cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal network tracking based on tensor factor analysis of graph signal spectrum

A wide variety of networks, ranging from biological to social, evolve, adapt and change over time. Recent methods employed in the assessment of temporal networks include tracking topological graph metrics, evolutionary clustering, tensor based anomaly methods and, more recently, graph to signal transformations. In this paper, we propose to assess the temporal evolution of networks by first transforming networks into signals through Classical Multidimensional Scaling based on the resistance distance and then constructing a tensor based on the spectra of each signal across time. The proposed method is first evaluated on simulated temporal networks with varying structural properties. Next, the method is applied to temporal functional connectivity networks constructed from multichannel electroencephalogram (EEG) data collected during a study of cognitive control. This analysis shows that the proposed method is more sensitive to changes in the network structure and more robust to variations in edge weights.
An evaluation of exponential random graph modeling and its use in library and information science studies

Abstract Social network analytical tools and theories have long been an accepted part of the research landscape in many social and physical sciences including: sociology, political science, psychology, communications, business, geography, biology, physics, and chemistry as well as library and information science (LIS). Given the level of activity in the social network analysis (SNA) area concerning LIS, it is important to review the latest trends in the SNA stochastic modeling, namely exponential random graph (ERG) models. Unlike previous SNA methods, ERG models offer insight into generative network properties through simultaneous inclusion of structural parameters and attributes in the analysis while accounting for the interdependent nature of network data. Additionally, when Monte Carlo Markov Chain Maximum Likelihood Estimator is used, ERG modeling results in parameter estimates superior to other methods (e.g., MRQAP). The current study will demonstrate the utility of ERG models in LIS through a brief overview of major concepts and techniques in SNA, followed by a detailed description of ERG modeling technique, a review of currently available software used in analysis and a brief examination of its current use in LIS studies.
Hostile Media Perceptions

The hostile media perception, also known as the hostile media effect, refers to the judgment, by individuals who have strong opinions on a particular issue, that media coverage of that issue is biased against their own point of view. A classic example is when a newspaper receives two letters to the editor complaining about news coverage of a contentious political debate, one from a Republican who criticizes the “liberal slant,” the other from a Democrat who objects to a “conservative bias.” Long familiar to journalists, this effect has seen three decades of vigorous research since the first empirical study was published by Vallone, Ross, and Lepper in 1985. Keywords: audience studies; information-processing and cognitions; mass communication theory; mass media; media bias; media psychology; public opinion
Preoperative neurocognitive evaluation as a predictor of brain tumor grading in pediatric patients with supratentorial hemispheric tumors

The objective of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the relationship between tumor grading and a selective evaluation of neurocognitive and behavioral functions in children with supratentorial hemispheric brain tumors. Children admitted with a diagnosis of supratentorial hemispheric tumors involving the cerebral hemispheres or the thalamus at the Pediatric Neurosurgery Unit of the Catholic University of Rome between January 2008 and January 2014 were considered for the present study. Exclusion criteria were represented by age less than 2 years, severe neurological deficits, seizures, and a metastatic disease. A selective neurocognitive and behavioral workout was used for children aged less and more than 5 years. Global cognitive functions as well as selective neurocognitive and behavioral profiles were found to be significantly worse in children with low-grade tumors, compared with those affected by higher-grades histotypes. Frontal locations for cortical tumors and thalamic lesions were significantly related with worse results, with a clear contribution of dominant vs. nondominant hemisphere involvement and an age higher than 5 years. Preoperative global and selective neurocognitive evaluation might contribute to the prediction of the tumor aggressiveness. Due to a longer clinical history, more benign tumors more frequently arrive to the diagnosis with a neurocognitive compromise in spite of an apparently mild presence of neurological symptoms and signs.
DEVS modeling and simulation: a new layer of middleware

This paper discusses a concept of DEVS middleware that would provide a set of services for constructing discrete event models and executing them in simulation or in real-time. Although generic middleware such as CORBA and MPI supports simulation and simulation-oriented middleware such as High Level Architecture Runtime Infrastructure exists, there are many issues that either not addressed at all or have been inadequately addressed in existing systems. DEVS Middleware would improve modeling and simulations due to the beneficial formal properties of DEVS, enhance interoperability among components adhering to the DEVS protocol, and reduce programming complexity by hiding lower level Simulation and execution details. The DEVS Middleware concept includes components for model construction and for mapping models onto simulators or real-time execution engines to support the novel concept of "distributed programming by modeling." This paper discusses several sub-layers that have been identified within the overall DEVS middleware concept, existing work that can be brought to bear on developing these layers and the integration needed to create a widely accepted standard.
Liberia national disaster preparedness coordination exercise: Implementing lessons learned from the West African disaster preparedness initiative

Objective: In light of the recent Ebola outbreak, there is a critical need for effective disaster management systems in Liberia and other West African nations. To this end, the West Africa Disaster Preparedness Initiative held a disaster management exercise in conjunction with the Liberian national government on November 24-25, 2015. Design: During this tabletop exercise (TTX), interactions within and between the 15 counties and the Liberian national government were conducted and observed to refine and validate the county and national standard operating procedures (SOPs). Setting: The exercise took place in three regional locations throughout Liberia: Monrovia, Buchanan, and Bong. The TTX format allowed counties to collaborate utilizing open-source software platforms including Ushahidi, Sahana, QGIS, and KoBoCollect. Participants: Four hundred sixty-seven individuals (representing all 15 counties of Liberia) identified as key actors involved with emergency operations and disaster preparedness participated in the exercise. Main Outcome Measures: A qualitative survey with open-ended questions was administered to exercise participants to determine needed improvements in the disaster management system in Liberia. Results : Key findings from the exercise and survey include the need for emergency management infrastructure to extend to the community level, establishment of a national disaster management agency and emergency operations center, customized local SOPs, ongoing surveillance, a disaster exercise program, and the need for effective data sharing and hazard maps. Conclusions: These regional exercises initiated the process of validating and refining Liberia's national and county-level SOPs. Liberia's participation in this exercise has provided a foundation for advancing its preparedness, response, and recovery capacities and could provide a template for other countries to use.
Volcker: The Triumph of Persistence, W.L. Silber. Bloomsbury Press, New York (2012), 454 pp.

Make no mistake: This is a hagiography of a public figure by a professional economist who has been a friend and colleague with his subject for many years. Unlike the late ancient and medieval publi...
Endothelial insulin receptors differentially control insulin signaling kinetics in peripheral tissues and brain of mice

Insulin receptors (IRs) on endothelial cells may have a role in the regulation of transport of circulating insulin to its target tissues; however, how this impacts on insulin action in vivo is unclear. Using mice with endothelial-specific inactivation of the IR gene (EndoIRKO), we find that in response to systemic insulin stimulation, loss of endothelial IRs caused delayed onset of insulin signaling in skeletal muscle, brown fat, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex but not in liver or olfactory bulb. At the level of the brain, the delay of insulin signaling was associated with decreased levels of hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin, leading to increased food intake and obesity accompanied with hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia. The loss of endothelial IRs also resulted in a delay in the acute hypoglycemic effect of systemic insulin administration and impaired glucose tolerance. In high-fat diet-treated mice, knockout of the endothelial IRs accelerated development of systemic insulin resistance but not food intake and obesity. Thus, IRs on endothelial cells have an important role in transendothelial insulin delivery in vivo which differentially regulates the kinetics of insulin signaling and insulin action in peripheral target tissues and different brain regions. Loss of this function predisposes animals to systemic insulin resistance, overeating, and obesity.
Variation in levels of the flavone tricin in bran from rice genotypes varying in pericarp color

Abstract The flavone tricin has recently been shown to have numerous health benefits and has been proposed as a safe candidate for clinical trials of cancer prevention. One dietary source of tricin is rice bran. There are only a few reports of tricin levels in rice bran. Here we used LC/MS analysis of rice bran extracts to compare the tricin content, as well as some additional flavonoid components, of twenty rice bran samples from genotypes with light brown, brown, red, and purple pericarp coloring. There was a wide range in tricin levels among the samples, which ranged from 1.2 to 10.0 μg g−1 bran. Overall, the purple pericarp genotypes had higher levels of tricin, as well as a broader range of flavonoid types. This is the first report of the flavone tricin in purple pericarp genotypes, which are well known for their anthocyanin pigments.
Interacting Floquet topological phases in three dimensions

In two dimensions, interacting Floquet topological phases may arise even in the absence of any protecting symmetry, exhibiting chiral edge transport that is robust to local perturbations. We explore a similar class of Floquet topological phases in three dimensions, with translational invariance but no other symmetry, which also exhibit anomalous transport at a boundary surface. By studying the space of local 2D unitary operators, we show that the boundary behavior of such phases falls into equivalence classes, each characterized by an infinite set of reciprocal lattice vectors. In turn, this provides a classification of the 3D bulk, which we conjecture is complete. We demonstrate that such phases may be generated by exactly solvable ``exchange drives'' in the bulk. In the process, we show that the edge behavior of a general exchange drive in two or three dimensions can be deduced from the geometric properties of its action in the bulk, a form of bulk-boundary correspondence.
Endophytic Yeasts: Biology, Ecology and Applications

While the study of bacteria and filamentous fungi that inhabit plants has been extensive, endophytic yeast biology remains less understood. Recent research is encouraging as to the potential of endophytic yeasts for industrial and agricultural applications, providing strong incentives for better understanding these yeasts. Endophytic yeasts could have significant advantages over bacterial and filamentous endophytes and they can easily be cultured, stored long term and applied to crops. While more research and especially field trials are required to assess their potential, it seems the use of endophytic yeasts could be a viable way of reducing fertilizer and water inputs in agriculture, and potentially increasing yields. Their application seems especially promising in the field of remediation of heavy metal pollutants, and as biocontrol agents to protect plants from pathogens. However, many aspects of endophytic yeast biology still need to be elucidated, especially when it comes to how the yeasts are able to colonize their niche. This chapter reviews recent research on endophytic yeasts and points to the need for further research into the ecology of these valuable yeasts.
Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates non-mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and inhibits mitogen-induced Ca2+ signaling in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

Changes in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) were used to study the interaction between mitogens in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) produced an increase in [Ca2+]i and markedly decreased the increases in [Ca2+]i caused by subsequent addition of bradykinin and vasopressin. If the order of the additions was reversed the [Ca2+]i response to PDGF was not inhibited by bradykinin or vasopressin. Inhibition of protein kinase C by staurosporine or chronic treatment of the cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate prevented the inhibitory effect of PDGF on the [Ca2+]i response to vasopressin but not bradykinin. PDGF did not decrease the receptor binding of bradykinin and produced only a small decrease in the receptor binding of vasopressin. PDGF decreased the rise in [Ca2+]i caused by the Ca2+ ionophores 4-bromo-A23187 and ionomycin and by a membrane perturbing ether lipid, 1-octadecyl-2-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine, both in the presence and absence of external Ca2+. There was no change in cell 45Ca2+ influx caused by PDGF, vasopressin, or bradykinin. 45Ca2+ efflux from cells exposed to PDGF and vasopressin mirrored the changes in [Ca2+]i caused by the agents, that is, PDGF added after vasopressin produced a further increase in 45Ca2+ efflux but vasopressin did not increase 45Ca2+ efflux after PDGF. PDGF but not vasopressin caused an increase in the uptake of 45Ca2+ into an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-insensitive non-mitochondrial store in permeabilized cells. The results suggest that the decreased [Ca2+]i response to mitogens after PDGF represents an action of PDGF at a point beyond the release of intracellular Ca2+ and the influx of external Ca2+, caused by an increase in the rate of removal of cytoplasmic free Ca2+. This increased removal of cytoplasmic Ca2+ by PDGF is not due to the increased export of Ca2+ from the cell but results from increased Ca2+ uptake into non-mitochondrial stores.
Quadric Inclusion Programs: An LMI Approach to $\mathcal H_\infty$ -Model Identification

Practical application of $\mathcal H_\infty$ robust control relies on the system identification of a valid model set, described by a linear system in feedback with a stable norm-bounded uncertainty. This model set should explain all possible (or at least all previously measured) behavior for the controlled plant. Such models can be viewed as norm-bounded inclusions in the frequency domain. This note introduces the “quadric inclusion program” that can identify inclusions from the input–output data as a convex problem. We prove several key properties of this algorithm and give a geometric interpretation for its behavior. While we stress that the inclusion fitting is outlier sensitive by design, we offer a method to mitigate the effect of measurement noise. We apply this method to robustly approximate the simulated frequency-domain data using orthonormal basis functions. The result compares favorably with a least squares approach that satisfies the same data inclusion requirements.
QUASI-FREE PROTON-PROTON SCATTERING IN HE

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of quasi-free proton–proton scattering in He (Helium). Quasi-free scattering of electrons and protons is well-known as an important source of information on nuclear structure; the angular distributions and absolute cross sections of these reactions depend sensitively on the properties of the nuclear states involved. The radial form of the nuclear wave functions appears in the theoretical analysis of the reactions as an overlap integral in the expression for the cross section. The chapter presents the results of a study on the importance of short-range correlations and the admixture of states of mixed symmetry in the few-nucleon systems. Angular distributions are extremely sensitive to the correlations and the correlated wave functions give exceptionally good fits to the experimental data. The application of overlap factor [I (kp)] and the effect of distortions on the cross section are also discussed.
Species in ecosystems and all that jazz.

Ecosystem ecologists explore how different kinds of species fit together to drive ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling and productivity. This research is motivated by theories that assume that the suite of traits that characterize a species’ form determines its function, that these traits have become fixed over evolutionary time, and that ensuing ecosystem process are not resilient to environmental change. Here, I explore new research that re-evaluates this theory. Recent results suggest that functional traits are malleable, enabling species to rapidly respond and adapt to each other as environmental conditions change with predictable effects on ecosystem processes. These basic research findings suggest that species adaptations may impart in ecosystems an inherent capacity to weather environmental changes, thereby offering deeper understanding about which biological attributes protect ecological functions and which are needed to restore damaged ecosystems.
Probing Self-Heating in RRAM Devices by Sub-100 nm Spatially Resolved Thermometry

Resistive memory (RRAM) is a promising technology for high density, non-volatile data storage. Metal-oxide RRAM involves forming and breaking conductive filaments (CF) in an oxide like Hf0 2 as the mechanism of data storage. CFs are sub-50 nm in diameter [1], causing sharp temperature gradients within the RRAM oxide. However, imaging individual CFs in RRAM devices is challenging due to their nanoscale size and the presence of the top electrode (TE). While previous works have performed electrical [2] or optical averaging [3] of CF temperature, evaluating the heating of a single CF within RRAM has remained an open problem.
Monitoring demineralization and remineralization of human dentin by characterization of its structure with resonance-enhanced AFM-IR chemical mapping, nanoindentation, and SEM

Abstract Objective This research aimed at monitoring demineralization and remineralization of dentin and its collagen matrix at the nanoscale by amorphous, microcrystalline, and in situ formed hydroxyapatite. Methods The concurrent use of the resonance-enhanced atomic force microscopy coupled with infrared probe (AFM-IR) chemical mapping, nano-indentation, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provides a detailed insight into the structure of human dentin, as well as to the processes of its partial demineralization and remineralization. Results The resonance-enhanced AFM-IR chemical mapping of dentin has shown to be a useful method to follow distribution of its collagen and hydroxyapatite components at the micro- and nanoscale levels, especially in conjunction with SEM imaging and nanoindentation. Dentin with a higher extent of natural dentin tubule occlusion tends to be harder and less elastic. The relative affinity of the collagen and hydroxyapatite components of dentin toward hydroxyapatite depends on its type (amorphous, microcrystalline, or formed in-situ). The gel mineralization technique allows for an even and controlled growth of hydroxyapatite guided by the completely demineralized collagen matrix of dentin. Significance The observed trends of the affinity of collagen toward different forms of hydroxyapatite helps develop new remineralizing formulations. The employed methods of characterization may provide an insight to the natural processes of bone mineralization guided by its both hydroxyapatite and protein constituents.
Multiwavelength cluster mass estimates and machine learning

One emerging application of machine learning methods is the inference of galaxy cluster masses. In this note, machine learning is used to directly combine five simulated multiwavelength measurements in order to find cluster masses. This is in contrast to finding mass estimates for each observable, normally by using a scaling relation, and then combining these scaling law based mass estimates using a likelihood. We also illustrate how the contributions of each observable to the accuracy of the resulting mass measurement can be compared via model-agnostic Importance Permutation values. Thirdly, as machine learning relies upon the accuracy of the training set in capturing observables, their correlations, and the observational selection function, and as the machine learning training set originates from simulations, two tests of whether a simulation's correlations are consistent with observations are suggested and explored as well.
Aquaculture Biotechnology, by Garth L. Fletcher, Matthew L. Rise, and Wiley-Blackwell

The volume begins with a dedication to Professor Kenjiro Ozato, a pioneer of gene transfer to alter fish phenotypes, paving the way for greater understanding of tissue-specific gene expressions. Pr...
Importance of Farm Environment to Shape Poultry-Related Microbiomes Throughout the Farm-to-Fork Continuum of Pasture-Raised Broiler Flocks

The poultry farm environment plays a key role in the microbial colonization of chickens during production, which shapes what enters the processing and final retail environments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the farm environment on the microbial composition of pasture-raised broilers using a combined cultural and microbiomic farm-to-fork. To achieve this, two nearby pastured poultry farms raised small flocks of Freedom Ranger broilers obtained from the same hatchery flock and fed the same diet throughout production. The major differences between the two farms were the physical farm environment, method of feather removal during processing (scalding versus skinning), and storage conditions of carcasses before customers received final product (refrigeration versus freezing). Microbiomes were compared from fecal and soil samples (live production), ceca (processing) and whole carcass rinses (processing, final product) to determine what effect the physical farm environment had on the poultry-related microbiomes. Overall, microbiomes in feces (p<0.04), soil (p<0.02) and ceca (p<0.02) samples from farm 1 harbored a higher taxonomic richness than farm 2. Beta-diversity analysis demonstrated significant differences between the broiler microbiomes of the two farms for samples collected at the live production (p < 0.04) and processing stages (p < 0.01), but not for final product carcass rinses. At the early live production stage (~3 weeks old), fecal microbiomes from farm 1 were positively correlated to aluminum, iron, manganese, silicon and zinc concentrations in feces but not fecal microbiota from farm 2. At the late live production stage (~12 weeks old), fecal microbiomes from both farms were no longer correlated to mineral content of feces but were negatively correlated to fecal pH. Given that the farm environment itself was the major difference, the results show that even when raising the same breed fed the same diet, poultry farms have their own ecology that shape the composition of the poultry-related microbiomes. Therefore, it is vital that future work focuses on elucidating the farm environmental variables that have the greatest influence on these microbiomes, thus allowing for eventual targeted interventions to better manage these microbial populations to benefit animal, environmental, and public health.
Framework for experimenting with QoS for multimedia services

It has been recognized that an effective support for multimedia applications must provide Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees. Current methods propose to provide such QoS guarantees through coordinated network resource reservations. In our approach, we extend this idea providing system-wide QoS guarantees that consider the data manipulation and transformations needed in the intermediate and end sites of the network. Given a user's QoS requirements, multisegment virtual channels are established with the necessary communication and computation resources reserved for the timely, synchronized, and reliable delivery of the different datatypes. Such data originate in several distributed data repositories, are transformed at intermediate service stations into suitable formats for transportation and presentation, and are delivered to a viewing unit. In this paper, we first review NETWORLD, an architecture that provides such QoS guarantees and an interface for the specification and negotiation of user-level QoS requirements. Our user interface supports both expert and non- expert modes. We then describe how to map user-level QoS requirements into low-level system parameters, leading into a contract between the application and the network. The mapping considers various characteristics of the architectures (such as the hardware and software available at each source, destination, or intermediate site) as well as cost constraints.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Chapter 11 – Apterygota

Publisher Summary This chapter describes Apterygota, which is a subclass of the class Insecta in the phylum Arthropoda. It contains two orders, the Archaeognatha and the Thysanura.
Engaging patients and caregivers to establish priorities for the management of diabetic foot ulcers.

Abstract Objective Effective diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) care has been stymied by a lack of input from patients and caregivers, reducing treatment adherence and overall quality of care. Our objectives were to capture the patient and caregiver perspectives on experiencing a DFU and to improve prioritization of patient-centered outcomes. Methods A DFU-related stakeholder group was formed at an urban tertiary care center. Seven group meetings were held across 4 months, each lasting ∼1 hour. The meeting facilitator used semistructured questions to guide each discussion. The topics assessed the challenges of the current DFU care system and identified the outcomes most important to stakeholders. The meetings were audio recorded and transcribed. Directed and conventional content analyses were used to identify key themes. Results Six patients with diabetes (five with an active DFU), 3 family caregivers, and 1 Wound Clinic staff member participated in the stakeholder group meetings. The mean patient age was 61 years, four (67%) were women, five (83%) were either African American or Hispanic, and the mean hemoglobin A1c was 8.3%. Of the five patients with a DFU, three had previously required lower extremity endovascular treatment and four had undergone at least one minor foot amputation. Overall, stakeholders described how poor communication between medical personnel and patients made the DFU experience difficult. They felt overwhelmed by the complexity of DFU care and were persistently frustrated by inconsistent medical recommendations. Limited resources further exacerbated their frustrations and barriers to care. To improve DFU management, the stakeholders suggested a centralized healthcare delivery pathway with timely access to a coordinated, multidisciplinary DFU team. The clinical outcomes most valued by stakeholders were (1) avoiding amputation and (2) maintaining or improving health-related quality of life, which included independent mobility, pain control, and mental health. From these themes, we developed a conceptual model to inform DFU care pathways. Conclusions Current DFU management lacks adequate care coordination. Multidisciplinary approaches tailored to the self-identified needs of patients and caregivers could improve adherence. Future DFU-related comparative effectiveness studies will benefit from direct stakeholder engagement and are required to evaluate the efficacy of incorporating patient-centered goals into the design of a multidisciplinary DFU care delivery system.
Conceptual metaphors for isomorphism and homomorphism: Instructors’ descriptions for themselves and when teaching

Abstract Group isomorphism and homomorphism are topics central to abstract algebra, yet research on instructors’ views of these concepts is limited. Based on interviews from two instructors as well as classroom video from eight class periods, this paper examines the language used to discuss isomorphism and homomorphism. Language used by instructors in interviews and classroom settings are identified and classified into four main categories: formal definition, mapping, sameness, and combinations of sameness and mapping language. How the two instructors drew on language classified into those four categories in the interview and instruction settings are examined for isomorphism and homomorphism. Similarities and differences between the interview and instruction contexts reveal the wide variety of ways of understanding isomorphism and homomorphism as well as a research need to examine mathematicians’ content knowledge in more than one context.
Transfusion-Related Immunomodulation in Relation to Perioperative Infection/Cancer: Biology, Evidence, and Controversy in Transfusion

Transfusion-related immunomodulation is a side effect of allogeneic transfusion. During the development of orthotopic renal transplantation, red cell transfusions were administered as an effective immunosuppressant. In the 1980s–90s, the focus and lay hysteria was on viral transmission (hepatitis and AIDS) as risks for blood transfusion. These viral risks are now reduced to very low levels and evidence has emerged that transfusion-related immunomodulation contributes to a number of adverse outcomes associated with allogeneic transfusion. Controversy remains due to the largely retrospective data published. This review will outline historical perspectives as well as look into mechanisms and outcomes. It is important to understand the controversy so that research going forward may be well focused and evidence based.
God will meet you at the jailhouse: Christianity and gender in the Fellowship of Reconciliation’s civil rights comic book

In 1957, the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), a pacifist Christian group, published a comic book entitled Martin Luther King and The Montgomery Story. This document has received some attention i...
Pharmacologically Induced Ventilatory Depression in the Postoperative Patient: A Sleep-Wake State-Dependent Perspective

Pharmacologically induced ventilatory depression (PIVD) is a common postoperative complication with a spectrum of severity ranging from mild hypoventilation to severe ventilatory depression, potentially leading to anoxic brain injury and death. Recent studies, using continuous monitoring technologies, have revealed alarming rates of previously undetected severe episodes of postoperative ventilatory depression, rendering the recognition of such episodes by the standard intermittent assessment practice, quite problematic. This imprecise description of the epidemiologic landscape of PIVD has thus stymied efforts to understand better its pathophysiology and quantify relevant risk factors for this postoperative complication. The residual effects of various perianesthetic agents on ventilatory control, as well as the multiple interactions of these drugs with patient-related factors and phenotypes, make postoperative recovery of ventilation after surgery and anesthesia a highly complex physiological event. The sleep-wake, state-dependent variation in the control of ventilation seems to play a central role in the mechanisms potentially enhancing the risk for PIVD. Herein, we discuss emerging evidence regarding the epidemiology, risk factors, and potential mechanisms of PIVD.
Abstract P125: The Effects Of Vitamin D Supplementation On Orthostatic Hypotension: Results From STURDY

Background: In some trials, vitamin D supplementation is associated with a lower risk of falls. Observational evidence has implicated orthostatic hypotension (OH) as a potential mechanism for this ...
Creating the Nex Generation of “Witnesses”

The article shows how Holocaust education is not limited to just teaching the history of the Holocaust. Not only did many students receive a sugar-coated version of history but many teachers had neglected the variety of Holocaust education, whether that be art, film, literature or music. Marshall writes about the journey of his approach to make students “witnesses”. Not only teaching the history but then having the students actively choose how to reflect and think about how to do their part to change the contemporary world. That could result in a song, volunteering at a veterans’ home or Holocaust center, a painting, interview projects or a research paper. At the end of the semester, students felt strongly about doing good and accomplishing positive outcomes for society, making sure the Holocaust never happens again.
A User-Centered Mobile Interface Design, Promoting Physical Activity in the Covid 19 Pandemic’s Sedentary Lifestyle

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global public health threat [1]. As the number of Covid 19 cases have been increasing worldwide, the governments have tried to control the disease by enforcing severe measures such as the closure of schools, and recreational centers. Under this necessary self-isolating conditions, many people have faced unhealthy behaviors, such as sedentary lifestyle. Physical inactivity raises the risk of many chronic diseases namely coronary heart disease, diabetes, depression, and stroke. Mobile applications as the most engaging medium of interaction can be used to promote physical activity through this condition. The purpose of this research is to design a health and running app based on user-centered research. A systematic review of the functional features of the related “Health & Running” mobile apps is conducted in the first phase. The user-centered research investigating the needs assessment is carried out through the user survey, and focus group. Behavioral Change Techniques (BCTs) and gamification are elements added into design to enhance the efficiency of the app. Passive and active notifications, training screens, goal setting, and action planning are BCT components incorporated into the design. The app would provide the users with active interventions and customizable features in order to help them stay motivated and follow the app. The model-driven development of the user interface from the storyboards to high-fidelity prototypes are produced to create a better perception of the design.
Towards Adaptive, Interactive Virtual Humans in Sigma

Sigma is a nascent cognitive architecture/system that combines concepts from graphical models with traditional symbolic architectures. Here an initial Sigma-based virtual human (VH) is introduced that combines probabilistic reasoning, rule-based decision-making, Theory of Mind, Simultaneous Localization and Mapping and reinforcement learning in a unified manner. This non-modular unification of diverse cognitive, robotic and VH capabilities provides an important first step towards fully adaptive and interactive VHs in Sigma.
Hospital Utilization by Children

There is little support from available data for the hypothesis that better pediatric care is keeping children out of hospitals. The available data suggest that the observed reduction in hospital utilization by children is largely the result of the changed age distribution of the child population of the United States. Slight reductions in age-specific utilization rates appear to be entirely the result of reduced average length of stay in the hospital following admission which were not offset by slightly increasing admission rates. Those responsible for planning hospital facilities for children should not base predictions for future needs on the apparent trend to lower hospitalization rates for children. Unless further data establish that such trends are real, rather than a manifestation of changed demography, planners will be most prudent if they estimate future needs by applying current age-specific rates to future age-specific population projections.
Reliability analysis of underwater sensor network packet transmission

Underwater sensor networks pose unique challenges to the design of reliable communication. Due to the high bit error rates experienced in this environment, achieving a compromise between reliability and energy efficiency has become a fundamental problem. In this paper, an objective metric to analyze the reliability of various packet transmission methods available for use in underwater sensor networks is developed. Earlier frameworks comparing competing alternatives have made the simplifying assumption that loss rat e is homogeneous across the entire network. Such a simplification contradicts the fact that wireless sensor networks exhibit properties such as link asymmetry and are also influenced by phenomenon like radio irregularity. In light of these realities, it is necessary to relax the existing modeling assumptions to produce a more general framework for assessing the various potential solutions. Drawing on concepts from network reliability theory, measures of network system performance are derived. Application of the framework suggests that hop-by-hop forward error correction performs better than end-to-end forward error correction and single-path forwarding.
Two Teacher Educators' Approaches to Developing Preservice Elementary Teachers' Mathematics Assessment Literacy: Intentions, Outcomes, and New Learning

The purpose of this study was to examine and reflect on two teacher educators’ approaches to developing preservice elementary teachers’ mathematics assessment literacy. We explored the similarities and differences in preservice teachers’ conceptions of good assessment practices and their critique of assessment items. We found that we, as course instructors, had different assumptions pertaining to the role of preservice teachers in the development of assessment and offered different assessment-related course activities. Despite these differences, there were more similarities than differences between the two groups of the preservice teachers with regard to their overall perceptions about good assessment practices and their critique of assessment items. However, we also observed differences in the criteria they used in critiquing assessment items. Discussions and implications are presented in accordance with these findings as a means to improve our own teaching and student learning.
Instabilities in hot-star winds: Basic physics and recent developments

The winds of the hot, luminous, OB stars are driven by the line-scattering of the star's continuum radiation flux. Several kinds of observational evidence indicate that such winds are highly structured and variable, and it seems likely that a root cause of this variability is the strong instability of the line-driving mechanism. This paper reviews the basic physics of the linear instability and summarizes results from numerical simulations of its nonlinear evolution. Particular emphasis is placed on the dynamical importance of the diffuse, scattered radiation field, and on recent methods for incorporating such scattering effects into the numerical simulations. I also summarize recent preliminary results on synthetic UV line, Ha, IR continuum spectra in dynamical wind models with extensive structure.
Characterization of strong polar mutations in a region immediately adjacent to the L-arabinose operator in Escherichia coli B-r.

Seven l-arabinose-negative mutations are described that map in three genetically distinct regions immediately adjacent to the araO (operator) region of the l-arabinose operon. All seven mutants revert spontaneously, exhibit a cis-dominant, trans-recessive polarity effect upon the expression of l-arabinose isomerase (gene araA), and fail to respond to amber, ochre, or UGA suppressors. Three of these mutants exhibit absolute polarity and are not reverted by the mutangens 2-aminopurine, diethyl sulfate, and ICR-191. These may have arisen as a consequence of an insertion mutation in gene araB or in the initiator region of the l-arabinose operon. The four remaining mutants exhibit strong but not absolute polarity on gene araA and respond to the mutagens diethyl sulfate and ICR-191. Three of these mutants are suppressible by two independently isolated suppressors that fail to suppress known nonsense codons. Partially polar Ara+ revertants with lesions linked to ara are obtained from three of the same four mutants. These polar mutants, their external suppressors, and their partially polar revertants are discussed in terms of the mechanism of initiation of expression of the l-arabinose operon.
Managing information technologies in service companies: strategic versus operational practices

An empirical study of 108 service companies in five sectors explored how they evaluate their information technologies (ITs). These companies tend to use operational rather than strategic criteria, emphasizing issues of efficiency of operations rather than strategic concerns of the corporation. It was found that the higher the level of the managers evaluating ITs, and the more they are directly involved with decisions on ITs, the more the companies will use strategic criteria in the evaluation. >
Modern Incidence of Complete Heart Block in Patients with L-looped Ventricles: Does Univentricular Status Matter?

Objective Individuals with L-transposition of the great arteries and two normally sized ventricles are at risk for complete heart block. Little is known about the incidence of complete heart block in those with a single ventricle L-transposition of the great arteries. In this study, we compare the incidence of complete heart block in a modern cohort of patients with L-looped single ventricle anatomy to patients with L-transposition of the great arteries and two ventricles. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with L-transposition of the great arteries who were seen at Yale-New Haven Hospital between 2001 and 2013. Patients were classified as having isolated L-transposition of the great arteries (group I), L-transposition of the great arteries and major cardiac defects with two-ventricle anatomy (group II), or L-transposition of the great arteries and single ventricle anatomy (group III). We recorded the age of onset and the circumstances of CHB in each group. We calculated the incidence rate of complete heart block and compared this between the groups. Results We identified 64 patients with L-transposition of the great arteries, median age of 21 years (range 6 months–52 years): 21 in group I, 15 in group II, and 28 in group III. In total, 15 subjects developed complete heart block, incidence of 21.9% and rate of 1.3% per person years. Although group III patients were significantly less likely to develop complete heart block than dual ventricle patients (7.1% vs. 33% and 40%, P = .01), this difference is not significant when only spontaneous complete heart block was analyzed (P = .16). Conclusion All patients with L-transposition of the great arteries have similar risk of spontaneous complete heart block and should be routinely screened for this complication.
A Review of “Access and Identity Management for Libraries: Controlling Access to Online Information”

Access and Identity Management for Libraries: Controlling Access to Online Information by Masha Garibyan, Simon McLeish, and John Paschoud arrived at an opportune time for this reviewer, as my libr...
Oncogene N-ras mediates selective inhibition of c-fos induction by nerve growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in a PC12 cell line

Abstract A cell line was generated from U7 cells (a subline of PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells) that contains a stably integrated transforming mouse N-ras (Lys-61) gene under the control of the long terminal repeat from mouse mammary tumor virus. Such cells, designated UR61, undergo neuronal differentiation upon exposure to nanomolar concentrations of dexamethasone, as a consequence of expression of the activated N-ras gene (I. Guerrero, A. Pellicer, and D.E. Burstein, Biochem, Biophys. Res. Commun. 150:1185-1192, 1988). Exposure of UR61 cells to either nerve growth factor (NGF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) results in a marked induction of c-fos RNA, with kinetics paralleling those of NGF- or bFGF-induced expression of c-fos RNA in PC12 cells. Dexamethasone-induced expression of activated N-ras p21 results in blocking of c-fos RNA induction by NGF or bFGF in a time-dependent manner. Activated N-ras p21-mediated inhibition of c-fos RNA induction in UR61 cells is selective for NGF and bFGF and is not due to selective degradation of c-fos RNA. Normal and transforming N-ras can trans activate the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene linked to mouse c-fos regulatory sequences when transient expression assays are performed. Our observations suggest that N-ras p21 selectively interacts with pathways involved in induction of c-fos expression which initiate at the receptors for NGF and bFGF.
The effect of sacral neuromodulation on pudendal nerve function and female sexual function.

Aims To quantify changes in pudendal nerve function with sacral neuromodulation (SNM). To understand the relationship of pudendal nerve function to SNM treatment response for overactive bladder. To assess the relationship between female sexual function and pudendal nerve function after SNM. Methods Women undergoing SNM between January 2010 and May 2011 were enrolled. Baseline pudendal nerve terminal motor latencies (PNTML) were measured bilaterally. Subjects underwent peripheral nerve evaluation (PNE) prior to SNM therapy. PNTML was measured at 1 and 6 weeks after sacral neuromodulator implant. Women who did not undergo permanent implantation were reassessed at the end of the 1-week PNE testing phase. Pelvic floor and sexual function questionnaires were administered at baseline and follow-up to assess pelvic floor and sexual function. Results Of 34 women enrolled, 31 were evaluated. Mean age was 67.4 ± 14.2 years with 29/34 (85.3%) treated for refractory overactive bladder. Thirty of 31 (96.7%) went on to a permanent implant. PNE success rate was 73.5% (25/33). Mean PNTML changed from 2.74 ± 0.52 msec at baseline to 2.57 ± 0.50 msec at 6 weeks postop (P = 0.198). Baseline amplitude remained stable at 1 and 6 weeks. At 6 weeks PISQ-12 scores showed improved sexual function (P = 0.034) and PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores showed improved pelvic floor, colorectal and urinary symptoms (P < 0.05). Conclusions Women with refractory overactive bladder and non-obstructive urinary retention have abnormal pudendal nerve function, which showed a non-significant trend toward improvement after SNM. Sexually active women undergoing sacral neuromodulation experienced improvement in sexual function. Quality of life improved due to improvement in urinary and colorectal function. Neurourol. Urodynam. 34:456–460, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.