cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Introduction to Neural Networks

The past two decades have seen explosive growth in knowledge about animal nervous systems. At the same time, interest in computers and computing systems has evolved beyond a sequential, von Neuman approach, especially for dealing with ill-posed and “fuzzy” realworld computational problems. Finally, a new generation of cognitive scientists is more amenable to incorporating biological data into their work. Neural networks and neurocomputing represent a confluence of these three disciplines and has enjoyed tremendous recent growth, as readers of this journal are, no doubt, aware. Anderson’s introduction to this area far surpasses the three or four available competitors. Introduction to Neural Networks evolved over several years from course notes, and the integration to topics, perspectives, examples, and applications all suggest a carefully considered approach. Many introductory books in neural nets are designed for engineering students and, therefore, concentrate almost exclusively on a mathematical analysis of available networks and algorithms. Anderson skillfully interweaves a biologically relevant message about realworld processes and how a computational approach can enhance an understanding of the underlying neuroscience. The book concentrates primarily on those approaches that have proven “useful”-primarily for pattern recognition. Anderson limits his mathematical emphasis not so much on the formal analysis of networks as on the use of algorithms. However, a student without some calculus, algebra, familiarity with vectors, and some programming experience may find parts of this text daunting. Some neuroscience and cognitive science experience would also provide a useful background for any prospective student, although the chapters on neuron and synaptic physiology as they pertain to networks are quite clear. Anderson begins the history of network modeling with Rosenblatt’s Perceptron and early gradient descent algorithms such as Widrow and Hoff s ADALJNE. Hopfield networks and Boltzmann machines are extremely well covered. Kohonen’s adaptive map-forming algorithm is nicely contrasted with a section entitled “Biological Caveat, ” which contrasts the biological complexity with the “simplicity” suggested by simple adaptive algorithms. Nonlinear Autoassociative neural networks are repre-
Sensor Data Cryptography in Wireless Sensor Networks

We consider decentralized estimation of a noise-corrupted deterministic signal in a bandwidth-constrained sensor network communicating through an insecure medium. Each sensor collects a noise-corrupted version, performs a local quantization, and transmits a 1-bit message to an ally fusion center through a wireless medium where the sensor outputs are vulnerable to unauthorized observation from enemy/third-party fusion centers. In this paper, we introduce an encrypted wireless sensor network (eWSN) concept where stochastic enciphers operating on binary sensor outputs are introduced to disguise the sensor outputs, creating an eWSN scheme. Noting that the plaintext (original) and ciphertext (disguised) messages are constrained to a single bit due to bandwidth constraints, we consider a binary channel-like scheme to probabilistically encipher (i.e., flip) the sensor outputs. We first consider a symmetric key encryption case where the "0" and "1" enciphering probabilities are equal. The key is represented by the bit enciphering probability. Specifically, we derive the optimal estimator of the deterministic signal approached from a maximum-likelihood perspective and the Cramer-Rao lower bound for the estimation problem utilizing the key. Furthermore, we analyze the effect of the considered cryptosystem on enemy fusion centers that are unaware of the fact that the WSN is encrypted (i.e., we derive the bias, variance, and mean square error (MSE) of the enemy fusion center). We then extend the cryptosystem to admit unequal enciphering schemes for "0" and "1", and analyze the estimation problem from both the prospectives of ally (that has access to the enciphering keys) and (third-party) enemy fusion centers. The results show that when designed properly, a significant amount of bias and MSE can be introduced to an enemy fusion center with the cost to the ally fusion center being a marginal increase [factor of (1-Omega1-Omega0 )-2, where 1-Omegaj, j=0, 1 is the "j" enciphering probability in the estimation variance (compared to the variance of a fusion center estimate operating in a vulnerable WSN).
Practices that Support Team Learning and Their Impact on Speed to Market and New Product Success

Abstract Competition is fierce today. Businesses are feeling extreme pressure to innovate and do so quickly. If they take too long in bringing a product to market or make a mistake along the way, they can be preempted by a faster moving competitor. One technique gaining popularity to help companies compete is establishing learning teams—teams that create and use knowledge rapidly and effectively. But how do teams learn? By studying the learning practices of 95 new product teams, we have uncovered several factors that improve a new product team’s ability to learn, innovate faster, and be more successful. These factors include thoroughly reviewing project information, having stable project goals, and following a rigorous new product development process.
Untargeted metabolite profiling reveals that nitric oxide bioynthesis is an endogenous modulator of carotenoid biosynthesis in Deinococcus radiodurans and is required for extreme ionizing radiation resistance.

Deinococcus radiodurans (Drad) is the most radioresistant organism known. Although mechanisms that underlie the extreme radioresistance of Drad are incompletely defined, resistance to UV irradiation-induced killing was found to be greatly attenuated in an NO synthase (NOS) knockout strain of Drad (Δnos). We now show that endogenous NO production is also critical for protection of Drad against γ-irradiation (3000 Gy), a result of accelerated growth recovery, not protection against killing. NO-donor treatment rescued radiosensitization in Δnos Drad but did not influence radiosensitivity in wild type Drad. To discover molecular mechanisms by which endogenous NO confers radioresistance, metabolite profiling studies were performed. Untargeted LC-MS-based metabolite profiling in Drad quantified relative abundances of 1425 molecules and levels of 294 of these were altered by >5-fold (p < 0.01). Unexpectedly, these studies identified a dramatic perturbation in carotenoid biosynthetic intermediates in Δnos Drad, including a reciprocal switch in the pathway end-products from deoxydeinoxanthin to deinoxanthin. NO supplementation rescued these nos deletion-associated changes in carotenoid biosynthesis, and fully-restored radioresistance to wildtype levels. Because carotenoids were shown to be important contributors to radioprotection in Drad, our findings suggest that endogenously-produced NO serves to maintain a spectrum of carotenoids critical for Drad's ability to withstand radiation insult.
Sports participation with Chiari I malformation

OBJECT There is currently no consensus on the safety of sports participation for patients with Chiari I malformation (CM-I). The authors' goal was to define the risk of sports participation for children with the imaging finding of CM-I. METHODS A prospective survey was administered to 503 CM-I patients at 2 sites over a 46-month period. Data were gathered on imaging characteristics, treatment, sports participation, and any sport-related injuries. Additionally, 81 patients completed at least 1 subsequent survey following their initial entry into the registry and were included in a prospective group, with a mean prospective follow-up period of 11 months. RESULTS Of the 503 CM-I patients, 328 participated in sports for a cumulative duration of 4641 seasons; 205 of these patients participated in contact sports. There were no serious or catastrophic neurological injuries. One patient had temporary extremity paresthesias that resolved within hours, and this was not definitely considered to be related to the CM-I. In the prospective cohort, there were no permanent neurological injuries. CONCLUSIONS No permanent or catastrophic neurological injuries were observed in CM-I patients participating in athletic activities. The authors believe that the risk of such injuries is low and that, in most cases, sports participation by children with CM-I is safe.
Human SP-C gene sequences that confer lung epithelium-specific expression in transgenic mice

We used transgenic mice to identify cis-active regions of the human pulmonary surfactant protein C (SP-C) gene that impart tissue- and cell-specific expression in vivo in the lung. Approximately 3....
Frictionless Asset Allocation with Elliptically Symmetric Distributions of Returns

Frictionless asset allocation is examined for constant absolute risk aversion. The optimal portfolio for a general class of multivariate probability distributions with elliptical symmetry is presented. The optimal portfolio under these conditions is given by the portfolio obtained by mean-variance analysis scaled by a distribution dependent function. This result then specialized to the case of a multivariate extension of the generalized error distribution to allow the general properties of the solution to be exhibited.
Mountain Lakes Theatre Festival (a)

There had been more than the usual number of duplicate ticket numbers, too many angry patrons, and too few volunteers to help smooth the problems at the Mountain Lakes Theatre Festival. The final blow came during intermission when box-office workers discovered they were being paid $1 more than the house manager's $8.00 per hour. The discovery was frustrating because the box-office workers just sat and handed out ticket packets while the house manager was constantly on the run. Now it was time for a meeting to seek a wage increase.
Changes in spatiotemporal gait patterns during flat ground walking and obstacle crossing 1 year after bariatric surgery.

Abstract Background Obesity has a negative impact on motor function, leading to an increase in fall risk. Massive weight loss improves some aspects of gait on flat ground. However, we have little information about whether gait changes during flat-ground walking and during more complex motor tasks beyond flat-ground walking. Objectives Our objectives were to examine how massive weight loss after Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery affects gait during flat-ground walking and obstacle crossing 1 year postsurgery. Setting University hospital, United States. Methods Nineteen women walked under 5 conditions: initial baseline walking on flat ground, crossing 3 obstacle heights, and final baseline walking on flat ground, for a total of 25 trials. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were collected simultaneously using a gait carpet and body-worn sensors. Results Gait improved postsurgery, with the strongest effect observed for double-limb support time during flat-ground walking ( P P P P P P P P P Conclusions Massive weight loss results in improved spatiotemporal gait patterns during flat-ground walking. Examining how massive weight loss affects spatiotemporal gait may help create ways to encourage a more active lifestyle for adults with obesity.
Circadian variations in mouse hematopoiesis. II. Sex differences in mitotic indices of femoral diaphyseal marrow cells.

SummaryCircadian fluctuations in the mitotic index of 3 specific cell lines of the bone marrow were studied. The males showed bimodal fluctuations for the dividing granulocytes and one peak with two minima for lymphocytes. Erythroid mitotic indices exhibited a clear cut diurnal variation with peak activity in late afternoon and lowest in early morning. No circadian fluctuations could be ascertained for mitotic indices of bone marrow cells from female mice.
The effect of cooling on the photodynamic action of hematoporphyrin derivative during interstitial phototherapy of solid tumors: 1983 Second-Place Resident Research Award: Basic Category

Hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD), a mixture of compounds chemically prepared from naturally occurring crude hematoporphyrin, is preferentially concentrated in neoplastic cells and produces red fluorescence when irradiated with blue-violet light. In addition, HpD exhibits other photodynamic properties, which, in the presence of oxygen and visible light, result in cytotoxicity. Preliminary reports indicate that early, superficial carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract and tracheobronchial tree can be localized and treated successfully with HpD phototherapy (HpD-PT), in which a fiberoptic bundle transmits laser light to the tumors. To assess this modality's potential for treating solid tumors, the cytotoxic effect of HpD-PT was measured in a murine tumor model. We specifically assessed the effect of cooling on the pure photodynamic action of HpD-PT. Adult female mice with typical mammary tumors received interstitial phototherapy 24 hours after HpD was given intraperitoneally. Light from an argon-dye laser was delivered through an optical fiber, along with simultaneous cooling from a cryosurgical probe, for 15 minutes. After being cooled with a cryosurgical probe, tumors were excised 48 hours after treatment and the necrotic area was measured. The results indicate that cooling enhances the tumoricidal action of HpD-PT.
Reasons and solution way of must frequent cleaning for reverse osmosis set in Shuidonggou Power Plant

To introduce the power plant boiler make-up water treatment workshop reverse osmosis set in normal operation stage of frequent cleaning,find out the cause and the solving methods.
The Myth of Ownership: Taxes and Justice

(2003). The Myth of Ownership: Taxes and Justice. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 838-840.
Abstract 348: Small molecule Axl Ig1-Gas6 inhibitors block Gas6-inducible Axl signaling and suppress tumorigenicity

TAM receptors (Tyro-3, Axl, and Mer) are a family of three homologous receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) expressed predominantly on myeloid-derived hematopoietic cells and epithelial cells which function as inhibitory receptors that dampen inflammatory responses and maintain tissue tolerance. Additionally, all three TAMs have been implicated in various human malignancies, where level of expression is often associated with more aggressive staging of the cancers, poorer predicted patient survival, as well as drug-resistant cancers. Over the past several years, considerable effort has been made to generate small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors and biological therapeutics (such as monoclonal antibodies and soluble extracellular receptor traps) targeting TAM receptors in human cancers. Early preclinical studies show promising anti-tumor activities using either kinase inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies against Axl and Mer, although cross-reactivity with other tyrosine kinase inhibitors is associated with off-target specificities. Here, we report the development and characterization of a series of small molecule inhibitors that target the interface between the Ig1 domain of Axl and Gas6, and inhibit native receptors and Axl reporter lines with sub-micro-molar affinities. Additionally, these compounds inhibit Gas6 inducible motility and invasion in Axl-expressing cell lines, and suppress tumor growth in xenograft models of non small cell lung cancer. Together, these observations demonstrate that Axl can be targeted by small molecules that bind to the Ig1 domain/Gas6 interaction, and validate Ig1 inhibitors as novel agents for treatment of cancer. Citation Format: Nitu Bansal, Stanley Kimani, Kamlendra Singh, Thomas Comollo, Sushil Kumar, Vladyslav Kholodovych, Youyi Peng, William Welsh, Bertino Joseph, Raymond B. Birge. Small molecule Axl Ig1-Gas6 inhibitors block Gas6-inducible Axl signaling and suppress tumorigenicity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 348.
The Comfort Women Controversy: Not Over Yet

During the World War II, up to 200,000 women, the majority of whom were Korean, were forced to provide sex to Japan’s military forces. The perceived refusal of Japan to fully take responsibility for the mistreatment of these “comfort women” has been a major obstacle to Japanese-Korean relations for a quarter of a century. Although the signing of the December 28, 2015 Agreement between Japan and Korea purported to “finally and irreversibly” solve the comfort women issue that has divided these two East Asian powers, the voices of Korean and Korean-American civil society indicate the contrary. American local, county, and state governments have become key battlegrounds in the conflict. As comfort women memorials across the USA proliferate, these governmental entities have allowed themselves to be caught up in incomplete narratives, whether Japanese or Korean. Against the backdrop of the tense geopolitics of today’s Asia-Pacific, a more responsible, comprehensive inquiry is needed to bring closure to a tragic chapter of human history.
A new approach for detecting attenuation changes during high-intensity focused ultrasound

The acoustic attenuation coefficient provides extremely valuable information for tissue characterization in general, and is needed for planning of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy in particular. The attenuation coefficient in tissue is sensitive to changes in temperature and to damage resulting from heating. To date, parametric images of attenuation coefficient from backscattered ultrasound have poor spatial resolution, and are thus inadequate for monitoring and assessment of HIFU. A novel method for detecting changes in attenuation using backscattered ultrasound was developed that could potentially be used for both monitoring and assessment of HIFU therapy. This approach compares the signal energy in an untreated region of sample located behind a region treated with HIFU. The technique was tested by using HIFU to treat a liver sample placed on top of a well-characterized tissue-mimicking phantom. The signal energy in the phantom was monitored using a clinical ultrasound scanner before, during, and after HIFU exposure of the liver. Results strongly depended on the presence of increased brightness in the sample. For cases without sample brightening, detected signal energy trended in a manner similar to the temperature. Also, a decrease in signal energy in the phantom after return to baseline temperature compared to initial conditions was detected in all cases, suggesting that the technique was sensitive to permanent changes induced by HIFU in the liver sample.
Short communication: Temporal effect of feeding potassium carbonate sesquihydrate on milk fat in lactating dairy cows fed a fat-depressing diet

A lactation study with 10 multiparous dairy cows in early lactation, with an average of 64 days in milk (standard deviation=37), were used to evaluate how quickly milk fat concentration would change when potassium carbonate sesquihydrate was abruptly added to the diet. The experiment had 3 periods. In period 1 (d 0 to 7) all cows were fed the same basal (control) diet with 1.8% soy oil, dry basis; in period 2 (d 8 to 28) 5 cows received the control diet, whereas the other 5 cows received the control diet plus 0.59% of added K with K carbonate sesquihydrate; and in period 3 (d 29 to 42) all 10 cows received the control diet. The control diet was formulated for a dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD), calculated as Na + K - Cl - S, of 37.7mEq/100g of dry matter (DM), 1.74% of DM as K, and 5.7% long-chain fatty acids (DM%), which included 1.8% of DM as soybean oil. Period 1 was used as a covariate. In period 2, d 8 to 28, 5 cows remained on the control diet whereas 5 cows were fed with the control diet plus K carbonate sesquihydrate (DCAD+ diet; DCAD of 54.3mEq/100g DM and 2.33% of DM as K). After feeding the DCAD+ diet, we noted a difference in milk fat concentration from 3.9 to 4.3% within 72h. Over the 21d of period 2, the DCAD+ diet resulted in significantly greater milk fat percentage from 4.0 to 4.3%, lactose from 4.74 to 4.82%, and fat efficiency in the form of fat in milk divided by fat in DMI from 1.27 to 1.49, without affecting dry matter intake (DMI), milk protein concentration, solids-not fat concentration, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, and protein efficiency in the form of protein in milk divided by protein in DMI. In period 3 (d 29-42), all cows were again fed the control diet, resulting in a tendency for greater milk fat concentration, significantly greater lactose concentration, and fat efficiency in the form of fat in milk divided by fat in DMI for the cows having received the DCAD+ diet during period 2. In conclusion, the abrupt addition of K carbonate sesquihydrate resulted in a greater milk fat concentration and tended to maintain the greater concentration after cessation of K carbonate sesquihydrate feeding.
2.1 Tesla HTSC Magnet Cooled by Refrigerator

We have been developing silver-sheathed bismuth(2223) superconducting wires using the powder-in-tube method and their applications. After obtaining high-Jc properties with silver-sheathed bismuth(2223) superconducting wires in 1991, a long-wire fabrication become the key issue for actual application. To date, we have successfully developed long wires over hundred meters with high Jc.
Parent Perspectives of Special Education: Framing of Experiences for Prospective Special Educators1:

This study explored how rural and urban families describe their experiences with early intervention and special education services to prospective special educators. Semi-structured interviews of 32...
The Status of Value-ranges in the Argument of Basic Laws of Arithmetic I §10

Frege's concern in GGI §10 is neither (as is often assumed) with the epistemological issue of how we come to know about value-ranges, nor (as is often assumed) with the semantic-metaphysical issue of whether we have said enough about such objects in order to ensure that any kind of reference to them is possible. The problem which occupies Frege in GGI §10 is the general problem according to which we ‘cannot yet decide’, for any arbitrary function , what value ‘’ has if ‘ℵ’ is a canonical value-range name. This is a problem with the ‘reference’ of value-range names, but only in the weak sense that, if we do not exercise care, value-range terms might become ‘bedeutungslos’ for purely formal reasons. Frege addresses the general problem only for the primitive function- and object-names he has already introduced into his concept-script. I argue that this methodology was perfectly intentional: his intention for GG in general, on display in GGI §10, is to check, for each primitive function- and object-name, as i...
Introduction: Social Media, Political Marketing and the 2016 U.S. Election

This essay introduces the contributions of the volume “Social Media, Political Marketing and the 2016 U. S. Election.” Using a variety of methodological approaches, the authors investigate the comm...
Myocardial Edema on T2-Weighted MRI: New Marker of Ischemia Reperfusion Injury and Adverse Myocardial Remodeling.

Although the advances in revascularization therapy have drastically decreased the mortality after ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the number of patients who develop heart failure after the reperfusion therapy continues to increase. More than 30% of the patients who survive STEMI develop heart failure long-term.1 Clinical studies have demonstrated that the larger infarct size (IS) and the resultant left ventricular dysfunction at the time of initial treatment significantly correlate with the likelihood of future adverse ventricular remodeling and arrhythmia.2 Thus, the efforts to minimize the IS by prompt reperfusion therapy is the primary rational in the treatment of STEMI in preventing heart failure and catastrophic cardiovascular events. Myocardial salvage determined by the initial perfusion defect, that is, myocardium at risk (MaR) and the final IS, is a surrogate marker of a successful reperfusion therapy to predict clinical outcome.3 Despite significant technological advances in the reperfusion therapy, myocardial reperfusion injury substantially decreases the myocardial salvage and increases the final tissue injury, which may account for ≤50% of the final IS.4 Even though various pre- or post-conditioning strategies, including stress (reversible ischemia, exercise, and hypothermia) and pharmaceutical intervention, may help to protect the heart from the ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, the efficacy of these treatments has not been sufficiently demonstrated in clinical studies. Thus, a robust imaging modality to assess the I/R injury and predict future cardiovascular events addresses a critical unmet clinical need. Article, see p 439 In ischemic heart disease, myocardial edema detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as high signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging (T2-WI) is a phenomenon associated with reperfusion. It is known that a permanent occlusion of the coronary artery leads to minimal myocardial edema.5 The restoration of coronary blood flow increases the swelling …
Smoking Among Hispanic/Latino Nationality Groups and Whites, Comparisons Between California and the United States.

Introduction Although California is home to the largest Hispanic/Latino population, few studies have compared smoking behavior trends of Hispanic/Latino nationality groups in California to the remaining United States, which may identify the impact of the states antitobacco efforts on these groups. This study compared smoking status, frequency, and intensity among Mexican Americans, Central/South Americans, and non-Hispanic Whites in California to the remaining United States in the 1990s and 2000s. Methods Data were analyzed using the 1992-2011 Current Population Survey Tobacco Use Supplement to report the estimated prevalence of smoking status, frequency, and intensity by decade, race/ethnicity, and state residence. Weighted logistic regression explored sociodemographic factors associated with never and heavy smoking (≥20 cigarettes per day). Results There were absolute overall increases from 6.8% to 9.6% in never smoking across all groups. Compared to the remaining United States, there was a greater decrease in heavy smoking among Mexican American current smokers in California (5.1%) and a greater increase in light and intermittent smokers among Central/South American current smokers in California (9.3%) between decades. Compared to those living in the remaining United States, smokers living in California had lower odds of heavy smoking (1990s: odds ratio [OR] = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.62, 0.66; 2000s: 0.54, 95% CI = 0.52, 0.55). Conclusions California state residence significantly impacted smoking behaviors as indicated by significant differences in smoking intensity between California and the remaining United States among Hispanic/Latino nationality groups. Understanding smoking behaviors across Hispanic/Latino nationality groups in California and the United States can inform tobacco control and smoking prevention strategies for these groups. Implications The present study explored the differences in smoking behaviors between Whites, Mexican Americans, and Central South/Americans living in California versus the rest of the United States in the 1990s and the 2000s. The results contribute to our current knowledge as there have been minimal efforts to provide disaggregated cigarette consumption information among Hispanic/Latino nationality groups. Additionally, by comparing cigarette consumption between those in California and the remaining United States, our data may provide insight into the impact of California's antitobacco efforts in reaching Hispanic/Latino subpopulations relative to the remaining US states, many of which have had less tobacco control policy implementation.
Rationale for and approach to preoperative opioid weaning: a preoperative optimization protocol

The practice of chronic opioid prescription for chronic non-cancer pain has come under considerable scrutiny within the past several years as mounting evidence reveals a generally unfavorable risk to benefit ratio and the nation reels from the grim mortality statistics associated with the opioid epidemic. Patients struggling with chronic pain tend to use opioids and also seek out operative intervention for their complaints, which combination may be leading to increased postoperative “acute-on-chronic” pain and fueling worsened chronic pain and opioid dependence. Besides worsened postoperative pain, a growing body of literature, reviewed herein, indicates that preoperative opioid use is associated with significantly worsened surgical outcomes, and severely increased financial drain on an already severely overburdened healthcare budget. Conversely, there is evidence that preoperative opioid reduction may result in substantial improvements in outcome. In the era of accountable care, efforts such as the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol have been introduced in an attempt to standardize and facilitate evidence-based perioperative interventions to optimize surgical outcomes. We propose that addressing preoperative opioid reduction as part of a targeted optimization approach for chronic pain patients seeking surgery is not only logical but mandatory given the stakes involved. Simple opioid reduction/abstinence however is not likely to occur in the absence of provision of viable and palatable alternatives to managing pain, which will require a strong focus upon reducing pain catastrophization and bolstering self-efficacy and resilience. In response to a call from our surgical community toward that end, we have developed a simple and easy-to-implement outpatient preoperative optimization program focusing on gentle opioid weaning/elimination as well as a few other high-yield areas of intervention, requiring a minimum of resources.
Supporting active learning through commodity and open source solutions

Active learning has demonstrated value in STEM education and various meta analyses show improvements in student performance when making use of active learning pedagogy and active learning classrooms. One limiting factor to extending the reach of active learning is cost. Many models for state-of-the-art active learning environments make use of tools and infrastructure through which students can connect their own devices and share their digital artifacts in real time with their teammates and the entire class. For computing disciplines, the desire to make use of this type of technology is intuitive as it allows students to see alternative solutions, inspire confidence in student capabilities and can mimic pair programming practices used in industry. Still, retro fitting existing spaces or new construction of state-of-the-art active learning environments and the installation of standard, supporting technology can be cost prohibitive for many institutions, indicating a need for alternative implementations to active learning technology which are applicable to a wider audience. In this work we describe the construction, use and initial evaluation of commodity hardware and open source software to support active learning which we term Practical Active Learning Stations (or PALS).
Lack Of Diversity In Genomic Databases Is A Barrier To Translating Precision Medicine Research Into Practice

Precision medicine is predicted to revolutionize the clinical practice of medicine, in part by using molecular biomarkers to assess patients’ risk, prognosis, and therapeutic response more precisely. However, reliance on biomarkers could present challenges for diverse populations that are not equitably represented in precision medicine research. We examined the populations included in genomic studies whose data were available in the following two public databases: the Genome-Wide Association Study Catalog and the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes. We found significantly fewer studies of African, Latin American, and Asian ancestral populations in comparison to European populations. These patterns were consistent across both data types and disease areas. While the number of genomic research studies that include non-European populations is modestly improving, the overall numbers are still low, and decisive action is needed now to implement the changes necessary for realizing the promise of precision medic...
Accidental Gaps and Surface-Based Phonotactic Learning: A Case Study of South Bolivian Quechua

The lexicon of a natural language does not contain all of the phonological structures that are grammatical. This presents a fundamental challenge to the learner, who must distinguish linguistically...
RepuScore: collaborative reputation management framework for email infrastructure

We propose RepuScore, a collaborative reputation management framework over email infrastrucure, which allows participating organizations to establish sender accountability on the basis of senders' past actions. RepuScore's generalized design can be deployed with any Sender Authentication technique such as SPF, SenderID and DKIM. With RepuScore, participating organizations collect information on sender reputation locally from users or existing spam classification mechanisms and submit it to a central RepuScore authority. The central authority generates a global reputation summary which can be used to enforce sender accountability. We present the algorithms for reputation score calculation and share our findings from experiments based on a RepuScore prototype using a) our simulation logs and b) a 20 day log from a non-profit organization with five collaborating domains.
User-oriented independent analysis of the toxic load model's ability to predict the effects of time-varying toxic inhalation exposures.

Abstract Toxic industrial chemicals and chemical warfare agents present an acute inhalation hazard to exposed populations. The hazardous materials consequence assessment modeling community requires toxicity models to estimate these hazards. One popular phenomenological toxicity model is the toxic load model. Although this model is only well-defined for constant-concentration exposures, several generalizations have been proposed for the case of time-varying exposures. None of them, however, were validated by experimental evidence at the time they were proposed. Accordingly, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) sponsored experiments to explore the effects of time-varying inhalation exposures of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and carbon monoxide (CO) gas on rats. The experiments were designed and executed by the U.S. Army's Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center (ECBC) and the Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton (NAMRU-D) between 2012 and 2015. We conducted an independent analysis of the toxic load model's ability to predict the ECBC/NAMRU-D experimental data using an analytical methodology oriented toward hazard prediction model users. We found that although some of the proposed extensions of the toxic load model perform better than others, all of them have difficulty reproducing the experimental data. The toxic load model also has difficulty reproducing even the constant-concentration data for HCN exposures under 10 min.
Abstract P2-06-08: Withdrawn

This abstract was withdrawn by the authors. Citation Format: Vena F, Bayle S, Quereda V, Monastyrskyi A, Duckett D. Withdrawn [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-06-08.
Abstract 3798: Acetate supplementation eliminates hypoxia mediated resistance to differentiation therapy in neuroblastoma cells

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood. Retinoic acid (RA) leads to cell cycle arrest and induces cell differentiation in neuroblastoma cells, thus it has been used to treat neuroblastoma as differentiating agent for decades. However, therapy resistance often occurs and the overall survival remains low. Hypoxia, a common metabolic stress existing in tumor microenvironment, increases tumor resistance to RA by promoting dedifferentiation of neuroblastoma cells. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying hypoxia-mediated therapy resistance and develop therapeutic approach to improve the response to differentiation therapy. By RNA-Seq analysis, we identified a group of neuron-specific differentiation markers that induced by RA treatment, while the induction was diminished under hypoxia. Associated with the silencing of differentiation markers expression, a significant loss of histone acetylation of H3K9, H3K27 and total H3 was observed under hypoxia. Metabolomics analysis indicated hypoxia inhibited mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to decrease intracellular acetyl-CoA and citrate, which provides acetyl-CoA for histone acetyltransferase. Importantly, acetate supplementation restored cellular acetyl-CoA level, histone acetylation, and the expression of differentiation markers under hypoxia. Differentiation morphology was also restored by acetate supplementation under hypoxia. In conclusion, our finding suggested hypoxia contributed to the resistance to RA-induced differentiation by reprogramming cellular metabolism and inducing histone hypoacetylation. Acetate supplementation is an efficacious therapeutic approach to improve the sensitivity of hypoxic tumor to RA-based differentiation therapy. Citation Format: Yang Li, Yiren Zhou, John M. Maris, Amato J. Giaccia, Jiangbin Ye. Acetate supplementation eliminates hypoxia mediated resistance to differentiation therapy in neuroblastoma cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3798.
Computational drug repositioning using big data from genetic studies

This mini-review gives the development of computational drug repositioning using big data from perspective of genetic study. The reverse profile principle is utilized to reposition drug hits by investigating gene expression, genotyping and GWAS data. Several big data sets are introduced, which are remarkable references that utilized for the genetic studies. Relevant computational genetics methods and the developments are briefly described as well. This review aims to give insights into this area so as to raise more ideas as well as to attract more attentions for this ascendant field. With the development of information technology and engineering applications, prosperous results are highly expected.
Comparative Toxicity of Nitrate to Common and Imperiled Freshwater Mussel Glochidia and Larval Fishes

Growing human populations and increasingly intensive agriculture have resulted in widespread aquatic nitrate pollution. Freshwater mussel populations have been in decline for decades but often are underrepresented in data used for the development of ambient water quality criteria and acute toxicity of nitrate to mussel glochidia has not yet been established. Additionally, toxicity testing with aquatic species often is limited to a few model species; however, relatively little is known about how representative model species are of imperiled species. Therefore, to better define the acute toxicity of nitrate to common and rare aquatic species, we conducted 24-h nitrate acute toxicity tests with glochidia of four species of freshwater mussels, including a federally threatened species (Hamiota altilis) and 7-day tests with larval fish of three species: fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), tricolor shiner (Cyprinella trichroistia), and tilapia (Oreochromis spp.), across a range of water hardness. Median effective concentrations (EC50s) in freshwater mussel glochidia ranged from 524 to 904 mg/L NO3–N in moderately hard water. In fish, median lethal concentrations (LC50s) ranged from 228 to 1725 mg/L NO3–N and varied with water hardness. Of the species tested, generally sensitivity of the common species was similar to the rare species, although relative sensitivity varied with water hardness. Based on these results, we can conclude that acute lethal effects are unlikely for the fish and mussel species considered here at current environmental levels, but the results of these standardized tests are useful for the development of ambient water quality criteria and other regulatory and management decisions regarding acute nitrate exposures.
Investigating the Relationship between eHealth Literacy and Information Search Behaviors

The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between information search behaviors and eHealth literacy. eHealth literacy is mostly measured by assessing consumer's perceived eHealth literacy skills. Nevertheless, there is a lack of study investigating the relationship between eHealth literacy and consumers' information search skills. Thus, I am proposing to conduct a lab-based study to bridge this research gap. Participants will be asked to conduct six fact-finding search tasks. Three informant search behaviors (query formulation, information evaluation, information extraction) are identified and will be measured based on Marchionini's information seeking process model. eHealth literacy will be measured by combining participants' perceived eHealth literacy and information search skills. The relationship between information search behaviors and eHealth literacy will be analyzed.
Generation of clonal male and female mice through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Y chromosome deletion in embryonic stem cells

Abstract Mice derived entirely from embryonic stem (ES) cells can be generated in one step through tetraploid complementation. Although XY male ES cell lines are commonly used in this system, occasionally, monosomic XO female all-ES mice are produced through spontaneous Y chromosome loss. Here, we describe an efficient method to obtain monosomic XO ES cells by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of the Y chromosome allowing generation of clonal male and female mice by tetraploid complementation. The monosomic XO female mice are viable and are able to produce normal male and female offspring. Direct generation of clonal male and female mice from the same mutant ES cells significantly accelerates the production of complex genetically modified mouse models by circumventing multiple rounds of outbreeding.
Effects of Leaving Amputated Ovaries Intra-Abdominally during Elective Bilateral Standing Laparoscopic Ovariectomy in Equids.

There is risk of dropping an amputated ovary within the abdomen during standing laparoscopic ovariectomies in mares. If the ovary can no longer be directly visualized with the laparoscope, the procedure is then converted to a flank laparotomy for manual retrieval of the ovary which negates the minimally invasive nature of the laparoscopic procedure. The objective was to identify if ovaries left in the abdomen after amputation would atrophy or if they re-vascularize. Standing bilateral ovariectomies were performed in mature mares, but after transection of the ovarian pedicle, the ovaries were intentionally dropped and left within the abdomen. Post-operative endocrine values were at basal levels and an improvement in all mare’s behavior and general herd dynamics was observed. While this study does not encourage to leave ovaries in the abdomen after amputation, we report no complication related to their voluntary release into the abdomen.
Gauss's Principle with Inequality Constraints for Multi-agent Navigation and Control

Multi-agent navigation systems present opportunities for many applications due to their agility and cooperation. In any multi-agent navigation system, it is critical that actual inter-agent collisions are strictly prevented. In this paper, we present a solution for the 2-D multi-agent navigation problem with collision avoidance. Our solution to this problem is based on a novel extension to Gauss's Principle of Least Constraint (GPLC) in which a fixed set of strict equality constraints are replaced by time-varying sets of active inequality constraints. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first instance that extends GPLC with dynamic incorporation and stabilization of active inequality constraints and with actuator delay and saturation. Herein, the dynamics of a collision-free multi-agent system satisfies the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions. Active inequality constraints enforce collision avoidance, leader following and agglomeration behaviors, and they are stabilized using Baumgarte's error stabilization approach. We show that in dense configurations the positional arrangement of the agents can lead to linearly dependent constraints, and we propose specialized solutions involvin
Water stress & water salience: implications for water supply planning

Water stress prompts a durable reduction in water demand under some circumstances. This demand reduction has the potential to alter the benefits and costs of demand- and supply-side alternatives in...
Semiparametric zero-inflated Bernoulli regression with applications

When the observed proportion of zeros in a data set consisting of binary outcome data is larger than expected under a regular logistic regression model, it is frequently suggested to use a zero-inf...
A Window Into the Myofibrillar Myopathy Proteome.

Myofibrillar myopathy is a pathologically diagnosed myopathy encompassing a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of myopathies that share common histopathologic features of dissolution of myofibrils, accumulation of myofibrillar degradation products, and ectopic expression of multiple proteins.1 Patients with myofibrillar myopathy present with progressive proximal or distal predominant weakness at a variable age at onset, ranging from childhood to late adulthood. Cardiomyopathy and peripheral neuropathy are frequent extramuscular manifestations. To date, mutations in more than 10 genes underlie myopathies with myofibrillar pathology, most of which encodes Z disc–associated proteins or proteins involving in chaperon-assisted selective autophagy.1
Engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce plant benzylisoquinoline alkaloids

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a diverse family of plant natural products with extensive pharmacological properties, but the yield of BIAs from plant is limited. The understanding of BIA biosynthetic mechanism in plant and the development of synthetic biology enable the possibility to produce BIAs through microbial fermentation, as an alternative to agriculture-based supply chains. In this review, we discussed the engineering strategies to synthesize BIAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) and improve BIA production level, including heterologous pathway reconstruction, enzyme engineering, expression regulation, host engineering and fermentation engineering. We also highlight recent metabolic engineering advances in the production of BIAs in yeast.
Tuning in to inflammation: A path forward for precise and efficacious microbiome medicines?

Gut microbes sense various external cues, including those found in inflammatory conditions, yielding possibilities for connecting sensory circuits to effector pathways to engineer precise and scaled interventions to target pathway activity. Scott et al. combined directed evolution and a synthetic gene circuit in yeast to fine-tune sensing of extracellular ATP, showing promise as a live therapeutic in two murine models of chemical colitis and a murine model of antibody-mediated enteritis. 1