cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The analgesic agents and renal disease.

In 1827 the active ingredient in willow bark, an extract useful to the ancients for analgesia, was found to contain a precursor of salicylic acid (salicin) (l). In 1899 Dreser synthesized aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), and since that time numerous congeners have been introduced into clinical medicine (1, 2). These include phenacetin, acetanilid, and acetaminophen. In the 1960’s, a new series of compounds was introduced, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Some of these are chemically related to acetanilid (i.e., phenylbutazone and indomethacin), while others are not (i.e., meclofenamate, Ibuprofen, and Piroxicam). Many compounds have been screened in the laboratory, and virtually all have anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects similar to those of the salicylates. The compounds inhibit the biosynthesis of prostaglandins in many tissues, including the kidney, and it is thought that this inhibition is the mechanism whereby they exert their analgesic effects (3).
Anticoagulation Is Associated with Decreased Inferior Vena Cava Filter-Related Complications in Patients with Metastatic Carcinoma

Abstract Objectives Patients with metastatic carcinoma and venous thromboembolism commonly have contraindications to anticoagulation that prompt the use of retrievable inferior vena cava filters. The aim of this study was to compare the pattern of inferior vena cava filter use, anticoagulation management, and development of inferior vena cava filter-related complications in patients with localized versus metastatic carcinoma. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of inferior vena cava filter use at a tertiary referral hospital between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2011. Including only patients with cancer and carcinomas, both metastatic and localized, we recorded the indications for inferior vena cava filter, postfilter practices including anticoagulation use, filter retrieval rates, and filter-related complications. Results Overall, 154 patients with carcinoma underwent inferior vena cava filter placement. Basic demographics and indication for filter placement were similar between the metastatic and localized groups. Metastatic patients had more filter-related complications (25% vs 11%, P = .03) and underwent filter retrieval less often (31% vs 58%, P = .01). Time to reinitiating anticoagulation was longer in metastatic patients (5.5 vs 2 days, P = .05). In multivariate analysis, metastatic disease was associated with reduced inferior vena cava filter retrieval (odds ratio, 0.3; P = .003). Anticoagulation use was associated with a lower rate of filter-related complications (odds ratio, 0.3; P = .005). Conclusions Patients with metastatic carcinoma with an indwelling inferior vena cava filter had a higher rate of filter-related complications, a lower filter retrieval rate, and a greater median time to initiating anticoagulation. When possible, early reinitiation of anticoagulation may reduce inferior vena cava filter-related complications.
Human–Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence

Human interactions with wildlife are a defining experience of human existence. These interactions can be positive or negative. People compete with wildlife for food and resources, and have eradicated dangerous species; co-opted and domesticated valuable species; and applied a wide range of social, behavioral, and technical approaches to reduce negative interactions with wildlife. This conflict has led to the extinction and reduction of numerous species and uncountable human deaths and economic losses. Recent advances in our understanding of conflict have led to a growing number of positive conservation and coexistence outcomes. I summarize and synthesize factors that contribute to conflict, approaches that mitigate conflict and encourage coexistence, and emerging trends and debates. Fertile areas for scholarship include scale and complexity, models and scenarios, understanding generalizable patterns, expanding boundaries of what is considered conflict, using new tools and technologies, information sharing...
Role of 5HT1 receptors in the control of hypoglossal motoneurons in vivo.

Recordings from serotonin (SHT)-containing neurons of the brainstem suggest that their effects on upper airway, including hypoglossal (XII), motoneurons are maximal during wakefulness and minimal during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Several distinct 5HT receptors are present in the XII nucleus. In this study, we assessed the effects mediated by type I receptors. We microinjected 5HT 1 receptor agonists or antagonists into the XII nucleus of anesthetized, paralyzed, vagotomized, and artificially ventilated rats and observed the resulting changes in XII nerve activity. Both CGS-12066 and 8-OH-DPAT (5HT 1B and 5HT 1A receptor agonists, respectively) suppressed XII nerve activity in a dose-dependent manner by about 20%. NAN-190, a putative 5HT 1A receptor antagonist, had no effect. Based on the relative potencies of the two agonists, we conclude that they may both act through 5HT 1B receptors and that 5HT 1A receptors are absent from the XII nucleus of adult rats. If the effects mediated by 5HT 1B receptors are endogenously active, their withdrawal during REM sleep may to some degree counterbalance the disfacilitation of XII motoneurons resulting from the withdrawal of their 5HT-mediated postsynaptic excitation.
Ways to Promote the Classroom Participation of International Students by Understanding the Silence of Japanese University Students.

The authors explored the role of silence and deciphered its meaning and usefulness as a teaching and learning strategy for Japanese students through a survey of Japanese university students in their home country. This study has revealed that participant responses were evenly divided among comfortable with silence, uncomfortable with silence, and dependent on familiarity with the person. The use of silence by Japanese students varies on a highly individualized basis, not only by culture. The interlocutor is the significant factor, not the topic of conversation, for their comfort with silence. This study also suggests that silence can be used in addition to verbal participation as a form of engaged learning and active participation.
Preparing Tomorrow’s Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Professionals: The Student Conservation Association Young Adult Internship Program

Internships have become a common curricular element of parks, recreation and conservation programs that prepare young adults for entry-level positions within the field. As such, professional practitioners are called to supervise these young adults, thus helping them to promote their professional and personal growth in ways that will support their transition from college to career. The Student Conservation Association (SCA), the nation’s oldest and largest present-day conservation service corps, routinely places over a thousand young adults in parks, recreation and conservation internships each year. Through the SCA Young Adult Internship Program, participants gain professional experience and skills while working for hosting parks and public land agencies. The SCA internship program is dependent upon professional practitioners within these agencies who serve as supervisors for interns. While a number of positive outcomes for young adults have been linked to the completion of internships like the one provided by the SCA, in order for benefits to be more fully realized, those who structure and supervise these early work experiences need to incorporate practices that target young adult professional and personal growth. Accordingly, it can also be helpful if supervisors consider what strengths interns naturally bring to the internships and what areas might be in need of further development. In an attempt to identify and explore pre-professionals’ strengths and weaknesses, supervisors’ final evaluations for over 2,000 interns participating in a Student Conservation Association Young Adult Internship Program during a two-year period were compiled and analyzed. Evaluation results suggest that the vast majority of young adult SCA interns are a valuable asset for the hosting agencies as they typically have positive attitudes and high enthusiasm, a solid work ethic, and the ability to embrace teamwork required to complete assigned tasks and projects. Although these findings are encouraging, when considering their interns as future professionals, supervisors also highlight their need to further advance a number of dispositional qualities, most notably self-efficacy, as well as certain transferable skills such as communication across various contexts and settings. These findings suggest that to assist young adults as they transition from an academic to a work environment, supervisors who structure and support internships should intentionally implement practices that effectively target professional and personal maturation and key transferable skills. Subscribe to JPRA
miRNAs as biomarkers for the development of cancer of the uterine cervix

A13 Introduction/Background: Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in women worldwide, causing more than 230,000 deaths every year. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the etiological agents of the vast majority (99.7%) of cervical cancers and their intraepithelial precursors. Early detection via routine cytological screenings (Pap smears) and HPV testing have lowered both the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. However, significant problems and barriers remain, including the low predictive value of current testing. Additional diagnostic assays are needed that can assess the condition of the cervical tissue and clearly identify HPV infections that may progress to cervical cancer. Over the past few years, a growing body of literature has shown that microRNA expression is affected in cancer and that these small regulatory molecules may play a key role during tumorigenesis. Materials and Methods: In order to investigate the role of miRNAs in cervical oncogenesis, we performed miRNA expression profiling analysis comparing normal cervix, cervical squamous cell carcinomas, normal adjacent tissues, and cervical cancer-derived cell lines. Total RNA was isolated from each sample using a method optimized for small RNA recovery. The miRNA population was further purified using a column-based gel purification method, and miRNA expression profiles were determined by hybridization of fluorescently labeled miRNAs to microarrays containing 377 individual miRNA probes. Array data were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Results: We generated the first comprehensive miRNA expression profiles for normal cervix, cervical cancer, and pair-matched normal adjacent tissue, as well as cervical cancer-derived cell lines. A cervical miRNome was established by comparing miRNA expression in normal cervix samples with a reference set of 33 normal human tissues. We found specific miRNAs that are differentially expressed in cancer compared to normal adjacent tissue and normal cervix and confirmed their misexpression by qRT-PCR. Conclusion: We characterized a miRNA expression signature associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and identified 24 specific miRNAs deregulated in cervical cancers compared to normal cervix. These miRNAs may contribute to cervical oncogenesis and represent new candidates for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Building block level urban land-use information retrieval based on Google Street View images

Land-use maps are important references for urban planning and urban studies. Given the heterogeneity of urban land-use types, it is difficult to differentiate different land-use types based on overhead remotely sensed data. Google Street View (GSV) images, which capture the facades of building blocks along streets, could be better used to judge the land-use types of different building blocks based on their facade appearances. Recently developed scene classification algorithms in computer vision community make it possible to categorize different photos semantically based on various image feature descriptors and machine-learning algorithms. Therefore, in this study, we proposed a method to derive detailed land-use information at building block level based on scene classification algorithms and GSV images. Three image feature descriptors (i.e., scale-invariant feature transform-Fisher, histogram of oriented gradients, GIST) were used to represent GSV images of different buildings. Existing land-use maps were...
Responses to Different Types of Inquiry Prompts: College Students' Discourse, Performance, and Perceptions of Group Work in an Engineering Class.

Working in small groups to solve problems is an instructional strategy that allows university students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines the opportunity to practice i...
Psychiatric hospitals may enhance holistic care by introducing medical and surgical liaison teams

Introduction Patients with mental health problems (MHP) are known to have more physical co-morbidities compared to the general population. In Malta, Mount Carmel hospital (MCH) which is the main psychiatric hospital (consisting of both acute and chronic wards), is separate from Mater Dei hospital (MDH) which is the general hospital at which medical and surgical care is provided. Such a division in healthcare may result in inadequate focus on physical health amongst patients of high demand in this regard. This subsequently puts an increased strain on the general hospital through repeated referrals. Objectives The purpose of this study is to show that inpatients with MHP have a significant number of co-morbidities and require multiple referrals to a general hospital for medical and surgical attention. Methods Three hundred and ninety-three inpatients at acute and chronic wards of MCH (during the first week of December 2016) were enrolled in the study. Treatment charts and iSOFT (healthcare IT software used in Malta) were used to determine patient's diagnosed co-morbidities, number and type of referrals to MDH outpatient clinics (OPC), casualty and admissions at MDH over 1 year. Results Results of the audit indicate that a significant number of inpatients at MCH have medical co-morbidities and the majority have been referred to MDH for OPC and casualty over the past year. Conclusions Having medical and surgical liaison teams in psychiatric hospitals may enhance patient care and reduce the pressure exerted on general hospitals.
VibSense: Sensing Touches on Ubiquitous Surfaces through Vibration

VibSense pushes the limits of vibration-based sensing to determine the location of a touch on extended surface areas as well as identify the object touching the surface leveraging a single sensor. Unlike capacitive sensing, it does not require conductive materials and compared to audio sensing it is more robust to acoustic noise. It supports a broad array of applications through either passive or active sensing using only a single sensor. In VibSense's passive sensing, the received vibration signals are determined by the location of the touch impact. This allows location discrimination of touches precise enough to enable emerging applications such as virtual keyboards on ubiquitous surfaces for mobile devices. Moreover, in the active mode, the received vibration signals carry richer information of the touching object's characteristics (e.g., weight, size, location and material). This further enables VibSense to match the signals to the trained profiles and allows it to differentiate personal objects in contact with any surface. VibSense is evaluated extensively in the use cases of localizing touches (i.e., virtual keyboards), object localization and identification. Our experimental results demonstrate that VibSense can achieve high accuracy, over 95%, in all these use cases.
MERCATOR: A GPGPU Framework for Irregular Streaming Applications

GPUs have a natural affinity for streaming applications exhibiting consistent, predictable dataflow. However, many high-impact irregular streaming applications, including sequence pattern matching, decision-tree and decision-cascade evaluation, and large-scale graph processing, exhibit unpredictable dataflow due to data-dependent filtering or expansion of the data stream. Existing GPU frameworks do not support arbitrary irregular streaming dataflow tasks, and developing application-specific optimized implementations for such tasks requires expert GPU knowledge. We introduce MERCATOR, a lightweight framework supporting modular CUDA streaming application development for irregular applications. A developer can use MERCATOR to decompose an irregular application for the GPU without explicitly remapping work to threads at runtime. MERCATOR applications are efficiently parallelized on the GPU through a combination of replication across blocks and queueing between nodes to accommodate irregularity. We quantify the performance impact of MERCATOR's support for irregularity and illustrate its utility by implementing a biological sequence comparison pipeline similar to the well-known NCBI BLASTN algorithm. MERCATOR code is available by request to the first author.
The Connection between Adaptability and Dynamics

I originally wrote down symbols such as ω to express the dynamics of biological systems notationally. But the analysis has been in terms of the statistical quantity, H(ω). Now it is necessary to investigate the connection between these two objects. One important question is, what is the connection between the predictability of biological systems and the global structure of adaptability? I employ the answer to establish a correspondence between components of adaptability and the various notions of stability and instability used in dynamical descriptions of biological systems. This correspondence provides a natural interpretation of the functional significance of stability and instability in terms of the adaptability theory framework. An important implication is that the evolutionary tendency to economize adaptability implies a corresponding economics of stability and instability. A deep question is, does the structure of ω along with the actual history of the environment impose evolutionary tendencies on H(ω) or do evolutionary tendencies of H(ω) impose structure on ω?
Moving speech recognition from software to silicon: the in silico vox project.

To achieve much faster decoding, or much lower power consumption, we need to liberate speech recognition from the artificial constraints of its current software-only form, and move the essential computations directly into silicon. There are vast efficiencies waiting to be unlocked in this application – we need the proper architecture to do so. We report results from a firstgeneration hardware architecture simulated at bit-level, and partial, working FPGA-based prototypes. Simulation results show that rather modest hardware designs, running 10-20X slower than conventional processors, can already decode at 0.6 xRT, running the standard 5K Wall Street Journal benchmark.
The Engineering Statistician's Guide to Continuous Bivariate Distributions

(1994). The Engineering Statistician's Guide to Continuous Bivariate Distributions. Journal of Quality Technology: Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 68-70.
Simultaneous Ablation of Neuronal Neurofascin and Ankyrin G in Young and Adult Mice Reveals Age-Dependent Increase in Nodal Stability in Myelinated Axons and Differential Effects on the Lifespan

Nodes of Ranvier are unique regions where voltage-gated sodium channels are highly enriched to drive saltatory conduction. Genetic ablations in adult mice with loss of specific nodal proteins causes slow but progressive nodal deterioration associated with decreased nerve conduction and axonopathy. What has remained unaddressed is whether loss of nodal proteins at different time points in postnatal life follows similar timelines of nodal disorganization. Here we utilized simultaneous ablation of Neurofascin (NF186) and Ankyrin G (AnkG) in mice of both sexes at three specific time points. We report that concurrent ablation of these core nodal components at postnatal day 13 (P13) leads to accelerated nodal destabilization in comparison with P23, and this disorganization is even slower when ablated at P93. Ablation of NF186 with AnkG at P13 reduced the half-life of NF186 to 15 days compared to 1 month at P23, which increased to 2 months at P93, indicating increasing nodal stability. The half-life of AnkG at the nodes also increased with age but showed enhanced disappearance from the node in the absence of NF186, with a half-life of 3 days at P13 ablation. The nodal disorganization occurred in a sequential manner, with AnkG disappearing first from the nodal areas irrespective of the timing of ablation, and led to decreased nerve conduction and affected axonal health. Together, our studies reveal that nodes of Ranvier in myelinated axons continue to become more stable with age and suggest that nodal disorganization in adult human demyelinating disorders occurs slowly until neurological symptoms become evident.
Multiple-Scattering Effects in Angular Intensity Correlation Functions

The majority of the existing theoretical and experimental studies of multiplescattering effects in the scattering of light from a randomly rough surface have been devoted to the reflectivity or transmissivity of such a surface or to its mean differential reflection or transmission coefficients, i.e. to the first and second moments of the scattered or transmitted field. Recently, however, attention has begun to be directed to the theoretical1-20 and experimental9,10,18,21-23 study of multiplescattering effects in higher moments of the scattered field, in particular in angular intensity correlation functions. These correlation functions describe how the speckle pattern, formed by the interference of randomly scattered waves, changes when the angles of incidence and scattering are varied.
Reconstructed Fermi Surface of Underdoped Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+δ Cuprate Superconductors

The Fermi surface topologies of underdoped samples of the high-T(c) superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O(8+δ) have been measured with angle resolved photoemission. By examining thermally excited states above the Fermi level, we show that the observed Fermi surfaces in the pseudogap phase are actually components of fully enclosed hole pockets. The spectral weight of these pockets is vanishingly small at the magnetic zone boundary, creating the illusion of Fermi "arcs." The area of the pockets as measured in this study is consistent with the doping level, and hence carrier density, of the samples measured. Furthermore, the shape and area of the pockets is well reproduced by phenomenological models of the pseudogap phase as a spin liquid.
Estimation of the Bispectrum

Recently interest has arisen in statistical applications of the bispectrum of stationary random processes. (The bispectrum can be thought of as the Fourier transform of the third-order moment function of the process.) The principal area of statistical harmonic analysis to receive attention previous to this time has been second-order (i.e. spectral) theory on which there is a vast literature. However, the spectrum is most useful in problems of a ”linear nature” (see discussion beginning on p. viii of Blackman and Tukey [2]) and provides insufficient information in nonlinear problems. A desire to study phenomena of a nonlinear character has attracted attention to the higher order theory. Such was the case, for example, in a recent study by Hasselmann, Munk and MacDonald [8] where the bispectrum is used in connection with oceanographic problems, among which, as the authors state, a number of interesting phenomena such as surf beats, wave breaking, and the energy transfer between wave components can be explained only by the nonlinearity of the wave motion. The bispectrum therefore provides a first glimpse at the nonlinear effects. It is the purpose of the present paper to discuss estimating the weighted and unweighted bispectral density given a set of observations of the process. The relevant properties (consistency and asymptotic unbiasedness) of the estimates are derived for certain general classes of processes.
The Young Star Clusters in S106

Near-infrared imaging of a 10 × 10 arcmin region of the S106 molecular cloud reveals two embedded clusters coinciding with peaks in the CO emission. By counting foreground stars seen towards the molecular cloud, the distance to S106 is found to be 1.2±0.2 kpc. Assuming a theoretical mass-luminosity relationship for pre-main sequence stars, we find that the mass function flattens out in the range 0.5 – 0.1 solar masses.
The cell-sweep : a new cervical cytology sampling device

The Cell-Sweep, a new cervical cytology sampling device, was prospectively evaluated. From September 1, 1992, to October 31, 1992, 548 cervical cytology smears were prepared using the Cell-Sweep. They were compared to 524 cervical smears performed between January 1, 1993, and February 28, 1993, using the Cytobrush and Ayre spatula. One smear in the Cell-Sweep group and nine in the Cytobrush/Ayre spatula group were unsatisfactory for evaluation secondary to drying artifact (P < .01). Seven (1.2%) of the Cell-Sweep smears and 13 (2.4%) of the Cytobrush/Ayre spatula smears were inadequate due to obscuring of the epithelial cells by blood (P = .11). Of the smears obtained with the Cell-Sweep, 66 (12%) contained no endocervical component versus 42 (8%) of the smears obtained with the Cytobrush/Ayre spatula (P = .03). In the Cell-Sweep group there were 130 (23.7%) abnormal smears versus 110 (20.9%) in the Cytobrush/Ayre spatula group (P = .3). However, high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) were identified in 10 (1.8%) smears obtained with the Cell-Sweep and in 2 (0.4%) obtained with the Cytobrush/Ayre spatula (P = .02). The Cell-Sweep produced a small proportion of unsatisfactory smears due to drying artifact or blood. Even though the proportion of smears lacking endocervical cells was statistically greater with the Cell-Sweep than with the Cytobrush/Ayre spatula, there was no difference in the rate of detection of atypical squamous cells and low grade SIL. The Cell-Sweep appears to detect an increased number of high grade SILs. This device deserves further study with histopathologic correlation.
Routine postprocedure ultrasound increases rate of detection of femoral arterial thrombosis in infants after cardiac catheterization.

OBJECTIVES To examine the effect of implementing postcatheterization ultrasound (US) on femoral arterial thrombosis detection rates and factors associated with thrombosis in infants. BACKGROUND Although femoral arterial thrombosis is an uncommon complication of cardiac catheterization, it can cause limb threatening complications. Previous studies assessing the utility of postprocedure US to detect thrombosis in infants have utilized US as an adjunct to standard clinical detection methods, are small scale, or include small cohorts of infants within older populations. METHODS We reviewed institutional records of patients 0-12 months undergoing catheterization from 2007 to 2016. Demographics and procedural data were compared between the thrombosis and non-thrombosis group. Pre- and post-US groups were compared for detected thrombosis rate. Using univariate and multivariable analyses, we identified factors associated with thrombosis. RESULTS In total, 270 patients underwent 509 catheterizations, with 40 (7.9%) documented thromboses. The rate of thrombus detection in patients younger than 6 months increased from 8.3% to 23.4% (P = 0.006) after implementing routine US. On multivariable analysis, lower weight (P < 0.001), larger arterial sheath size (P < 0.001), and longer procedure duration (P = 0.003) were independently associated with higher odds of thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS Higher rates of femoral arterial thrombosis detection were observed since implementing an US screening program. Further studies are needed to evaluate age-related changes in hemostasis in this population and how advanced screening methods and anticoagulation protocols may help improve short-term and long-term sequelae of femoral arterial thrombosis.
Dismal outcomes following damage control laparotomy in injured older adults, a cohort study.

Abstract Background The population of older adults is rapidly growing and more older patients are presenting with abdominal trauma. Outcomes have not been well defined for patients that require a damage control approach(DCL). Methods This was a retrospective study at a level one trauma center of patients age 65 years and older with abdominal trauma that required DCL. Outcomes reviewed included mortality, length of stay, discharge disposition. Presenting vital signs and laboratories were reviewed to identify predictors of mortality. Results 31 older patients(mean age 75.2 years) underwent DCL. Twenty-four of 31(77.4%) older patients died. Seven of 7 older DCL survivors were discharged to a rehabilitation center or nursing home. In comparisons of older DCL nonsurvivors and survivors there were not differences in presenting HR(90 versus 96; p = 0.56) or SBP in the emergency room(107 versus 116; p = 0.51). No differences in initial lactate or change in lactate concentration were found between nonsurvivors and survivors. Fifteen of 24 nonsurvivors died from multisystem organ failure. Conclusions/Implications The mortality rate of older patients that require damage control approach for is extremely high. Presenting vital signs and laboratory markers may not be useful in older patients to predict mortality.
Chapter 14: Why Students Don’t Suffer

In this chapter, Trepanier argues that the external achievements and affirmations of students and the lack of self-examination of their interior lives is a result of the university seeing them as commodities and customers rather than human beings who need cultivation. Students consequently see suffering—to be vulnerable, exposed, and unguarded—as a type of personal weakness and moral failing because it does not affirm their external accomplishments. There is to be no discrepancy between the flatness of one’s interior life and the mountain of achievements in the external one. To do so otherwise is tantamount to admitting failure.
PURLs: Should you switch the DAPT agent one month after ACS?

Review of: Cuisset T, Deharo P, Quilici J, et al. Benefit of switching dual antiplatelet therapy after acute coronary syndrome: the TOPIC (timing of platelet inhibition after acute coronary syndrome) randomized study. Eur Heart J. 2017;38:3070-3078.
Correction to: Interest in Research Participation Among Caregivers of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

During the publication process, an author "M. Pinkett-Davis", who helped conceptualize and revise this study was accidentally excluded from the authorship list. The revised author group is now: Kalb, L., Jacobson, L., Zisman, C., Mahone, E., Landa, R., Azad, G., Pinkett-Davis, M., Menon, D., Singh, V., Zabel, A., & Pritchard, A. Please use this authorship list when citing this manuscript.
Identification of an adhesive interface for the non-clustered δ1 protocadherin-1 involved in respiratory diseases.

Cadherins form a large family of calcium-dependent adhesive proteins involved in morphogenesis, cell differentiation, and neuronal connectivity. Non-clustered δ1 protocadherins form a cadherin subgroup of proteins with seven extracellular cadherin (EC) repeats and cytoplasmic domains distinct from those of classical cadherins. Non-clustered δ1 protocadherins mediate homophilic adhesion and have been implicated in various diseases including asthma, autism, and cancer. Here we present X-ray crystal structures of human Protocadherin-1 (PCDH1), a δ1-protocadherin member essential for New World Hantavirus infection that is typically expressed in the brain, airway epithelium, skin keratinocytes, and lungs. The structures suggest a binding mode that involves antiparallel overlap of repeats EC1 to EC4. Mutagenesis combined with binding assays and biochemical experiments validated this mode of adhesion. Overall, these results reveal the molecular mechanism underlying adhesiveness of PCDH1 and δ1-protocadherins, also shedding light on PCDH1’s role in maintaining airway epithelial integrity, the loss of which causes respiratory diseases. Debadrita Modak and Marcos Sotomayor present X-ray crystal structures of Protocadherin-1 (PCDH1), a δ1-protocadherin member recognized by New World Hantavirus, and suggest a mechanism underlying adhesiveness of PCDH1 and δ1- protocadherins. This study implicates PCDH1 in the maintenance of airway epithelial integrity.
Investigation towards scalable processing of silicon/graphite nanocomposite anodes with good cycle stability and specific capacity

Abstract Silicon/graphite (Si/Gr) nanocomposites with controlled void spaces and encapsulated by a carbon shell (Si/Gr@void@C) are synthesized by utilizing high-energy ball milling to reduce micron-sized particles to nanoscale, followed by carbonization of polydopamine (PODA) to form a carbon shell, and finally partial etching of the nanostructured Si core by NaOH solution at elevated temperatures. In particular, the effects of ball milling time and NaOH etching temperature on the electrochemical properties of Si/Gr@void@C are investigated. Increasing the ball milling time results in the improved specific capacity of Si-based anodes. Carbon coating further enhances the specific capacity and capacity retention over charge/discharge cycles. The best cycle stability is achieved after partial etching of the Si core inside Si/Gr@void@C particles at either 70 or 80 °C, leading to little or no capacity decay over 130 cycles. However, it is found that both carbon coating and NaOH etching processes cause some surface oxidation of the nanostructured Si particles derived from high-energy ball milling. The surface oxidation of the nanostructured Si results in decreases in specific capacity and should be minimized in future studies. The mechanistic understanding developed in this study paves the way to further improve the electrochemical performance of Si/Gr@void@C nanocomposites in future.
NeuroVectorizer: end-to-end vectorization with deep reinforcement learning

One of the key challenges arising when compilers vectorize loops for today’s SIMD-compatible architectures is to decide if vectorization or interleaving is beneficial. Then, the compiler has to determine the number of instructions to pack together and the interleaving level (stride). Compilers are designed today to use fixed-cost models that are based on heuristics to make vectorization decisions on loops. However, these models are unable to capture the data dependency, the computation graph, or the organization of instructions. Alternatively, software engineers often hand-write the vectorization factors of every loop. This, however, places a huge burden on them, since it requires prior experience and significantly increases the development time. In this work, we explore a novel approach for handling loop vectorization and propose an end-to-end solution using deep reinforcement learning (RL). We conjecture that deep RL can capture different instructions, dependencies, and data structures to enable learning a sophisticated model that can better predict the actual performance cost and determine the optimal vectorization factors. We develop an end-to-end framework, from code to vectorization, that integrates deep RL in the LLVM compiler. Our proposed framework takes benchmark codes as input and extracts the loop codes. These loop codes are then fed to a loop embedding generator that learns an embedding for these loops. Finally, the learned embeddings are used as input to a Deep RL agent, which dynamically determines the vectorization factors for all the loops. We further extend our framework to support random search, decision trees, supervised neural networks, and nearest-neighbor search. We evaluate our approaches against the currently used LLVM vectorizer and loop polyhedral optimization techniques. Our experiments show 1.29×−4.73× performance speedup compared to baseline and only 3% worse than the brute-force search on a wide range of benchmarks.
The Non-Profit Sector: Leveraging Resources and Strengths to Promote More Physically Active Lifestyles

Background:Many Americans do not meet current minimum physical activity recommendations. Although the choice to be physically active is made by individuals, that choice is affected by the social and physical environments in which people live, work, play and learn. Creating environments that are more supportive of physical activity will require policies, practices and programs that individuals may not be able to influence on their own; such changes will require comprehensive, coordinated and collaborative action by a variety of organizational sectors at national, state and local levels. Because of their core—and frequently unique—competencies, many non-profit organizations are poised to be active players in promoting important changes in policy and community environments that can facilitate lifelong physical activity for all Americans. Methods:Review of mission statements and strategic plans of a variety of non-profit organizations reveal key characteristics and competencies that can be leveraged, frequent...
Influences of parentification and benefit finding on prosocial behavior among typically developing siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract Background Prior research examining typically developing siblings (TDS) of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) reports both higher and lower levels of prosocial behavior among TDS. TDS’ experiences (parent-focused parentification, sibling-focused parentification) and perceptions of experiences (ASD benefit finding, role benefit finding) may interact to influence TDS prosocial behavior. Aims 1) Examine influences of TDS’ experiences and perceptions of TDS experiences on prosocial behavior and 2) examine interactions between TDS’ experiences of parentification and perceptions of experiences influencing prosocial behavior while controlling for the Broad Autism Phenotype (BAP). Methods and procedures TDS [N = 108; M(SD) age = 20.37(1.55)] were college students who reported having a sibling with ASD, defined as “Autism Spectrum Disorder”, “Autism”, “Asperger’s”, and “Pervasive Developmental Disability”. TDS completed an online survey about their experiences and perceptions of experiences. Outcomes and results Controlling for gender and BAP, there was a significant interaction between ASD benefit finding and sibling-focused parentification such that at low levels of ASD benefit finding, sibling-focused parentification negatively predicted prosocial behavior. Lower BAP scores and female gender were associated with greater levels of prosocial behavior. Conclusions and implications TDS experiences and perceptions of experiences are important for understanding TDS prosocial behavior.
Der Meister der Wesensschau Acts of Translation in Husserl’s Plato Without Platonism

The aim of this paper is understand Husserl’s “Platonism” through an understanding of how the method of eidetic variation and a phenomenological conception of essences reformulates by means of a conceptual and historical translation Plato’s doctrine of essences. In arguing that a theory of essences and method for the discovery of essences proves indispensable to a proper conception of phenomenology, Husserl positions himself as a philosophical “friend of essences” without thereby adopting a Platonic conception of essences. In addition to a reconstruction of Husserl’s image of Plato and the historical tradition, this paper examines the pivotal role played by “variation” and “manifold” in Husserl’s distinctive understanding of essences.
CSFCM: An improved fuzzy C-Means image segmentation algorithm using a cooperative approach

Abstract Fuzzy c-means (FCM) is one of the most widely used classification algorithms specially in image segmentation. Like any algorithm, FCM has some drawbacks such as the choice of the number of clusters and the cluster’s center initialization. In this work, we propose new approaches to deal with these two drawbacks. We propose for the first problem two approaches. The first proposed approach exploits neural networks and the Xie and Beni index, while the second one exploits the histogram. Concerning the second problem, we propose a new metaheuristics cooperation approach using the Genetic Algorithm (GA), Biogeography Based Algorithm(BBO), and Firefly Algorithm (FA). This cooperation is managed by a multi-agent system allowing to determine automatically the fittest metaheuristics parameters. Finally, we propose to use a histogram-based version of FCM to reduce the execution time of the algorithm. Experimental results show that our proposed approach improves the performance of the basic FCM algorithm and outperforms other methods proposed in the literature.
Congenital Lung Malformations

This chapter discusses the major pearls and tricks in the diagnosis and management of congenital lung lesions, which include congenital pulmonary airway malformations, bronchogenic cysts, bronchopulmonary sequestrations, and congenital lobar emphysema. Collectively, congenital lung malformations can be uniquely challenging for pediatric surgeons in part because they are rarely encountered in most clinical practices and often require multi-disciplinary expertise, including maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, and pediatric radiologists. Moreover, lung lesions can have highly variable clinical presentations and unclear natural histories. The current standard of care for the most common clinical scenarios is discussed, and specific areas of controversy are highlighted.
Types of Interviews, Types of Listening

The process of gathering data in a psychiatric interview can be conceptualized on three levels: gathering facts, assessing the significance of facts (and the distortion of facts), and developments in the relationship between interviewer and subject as it unfolds during the course of the interview. Within the latter process, both facts and nonfacts possess “transactional” significance that may be engaged through a process of “stratified listening” consisting of listening for facts, monitoring affect, and listening for inconsistencies and omissions.
One-dimensional electrophoresis using nondenaturing conditions.

Nondenaturing or “native” electrophoresis (i.e., electrophoresis in the absence of denaturants such as detergents and urea) is an often-overlooked technique for determining the native size, subunit structure, and optimal separation of a protein. Because mobility depends on the size, shape, and intrinsic charge of the protein, nondenaturing electrophoresis provides a set of separation parameters distinctly different from mainly size-dependent denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and charge-dependent isoelectric focusing. Two protocols are presented in this unit. Continuous PAGE is highly flexible, permitting cationic and anionic electrophoresis over a full range of pH. The discontinuous procedure is limited to proteins negatively charged at neutral pH but provides high resolution for accurate size calibration.
Automation of Power Distribution System for a Model of Smart Grid

The Smart grid technology uses the integration of communication, automation, and power sources to assure a safe and reliable electric grid. Integrating new technologies to the electric grid will result a grid with more efficient and reduce the down time for a distribution line due to single or multiple faults. Our proposed automated system will work to monitor and control a real-world like model of a smart grid for AC distribution lines. A microcontroller will be reading the information derived by the current sensors to continuously detect sudden changes in current. When fault occurs in the system it will be detected by the sensor and communication mechanism. The computing station will automatically communicate with relays to isolate the fault. Once the fault has been isolated, the fault indicator will be triggered and a notification about detection and localization of fault will be issued.
PCCS: Processor-Centric Contention-aware Slowdown Model for Heterogeneous System-on-Chips

Many slowdown models have been proposed to characterize memory interference of workloads co-running on heterogeneous System-on-Chips (SoCs). But they are mostly for post-silicon usage. How to effectively consider memory interference in the SoC design stage remains an open problem. This paper presents a new approach to this problem, consisting of a novel processor-centric slowdown modeling methodology and a new three-region interference-conscious slowdown model. The modeling process needs no measurement of co-running of various combinations of applications, but the produced slowdown models can be used to estimate the co-run slowdowns of arbitrary workloads on various SoC designs that embed a newer generation of accelerators, such as deep learning accelerators (DLA), in addition to CPUs and GPUs. The new method reduces average prediction errors of the state-of-art model from 30.3% to 8.7% on GPU, from 13.4% to 3.7% on CPU, from 20.6% to 5.6% on DLA and demonstrates much improved efficacy in guiding SoC designs.
The influence of culture on nursing practice and research.

No abstract available Keywords: Culture; cultural competence; cultural humility; cultural sensitivity; diversity.
Resolution of enantiomeric amides on a cellulose tribenzoate chiral stationary phase. Mobile phase modifier effects on retention and stereo-selectivity.

Abstract The effect of the steric structure and concentration of the mobile phase modifier on the retention (k′) and steroselectivity (α) of a series of enantiomeric amides has been investigated. The amides were chromatographed on a commercially availabele cellulose tribenzoate chiral stationary phase (CSP) using mobile phases composed of hexane and two homologous series of alcohols: methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol and 2-propanol, 2-butanol, 2-pentanol, 2-hexanol. The results of the study indicate that the alcoholic mobile phase modifiers compete with the solutes for achiral and chiral binding sites and that the steric bulk around the hydroxyl moiety of the modifier plays a role in this competition. Increased steric bulk tends to result in increased k′ and α. However, the results also suggest that the effect of the alcoholic mobile phase modifiers on stereoselectivity may also be due to binding to achiral sites near or at the chiral cavities of the CSP which alters the steric environment of these cavities.
Predicting doctorate production in the U.S.A.

Abstract The nine major independently conducted forecasts of doctoral degree production for the 1970s shared a consistently high bias, although one was quite accurate. In this paper we compare the forecasting models based upon results of these studies and discuss their implications for long-range forecasting. We show that the bias was mainly due to a common core assumption (exemplifying ‘assumption drag’) that students would pursue degrees at close to the existing rates in spite of decreasing traditional demand for graduates. The results also indicate the value of simple models and eclectic forecasting methods, the desirability of robust causal models and the dangers of extrapolative methods (especially with insufficient historical data) when structural changes are anticipated, the usefulness of current expert opinion, the inappropriateness of intentions surveys for time horizons longer than the lead time needed for significant change, and the importance of physical and economic limitations and principles (such as substitution effects and interactions between supply and demand) in developing long-range forecasting models.
Paracrine stimulation of preadipocyte-enriched cell cultures by mature adipocytes

We developed a double-chamber system in which to examine the effects of mature adipocytes on the growth and differentiation of preadipocytes and other cells in the adipose tissue. In the present st...