cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wikipedia-Graph Based Key Concept Extraction towards News Analysis

The well-known Wikipedia can serve as a comprehensive knowledge repository to facilitate textual content analysis, due to its abundance, high quality and well-structuring. In this paper, we propose WikiRank - a Wikipedia-graph based ranking model, which can be used to extract key Wikipedia concepts from a document. These key concepts can be regarded as the most salient terms to represent the theme of the document. Different from other existing graph-based ranking algorithms, the concept graph used for ranking in this model is constructed by leveraging not only the co-occurrence relations within the local context of a document but also the preprocessed hyperlink-structure of Wikipedia. We have applied the proposed WikiRank model with the Support Propagation ranking algorithm to analyze the news articles, especially for enterprise news. These promising applications include Wikipedia Concept Linking and Enterprise Concept Cloud Generation.
DD94: Innovation durch einen Prozess – geht das? (Juli 2009)

Innovationen bringen angeblich das grose Geld. Hinter dem sind naturlich alle her. Innovation wird oft mit Goldsuchen verglichen. Goldsucher graben, schurfen und sieben in Flussbetten. Ihr Zustand wird meist mit dem Wort fieberhaft beschreiben. Sie warten auf das grose Gluck. Die Idee modernen Managements ist es nun, dieses Gluck in einer systematischen Art und Weise durch einen Brezelback-Geschaftsprozess zu erzeugen. Ich furchte, genau diese Idee verhindert Innovation.
Bradykinin-induced nuclear factor of activated T-cells-dependent transcription in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Bradykinin produced at sites of tissue injury and inflammation elicits acute pain and alters the sensitivity of nociceptive neurons to subsequent stimuli. We tested the hypothesis that bradykinin could elicit long-lasting changes in nociceptor function by activating members of the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors. Bradykinin activation of B2 receptors evoked concentration-dependent (EC50 = 6.0 ± 0.3 nM) increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a proportion of dorsal root ganglion neurons in primary culture. These [Ca2+] increases were sensitive to inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) and depletion of Ca2+ stores. In neurons expressing a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-NFAT4 fusion protein, a 2-min exposure to bradykinin induced the translocation of GFP-NFAT4 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Translocation was partially inhibited by the removal of extracellular Ca2+ and was blocked by inhibition of calcineurin. Furthermore, bradykinin triggered a concentration-dependent increase in NFAT-mediated transcription of a luciferase gene reporter (EC50 = 24.2 ± 0.1 nM). This depended on the B2 receptor, PLC activation, and inositol triphosphate-mediated Ca2+ release. Transcription was not inhibited by capsazepine. Finally, as indicated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, bradykinin elicited an increase in cyclooxygenase mRNA. This increase was sensitive to calcineurin and B2 receptor inhibition. These findings suggest a mechanism by which short-lived bradykinin-mediated stimuli can enact lasting changes in nociceptor function and sensitivity.
USSTRIDE program is associated with competitive Black and Latino student applicants to medical school.

Purpose : We compared MCAT scores, grade point averages (GPAs), and medical school acceptance rates of Black and Latino students in an outreach program called Undergraduate Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence (USSTRIDE) to non-USSTRIDE students. We hypothesized that Black and Latino participants in USSTRIDE had higher acceptance rates to medical school, higher MCAT scores, and college GPAs when compared to other Black and Latino medical school applicants from our institution. Methods : The academic performance (GPAs and MCAT scores) and acceptance and matriculation rate data on all Black and Latino Florida State University applicants to any medical school from 2008 to 2012 were collected from the AIS/AMCAS database and separated into two comparison groups (USSTRIDE vs. Non-USSTRIDE). Independent sample T-tests and chi-square analysis, Cohen’s D test, and odds ratios were determined. Results : Average science GPA was 3.47 for USSTRIDE students (n=55) and 3.45 for non-USSTRIDE students (n=137, p=0.68, d=0.0652). Average cumulative GPA was 3.57 for USSTRIDE students and 3.54 for non-USSTRIDE students (p=0.45, d=0.121). Average MCAT score was 23 for USSTRIDE students and 25 for non-USSTRIDE students (p=0.02, d=0.378). Twenty-three percent of accepted USSTRIDE students and 29% of accepted non-USSTRIDE students had multiple acceptances (p=0.483, OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.52–3.88). Forty-nine percent of non-USSTRIDE students and 75% of USSTRIDE students matriculated in medical school (p=0.001, OR 3.13 95% CI 1.51–6.74). About 78.6% of USSTRIDE students matriculated at FSU’s medical school compared to 36.2% of non-USSTRIDE students (p<0.01). Conclusions : USSTRIDE and non-USSTRIDE students had similar science and cumulative GPAs. USSTRIDE students’ MCAT scores were lower but acceptance rates to medical school were higher. Participation in USSTRIDE is associated with increased acceptance rates for Black and Latino students to our medical school. This finding is true for other medical schools as USSTRIDE students are as likely as non-USSTRIDE students to have multiple acceptances. Keywords: minority health; medical education; pipeline; healthcare workforce; minorities in medicine; medical school admission (Published: 23 May 2014) Citation: Med Educ Online 2014, 19 : 24200 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v19.24200
Computer control of bakers' yeast production

The Biotechnology and Bioengineering study presented here was undertaken to demonstrate the usefulness of computer control for the production of yeast from molasses. A flexible control system was developed by using an on-line computer for the monitoring of cell mass and employing anticipatory control to maintain the maximum productivity. Process disturbances were minimized by employing a multivariable feedback control system to prevent ethanol formation. The control strategy acted to keep overall conversion yield at its maximum level, about 0.5 g cell/ g sugar, while maintaining high volumetric productivity between 3 and 5 g/liter-hr. Results are presented to show the effectiveness of simultaneous anticipatory and feedback contol in overcoming problems of oxygen starvation, molasses quality, and variable inoculum size.
Systematic comparison of the benzynes, pyridynes, and pyridynium cations and characterization of the Bergman cyclization of Z-but-1-en-3-yn-1-yl isonitrile to the meta diradical 2,4-pyridyne

Abstract The geometries and relative energies of the singlet and triplet states of the three didehydrobenzenes (benzynes), six didehydropyridines (pyridynes), and six didehydropyridinium (pyridynium) cations are compared at the density functional, multiconfigurational self-consistent field, and coupled cluster levels of theory. The title Bergman cyclization, which produces a meta diradical, is characterized at the density functional theory level and compared to the analogous Bergman cyclizations generating all of the para diradicals in the subject aryne series. Singlet–triplet splittings in the pyridynium cations and 1 H hyperfine couplings in the N -protonated pyridyl radicals are found to be well correlated by proportionality constants determined previously for other arynes. Heats of formation (298 K) are predicted for all six pyridynes.
A Bayesian MRF framework for labeling terrain using hyperspectral imaging

Studies of hyperspectral images point to non-Gaussian statistics of pixels values, and consequently, standard Gaussian models may not perform well in hyperspectral image analysis. This paper presents novel probability models that capture non-Gaussian statistics of hyperspectral images, and uses them in automated classification of terrain sites. After the data are preprocessed using standard dimension-reduction tools, we use: 1) a nonparametric density estimate for capturing spectral variation at each site and 2) two parametric families-generalized Laplacian and Bessel K form-to capture non-Gaussian statistics of difference pixels. Assuming an Ising-type prior on site labels, favoring a smooth classification, we formulate a Markov random field-maximum a posteriori estimation problem and use a Markov chain to estimate site classifications. Results are presented from application of this framework to Washington, DC Mall and Indian Springs rural area datasets.
Modeling polymer crystallization from solutions

In an effort to understand early-stage polymer crystallization and the recently proposed spinodal mode of crystallization, we have performed Brownian dynamics simulations of crystallizing polymer chains. We find that the mechanism of polymer crystallization is nucleation and growth even in the induction period, although scattering data can be superficially fitted to the spinodal decomposition description. The microscopic model used in our simulations reveals rich details of the kinetic pathway of polymer crystallization in very early stages.
Reproductive condition and occurrence of intersex in bighead carp and silver carp in the Missouri River

Little is known about the reproductive biology of the exotic bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix in the Missouri River. In order to fill this gap in understanding, herein is described the reproductive condition of these Asian carps. Evidence is presented which indicates that bighead and silver carp in the Missouri River have a protracted spawning period that extends from early spring through fall and some individual bighead and silver carp are spawning multiple times during a reproductive season. Although bighead and silver carps are successfully maturing and spawning in the Missouri River some reproductive abnormalities such as intersex, atresia, and sterility were observed. Knowledge of the reproductive activity of these invasive carps may be useful to resource managers tasked with their control. Furthermore, the reproductive abnormalities observed should be considered when evaluating the environmental condition of the Missouri River relative to supporting a healthy fish fauna.
What Do They Really Think? Assessing Student and Faculty Perspectives of a Web-based Tutorial to Library Research

Over the past thirty years, libraries have increasingly used forms of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in place of librarians for basic instruction tasks. This study evaluates student and faculty perceptions of the Highlander Guide, a Web-based tutorial to library research. Overall, students (particularly those required to use it) and faculty reported positive views of the guide. Correlations drawn between student confidence in using the Web or conducting library research revealed that confident students reacted more favorably toward the Highlander Guide than average students did. In contrast to previous studies, the results of this study indicated that students and faculty were not strongly in favor of using the tutorial to replace traditional library instruction.
Wnt5a–Ror–Dishevelled signaling constitutes a core developmental pathway that controls tissue morphogenesis

Wnts make up a large family of extracellular signaling molecules that play crucial roles in development and disease. A subset of noncanonical Wnts signal independently of the transcription factor β-catenin by a mechanism that regulates key morphogenetic movements during embryogenesis. The best characterized noncanonical Wnt, Wnt5a, has been suggested to signal via a variety of different receptors, including the Ror family of receptor tyrosine kinases, the Ryk receptor tyrosine kinase, and the Frizzled seven-transmembrane receptors. Whether one or several of these receptors mediates the effects of Wnt5a in vivo is not known. Through loss-of-function experiments in mice, we provide conclusive evidence that Ror receptors mediate Wnt5a-dependent processes in vivo and identify Dishevelled phosphorylation as a physiological target of Wnt5a–Ror signaling. The absence of Ror signaling leads to defects that mirror phenotypes observed in Wnt5a null mutant mice, including decreased branching of sympathetic neuron axons and major defects in aspects of embryonic development that are dependent upon morphogenetic movements, such as severe truncation of the caudal axis, the limbs, and facial structures. These findings suggest that Wnt5a–Ror–Dishevelled signaling constitutes a core noncanonical Wnt pathway that is conserved through evolution and is crucial during embryonic development.
Electrical monitoring of gate and active area mask misalignment error

A model-free, gate-diffusion (PC-RX) misalignment monitor circuit is implemented in 32nm CMOS for fabrication tool and layout ground rule characterization. It requires only DC current measurements compared to existing optical methods that require special microscopy equipment. An on-chip circuit is also designed to convert misalignment to digital data to enable post-Si repair.
Minimal presentations for irreducible sofic shifts

We re-cast a theorem of Willems (1989) in terms of symbolic dynamics. We then present a new result which characterizes when an irreducible sofic shift (i.e., constrained system) has a unique minimal irreducible presentation. >
Contribution of IKr to Rate-Dependent Action Potential Dynamics in Canine Endocardium

Previous modeling studies have suggested that the rapid component of the delayed rectifier ( I Kr ) may contribute importantly to action potential dynamics during tachycardia. To test this idea experimentally, I Kr was measured as the E-4031–sensitive current in isolated canine endocardial myocytes at 37°C using the perforated patch-clamp technique. Command potentials were trains of action potential waveforms recorded at cycle lengths (CLs) of 1000, 500, 320, 170, and 120 ms. Action potential duration (APD) alternans occurred at CLs of 170 and 120 ms. During an action potential, I Kr increased gradually to a maximum at −55 to −60 mV. Peak I Kr increased initially as CL was shortened from 1000 to 500 ms (from 0.55±0.03 to 0.57±0.03 pA/pF), but decreased progressively as CL was shortened further (to 0.45±0.03 pA/pF at CL=120 ms). Baseline I Kr was negligible at CLs of 1000 to 320 ms, but increased to 0.12±0.01 pA/pF at a CL of 120 ms. During APD alternans, peak I Kr was larger for the short than for the long action potential (0.48±0.03 versus 0.46±0.03 pA/pF). A computer model of I Kr based on these data indicated that increasing I Kr suppressed alternans and decreasing I Kr increased alternans. In support of the latter result, inhibition of I Kr by E-4031 increased the maximal amplitude of alternans. These results indicate that I Kr contributes importantly to rate-related alterations of repolarization, including APD alternans. Modifying I Kr may be a promising approach to suppressing alternans and thereby preventing ventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Sediment Resuspension and Hydrodynamics in Lake Okeechobee during the Late Summer

In this study, in order to better understand the mechanisms affecting sediment resuspension, extensive data sets were collected in September and October of 2002 including wind velocity, wave, current velocity, water temperature, total suspended solid, suspended sediment concentration, and total phosphorus. Analyses of these data indicate that waves are the dominant factors in sediment resuspension while wind-induced currents are the primary forces to transport suspended sediments. Surface and bottom currents frequently flow in opposite directions, forming a stratified water column. A time lag exists between currents near lake bottom and wind forcing at the surface. The diurnal thermal stratification occurs in the deep region of the lake. A time lag is also found between suspended sediment concentration and wind speed. The study provides valuable storm-event data and mechanism analyses, which can improve our understanding of the lake circulation, wave dynamics, and their impact on sediment resuspension and vertical mixing in Lake Okeechobee. The data resulting from this study will be used to validate the Lake Okeechobee Environment Model which is used to predict the impacts of different management scenarios on lake activities.
A Checklist of the Mosquitoes of Indiana With Notes on the Cryptic Species Complexes Anopheles quadrimaculatus S.L. and Anopheles punctipennis

ABSTRACT The checklist of the mosquito species reported to occur in the state of Indiana is updated to include a number of new records and new classifications. Specimens of the cryptic species complex Anopheles quadrimaculatus s.l. are identified as An. quadrimaculatus s.s., and specimens of An. punctipennis are identified as the Eastern form of the species.
Automatic Extraction of Heap Reference Properties in Object-Oriented Programs

We present a new technique for helping developers understand heap referencing properties of object-oriented programs and how the actions of the program affect these properties. Our dynamic analysis uses the aliasing properties of objects to synthesize a set of roles; each role represents an abstract object state intended to be of interest to the developer. We allow the developer to customize the analysis to explore the object states and behavior of the program at multiple different and potentially complementary levels of abstraction. The analysis uses roles as the basis for three abstractions: role transition diagrams, which present the observed transitions between roles and the methods responsible for the transitions; role relationship diagrams, which present the observed referencing relationships between objects playing different roles; and enhanced method interfaces, which present the observed roles of method parameters. Together, these abstractions provide useful information about important object and data structure properties and how the actions of the program affect these properties. We have implemented the role analysis and have used this implementation to explore the behavior of several Java programs. Our experience indicates that, when combined with a powerful graphical user interface, roles are a useful abstraction for helping developers explore and understand the behavior of object-oriented programs.
Assessing trichloromethane formation and control in algal-stimulated waters amended with nitrogen and phosphorus

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) enrichments can stimulate algal growth in drinking water sources, which can cause increased production of disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursors. However, the effect of systematic N and P enrichments on DBP formation and control has not been adequately studied. In this work, we enriched samples from a drinking water source – sampled on April 5, May 30, and August 19, 2013 – with N and P to stimulate algal growth at N : P ratios covering almost five orders of magnitude (0.2–4429). To simulate DBP-precursor removal processes at drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), the samples were treated with ClO2 followed by alum coagulation prior to free chlorine addition to assess the DBP formation potential (FP). Trichloromethane (TCM) was the predominant DBP formed and the TCMFP was the highest at intermediate N : P molar ratios (∼10 to 50), which corresponded with the peak in algal biomass, as measured by chlorophyll-a (Chl-a). Algal biomass was P-limited throughout the study period, and co-limited by N for the August 19 sampling set. The differences in TCMFP between the raw and treated waters decreased with increasing P amendment, indicating that ClO2 and alum coagulation became less effective for TCM precursor removal as algal biomass increased. This study highlights the impact of nutrient enrichments on TCM formation and control and has implications for nutrient management strategies related to source water protection and for DWTPs that use source waters increasingly enriched with N and P.
Should states and local governments regulate dietary supplements

Federal regulation of dietary supplements in the United States is governed by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. The law has been criticized as weak and ineffective. Alarming research has emerged demonstrating that supplements may be mislabelled, contaminated, adulterated with dangerous or unknown compounds, or sold at toxic doses. As a result, the health community has raised concerns about the safety and quality of dietary supplements. Increased federal oversight is an important avenue for improving supplement safety; however, states and local governments may also pursue strategies to strengthen the overall regulatory control of dietary supplements. States and local governments have substantial experience in regulating other products that pose a risk to public health, such as tobacco. Additionally, much has been learned about the tactics the tobacco industry has employed to protect its interests. Lessons learned may be applied to new regulatory efforts aimed at improving the safety of dietary supplements at the state and local levels. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recognition and management of hearing defects.

Twenty-five years ago, few persons with impaired hearing could hope for medical help. Today, through development of microsurgical technics, about half of all young and middle-aged adults with progressive hearing impairment of a conductive type can expect to regain normal or near-normal hearing. Management requires accurate diagnosis, surgical correction when possible, or application of rehabilitative measures such as hearing aids, instruction in lip reading, and speech correction for persons with irreversible neurosensory losses.
Primary branching ratios for the low-temperature reaction of state-prepared N2 + with CH4, C2H2, and C2H4

Product branching ratios (BRs) are reported for ion−molecule reactions of state-prepared nitrogen cation (N2+) with methane (CH4), acetylene (C2H2). and ethylene (C2H4) at low temperature using a m...
Evaluation of c-erbB-2 amplification in breast carcinoma by differential polymerase chain reaction.

Previous studies have found that amplification and overexpression of the c-erbB-2 oncogene in mammary ductal adenocarcinomas predicts decreased disease-free or overall survival. Information regarding the prognostic and pathogenetic significance of oncogene amplification has been limited by difficulty obtaining sufficient quantities of high molecular weight DNA for Southern blot analysis. Differential polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been suggested as an alternative method for evaluating gene amplification and can be performed using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens. The authors of this study used differential PCR to detect c-erbB-2 gene amplification and immunohistochemistry to evaluate c-erbB-2 expression. A highly significant degree of concordance (P < .002) between c-erbB-2 amplification and expression was observed. Abnormalities of c-erbB-2 copy number or expression were more common in tumors with higher histologic grade, and trends were noted toward association with other prognostically unfavorable biologic markers, such as reduced progesterone receptor content and DNA aneuploidy.
Surface orientation control of site-specifically immobilized nitro-reductase (NfsB)

We demonstrate the control of enzyme orientation for enzymes chemically immobilized on surfaces. Nitro-reductase (NfsB) has the ability to reduce a broad range of nitro-containing compounds and has potential applications in a broad range of areas including the detection and decomposition of explosives. The enzyme was tethered through unique surface cysteine residues to a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) terminated with maleimide groups. One cysteine was introduced close to the active site (V424C), and the other, at a remote site (H360C). The surface-tethered NfsB variants were interrogated by a combination of surface-sensitive sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to determine how the mode of attachment altered the enzyme's orientation. The activities of the two immobilized NfsB variants were measured and can be well correlated to the deduced orientations. The relationships among enzyme engineering, surface immobilization, enzyme orientation, and enzyme activity were revealed.
Analysis on Absorption Heat Pump in Heating Units

In order to evaluate the effect of the absorption heat pump used in heating units,an energy-saving computing model of the absorption heat pump is established and the efficiency of the system with the absorption heat pump is calculated and analyzed for a 300-MW heat supply unit.The results show that the extraction steam from the unit can be saved substantially assuming the same heating load if the absorption heat pump is installed.Therefore,the benefit of installing the pump generally comes from the power generation increase of the steam turbine rather than the heat simply recovered.
Selecting among health-related quality-of-life instruments

A method of evaluating health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) instruments is described. Selection of an HRQL instrument should be based on the intended purpose and how well the instrument satisfies that purpose. An available methodological framework for developing HRQL instruments can be used; its premise is that the developmental process and psychometric properties of an instrument vary with the intended purpose. Intended purposes are classified as evaluative, discriminative, and predictive. Developmental steps are selection of items, item scaling, item reduction and assessment of internal consistency, and determination of reliability, validity, and responsiveness. Specific criteria apply to each step. An evaluation of asthma-specific HRQL instruments demonstrates use of the method. A useful method exists for selecting among available HRQL instruments on the basis of the instruments' intended purposes.
On the thermodynamically stable amorphous phase of polymer-derived silicon oxycarbide

A model for the thermodynamic stability of amorphous silicon oxycarbide (SiCO) is presented. It builds upon the reasonably accepted model of SiCO which is conceived as a nanodomain network of graphene. The domains are expected to be filled with SiO2 molecules, while the interface with graphene is visualized to contain mixed bonds described as Si bonded to C as well as to O atoms. Normally these SiCO compositions would be expected to crystallize. Instead, calorimetric measurements have shown that the amorphous phase is thermodynamically stable. In this article we employ first-principles calculations to estimate how the interfacial energy of the graphene networks is favorably influenced by having mixed bonds attached to them. We analyze the ways in which this reduction in interfacial energy can stabilize the amorphous phase. The approach highlights how density functional theory computations can be combined with the classical analysis of phase transformations to explain the behavior of a complex material. In addition we discover a two-dimensional lattice structure, with the composition Si2C4O3 that is constructed from a single layer of graphene congruent with silicon and oxygen bonds on either side.
Development of innate lymphoid cells

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a family of immune effector cells that have important roles in host defense, metabolic homeostasis and tissue repair but can also contribute to inflammatory diseases such as asthma and colitis. These cells can be categorized into three groups on the basis of the transcription factors that direct their function and the cytokines they produce, which parallel the effector functions of T lymphocytes. The hierarchy of cell-fate-restriction events that occur as common lymphoid progenitors become committed to each of the ILC lineages further underscores the relationship between these innate immune cells and T lymphocytes. In this Review we discuss the developmental program of ILCs and transcription factors that guide ILC lineage specification and commitment.
Hitting the Optimal Vaccination Percentage and the Risks of Error: Why to Miss Right

Objective To determine the optimal level of vaccination coverage defined as the level that minimizes total costs and explore how economic results change with marginal changes to this level of coverage.
The Caliphate Dismembered: Petty Dynasties in the West

Five years after the foundation of the ‘Abbāsid caliphate the youthful ‘Abd-al-Raḥmān, sole distinguished scion of the Umayyads to escape the general massacre which signalized the accession of the new regime, reached Cordova in far-off Spain. A year later, in 756, he established there a brilliant dynasty. The first province was thereby for ever stripped off the ‘Abbāsid empire, still in its infancy. Others were soon to follow.
The AGP Assessment Documents

Most of the material in this section is based on the special instructions developed for the AMDP system. Given the significant amount of identical content, it seems reasonable and appropriate to utilize the same general “rating set” advocated in that system
Desilication kinetics of calcined boron mud in molten sodium hydroxide media

Desilication kinetics of calcined boron mud (CBM) occurring in molten sodium hydroxide media was investigated. The effects of factors such as reaction temperature and NaOH-to-CBM mass ratio on silicon extraction efficiency were studied. The results show that silicon extraction efficiency increases with increasing the reaction time and NaOH-to-CBM mass ratio. There are two stages for the desilication process of the calcined boron mud. The overall desilication process follows the shrinking-core model, and the first and second stages of the process were determined to obey the shrinking-core model for surface chemical reaction and the diffusion through the product layer, respectively. The activation energies of the first and second stages were calculated to be 44.78 kJ/mol and 15.94 kJ/mol, respectively.
IgG-Containing Isoforms of Neuregulin-1 Are Dispensable for Cardiac Trabeculation in Zebrafish

The Neuregulin-1 (Nrg1) signaling pathway has been widely implicated in many aspects of heart development including cardiac trabeculation. Cardiac trabeculation is an important morphogenetic process where clusters of ventricular cardiomyocytes extrude and expand into the lumen of the ventricular chambers. In mouse, Nrg1 isoforms containing an immunoglobulin-like (IgG) domain are essential for cardiac trabeculation through interaction with heterodimers of the epidermal growth factor-like (EGF-like) receptors ErbB2/ErbB4. Recent reports have underscored the importance of Nrg1 signaling in cardiac homeostasis and disease, however, placental development has precluded refined evaluation of the role of this pathway in mammals. ErbB2 has been shown to have a developmentally conserved role in cardiac trabeculation in zebrafish, a vertebrate model organism with completely external development, but the requirement for Nrg1 has not been examined. We found that among the multiple Nrg1 isoforms, the IgG domain-containing, type I Nrg1 (nrg1-I) is the only isoform detectable in the heart. Then, using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, we targeted the IgG domain of Nrg1 to produce novel alleles, nrg1nc28 and nrg1nc29, encoding nrg1-I and nrg1-II truncations. Our results indicated that zebrafish deficient for nrg1-I developed trabeculae in an ErbB2-dependent manner. Further, these mutants survive to reproductive adulthood with no overt cardiovascular defects. We also found that additional EGF-like ligands were expressed in the zebrafish heart during development of trabeculae. Together, these results suggest that Nrg1 is not the primary effector of trabeculation and/or that other EGF-like ligand(s) activates the ErbB2/ErbB4 pathway, either through functioning as the primary ligand or acting in a redundant manner. Overall, our work provides an example of cross-species differences in EGF family member requirements for an evolutionary conserved process.
Comparing Curriculum-Based Measures and Extant Datasets for Universal Screening in Middle School Reading.

As a school-wide framework, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) relies on the prevention and early identification of students at risk of academic failure. Approaches to early identification of s...
Abstract B16: The detection of ductal carcinoma using noninvasive hyperspectral imaging

Introduction: Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology is an optical medical imaging modality that has great potential for noninvasive tissue analysis in breast cancer. This imaging method may be able to enhance the detection of cancer tissue and lead to advances in the optical diagnosis of patients. Objective: The goal of this study was to use high resolution hyperspectral imaging microscopy to differentiate marked biopsies of normal and breast cancer tissues. Methods: For our hyperspectral imaging platform, we obtained stained (n=10) and unstained (n=10) pathology slides from ductal carcinomas of the breast and compared them. To capture the HSI, we used a hyperspectral camera that generates a spectral cube containing the spectra of each pixel between 460 to 640 nm and normalized the data to a gray scale to maximize data stability. The spectral signatures were graphed using MATLAB software. Results: The system was able to detect a clear spectral difference between cancer and normal tissues in hematoxylin and eosin stained slides. The spectrum of cancer tissue had a relatively lower intensity than that of normal tissue in the wavelength range between 480 and 610 nm. Conclusions: Our preliminary study showed a clear hyperspectral snapshot differentiating normal breast tissue from ductal carcinoma. Further HSI and quantitative analysis will demonstrate the feasibility of using this new imaging technique in breast cancer. Citation Format: Yasser Khouj, Jeremy Dawson, James Coad, Linda Vona-Davis. The detection of ductal carcinoma using noninvasive hyperspectral imaging. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Engineering and Physical Sciences in Oncology; 2016 Jun 25-28; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B16.
A data-driven predictive model of city-scale energy use in buildings

Abstract Many cities across the United States have turned to building energy disclosure (or benchmarking) laws to encourage transparency in energy efficiency markets and to support sustainability and carbon reduction plans. In addition to direct peer-to-peer comparisons, the benchmarking data published under these laws have been used as a tool by researchers and policy-makers to study the distribution and determinants of energy use in large buildings. However, these policies only cover a small subset of the building stock in a given city, and thus capture only a fraction of energy use at the urban scale. To overcome this limitation, we develop a predictive model of energy use at the building, district, and city scales using training data from energy disclosure policies and predictors from widely-available property and zoning information. We use statistical models to predict the energy use of 1.1 million buildings in New York City using the physical, spatial, and energy use attributes of a subset derived from 23,000 buildings required to report energy use data each year. Linear regression (OLS), random forest, and support vector regression (SVM) algorithms are fit to the city's energy benchmarking data and then used to predict electricity and natural gas use for every property in the city. Model accuracy is assessed and validated at the building level and zip code level using actual consumption data from calendar year 2014. We find the OLS model performs best when generalizing to the City as a whole, and SVM results in the lowest mean absolute error for predicting energy use within the LL84 sample. Our median predicted electric energy use intensity for office buildings is 71.2 kbtu/sf and for residential buildings is 31.2 kbtu/sf with mean absolute log accuracy ratio of 0.17. Building age is found to be a significant predictor of energy use, with newer buildings (particularly those built since 1991) found to have higher consumption levels than those constructed before 1930. We also find higher electric consumption in office and retail buildings, although the sign is reversed for natural gas. In general, larger buildings use less energy per square foot, while taller buildings with more stories, controlling for floor area, use more energy per square foot. Attached buildings – those with adjacent buildings and a shared party wall – are found to have lower natural gas use intensity. The results demonstrate that electricity consumption can be reliably predicted using actual data from a relatively small subset of buildings, while natural gas use presents a more complicated problem given the bimodal distribution of consumption and infrastructure availability.
Novel HPC techniques to batch execution of many variable size BLAS computations on GPUs

This paper presents a software framework for solving large numbers of relatively small matrix problems using GPUs. Our approach combines novel and existing HPC techniques to methodically apply performance analysis, kernel design, low-level optimizations, and autotuning to exceed in performance proprietary vendor libraries. As a case study, we discuss the fundamental matrix operations defined by the Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms (BLAS) standard. This case study is significantly important for wide range of applications, including astrophysics, tensor contractions, sparse direct solvers, and others. We provide a generic design that is capable of dealing with problems of different sizes, and handling the irregularity arising from size variations. The developed solution adopts a batched computation scheme, where the same operation is concurrently applied to all matrices within a single computational kernel. The paper discusses the data layout, kernel design, and optimization techniques. We also propose a design scheme that is centralized around matrix-matrix multiplication (GEMM) kernel, so that any improvement on this particular kernel propagates automatically to other routines. Our performance results show significant speedups using a Pascal generation GPU (Tesla P100) against state-of-the-art solutions using cuBLAS, as well as against two 10-core Haswell CPUs running the MKL library. This work is part of the MAGMA library.
Nonlinear gray-level co-occurrence matrix texture analysis for improved seismic facies interpretation

AbstractSeismic texture analysis is a useful tool for delineating subsurface geologic features from 3D seismic surveys, and the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) method has been popularly applied for seismic texture discrimination since its first introduction in the 1990s. The GLCM texture analysis consists of two components: (1) to rescale seismic amplitude by a user-defined number of gray levels and (2) to perform statistical analysis on the spatial arrangement of gray levels within an analysis window. Traditionally, the linear transformation is simply used for amplitude rescaling so that the original reflection patterns could be best preserved. However, the seismic features of interpretational interest often cover only a small portion of its amplitude histogram. For representing such features more effectively, it is helpful to perform a nonlinear rescaling of the amplitude distribution between different seismic features. To achieve such an objective, this study proposes a nonlinear GLCM analysis b...
SpeechBlocks: A Constructionist Early Literacy App

This paper introduces SpeechBlocks (SB): a smartphone app that allows children to explore spelling principles in an open-ended way. Children rearrange letter combinations through direct manipulations and instantly hear each combination pronounced back, whether or not a conventionally spelled word is formed. We evaluated SB with a group of 16 preschool children ages 4 and 5 in a pilot consisting of 16 sessions over the course of two months. Qualitatively, we found that (a) the app facilitated children's engagement, sense of authorship and self-efficacy, (b) SB evoked significant amount of social interactions between children around literacy activities, and (c) support of nonsense words and remixing contributed to these factors. In addition, fine-grained log data of children's interaction with the app showed promise as a viewpoint into their literacy skills and interests.
Molecular dynamics study of octane condensation coefficient at room temperature

Abstract The condensation coefficient, α c , also called mass accommodation coefficient, of liquid octane, is assumed to be 1.0 in fluid models of thin film evaporation even though it decreases with increasing liquid temperature. The temperature range where α c = 1 is valid, is yet to be fully described. In this work, the condensation coefficient of liquid octane was estimated by employing large scale equilibrium classical molecular dynamics simulations and computing the condensation probability as the ratio of the number of octane molecules that condense in the liquid phase to the number of octane molecules incident at the interface from the gas phase. The effect of the model details on the computed value of the condensation coefficient was explored by using two different parameterizations of the octane molecule, the all-atom OPLS and the united-atom TraPPE force fields. The condensation probabilities were computed in the temperature range from 290 K to 350 K. Bulk properties of liquid octane were also studied via molecular dynamics simulations and the persistent residence times of nearest coordination of octane molecules were determined. At 300 K, the temperature of interest in electronics cooling applications, the united-atom molecular model predicted α c = 0.96 and the all-atom model predicted α c = 0.93 . No significant temperature dependence of the condensation coefficient was observed within the studied temperature range, therefore, supporting the assumption of α c = 1.0 at room temperature. The two octane models predicted similar liquid structure and condensation probabilities. Compared to the all-atom molecular model, the united-atom model was found to predict shorter residence times in the first coordination shell of bulk octane molecules. This work extends the computational prediction of octane condensation coefficient into room temperature range.
Capillary induced twisting of Janus cylinders

At the appropriate length scales, capillary forces exerted by a liquid in contact with a compliant solid can cause the solid's deformation. Capillary forces are also able to align particles with discrete wettabilities – or Janus particles – at liquid interfaces. Their amphiphilic properties enable Janus particles to orient themselves at liquid interfaces such that both of their surfaces are facing their preferred fluid. However, it is unclear how to spontaneously obtain varying degrees of rotational alignment. Here we extend ideas of elasto-capillarity to modulate rotational alignment by connecting amphiphilic Janus cylinders in an antisymmetric configuration. As the Janus cylinders rotate they cause a twisting deformation of rod. We develop both a mathematical model and a physical macroscale setup to relate the angle of twist to the elastic and interfacial properties, which can be used to tune the extent of alignment of Janus particles at air–water interfaces. We additionally extend our analysis to calculate the twist profile on a compliant element with a distributed capillary torque.
For every “game over” there is a “play again”: Analysis of user preferences regarding 7th- and 8th-generation video games consoles

Abstract This article presents a qualitative analysis of data obtained via semi-structured interviews on the preferences of users regarding 7th- and 8th-generation video games. The study evaluates the factors that influence consumption choices regarding these video games, with a focus on the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Wii U platforms. Nine profiles of consumption are identified, measured according user values and consumption preferences from the participants analyzed. The results of the analysis are arranged according to defined categories that describe the phenomena studied. The study concludes that factors such as love for the brand, technological convergence, social positioning, perceived risk, and attraction to the design of the equipment influence the process of use and consumption with respect to the technological devices studied.
Microbiota-gut-brain axis: Interaction of gut microbes and their metabolites with host epithelial barriers.

The gastrointestinal barrier and the blood brain barrier represent an important line of defense to protect the underlying structures against harmful external stimuli. These host barriers are composed of epithelial and endothelial cells interconnected by tight junction proteins along with several other supporting structures. Disruption in host barrier structures has therefore been implicated in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. While there are several factors that influence host barrier, recently there is an increasing appreciation of the role of gut microbiota and their metabolites in regulating barrier integrity. In the current issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Marungruang et al. describe the effect of gastrointestinal barrier maturation on gut microbiota and the blood brain barrier adding to the growing evidence of microbiota-barrier interactions. In this mini-review I will discuss the effect of gut microbiota on host epithelial barriers and its implications for diseases associated with disrupted gut-brain axis.
Topological characterizations for logic programming semantics

In terms of the arithmetic hierarchy, the complexity of the set of minimal models, the set of stable models, and the set of supported models of a propositional general logic program has previously been described. However, not every set of interpretations of this level of complexity is obtained as such a set. The main contribution of this paper is to characterize among the sets of appropriate interpretations for the language those which are the minimal, stable, and supported model classes of programs. This is accomplished by viewing the interpretations as points in a topological space; the subsets of the space corresponding to classes of a given sort are then found to be distinguished by particular topological properties. The study involves both the Cantor topology familiar from descriptive set theory and the less well-known inverse Scott topology, defined originally in domain theory in connection with representing information about computations. Closely related to the topological characterizations are results of two other sorts: logical descriptions of the classes in terms of formulas extracted from the programs (known previously for supported and stable model classes) and normal forms for programs representing given classes (known previously for stable model classes). We obtain a description of the first sort for minimal model classes and provide normal form representations for minimal and supported model classes. As an application of compactness, we obtain characterization results for the stable and supported model classes of programs with certain finiteness properties. Finally we determine how the classes of intended models are affected when classical negation is introduced. We include numerous examples to clarify the relations among different properties and classes. We also include examples of calculations which can be performed by these methods.
Sex Differences in Faculty Rank Among Academic Cardiologists in the United States.

Background:Studies demonstrate that women physicians are less likely than men to be full professors. Comprehensive evidence examining whether sex differences in faculty rank exist in academic cardi...