cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Simple Novel Approach to Valuing Risky Zero Coupon Bond in a Markov Regime Switching Economy

We have addressed the problem of pricing risky zero coupon bond in the framework of Longstaff and Schwartz structural type model by pricing it as a Down-and-Out European Barrier Call option on the company’s asset-debt ratio assuming Markov regime switching economy. The growth rate and the volatility of the stochastic asset debt ratio is driven by a continuous time Markov chain which signifies state of the economy. Regime Switching renders market incomplete and selection of a Equivalent martingale measure (EMM) becomes a subtle issue. We price the zero coupon risky bond utilizing the powerful technique of Risk Minimizing hedging of the underlying Barrier option under the so called “Risk Minimal” martingale measure via computing the bond default probability.
Precision of total and regional body fat estimates from dualenergy X-ray absorptiometer measurements

Objectives: To evaluate the precision of both total %fat and all the regional %fat measures acquired from both the Lunar Prodigy and Lunar iDXA software. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University-based research laboratory. Participants: The sample consisted of 300 individual test records from men and women who had volunteered to participate in dual-energy x-ray absorptiometer (DXA) technician precision training studies. Subjects ranged in age from 20–84 years and in body mass index from 15.7–52.0 kg.m−2. Measurements: A total of 27 different technicians performed three total body scan measurements on 10–15 different subjects. The Lunar Prodigy and Lunar iDXA were used for 253 and 47 precision training evaluations, respectively. The regions of interest (ROI) were automatically determined by the enCORE software (autoROI) for total body, android, gynoid, trunk, legs, and arms regions and the region %fat data were used for analyses. Results: The CV for total body %fat was 1.9% and 0.9% for the Prodigy and iDXA, respectively. CV’s for %fat measures at regional sites ranged from 1.2–4.4% for the Prodigy measures and 0.9–2.4% for the iDXA measures. The ICC for both devices ranged from 0.990 to 0.999. Conclusion: Monitoring the status of body composition changes with age is gaining more clinical acceptance. Thus, it is important that practitioners use measures that are both precise and accurate. The findings from the current study add support that DXA measurements can be used with a high level of confidence for serial testing of patients.
Estimation of Earthquake Loss due to Bridge Damage in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. II: Indirect Losses

An approach to estimate the indirect economic loss due to damaged bridges within the highway system from an earthquake event is presented. The indirect cost considered refers to the increased highway transportation cost only. The study zone covers the St. Louis metropolitan area and its surrounding suburban regions. An earthquake scenario centered in St. Louis, with a magnitude 7.0 is used. The direct earthquake loss was primarily damage to bridges, which causes an increase in travel time and distance within the transportation network. This information is then used as input for the indirect loss model. The indirect loss is examined from an economic perspective. The results reveal that the indirect loss is significant when compared to the direct loss resulting from bridge damage. From the study results, a transportation network planner can prepare an appropriate preventive action plan (such as choosing alternative routes for potential damaged links, as well as reinforcing possible high damage bridges) to reduce the potential losses before the earthquake occurs.
A new interpretation of deformation rates in the Snake River Plain and adjacent basin and range regions based on GPS measurements

We evaluate horizontal Global Positioning System (GPS) velocities together with geologic, volcanic, and seismic data to interpret extension, shear, and contraction within the Snake River Plain and the Northern Basin and Range Province, U.S.A. We estimate horizontal surface velocities using GPS data collected at 385 sites from 1994 to 2009 and present an updated velocity field within the Stable North American Reference Frame (SNARF). Our results show an ENE-oriented extensional strain rate of 5.9 {+-} 0.7 x 10{sup -9} yr{sup -1} in the Centennial Tectonic belt and an E-oriented extensional strain rate of 6.2 {+-} 0.3 x 10{sup -9} yr{sup -1} in the Intermountain Seismic belt combined with the northern Great Basin. These extensional strain rates contrast with the regional north-south contraction of -2.6 {+-} 1.1 x 10{sup -9} yr{sup -1} calculated in the Snake River Plain and Owyhee-Oregon Plateau over a 125 x 650 km region. Tests that include dike-opening reveal that rapid extension by dike intrusion in volcanic rift zones does not occur in the Snake River Plain at present. This slow internal deformation in the Snake River Plain is in contrast to the rapidly-extending adjacent Basin and Range provinces and implies shear along boundaries of the Snakemore » River Plain. We estimate right-lateral shear with slip rates of 0.5-1.5 mm/yr along the northwestern boundary adjacent to the Centennial Tectonic belt and left-lateral oblique extension with slip rates of 10{sup 6} yrs, the low-strain field in the Snake River Plain and Owyhee-Oregon Plateau would extend through the Quaternary.« less
Scenario-based planning for the regional impacts of statewide multimodal transportation policies

VTrans 2035 and the Office of Multimodal Transportation Planning and Investment are using twenty-one policies and forty-two performance criteria for evaluating statewide transportation policies. The policies include investing in public transit, planning multimodally, and improving travel mode connections. The criteria encompass safety and security, preservation and management, efficient movement of people and goods, economic vitality, quality of life, and program delivery. In this paper, we analyze the regional impacts of transportation policies across performance criteria, and under various future scenarios. We develop an automated workbook that enables a regional planner to characterize the impacts of the policies for a region of Virginia under a base scenario and five other scenarios. The scenarios are acceleration of sprawl, mass retirement of an aging population, region-wide natural disaster, accelerated growth of information technology amenities, and significant reduction in air quality, all of which were identified via a review of twelve regional plans and interviews with regional planners. The results describe which policies are most sensitive to the scenarios. The policy of investing in technology scores high for all six scenarios.
The prospective contribution of childhood maltreatment to low self-worth, low relationship quality, and symptomatology across adolescence: A developmental-organizational perspective.

This research investigated the prospective contribution of childhood maltreatment to low self-worth, low relationship quality, and symptoms during adolescence. Further, the stability and cross-lagged effects of these sequelae of maltreatment were examined over time. History of maltreatment during childhood was obtained, and youth (407 maltreated, 228 nonmaltreated; 376 males, 259 females) completed two subsequent assessments spaced approximately two years apart during early-mid and mid-late adolescence. As anticipated, childhood maltreatment experiences predicted low self-worth, low relationship quality, and both internalizing and externalizing symptoms in early-mid adolescence. Beyond the stability paths of each outcome variable, significant cross-lagged effects were observed among low self-worth, low relationship quality, and internalizing symptoms across adolescence. In contrast, cross-lagged effects were not observed among adolescent externalizing symptoms. These findings support a developmental-organizational model in which childhood maltreatment creates multiple vulnerabilities that evince continuity and generate mutually influencing effects across adolescence.
Ambivalent Landscapes: Environmental Justice in the US–Mexico Borderlands

How can a single landscape, a shantytown on the US–Mexico border, symbolize environmental devastation for some and progress and ‘the good life’ for others? Our analysis of this landscape and the people who are a part of it highlights the complexities of the environmental justice movement in the current era of neo-liberal economic policies. Although the colonia that we studied, Derechos Humanos, is located on top of an abandoned landfill near an open sewage canal, living here represents a step forward for many residents. However, to many US environmentalists, this landscape represents a toxic wasteland and the people living here are simply victims of border industrialization. Contributing to critical environmental justice studies, our analysis of Derechos Humanos highlights the injustices of the global political economy, creative responses to these forces by individuals most adversely affected by them, and the potential limitations of conventional framings of environmental justice and mainstream Northern environmentalism.
Demodulation and Performance Analysis of Differential Unitary Space-Time Modulation in Time-Varying Rician Channels

Studies on differential unitary space-time modulation are mostly focused on Rayleigh fading channels. In this paper we present new analytic results for the maximum-likelihood demodulator (MLD) and the standard differential demodulator (SDD). The resulting expressions and bounds on the pairwise error probability shed light on the impact of various system parameters and are helpful towards a deeper understanding of the DUSTM in Rician channels. Additional analytic results are also derived for the constellation in the work of Tarokh and Jafarkhani (2000). Unlike in Rayleigh fading, the exact MLD can only be implemented approximately (Cui and Tellambura, 2006). The performance loss of practical demodulator such as the SDD and a prediction-based demodulator relative to the MLD are studied under different Rician fading environments.
SEIF: Search Enhanced by Intelligent Feedback in Unstructured P2P Networks

To improve the performance of similarity search and information retrieval is an important research issue in peer-to-peer environment. In this paper, we propose a distributed architecture for enhancing the performance of similarity search in unstructured P2P networks. The key component of the proposed architecture is a distributed, content-based, heuristic feedback mechanism, which allows peers to keep track of recent queries and learn from the assessment of answers to previous queries, so as to self-adaptively route the subsequent query to the most relevant nodes which are responsible for the query. Therefore a high recall rate can be achieved by probing only a small amount of peers. We also propose a distributed automatic query expansion mechanism to improve the quality of query results. Since the architecture is entirely distributed, it scales well with the large sized networks. The experimental results show that our architecture can efficiently solve queries with a relatively small cost.
The Rainfall Sensitivity of Tropical Net Primary Production in CMIP5 Twentieth- and Twenty-First-Century Simulations*

AbstractIn this study, the authors used the relationship between mean annual rainfall (MAR) and net primary production (NPP) (MAR–NPP) observed in tropical forests to evaluate the performance (twentieth century) and predictions (twenty-first century) of tropical NPP from 10 earth system models (ESMs) from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). Over the tropical forest domain most of the CMIP5 models showed a positive correlation between NPP and MAR similar to observations. The GFDL, CESM1, CCSM4, and Beijing Normal University (BNU) models better represented the observed MAR–NPP relationship. Compared with observations, the models were able to reproduce the seasonality of rainfall over areas with long dry seasons, but NPP seasonality was difficult to evaluate given the limited observations. From 2006 to 2100, for representative concentration pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) (and most RCP4.5 simulations) all models projected increases in NPP, but these increases occurred at different rates. By th...
Preventing unwanted pregnancies. Role of the hospital.

Consumer demands are much in the limelight these days, and one generating great controversy among doctors is the demand for abortion. Obviously, a woman requesting an abortion has not had the help she needed to prevent pregnancy. Making a family-planning unit part of the hospital's community outreach program is a good way to reach persons in need of this service.
Effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for multiple body regions: a systematic review.

Background: Trigger point dry needling (TDN) is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain related to myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). To date, no systematic review of high-quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating TDN to multiple body regions exists.Purpose: The aim of this review is to determine the effectiveness of TDN based on high-quality RCTs for all body regions.Methods: To ensure thorough reporting, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed as the methodological basis for this systematic review. PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Cinahl, Cochrane and reference lists were searched for the years 2000–2014 and the terms ‘TDN’, ‘dry needling NOT trigger point’, ‘functional dry needling’ and ‘intramuscular manual therapy’. Inclusion criteria: RCTs with PEDro scores 6–10 investigating TDN. Exclusion criteria: duplicates, non-human participants, non-English language, exclusive focus on acupuncture or medicinal inj...
Various forms of additive pulse mode-locking

Mode-locking schemes that produce the shortest pulses are all of the "passive" variety. The optical pulse provides its own mode-locking modulation. The short pulses produced by Colliding Pulse Mode-Locked (CPM) dye lasers utilize the gain media and loss media that relax on a time scale much longer than the mode-locked pulse. The mode-locking is made stable by the combined action of the absorber, whose loss is reduced by the pulse, and subsequent saturation of the gain medium, whose gain is reduced subsequently. Such operation can be achieved only with carefully balanced absorber and gain characteristics.
Bayesian information in an experiment and the Fisher information distance

Abstract There are two forms of Fisher information; for the parameter of a model and for the information in a density model. These two forms are shown to be fundamentally connected through a measure of gain in information from a Bayesian experiment.
Endonuclease domain of non-LTR retrotransposons: loss-of-function mutants and modeling of the R2Bm endonuclease

Non-LTR retrotransposons are an important class of mobile elements that insert into host DNA by target-primed reverse transcription (TPRT). Non-LTR retrotransposons must bind to their mRNA, recognize and cleave their target DNA, and perform TPRT at the site of DNA cleavage. As DNA binding and cleavage are such central parts of the integration reaction, a better understanding of the endonuclease encoded by non-LTR retrotransposons is needed. This paper explores the R2 endonuclease domain from Bombyx mori using in vitro studies and in silico modeling. Mutations in conserved sequences located across the putative PD-(D/E)XK endonuclease domain reduced DNA cleavage, DNA binding and TPRT. A mutation at the beginning of the first α-helix of the modeled endonuclease obliterated DNA cleavage and greatly reduced DNA binding. It also reduced TPRT when tested on pre-cleaved DNA substrates. The catalytic K was located to a non-canonical position within the second α-helix. A mutation located after the fourth β-strand reduced DNA binding and cleavage. The motifs that showed impaired activity form an extensive basic region. The R2 biochemical and structural data are compared and contrasted with that of two other well characterized PD-(D/E)XK endonucleases, restriction endonucleases and archaeal Holliday junction resolvases.
Determining Latent Classes of Cumulative Family Structure Experiences in Emerging Adulthood

ABSTRACTUsing a sample of emerging adults (N = 536), this study examined detailed cumulative family structure spanning birth through emerging adulthood. Latent class analysis was used to determine profiles of cumulative family structure experiences based on measures of family structure measured at 5 time points, duration in current family structure, the number of parent relationship transitions, and the number of sibling transitions. Two distinct stable groups, 2 distinct mostly stable groups, and 1 highly unstable group emerged. Additionally, we explored 2 demographic variables as predictors of class membership, and class-level differences on current levels of well-being with a sample of emerging adults.
Experimental Infection of Dogs with Endamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas buccalis of Human Mouth.

Neither of the two common protozoan parasites of the human mouth have hitherto been successfully transplanted into the mouths of experimental animals. This has greatly retarded the growth of our knowledge concerning the role of these microorganisms in disease.Our experiments included work with dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and mice. Attempts were made to introduce cultures of amoebae into the normal gingival sulcus and into artificial extensions of this groove made by means of glass needles and in several cases by means of a chisel shaped knife. In addition to cultures we attempted the introduction of pus directly from a human case of very advanced pyorrhea. Attempts were made to infect guinea pigs which were affected with scurvy. All of the above experiments were negative including those involving normal dogs.Our first success was with an old dog possessing an advance gingivitis. Several weeks of careful observation demonstrated that there was no spontaneous infection. A culture containing Endam...
Congestive heart failure; its physiopathology and treatment, with special reference to intractable heart failure.

The relationship between the physiopathologic factors involved in heart failure and the manifestations of the disease is not clearly understood. Clinical signs and symptoms are caused by disturbances in electrolyte and water balance.Speculative theories have been advanced concerning the role in heart failure played by cardiac metabolic disturbances, changes in the molecular structure of actomyosin, excretion of aldosterone, release of antidiuretic hormone, and perversion of the normal mechanisms of both fluid volume and sodium regulation.Treatment of congestive failure is still chiefly empiric, consisting of careful regulation of sodium and water intake and administration of digitalis and diuretics.
A Rare Case of Spontaneous Pneumocephalus Associated with Nontraumatic Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak

Introduction. Spontaneous nontraumatic pneumocephalus (PNC) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are both very uncommon conditions. We report a rare case of spontaneous pneumocephalus associated with CSF leak secondary to right sphenoid sinus bony defect without history of trauma. Case Description. 51-year-old Hispanic female with past medical history of hypertension and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (Pseudotumor Cerebri) presented to the emergency room complaining of headache and clear discharge from the right nostril. Physical examination was significant for right frontal sinus tenderness and clear discharge from right nostril. Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the brain showed moderate amount of extra-axial air within the right cerebral hemisphere indicative of pneumocephalus. CT scan of facial bones showed bony defect along the right sphenoid sinus with abnormal CSF collection. The patient was started on intravenous antibiotics for meningitis prophylaxis and subsequently underwent transsphenoidal repair of cerebrospinal fluid leak with abdominal fat graft. CSF rhinorrhea stopped completely after the surgery with near complete resolution of pneumocephalus before discharge. Conclusions. Early identification of pneumocephalus and surgical intervention can help decrease the morbidity and avoid possible complications. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, although rare, can lead to CSF leak and pneumocepahlus.
Chemical Cleaning of Severe Scaling Once-through Boiler

Many water wall tubes of Unit 2 boiler exploded in a power plant during the 168 h operation.It is found that a large amount of old ferric oxide falls off vertical water wall and that causes blockage in water wall tube bend which leads to boiler tube explosion.And the amount of scale in boiler is as high as 1 093 g/m2.After the reason is found,residual iron oxide in the system is successfully removed using a pioneering lowtemperature catalytic citric acid.The unit starts again and is in safe and stable operation.
Percutaneous Biopsy of Renal Transplants Using Ultrasonographic Guidance

AbstractThe transplanted kidney is an ideal organ fo:r study by ultrasonic methods because it is located superficially in the iliac fossa and it is free of superimposed echoes from the intestines. Therefore, it is possible to localize the transplant accurately, measure the distance from the skin to the surface of the kidney and determine with precision the angle of the intended pathway of the needle.
Quality: What it Means and What it Doesn’t Mean? Exploratory Results from a Survey

The paper explores the perceptions of different dimensions of quality that employees had at different levels in the organization/ and investigates how these perceptions can be aligned to increase firm's competitive position. A factor final/tic approach is used in the study. The results indicate that considerable differences exist among the employees with respect to the question of what constitutes "quality".
Social Immobility, Ethno-politics, and Sectarian Violence: Obstacles to Post-conflict Reconstruction in Northern Ireland

Through analysis of interviews with community leaders and newspaper reports and police data on sectarian violence, this study identifies dynamics and conditions which underscore fluctuations in ethno-political tensions and violence in Northern Ireland. Findings suggest that political provocations which promote such tensions are facilitated by the economic marginalization of communities historically susceptible to violence, ongoing community influence of paramilitary factions and disjuncture between the political priorities of upper- and lower-classes within each ethno-political community. More generally, the research highlights how a lack of investment in social and economic modes of reconstruction undermines the development of new political forms of cross-community cooperation and contributes to the reconstitution of intergroup division.
NCT Treatment Room Dose Determinations Using the Monte Carlo Adjoint Shielding (MASH) Method

For the first time, a methodology is available that can accurately calculate dose rates in parts of the patient’s body and in the treatment room during NCT treatment of a brain tumor.1 Existing methods concentrate only on the head. A modified version of the MASH code package,2 which has been extensively validated against air-over-ground irradiation experiments performed on armored vehicles at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD,3 was developed for this application. The MASH methodology for NCT treatment planning and facility design and licensing4 consists of an RZ geometry forward discrete-ordinates (Sn) flux calculation through a complicated but regular and symmetric beamport filter into a crude room model (DORT), coupled over a suitable surface to a Monte Carlo adjoint calculation (MORSE) of a geometrically complicated human body model seated in a treatment room. By placing the adjoint dose source sequentially in various positions in the body and/or treatment room, accurate dose determinations can be made at virtually any position in the room. Thus, it is possible to evaluate the relative doses to organs other than the tumor for variations in patient orientation and size, local shielding, and room characteristics.
Object-based Image Mapping of Conifer Tree Mortality in San Diego County based on Multitemporal Aerial Ortho-imagery

Abstract Two GEOBIA approaches are compared for their effectiveness in mapping dead trees within island montane forests of Southern California: a spatial contextual approach using an artificial neural network classifier, and a segmentation and multi-pixel classification approach. Both approaches are tested with multitemporal aerial orthoimagery having varying spatial resolutions. Spectral transformation inputs are also tested. An object-based accuracy assessment is conducted. Accuracies range between 30 percent to 90 percent for the dead tree class and are significantly higher for the spatial-contextual approach. Inclusion of spectral transforms increased accuracies by 5 percent for the true object-based approach, up to 13 percent for the spatial contextual approach, and reduced commission error up to 10 percent for both approaches. Masking techniques increased accuracies of the spatial contextual approach by 20 percent. With manual editing, the most accurate maps of individual live and dead trees from the spatial contextual approach are suitable for studying spatio-temporal trends in montane conifer mortality.
Mucosal calcified nodule of the gingiva in an infant

The mucosal calcified nodule is a rare oral lesion that has a predilection for the young child. This case report describes an infant with a persistent and tender gingival swelling associated with an unerupted, maxillary central incisor. Besides a differential diagnosis for this entity, the causes of abnormal calcium deposits within the skin of children are discussed.(Pediatr Dent. 2002;24:337-339)
Nutritional and Lifestyle Impact on Epigenetics and Cancer

Nutrition and lifestyle factors play an important role in human health as dietary imbalances are major determinants of several diseases including cancer. Emerging studies suggest that diet and nutrition can impact gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic modifications are heritable and cause potentially reversible changes in gene expression that do not require alteration in DNA sequence. Epigenetic marks include changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small noncoding miRNA. Aberrant epigenetic modifications probably occur at an early stage in neoplastic development and are widely described as essential players in cancer progression. Epigenetic modifications also mediate environmental signals and provide links between susceptibility genes and environmental factors in the etiology of cancer. The present chapter initially highlights the role of various epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation and maintenance of mammalian genome. Focusing on the effect of various endogenous factors that include environmental, lifestyle, nutritional, and social-economic/racial aspects; this chapter discusses their impact on the process of carcinogenesis through various epigenetic modifications. Elucidating the impact of nutrition and lifestyle factors on epigenetic mechanisms may serve as a personalized prediction tool assessing cancer susceptibility and in providing recommendation and guide for prevention and therapeutic options against cancer.
Propagation of rhythmic dorsoventral wave in a neuromechanical model of locomotion in Caernohabditis elegans

With 302 neurons and a fully reconstructed connectome, Caernohabditis elegans is an ideal candidate organism to study how behavior is grounded in the interaction between an organism's brain, its body, and its environment. Since nearly its entire behavioral repertoire is expressed through movement, understanding the neuromechanical basis of locomotion is especially critical as a foundation upon which analyses of all other behaviors must build. In this extended abstract, we report on the evolution and analysis of an integrated neuromechanical model of forward locomotion.
Novel encapsulation improves recovery of probiotic strains in fecal samples of human volunteers

Probiotic supplements can contribute to maintaining health and ameliorating various disease symptoms. Probiotics can be delivered in many forms with crucial differences in their survival during gastrointestinal (GI) passage. Previously, a novel encapsulation, Probiotic Pearls™ Acidophilus, Integrative Therapeutics, LLC, USA (Pearls), was shown to increase survival in vitro after exposure to gastric conditions. Here, we compare fecal recovery in human volunteers consuming Pearls or a conventional hard-shelled gelatin capsule. We performed a randomized double-blinded, two-armed trial, with six healthy subjects in each 12-day study arm. In fecal samples collected at baseline, twice during the intervention period, and after washout, we compared colony counts between the two encapsulation methods. The identity of the colonies was confirmed by colony morphology, strain-specific PCR, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We further performed a comprehensive 16S rRNA gene sequencing-based analysis to identify differential effects on overall microbiota composition. We detected an average log increase in bifidobacteria of 0.152 cfu/g with gelatin and 0.651 cfu/g with Pearls capsules (p > 0.05). Total lactobacilli counts increased in both groups with no difference between the groups. However, the supplemented Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM decreased to baseline levels within 7 days after end of supplementation with gelatin capsules while 3.11 log cfu/g higher counts compared to baseline (p = 0.05) remained for Pearls. Targeted qPCR largely confirmed the trends observed by viable plate counts. Protecting the probiotic strains by Pearls encapsulation results in higher recovery rates of the supplemented lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in fecal samples and increased persistence, suggesting an improved survival and viability that might increase efficacy towards achieving desired health benefits.
Fe5Mo Cluster with Iron-Carbide and Molybdenum-Carbide Bonding Motifs: Structure and Selective Alkyne Reductions.

Herein we report the synthesis, X-ray structure, and characterization of the title pentairon (molybdo)carbido cluster. The reaction of the pentairon (μ5-carbido) dianion [Fe5(μ6-C)(μ2-CO)2(CO)12]2– (1) with [Mo(CO)3(chpt)] (chpt = cycloheptatriene) forms the heterohexanuclear cluster [K(benzo-18-crown-6)]2[Fe5Mo(μ6-C)(μ2-CO)3(CO)14] (2). The dianion exhibits a Fe5Mo(μ6-C) core structure supported by three bridging (νCO = 1788 cm–1) and terminal (νCO = 1943 cm–1) CO ligands. Cluster 2 provides the selective reduction of diphenylacetylene to cis-diphenylethylene via a spectroscopically observed cluster-hydride intermediate (1H NMR: δ −26).
Effects of duplicated mapped read PCR artifacts on RNA-seq differential expression analysis based on qRNA-seq

Best practices to handling duplicated mapped reads in RNA-seq analyses has long been discussed but a gold standard method has yet to be established, as such duplicates could originate from valid biological transcripts or they could be PCR-related artifacts. Here we used the NEXTflexTM qRNA-SeqTM (aka Molecular IndexingTM) technology to identify PCR duplicates via the random attachment of unique molecular labels to each cDNA molecule prior to PCR amplification. We found that up to 64.3% of the single end and 19.3% of the mouse paired end duplicates originated from valid biological transcripts rather than PCR artifacts. For single end reads, either removing or retaining all duplicates resulted in a substantial number of false positives (up to 47.0%) and false negatives (up to 12.1%) in the sets of significantly differentially expressed genes. For paired end reads, only the alignment retaining all duplicates resulted in a substantial number of false positives. This is the first effort to evaluate the performance of qRNA-seq using 9real-world9 biomedical samples, and we found that PCR duplicate identification provided minor benefits for paired end reads but greatly improved the sensitivity and specificity in the determination of the significantly differentially expressed genes for single end reads.
Molecular Mechanisms of Juxtacrine Cell Signalling in Microvascular Responses and Inflammation

Interactions between endothelial cells and leukocytes and platelets and leukocytes are key events in acute and subacute inflammation, microvascular responses, and hemostasis. These interactions not only target cells to specific sites but also mediate information transfer that leads to changes in their phenotypes and function (1). Platelet-platelet interactions, which will not be considered in detail in this chapter, have similar consequences. Mechanisms of inflammatory and vascular cell-cell interactions provide important insights into other physiologic processes that include embryogenesis, development, and wound repair and are also relevant to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and syndromes as diverse as neoplasia, metastasis, and fibroproliferative disorders (2). Inflammatory and vascular cell-cell interactions are mediated by adhesion (“tethering”) and signalling molecules, establishing paradigms relevant to other biologic systems (1–4).
Data-driven and model-based design

This paper explores novel research directions arising from the revolutions in artificial intelligence and the related fields of machine learning, data science, etc. We identify opportunities for system design to leverage the advances in these disciplines, as well as to identify and study new problems. Specifically, we propose Data-driven and Model-based Design (DMD) as a new system design paradigm, which combines model-based design with classic and novel techniques to learn models from data.
Acid–Base Physiology

The body is able to maintain an arterial pH in a very narrow range due to intracellular and extracellular mechanisms that are able to correct for large physiologic perturbations. The most common mechanisms for compensation of pH abnormalities is through the respiratory and renal systems which alter carbon dioxide (CO2) and bicarbonate (HCO3 −) resorption and excretion. Carbon dioxide, a volatile acid, is a byproduct of cellular aerobic respiration that combines with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) which can be catalyzed by carbonic anhydrase to produce protons (H+) and bicarbonate (HCO3 −).
Tabu Search with Critical Event Memory: An Enhanced Application for Binary Quadratic Programs

A recently developed tabu search approach for solving binary quadratic programs has been shown to be highly effective in finding optimal solutions to known difficult problems. Organized chiefly to employ strategic oscillation, based on critical event memory, the method has not only quickly found optimal solutions in those cases where they are known, but has also found high quality (perhaps optimal) solutions to new test problems that are larger than previously reported in the literature.
In-beam gamma -ray spectroscopy of 40Cl.

The structure of the neutron-rich (${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{z}}$=3) nucleus $^{40}\mathrm{Cl}$ is investigated by measuring \ensuremath{\alpha}-p-\ensuremath{\gamma}-\ensuremath{\gamma} and \ensuremath{\alpha}-p-n-\ensuremath{\gamma}-\ensuremath{\gamma} coincidences using the heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reaction $^{9}\mathrm{Be}$${(}^{32}$S,\ensuremath{\alpha}p${)}^{40}$Cl. A total of 18 in-beam transitions in $^{40}\mathrm{Cl}$ are identified and a level scheme is constructed up to spin (${8}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$) and 4.087 MeV excitation energy. The experimental results are discussed in the context of previous work and compared to shell-model predictions. Excitation energies of the negative parity yrast states and relative electromagnetic transition strengths obtained from calculations based on the full (2s,1d${)}^{21}$(1f2p${)}^{3}$ configuration space are in good agreement with the experimental results.
Sucrose Abstinence and Environmental Enrichment Effects on Mesocorticolimbic DARPP32 in Rats.

Dopamine- and cAMP-regulated neuronal phosphoprotein 32 kDa (DARPP32) is a signaling molecule that could serve as a molecular switch, promoting or restraining sucrose seeking. We measured DARPP32 and pThr34 DARPP32 in the brains of male Long-Evans rats with a history of sucrose self-administration followed by 1 or 30 days of abstinence and exposure to either overnight (acute) or one month (chronic) environmental enrichment (EE). Brains were extracted following a 1 h cue reactivity test or no exposure to the test environment. Micropunches (prelimbic, infralimbic, and anterior cingulate areas of the medial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, and ventral tegmental area) were then processed using Western blot. Abstinence increased, while EE decreased, sucrose seeking. DARPP32 and pThr34 DARPP32 levels were affected by testing, abstinence, and/or EE in most regions. Especially salient results were observed in the nucleus accumbens core, a region associated with relapse behaviors. Both acute and chronic EE reduced DARPP32 in the nucleus accumbens core and acute EE increased the ratio of phosphorylated to total DARPP32. Degree of DARPP32 phosphorylation negatively correlated with sucrose seeking. These findings demonstrate a potential role for DARPP32 in mediating the “anti-craving” effect of EE.
Digital provenance and material metadata: Attribution and co-authorship in the age of artificial intelligence:

This speculative essay examines a single drawing, produced in a collaboration between the authors and a Turtle robot, in a search for methods to evaluate and document provenance in artificial intel...
Robust Mean Estimation with the Bayesian Median of Means

The sample mean is often used to aggregate different unbiased estimates of a parameter, producing a final estimate that is unbiased but possibly high-variance. This paper introduces the Bayesian median of means, an aggregation rule that roughly interpolates between the sample mean and median, resulting in estimates with much smaller variance at the expense of bias. While the procedure is non-parametric, its squared bias is asymptotically negligible relative to the variance, similar to maximum likelihood estimators. The Bayesian median of means is consistent, and concentration bounds for the estimator's bias and $L_1$ error are derived, as well as a fast non-randomized approximating algorithm. The performances of both the exact and the approximate procedures match that of the sample mean in low-variance settings, and exhibit much better results in high-variance scenarios. The empirical performances are examined in real and simulated data, and in applications such as importance sampling, cross-validation and bagging.
Accessing dark states optically through excitationferrying states

The efficiency of solar energy harvesting systems is largely determined by their ability to transfer excitations from the antenna to the energy trapping center before recombination. Dark state protection, achieved by coherent coupling between subunits in the antenna structure, can significantly reduce radiative recombination and enhance the efficiency of energy trapping. Because the dark states cannot be populated by optical transitions from the ground state, they are usually accessed through phononic relaxation from the bright states. In this study, we explore a novel way of connecting the dark states and the bright states via optical transitions. In a ring-like chromophore system inspired by natural photosynthetic antennae, the single-excitation bright state can be optically connected to the lowest energy single-excitation dark state through certain double-excitation states. We call such double-excitation states the ferry states and show that they are the result of accidental degeneracy between two categories of double-excitation states. We then mathematically prove that the ferry states are only available when N, the number of subunits on the ring, satisfies (N = 4l+2, l being an integer). Numerical calculations confirm that the ferry states enhance the energy transfer power of our model, showing a significant energy transfer power spike at N = 6 compared with smaller N values, even without phononic relaxation. The proposed mathematical theory for the ferry states is not restricted to this one particular system or numerical model. In fact, it is potentially applicable to any coherent optical system that adopts a ring-shaped chromophore arrangement. Beyond the ideal case, the ferry state mechanism also demonstrates robustness under weak phononic dissipation, weak site energy disorder, and large coupling strength disorder.
Chemical constituents, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-lipase activities of composites derived from green tea, lemon peels and red wine lees

Abstract Novel sources of nutraceuticals, composites derived from green tea extract, red wine lees and lemon peels extract were produced. The first composite was produced from green tea extract and red wine lees. The second composite was produced from green tea extract, red wine lees and lemon peels. The composites intensively depressed the growth of the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Rhodococcus sp. The inhibition zones for the first composite were 16.1 and 24.1 mm, respectively and for the second composite – 18.5 and 24.3 mm, respectively. In the case of the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginasa, the inhibition zones for the first composite were 18.1 and 6.1 mm, and for the second composite - 6.1 and 10.2 mm, respectively. In the case of the pathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia sp. and Streptomyces glaucus 71MD, the inhibition zones for the first composite were 14.7 and 22.3 mm, and for the second composite - 8.5 and 20.3 mm, respectively. Both composites exhibited approximately 4 times less antioxidant potential than L-ascorbic acid and showed high levels of lipase inhibition, i.e. 12.3% and 10.5% per mg dry matter for the first and second composites, respectively. In comparison with Orlistat® they showed 30% less anti-lipase activity.
TCT-718 Subclinical Leaflet Thrombosis Is Associated With Prosthesis Oversizing in Balloon-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Subclinical leaflet thrombosis (SLT) is an increasingly recognized entity in balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We hypothesized that SLT may be associated with prosthesis oversizing in relation to aortic annulus size and root anatomy. All patients who underwent TAVR
Corporate Social Responsibility and the State: Framework for Understanding State Control over CSR in Mining Industries in Africa

When dealing with extractive industries it is often impossible to clearly separate private sector activities from state or political activities. In developing countries this can become even more evident. The same is true for the corporate social responsibility (CSR) processes and practices in extractive industries. This article outlines a framework capturing state influences on CSR with particular attention to mining industries in Africa. It theorizes that the state can exert control over the CSR process in two different ways, (1) the extent of regulation requiring companies to carryout CSR where they are operating and (2) the extent of State ownership (private, partnership or full) in the company. The combination of these two factors will also affect the CSR process in different ways. The various effects of state control on the CSR process are then examined using fieldwork and CSR spending data collected from mining operations in Botswana and South Africa.
Influence of type of radiograph and levels of experience and training on reproducibility of the cervical vertebral maturation method

Introduction The objective of this study was to assess the reproducibility of cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) method based on the type of radiographic image and the level of experience and level of training of the evaluator. Methods Ten evaluators (5 orthodontic residents and 5 faculty members) were randomly divided into 2 groups: trained and untrained. All participants evaluated 80 radiographic images previously acquired in 4 different formats: (1) 2-dimensional (2D) digital (2D-digital), (2) 2D digitized hard copy from the Iowa Facial Growth Study (American Association of Orthodontists Foundation Craniofacial Growth Legacy Collection), (3) 2D digital reconstructed from a 3-dimensional (3D) radiograph (2D-from 3D), and (4) 3D cone-beam computerized tomographic (3D-CBCT) images. Agreement among evaluators on the morphology of the cervical vertebrae (CV) and the CVM stage of each radiographic image was assessed using Randolph's kappa statistic and Kendall's W coefficient of concordance. Results Interobserver agreement on the determination of a curvature on the inferior border of the CV was substantial to perfect, whereas agreement on shape was fair to moderate. Overall, the level training in all image types, except 3D-CBCTs, but not the level of experience affected the agreement for shape and curvature of the CVs. Interobserver agreement on CVM staging for all combined images was substantial at 0.72. Faculty had a higher level of agreement than residents except for 2D-digital and 3D-CBCT images, whereas trained evaluators had an overall higher level of agreement than untrained evaluators except for 3D-CBCT images. Conclusions Interobserver agreement in determining CVM stage was substantial for all images evaluated; experience and training resulted in higher level of agreement for some image types. The 3D-CBCT images did not provide increased interobserver agreement over current 2D-digital lateral cephalograms in determining CVM staging or shape of the CV. The highest agreement in CVM staging was obtained on 2D-digital lateral cephalograms with training.
A Quality Improvement Project to Standardize Surfactant Delivery in the Era of Noninvasive Ventilation.

Introduction Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and surfactant both improve outcomes for premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome. However, prolonged trials of CPAP, as well as observation periods after intubation, may delay the administration of surfactant. Late surfactant treatment likely increases the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, which leads to significant morbidity and healthcare utilization. Methods We aimed to decrease time from meeting standard criteria (start of a continuous run of FiO2 > 40% or PaCO2 > 65 for >90 min) to intubation, and from intubation to surfactant administration, for infants <1,500 g or younger than 32 weeks gestation. Retrospective data collection from the electronic medical record assessed those process measures as the primary endpoints. Balancing measures were the adverse outcomes of asymmetric lung disease, the inappropriate position of the endotracheal tube, or pneumothorax on the first x-ray (within 24 h) after surfactant. Results Mean time to intubation for infants 28-32 weeks gestation decreased from 321 to 81 minutes in response to a literature review for physicians and free-text orders for notification. Time to intubation for infants younger than 28 weeks gestation did not change. Administration of surfactant within 1 hour of intubation improved from 78% to 100% after a program for trainees and coordination with radiology. There were no adverse occurrences. Conclusions Educational interventions and targeted process change can successfully implement standard criteria for intubation and surfactant administration for premature infants. Determination of an acceptable range of evidence-based practice is essential for the engagement of medical staff. Timely intubation and surfactant may decrease bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Betrayal Trauma and Gender: An Examination of the Victim–Offender Overlap:

Empirical research has demonstrated widespread support for the association between violent victimization and offending, or the “victim–offender overlap.” This study adds to this body of research by...