cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis) in healthy breastfed infants: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

The development of probiotics as therapies to cure or prevent disease lags far behind that of other investigational medications. Rigorously designed phase I clinical trials are nearly non-existent in the field of probiotic research, which is a contributing factor to this disparity. As a consequence, how to appropriately dose probiotics to study their efficacy is unknown. Herein we propose a novel phase I ascending dose trial of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis (B. infantis) to identify the dose required to produce predominant gut colonisation in healthy breastfed infants at 6 weeks of age. This is a parallel-group, placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind ascending dose phase I clinical trial of dietary supplementation with B. infantis in healthy breastfed infants. The objective is to determine the pharmacologically effective dose (ED) of B. infantis required to produce predominant (>50 %) gut colonisation in breastfed infants at 6 weeks of age. Successively enrolled infant groups will be randomised to receive two doses of either B. infantis or placebo on days 7 and 14 of life. Stool samples will be used to characterise the gut microbiota at increasing doses of B. infantis. Probiotic supplementation has shown promising results for the treatment of a variety of ailments, but evidence-based dosing regimes are currently lacking. The ultimate goal of this trial is to establish a recommended starting dose of B. infantis for further efficacy-testing phase II trials designed to evaluate B. infantis for the prevention of atopic dermatitis and food allergies in at-risk children. Clinicaltrials.gov # NCT02286999 , date of trial registration 23 October 2014.
A new range of vacuum interrupters developed using latest modeling tools

Vacuum interrupters have been widely used for power distribution systems since the 1960s and hare proven their reliability in service. Work is continuing to improve this technology and to satisfy the growing requirements of the electrical power industry. A new family of vacuum interrupters, the so called VG range, has been developed covering power The key drivers for this project were an optimised design, reduced development time and expenditure and reduced environmental impact. To achieve these targets a maximum of modeling techniques was employed. Vacuum interrupters have many electrical functions such as interrupting short circuit currents, conducting the rated current and withstanding lightning impulse voltage. Furthermore, they also have to fulfill important mechanical duties. The heart of each vacuum interrupter is the are control geometry that is required to distribute the arc energy equally over the contact surface. In the course of the development three dimensional electro-magnetic modeling was applied to optimise the ohmic resistance of the interrupters and to extend the short circuit interruption performance up to 63 kArms. Electrostatic calculations were also used. Relevant areas were not only the dielectric design of the interrupters itself, but also the interrupter mounted in circuit breakers or the optimisation of the interrupter manufacturing process. Finite element calculations were used to optimise the mechanical performance by simulating and varying different geometries and taking into account a variety of materials and their properties. The paper presents the modeling approach taken for this development project by discussing some actual examples.
Favorable Responses to Novel Agents for Multiple Myeloma in African American Patients

Abstract Abstract 4213 Multiple myeloma (MM) accounts for 10% of hematologic malignancies in the U.S. African Americans (AA) have twice the risk of developing multiple myeloma and, in previous studies, a higher mortality rate when compared to non-African Americans (non-AA). In recent years, clinical outcomes for patients with MM have improved as a result of new agents, such as immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) and bortezomib. However, the therapeutic impact of these new therapies in AA vs. non-AA patients has not been evaluated. In this study, 53 consecutive patients (23 AA, 30 non-AA) with newly diagnosed MM were retrospectively analyzed after induction treatment with thalidomide/dexamethasone (n=22), lenalidomide/dexamethasone (n=8), bortezomib/dexamethasone (n=5), bortezomib/thalidomide/dexamethasone (n=3), lenalidomide/bortezomib/dexamethasone (n=12), or an IMiD plus melphalan (n=3). AA and non-AA patients were comparable for age, immunoglobulin isotype, MM stage of disease, serum β2microglobulin and albumin levels, and cytogenetic abnormalities including del13 (27% vs. 38%, respectively, p=NS). When measured according to international uniform criteria, the response rate to induction therapy was not statistically different between AA and non-AA patients: complete remission (CR, 22% vs. 21.4%), very good partial remission (VGPR, 26% vs. 21.4%), or partial remission (PR, 43.4% vs. 32.1%). However, the rate of stable/progressive disease following induction therapy was significantly higher in non-AA patients (p = 0.03). Of 53 patients, 34 received high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). In this group, the CR + VGPR rate following ASCT was significantly higher in AA compared with non-AA patients (59% vs. 35%, p=0.0007). At a median follow up of 47 months, the relapse rate was 59% in AA and 46% in non-AA patients (p=NS) and the median time to progression (TTP) was 9.1 months in both groups. Five patients (9%) died. All deaths occurred in the non-AA cohort and in 4/5 cases death was due to disease progression. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that despite their increased disease risk, AA patients with MM have a favorable outcome that is equivalent to that of non-AA patients when treated with IMiDs and/or bortezomib. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Fractionation of Tobacco Smoke Condensate for Chemical Composition Studies

The evolution of the scheme presently used at the Russell Research Center for the fractionation of smoke condensate will be outlined. This work was carried out for the most part at the Eastern Marketing and Nutrition Laboratory under the direction of Dr. R. L. Stedman. The fractions obtained from the separation procedures are used in both chemical and biological investigations. The results obtained in the biological studies on these fractions will be discussed in another paper by Dr. Bock. Some fractions which were found to be active will be pointed out as a justification for studying the chemistry of the particular fraction and developing further fractionation schemes. This paper is also not intended to be a complete discussion of chemical composition but rather a means of isolating various fractions for chemical studies. Compounds identified in our laboratories will be presented in order to give a general idea of the composition of various fractions.
A genotype-directed study to optimize dosing of irinotecan according to the UGT1A1 genotype.

2570 Background: The risk of severe neutropenia from irinotecan (I) is in part related to UGT1A1*28, a polymorphism that reduces the elimination of SN-38, the active metabolite of I. We aimed to id...
Hyperpolarized HHe 3 MRI of the lung in cystic fibrosis: assessment at baseline and after bronchodilator and airway clearance treatment.

Rationale and Objectives The purpose of this study is to determine hyperpolarized helium 3 (HHe) magnetic resonance (MR) findings of the lung in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) compared with healthy subjects and determine whether HHe MR can detect changes after bronchodilator therapy or mechanical airway mucus clearance treatment. Materials and Methods Thirty-one subjects, 16 healthy volunteers and 15 patients with CF, underwent HHe lung ventilation MR imaging and spirometry at baseline. Eight patients with CF then were treated with nebulized albuterol, after which a follow-up HHe MR scan was obtained. Subsequently, recombinant human deoxyribonuclease (DNase) treatment and chest physical therapy were performed in these eight subjects, followed by a third HHe MR scan. For each MR study, the number of ventilation defects was scored by a human reader. Results Patients with CF had significantly more HHe MR ventilation defects per image than healthy subjects (mean, 8.2 defects in patients with CF vs 1.6 defects in healthy subjects; P P = .0002). After treatment with albuterol, there was a small, but statistically significant, decrease in number of ventilation defects (mean, 9.6–8.0 defects; P = .025). After DNase and chest physical therapy, there was a trend toward increasing ventilation defects (mean, 8.3 defects; P = .096), but with a residual net improvement relative to baseline. Conclusion In patients with CF, HHe MR ventilation defects correlate with spirometry, change with treatment, and are elevated in number in patients with CF with normal spirometry results. Thus, HHe MR appears to possess many of the characteristics required of a biomarker for pulmonary CF and may be useful in the evaluation of CF pulmonary disease severity or progression.
Electron spin resonance in chars of some simple carbonaceous materials

Une etude sur la resonance paramagnetique electronique dans les produits de carbonisation des materiaux suivants : C3 O2 , C3 S2 , hexamine, polyacrylonitrile, acetate de cellulose, phenol-benzaldehyde et sucre, et la facon dont elle depend de la temperature du traitement thermique et de l’atmosphere ambiante a montre, dans l’ensemble, un comportement analogue de tous les produits de carbonisation, a l’exception du produit de carbonisation de C3 S2 , qui se comporte de facon tres particuliere a tous egards. Pour tous ces produits sont donnes la variation de l’intensite, la largeur et la valeur de g. L’oxydation de ces produits de carbonisation a 350-600 °C provoque une variation de la valeur de g, un elargissement de la raie et une legere diminution de l’intensite totale; le fait d’expulser l’oxygene adsorbe et les complexes oxygenes par rechauffage sous vide a plus de 700 °C restaure l’intensite initiale ainsi que la largeur et la valeur de g initiales. Comme la presente etude a permis de demontrer que le seul element necessaire pour la resonance paramagnetique est le carbone, on a admis que les centres de spin en question sont des liaisons σ rompues des atomes de carbone. Grâce a cette hypothese on peut en gros expliquer le comportement general de l’intensite et de la largeur pour tous les produits de carbonisation (y compris celui de C3 S2 ) et les relier aux modifications d’autres proprietes de ces materiaux.
A system dynamics approach to planning and evaluating interventions for chronic disease management

Studies have been reported on the applications of systems science to chronic disease management, but few, if any, have concentrated on chronic kidney disease (CKD). We examined the impact of a syst...
Computed Tomography of Internal Hernias Following Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Internal hernia in the postoperative laparoscopic Roux-en-Y patient is a diagnosis associated with significant morbidity and risk of death. The radiologist plays an instrumental role in workup of this patient group; however, the imaging assessment of these patients is not straightforward given their complex postsurgical anatomy. Multiple radiologic signs of internal hernia have been studied in the literature. This review article presents these signs with representative cases as well as a summary of their diagnostic accuracy.
Dynamics and Function of Nuclear Bodies during Embryogenesis.

Nuclear bodies are RNA-rich membraneless organelles in the cell nucleus that concentrate specific sets of nuclear proteins and RNA–protein complexes. Nuclear bodies such as the nucleolus, Cajal body (CB), and the histone locus body (HLB) concentrate factors required for nuclear steps of RNA processing. Formation of these nuclear bodies occurs on genomic loci and is frequently associated with active sites of transcription. Whether nuclear body formation is dependent on a particular gene element, an active process such as transcription, or the nascent RNA present at gene loci is a topic of debate. Recently, this question has been addressed through studies in model organisms and their embryos. The switch from maternally provided RNA and protein to zygotic gene products in early embryos has been well characterized in a variety of organisms. This process, termed maternal-to-zygotic transition, provides an excellent model for studying formation of nuclear bodies before, during, and after the transcriptional act...
Management of Suspected Bladder Injury and Capsular Perforation After Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate.

Background: Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) is an attractive and well-studied alternative to transurethral resection of the prostate and open prostatectomy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. There remains an established steep learning curve with relatively few complications described in the literature. A unique risk of HoLEP is injury of the bladder during morcellation of the adenoma and potential iatrogenic intraperitoneal bladder rupture. We present a rare complication of HoLEP demonstrated by two patients in which capsular perforation resulted in subsequent abdominal distention secondary to a large amount of irrigation fluid that leaked into the extraperitoneal space. Uniquely, these cases were managed differently, and serve as guidance to the HoLEP practitioner in postoperative management. Case Presentations: The first case involved a 74-year-old male who was found to have significant abdominal distention at the end of the procedure. Given an acute change in stability and concern for bladder injury during morcellation, a minilaparotomy was performed only to reveal extraperitoneal extravasation without intraperitoneal bladder injury or perforation. In the second case, a 78-year-old male undergoing HoLEP had a similar presentation of significant abdominal distention at the conclusion of morcellation. Given a low suspicion for any bladder injury, the patient was managed conservatively with diuretics. He was subsequently discharged on postoperative day 1. Conclusion: Capsular perforation is not a rare phenomenon that occurs during HoLEP. Rarely, perforations can lead to extravasation of irrigation fluid into the extraperitoneal space masquerading as a potential bladder injury related to morcellation because of the associated abdominal distention. This presentation can occur in large glands or early in a surgeon's learning curve when operative times are longer. When there is clear evidence to suggest there is no bladder injury, these cases can be managed conservatively and avoid the morbidity of an abdominal exploration.
Persistence of viral RNA in the central nervous system of mice inoculated with MHV-4.

In order to study the role that viral persistence may play in chronic central nervous system (CNS) disease induced by murine coronaviruses, we have used the reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to study viral RNA in the brains of mice after intracerebral inoculation of JHM virus (JHMV or MHV-4). Quantitative RT-PCR showed that JHMV RNA decreased from approximately 2 ng/ug total brain RNA at day 6 post-inoculation (PI) to 0.1 pg/ug total brain RNA at 360 days PI. Double-stranded viral RNA could be detected up to day 20 PI. By the selective use of upstream or downstream primers during the RT step, it was possible to measure negative sense and positive sense JHMV RNA respectively, and we found that there was a marked rise in the ratio of positive to negative sense JHMV RNA after day 13 PI. Analysis of amplified products by dideoxy DNA sequencing showed that the characteristic mutation of our input virus (at position 3340 of gene 3) is maintained to at least day 42 PI. Taken together, these results favor a model of JHMV persistence in vivo in which viral RNA is present as double stranded forms initially and predominantly as single stranded, positive sense forms at late timepoints. Further analysis of this model in quantitative terms may contribute to our understanding of the biological significance of coronavirus persistence in the CNS.
Pmela and Tyrp1b Contribute to Melanophore Variation in Mexican Cavefish

Regressive evolution is a widespread phenomenon that affects every living organism, yet the mechanisms underlying trait loss remain largely unknown. Cave animals enable the study of degenerative disorders, owing to the frequent loss of eyes and pigmentation among lineages evolving in the subterranean habitat. Here, we utilize the blind Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus, to investigate regressive loss of pigmentation because “ancestral” surface-dwelling morphs allow direct comparisons with cave-dwelling forms. Two genes (Oca2-albinism and Mc1r-brown) have been linked to specific pigmentation alterations in several cavefish populations. Pigment cell (melanophore) number is a complex trait governed by multiple genes, and variation in this trait may contribute to pigmentation diversity in Astyanax. To uncover genes associated with this trait, we assembled a high-resolution linkage map and used automated phenotypic scoring to quantify melanophore number variation across seven body regions in a surface × Pachon cave F2 pedigree. QTL mapping yielded several markers strongly associated with melanophore number variation in the dorsal mid-lateral stripe area and superior head region, which anchor to regions of the Astyanax genome and the zebrafish genome. Within these syntenic regions, we identified two candidate genes, Tyrp1b and Pmela, with known roles in pigmentation based on gene ontology annotation. Mutant forms of these candidate genes in other organisms cause global and regional pigmentation variation, respectively. In Astyanax, these genes harbor coding sequence mutations and demonstrate differential expression in Pachon cavefish compared to surface morphs. In sum, this work identifies genes involved with complex aspects of Astyanax pigmentation and provides insight into genetic mechanisms governing regressive phenotypic change.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Crystallization Process of n-Alkane Mixtures and the Resulting Thermal Conductivity

To elucidate the underlying mechanism of crystallization processes of n-alkane mixtures, molecular dynamics simulation is used to assess the effect of the morphology on thermal conductivity. Binary...
Towards hybrid human-machine scientific information extraction

A wealth of valuable research data is locked within the millions of research articles published every year [1]. Extracting pertinent scientific facts (e.g., materials properties, known variants in genomics, population statistics etc.) from those articles has become an unmanageable task for researchers. This problem hinders the advancement of science, making it difficult to build on existing results, avoid unnecessary repetition, and to translate results into applications. Moreover, since these data are often loosely encoded in esoteric scientific articles intended for human consumption, they are, in general, not machine accessible. Thus, it is not often tractable to develop studies that automatically leverage this valuable information.
Structure-based coarse graining of diblock copolymer melts using PRISM theory

Abstract We applied our recently proposed systematic and simulation-free strategy for the structure-based coarse graining of multicomponent polymeric systems (Wang, Q., Polymer 2017, 117, 315) to diblock copolymer melts, where we use the well-developed polymer reference interaction site model (PRISM) theory, instead of the commonly used many-chain molecular simulations, to obtain the structural and thermodynamic properties of both the original and coarse-grained (CG) systems, and to quantitatively examine how the effective non-bonded pair potentials between CG segments and the thermodynamic properties of CG systems vary with the coarse-graining level. We proved that our strategy does not change the spinodal curve, regardless of the original model system, closures, and coarse-graining levels for the two blocks. Using a simple original model system for symmetric diblock copolymer melts, we coarse-grained each block as N/2 segments and examined CG systems with N ranging from 2 to 100. We found that coarse graining (i.e., decreasing N) increases both the peak value and peak location of the partial structure factor characterizing the composition fluctuations in the CG system. Contrary to the common practice in the literature, CG potentials obtained from short-chain systems cannot be directly used for long-chain systems; this is in fact the transferability problem in coarse graining (Louis, A. A., J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 2002, 14, 9187). We also found that the structure-based coarse graining cannot give thermodynamic consistency at any coarse-graining level, consistent with our previous work on homopolymer melts (Yang, D. L.; Wang, Q., J. Chem. Phys. 2015, 142, 054905; Wang, Q.; Yang, D. L., Polymer 2017, 111, 103) and binary polymer blends (Wang, Q., Polymer 2017, 117, 315).
Another Look at Kant and Degrees of Responsibility

In “Kant and Degrees of Responsibility,” Joe Saunders claims that “Degrees of responsibility are important for both our moral and legal practices” (p. 1) and argues that “transcendental idealism precludes Kant from vindicating these judgments [about degrees of responsibility]” (p. 11); thus, we have reasons to reject Kant’s transcendental idealism. In this paper, I show how Kant’s transcendental idealism can accommodate and provide a metaphysical account for degrees of responsibility. Whether this “vindicates” such judgments depends upon how much one expects a philosophical account to do; I defend modesty there while admitting a reasonable desire for reflection on how we can and should make such judgments. Finally, I raise the question of just how important judgments of moral responsibility are. Rather than looking to metaphysics to figure out how to vindicate judgments about degrees of responsibility, I suggest we look to the practical purposes such judgments serve.
Minimally Invasive, Endoscopic-Assisted Device for Subdural Electrode Implantation in Epilepsy.

Background Subdural grids and strip electrodes provide wide coverage of the cerebral cortex, precise delineation of the extent of the seizure onset zone, and improved spatial sampling to perform functional mapping for eloquent cortex. Objective To describe a novel device that allows for a minimally invasive approach to implantation of subdural grid and strip electrodes. Methods A skull mounted device was created to allow for implantation of subdural electrodes through a keyhole craniotomy with direct visualization using the aid of a flexible neurovideoscope. The initial studies in preparation for grid development performed on cadaveric skulls were analyzed to determine the size of craniotomy required for deployment, maximal distance of strip electrode deployment from center of craniotomy, and visual inspection of the cortex was performed for any underlying damage. Results The device allowed for the placement of subdural electrodes through a 40-mm craniotomy. Subdural electrodes were deployed in multiple directions to a distance of a 70-mm radius from the center of the craniotomy. There was no visual damage to the underlying cortex after the procedures were completed. Conclusion Large craniotomies are typically desired to provide direct visualization of the implantation of subdural electrodes, but can increase the risk of subdural hemorrhages and infections. This study describes a novel minimally invasive endoscopically assisted device for the implantation of subdural strip electrodes under direct visualization. With this device, we are able to limit the size of the craniotomy, avoid incision through the temporalis muscle, and implant subdural electrodes with visualization of the cortex.
GPU-DFC: A GPU-Based Parallel Algorithm for Computing Dynamic-Functional Connectivity of Big fMRI Data

Studying dynamic-functional connectivity (DFC) using fMRI data of the brain gives much richer information to neuroscientists than studying the brain as a static entity. Mining of dynamic connectivity graphs from these brain studies can be used to classify diseased versus healthy brains. However, constructing and mining dynamic-functional connectivity graphs of the brain can be time consuming due to size of fMRI data. In this paper, we propose a highly scalable GPU-based parallel algorithm called GPU-DFC for computing dynamic-functional connectivity of fMRI data both at region and voxel level. Our algorithm exploits sparsification of correlation matrix and stores them in CSR format. Further reduction in the correlation matrix is achieved by parallel decomposition techniques. Our GPU-DFC algorithm achieves 2 times speed-up for computing dynamic correlations compared to state-of-the-art GPU-based techniques and more than 40 times compared to a sequential CPU version. In terms of storage, our proposed matrix decomposition technique reduces the size of correlation matrices more than 100 times. Reconstructed values from decomposed matrices show comparable results as compared to the correlations with original data. The implemented code is available as GPL license on GitHub portal of our lab (https://github.com/pcdslab/GPU-DFC).
Cytosolic 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase regulates glycine metabolism in mouse liver.

ALDH1L1 (10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase), an enzyme of folate metabolism highly expressed in liver, metabolizes 10-formyltetrahydrofolate to produce tetrahydrofolate (THF). This reaction might have a regulatory function towards reduced folate pools, de novo purine biosynthesis, and the flux of folate-bound methyl groups. To understand the role of the enzyme in cellular metabolism, Aldh1l1−/− mice were generated using an ES cell clone (C57BL/6N background) from KOMP repository. Though Aldh1l1−/− mice were viable and did not have an apparent phenotype, metabolomic analysis indicated that they had metabolic signs of folate deficiency. Specifically, the intermediate of the histidine degradation pathway and a marker of folate deficiency, formiminoglutamate, was increased more than 15-fold in livers of Aldh1l1−/− mice. At the same time, blood folate levels were not changed and the total folate pool in the liver was decreased by only 20%. A two-fold decrease in glycine and a strong drop in glycine conjugates, a likely result of glycine shortage, were also observed in Aldh1l1−/− mice. Our study indicates that in the absence of ALDH1L1 enzyme, 10-formyl-THF cannot be efficiently metabolized in the liver. This leads to the decrease in THF causing reduced generation of glycine from serine and impaired histidine degradation, two pathways strictly dependent on THF.
Bone Marrow Findings in Congenital/Hereditary Conditions

Congenital or hereditary conditions often affect the bone marrow hematopoiesis. Although these conditions are rare, they pose a diagnostic challenge as the manifestations of the congenital and hereditary conditions are often diverse. The clinical and family history that often triggers the suspicion for these conditions may not be obvious. And the genetic tools to assist the diagnosis are rapidly expanding. Although the congenital and hereditary conditions with bone marrow manifestations are more frequently identified in children, they can be seen in adults. These conditions can generally be grouped into those that primarily affect the hematopoietic system or those that show multi-organ manifestations including hematopoietic system. Myeloid neoplasms developed in the setting of germline mutations have been increasingly recognized and were added to the most recent update of WHO classification of hematopoietic neoplasms. Other rare congenital or hereditary conditions such as storage and metabolic disorders also affect bone marrow hematopoiesis. In this chapter, we will discuss the practical approach in the diagnosis and work-up of these cases.
An engineer's introduction to mechanophores

Mechanophores (MPs) are a class of stimuli-responsive materials that are of increasing interest to engineers due to their potential applications as stress sensors. These mechanically responsive molecules change color or become fluorescent upon application of a mechanical stimulus as they undergo a chemical reaction when a load is applied. By incorporating MPs such as spirolactam, spiropyran, or dianthracene into a material system, the real-time stress distribution of the matrix can be directly observed through a visual response, ideal for damage and failure sensing applications. A wide array of applications that require continuous structural health monitoring could benefit from MPs including flexible electronics, protective coatings, and polymer matrix composites. However, there are significant technical challenges preventing MP implementation in industry. Effective strategies to quantitatively calibrate the photo response of the MP with applied stress magnitudes must be developed. Additionally, environmental conditions, including temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet light exposure can potentially impact the performance of MPs. By addressing these limitations, engineers can work to move MPs from the synthetic chemistry bench to the field. This review aims to highlight recent progress in MP research, discuss barriers to implementation, and provide an outlook on the future of MPs, specifically focused on polymeric material systems. Although the focus is on engineering MPs for bulk materials, a brief overview of mechanochemistry will be discussed followed by methods for activation and quantification of MP photo response (concentrating specifically on fluorescently active species). Finally, current challenges and future directions in MP research will be addressed.
Learning to Be a Responsive, Authoritative Teacher: Effects of Experience and Age on Teachers’ Interactional Styles

Investigating the development of teachers’ interactional styles (related to “authoritative teaching”), survey research examined how interactional styles are predicted by teaching experience, age, a...
Control Logic Forensics Framework using Built-in Decompiler of Engineering Software in Industrial Control Systems

Abstract In industrial control systems (ICS), attackers inject malicious control-logic into programmable logic controllers (PLCs) to sabotage physical processes, such as nuclear plants, traffic-light signals, elevators, and conveyor belts. For instance, Stuxnet operates by transfering control logic to Siemens S7-300 PLCs over the network to manipulate the motor speed of centrifuges. These devestating attacks are referred to as control-logic injection attacks. Their network traffic, if captured, contains malicious control logic that can be leveraged as a forensic artifact. In this paper, we present Reditus to recover control logic from a suspicious ICS network traffic. Reditus is based on the observation that an engineering software has a built-in decompiler that can transform the control logic into its source-code. Reditus integrates the decompiler with a (previously-captured) set of network traffic from a control-logic to recover the source code of the binary control-logic automatically. We evaluate Reditus on the network traffic of 40 control logic programs transferred from the SoMachine Basic engineering software to a Modicon M221 PLC. Our evaluation successfully demonstrates that Reditus can recover the source-code of a control logic from its network traffic.
Cannabis use and sleep: Expectations, outcomes, and the role of age.

Abstract Study Objectives: Determine relationship between cannabis use with 1) expectations of cannabis being a sleep aid, 2) subjective sleep outcomes, and 3) the influence of age on these relationships. Methods: In 152 moderate cannabis users with a wide age range (67% female, mean age = 31.45, SD = 12.96, age range = 21–70; mean days of cannabis use in prior two weeks = 5.54, SD = 5.25) we examined the influence of cannabis use history and behaviors on expectations of cannabis being a sleep aid and sleep outcomes via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Moderation analysis examined the role of age in the relationship between cannabis use and sleep outcomes. Results: Endorsing current cannabis use and more days of cannabis use were associated with increased expectations that cannabis use improves sleep (all β > 0.03, p 0.34), the adjusted p values for the main effects of cannabis behaviors/history on expectations of cannabis as a sleep aid (p adj = 0.07–0.09) and the main effects of CBD concentration on sleep duration (p adj = 0.08), as well as the interaction terms of CBD and age for that model (p adj = 0.07), were trending. Conclusion Cannabis users have increased expectations of cannabis being a sleep aid, but few associations existed between cannabis use and sleep outcomes. The two exceptions were endorsing any cannabis use and frequency of edible use. Additionally, age may be an important moderator of the potential positive influence CBD concentration can have on sleep.
Simulation of wrinkling in incompressible anisotropic thin sheets with wavy fibers

Abstract A two-dimensional plate theory is derived for incompressible transversely isotropic fiber-reinforced materials with wavy fibers. Single-layer plates and two-layer laminates are considered. Numerical simulations of axially loaded rectangular sheets in the post-buckling regime illustrate the marked effect fiber waviness has on both the wrinkling patterns and the effective axial stiffness. For fibers oriented along the loading axis, increased waviness tends to decrease the axial stiffness. Conversely, for fibers oriented transverse to the loading direction, increased waviness tends to increase stiffness.
Addressing Inequity Through Public Health, Community Development, Arts, and Culture: Confluence of Fields and the Opportunity to Reframe, Retool, and Repair.

As the public health field deepens its focus on social and environmental determinants of health and, as that field expands its attention to finding allied interests in the community development fie...
Class Representative Learning for Zero-shot Learning Using Purely Visual Data

The building of robust classifiers with high precision is an important goal. In reality, it is quite challenging to achieve such a goal with the data that are typically noise, sparse, or derived from heterogeneous sources. Thus, a considerable gap exists between a model built with training (seen) data and testing (unseen) data in applications. Recent works, including zero-shot learning (ZSL) and generalized zero-short learning (G-ZSL), have attempted to overcome the apparent gap through transfer learning. However, most of these works are required to build a model using visual input with associated data like semantics, attributes, and textual information. Furthermore, models are made with all of the training data. Thus, these models apply to more generic contexts but do not apply to the specific settings that will eventually be required for real-world applications. In this paper, we propose a novel model named class representative learning (CRL), a class-based classifier designed with the following unique contributions in machine learning: (1) the unique design of a latent feature vector, i.e., class representative, represents the abstract embedding space projects with the features extracted from a deep neural network learned only from input images. (2) Parallel ZSL algorithms with class representative learning; (3) a novel projection-based inferencing method uses the vector space model to reconcile the dominant difference between the seen classes and unseen classes. This study demonstrates the benefit of using the class-based approach with CRs for ZSL and G-ZSL on eight benchmark datasets. Extensive experimental results suggest that our proposed CRL model significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art methods in ZSL/G-ZSL based image classification.
Air pollution and children's health-a review of adverse effects associated with prenatal exposure from fine to ultrafine particulate matter.

Particulate matter (PM), a major component of ambient air pollution, accounts for a substantial burden of diseases and fatality worldwide. Maternal exposure to PM during pregnancy is particularly harmful to children’s health since this is a phase of rapid human growth and development. In this review, we synthesize the scientific evidence on adverse health outcomes in children following prenatal exposure to the smallest toxic components, fine (PM2.5) and ultrafine (PM0.1) PM. We highlight the established and emerging findings from epidemiologic studies and experimental models. Maternal exposure to fine and ultrafine PM directly and indirectly yields numerous adverse birth outcomes and impacts on children’s respiratory systems, immune status, brain development, and cardiometabolic health. The biological mechanisms underlying adverse effects include direct placental translocation of ultrafine particles, placental and systemic maternal oxidative stress and inflammation elicited by both fine and ultrafine PM, epigenetic changes, and potential endocrine effects that influence long-term health. Policies to reduce maternal exposure and health consequences in children should be a high priority. PM2.5 levels are regulated, yet it is recognized that minority and low socioeconomic status groups experience disproportionate exposures. Moreover, PM0.1 levels are not routinely measured or currently regulated. Consequently, preventive strategies that inform neighborhood/regional planning and clinical/nutritional recommendations are needed to mitigate maternal exposure and ultimately protect children’s health.
Crónicas en Japón

This is a very personal non-academic chronicle which has no theme except the one that brings together various experiences and reflections about some trips to Japan, between 2017 and 2019. Chile and the Land of the Rising Sun are devastated from time to time by earthquakes and tsunamis, triggered in the subduction zones within the Pacific Ring of Fire. Its inhabitants, however, come from cultures that face this fierce destiny in very different ways. Driven by curiosity, I shifted the everyday life at my Chilean office with the clean air from its temples, its university campuses and the labs at The Tokyo University. These lines and the videos included at the end of the text collect part of those experiences.
Suitability Obligations Applicable to Securities and Annuities

There are various rules governing a broker's investment recommendations to a customer. FINRA, the main entity responsible for regulating brokers, has enacted a suitability rule which sets forth a broker's obligations when making a recommendation to a customer. In 2011, FINRA amended this rule. This article describes the 2011 amendments and explains the current obligations when a broker recommends that a customer purchase, hold or sell a security.In addition to the FINRA suitability rule, there may be addition rules that specify a broker's conduct when a broker is recommending that a customer purchase an annuity. This article describes the differing obligations that are triggered when a broker recommends a variable annuity and an equity-indexed annuity to a customer. Equity-indexed annuities have very specific obligations because they have sometimes been viewed as both a security and insurance and sometimes solely as an insurance product.
On the Participation and Reputation of Financial Advisors in Corporate Acquisitions

In this article, we study the role of financial advisors in successful corporate acquisitions through tender offers. Our analysis distinguishes the advisor's role on the basis of whether the advisor's client is the target or the bidder. We document systematic patterns in takeover deal characteristics and wealth effects vis-a-vis advisor participation as well as advisor reputation. Differences in deal characteristics suggest that the main reason that an advisor is utilized is to overcome some disadvantage relative to the other party in the takeover contest. Whenever a target, either because of its relatively smaller size or because of a larger bidder toehold, or a bidder, because of the presence of multiple bidders, perceives itself as being in a position of weakness, it employs the services of an advisor. Additionally, we document that the weaker the position, the higher the reputation of the chosen advisor. We do not find a significant relation between bidder wealth effects and either bidder advisor participation or reputation, although we do observe higher combined (bidder and target) wealth gains when the bidder employs a higher reputation advisor. On the other hand, we find significant relations between target wealth gains and both advisor participation and reputation. Targets employ advisors primarily when the wealth gains to them are "low". This finding, while seemingly counterintuitive, is consistent with the conjecture that if advisors possess special bargaining expertise, the demand for their services would be higher in low wealth gain deals. Conditional upon employing an advisor, however, we find a significantly positive relation between target wealth gains and advisor reputation. Furthermore, we find that at least a part of the additional target gains from employing a more highly reputed advisor are at the cost of the bidder's wealth. Our results suggest that reputable target advisors have superior abilities in creating value for their clients as well as bargaining on behalf of their clients, and that reputable bidder advisors exhibit superior ability to identify synergistic value.
Gesundheitsausgaben und -versorgung von Kindern im internationalen Vergleich

Die Altersausgabenprofile in der OECD-Studie „Projecting OECD Health and Long-term care expenditures: What are the main drivers?“ erwecken den Eindruck, dass Osterreich im internationalen Vergleich wenig fur die Gesundheitsversorgung von Kindern ausgibt. Wir haben diese Annahme uberpruft: Fur einen Vergleich der Ausgabenhohe mit anderen Landern sind die Altersausgabenprofile (vgl. Abbildung 1) in ihrer Globalbetrachtung allerdings schlecht geeignet: Erstens weisen die einzelnen Lander unterschiedliche Abdeckungsgrade der Profile auf, d.h. zum Teil werden einzelne Ausgabenkomponenten in Landern nicht abgedeckt oder sind nicht nachvollziehbar. Zweitens existieren in den betrachteten Landern unterschiedliche Gesundheitssysteme, Organisationsformen und Berechnungsmethoden, welche die Vergleichbarkeit erschweren. Drittens musste beispielsweise fur Osterreich eine Adjustierung des Profils vorgenommen werden, um eine Konformitat mit der offiziell publizierten Ausgabenquote nach dem System of Health Accounts (SHA) zu erhalten. Vielmehr dienen die Altersausgabenprofile als Ausgangsbasis fur landerspezifische Vorausschatzungen der offentlichen Gesundheitsausgaben. Weiters sei darauf hingewiesen, dass eine isolierte Betrachtung der Gesundheitssausgabenseite ohne Miteinbeziehung des Gesundheitszustandes wenig aussagekraftig erscheint, da in Betracht gezogen werden muss, dass hohe Ausgaben nicht automatisch auch einen guten Gesundheitszustand der Bevolkerung implizieren mussen (siehe bspw. die USA). Mehr Geld fur das Gesundheitswesen ist eine notwendige, aber nicht hinreichende Bedingung fur bessere Gesundheit. Geld kann nur in eine gerechte, effiziente und effektive Gesundheitsversorgung ubergefuhrt werden, wenn geeignete Finanzierungsmethoden verwendet werden und institutionelle Kapazitat und Arbeitskrafte vorhanden sind. Ohne diese Bedingungen konnen zusatzliche finanzielle Mittel fur Gesundheit sogar Schaden anrichten. Durch die Starkung von Gesundheitsforderung und Pravention bei Kindern (Forderung von Bewegung und gesunder Ernahrung – Kampf dem Ubergewicht bei Kindern, Kampf dem Rauchen/Alkohol, Haltungsschaden etc.) Abb. 1: Offentliche Gesundheitsausgaben, in Prozent des Bruttoinlandsproduktes (BIP) pro Kopf, 2000
Evidence for a Single Naphthylphthalamic Acid Binding Site on the Zucchini Plasma Membrane.

The binding of [2,3,4,5,(n)-3H]N-1-napthylphthalamicacid ([3H]-NPA) to zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) plasma membranes was examined in detail using two different filtration assays and the results were rigorously analyzed by saturation curves, double-reciprocal plots, Scatchard plots, Hill plots, and the computer program Ligand (P.J. Munson, D. Rodbard [1980] Anal Biochem 107: 220-239). To facilitate these analyses, a new assay that allows rapid and quantitative analysis of [3H]NPA binding with high reproducibility and ease of manipulation has been developed. These detailed kinetic analyses indicate that only one binding site for [3H]NPA (Kd = 16 nM) was associated with the zucchini plasma membrane. Analysis of [3H]NPA dissociation by several auxin transport inhibitors revealed similar dissociation constants with both plasma and microsomal membrane. Collectively, these data indicate the presence of only one binding site for NPA associated with the zucchini plasma membrane.
Optical multiple object tracking techniques

Two multichannel multiple-object tracking techniques are reviewed. In the diffraction grating technique, the input scene is picked up by a TV camera and imaged onto a liquid-crystal light valve (LCLV), and the output side of the light valve is illuminated with a suitably polarized and collimated coherent laser beam to yield a reflected beam with polarization modulated according to the intensity of the incoherent input. This reflected beam passes through a beam splitter cube and an analyzer, resulting in an intensity modulated coherent image. An array of spectrum islands containing the information of the input appears after crossing a contact screen/lens combination. In the multiple-focus hololens technique, the scene of moving objects is sent into the LCTVSLM through a camera; a collimated laser beam is incident upon the LCTV screen; a low-pass filter is inserted between the LCTVSLM and the hololens for the removal of the high order diffractions due to the grid structure of the LCTV. The feasibility of the LCTVSLM and multiple-focus hololens technique is demonstrated.
Mechanosensory Lateral Line: Microscopic Anatomy and Development

Publisher Summary The mechanosensory lateral line system of bony fishes is composed of a series of receptor organs called neuromasts, which are located on the epithelium or in lateral line canals on the head and trunk, and are innervated by several lateral line nerves, which project to the hindbrain. Neuromast receptor organs are epithelial structures composed of a population of sensory hair cells and nonsensory supporting cells and mantle cells. Within a neuromast, hair cells are oriented 180o to one another and occur in an approximately 50:50 ratio so that each neuromast has a single axis of best physiological sensitivity. The hair cells of canal neuromasts are oriented parallel to the long axis of the canal so that movement of fluid along the length of the canal can provide an effective mechanical stimulus for the canal neuromast.The orientation of superficial neuromasts that are accessory to a canal tends to be perpendicular to the axis of the canal thus adding another axis of best physiological sensitivity to the population of neuromasts. As a result, the lateral line system can respond to water movements arising from several directions.