cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ramshackle (Brwd3) promotes light-induced ubiquitylation of Drosophila Cryptochrome by DDB1-CUL4-ROC1 E3 ligase complex

Cryptochrome (CRY) is the primary circadian photoreceptor in Drosophila. It resets the circadian clock by promoting light-induced degradation of the clock proteins Timeless and Period, as well as its own proteolysis. The E3 ligases that ubiquitylate Timeless and Period before degradation are known and it is known that Drosophila (d) CRY is degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system as well. To identify the E3 ligase for dCRY we screened candidates in S2 cells by RNAi. Knockdown of each of the 25 putative F-box proteins identified by bioinformatics did not attenuate the light-induced degradation of dCRY. However, knockdown of a WD40 protein, Bromodomain and WD repeat domain containing 3 (Brwd3) (CG31132/Ramshackle) caused strong attenuation of dCRY degradation following light exposure. We found that BRWD3 functions as a Damage-specific DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1)- and CULLIN (CUL)4-associated factor in a Cullin4-RING Finger E3 Ligase (CRL4) that mediates light-dependent binding of dCRY to CUL4-ROC1-DDB1-BRWD3, inducing ubiquitylation of dCRY and its light-induced degradation. Thus, this study identifies a light-activated E3 ligase complex essential for light-mediated CRY degradation in Drosophila cells.
Halo Effects in Student Evaluations of Faculty: A Case Application:

Halo effects in marketing applications threaten to make product improvements difficult by biasing consumer judgments of product attributes. This study applies halo theory to student evaluations of faculty and finds similar difficulties. Strategies for individual faculty improvement of ratings are suggested and directions for further research are noted.
Performance implications of periodic checkpointing on large-scale cluster systems

Large-scale systems like BlueGene/L are susceptible to a number of software and hardware failures that can affect system performance. Periodic application checkpointing is a common technique for mitigating the amount of work lost due to job failures, but its effectiveness under realistic circumstances has not been studied. In this paper, we analyze the system-level performance of periodic application checkpointing using parameters similar to those projected for BlueGene/L systems. Our results reflect simulations on a toroidal interconnect architecture, using a real job log from a machine similar to BlueGene/L, and with a real failure distribution from a large-scale cluster. Our simulation studies investigate the impact of parameters such as checkpoint overhead and checkpoint interval on a number of performance metrics, including bounded slowdown, system utilization, and total work lost. The results suggest that periodic checkpointing may not be an effective way to improve the average bounded slowdown or average system utilization metrics, though it reduces the amount of work lost due to failures. We show that overzealous checkpointing with high overhead can amplify the effects of failures. The study also suggests that new metrics and checkpointing techniques may be required to effectively handle job failures on large-scale machines like BlueGene/L.
Kinematics and Dynamic Stability of the Locomotion of Post-Polio Patients

The study reported in this article was conducted to propose a set graphical and analytical tools and assess their clinical utility by analyzing gait kinematics and dynamics of polio survivors. Phase-plane portraits and first return maps were used as graphical tools to detect abnormal patterns in the sagittal kinematics of post-polio gait. Two new scalar measures were introduced to assess the bilateral kinematic symmetry and dynamic stability of human locomotion. Nine healthy subjects and seventeen post-polio patients were involved in the project. Significant increases in the knee extension and ankle plantar flexion of post-polio patients were observed during the weight acceptance phases of their gait. Polio patients also exhibited highly noticeable excessive hip flexion during the swing phase of their ambulation. Using the proposed symmetry measure, we concluded that post-polio patients walked less symmetrically than normals. Our conclusion, however, was based on the bilateral symmetry in the sagittal plane only. Finally, we observed that post-polio patients walked significantly less stably than normals. In addition, weaknesses in lower extremity muscles of polio patients were found to be an important factor that affected stable ambulation.
Extending the Generality of Molecular Dynamics Simulations on a Special-Purpose Machine

Special-purpose computing hardware can provide significantly better performance and power efficiency for certain applications than general-purpose processors. Even within a single application area, however, a special-purpose machine can be far more valuable if it is capable of efficiently supporting a number of different computational methods that, taken together, expand the machine's functionality and range of applicability. We have previously described a massively parallel special-purpose supercomputer, called Anton, and have shown that it executes traditional molecular dynamics simulations orders of magnitude faster than the previous state of the art. Here, we describe how we extended Anton's software to support a more diverse set of methods, allowing scientists to simulate a broader class of biological phenomena at extremely high speeds. Key elements of our approach, which exploits Anton's tightly integrated hardwired pipelines and programmable cores, are applicable to the hardware and software design of various other specialized or heterogeneous parallel computing platforms.
Biological and proteomic analysis of venom from the Puerto Rican Racer (Alsophis portoricensis: Dipsadidae)

The Puerto Rican Racer Alsophis portoricensis is known to use venom to subdue lizard prey, and extensive damage to specific lizard body tissues has been well documented. The toxicity and biochemistry of the venom, however, has not been explored extensively. We employed biological assays and proteomic techniques to characterize venom from A. portoricensis anegadae collected from Guana Island, British Virgin Islands. High metalloproteinase and gelatinase, as well as low acetylcholinesterase and phosphodiesterase activities were detected, and the venom hydrolyzed the alpha-subunit of human fibrinogen very rapidly. SDS-PAGE analysis of venoms revealed up to 22 protein bands, with masses of approximately 5-160 kDa; very little variation among individual snakes or within one snake between venom extractions was observed. Most bands were approximately 25-62 kD, but MALDI-TOF analysis of crude venom indicated considerable complexity in the 1.5-13 kD mass range, including low intensity peaks in the 6.2-8.8 kD mass range (potential three-finger toxins). MALDI-TOF/TOF MS analysis of tryptic peptides confirmed that a 25 kDa band was a venom cysteine-rich secretory protein (CRiSP) with sequence homology with tigrin, a CRiSP from the natricine colubrid Rhabdophis tigrinus. The venom was quite toxic to NSA mice (Mus musculus: LD(50)=2.1 microg/g), as well as to Anolis lizards (A. carolinensis: 3.8 microg/g). Histology of the venom gland showed distinctive differences from the supralabial salivary glands (serous vs. mucosecretory), and like the Brown Treesnake (Boiga irregularis), another rear-fanged snake, serous secretory cells are arranged in densely packed secretory tubules, with little venom present in tubule lumina. These results clearly demonstrate that venom from A. portoricensis shares components with venoms of front-fanged snakes as well as with other rear-fanged species. Venom from A. portoricensis, in particular the prominent metalloproteinase activity, likely serves an important trophic function by facilitating prey handling and predigestion of prey.
Phylogenetic relationships in Gleditsia (Leguminosae) based on ITS sequences

We used nucleotide sequences from the internal transcribed spacers and 5.8S gene of nuclear ribosomal DNA to test competing phylogenetic and biogeographic hypotheses in Gleditsia. Eleven of 13 Gleditsia species were sampled, along with two species of its sister genus, Gymnocladus. Analyses of ITS data and of a combined data set that included sequences of ITS and two chloroplast genes supported several conclusions that were interpreted in light of fossil data and current legume phylogeny. Gleditsia and Gymnocladus appear to have originated in eastern Asia during the Eocene. Eastern North American species of both genera most likely evolved from ancestors that migrated across the Bering land bridge, but the eastern Asian/eastern North American disjunction appears to be much older in Gymnocladus than in Gleditsia. Gleditsia amorphoides, from temperate South America, is sister to the rest of the genus, suggesting early long-distance dispersal from Asia. The remainder of Gleditsia is divided into three unresolved clades, possibly indicating a split early in the evolution of the genus. Two of those clades contain only Asian species, and one contains Asian and North American species. The North American species, Gleditsia triacanthos and Gleditsia aquatica, are polymorphic and paraphyletic with respect to their ITS and cpDNA sequences, which suggests recent diversification.
The etiology of cirrhosis is a strong determinant of brain reserve: A multimodal magnetic resonance imaging study

Poor brain reserve in alcoholic cirrhosis could worsen insight regarding disease severity and increase the patients' vulnerability toward further deterioration. The aim of this study was to analyze brain reserve in abstinent alcoholic cirrhotic (Alc) patients compared to nonalcoholic cirrhotic (Nalc) patients in the context of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and to evaluate relative change in brain reserve between groups over time and before and after elective transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement. The cross-sectional study included 46 Alc and 102 Nalc outpatients with or without HE. Cognitive tests were followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS), diffusion tensor imaging, and T1-weighted imaging. The prospective study included 1H-MRS on a subset of 10 patients before and after TIPS placement. Another subset of 26 patients underwent (1) H-MRS at least 1 year apart. For the cross-sectional study, Alc patients were worse on cognitive tests than Nalc patients. MRI results suggest a greater effect of hyperammonemia, brain edema, and significantly higher cortical damage in Alc as compared to Nalc patients. The effect of HE status on cognitive tests and brain reserve was more marked in the Nalc than in the Alc group. For the TIPS study, Nalc patients showed a greater adverse relative change after TIPS compared to the Alc group. At 1-year follow-up, both groups remained stable between the 2 visits. However, Alc patients continued to show poor brain reserve compared to Nalc patients over time. In conclusion, Alc patients, despite abstinence, have a poor brain reserve, whereas Nalc patients have a greater potential for brain reserve deterioration after HE and TIPS. Information regarding the brain reserve in cirrhosis could assist medical teams to refine their communication and monitoring strategies for different etiologies.
Challenges in the classification of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and the utility of artificial neural networks

COMMENTARY ON Phan P, Mezghani N, Wai EK, et al. Artificial neural networks assessing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: comparison with Lenke classification. Spine J 2013;13:1527–33 ( in this issue ).
Predicting sedation in flexible bronchoscopy

Introduction: Since 1985, midazolam has been widely used along with fentanyl for sedation in bronchoscopy. The aim of this study was to establish a correlation between patient age and the amount of midazolam required to produce adequate sedation. Methods: Medical records of all the patients who underwent bronchoscopy in 2010 were accessed. Adequate sedation was defined as “a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands”. Results were analysed using SPSS software (Version 18). Results: Of all patients (n=511), 54.4% were male and 45.6% female. Median age and dose of midazolam (range) was 60 years (16-91) and 6mg (0-14) respectively. The Spearman Rank correlation between sedatives and age were: midazolam (r= -0.486, p=0.000) and fentanyl (r= -0.396, p=0.000). Analysis of variance showed that every decade of increase in age saw a decrease in the dose of sedation required, and the difference in means of the dosage in each age group was statistically significant (p=0.000). Regression analysis showed that a change of one standard deviation of midazolam dose produced a change of 0.372 standard deviations of the dose of fentanyl (p=0.000). Conclusions: There is a statistically significant correlation between age and amount of sedative required. We can predict the dose of sedation required in flexible bronchoscopy in different age groups. Dose of one sedative agent can be used to predict the dose of the second.
HFVS™: Enhanced data quality through technology integration

Known problems with vibroseis data include difficult-to-pick and inaccurate first-arrival times, poor well ties, correlation side lobes, harmonic ghosts, and coupling differences. Also, to reduce acquisition costs, various methods are used to record and then separate data from different source locations using vibrators sweeping simultaneously, but these methods suffer from poor data separation and harmonic contamination. A novel combination of heritage Mobil High Fidelity Vibratory Seismic (HFVS) and heritage Exxon vibrator technologies solves these problems with vibroseis data. The method involves vibrator separation combined with vibrator signature deconvolution in such a manner that the output is minimum phase and matches impulsive data. Vibrator signatures are calculated from the vibrator accelerometer measurements. The signatures from multiple vibrators and multiple sweeps are used to design a filter that optimally separates the data from each vibrator and replaces the signatures with a specially des...
Training community health promoters to implement diabetes self-management support programs for urban minority adults.

ObjectiveTo develop, implement, and evaluate a peer-led diabetes self-management support program in English and Spanish for a diverse, urban, low-income population. The program goals and objectives were to improve diabetes self-management behaviors, especially becoming more physically active, healthier eating, medication adherence, problem solving, and goal setting.MethodsAfter a new training program for peers led by a certified diabetes educator (CDE) was implemented with 5 individuals, this pilot evaluation study was conducted in 2 community settings in the East and South Bronx. Seventeen adults with diabetes participated in the new peer-led 5-session program. Survey data were collected pre- and postintervention on diabetes self-care activities, quality of well-being, and number of steps using a pedometer.ResultsThis pilot study established the acceptance and feasibility of both the peer training program and the community-based, peer-led program for underserved, minority adults with diabetes. Significan...
Using Frequent Pattern Mining To Identify Behaviors In A Naked Mole Rat Colony.

Animal behavior analysis has, in the past, taken a very low tech approach, with direct observer surveillance and automated video surveillance as the norm. These methods are insufficient when one wants to study interactions between large numbers of animals in their housing environment. In this paper we use a housing environment that has been equipped with a system of RFID sensors. RFID transponders were implanted into the study animal, the naked mole rat. The resulting data was analyzed using principal component analysis and frequent pattern mining. Results showed that these methods can identify time periods of high behavioral activity from that of low activity, along with which groups of animals interacted with one another.
Numerical Modeling and Analysis of Shoreline Change on Galveston Island

Abstract Galveston shoreline data from 1956, 1965, 1990, and 2001 were analyzed with a sediment budget to infer the longshore and cross-shore (out of the littoral system) transport. The analysis indicated a relatively calm period from 1990 to 2001, which was dominated by longshore transport, as well as two hurricane-prone periods (1956–65 and 1965–90), which had both longshore and cross-shore transport. The Wave Information Study wave data (1976–95) were then examined to identify those years where the waves gave the “expected” longshore transport. Five wave years were selected for further study. Numerical modeling of shoreline change on Galveston Island, based on the five selected wave years, was conducted in order to gain an understanding of, and to design remedial action for, an erosional hotspot at the end of the island's seawall. The GENESIS model was chosen after careful consideration of its assumptions and performance and after analysis of site conditions. It was judged to be a suitable shoreline ch...
Advances on the Behavior Characterization of FRP-Anchored Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Sheets Used to Strengthen Concrete Elements

Strengthening concrete structures using FRP composites is a commonly considered technology in many practical situations. The success of the strengthening intervention largely depends on adequate bond between FRP sheets and the concrete substrate. In recent years, techniques to anchor FRP sheets in applications where sheets must develop strength in a short length have been proposed. One of these techniques includes use of FRP anchors embedded into the concrete substrate and forming part of the composite strengthening system. This paper presents the results of studies conducted recently at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to advance the understanding on the behavior of FRP anchored systems.
Optimal m-stage Runge-Kutta schemes for steady-state solutions of hyperbolic equations

A numerical scheme is developed to find optimal parameters and time step of m-stage Runge-Kutta (RK) schemes for accelerating the convergence to -steady-state solutions of hyperbolic equations. These optimal RK schemes can be applied to a spatial discretization over nonuniform grids such as Chebyshev spectral discretization. For each m given either a set of all eigenvalues or a geometric closure of all eigenvalues of the discretization matrix, a specially structured nonlinear minimax problem is formulated to find the optimal parameters and time step. It will be shown that each local solution of the minimax problem is also a global solution and therefore the obtained m-stage RK scheme is optimal. A numerical scheme based on a modified version of the projected Lagrangian method is designed to solve the nonlinear minimax problem. The scheme is generally applicable to any stage number m. Applications in solving nonsymmetric systems of linear equations are also discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ghosts in the machine: interfaces for better power management

We observe that the modularity of current power management algorithms often leads to poor results. We propose two new interfaces that pierce the abstraction barrier that inhibits device power management. First, an OS power manager allows applications to query the current power mode of I/O devices to evaluate the performance and energy cost of alternative strategies for reading and writing data. Second, we allow applications to disclose ghost hints that enable better power management in the presence of multiple devices. Adaptive applications issue ghost hints to device power managers when they are forced to use a poor I/O path because a device is not in an ideal power mode; such hints allow devices to implement proactive power management strategies that do not depend upon passive load observation. Using these new interfaces, we implement a middleware layer that supports adaptive disk cache management. On an iPAQ handheld running Linux, our cache manager reduces interactive response time for a Web browser by 27% and decreases total energy usage by 9%. For a mail reader, the cache manager decreases response time by 42% and energy use by 5%.
Firmware for an intelligent digital multimeter

Certain features of the design of a digital multimeter (DMM) that require intelligent firmware are reported, including high system throughput, measurement algorithms, and electronic calibration techniques. By combining a fast, standards-level-accuracy analog-to-digital (A/D) converter with intelligent DMM firmware in an embedded system, higher performance levels can be achieved. Achieving higher system throughput on the HP-IB (IEEE-488) interface by both quick setup times and high transfer rates is discussed. Extended capabilities, such as memory management, waveform digitizing, and digital AC techniques, are considered. The storage, initialization and protection of calibration constants, including how they are kept secure from erasure, are examined. >
Amylin-insulin relationships in insulin resistance with and without diabetic hyperglycemia

To determine if increased secretion of amylin can be implicated in the pathogenesis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in vitro and in vivo, we studied its relationships to insulin in insulin-resistant rats with and without NIDDM. In obesity-associated and dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance without diabetes, basal and stimulated secretion of amylin and insulin by isolated pancreata were proportionately elevated, leaving the amylin-to-insulin ratio (A/I) unchanged. By contrast, whenever diabetes occurred in dexamethasone-treated rats or in spontaneously diabetic obese insulin-resistant ZDF-drt male rats, a doubling of A/I was invariably observed due to an increase in amylin without a proportional increase in insulin secretion. Correction of dexamethasone-induced hyperglycemia with the glucocorticord receptor antagonist RU-486 was accompanied by a decline in A/I. Longitudinal in vivo studies demonstrated in both spontaneous and dexamethasone-induced models of NIDDM an increase in plasma A/I at the onset of hyperglycemia. In dexamethasone-induced diabetes, the increased A/I was associated with a high proamylin mRNA relative to proinsulin mRNA. We conclude that amylin and insulin expression and secretion rise in concert in compensated insulin-resistant states, but when hyperglycemia is present the increase in amylin exceeds that of insulin. Although a role of an increased A/I in the pathogenesis of NIDDM has not been established directly, these studies indicate that such a role could be possible.
Design for Fused Filament Fabrication Additive Manufacturing

In this paper, we explore the topic of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D-printing. This is a low-cost additive manufacturing technology which is typically embodied in consumer-grade desktop 3D printers capable of producing useful parts, structures, and mechanical assemblies. The primary goal of our investigation is to produce an understanding of this process which can be employed to produce high-quality, functional engineered parts and prototypes. By developing this understanding, we create a resource which may be turned to by both researchers in the field of manufacturing science, and industrial professionals who are either considering the use of FFF-enabled technologies such as 3D printing, or those who have already entered production and are optimizing their fabrication process. In order to paint a cohesive picture for these readers, we examine several topic areas. We begin with an overview of the FFF process, its key hardware and software components, and the interrelationships between these components and the designer. With this basis, we then proceed to outline a set of design principles which facilitate the production of high quality printed parts, and discuss the selection of appropriate materials. Following naturally from this, we turn to the question of feedstock materials for FFF, and give advice for their selection and use. We then turn to the subject of the as-printed properties of FFF parts and the strong non-isotropic response that they exhibit. We discuss the root causes of this behavior and means by which its deleterious effects may be mitigated. We conclude by discussing a mixed numerical/experimental technique which we believe will enable the accurate characterization of FFF parts and structures, and greatly enhance the utility of this additive manufacturing technology. By formalizing and discussing these topics, we hope to motivate and enable the serious use of low-cost FFF 3D printing for both research and industrial applications.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Spell Check is Not Your Friend (and Other Tips for Effective Proofreading)

This article is an essay on effective proofreading methods. It discusses the hazards of proofreading failures and common pitfalls that lead to poor proofreading. It offers practical tips to improve a writer's proofreading method.
Hyperactivity and the Attention Deficit Disorders: Expanding Frontiers

This article explores some of the pivotal research in the understanding and treatment of hyperactivity, overviewing the research milestones as well as the vexing questions that remain. Focus is placed upon the social worlds of hyperactive children and upon the overlap between hyperactive and aggressive behavior patterns. This is followed by an extensive look at the effects of stimulants upon these children and the needs for (and promise of) nonpharmacologic treatment strategies as adjuncts or alternatives to medication.
Kinematics and performance analysis of a novel concentric tube robotic structure with embedded soft micro-actuation

Abstract Continuum robots have shown astounding abilities to assist surgeons reaching confined spaces in the human body. Thus, accurate control of these manipulators, and particularly concentric tube robots, is required in order to achieve intracorporeal microrobotic interventions. We present hereby an improvement of this kinematic structure based on embedded soft micro-actuators. Two models for single and double direction curvature control are introduced. We demonstrate that kinematics are enhanced with respect to the standard approach in terms of holonomy, actuation redundancy and workspace covering. Further kinematic analysis enables the detection of singular configurations. The number of the end-effector pose occurrences that can be reached in a given volume (one cubic millimeter) are computed as well. Finally, the advantages of the novel structures are proven using performance indices.
Portable gamma-radiation analyzer for treaty verification

A portable instrument designed for use in treaty verification has been developed. A multichannel analyzer connected to a NaI(Tl) detector provides a rate meter, a background analyzer, a plutonium detector, and an energy-windowed scanner. The presence of plutonium is detected by excess counts in the 400 keV region. An energy calibration is automatically determined using either of two calibration sources. The simple operator interface is implemented with four lights and pushbuttons. >
Complex Orofacial Reconstruction with the Intrinsic Chimeric Flap.

Background Ablation of locally advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer often results in large composite orofacial defects with limited recipient vessels. These complex defects lend well to intrinsic chimeric flap reconstruction, which allows greater ability to inset various flap component tissue types than composite flaps and requires only one set of microvascular anastomoses. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent orofacial reconstruction with an intrinsic chimeric free flap from 2002 to 2015. Flaps with only one tissue type, such as two separate skin paddles with no additional component, were not considered chimeric flaps and therefore not included in this report. Patient demographic data, defect, and flap characteristics, as well as complications and outcomes were analyzed to create a guide for flap selection. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine risk factors for flap take-back and failure. Results Seventy-five patients underwent orofacial intrinsic chimeric free flap reconstruction. Results were organized based on defect characteristics to create a guide for flap selection. The number of chimeric flap components and operation duration were independently statistically associated with flap take-backs ( p Conclusions Intrinsic chimeric flaps provide a versatile and elegant reconstructive option for a variety of complex orofacial defects. We provide a guide to facilitate decision making in flap selection for these challenging reconstructions and report factors associated with flap take-backs and losses.
Correction: High concentration levulinic acid production from corn stover

Correction for ‘High concentration levulinic acid production from corn stover’ by Siamak Alipour et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 111616–111621.
The Use of Vancomycin Powder for Surgical Prophylaxis Following Craniotomy.

BACKGROUND Intrawound vancomycin powder has been studied extensively in spinal fusion surgeries and been found to reduce rates of surgical site infections (SSIs) significantly. Despite its success in spinal surgeries, topical vancomycin has not been extensively studied with respect to cranial neurosurgery. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of intrawound topical vancomycin for prevention of SSIs following open craniotomies. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed a large series of 350 patients from 2011 to 2015 in a pre/postintervention study of use of topical vancomycin to reduce postoperative craniotomy infection rates. We had a preintervention control group of 225 patients and a postintervention group of 125 patients that received intrawound topical vancomycin. RESULTS Our preintervention incidence of SSI was 2.2% and this was significantly reduced to 0% following introduction of topical vancomycin ( P < .5). An ad hoc cost analysis suggested a cost savings of ${\$}$ 59 965 with the use of topical vancomycin for craniotomies. CONCLUSION Our study found a significant reduction in SSI rates after introduction of topical vancomycin. Thus, this simple intervention should be considered in all open craniotomy patients as both infection prophylaxis and a potential cost saving intervention.
Building an academic video game pipeline: keynote address

Starting up a video game program at a major University has to take into account several crucial factors: Corralling hundreds of students with no previous experience, integrating disparate classes, the constant need to create thousands of 3D assets, and ultimately how to track the production of all student games. Within two semesters, Scott Easley helped to create the Gamepipe Program at the University of Southern California's Viterbi school of Engineering -- which in 2010 was ranked as the #1 video game design program by The Princeton Review.
Sensorimotor impairment of speech auditory feedback processing in aphasia

We investigated the brain network involved in speech sensorimotor processing by studying patients with post-stroke aphasia using an altered auditory feedback (AAF) paradigm. We combined lesion-symptom-mapping analysis and behavioral testing to examine the pervasiveness of speech sensorimotor deficits and their relationship with cortical damage. Sixteen participants with aphasia and sixteen neurologically intact individuals completed a speech task under AAF. The task involved producing speech vowel sounds under the real-time pitch-shifted auditory feedback alteration. This task provided an objective measure for each individual's ability to compensate for mismatch (error) in speech auditory feedback. Results indicated that compensatory speech responses to AAF were significantly diminished in participants with aphasia compared with control. We observed that within the aphasic group, subjects with lower scores on the speech repetition task exhibited greater degree of diminished responses. Lesion-symptom-mapping analysis revealed that the onset phase (50-150 ms) of diminished AAF responses were predicted by damage to auditory cortical regions within the superior and middle temporal gyrus, whereas the rising phase (150-250 ms) and the peak (250-350 ms) of diminished AAF responses were predicted with damage to the inferior frontal gyrus and supramarginal gyrus areas, respectively. These findings suggest that damage to the auditory, motor, and auditory-motor integration networks are associated with impaired sensorimotor function for speech error processing. We suggest that a sensorimotor integration network, as revealed by brain regions related to temporal specific components of AAF responses, is related to speech processing and specific aspects of speech impairment, notably repetition deficits, in individuals with aphasia.
Heme enables proper positioning of Drosha and DGCR8 on primary microRNAs.

MicroRNAs regulate the expression of many proteins and require specific maturation steps. Primary microRNA transcripts (pri-miRs) are cleaved by Microprocessor, a complex containing the RNase Drosha and its partner protein, DGCR8. Although DGCR8 is known to bind heme, the molecular role of heme in pri-miR processing is unknown. Here we show that heme is critical for Microprocessor to process pri-miRs with high fidelity. Furthermore, the degree of inherent heme dependence varies for different pri-miRs. Heme-dependent pri-miRs fail to properly recruit Drosha, but heme-bound DGCR8 can correct erroneous binding events. Rather than changing the oligomerization state, heme induces a conformational change in DGCR8. Finally, we demonstrate that heme activates DGCR8 to recognize pri-miRs by specifically binding the terminal loop near the 3′ single-stranded segment.
Temporal Layering of Signaling Effectors Drives Chromatin Remodeling during Hair Follicle Stem Cell Lineage Progression.

Tissue regeneration relies on resident stem cells (SCs), whose activity and lineage choices are influenced by the microenvironment. Exploiting the synchronized, cyclical bouts of tissue regeneration in hair follicles (HFs), we investigate how microenvironment dynamics shape the emergence of stem cell lineages. Employing epigenetic and ChIP-seq profiling, we uncover how signal-dependent transcription factors couple spatiotemporal cues to chromatin dynamics, thereby choreographing stem cell lineages. Using enhancer-driven reporters, mutagenesis, and genetics, we show that simultaneous BMP-inhibitory and WNT signals set the stage for lineage choices by establishing chromatin platforms permissive for diversification. Mechanistically, when binding of BMP effector pSMAD1 is relieved, enhancers driving HF-stem cell master regulators are silenced. Concomitantly, multipotent, lineage-fated enhancers silent in HF-stem cells become activated by exchanging WNT effectors TCF3/4 for LEF1. Throughout regeneration, lineage enhancers continue reliance upon LEF1 but then achieve specificity by accommodating additional incoming signaling effectors. Barriers to progenitor plasticity increase when diverse, signal-sensitive transcription factors shape LEF1-regulated enhancer dynamics.
Heterogeneity in untreated, stressed and drug-tolerant cells: insights into the evolution of cancer resistance

The evolution of cancer is a Darwinian process, the composition of cancer cell population varying with time, especially after chemotherapy. Such changes occurring in the genetic landscape of tumours are possibly responsible for the chemotherapeutic resistance. Due to the recent advances in single cellular sequencing, the evolution of cancers can be monitored at the single cellular resolution. We reanalysed a previously published dataset composed of single cell RNAseq data, collected before, during and after the establishment of Paclitaxel tolerance, to identify single cell heterogeneity. We used gene expression analysis, gene expression rank correlation analysis, pathway analysis and mutation analysis to identify within group variations of cancer cells after chemotherapy. We identified a decrease in cancer cell within group diversity during the transition to drug-tolerance. Additionally, we observed high mutation rate in stressed single cells, which suggests genetic instability of cancer cells that could ultimately result in the development of drug resistance. Our analysis carries significant implications for developing personalised and efficient therapeutics against cancer.
EFFECT OF PREPROCEDURAL HEPARIN ADMINISTRATION ON BIVALIRUDIN-BASED ANTICOAGULATION STRATEGY DURING PRIMARY PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: A NETWORK META-ANALYSIS

Early RCTs have shown that for primary PCI, bivalirudin is associated with an increased risk of stent thrombosis compared to heparin, thus attenuating its efficacy in terms of preventing net adverse clinical events (NACEs) and mortality. However, recent RCTs have suggested that pre-procedural
Gendered Risks of Team-Based Learning: A Model of Inequitable Task Allocation in Project-Based Learning

Contribution: A conceptual model for task allocation among student teams in project-based learning (PBL) is proposed in this paper, along with a discussion on ways gender can affect teams’ apportioning of roles in inequitable ways in STEM PBL. Background: Studies find that men and women report taking on different roles in PBL projects, and that there is a relationship between team gender breakdown and students’ satisfaction with PBL teams, with teams less happy with the inclusion of more women. Both male and female students on teams with two or more women report lower team satisfaction than men on teams of just men, or men and women on teams with a single woman Research Questions: How do students self-select, negotiate, and allocate tasks on PBL teams? How does past PBL experience influence task allocation? How does gender affect task allocation? Methodology: First-year students (N = 60) completed reflections about task assignment during a semester-long PBL experience. Findings: Individual student characteristics that are related to gender—including interests, skills, experiences, and self-efficacy—interact with students’ goal orientations to lead to individual preferences regarding tasks. Ultimate task allocations are distributed in a non-gender-neutral way following individual preferences.
Molekulare Mechanismen der kardialen Genexpression

Obwohl die physiologischen Eigenschaften des Myokards und ihr dynamischer Charakter in den letzten drei Jahrzehnten im Mittelpunkt intensiver Forschung standen, war uber die biochemischen und molekularen Korrelate, die der kardialen Entwicklung und Leistung zugrunde liegen, bis vor kurzem wenig bekannt. Die Entwicklung der modernen Zell- und Molekularbiologie ermoglichte es, die Mechanismen zu untersuchen, die bei der kardialen Entwicklung eine Rolle spielen, und die Basis fur wichtige klinische und experimentelle Probleme der kardiovaskularen Physiologie zu verstehen. Der Grosteil des Gens, das die kontraktilen Proteine verschlusselt, konnte kloniert und charakterisiert werden. Die Verfugbarkeit von Molekularsonden und die Fahigkeit, Gene in individuelle Zelltypen und in Gewebe lebender Tiere einzubringen, sind die wichtigsten Durchbruche der Molekular- und Zellbiologie. Dies erlaubt es nicht nur, Grundmechanismen der Genexpression zu analysieren, sondern es bietet auch bedeutende praktische Anwendungsmoglichkeiten im Bereich der Gentherapie. Es ist jetzt moglich, die Rolle der verschiedenen regulatorischen Gensequenzen zu analysieren und ihre entsprechenden transaktiven Faktoren zu identifizieren. Zusatzlich ermoglicht es die direkte Geninjektion, die Genexpression in einem naturlichen Kontext zu studieren, unter Bedingungen, die physiologisch relevant und kontrollierbar sind.
Awake Intubation with a NIM Tube: How Is It Done?

Airway management in patients with head and neck tumors can be challenging. In this anticipated difficult airway, an awake fiberoptic intubation with a NIM tube was performed in a patient with a large neck mass.
Automated repair of laser damage on National Ignition Facility optics using machine learning

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) regularly operates at fluences above the onset of laser-induced optics damage. To do so, it is necessary to routinely recycle the NIF final optics, which involves removing an optic from a beamline, inspecting and repairing the laser-induced damage sites, and re-installing the optic. The inspection and repair takes place in our Optics Mitigation Facility (OMF), consisting of four identical processing stations for performing the repair protocols. Until recently, OMF has been a labor-intensive facility, requiring 10 skilled operators over two shifts to meet the throughput requirements. Here we report on the implementation of an automated control system—informed by machine learning— that significantly improves the throughput capability for recycling of NIF optics while reducing staffing requirements. Performance metrics for mid-2018 show that approximately 85% of all damage sites can be automatically inspected and repaired without any required operator input. Computer keystrokes have been reduced from about 6000 per optic to under 300.
Using Emotional Response Theory to Examine Dramatic Teaching Behaviors and Student Approach-Avoidance Behaviors.

Guided by emotional response theory, this study examined how students’ emotional responses mediated the relationship between their instructors’ dramatic teaching behaviors (i.e., humor, self-disclo...
Cost–Benefit Analysis

Decisions can be analyzed by summing up the benefits and subtracting the associated costs. Such analysis is usually applied in businesses before decisions are taken.
A Glove-Based Form Factor for Collecting Joint Acoustic Emissions: Design and Validation.

Sounds produced by the articulation of joints have been shown to contain information characteristic of underlying joint health, morphology, and loading. In this work, we explore the use of a novel form factor for non-invasively acquiring acoustic/vibrational signals from the knee joint: an instrumented glove with a fingertip-mounted accelerometer. We validated the glove-based approach by comparing it to conventional mounting techniques (tape and foam microphone pads) in an experimental framework previously shown to reliably alter healthy knee joint sounds (vertical leg press). Measurements from healthy subjects (N = 11) in this proof-of-concept study demonstrated a highly consistent, monotonic, and significant (p < 0.01) increase in low-frequency signal root-mean-squared (RMS) amplitude—a straightforward metric relating to joint grinding loudness—with increasing vertical load across all three techniques. This finding suggests that a glove-based approach is a suitable alternative for collecting joint sounds that eliminates the need for consumables like tape and the interface noise associated with them.
Neonatal Hydrocephalus Treatment with Ultrasmall Valve Implantation.

Objective Neonatal hydrocephalus remains a difficult condition to manage, due to high failure rates among all management strategies. Neurosurgeons commonly manage hydrocephalus with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) implantation, and valves of variable sizes and profiles are available for implantation. This study examines primary ventricular shunt valve implantation complication rates based on valve profiles in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus. Methods This study retrospectively reviews pediatric patients younger than 1 year of age who underwent ventricular shunt placement at a single institution from January 2001 to January 2017. Patients were classified by valve profile and categorized as either ultrasmall valves or regular-sized valves. Time until complication and type of complication were studied. Results A total of 156 patients met the inclusion criteria. Forty-eight (31%) patients received an ultrasmall shunt valve, while 108 patients received a regular valve. On average, patients undergoing ultrasmall valve placement were younger (2.1 months) than patients undergoing placement of regular valves (3.1 months) (P = 0.03). The overall complication rate within 2 years of VPS placement was 37.5% in patients with the ultrasmall valve and 41.7% in the regular valve population. There was no difference in 1-year shunt survival rate between the 2 cohorts. Conclusion Our review did not find a significant difference in complication rates between ultrasmall and regular valves in patients under 1 year of age. However, the etiology of shunt malfunction did differ between the groups. This work further supports evidence suggesting a surgeon's preference for shunt hardware alone does not significantly impact outcome.
Cricotopus lebetis Intraspecific Competition and Damage to Hydrilla

Cricotopus lebetis Sublette (Diptera: Chironomidae) is an aquatic insect adventive in Florida. Evidence from previous studies suggest the insect may have value as an augmentative biological control agent for hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle (Hydrocharitaceae), but there are gaps in knowledge of the biology and life history traits. To increase understanding of this insect, this study was comprised of 3 experiments. In the first experiment, we investigated the productivity and survival rate of C. lebetis across 6 generations by analyzing our colony data. Then the effect of intraspecific competition on the rates of pupal and adult eclosion was studied by monitoring hydrilla tips in test tubes with varying numbers of larvae. Finally, the level of hydrilla stem tip damage caused by a C. lebetis larva was determined by monitoring tip damage following feeding of a known number of larvae on a standardized number of hydrilla tips. The first experiment revealed the average survival rate of C. lebetis from egg to adult was 16.4%. Approximately a third of the females (30.2%) oviposited. The egg masses had an average of 154.5 eggs per egg mass and an 83.7% fertility rate. Investigation of intraspecific competition revealed pupation and adult eclosion was highest with 1 C. lebetis larva per hydrilla stem tip. Evaluation of the impact of C. lebetis larvae feeding on hydrilla showed stem tips in treatments with C. lebetis larvae experienced 38% higher damage compared to stem tips in control treatments. Overall, this study provided valuable information useful in improving the mass rearing of C. lebetis and predicting the damage caused by C. lebetis. For example, for efficient mass rearing, an average of 1 larva per hydrilla tip should be maintained with the remainder of eggs being used for augmentative releases.
Medical Legal Considerations When Treating Glaucoma Patients

The unique aspects of glaucoma care, due to its lifelong nature, represent specific medical-legal challenges. This is at least in part due to the fact that while loss of sight is infrequently life threatening, it is almost always devastating. Thus, patients who have suffered loss of sight are often well enough to personally pursue litigation. While glaucoma does not generate the most litigation in ophthalmology (cataract surgery lawsuits are more common), civil suits claiming “failure to diagnose” glaucoma are relatively common. On average, 300 ophthalmologists per year were sued between 1985 and 2007, of which roughly one-quarter resulted in judgments against the ophthalmologists. Side effects of glaucoma medications and the need to adequately warn the patient, and/or the patient’s caregiver, about these side effects represent central challenges that must be addressed to ensure the high quality of care while also minimizing legal liability.