cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noctua pronuba (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): an outbreak in emails.

Noctua pronuba (L.) is one of the most common Noctuid moths in Europe. The first moths collected in North America were found in Nova Scotia in 1979, and this species has since spread across Canada and the United States. N. pronuba caterpillars , sometimes called winter cutworms, are cold tolerant and remain active during the winter months in the northern part of its range. N. pronuba has not been previously reported as a crop pest in Canada or the U.S. This article documents an outbreak in 2007–2008 in Michigan that included crop damage to alfalfa and small grain fields, destruction of turf, and pet illness. This is the first confirmation of damage by this cutworm to commercial field crops in North America.
Combinatorial lower bound for list decoding of codes on finite-field Grassmannian

Codes constructed as subsets of the projective geometry of a vector space over a finite field have been shown to have applications as random network error correcting codes. If the dimension of each codeword is restricted to a fixed integer, the code forms a subset of a finite-field Grassmannian, or equivalently, a subset of the vertices of the corresponding Grassmannian graph. These codes are referred to as codes on finite-field Grassmannian or more generally as subspace codes. In this paper, we study fundamental limits to list decoding codes on finite-field Grassmannian. By exploiting the algebraic properties of the Grassmannian graph, we derive a new lower bound on the code size for the first relaxation of bounded minimum distance decoding, that is, when the worst-case list size is restricted to two. We show that, even for small finite field size and code parameters, codes on finite-field Grassmannian admit significant improvements in code rate when compared to bounded minimum distance decoding.
Differentiation of Chromatin during DNA Elimination in Euplotes crassus

In Euplotes crassus, most of the micronuclear genome is eliminated during formation of a transcriptionally active macronucleus. To understand how this is mediated throughout the genome, we have examined the chromatin structure of the macronucleus-destined sequences and Tec transposons, which are dispersed in 15,000 copies in the micronuclear genome and completely eliminated during formation of the macronuclear genome. Whereas the macronucleus-destined sequences show a typical pattern of nucleosomal repeats in micrococcal nuclease digests, the Tec element chromatin structure digests to a nucleosome-like repeat pattern that is not typical: the minimum digestion products are ∼300–600 base pairs, or “subnucleosomal,” in size. In addition, the excised, circular forms of the Tec elements are exceedingly resistant to nucleases. Nevertheless, an underlying nucleosomal structure of the Tec elements can be demonstrated from the size differences between repeats in partial micrococcal nuclease digests and by trypsin treatment of nuclei, which results in mononucleosome-sized products. Characterization of the most micrococcal nuclease–resistant DNA indicates that micronuclear telomeres are organized into a chromatin structure with digestion properties identical to those of the Tec elements in the developing macronucleus. Thus, these major repetitive sequence components of the micronuclear genome differ in their chromatin structure from the macronuclear-destined sequences during DNA elimination. The potential role of developmental stage–specific histone variants in this chromatin differentiation is discussed.
A frequency conversion scheme for an advanced portable microwave spectrum analyzer

A block diagram with an unusually high-frequency IF system, resulting in a high-performance spectrum analyzer, is described. The phase noise and short-term frequency stability are not seriously degraded, and the sensitivity is enhanced at high center frequencies. This technique also has applications in modern receivers. Although advanced technology has been applied to all the noted characteristics of spectrum analyzers, the greatest gain has been made with the high local oscillator (LO) frequency. This has been accomplished without degrading overall phase noise or short-term frequency stability. >
Reversible Logic-Based Concurrently Testable Latches for Molecular QCA

Nanotechnologies, including molecular quantum dot cellular automata (QCA), are susceptible to high error rates. In this paper, we present the design of concurrently testable latches (D latch, T latch, JK latch, and SR latch), which are based on reversible conservative logic for molecular QCA. Conservative reversible circuits are a specific type of reversible circuits, in which there would be an equal number of 1's in the outputs as there would be on the inputs, in addition to one-to-one mapping. Thus, conservative logic is parity-preserving, i.e., the parity of the input vectors is equal to that of the output vectors. We analyzed the fault patterns in the conservative reversible Fredkin gate due to a single missing/additional cell defect in molecular QCA. We found that if there is a fault in the molecular QCA implementation of Fredkin gate, there is a parity mismatch between the inputs and the outputs, otherwise the inputs parity is the same as outputs parity. Any permanent or transient fault in molecular QCA can be concurrently detected if implemented with the conservative Fredkin gate. The design of QCA layouts and the verification of the latch designs using the QCADesigner and the HDLQ tool are presented.
Numerical Simulation of Flow in Mechanical Heart Valves: Grid Resolution and the Assumption of Flow Symmetry

A numerical method is developed for simulating unsteady, 3-D, laminar flow through a bileaflet mechanical heart valve with the leaflets fixed. The method employs a dual-time-stepping artificial-compressibility approach together with overset (Chimera) grids and is second-order accurate in space and time. Calculations are carried out for the full 3-D valve geometry under steady inflow conditions on meshes with a total number of nodes ranging from 4 x 10(5) to 1.6 x 10(6). The computed results show that downstream of the leaflets the flow is dominated by two pairs of counter-rotating vortices, which originate on either side of the central orifice in the aortic sinus and rotate such that the common flow of each pair is directed away from the aortic wall. These vortices intensify with Reynolds number, and at a Reynolds number of approximately 1200 their complex interaction leads to the onset of unsteady flow and the break of symmetry with respect to both geometric planes of symmetry. Our results show the highly 3-D structure of the flow; question the validity of computationally expedient assumptions of flow symmetry; and demonstrate the need for highly resolved, fully 3-D simulations if computational fluid dynamics is to accurately predict the flow in prosthetic mechanical heart valves.
Pulsed Volume and Surface Discharges in an SF 6 Environment

Summary form only given. Volume and surface discharges in SF6 are investigated to support refurbishment of the Z-machine's laser triggered gas switch, LTGS, at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). The recently upgraded LTGS has exhibited a failure mode which results in surface flashover on the inside of the dielectric switch envelope. These flashover events degrade the LTGS performance and cause a pre-fire in the successive shot. The principal physical mechanisms involved in surface flashover at various pressures of SF6 are therefore vital to the understanding of this specific switch failure mode. A 340 kV system was designed which replicated conditions found in the LTGS between two adjacent backbone electrodes. Besides measurement of flashover delay times for different dielectric materials (Lexan, acrylic, epoxies, etc.), emphasis was put on the detailed characterization of the flashover phenomenology. Hence, in addition to voltage and current diagnostics, fast optical imaging of the flashover along with the acquisition of optical emission spectra (~200 nm to 700 nm) was employed. One possible reason for the LTGS failure was thought to be ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from the volume discharge between the backbone electrodes, which could induce surface flashover on the inside of the envelope. Our present setup is utilized to gather evidence that would confirm this possibility by adding a field-stressed dielectric surface directly exposed to the volume arc produced between the model backbone electrodes. With a current amplitude as low as ~ 2 kA, the occurrence of sulfur and fluorine ions as well as hydrogen and carbon during dielectric surface flashover was revealed with optical emission spectroscopy. From the spectra, the plasma temperature was determined to be between 1.5 and 3 eV, largely depending on the SF6 pressure. The presence of carbon and hydrogen is of significance because it indicates removal of material from the dielectric surfaces during discharge. X-ray fluoroscopy has also confirmed sulfur deposits on the surfaces of the dielectrics tested. Experimental results with higher current amplitudes will be discussed as well as the results showing the UV's influence on inducing surface flashover in an SF6 environment.
Reliability Modeling of Hardware and Software Interactions, and Its Applications

We classify system failures into three categories: hardware failures, software failures, and hardware-software interaction failures. We develop a unified reliability model that accounts for failures in all three categories. Hardware, and software failures are accounted for with well-known modeling approaches. In this paper, we propose a modeling methodology using Markov processes to capture hardware-software interaction failures. We illustrate the combined hardware & software modeling approach by applying it to a real telecommunication system
Staged Bodies: Passing, Performance, and Masquerade in Charles W. Chesnutt's The House Behind the Cedars

Henry Louis Gates, Jr., claims that “one of the ironies” of the New Negro Movement “is that words, not the tactics of visual representation, were the tools blacks used to assert their self-image” (xliv). While we can point to exceptions that complicate this observation—James Van Der Zee’s photography, Archibald Motley’s paintings, or W. E. B. Du Bois’s photographic collection Types of American Negroes, Georgia, U. S. A. (1900)— Gates identifies an important gap in the history of African American selfimaging. What happens, however, when we open up Gates’s terms to examine how authors using words might simultaneously employ “tactics of visual representation”? These written and visual representational modes are not easily or neatly separated. In fact, early African American literature regularly combined them. The first African American novelists creatively integrated these methods of representation in their texts, strategically dismantling racist visual iconography by developing an ocular language that invited consumers of their fiction not just to read their words but also to see the images those words conjured. This practice became even more prevalent during the New Negro Movement, particularly in passing novels that sought to embody mixed-race characters for socio-political purposes. This essay thus revises Gates’s claim that “until the 1920s there was virtually no black counterpoint to the hegemony of racist visual images that dominated the popular arts and more subtly infiltrated the fine arts” (xliv). Authors of the written word were developing a specific language, a visual discourse that sought to topple the hegemony Gates describes. Visual discourse builds on the practice of “word painting” that dominated US realist writing by the turn of the twentieth century. Edith Wharton identifies word painting as highly descriptive language that “help[s] to make [a character] bodily visible” (485). While not the only tool available for “conferring visibility” to “the reader’s mind” (484), the artist’s brush, when applied to the written page, aided realists who sought to convey an “acute visibility which makes the [reader’s] heart throb and the marrow tingle at the flesh-and-blood aliveness” of literary characters (481). Word
Work in progress - a framework for developing courses on technology and engineering for all students

All Americans need to better understand the wide variety of technology used everyday. The need for technological understanding has never been greater at both an individual and national level. Creating a population with a more empowered relationship with technology will require a significant and widespread initiative in undergraduate education. Standard course models and materials that are easily adoptable in diverse and varied institutional environments will facilitate this effort. A framework to evaluate technology literacy courses was proposed as part of a recent NSF/NAE Workshop. This work attempts to forge links between recently established definitions of technological literacy, course structures and student learning at the undergraduate level, and the needs of faculty in proposing and developing new technology literacy courses. The framework also provides a benchmark to institutions for evaluating and establishing new technology courses. This was accomplished through a review and survey of the 22 existing successful courses on technology recently developed and being taught. The proposed framework intends to from the facilitating infrastructure for an online repository of course materials to help expand and enrich the growing community devoted to a broader understanding of technology by all Americans.
Humanbecoming: Transcending the Now to Explore the Possibles in Health Policy

Nurses have been identified as key players in moving quality of care forward. Nursing knowledge guides nurses as they provide that care. The author in this column explores Parse’s theory of humanbecoming and nursing’s engagement in health policy. Current focus on the person as primary decision maker in healthcare is congruent with the theory’s key concept of quality of life as defined by the person or community. The author provides several examples of how humanbecoming has been used to guide policy activities and decisions and offers suggestions for the future.
Does Civic Education Matter?: The Power of Long-Term Observation and the Experimental Method

Despite consensus regarding the civic shortcomings of American citizens, no such scholarly consensus exists regarding the effectiveness of civic education addressing political apathy and ignorance. Accordingly, we report the results of a detailed study of students enrolled in introductory American politics courses on the campuses of two large research universities. The study provides pre- and postmeasures for a broad range of political attitudes and behaviors and includes additional long-term observations in survey waves fielded 6, 12, and 18 months after the conclusion of the class. Long-term observation provides leverage absent in many prior studies and enables us to compare the changes we observe during the semester to those that take place beyond the confines of the classroom and during important political events, such as the 2012 presidential election. Also embedded in the study is an experiment designed to assess whether students’ enthusiasm for “new media” (e.g., blogs) can be harnessed in American...
Developing linguistic theories using annotated corpora

This paper aims to carve out a place for corpus research within theoretical linguistics and psycholinguistics. We argue that annotated corpora naturally complement native speaker intuitions and controlled psycholinguistic methods and thus can be powerful tools for developing and evaluating linguistic theories. We also review basic methods and best practices for moving from corpus annotations to hypothesis formation and testing, offering practical advice and technical guidance to researchers wishing to incorporate corpus methods into their work.
Want to make didactics more engaging: don't forget to use a hook!

What is a hook, and why should I care? Medical educators provide didactic instruction with some regularity. Often, faculty struggle with how to keep learners engaged. Using a ‘hook’ is a way to gra...
Probabilistic capacity and seismic demand models and fragility estimates for reinforced concrete buildings based on three-dimensional analyses

Abstract This paper presents bivariate fragility estimates for reinforced concrete (RC) buildings accounting for their three-dimensional (3D) response to earthquake ground motions conditioning on spectral accelerations in the two horizontal directions. The fragility estimates are conducted using the demand and capacity models typically for the 3D responses. The demand models expressed in terms of drift are developed as functions of the spectral accelerations in the two horizontal directions. The demand prediction is compared in a probabilistic framework with the capacity estimates. The proposed capacity models for five performance levels consider the strength and stiffness degradation under the bi-axial loading. The proposed approach for the fragility estimates considers the uncertainties involved in the spectral acceleration components and capacity variation. The proposed approach is illustrated considering a typical 3-story RC building and results are compared with those from a traditional two-dimensional approach. The results indicate that the two-dimensional approach tends to significantly underestimate the fragility.
Molecular Genetics of Cherubism

Cherubism is a rare fibro-osseous genetic disorder caused and maintained by autoinflammatory processes that are caused by mutations in the SH3BP2 gene. Cherubism is a form of fibrodysplasia of the jaws that affects children at 2–6 years of age. The typical symmetrical bone resorption lacunae are self-limiting to the jaws. Bone is replaced with fibrous tissue that can expand significantly and lead to the characteristic facial swelling. Disease progression normally stops at puberty and regresses thereafter. Mutations in SH3BP2 affect a six-amino acid recognition sequence for tankyrase, a poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase that marks proteins for ubiquitination and degradation. SH3BP2 has multiple functions in cell types of hematopoietic origin. Elevated SH3BP2 protein levels in macrophage/osteoclast precursors cause increased osteoclastogenesis with reduced thresholds for stimulants. Increased TNF-α levels generate an inflammatory environment in a cherubism mouse model and conceivably also in the oral cavity of cherubism patients. More research to explain the spatiotemporal progression of cherubism is needed. Key Concepts Cherubism is a temporospatially restricted bone lysis disorder with bone being substituted by expansile fibrous tissue. Patients with cherubism develop symmetrical bone lesions only in the maxilla and mandible. Signs of cherubism develop in children as early as 2 years of age and bone lysis typically resolves after puberty. First diagnosed often on dental radiographs. Known mutations are in the adaptor protein SH3BP2, which is involved in regulating the adaptive and innate immune system. Mutations in SH3BP2 are within a six-amino acid interval and cause inhibition of tankyrase binding, which is needed for efficient degradation. High levels of intracellular SH3BP2 protein cause increased osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption in jaws. Bone lysis is regulated via TLR2/TLR4 and TNF-α-dependent autoinflammatory response. Jaw-specific bone resorption in cherubism patients likely involves response to oral bacteria (pathogen-associated molecular patterns; PAMPS) and bone remodelling during tooth eruption (damage-associated molecular patterns; DAMPS). Diagnosis for some patients is consistent with cherubism but no mutations are found in exons of SH3BP2. Keywords: cherubism; fibrous dysplasia of the jaws; SH3BP2 ; autoinflammation; osteoclast; fibrosis; bone; genetic
An Application of the Multivariate Probit Model to Market Segmentation and Product Design

The tradeoffs among product attributes typically are estimated from data on preferences toward several product concepts. The “no-yes” data on intentions to buy a product concept in relation to a pr...
Remote health monitoring: Predicting outcome success based on contextual features for cardiovascular disease

Current studies have produced a plethora of remote health monitoring (RHM) systems designed to enhance the care of patients with chronic diseases. Many RHM systems are designed to improve patient risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including physiological parameters such as body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, and lipid profiles such as low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL). There are several patient characteristics that could be determining factors for a patient's RHM outcome success, but these characteristics have been largely unidentified. In this paper, we analyze results from an RHM system deployed in a six month Women's Heart Health study of 90 patients, and apply advanced feature selection and machine learning algorithms to identify patients' key baseline contextual features and build effective prediction models that help determine RHM outcome success. We introduce Wanda-CVD, a smartphone-based RHM system designed to help participants with cardiovascular disease risk factors by motivating participants through wireless coach- ing using feedback and prompts as social support. We analyze key contextual features that secure positive patient outcomes in both physiological parameters and lipid profiles. Results from the Women's Heart Health study show that health threat of heart disease, quality of life, family history, stress factors, social support, and anxiety at baseline all help predict patient RHM outcome success. cardiovascular disease risk factors in an attempt to reduce risk factors as a preventive measure in accordance with the Institute of Medicine Report and the goals of Healthy People 2020 (4). While the majority of the participants in the Women's Heart Health study resulted in positive outcomes, many also did not benefit. We analyze the outcome of the six-month study in comparison to baseline to find predictors of RHM outcome success. This work will not only help better understand which people succeed using RHM systems, but also create a mini- mal subset of questions to screen patients prior to enrolling them in an ongoing RHM system. This could save time and resources, and help us learn how to mold our current health monitoring systems to suit different populations. Because dropout rates increase with questionnaire length, developing such a prediction model that does not require much patient contribution could also aid in identifying important questions that relate to the objectives and success criteria of a new study (5).
Responses of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae to Light

Influence of light on larvae movement and distribution was investigated for the beet armyworm (BAW), Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), in the laboratory and the field. Laboratory tests with five light intensities ranging from 0–3,400 lx indicated that first instars were photopositive, second instars were weakly photonegative, neither third nor fourth instars responded behaviorally to light, and fifth instars demonstrated a strong photonegative reaction. Distribution within celery plants for fourth instars was unaffected by light in the laboratory. Fifth instar larvae responded to light in both the laboratory and the field: most larvae were found on leaves during dark phase, while during light phase a significant majority was observed in sheltered areas in celery hearts or on the ground. Implications for sampling BAW based on these results are discussed.
Resilient Batch-Fabricated Planar Arrays of Miniaturized Langmuir Probes for Real-Time Measurement of Plasma Potential Fluctuations in the HF to Microwave Frequency Range

We report the design, fabrication, and characterization of miniaturized, flush-mounted Langmuir probe arrays for RF diagnosis of plasmas in the HF to microwave range of frequencies. We developed probes of radii ≥125 μm by electroless nickel metallization of ultrasonically drilled through-substrate vias. Planar arrays with as many as 25 probes spaced 1.6 mm apart (39 probes/cm2) in Pyrex, silicon carbide, and alumina substrates were produced. The sensor system was built to have a frequency response between 2 MHz and 3 GHz, and a probe impedance greater than or within close range of the plasma sheath impedance for plasma densities ≥1016 m -3 . We characterized a self-biasing nickel probe part of a 2×2 array with alumina substrate using a high-density magnetized helicon plasma source; we found that the measurement of the plasma potential from the MEMS probe compares well with independent measurements using a hot emissive probe and an ion sensitive probe. The sensor technology can be used to monitor plasma-based manufacturing systems, plasma-based energy generation systems, and as on-board plasma diagnostics in spacecraft including nanosatellites.
New guidelines streamline diabetes diagnosis.

Recent changes in the screening guidelines for diabetes should simplify the diagnostic process and identify more people who are at risk.
Neonatal pulmonary microaggregates and thrombi: lack of correlation with blood transfusion

A retrospective review of 36 neonatal autopsies was undertaken to determine whether blood transfusion was related to pulmonary arterial thrombi at autopsy. The number of transfusions and amount transfused were compared with an estimate of the number of thrombi in the pulmonary arterial tree, determined by a point-counting method. No relation was found between these quantities, nor were thrombi related to infection or bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
A journey through people, places, and projects in equine assisted reproduction

A research study is a product of not only a question and its pursuit but also the people, places, and facilities available at the time. My work in equine assisted reproduction has progressed from embryo transfer to oocyte maturation, oocyte transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo biopsy, embryo vitrification, and cloning, as a result of collaborations with an array of remarkable people. This is a summary of some of the stories behind the studies.
Evidence that MHV subgenomic negative strands are functional templates

The genome of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) is transcribed into a full length (~32 kb) and 6–8 subgenomic length mRNAs upon entry into susceptible cells1. Several discontinuous transcription models have been proposed to explain the presence of leader RNAs on positive-stranded mRNAs and antileader RNAs on full-length and subgenomic-length negative-stranded RNAs. One model proposes that subgenomic mRNAs are initially synthesized from a full-length negative-stranded RNA template by a leader-priming mechanism followed by mRNA amplification through subgenomic negative-stranded RNA intermediates2,3. Alternative models propose that subgenomic-length negative strands are synthesized directly from the genomic template by either a looping-out or transcription attenuation, or are functionally unimportant dead-end transcriptional products5. In this study, we demonstrate that the MHV group C1 mutants regulate negative strand synthesis and that the subgenomic length negative-stranded RNAs are the predominant template for mRNA synthesis late in infection.
A Beta-Particle Emitting Radioisotope Stent for the Prevention of Restenosis

as a means for catheter–based coronary revascularization has rapidly changed the face of interventional cardiology. At many leading centers, 60-70% of all percutaneous coronary interventions now utilize stenting. The relatively rapid acceptance and increasingly widespread use of stents has been driven by an improvement in the predictability of intervention with lessened acute and subacute closure, and convincing randomized data (at least with the Palmaz–Schatz stent) of improved intermediate and long–term clinical outcomes.1 3 Although stenting has clearly made a substantial impact in improving the restenosis problem after angioplasty, in stent restenosis remains a problem particularly after stenting longer lesions, smaller vessels, ostial lesions and saphenous vein grafts. In these subsets clinically important restenosis still occurs in 25-45%. This paper will address the rationale, development, i n vitro and in vivo data relevant to the development of a beta–particle (electron) emitting radioisotope stent intended to further decrease restenosis after stenting. Mechanism of Restenosis: Stenting versus Balloon Angioplasty. Figure 1 shows a photomicrograph of a Palmaz–Schatz stent 7 months after implantation in the left circumflex coronary artery of a cardiac transplant patient with accelerated transplant atherosclerosis. The patient received a second heart transplant, and we were able to examine the stented segment. One can appreciate a tremendous volume of neointimal hyperplasia within the lumen, inside the stent. The stent remains well expanded, without evidence of extrinsic stent compression. This finding is consistent with recently presented intravascular ultrasound data4 following human coronary stent implantation. This picture contrasts with the recent IVUS data regarding the mechanisms of restenosis after balloon angioplasty and directional atherectomy.5 , 6 In those patients it is becoming increasingly clear that a substantial proportion of late luminal loss is due to late constriction (“unfavorable remodeling”) of the treated segment, with a more modest contribution from neointimal hyperplasia. Thus, the impact of stents upon improved long–term outcome is in large part related to the scaffolding effect of the stent which prevents late constriction of the segment. Interestingly, late loss secondary to neointimal hyperplasia appears to be significantly increased after stenting as compared to balloon angioplasty alone.2 This important observation leads one to the logical next step in the prevention of restenosis; namely the A Beta–Particle Emitting Radioisotope Stent for the Prevention of Restenosis
Diffusion Processes in Glass

Diffusion, that is, the motion of one atom relative to other atoms, plays an important, yes, a vital role in many processes important to glass science and glass technology. To indicate a few, one might first mention that the process of glass making itself, in every case except for that of a single component glass like silica, involves diffusion, as glasses typically originate as discrete particles of material of chemical compositions quite different from that of the ultimate glass. Thus, the motion of the atoms from a grain of silica, say relative to those of a grain of limestone, is necessary to produce the homogeneous product we require for modern glass. At the same time, diffusion processes participate in the development of cords during the glass making process, as it requires diffusion for material from refractories to become imperfectly dissolved in glass, and it also requires diffusion within the glass melt for composition variations to develope near the surface of the melt due to selective evaporation of one or more species. Otherwise, the region where the composition was depleted in the evaporating species would be confined to a single molecular layer, or two.
Introduction to Computational Theoretical Chemistry

At this time there is every reason to believe that all chemistry is deductible from the laws of quantum mechanics. But since quantum mechanics is inherently a mathematical discipline, the chemist who is interested in “real chemistry” tends to shy away from its study. Chemistry, with all its divisions and subdivisions, such as organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical, is further basically divided into experimental and theoretical branches of study.
Psychiatric and Cognitive Effects of Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is effective for Parkinson’s disease (PD), dystonia, and essential tremor (ET). While motor benefits are well documented, cognitive and psychiatric side effects from the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus interna (GPi) DBS for PD are increasingly recognized. Underlying disease, medications, microlesions, and post-surgical stimulation likely all contribute to non-motor symptoms (NMS).
The KCNE Family of Ion Channel Regulatory Subunits

Abstract Ion channels are macromolecular complexes, each composed of a variety of proteins. Together with the pore-forming (α) subunits, there are a host of other proteins which, while not essential structural components of the pore itself, may regulate the pore or other channel functions or properties. One such class of regulatory (β) subunits is the KCNE family. KCNE gene products are single-pass transmembrane proteins that help define multiple aspects of the properties of, primarily, K+ channels in vivo. While not essential for pore function per se, KCNE proteins are obligate components of some native K+ channels, have the capacity to regulate many more K+ channels in vitro, and can even modulate some non-K+-selective channels. Evidence arising from electrophysiological studies and human and mouse genetics implicates KCNE protein involvement in a variety of channelopathies. Here, we discuss the molecular basis for KCNE-dependent channelopathies, which potentially each involve disruption of several native K+ currents, and altered regulation of, eg, trafficking, α subunit composition, conductance, selectivity, voltage dependence, and modulation by other proteins.
The use of α- or β-blockers to ameliorate the chronic stress of captivity in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus).

When wild animals are brought into captivity for the first time, they frequently develop chronic stress symptoms. Animals can develop glucocorticoid dysregulation or changes in the sympathetic nervous system over the course of the first week in captivity. By blocking the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine using α- or β-blockers, we hoped to reduce the degree of chronic stress symptoms exhibited by newly captured house sparrows. We measured corticosterone, heart rate and heart rate variability in 24 house sparrows (Passer domesticus) over the first week of captivity. The birds were treated with saline, propranolol (a β-blocker) or phentolamine (an α-blocker) for the first 3 days of captivity. We also compared newly captured animals with animals that had been held in captivity for 1 month. During the first week of captivity, baseline corticosterone increased, but that increase was blocked by propranolol. Heart rate was not different between the treatment groups, but it was higher during the first week than after 1 month in captivity. Sympathetic nervous system activity (as measured by heart rate variability) decreased over the first week of captivity, but was not affected by treatment. β-Blockers, but not α-blockers, might help to improve some symptoms of chronic stress in newly captured animals.
The effect of early psychological symptom severity on long-term functional recovery: A secondary analysis of data from a cohort study of minor injury patients

Background The mental health consequences of injuries can interfere with recovery to pre-injury levels of function and long term wellbeing.
Laminar Organization of Attentional Modulation in Macaque Visual Area V4

Attention is critical to perception, serving to select behaviorally relevant information for privileged processing. To understand the neural mechanisms of attention, we must discern how attentional modulation varies by cell type and across cortical layers. Here, we test whether attention acts non-selectively across cortical layers or whether it engages the laminar circuit in specific and selective ways. We find layer- and cell-class-specific differences in several different forms of attentional modulation in area V4. Broad-spiking neurons in the superficial layers exhibit attention-mediated increases in firing rate and decreases in variability. Spike count correlations are highest in the input layer and attention serves to reduce these correlations. Superficial and input layer neurons exhibit attention-dependent decreases in low-frequency (<10 Hz) coherence, but deep layer neurons exhibit increases in coherence in the beta and gamma frequency ranges. Our study provides a template for attention-mediated laminar information processing that might be applicable across sensory modalities.
Cladistic Parsimony, Historical Linguistics and Cultural Phylogenetics

Here, I consider the recent application of phylogenetic methods in historical linguistics. After a preliminary survey of one such method, i.e. cladistic parsimony, I respond to two common criticisms of cultural phylogenies: that cultural artifacts cannot be modeled as tree-like because of borrowing across lineages, and that the mechanism of cultural change differs radically from that of biological evolution. I argue that while perhaps remains true for certain cultural artifacts, the nature of language may be such as to side-step this objection. Moreover, I explore the possibility that cladistic parsimony can be justified even if is true by appealing to the inference pattern known among philosophers as ‘Inference to the Best Explanation’.
Public Reporting II: State of the Art-Current Public Reporting in Cardiovascular Medicine.

Public reporting of clinical outcomes is now common. Despite the considerable problems summarized in an earlier article,1 governmental and commercial entities offer public reporting of hospital and physician performance over the Internet. We subsequently review common sources of public information on cardiovascular care in the United States. Perhaps the best known governmental reporting website is Hospital Compare (https://www.medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/search.html) operated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). All hospitals that provide care for CMS patients are expected to participate. The website includes (1) structural measures, such as participation in national clinical databases; (2) evaluation of patient experiences, using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey; (3) timeliness and effectiveness of care; (4) complications; (5) 30-day readmission rates for certain diagnoses, (6) 30-day mortality rates for certain diagnostic groups; (7) efficient use of outpatient imaging; and (8) payments, including payments for care after hospital discharge for some conditions, such as congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction. The majority of the data are abstracted from CMS databases, but some data come from other government sources (eg, infection data may come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or commercial agencies (eg, Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey data originate with Press Ganey or other authorized vendors). Hospitals are ranked on 64 measures (including an overall measure) and are assigned 1 to 5 stars, 5 being best. The method used to calculate the star ratings is complex but described well in CMS websites (https://www.qualitynet.org/). Hospital Compare is intuitive and easy to use, but there is little instruction about how to use these data meaningfully. The Hospital Compare model was adapted for reporting on individual physician performance in Physician Compare (https://www.medicare.gov/physiciancompare/). This registry uses an existing governmental Healthcare Provider Directory to sort data …
Age, growth, mortality and reproductive seasonality of jolthead porgy, Calamus bajonado , from Florida waters.

Ages of jolthead porgy (Calamus bajonado Schneider 1801) (n = 635) from Florida commercial and recreational fisheries from 2008-2016 were determined using sectioned sagittal otoliths. We determined, using edge-type analysis, that opaque zones were annular, forming March-June (peaking in April). Jolthead porgy ranged from 1-13 years, and the largest fish measured 680 mm TL (total length, mm). Body size relationships for jolthead porgy were TL = 1.09FL + 20.44 (n = 622, r2 = 0.99), FL = 0.90 TL -14.26 (n = 622, r2 = 0.99), and W = 1.1 × 10-5 TL3.06 (n = 577), where W is total weight (grams, g) and FL is fork length (mm). The von Bertalanffy growth equation for jolthead porgy was Lt = 737(1 - e-0.14(t+2.02)) (n = 635). Point estimate of natural mortality was M = 0.32, while age-specific estimates of M ranged from 0.58-0.17 y-1 for ages 1-13. Catch curve analysis estimated the instantaneous rate of total mortality Z = 0.70, while instantaneous rate of fishing mortality F was 0.38. Macroscopic staging of female gonads indicated the presence of hydrated oocytes from December-March, and GSI data indicates that peak spawning in females occurs during March. This study presents the first published findings of life history parameters for jolthead porgy from the Atlantic waters off the southeastern United States.
ON RAY JOHNSON'S SEXUALITY, LOVES, AND FRIENDSHIPS: an interview between william s. wilson and benjamin kahan

This interview was conducted with one of the closest friends of the visual artist Ray Johnson, the late photographer and writer William S. Wilson. Johnson was a fixture of the New York downtown art...
Work-Family conflict and turnover intentions: A study comparing China and U.S. hotel employees

Employee turnover continues to be a major problem within the hotel industry. This survey-based study examined the relationship between work-family conflict and turnover intentions among hotel emplo...
Optimized Label Propagation Community Detection on Big Data Networks

Identifying community structures and subnetwork patterns for complex networks provide us with great knowledge about network. Community detection has been getting lots of attention and interest in recent years. The application for such knowledge goes from target marketing to biology, social studies, and physics. The existing algorithms either lack accuracy or are too slow for Big Data graphs. Due to the rise of Big Data graphs, such solutions prove impractical for real-world datasets. In this study, we change the feed system for the Label Propagation algorithm from a random method to a degree-based system. In addition, we introduce a new convergence method that checks the membership for every node and flags them as converged when they meet the requirement. The main contributions of this work are twofold: (i) we optimize the Label Propagation algorithm, improving the accuracy by a factor of two. The results depend on the complexity of the graph; i.e. the denser a graph structure is, the better result the algorithm will achieve. (ii) We solved the inconsistency of identified communities of Label Propagation algorithm. The results are depicted using two well-known metrics known as the Normalized Mutual Information and the Adjusted Rand Index. We present that Optimized Label Propagation has better results in various real-world dataset and artificial datasets.
Transvenous Biventricular Pacing for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients with Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava and Right Superior Vena Cava Atresia

Biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy is an effective adjunctive therapy for the treatment of symptomatic moderate and severe congestive heart failure. However, experience with transvenous cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients who have both persistent left superior vena cava and right superior vena cava atresia is extremely limited. We successfully performed cardiac resynchronization therapy in 2 patients who had persistent left superior vena cava, right superior vena cava atresia, and congestive heart failure. Our 2 cases demonstrate the possibility of a total transvenous approach for left ventricular pacing despite the presence of serious cardiac venous anomalies. This approach enables clinicians to avoid the riskier epicardial lead placement, which requires a thoracotomy under general anesthesia.
Movements of Salts and Water into Cysts in Polycystic Kidney Disease

The cysts in polycystic kidney disease (PKD) derive from different nephron segments (Potter, 1972; Lambert, 1947; Bricker and Patton, 1955). Recent studies from our laboratory confirmed the earlier study of Gardner (1969) which showed that the cysts are capable of maintaining steep solute concentration gradients between cyst fluid (CF) and plasma (Cuppage et al., 1980; Huseman et al., 1980).
An Amateur Looks at Error Analysis in the Determination of Protein Structure by NMR

Error analysis constitutes an important part of experimental physical chemistry, yet many of the concepts taught at the undergraduate level have yet to be systematically applied to the determination of protein structure by NMR. At first glance, the application of such simple concepts to the complex problem of structure determination might appear quixotic. However, with straightforward extensions, these concepts can yield valuable insights into the precision of NMR based structures. Some of these concepts are explored, using illustrative examples from the data of Driscoll et al. (Biochemistry 20, 2188 (1989)) for the 43 residue protein BDS-I.
The effect of thermal loading on negative permittivity in carbon nanofiber/silicone metacomposites

Abstract Nanofiller/polymer composites have recently received much attention for their potential as metacomposites. To date, however, work has focused on understanding the relation between manufacturing parameters and negative permittivity rather than achieving in-operation adaptability. Therefore, this work explores the effect of thermal loading on the negative permittivity of carbon nanofiber (CNF)/silicone nanocomposites as a means to actively change the permittivity of post-manufactured metacomposites. It was found that even modest temperature increases markedly affect the magnitude of negative permittivity, the shape of the permittivity-frequency curve, and the frequency at which permittivity transitions into the negative regime. Further, elevated temperatures and higher CNF concentrations cause the permittivity-frequency response to transition from Lorentz-oscillator to Drude model behavior thereby suggesting a temperature and/or CNF content-initiated change in transport mechanisms. These results are a promising first step towards the realization of on-demand control and adaptability of negative permittivity in next-generation polymeric metacomposites.
Gut wrenching: cases of missed gastrointestinal tumors and their mimics on computed tomography

Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis is one of the most common imaging studies ordered through the emergency department (ED). Because these studies are ordered for the detection of acute abnormalities and due to the relatively low incidence in patients presenting through the ED, gastrointestinal tumors are commonly missed. Moreover, many CT findings of malignant tumors overlap with benign entities, which can present a diagnostic challenge. This review article will describe the common CT findings of gastric, small bowel, colon, and appendiceal cancer as well as some of the common benign gastrointestinal conditions with similar imaging findings.
Teaching for the Pursuit of Truth in a Post-Truth World.

This study investigated teacher profiles with regards to their conception of truth. The explanatory sequential design began with the first phase administering a survey to a random sample from acros...
Genomic Signal Processing for Variant Detection in Diploid Parent-Child Trios

Structural variants (SVs) are rearrangements in the DNA sequence of members within the same species. Detecting SVs is challenging because most approaches suffer from high-false positive rates. In this work, we improve the accuracy of SV detection by exploiting familial relationships and the rare occurence of these rearrangements. Mathematically, we pose SV detection as a constrained optimization problem regularized by a sparsity promoting term. Furthermore, we generalize our previous methods in two ways. First, we consider a biologically realistic scenario of a parent-child-trio, where each individual may carry zero, one, or two copies of any potential SV. Second, we employ a novel block-coordinate descent approach with orthogonal projection to efficiently minimize the objective and to enforce feasibility within the biological constraint space. Numerical results using both simulated and real trios demonstrate that our proposed approach improves our ability to separate true SVs from false positives.