cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quercus rubra -associated ectomycorrhizal fungal communities of disturbed urban sites and mature forests

The presence and quality of the belowground mycorrhizal fungal community could greatly influence plant community structure and host species response. This study tests whether mycorrhizal fungal communities in areas highly impacted by anthropogenic disturbance and urbanization are less species rich or exhibit lower host root colonization rates when compared to those of less disturbed systems. Using a soil bioassay, we sampled the ectomycorrhizal fungal (EMF) communities associating with Quercus rubra (northern red oak) seedlings in soil collected from seven sites: two mature forest reference sites and five urban sites of varying levels of disturbance. Morphological and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of fungi colonizing root tips revealed that colonization rates and fungal species richness were significantly lower on root systems of seedlings grown in disturbed site soils. Analysis of similarity showed that EMF community composition was not significantly different among several urban site soils but did differ significantly between mature forest sites and all but one urban site. We identified a suite of fungal species that occurred across several urban sites. Lack of a diverse community of belowground mutualists could be a constraint on urban plant community development, especially of late-successional woodlands. Analysis of urban EMF communities can add to our understanding of urban plant community structure and should be addressed during ecological assessment before pragmatic decisions to restore habitats are framed.
Sequence designs for ultra-wideband impulse radio with optimal correlation properties

We formulate a combinatorial model of impulse radio sequences (IRSs) to study sequence or signal design for ultra-wideband (UWB) radio with unmodulated time hopping. Using this combinatorial model for IRSs, we develop necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of IRSs. Several novel constructions for IRSs with optimal correlation properties are given. The constructions involve the Welch construction for Costas arrays, a quadratic polynomial construction over finite fields, recursive techniques for optical orthogonal codes, and combinatorial design techniques using perfect Mendelsohn designs (PMDs).
Spatial Autocorrelation and Bayesian Spatial Statistical Method for Analyzing Intersections Prone to Injury Crashes

Identification of hazardous road locations (i.e., crash hot spots or black spots) is a standard practice in departments of transportation (DOTs) throughout the United States. Often, DOTs use relatively straightforward methods to detect high crash sites; these methods, however, may not be accurate. The objectives of this study are to develop two different methodologies: (a) a geographic information system (GIS)-based method to detect crash hot spots and (b) a spatial regression method with structured and unstructured random effects in continuous space to investigate the intersection-level factors that influence the concentration of fatal injury crashes. Using injury and property damage only (PDO) crash data from Tucson, Arizona, this study shows that spatial dependence plays a strong role during the analyses of road-traffic crashes. These spatial dependencies, accounted through spatial autocorrelation, help to detect statistically significant clusters of crashes involving fatalities or severe or minor injuries, in a GIS framework. This study also develops statistical models of severe- and minor-injury crashes, using classical negative binomial (NB) and Bayesian spatial statistical methods incorporating spatially structured and unstructured random effects. The coefficient estimates from a Bayesian framework are similar to those from NB estimation, but with better precision. The model that includes spatial correlations also indicates the potential to reduce the bias associated with model misspecification by changing the estimate of the annual average daily traffic coefficients. This study's results also indicate that spatially structured correlation is quite significant in cases of crashes involving minor injury or PDO and that unstructured effects are somewhat significant at the intersection-level for cases of severe-injury crashes.
Non-collinear magnetism in iron at high pressures

Abstract Using a first-principles based, magnetic tight-binding total energy model, the magnetization energy and moments are computed for various ordered spin configurations in the high pressure polymorphs of iron (fcc, or γ-Fe, and hcp, or ϵ-Fe), as well as ferromagnetic bcc iron (α-Fe). For hcp an antiferromagnetic spin configuration is more stable than non-magnetic ϵ iron up to about 50 GPa. Accounting for magnetism yields better agreement with the experimental equation of state, in contrast to the non-magnetic equation of state, which is in poor agreement with experiment below 50 GPa. We also studied non-collinear magnetism in γ- and ϵ-Fe. In ϵ-Fe the non-collinear effects are quite small energetically; in its stability field the collinear afmII structure is more stable than all non-collinear structures we explored.
MRI data acquisition and image reconstruction from multiple, non-interacting receiver coils

A previously published acquisition and reconstruction method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which allows for a reduction in the number of phase encoding acquisitions in an imaging sequence without reducing either resolution or field of view is described. Two (or more) noninteracting receiver coils simultaneously detect signals from the same tissue, and data from each of the receiver channels are separately recorded. An imaging sequence uses phase encoded echoes in the usual sense, but the reconstruction effectively calculates multiple Fourier projections of the tissue from one echo. An implementation with two receiver coils can reduce the number of needed phase encoded acquisitions by 50%. The reconstruction algorithm is analyzed, the signal-to-noise ratio is calculated, and artifacts are discussed. The technique has not yet been implementated. >
Performance of new hydrogen Masers at the National Research Council of Canada

Two active hydrogen masers designed to be operated as clocks and as contributors to the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) time scale have been constructed. Details of their design are presented together with some initial measurements of line-Q and frequency stability. A plot of maser power as a function of linewidth for maser H4 is shown. The experimental values of linewidth at the extremes of the oscillation curve correspond to line-Q values of 6.1*10/sup 9/ and 1.3*10/sup 9/, respectively. At a reasonable operating atom flux, the line-Q is 4*10/sup 9/, which is a factor of two better than that obtained for maser H1 at its normal operating flux. Some initial measurements of the frequency stability of the masers have also been made. >
Memory load affects object individuation in 18-month-old infants.

Accurate representation of a changing environment requires individuation—the ability to determine how many numerically distinct objects are present in a scene. Much research has characterized early individuation abilities by identifying which object features infants can use to individuate throughout development. However, despite the fact that without memory featural individuation would be impossible, little is known about how memory constrains object individuation. Here, we investigated infants’ ability to individuate multiple objects at once and asked whether individuation performance changes as a function of memory load. In three experiments, 18-month-old infants saw one, two, or three objects hidden and always saw the correct number of objects retrieved. On some trials, one or more of these objects surreptitiously switched identity prior to retrieval. We asked whether infants would use this identity mismatch to individuate and, hence, continue searching for the missing object(s). We found that infants were less likely to individuate objects as memory load grew, but that infants individuated more successfully when the featural contrast between the hidden and retrieved objects increased. These results suggest that remembering more objects may result in a loss of representational precision, thereby decreasing the likelihood of successful individuation. We close by discussing possible links between our results and findings from adult working memory.
The Role of Vegetation in the Dynamics of West African Monsoons

Abstract The focus of this paper is the role of meridional distribution of vegetation in the dynamics of monsoons and rainfall over West Africa. A moist zonally symmetric atmospheric model coupled with a simple land surface scheme is developed to investigate these processes. Four primary experiments have been carried out to examine the sensitivity of West African monsoons to perturbations in the meridional distribution of vegetation. In the control experiment, the authors assume a distribution of vegetation that resembles the natural vegetation cover in West Africa. Each perturbation experiment is identical to the control experiment except that a change in vegetation cover is imposed for a latitudinal belt that is 10° in width. The results of the numerical experiments demonstrate that West African monsoons and therefore rainfall distribution depend critically on the location of the vegetation perturbations. Changes in vegetation cover along the border between the Sahara desert and West Africa (desertifica...
Primary ascaridial perforation of the small intestine: Sonographic diagnosis

Ascaris lumbricoides is the most common helminth affecting humans. Ascariasis can result in serious complications, including intestinal obstruction and perforation. Early diagnosis and treatment of such complications reduces the risk of mortality. We present a case of sonographically diagnosed ascaridial perforation in a 5-year-old girl. On sonography, each ascarid appeared as 2 pairs of parallel lines, representing the worm's outer margins, flanking a central sonolucent line, representing its digestive tract. Sonography revealed ascarides in the peritoneal cavity and in some loops of the small bowel. Emergent laparotomy was performed to remove ascarides from the peritoneal cavity and terminal ileum, and the patient recovered well and was asymptomatic at a 3-month follow-up. Knowledge of the sonographic features described herein may aid in the evaluation of patients, especially children, in tropical countries who have clinical symptoms of ascariasis.
Developing and Nurturing Excellence in African American Male Adolescents

High dropout rates and poor academic performance are too often characteristic of the educational experience for African American male adolescents. In response to this dilemma, enrichment initiatives targeting young Black men have been developed. This article provides an in-depth description of Project: Gentlemen on the Move, a program designed to develop and nurture academic and social excellence in African American male adolescents. Recommendations for school counselors are provided.
Gender Differences in Preferences, Intra-Household Externalities, and Low Demand for Improved Cookstoves

This paper examines whether an intra-household externality prevents adoption of a technology with substantial implications for population health and the environment: improved cookstoves. Motivated by a model of intra-household decision-making, the experiment markets stoves to husbands or wives in turn at randomly varying prices. We find that women – who bear disproportionate cooking costs – have stronger preference for healthier stoves, but lack the authority to make purchases. Our findings suggest that if women cannot make independent choices about household resource use, public policy may not be able to exploit gender differences in preferences to promote technology adoption absent broader social change.
Clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium: an uncommon entity with a favorable prognosis.

Abstract From 1979 to 1978, 345 patients with endometrial carcinoma were treated at the Medical College of Virginia. Twenty-three of these were clear cell carcinoma (6.6%). Previous reports indicate a poor prognosis with this histological entity. In this series no differences were noticed between clear cell carcinoma and classical adenocarcinoma with regard to variables such as age, race, stage at presentation or response to treatment. Clear cell carcinoma is a distinct histological entity and does not appear to be different than classical adenocarcinoma in its behavior and response to therapy. It is recommended that these tumors be managed by a combination of surgery and radiotherapy.
Simple partial seizures (isolated auras) in medial temporal lobe epilepsy

We analysed whether the medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) with isolated auras makes any difference in the clinical picture in comparison with MTLE in which only complex partial seizures (CPS) occur. We included 100 patients (aged 16-59 years) with unilateral medial temporal lobe lesions who consecutively underwent presurgical evaluation due to intractable MTLE and who became completely aura- and seizure-free after the anterior temporal resection. Preoperatively, isolated auras were present in 70 patients. These patients were categorised into the IA group. The remaining 30 patients in whom the auras preceded seizures were categorised into the NIA group. We found no difference between the two groups for the age at onset, epilepsy duration or aura types. Conversely, a right-sided epileptogenic region (61%) occurred more frequently in the IA group than in the NIA group (27%, P = 0.001). Conclusively, isolated auras show affinity to the right hemisphere. One explanation may be that seizures stop more quickly in the right hemisphere. Another hypothesis is that consciousness can be disturbed much easier by the ictal activity in left temporal seizures: auras evolve more frequently to CPS due to the disturbance of consciousness.
The Matuyama-Brunhes boundary interval (500-900 ka) in North Atlantic drift sediments

SUMMARY Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) sites 984 and 983, located on North Atlantic sediment drifts, provide high-resolution records across the Matuyama‐Brunhes boundary. At ODP site 984 (Bjorn Drift, Iceland Basin), the mean sedimentation rate in the 500‐900 ka interval is ∼12 cm kyr −1 based on an age model derived by matching the planktonic and benthic oxygen isotope records to an Ice Volume Model. The Matuyama‐Brunhes polarity transition at site 984, as defined by virtual geomagnetic polar (VGP) latitudes <50 ◦ , has an apparent duration of ∼7 kyr with a mid-point at 773.5 ka, compared with 772.5 ka at neighbouring site 983. Outside the polarity transition at both sites 984 and 983, excursions in VGP latitudes, to values <20 ◦ , at 540, 590 and 670 ka correspond to troughs in the palaeointensity record. New u-channel palaeomagnetic data across the Matuyama‐Brunhes boundary, for working and archive halves of core sections from three holes at both sites 984 and 983, augment data published by Channell & Lehman (1997) and are compared with back-to-back 1 cm 3 discrete samples. Clusters of VGPs in the South Atlantic and northeast Asia in both u-channel and discrete sample records imply that polarity transition fields have characteristics similar to the modern non-axial-dipole (NAD) field.
Structure of an HIV-2 gp120 in Complex with CD4

HIV-2 is a nonpandemic form of the virus causing AIDS, and the majority of HIV-2-infected patients exhibit long-term nonprogression. The HIV-1 and HIV-2 envelope glycoproteins, the sole targets of neutralizing antibodies, share 30 to 40% identity. As a first step in understanding the reduced pathogenicity of HIV-2, we solved a 3.0-A structure of an HIV-2 gp120 bound to the host receptor CD4, which reveals structural similarity to HIV-1 gp120 despite divergence in amino acid sequence.
Güven: estimating trust from communications

The extent to which an agent trusts another naturally depends on the outcomes of their interactions. Previous computational approaches have treated the outcomes in a domain-specific way. Specifically, these approaches focus on the mathematical aspect and assume that a positive or negative experience can be identified without showing how to ground the experiences in real-world interactions, such as emails and chats. We propose Guven, an approach that relates trust to the domain-independent notion of commitments. We consider commitments since commitment outcomes can be associated with experiences and a large body of works exist on commitments that include commitment representation and semantics. Also, recent research shows that commitments can be extracted from interactions, such as emails and chats. Thus, we posit Guven can provide an useful basis to infer trust between agents from their interactions. To evaluate Guven, we conducted empirical studies of two decision contexts. First, subjects read emails extracted from the Enron dataset (and augmented with some synthetic emails for completeness), and estimated trust between each pair of communicating agents. Second, the subjects played the Colored Trails game, estimating trust in their opponents. Guven incorporates a probabilistic model for trust based on commitment outcomes; we show how to train its parameters for each subject based on the subject’s assessments. The results are promising, though imperfect. Our main contribution is to launch a research program into computing trust based on a semantically well-founded account of interpersonal interactions.
Missing the Boat on Freshwater Fish Conservation in California

Population growth and increasing water-use pressures threaten California's freshwater ecosystems and have led many native fishes to the brink of extinction. To guide fish conservation efforts, we provide the first systematic prioritization of river catchments and identify those that disproportionately contribute to fish taxonomic diversity. Using high-resolution range maps of exceptional quality, we also assess the representation of fish taxa within the state's protected areas and examine the concordance of high-priority catchments with existing reserves and among distinct taxonomic groups. Although most of the state's native fishes are found within protected areas, only a small proportion of their ranges are represented. Few high-priority catchments occur within protected areas, suggesting that fish conservation will require active management and targeted river restoration outside of reserves. These results provide the foundation for systematic freshwater conservation planning in California and for prioritizing where limited resources are allocated for fish recovery and protection.
Fullerene-Assisted Photoinduced Charge Transfer of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes through a Flavin Helix.

One of the greatest challenges with single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) photovoltaics and nanostructured devices is maintaining the nanotubes in their pristine state (i.e., devoid of aggregation and inhomogeneous doping) so that their unique spectroscopic and transport characteristics are preserved. To this effect, we report on the synthesis and self-assembly of a C60-functionalized flavin (FC60), composed of PCBM and isoalloxazine moieties attached on either ends of a linear, C-12 aliphatic spacer. Small amounts of FC60 (up to 3 molar %) were shown to coassembly with an organic soluble derivative of flavin (FC12) around SWNTs and impart effective dispersion and individualization. A key annealing step was necessary to perfect the isoalloxazine helix and expel the C60 moiety away from the nanotubes. Steady-state and transient absorption spectroscopy illustrate that 1% or higher incorporation of FC60 allows for an effective photoinduced charge transfer quenching of the encased SWNTs through the seamless he...
Predictors of Informant Discrepancies between Mother and Middle School Teacher ADHD Ratings.

A diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th Eldition (DSM-5) is assessed in youth using ratings from both a parent and a teacher. However, individual and contextual differences between informants may lead to discrepancies in these ratings. The purpose of this study was to examine predictors of discrepancies between mother and middle school teacher reports of ADHD symptoms and related impairment. In an ethnically diverse sample of middle school students with well-diagnosed DSM-IV-TR ADHD (N = 112), we examined a range of mother and school setting characteristics that may contribute to informant discrepancies in this population. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses suggested that mothers with higher levels of education and psychopathology (i.e., ADHD symptom severity, parenting stress) may be most likely to report adolescent ADHD symptom severity that is higher than reported by teachers. Reports from general education teachers (vs. special education) were associated with lower symptom severity compared to mothers. Finally, a documented diagnosis of ADHD in the school was predictive of more severe reports from mothers. We discuss explanations for these findings and implications for assessment of middle school students with ADHD.
Pancreatic nodal metastases: biologic significance and therapeutic considerations.

Characteristics of the resected tumor can be used to predict outcome in patients with adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas. Multivariate analysis has determined that the most powerful independent predictors of survival include ploidy, nodal status, margin status, and tumor diameter. Standard pancreaticoduodenectomy (not radical or extended resection) remains the resection strategy of choice. Improvements in overall outcome will likely arise from more widespread use of chemoradiation therapy postresection and from future developments in early detection and antitumor therapies.
Processing Complex Similarity Queries: A Systematic Approach.

In this paper we introduce a set of operations for complex manipulation with approximate queries represented by scoring functions. We show correspondence of these operations to the user expectations and applications needs. We evaluate the effectiveness of our techniques in the context of content-based image retrieval task and compare it to the known fusion methods.
Even after thirteen class exams, students are still overconfident: the role of memory for past exam performance in student predictions

Students often are overconfident when they predict their performance on classroom examinations, and their accuracy often does not improve across exams. One contributor to overconfidence may be that students did not have enough experience, and another is that students may under-use their knowledge of prior exam performance to predict performance on their upcoming exams. To evaluate the former, we examined student prediction accuracy across 13 exams in an introductory course on educational psychology. For the latter, we computed measures that estimate the extent to which students use the prior exam score when predicting performance and whether students should use the prior exam scores. Several outcomes are noteworthy. First, students were overconfident, and contrary to expectations, this overconfidence did not decline across exams. Second, students’ prior exam scores were not related to subsequent predictions, even though prior exam performance showed little bias with respect to predicting future performance. Thus, students appear to under-use prior performance despite its utility for improving prediction accuracy about future exam performance.
Temporary and permanent occlusion of cerebral arteries: Indications and techniques

Permanent occlusion of the carotid and vertebral arteries has long been used as a treatment for certain aneurysms, tumors, arteriovenous fistulae, and traumatic injuries. Temporary occlusion of these vessels often is used to predict patient tolerance before permanent vessel occlusion. When inadvertent arterial occlusion or injury is considered to be a significant risk of an open or endovascular surgical procedure, temporary arterial occlusion may be used to assess tolerance for permanent occlusion. The results of temporary arterial occlusion testing are often used to determine the need and type of bypass graft to augment cerebral blood flow. Temporary arterial occlusion also may be used to arrest proximal blood flow during open or endovascular surgery.
Electoral Fraud, Social Media, and Whistleblowing During the 2011 Russian Legislative Elections

This paper examines the effect of social media on electoral fraud reporting during the 2011 Duma elections in Russia. The paper uses an original data set on the number of electoral violations reported in each of the region to estimate the effect of political and socio-economic factors on voters willingness to use the Internet and social media to fight electoral fraud. The empirical results point to a strong link between economic modernization in a region and voters' use of social media for political purposes. Modernization of production space was one the most important factor that affected whistleblowing by Russian voters.
Emigration, National Loyalty and Identity, and Anti-Semitism During the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany

This chapter focuses on nationalist discourses in the records of two veterans, Karl Oscar Hugg and Richard Schmidt. Specifically, the chapter explores the relationship between nationalism and anti-Semitism. Karl Oscar Hugg, investigated and detained by the FBI, was forced to demonstrate patriotism to the USA amid accusations that he was still loyal to Germany under National Socialism. His accusers’ evidence included his anti-Semitic remarks. Hugg discovered that nations may grant citizenship but are also entitled to take it away. Schmidt committed a crime in the context of continued animosity toward German-born naturalized citizens. The release of Schmidt’s murderer demonstrated the ways in which World War heroism seemed to exonerate wrongdoing.
Does Lipid Composition Regulate Anthrax Toxin Uptake

Biological roles of lipids are not limited toproviding structural stability to bilayer membranes. Lipids have numerous functions, e.g. acting in cellular signaling and protein regulation. Cells adjust bilayer biophysical parameters by controlling lipid content and gradient of the plasma and intracellular organelle membranes. Thus, membrane composition changes along the endocytic pathway, with early endosomal membranes resembling plasma membranes, and late endosomal membranes showing dramatic increase in anionic lysobisphosphatidic acid level.Here we investigate the role of the lipid environmentin the anthrax toxin uptake. The anthrax toxin, formed by three proteins (binding protective antigen, PA, and enzymatic lethal factor, LF and edema factor, EF), follows a multistep internalization process which involves PA binding to its cellular receptors, proteolytic cleavage to PA63, oligomerization to form prepores, and LF and EF binding followed by endocytosis. The acidic endosomal environment causes conformational changes in PA63 leading to its insertion into the early endosomal membrane and ion channel formation. The delivery of LF to cytoplasm was suggested to take place later in the endocytic pathway via the back-fusion of intraluminal vesicles of late endosomes. Given the variations in membrane lipid composition of the early endosome, the intraluminal vesicles and the late endosome, it becomes important to understand if these changes influence the PA63 insertion and structural dynamics, LF and EF binding and translocation.Using bilayer lipid membrane technique, we mimic the endosomal membrane composition probing its properties in-vitro. We show that at pH 5.5, PA63 insertion rate increases dramatically in PS compared with PC bilayers, whereas LF binds ten times less effectively to PA63 in PS compared to PC. When the solution pH is raised from 5 to 6.75, this difference is diminished.
Applying Behavioral Game Theory to Cyber-Physical Systems Protection Planning

Abstract This chapter examines the scarce resource allocation problem inherent in protecting any large-scale cyber-physical system (CPS) from attack by intelligent adversaries through the lens of behavioral game theory and applies level-k reasoning to derive resource allocation strategies optimized to obtain the biggest “bang for the buck.” Behavioral game theory provides a framework to model the strategic nature of intelligent attackers and insights into predicting and countering their most likely attacks. Our approach, which leverages the security Colonel Blotto game and a mathematical programming solver to automate level-k calculations, applies to any large-scale, distributed CPS, but for demonstration purposes we apply it to protecting a notional smart grid special protection system. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by entering our computer-generated strategy into an attack and defend competition conducted with human subjects.
National trends in antidepressant, benzodiazepine, and other sedative-hypnotic treatment of older adults in psychiatric and primary care

OBJECTIVE To describe how use of antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and other anxiolytic/sedative-hypnotics among older adults (age ≥ 65 years) has changed over time among visits to primary care providers and psychiatrists. METHODS Data were from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (years 2003-2005 and 2010-2012), a nationally representative cross-section of outpatient physician visits. Analysis focused on visits to primary care providers (n = 14,282) and psychiatrists (n = 1,095) at which an antidepressant, benzodiazepine, or other anxiolytic/sedative-hypnotic was prescribed, which were stratified by demographic and clinical characteristic (including ICD-9-CM diagnosis) and compared across study intervals. Odds of medication use were calculated for each stratum, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS The visit rate by older adults to primary care providers where any of the medications were prescribed rose from 16.4% to 21.8% (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.43, P < .001) while remaining steady among psychiatrists (75.4% vs 68.5%; AOR = 0.69, P = .11). Primary care visits rose for antidepressants (9.9% to 12.3%; AOR = 1.28, P = .01) and other anxiolytic/sedative-hypnotics (3.4% to 4.7%; AOR = 1.39, P = .01), but the largest growth was among benzodiazepines (5.6% to 8.7%; AOR = 1.62, P < .001). Among patients in primary care, increases primarily occurred among men, non-Hispanic white patients, and those with pain diagnoses as well as those with no mental health or pain diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS From 2003 to 2012, use of the most common psychotropic medications among older adults seen in primary care increased, with concentration among patients with no mental health or pain diagnosis. As the population of older adults grows and receives mental health treatment in primary care, it is critical to examine the appropriateness of psychotropic use.
Differing intrinsic biological properties between forebrain and spinal oligodendroglial lineage cells

Differentiation of oligodendroglial progenitor cells (OPCs) into myelinating oligodendrocytes is known to be regulated by the microenvironment where they differentiate. However, current research has not verified whether or not oligodendroglial lineage cells (OLCs) derived from different anatomical regions of the central nervous system (CNS) respond to microenvironmental cues in the same manner. Here, we isolated pure OPCs from rat neonatal forebrain (FB) and spinal cord (SC) and compared their phenotypes in the same in vitro conditions. We found that although FB and SC OLCs responded differently to the same external factors; they were distinct in proliferation response to mitogens, oligodendrocyte phenotype after differentiation, and cytotoxic responses to α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate-type glutamate receptor-mediated excitotoxicity at immature stages of differentiation in a cell-intrinsic manner. Moreover, transcriptome analysis identified genes differentially expressed between these OPC populations, including those encoding transcription factors (TFs), cell surface molecules, and signaling molecules. Particularly, FB and SC OPCs retained the expression of FB- or SC-specific TFs, such as Foxg1 and Hoxc8, respectively, even after serial passaging in vitro. Given the essential role of these TFs in the regional identities of CNS cells along the rostrocaudal axis, our results suggest that CNS region-specific gene regulation by these TFs may cause cell-intrinsic differences in cellular responses between FB and SC OLCs to extracellular molecules. Further understanding of the regional differences among OPC populations will help to improve treatments for demyelination in different CNS regions and to facilitate the development of stem cell-derived OPCs for cell transplantation therapies for demyelination. Cover Image for this issue: doi. 10.1111/jnc.13809.
Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 and Cardiovascular Risk: State of the Evidence and Future Directions

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an enzyme that circulates in blood, bound mainly to LDL particles (80%) but also to HDL particles (20%). It has been shown to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and it is believed to form bioactive lipid mediators resulting in vascular inflammation. At the same time, Lp-PLA2 is implicated in the degradation of the platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent mediator of inflammation (this is why this enzyme is also known as platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase [PAF-AH]), a function that would lead to cardioprotection. See page 106 In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Yang and colleagues provide new evidence that Lp-PLA2 is an independent correlate of coronary endothelial-dependent dysfunction in a sample of 172 patients with no significant coronary artery disease (<30% stenosis) undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography.1 Microvascular and epicardial endothelial-dependent dysfunction were assessed as change in coronary blood flow and change in coronary artery diameter in response to intracoronary acetylcholine, respectively. After adjustment for relevant …
The Quality of POLST Completion to Guide Treatment: A 2-State Study

Abstract Objectives Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) need to be complete and consistent to allow health care personnel to honor patient preferences in a time of emergency. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the quality of POLST completion to guide treatment for level of medical intervention. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study combined data from the Oregon and West Virginia POLST registries for the study period January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2016. All POLST form resuscitation (section A) and level of medical intervention (section B) orders were reviewed. Measurements Percent of POLST form orders in sections A and B with and without contradictions. Results During the study period, there were 268,386 POLST forms in the Oregon POLST Registry and 10,122 forms in the West Virginia e-Directive Registry. Of the forms, 99.2% in Oregon and 96.6% in West Virginia contained orders in both sections A and B. There were contradictions on 0.11% of forms from Oregon and 2.53% from West Virginia. Conclusions The quality of POLST form completion in the Oregon and West Virginia registries is good with less than 10% of forms lacking orders in sections A and B and containing contradictory orders. This study indicates what type of results are possible with statewide education, likely through POLST Paradigm Programs. Further research is needed to determine the quality of POLST form completion in other states and other factors that contribute to their quality.
Bilingual Cortical Control of Between- and Within-Language Competition.

The human capacity to master multiple languages is remarkable and leads to structural and functional changes in the brain. Understanding how the brain accommodates multiple languages simultaneously is crucial to developing a complete picture of our species’ linguistic capabilities. To examine the neural mechanisms involved in processing two languages, we looked at cortical activation in Spanish-English bilinguals in response to phonological competition either between two languages or within a language. Participants recognized spoken words in a visual world task while their brains were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Results revealed that between-language competition recruited a larger network of frontal control and basal ganglia regions than within-language competition. Bilinguals also recruited more neural resources to manage between-language competition from the dominant language compared to competition from the less dominant language. Additionally, bilinguals’ activation of the basal ganglia was inversely correlated with their executive function ability, suggesting that bilinguals compensated for lower levels of cognitive control by recruiting a broader neural network to manage more difficult tasks. These results provide evidence for differences in neural responses to linguistic competition between versus within languages, and demonstrate the brain’s remarkable plasticity, where language experience can change neural processing.
Relevance of Individual-Level Residential Outcomes for Segregation Theory

The residential outcomes that give rise to segregation index scores can be assessed in terms of whether they, and by implication the indices that rest on them, are relevant for investigating different theories of segregation dynamics. In the final analysis, theories of segregation must reckon with the micro-level dynamics that produce the residential patterns that aggregate indices summarize. It is easy to see how the residential outcome registered by S – namely, area racial mix (p) – is relevant for theories of residential attainment dynamics. For example, Lieberson advanced the hypothesis that segregation arises in part when Whites strive to maintain high levels of same-group contact and avoid more than incidental levels of contact with minorities (Lieberson 1980, 1981: 75; Lieberson and Carter 1982). Combining this hypothesis with the assumption that Whites have greater ability to influence residential dynamics leads to straightforward predictions regarding how S will vary when city racial composition varies over time or across cities. For example, the hypothesis that discrimination by Whites serves to keep White contact with Whites from falling below fairly high levels (say 85 % or higher) leads to the prediction that S will vary as a positive, nonlinear function of proportion Black in the city.
Overcrowding in Prisons

Prison crowding in the United States poses problems for effective management of offender populations, the safety of both staff and inmates, availability of re-entry programs, and the costs of incarceration in general. This entry describes the evolution of crowded prisons in the US, the more specific problems posed by crowded facilities from both policy and academic perspectives, and possible solutions to the problem. Keywords: corrections; prison; punishment
Cerebral perfusion monitoring in adult patients following cardiac surgery: an observational study†

Background: Following adult cardiac surgery, often difficult to detect fluctuations in regional cerebral perfusion can contribute to strokes. Optimal cerebral perfusion remains elusive and traditional monitoring strategies do not consistently identify acute changes. Non-invasive cerebral oximetry may detect perfusion variations.Objective: To assess the feasibility of postoperative non-invasive cerebral oximetry monitoring.Methods: Non-invasive cerebral oximetry was performed on adult aortic valve surgery patients in a cardiac surgical intensive care unit. Monitoring feasibility was assessed using an investigator-developed, data extraction tool.Results: Non-invasive cerebral oximetry was completed in 94% of patients. Sixty percent had values that fell below pre-set ischemic threshold. Nurses reported monitoring was feasible, and they perceived identifying deleterious cerebral perfusion trends may improve patient care.Conclusions: Prevalence of low cerebral oximetry values underscores the importance of incr...
A Force Domain Analog-to-Digital Converter Applied in Micro and Nanoscale Tensile Tests

Mechanical characterization of sub-micron thin films or similar small scale structures have been a continuous challenge to the mechanics community due to the difficulty in accurately quantizing the applied load and resulted deformation. In this work, a new Force Domain Analog-to-Digital Converter (F-D ADC) is adopted to perform thin film tensile tests. The key component of the F-D ADC is a quantizer-array of microfabricated buckling beams of pre-determined length. During the testing, the applied force is quantized using the critical load of the increasing number of buckling beams and the deformation of the specimen is controlled by the loading stage. The resolution and accuracy of the current method can be significantly improved by increasing the number of buckling beams.
Metric and Geodesics on a Manifold

A manifold, as defined in Chapter 23, is a thing characterized just by its local topology: It is a locally n-dimensional space in which the Hausdorff separation axiom holds. In this chapter and the next two, a manifold is made into a geometric structure by introducing further notions such as geodesics (a geodesic is the analogue of a straight line in Euclidean geometry), lengths, angles, and so on. The most fundamental notion is geodesic, which is derived, in the main geometries of interest to physics, either from a metric or from an affine connection; we start with a metric, because of its similarity with distance in familiar Euclidean geometry.
The Business Improvement District Movement: Contributions to Public Administration & Management

Part 1 1. Foundations of the Profession of Business District Management: Public-Private Partnerships & Public Management 2. Foundations of the Profession of Business District Management: Entrepreneurship, Social Capital & Multi-Sectoral Partnerships 3. Business Improvement Districts: Public-Private Cooperation In Community Revitalization Part 2 4. Retail/Commercial Cooperative Management & Asset-Based Community Development 5. Survey Research, Performance Measurement, Budgeting and Evaluation for Managed Business Districts
Decoding plant communities across scales.

Characteristics shared by different plant species can be used to decipher where they are found in nature. A new global analysis indicates that using this code to understand what shapes plant communities must consider spatial scale.
Digital neuropsychology: Challenges and opportunities at the intersection of science and software

Objective: Digital devices are now broadly accessible and have the capacity to measure aspects of human behavior with high precision and accuracy, in a standardized manner. The purpose of this arti...
Yellow Fever and Dengue

Dengue and yellow fever are common arboviral infections in humans [Call Out Box 35.1]. The two infections overlap substantially with regard to their epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical features. Both infections remain high on the differential diagnosis for any acutely ill patient who has traveled to or who lives in an endemic area. Understanding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations, together with maintaining a high index of suspicion for these infections in the appropriate context, allows for a prompt diagnosis and development of a treatment plan. Patients with yellow fever or dengue typically have active viral replication if they are febrile, allowing for diagnostic confirmation using polymerase chain reaction-based assays, antigen detection assays, or viral culture. Once the period of viremia has passed, diagnosis is supported (usually retrospectively) using serologic assays designed to detect pathogen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgG, or neutralizing antibodies. There are no licensed antiviral medications for the treatment of either yellow fever or dengue; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care. The yellow fever 17D vaccine is one of the most successful vaccines of all time and remains widely used in endemic areas of the world. It is also an important travel vaccine. Some countries require proof of vaccination before allowing visitors to enter. A dengue vaccine was recently licensed for use, but its performance profile is inferior to the yellow fever vaccine. With proper recognition and treatment, the prognosis for patients with dengue is very good, while the prognosis for patients infected with yellow fever virus remains guarded.
BRIC: Locality-based Encoding for Energy-Efficient Brain-Inspired Hyperdimensional Computing

Brain-inspired Hyperdimensional (HD) computing is a new computing paradigm emulating the neuron’s activity in high-dimensional space. The first step in HD computing is to map each data point into high-dimensional space (e.g., 10,000), which requires the computation of thousands of operations for each element of data in the original domain. Encoding alone takes about 80% of the execution time of training. In this paper, we propose BRIC, a fully binary Brain-Inspired Classifier based on HD computing for energy-efficient and high-accuracy classification. BRIC introduces a novel encoding module based on random projection with a predictable memory access pattern which can efficiently be implemented in hardware. BRIC is the first HD-based approach which provides data projection with a 1:1 ratio to the original data and enables all training/inference computation to be performed using binary hypervectors. To further improve BRIC efficiency, we develop an online dimension reduction approach which removes insignificant hypervector dimensions during training. Additionally, we designed a fully pipelined FPGA implementation which accelerates BRIC in both training and inference phases. Our evaluation of BRIC a wide range of classification applications show that BRIC can achieve $64.1 \times$ and $9.8 \times (43.8 \times$ and $6.1 \times) $ energy efficiency and speed up as compared to baseline HD computing during training (inference) while providing the same classification accuracy.CCS CONCEPTS• Computing methodologies $\rightarrow$ Machinelearningapproaches; Supervised learning;
Trade Credit in the Product Market Network

We document that industry positions in the product market network – a feature exogenous to individual firms – significantly influences firms’ use and extension of trade credit. Specifically, firms in higher centrality customer industries use more trade credit and firms in higher centrality supplier industries provide less trade credit than other firms. These results are robust to controlling for other industry features including direct trade connections and product specificity. The evidence from examining the interest rates of accounts receivable and two negative liquidity shocks suggests that central industries’ high likelihood to propagate liquidity shocks grants them advantages in trade credit negotiations.