cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conservation implications of a morphometric comparison between the Illinois Chorus Frog (Pseudacris streckeri illinoensis) and Strecker's Chorus Frog (P. s. streckeri) (Anura: Hylidae) from Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas

Much uncertainty exists regarding the taxonomic status of the Illinois Chorus Frog (Pseudacris streckeri illinoensis Smith; ICF) relative to Strecker’s Chorus Frog (P. s. streckeri, Wright & Wright; SCF) of the southcentral United States (US). Molecular analyses have been inconsistent in providing taxonomic insight, and no formal morphological comparisons have been previously performed. Each taxon possesses a wide range of background colors. We undertook morphometric analyses to help clarify their taxonomic relationship. Tibia length and mass were compared for live Arkansas (AR) specimens and snout-vent, head and tibia lengths were measured from preserved vouchered specimens. Tibia length and mass were significantly greater for living ICFs versus SCFs in AR. Among preserved specimens, tibia, snoutvent and head lengths were significantly greatly for AR ICFs relative to most intraspecific groups, and Texas (TX) SCFs were significantly smaller than most other groups. Principal components analysis was largely consistent with univariate analyses, although Missouri (MO) ICFs also partitioned distinctly from other sample groups. These data provide morphological evidence of geographic (clinal) variation within a species, but do not provide support for the taxonomic elevation of the ICF to species status. Our data do provide evidence of distinct population segments of P. streckeri. As ICF habitat suitable for reproduction has dramatically declined in Arkansas as have population numbers, we recommend the listing of AR ICFs as a distinct population segment under the Endangered Species Act.
Characterization of the Functional Domains of a Mammalian Voltage-Sensitive Phosphatase

Voltage-sensitive phosphatases (VSPs) are proteins that directly couple changes in membrane electrical potential to inositol lipid phosphatase activity. VSPs thus couple two signaling pathways that are critical for cellular functioning. Although a number of nonmammalian VSPs have been characterized biophysically, mammalian VSPs are less well understood at both the physiological and biophysical levels. In this study, we aimed to address this gap in knowledge by determining whether the VSP from mouse, Mm-VSP, is expressed in the brain and contains a functional voltage-sensing domain (VSD) and a phosphatase domain. We report that Mm-VSP is expressed in neurons and is developmentally regulated. To address whether the functions of the VSD and phosphatase domain are retained in Mm-VSP, we took advantage of the modular nature of these domains and expressed each independently as a chimeric protein in a heterologous expression system. We found that the Mm-VSP VSD, fused to a viral potassium channel, was able to drive voltage-dependent gating of the channel pore. The Mm-VSP phosphatase domain, fused to the VSD of a nonmammalian VSP, was also functional: activation resulted in PI(4,5)P2 depletion that was sufficient to inhibit the PI(4,5)P2-regulated KCNQ2/3 channels. While testing the functionality of the VSD and phosphatase domain, we observed slight differences between the activities of Mm-VSP-based chimeras and those of nonmammalian VSPs. Although the properties of VSP chimeras may not completely reflect the properties of native VSPs, the differences we observed in voltage-sensing and phosphatase activity provide a starting point for future experiments to investigate the function of Mm-VSP and other mammalian VSPs. In conclusion, our data reveal that both the VSD and the lipid phosphatase domain of Mm-VSP are functional, indicating that Mm-VSP likely plays an important role in mouse neurophysiology.
Right L4/L5 Extreme-Lateral Interbody Fusion for Adult Degenerative Scoliosis: When the Black Swan Is Too Real....

The extreme-lateral interbody fusion (XLIF), also called direct-lateral interbody fusion (DLIF), is an innovative fusion technique developed in the past decade, which, contrary to all previous expert opinions stating that it was impossible to traverse the psoas muscle to access the spine without damaging the nerves of the lumbar plexus, has proven to represent a new paradigm for minimally invasive spine surgery. Having been initially applied to the treatment of adjacent segment disease in the upper lumbar spine, the indications of XLIF have quickly expanded to the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis, symptomatic central canal and foraminal stenosis (through the concept of indirect decompression of the neural elements), and thoracic disk pathologies. Since its initial inception, experts in complex spine surgery have realized the enormous potential of the XLIF approach in the treatment of spinal deformities due to its ability to provide a significant correction of the coronal balance (through to the release of the ligamentous structures and the use of wedged cages) and, more importantly, due to its capacity in restoring the sagittal balance when performed at multiple sequential levels. Regarding the treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS), retrospective series that evaluated the use of XLIF as either a stand-alone technique (which can be empowered in its ability of deformity correction by the recently proposed anterior longitudinal ligament release) or in combination with posterior pedicle screw instrumentation (the so-called circumferential minimally invasive surgery [MIS] approach) may lead to comparable 1-year clinical results (as measured by VAS and ODI) with lower complications rates and similar degrees of correction of the sagittal and coronal imbalance when compared with hybrid techniques (XLIF plus open posterior pedicle screw instrumentation) or purely open surgical strategies. Earlier studies on complication rates of multilevel XLIFs for the treatment of spinal deformities have mainly focused on the occurrence of sensory or motor deficits related to the functional impairment of the lumbar plexus nerves by the transpsoas approach. Although some series have demonstrated that, in the majority of cases, these postoperative symptoms are transitory and affect mainly the sensory portion of the nerves (with occurrence of anterior thigh paresthesias, which tend to subside at the 1-year follow-up), other reports have documented much higher complication rates (mainly, but not exclusively, related to neural injury), especially in the beginning of the learning curve, even for spine surgeons with extensive experience in anterior and posterolateral approaches. Tomenti et al., for example, reported the first 8 cases performed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian Hospital. One patient suffered an intraoperative bowel injury, ultimately requiring a laparotomy and segmental bowel resection. Two patients (25%) sustained motor radiculopathies (one of which persisted up to
Bitten: A Patient With Tickborne Disease Struggles To Find The Right Provider

For a patient with Lyme disease–like symptoms, the biggest challenge is finding a specialist who understands her condition.
Global Regulatory and Ethical Framework

This chapter reviews statutory and court sanctioned private regulatory frameworks affecting the creation of private equity (PE) funds and their primary activity of acquiring corporate enterprises. The chapter reviews U.S. legislation regulating securities, investment companies, and tender offers, state antitakeover legislation, state court decisions on hostile corporate takeovers and “poison pill” defenses, as well as European Union directives on takeovers and alternative investment fund managers. It concludes that regulation in the United States has shifted the balance of power in corporate acquisitions to incumbent management. The chapter also examines the diametrically opposed ethical views of PE funds as investment entities that either (1) acquire and destroy corporations, harm communities, and eliminate employment or (2) enhance corporate value by rooting out corporate inefficiency, increasing employment, and enhancing community value.
A 205 GHz Amplifier With 10.5 dB Gain and 1.6 dBm Saturated Power Using 90 nm CMOS

Designing integrated circuits with CMOS technology in millimeter-wave (mm-wave) range is highly challenging. This letter presents a 205 GHz amplifier drawing 43.4 mA from a 0.9 V power supply with 10.5 dB power gain, saturated power of -1.6 dBm, and P1dB ≈ -5.8 dBm in a standard 90 nm CMOS process. Moreover, the design employs internal (layout-based)/ external (using passive embedding around the transistor) neutralization techniques for improving performance and yield of the overall system while achieving optimum operation state and reducing the effect of dominant internal parasitic capacitors. The fabricated amplifier has the highest operation frequency among all reported amplifiers in 90 nm and greater CMOS technologies.
Assessing the Dog: A Theoretical Analysis of the Companion Animal’s Actions in Human-Animal Interactions

Companion animals are proposed as valuable assets in human-animal interaction ( HAI ) for human-health interventions. The benefit of a HAI is presumably based on the interaction between the two species. Although the actions and reactions of the human are routinely evaluated, nominal consideration is given to the influence of the nonhuman animal’s actions in the interaction as well as in the outcome of the intervention despite evidence in studies demonstrating the cognitive, emotional, and physical capabilities of the animal. The attributes of the dog and the current role of the dog in animal-assisted therapy ( AAT ) are presented in this theoretical analysis as the foundation for assessment of the animal in HAI for human-health interventions. Rationale for the legitimacy of the dog (animal) as a subjective participant and potential methods of objective measurement for the dog as a participant in AAT and HAI are discussed.
Energy Optimization of an Aircraft Focused on Component Sizing and Control Architecture Interactions

The next generation of aircraft will have advanced capability in maneuverability, weaponry and surveillance while maintaining low detectability. These advanced capabilities introduce more challenges to the energy management system by increasing both electrical and thermal loads and reducing the options for heat rejection. The energy management system is continuously monitoring and controlling the flow of energy throughout the aircraft. An energy optimized aircraft will minimize the fuel usage and maximize the operating range for an aircraft by optimizing the energy management system. To optimally design the energy management system of an aircraft, a full system level transient modeling approach is needed. A dynamic vehicle level tip-to-tail (T2T) model has been developed in previous work. The T2T model captures and quantifies the energy exchanges throughout the aircraft. This paper focuses on the energy optimization of an aircraft through the design of an energy management system. Various component sizes and control architectures are explored as the part of the design space for an energy optimized aircraft utilizing the T2T model.
DIFFERENTIAL HEPATIC AND RENAL CHOLESTEROL LEVELS IN DIABETES-PRONE BHE/CDB RATS FED MENHADEN OIL OR BEEF TALLOW

A series of experiments were conducted to determine whether the feeding of beef tallow compared with menhaden oil would affect renal cortex membrane composition, Na,K-ATPase activity, renal cholesterol uptake, and plasma lipoprotein cholesterol profile. BHE/cdb rats were used because they carry a genetic trait for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and are prone to develop diabetic nephropathy. Beef tallow feeding resulted in an increase in HDL cholesterol and an increase in Na,K-ATPase activity. The different fats also affected the arachidonic acid content of the membrane but not the membrane cholesterol content. These diet effects may explain why the development of renal disease in beef tallow-fed rats is delayed when compared with rats fed an equivalent amount of menhaden oil.
Analysis of the Quality of Sterilization for Catering in Pingding from 2012 to 2014

Objective To research the tableware disinfection of Pingding. Methods Dectecting Coliform disk by using normal method. Results The global passing rate was 73.3%,which showed a rising trend.pasing rate of large eatery was higher than the rests(P 0.05). Conclusion The eatery and CDC should reinforce supervision for food and take integrate measure to improve of tableware disinfection in Pingding.
Academic Trends Review of 2013 Electric Power Control Centers Workshop

The Electric Power Control Centers(EPCC)workshop is devoted to discussing the power system control centerslatest technological developments while focusing on resolving major technical problems with respect to power system dispatch operation.A description is made of the 2013 meeting of the 12th session of EPCC;the contents of the meeting are grouped and summarized,and an overview is given to such topics as the energy management system(EMS),power system stability analysis and control,wide area measurement,application of renewable energy and flexible load,distribution control centers,and other key issues.Also,relevant theories and practices at home and abroad are compared and briefly analyzed.
EXERCISE AND PREVENTION OF HEART DISEASE.

An increasing number of studies show that inactivity is of considerable importance in the development of heart disease.Regular exercise of sufficient intensity may actually retard the development of degenerative fibrotic lesions of the heart muscle and maintain the elasticity of blood vessels. The author reports on three studies made in different parts of the world which present convincing evidence that the entire mode of life, not nutrition alone, may be important in retarding or accelerating the incidence of heart disease.
Maximal discrimination of renovascular from essential hypertension by the saralasin test.

1. Thirty-four patients with essential hypertension and 37 with proven renovascular hypertension were tested with saralasin after frusemide-induced diuresis. 2. Variables used for analysis were: pre-saralasin plasma renin activity (PRA), post-saralasin PRA, and ratios of systolic and diastolic blood pressures (saralasin blood pressure/control blood pressure). 3. Stepwise linear discriminant analysis demonstrated that the most significant variables were diastolic ratio, systolic ratio, and post-saralasin PRA. 4. Minimal misclassification (14·1%) was achieved by combining diastolic ratio, baseline supine PRA and post-saralasin PRA; but using post-saralasin PRA alone resulted in misclassification of only 15·5% (7 essential hypertension and 4 renovascular hypertension). 5. Thus, PRA increased disproportionately after saralasin in renin-dependent renovascular hypertension because of the fall in blood pressure and/or interruption of the short, negative angiotensin II feedback loop. 6. It is concluded that the rise in PRA after the combined stimuli of volume depletion and saralasin is more sensitive than the fall in blood pressure in discriminating between essential hypertension and renovascular hypertension, although minimal misclassification is achieved by analysing baseline PRA, diastolic ratio and post-saralasin PRA simultaneously.
Coculture of mouse embryos with cells isolated from the human ovarian follicle, oviduct, and uterine endometrium

Objective To examine the specificity of somatic cell support by comparing embryonic development during long-term in vitro coculture with feeder cells derived from the human ovarian follicle, oviduct, and endometrium. Design Comparative study of murine embryo development and degeneration during 6 days of in vitro coculture. Results All feeder-cell cultures were beneficial to embryonic development and viability. Few differences were observed between feeder cell types (epithelial or fibroblastic) or cell origin (ovarian follicle, oviductal, or endometrial). Embryos developed to the eight-cell stage in 24 hours whether in coculture (83.6% to 100%) or in media alone (85.2%); however, further development in media alone decreased compared with coculture (15.6% versus 63.4% to 87.7%, plating) and embryo degeneration increased (67.9% versus 5.5% to 19.4%) after 6 days. Conclusions [1] Coculture of embryos with human reproductive tract cells is beneficial to embryonic development and viability. [2] Human somatic cell support of murine embryos during long-term in vitro coculture is not tissue specific nor dependent on cell type.
BSC Final Report: Lessons Learned from Building America Participation; February 1995 - December 2002

This report chronicles the how and why of the key BSC Building America outcomes. It is organized and put in the context of what the Building Science Consortium has learned from and with its building industry partners.
The outcome of unstable proximal femoral fracture treated with reverse LISS plates

Abstract Background The Russel-Taylor type 2B fractures compromised the trochanteric region and medial buttress of proximal femur. This fracture pattern limits the choice of implants and raises the risk of adverse outcomes. We aimed to (i) determine the outcome of Russel-Taylor type 2B fractures treated using reverse less invasive stabilization system plates (LISS-DF) and to (ii) learn what factors affected outcomes after osteosynthesis with reverse LISS plates. Design A retrospective study Setting The study was conducted at a Level III trauma center in Taiwan. Methods Twenty-five consecutive patients presenting with a Russel-Taylor type 2B fracture were enrolled. All cases were treated with reverse LISS plates. A Modified Radiographic Union Scale for Femur (RUSF), Radiographic parameters, functional scores, and complications were assessed. Results Union occurred in 21 cases at an average of 18.8 weeks. The average immediate postoperative neck-shaft angle was 130° (range: 122–135°) compared with 139° (range: 135–141°, p = 0.05) on the contralateral side. Two cases had complications of proximal screws cutting out and two cases had broken implants. Finally, all 4 cases required repeated surgeries (16%). Malunion occurred in 4 patients and early mechanical failure (proximal screws cut out) occurred in 2. There was a significant difference in the purchase index of the proximal screws between cases with redisplacement and those without (26.4 mm and 98.6 mm, p = 0.01). Conclusions The use of reverse LISS plate appeared to be an alternative procedure for the specific pattern in the present study. We recommend using this reverse locking plate to treat unstable proximal femoral fractures with meticulous techniques of placing plates. Adequate purchase of the proximal locking screws might decrease the risks of complications.
Determination of Phenol Sulfone, Phenol Sulfoxide, and Phenol Sulfonic Acid Metabolites of Fenamiphos in Soil by Liquid Chromatography

An analytical method has been developed to quantitate fenamiphos phenol sulfone, phenol sulfoxide, and phenol sulfonic acid in soil. Both control and analyte-fortified soil samples from Fresno, CA, were extracted with methanol-water (2 + 1) and partitioned with ethyl acetate. Fenamiphos phenol sulfone and phenol sulfoxide were determined by reversed-phase liquid chromatography (LC) with UV detection at 240 nm after cleanup by silica solid-phase extraction. Fenamiphos phenol sulfonic acid was determined by reversed-phase ion-pairing LC with UV detection at 240 nm after cleanup by amino solid-phase extraction. Recoveries of fenamiphos phenol sulfoxide ranged from 88.2 to 111.0%, with an average of 97.4%. Recoveries of fenamiphos phenol sulfone ranged from 101.6 to 107.0%, with an average of 104.6%. Recoveries of fenamiphos phenol sulfonic acid ranged from 76.0 to 99.9%, with an average of 86.0%. Responses for analysis of analytes in both solvent and soil matrix were linear over the tested range of 10 to 500 ppb. Limits of determination of each analyte in soil were less than 10 ppb.
Modeling & simulation accelerates complex system design, test, and verification process

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) has been a key contributor to the validation of key system concepts, trade-off analysis, and dimensioning of the system performance before it could be realized in cost effective and timely manner. Leading system developers harness M&S capabilities for competitive advantage and operational/business efficiency by leveraging advances in VLSI technologies (processing horse power, memory, storage, high throughput buses), graphics, display, and networking technologies and its utility spans not only across concept development, and trade-off analysis but also in system design, test and evaluation, failure analysis, and, to some extent, identifying production issues.
SPECTRUM OF THE LAPLACIAN ON THE VICSEK SET “WITH NO LOOSE ENDS”

We study the spectral properties of a fractal the Vicsek set “with no loose ends” (VNLE) obtained from the standard Vicsek set (VS) by making a countable number of identifications of points so that all the line segments in VS become circles in VNLE. We show that the standard Laplacian on VNLE satisfies spectral decimation with the same cubic renormalization polynomial as for VS, and thereby give a complete description of all eigenfunctions of the Laplacian. We then study the restrictions of eigenfunctions to the large circles in VNLE and prove that these are Lipschitz functions.
ΔNp63α and microRNAs: leveraging the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

// Andrew J. Stacy 1 , Michael P. Craig 1 , Suraj Sakaram 1 and Madhavi Kadakia 1 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA Correspondence to: Madhavi Kadakia, email: // Keywords : EMT, p63, miRNA, signaling, biomarker Received : September 07, 2016 Accepted : November 22, 2016 Published : December 04, 2016 Abstract The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular reprogramming mechanism that is an underlying cause of cancer metastasis. Recent investigations have uncovered an intricate network of regulation involving the TGFβ, Wnt, and Notch signaling pathways and small regulatory RNA species called microRNAs (miRNAs). The activity of a transcription factor vital to the maintenance of epithelial stemness, ΔNp63α, has been shown to modulate the activity of these EMT pathways to either repress or promote EMT. Furthermore, ΔNp63α is a known regulator of miRNA, including those directly involved in EMT. This review discusses the evidence of ΔNp63α as a master regulator of EMT components and miRNA, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of its role in EMT. This expanded knowledge may provide a basis for new developments in the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic cancer.
Super-interseismic periods: Redefining earthquake recurrence

Precise geodetic measurements made over broad swaths of tectonically active regions record patterns of interseismic strain accumulation, providing key insights into the locus and timing of pending earthquakes. Recent studies of geodetic position time series, including that of Melnick et al. (2017), illustrate temporal variation in the pattern of interseismic deformation. These authors propose that the 2010 Mw = 8.8 Maule, Chile, earthquake enhanced coupling on the Andean subduction zone adjacent to the rupture, including on the portion of the megathrust that broke 5 years later in the Mw = 8.3 Illapel event.
Out, damned book

How many of you remember part of your education being a continual ritual of progression through a bulky textbook?
Polymerisation – Mechanismen, Verfahren, Produkte

Der Aufbau von Makromolekulen aus einfachen Monomeren kann nach drei verschiedenen Mechanismen erfolgen: radikalische Polymerisation, Polykondensation oder Polyaddition.
Changes in the Mass-merchandise Cigar Market since the Tobacco Control Act.

Objectives This study identifies the specific product characteristics driving mass-merchandise cigar sales in the context of the changing regulatory environment. Methods Cigar sales data in US convenience stores during 2008-2015 were purchased from Nielsen's Convenience Track system. Descriptive statistics highlight changes in the cigar market over time. Results Sales of flavored cigars increased by nearly 50% since 2008 and now make up over half of the cigar market. Fruit remains the most popular flavor group, but the sale of non-descript flavors such as "Jazz" and "Green" has grown substantially. Inexpensive 2- and 3-packs made up less than 1% of cigar sales in 2008, but by 2015 this packaging style held 40% of the market share. Black & Mild and Swisher Sweets dominate the convenience store channel and together are responsible for nearly 60% of total mass-merchandise cigar sales. Conclusions Cigar companies take advantage of features recently banned for cigarettes, such as flavorings and small pack sizes to maintain strong sales. Given the appeal of mass-merchandise cigars to youth and young adults, the FDA and other governing bodies should regulate the manufacturing and promotion of cigars in the same way they have regulated cigarettes.
Allele-Specific DNA Methylation and Its Interplay with Repressive Histone Marks at Promoter-Mutant TERT Genes

Summary A mutation in the promoter of the Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) gene is the most frequent noncoding mutation in cancer. The mutation drives unusual monoallelic expression of TERT , allowing immortalization. Here, we find that DNA methylation of the TERT CpG island (CGI) is also allele-specific in multiple cancers. The expressed allele is hypomethylated, which is opposite to cancers without TERT promoter mutations. The continued presence of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) on the inactive allele suggests that histone marks of repressed chromatin may be causally linked to high DNA methylation. Consistent with this hypothesis, TERT promoter DNA containing 5-methyl-CpG has much increased affinity for PRC2 in vitro . Thus, CpG methylation and histone marks appear to collaborate to maintain the two TERT alleles in different epigenetic states in TERT promoter mutant cancers. Finally, in several cancers, DNA methylation levels at the TERT CGI correlate with altered patient survival.
Empirically assessing the potential release of rare earth elements from black shale under simulated hydraulic fracturing conditions

Abstract Rare earth elements (REEs) are economically important to modern society and the rapid growth of technologies dependent on REEs has placed considerable economic pressure on their sourcing. This study addresses whether REEs could be released as a byproduct of natural gas extraction from a series of experiments that were designed to simulate hydraulic fracturing of black shale under various pressure (25 and 27.5 MPa) and temperature (50, 90, 130 °C) conditions. The dissolved REEs in the reacted fluids displayed no propensity for the REEs to be released from black shale under high pressure and temperature conditions, a result that is consistent across the different types of fluids investigated. Overall, there was a net loss of REEs from the fluid. These changes in dissolved REEs were greatest at the moment the fluids first contacted the shale and before the high temperature and high pressure conditions were imposed, although the magnitude of these changes (10−4 μg/g) were small compared to the magnitude of the total REE content present in the solid shale samples (102 μg/g). These results highlight the variability and complexity of hydraulic fracturing systems and indicate that REE may not serve as robust tracers for fracturing fluid-shale reactions. Additionally, the results suggest that significant quantities of REEs may not be byproducts of hydraulically fractured shales.
Information, Privacy, and False Light

I argue that a debate in information theory concerning whether information can be false has important implications for how we should understand the nature of informational privacy. In particular, these implications bear on whether we should understand such privacy as being restricted to facts or whether it can encompass falsehoods as well. I also argue that the stand we take on the latter issue has a significant bearing on the coherence and justification of what is known as false light privacy tort in American tort law.
quiho: Automated Performance Regression Testing Using Inferred Resource Utilization Profiles

We introduce quiho, a framework for profiling application performance that can be used in automated performance regression tests. quiho profiles an application by applying sensitivity analysis, in particular statistical regression analysis (SRA), using application-independent performance feature vectors that characterize the performance of machines. The result of the SRA, feature importance specifically, is used as a proxy to identify hardware and low-level system software behavior. The relative importance of these features serve as a performance profile of an application (termed inferred resource utilization profile or IRUP), which is used to automatically validate performance behavior across multiple revisions of an application»s code base without having to instrument code or obtain performance counters. We demonstrate that quiho can successfully discover performance regressions by showing its effectiveness in profiling application performance for synthetically introduced regressions as well as those found in real-world applications.
Multi-resolution rank analysis for non-contrast ultrasound imaging of slow flow

While conventional filtering techniques can effectively exclude tissue-related Doppler shifts from those resulting from blood motions in large vessels (flow rates ~ cm/s), significant spectral overlap can hinder proper clutter filtering in imaging slow flows (flow rates ~ mm/s or tenths of mm/s). Recently, several groups have proposed clutter filtering via processing of echo ensembles in the rank space instead of frequency domain. Though significant Doppler content can result from fast moving tissues, global coherence of the induced variations enables a low rank representation. In this talk, we first provide a brief overview of the low rank clutter removal methods. We then present a new framework for the analysis of Doppler ensembles using multi-linear decomposition of a tensor comprising Doppler ensembles at different rates. The model results in a high dimensional tensor from which, after proper rank selection, images of flow at different speeds can be extracted along different fibers. Using simulation m...
Deep Mars: CNN Classification of Mars Imagery for the PDS Imaging Atlas.

NASA has acquired more than 22 million images from the planet Mars. To help users find images of interest, we developed a content-based search capability for Mars rover surface images and Mars orbital images. We started with the AlexNet convolutional neural network, which was trained on Earth images, and used transfer learning to adapt the network for use with Mars images. We report on our deployment of these classifiers within the PDS Imaging Atlas, a publicly accessible web interface, to enable the first content-based image search for NASA’s Mars images.
Quantifying population-level effects of water temperature, flow velocity and chemical-induced reproduction depression: A simulation study with smallmouth bass

Abstract Evaluating stochastic abiotic factors and their combined effects on fish and wildlife populations have been challenging in environmental sciences. Contributing to this challenge is the paucity of data describing how observations made on individuals related to exposure to chemical compounds ultimately effect population vital rates, and how this exposure interacts with other abiotic drivers. Using three smallmouth bass populations in Pennsylvania as a case study, we explored both single-factor and combined effects of water temperature, flow velocity and chemical exposure on populations through a model simulation. Although there are many pathways through which chemicals can affect population vital rates, we focused on one where chemical exposure leads to reduced reproduction. Among the three populations considered, two (the Juniata and Susquehanna populations) have experienced adverse health, including the potential adverse effects of environmental stress and chemical contamination that may cause disease and mortality of young-of-year (YOY), various skin lesions and a high prevalence of intersex or testicular oocytes in adults. The third population (The Alleghany population) has not encountered mortality events of YOY and intersex prevalence is much lower. The simulation involved projecting populations using a length-based model under different environmental conditions. In the simulations, abiotic factors influenced population dynamics through their impacts on growth, survival and recruitment. Response to the same environmental stress varied by population and life-stage of the species. Factors affecting young adult and adult life-stages had great influence on proportional stock density (PSD) and the probability of having PSD within the suggested range (PSD probability). Increases in water temperature had a negative effect and dominant role in the combined effect on population size structure (e.g., PSD and PSD probability) – increases in flow velocity during the spring season also had a negative effect on abundance. Populations with high recruitment rates sustained relatively large population size, even under high water temperature and/or high flow velocity, which suggests that factors and management strategies that benefit recruitment (such as reduced chemical contaminants) may compensate for the negative effects of warming water temperatures and high spring flow velocity on population size.
Ontology Learning and Semantic Annotation: a Necessary Symbiosis.

Semantic annotation of text requires the dynamic merging of linguistically structured information and a world model, usually represented as a domain-specific ontology. On the other hand, the process of engineering a domain-ontology through semi-automatic ontology learning system requires the availability of a considerable amount of semantically annotated documents. Facing this bootstrapping paradox requires an incremental process of annotation-acquisition-annotation, whereby domain-specific knowledge is acquired from linguistically-annotated texts and then projected back onto texts for extra linguistic information to be annotated and further knowledge layers to be extracted. The presented methodology is a first step in the direction of a full virtuous circle where the semantic annotation platform and the evolving ontology interact in symbiosis. As a case study we have chosen the semantic annotation of product catalogues. We propose a hybrid approach, combining pattern matching techniques to exploit the regular structure of product descriptions in catalogues, and Natural Language Processing techniques which are resorted to analyze natural language descriptions. The semantic annotation involves the access to the ontology, semi-automatically bootstrapped with an ontology learning tool from annotated collections of catalogues.
Monitoring prediction errors facilitates cognition in action

Cognition in action requires strategic allocation of attention between internal processes and the sensory environment. We hypothesized that this resource allocation could be facilitated by mechanisms that predict sensory results of self-generated actions. Sensory signals conforming to predictions would be safely ignored to facilitate focus on internally generated content, whereas those violating predictions would draw attention for additional scrutiny. During a visual-verbal serial digit-recall task, we varied the temporal relationship between task-irrelevant keypresses and auditory distractors so that the distractors were either temporally coupled or decoupled with keypresses. Consistent with our hypothesis, distractors were more likely to interfere with target maintenance and intrude into working memory when they were decoupled from keypresses, thereby violating action-based sensory predictions. Interference was maximal when sounds preceded keypresses, suggesting that stimuli were most distracting when their timing was inconsistent with expected action-sensation contingencies. In a follow-up experiment, neither auditory nor visual cues to distractor timing produced similar effects, suggesting a unique action-based mechanism. These results suggest that action-based sensory predictions are used to dynamically optimize attentional allocation during cognition in action. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
THE IMPACT OF POSSIBLE CLIMATIC CHANGES ON ESTUARINE ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract: Solar radiation ultimately controls the heat and water budgets of estuaries. These factors, in turn, determine the amount of sediments and water available to an estuary, the length of the growing season, and the amount of primary and secondary production. For example, full glacial periods have produced a drop in sea level of approximately 100 meters, and this has probably resulted in a reduction of the natural resource productivity (NRP) of estuaries owing to their decreased area, decreased capacity for nutrient entrapment, reduced overall production and capacity to act as a reservoir for freshwater and biota, and reduced ability to dampen environmental perturbations. Scenarios of short-term climatic changes are more relevant to management of estuaries. For example, the total water budget of Louisiana estuaries can vary between a dry and wet year by a factor of 3.5; and human activities, such as agricultural water use, can exacerbate the effects of drought.
Morality and Self-Control: The Role of Binding and Individualizing Moral Motives

ABSTRACTThe notion that morality and self-control are linked is deeply rooted in Western scholarly and religious traditions, yet few studies have examined this notion empirically. To fill this gap,...
Tetris : Using Software/Hardware Co-Design to Enable Handheld, Physics-Limited 3D Plane-Wave Ultrasound Imaging

High volume acquisition rates are imperative for certain medical ultrasound imaging applications, such as 3D elastography and 3D vector flow imaging. As ultrasound imaging transitions from 2D to 3D, the massive data bandwidth and billions of trigonometric operations required to reconstruct each volume leaves conventional computer architectures falling short. Despite recent algorithmic improvements, high-volume-rate ultrasound imaging remains computationally infeasible on known platforms. In this article, we expand our previous work on Tetris , a novel hardware accelerator for separable ultrasound beamforming that enables volume acquisition rates up to the physics limits of acoustic propagation delay. Through algorithmic and hardware optimizations, we enable an image reconstruction system design outclassing previously proposed accelerators in performance while lowering hardware complexity, storage, and power requirements. Tetris operates in a streaming fashion—without requiring on-chip storage of the entire receive signal—reconstructing volumes in real-time. For a representative imaging task, our proposed system generates physics-limited 13,000 volumes per second in a 2 watt power budget. The Tetris beamformer has an unprecedented power efficiency of 2.03 tera-beamforming operations per watt—an increase in efficiency of nearly 3× compared to the prior work.
Nonparametric Analysis of the Effect of Knowledge Integration Activities on Third-Year Undergraduate Performance

Contribution: This article presents quantitative support that the changes implemented as part of Colorado State University’s (CSU’s) Revolutionizing Engineering Departments (REDs) grant produce statistically significant positive change through a series of nonparametric analysis techniques. Additionally, the set of nonparametric analysis techniques provides a novel approach to quantitatively analyzing student data after significant pedagogical changes are made to the undergraduate curriculum. Background: As part of the grant, a series of significant pedagogical changes were made to the electrical and computer engineering (ECE) undergraduate curriculum. A large portion of these changes relates to knowledge integration techniques, which are used to highlighting the intricate relationships between the three topics of electronics, signals and systems, and electromagnetics. This article presents an analysis of the outcomes that are in part due to these changes. Intended Outcomes: As a result of the grant and the associated curriculum changes, it was anticipated that the cumulative in-major grade point average for third-year students would increase. It was also anticipated that the in-major intercourse grades would be more positively correlated. The analysis techniques that were used provide novel examples of applications to student data. Application Design: The implemented changes described in this article directly follow from the goals of the National Science Foundation’s RED program. Findings: Three nonparametric analysis techniques are performed on a collection of data from ECE undergraduates that was collected over 20 years. It is shown that the intertopical correlations between courses increase immediately following the implementation of the intervention discussed in this article, and statistically, significant evidence is presented supporting that the distribution of grades has positively changed following the intervention.
Discovering discrepancies in numerical libraries

Numerical libraries constitute the building blocks for software applications that perform numerical calculations. Thus, it is paramount that such libraries provide accurate and consistent results. To that end, this paper addresses the problem of finding discrepancies between synonymous functions in different numerical libraries as a means of identifying incorrect behavior. Our approach automatically finds such synonymous functions, synthesizes testing drivers, and executes differential tests to discover meaningful discrepancies across numerical libraries. We implement our approach in a tool named FPDiff, and provide an evaluation on four popular numerical libraries: GNU Scientific Library (GSL), SciPy, mpmath, and jmat. FPDiff finds a total of 126 equivalence classes with a 95.8% precision and 79% recall, and discovers 655 instances in which an input produces a set of disagreeing outputs between function synonyms, 150 of which we found to represent 125 unique bugs. We have reported all bugs to library maintainers; so far, 30 bugs have been fixed, 9 have been found to be previously known, and 25 more have been acknowledged by developers.
Optical Isolation using Compact Time-modulated Cavity Array

It is shown using coupled mode theory and verified using finite-difference time-domain simulations how a time-modulated three-cavity array can be designed to allow transmission from port 1 to port 2 but to prevent transmission from port 2 to port 1 thereby implementing optical isolation. The reciprocity of the system is broken by phase-shifting the modulation signal applied to each cavity by 120 degrees which gives the system a synthetic linear momentum.
Isogenic human iPSC pairs reveal a neuronal subtype-specific and genetic background-independent mechanism of SCN1A epilepsy

Over 1250 mutations in SCN1A , the voltage-gated sodium channel gene Nav1.1, are associated with seizure disorders including GEFS+ and Dravet Syndrome (DS). To evaluate how a specific mutation, independent of genetic background, causes seizure activity we generated two pairs of isogenic human iPSC lines by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. One pair is a control line from an unaffected sibling, and the mutated control carrying the GEFS+ K1270T SCN1A mutation. The second pair is a GEFS+ patient line with the K1270T mutation, and the corrected patient line. By comparing the electrophysiological properties in inhibitory and excitatory iPSC-derived neurons from these pairs, we found the K1270T mutation causes gene dosage-dependent and cell type-specific alterations in sodium current density and evoked firing, resulting in hyperactive neural networks. We also identified differences associated with genetic background and interaction between the mutation and genetic background. Dual isogenic iPSC-derived neuronal cultures provide a novel platform for developing patient-specific anti-seizure therapies.
Long-lasting analgesia via targeted in situ repression of NaV1.7 in mice

Current treatments for chronic pain rely largely on opioids despite their substantial side effects and risk of addiction. Genetic studies have identified in humans key targets pivotal to nociceptive processing. In particular, a hereditary loss-of-function mutation in NaV1.7, a sodium channel protein associated with signaling in nociceptive sensory afferents, leads to insensitivity to pain without other neurodevelopmental alterations. However, the high sequence and structural similarity between NaV subtypes has frustrated efforts to develop selective inhibitors. Here, we investigated targeted epigenetic repression of NaV1.7 in primary afferents via epigenome engineering approaches based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)–dCas9 and zinc finger proteins at the spinal level as a potential treatment for chronic pain. Toward this end, we first optimized the efficiency of NaV1.7 repression in vitro in Neuro2A cells and then, by the lumbar intrathecal route, delivered both epigenome engineering platforms via adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) to assess their effects in three mouse models of pain: carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain, paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain, and BzATP-induced pain. Our results show effective repression of NaV1.7 in lumbar dorsal root ganglia, reduced thermal hyperalgesia in the inflammatory state, decreased tactile allodynia in the neuropathic state, and no changes in normal motor function in mice. We anticipate that this long-lasting analgesia via targeted in vivo epigenetic repression of NaV1.7 methodology we dub pain LATER, might have therapeutic potential in management of persistent pain states.
The Characterization of a Subependymal Giant Astrocytoma-Like Cell Line from Murine Astrocyte with mTORC1 Hyperactivation

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder caused by inactivating mutations in TSC1 (hamartin) or TSC2 (tuberin), crucial negative regulators of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. TSC affects multiple organs including the brain. The neurologic manifestation is characterized by cortical tubers, subependymal nodules (SEN), and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) in brain. SEGAs may result in hydrocephalus in TSC patients and mTORC1 inhibitors are the current recommended therapy for SEGA. Nevertheless, a major limitation in the research for SEGA is the lack of cell lines or animal models for mechanistic investigations and development of novel therapy. In this study, we generated TSC1-deficient neural cells from spontaneously immortalized mouse astrocytes in an attempt to mimic human SEGA. The TSC1-deficient cells exhibit mTORC1 hyperactivation and characteristics of transition from astrocytes to neural stem/progenitor cell phenotypes. Rapamycin efficiently decreased mTORC1 activity of these TSC1-deficient cells in vitro. In vivo, TSC1-deficient cells could form SEGA-like tumors and Rapamycin treatment decreased tumor growth. Collectively, our study generates a novel SEGA-like cell line that is invaluable for studying mTORC1-driven molecular and pathological alterations in neurologic tissue. These SEGA-like cells also provide opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic strategy for TSC patients with SEGA.