to further address white Fragility amongst this group. In an effort to advance our understanding of the American college presidency, particularly how the racial and socio-political climate has shaped their leadership, in the current study, the author analyzed data using the perspective offered by the presidents – higher education is in a sea-change, which was also a finding, as well as specific facets of Astin and Astin’ (2000) and Buller’s (2015) respective frames of change. The analysis yielded the importance of naming that higher education is in a sea-change, grappled with the reality of power within the presidency, and articulated the value of being willing over being ready to incite change. In light of these findings, these leaders recognized that not only is higher education due for a change, but so is the postsecondary presidency. Such an understanding expands both the organizational leadership and diversity in higher education literature, respectively.
Psychometric properties of the Cambridge-Mindreading Face-Voice Battery for Children in children with ASD.

This study examined the psychometric characteristics of the Cambridge-Mindreading Face-Voice Battery for Children (CAM-C) for a sample of 333 children, ages 6-12 years with ASD (with no intellectual disability). Internal consistency was very good for the Total score (0.81 for both Faces and Voices) and respectable for the Complex emotions score (0.72 for Faces and 0.74 for Voices); however, internal consistency was lower for Simple emotions (0.65 for Faces and 0.61 for Voices). Test-retest reliability at 18 and 36 weeks was very good for the faces and voices total (0.76-0.81) and good for simple and complex faces and voices (0.53-0.75). Significant correlations were found between CAM-C Faces and scores on another measure of face-emotion recognition (Diagnostic Analysis of Nonverbal Accuracy-Second Edition), and between Faces and Voices scores and child age, IQ (except perceptual IQ and Simple Voice emotions), and language ability. Parent-reported ASD symptom severity and the Emotion Recognition scale on the SRS-2 were not related to CAM-C scores. Suggestions for future studies and further development of the CAM-C are provided. LAY SUMMARY: Facial and vocal emotion recognition are important for social interaction and have been identified as a challenge for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Emotion recognition is an area frequently targeted by interventions. This study evaluated a measure of emotion recognition (the CAM-C) for its consistency and validity in a large sample of children with autism. The study found the CAM-C showed many strengths needed to accurately measure the change in emotion recognition during intervention.
PredNet Based Sequence Image Disturbance Processing of Fused Magnesium Furnaces

Disturbance processing is necessary for image-based deep learning of abnormal diagnosis for fused processes, e.g., fused magnesium furnace (FMF), since the disturbance of water mist, furnace body, and environment will inevitably affect the visual image relevant to the identification of working conditions. To address this issue, this paper proposes a new predictive neural network (PredNet)-based unsupervised learning method for sequence images processing of fused magnesium furnace. This method consists of a residual extraction of the original sequence images, a feature learning of disturbance via PredNets, and a single frame de-mean operation. Finally, the proposed method is compared to the one using original data and the one using residual extraction method using the collected sequence images from the furnace shell of a real FMF. The application results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.