cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quality-aware neural complementary item recommendation

Complementary item recommendation finds products that go well with one another (e.g., a camera and a specific lens). While complementary items are ubiquitous, the dimensions by which items go together can vary by both product and category, making it difficult to detect complementary items at scale. Moreover, in practice, user preferences for complementary items can be complex combinations of item quality and evidence of complementarity. Hence, we propose a new neural complementary recommender Encore that can jointly learn complementary item relationships and user preferences. Specifically, Encore (i) effectively combines and balances both stylistic and functional evidence of complementary items across item categories; (ii) naturally models item latent quality for complementary items through Bayesian inference of customer ratings; and (iii) builds a novel neural network model to learn the complex (non-linear) relationships between items for flexible and scalable complementary product recommendations. Through experiments over large Amazon datasets, we find that Encore effectively learns complementary item relationships, leading to an improvement in accuracy of 15.5% on average versus the next-best alternative.
Synergistic Bimetallic Ni/Ag and Ni/Cu Catalysis for Regioselective γ,δ-Diarylation of Alkenyl Ketimines: Addressing β-H Elimination by in Situ Generation of Cationic Ni(II) Catalysts

We disclose unprecedented synergistic bimetallic Ni/Ag and Ni/Cu catalysts for regioselective γ,δ-diarylation of unactivated alkenes in simple ketimines with aryl halides and arylzinc reagents. The bimetallic synergy, which generates cationic Ni(II) species during reaction, promotes migratory insertion and transmetalation steps and suppresses β-H elimination and cross-coupling, the major side reactions that cause serious problems during alkene difunctionalization. This diarylation reaction proceeds at remote locations to imines to afford, after simple H+ workup, diversely substituted γ,δ-diaryl ketones that are otherwise difficult to access readily with existing methods.
Reply to Comment on ‘Relativity, potential energy, and mass’

The article 'Comment on 'Relativity, potential energy, and mass'' (2019 Eur. J. Phys. 40 028001) makes a number of unsubstantiated assertions regarding the 'reality' of potential energy (PE), the measurability of mass, and the ontological status of kinetic energy. This essay is a refutation of those assertions.
A Hybrid Electric Vehicle Motor Cooling System—Design, Model, and Control

Hybrid electric vehicle motors offer propulsion while accelerating and charge the battery pack when braking or decelerating. Though electric motors have high operating efficiency, considerable heat is generated based on required operating torque and speed. Thus, an efficient motor cooling system is needed to maintain the temperature within a prescribed range. The traditional motor liquid cooling system is effective but consumes energy to run the coolant pump and radiator fan. This paper examines the performance of a hybrid cooling system, combining heat pipes with conventional liquid cooling in a compact thermal cradle. This innovative design allows heat removal via an integrated thermal pathway by regulating various actuators (e.g., centrifugal fans, radiator pump, and fan) to minimize energy consumption. A reduced order thermal model predicts the motor's internal temperatures. Cooling performance is evaluated based on the Urban Assault driving cycle for different conditions. Numerical results show that the electric motor temperature is maintained at approximately the target value of 70 °C. Additionally, up to approximately 370 kJ of energy is saved as compared to a conventional liquid cooling system for a specific 85 kW e-motor within 1500 s run time.
The Future of NATO and Enlargement

Abstract : NATO launched MAP in April 1999, with the aim of keeping the alliance's door open to future members. MAP consists of individually tailored programs of activities and exchanges to help the aspirant countries prepare for possible membership. MAP contains five "chapters:" (1) political and economic issues; (2) defense/military issues; (3) resource issues; (4) security issues; and (5) legal issues. Each MAP country prepares a detailed annual plan as part of MAP, with activities designed to further alliance compatibility in all five chapters. The MAP mechanism complemented an existing program of cooperation between the candidate states and NATO under the auspices of NATO's Partnership for Peace (or PfP) Planning and Review Process (or PARP). In its current form, PARP resembles the alliance's Defense Planning Questionnaire (the DPQ) and consists of a series of goals for interoperability and for forces and capabilities. Additional bilateral mechanisms of cooperation between the candidates and the major NATO countries serve to provide further guidance.
Imaging OATP2B1-mediated transport in the myocardium and lung

328 Objectives Organic Anion-transporting polypeptides (OATP) form a family of influx transporters with major impact on drug distribution [1]. In vitro studies have shown the expression of OATP2B1 (SLCO2B1, OATP-B) in the vascular endothelium of the human heart, suggesting that OATP2B1 may control the uptake of its substrates into the myocardium [2]. Glyburide (glibenclamide, GLB), an avid OATP2B1 substrate, was isotopically radiolabeled for PET imaging (11C-GLB). Therefore, we used 11C-GLB PET for the functional imaging of OATP2B1-mediated transport in the heart and lung tissue of nonhuman primate. Methods 11C-GLB PET-CT imaging (222-444 MBq ; 60 min) with measure of arterial input function was performed in two different baboons. In each baboon, we tested the influence of the validated OATP2B1 inhibitor rifampicin (RFA, 8.6 mg/kg i.v) [1] compared to control on 11C-GLB kinetics and distribution (VT ; Logan plot analysis) in two regions of interest drawn on the left ventricular wall and left lung. Results 11C-GLB area-under-the-curve in arterial plasma was increased 5-fold by RFA. Logan plot analysis, considering arterial input function revealed a significant cardiac uptake (mean VT = 0.40 [0.37-0.44]). RFA administration resulted in a 42% decrease in VT [0.27-0.20] in the heart. Conversely, 11C-GLB distribution in the lung [0.17-0.15] was not as much influenced by RFA treatment [0.16-0.10]. Conclusions The present study provides the first in vivo evidence of the OATP2B1-mediated uptake in the myocardium. Therefore, the cardiac effects of OATP2B1 substrates (e.g GLB, statins, sartans, amiodarone, steroid sulfate conjugates) may be modulated by OATP2B1 function and/or co-administered OATP2B1 inhibitors. Moreover, our results are not in favor with the involvement of OATP2B1 substrate accumulation in the lungs that was proposed as an explanation of amiodarone-induced pulmonary toxicity [3]. Research Support Postes d9accueil CEA/AP-HP
Vitamin C and Thiamine for Sepsis and Septic Shock

Abstract Background Sepsis and septic shock are medical emergencies resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Intravenous (IV) vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone have shown promise in reducing hospital mortality. The Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) similarly implemented this regimen, called the vitamin C protocol, for patients presenting in sepsis or septic shock in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods This retrospective study in Veteran ICU patients with sepsis or septic shock compared outcomes of patients treated with IV vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone (treatment) with those who received IV hydrocortisone alone (control). Data was propensity matched to ensure comparability at baseline. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was calculated at day of diagnosis (day 0) and daily for 3 subsequent days. At the 24-month follow-up, 12 months after the 1-year-intervention, survival and measures of mental and physical health were collected by telephone interviews. Results Hospital mortality, the primary outcome, did not differ significantly between groups. Secondary outcomes including ICU, 28-day, and 60-day mortality were also not different, nor were vasopressor duration or hospital length of stay. However, ICU length of stay was significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to control (7.1 vs 15.6 days, respectively, P = 0.04). Conclusions Although no significant mortality benefit was observed, the vitamin C protocol was not associated with patient harm. In this Veteran population, there was reduced ICU length of stay, suggesting possible benefit. Though further investigation is warranted, utilization of IV vitamin C, thiamine, and hydrocortisone in patients with sepsis or septic shock may be a treatment option worth considering.
Fifty Years of Film 3: Melodrama in Ripstein’s Films and Garciadiego’s Screenplays

In this candid interview, Arturo Ripstein and Paz Alicia Garciadiego describe, in luxurious detail, their understanding of the genre that has defined their collaboration, the melodrama.
Artificial life as a path from computing to philosophy

A typical undergraduate program in computer science might make contact with the field of philosophy at several points in courses on artificial intelligence and the theory of computation. This article discusses another potential point of contact: artificial life, an area of computer science devoted to the study of living systems through the use of computers to simulate biological phenomena. Philosophers have started to discuss the prospect of genuine life emerging from artificial systems, an idea that captivates students in our experimental course on artificial life. Here we examine an especially compelling illustration of this idea, one that has given our students an unusual perspective on computer science and a genuine appreciation for its interdisciplinary nature.
Racial and ethnic disparities in the overall survival of women with epithelial ovarian cancer in Florida, 2001–2015

Many studies have focused on white and black disparities in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) but fewer include Hispanics. Florida presents a unique opportunity to study racial/ethnic disparities. This study examined racial/ethnic disparities in the overall survival of women with EOC in Florida by histology. All EOC cases from 2001 through 2015 were identified in the Florida Cancer Database System (FCDS). Survival curves by race/ethnicity and histology were generated by Kaplan–Meier methods. Cox regression evaluated the associations between race/ethnicity, histology, and survival. Eligible EOC cases (n = 21,721) identified in the 2001–2015 FCDS were included in the study. The median survival for non-Hispanic whites (NHWs), non-Hispanic blacks (NHBs), and Hispanics was 31, 21, and 35 months, respectively (p < 0.001). NHB had an increased [AHR 1.23 (95% CI 1.15, 1.30)] and Hispanics a nonsignificant decreased hazard [AHR 0.96 (95% CI 0.91, 1.02)] of death compared to NHW after controlling for other demographic, treatment, and tumor characteristics. Relative to NHWs, NBH had worse survival while Hispanics had equivalent survival. Future research should consider evaluating genetic and epigenetic modifications, and prevalence of cancer syndromes to further elucidate the etiologies of disease in these disparate populations.
COVID-19: The Worst Days of Our Careers.

Adapting to this new paradigm during this pandemic has been ever-changing and extraordinarily challenging, both personally and professionally.
Muscle strength, not age, explains unique variance in echo intensity.

Abstract Echo intensity (EI) is being increasingly utilized by investigators as an index of skeletal muscle quality. Previous studies have reported independent associations between EI versus both age and muscle strength. Purpose We sought to determine whether EI is more strongly associated with age or strength. Methods Twenty-eight younger adults (13 men, 15 women; mean age = 22 years) and 25 older adults (10 men, 15 women; age = 71 years) participated. B-mode ultrasonography was utilized to acquire images of the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris. ImageJ software was used to quantify corrected EI and muscle cross-sectional area (CSA). Each participant performed 40 maximal concentric isokinetic muscle actions of the knee extensors (velocity = 180°·s−1). The mean peak torque of the best three attempts was used to quantify muscle strength. Specific torque was calculated as strength relative to CSA. Fatigability was also quantified. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests and stepwise regression. Results There were large differences between age groups for strength (p Conclusion Concentric isokinetic muscle strength is a better predictor of EI than age.
Evaluation of Contamination of Multiuse Suture Cassettes in an HQHVSN Environment

Historically, it has been thought that suture cassettes become contaminated by bacteria through multiuse. However, High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) veterinarians have been using them for years without issue because of their significantly lower cost. The objective of this study was to determine if absorbable suture cassettes are contaminated through multiuse in an HQHVSN environment. A total of 101 suture samples from suture cassettes were collected from 25 HQHVSN clinics or shelters. The suture samples were placed in an enrichment broth tube and aerobic and anaerobic culture with microbe ID were performed. A total of 17/101 samples were positive for microbial growth, with 11/25 clinics having at least one positive sample. Based on these results, there is a significant risk to using suture cassettes that must be balanced against cost savings. Although HQHVSN veterinarians do not report an increase in infection using suture cassettes, based on the results of this study, there is likely contaminated suture being used during sterilization surgeries at these surgery sites.
Immune dysfunction in spaceflight and diabetes mellitus – translating space observations to terrestrial disease

Introduction: Spaceflight alters normal physiology of cells and tissues seen on Earth. Immune cells and signaling molecules appear to be particularly affected, resulting in changes in leukocyte populations, killing ability and effector function, and signaling molecule response. Akin to spaceflight, diabetes mellitus produces significant immune system dysfunction. Applying observations and interventions from spaceflight to conditions such as diabetes mellitus may help to identify new approaches that combat the high clinical and financial burden of terrestrial disease.Discussion: A literature review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. Papers of immune cells conducted in space and studies on diabetes mellitus-related immune dysfunction were included. Broad themes of immunosuppression were seen in both spaceflight and diabetes mellitus. Effects on lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, fibroblasts, growth factors, and inflammatory factors are presented.Conclusions: Immune responses to spaceflight and DM are inconsistent. The innate immune system responds similarly to spaceflight and DM. In contrast, the adaptive immune system responds differently to spaceflight than to DM. This difference may be the result of a glucocorticoid dominant response linked to innate suppression and a Th2 lymphocyte shift.Relevance: Diabetes mellitus causes major morbidity and mortality on Earth. Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms behind these differences and develop countermeasures for immunosuppression in space with application towards diabetic therapy on earth. Furthermore, commercial spaceflight makes it all the more necessary to elucidate these mechanisms as civilian participants with diabetes mellitus or other immune-altering conditions may be space bound.
Cathodoluminescence of Ultrathin Twisted Ge1–xSnxS van der Waals Nanoribbon Waveguides

Ultrathin van der Waals semiconductors have shown extraordinary optoelectronic and photonic properties. Propagating photonic modes make layered crystal waveguides attractive for photonic circuitry and for studying hybrid light-matter states. Accessing guided modes by conventional optics is challenging due to the limited spatial resolution and poor out-of-plane far-field coupling. Scanning near-field optical microscopy can overcome these issues and can characterize waveguide modes down to a resolution of tens of nanometers, albeit for planar samples or nanostructures with moderate height variations. Electron microscopy provides atomic-scale localization also for more complex geometries, and recent advances have extended the accessible excitations from interband transitions to phonons. Here, bottom-up synthesized layered semiconductor (Ge1-x Snx S) nanoribbons with an axial twist and deep subwavelength thickness are demonstrated as a platform for realizing waveguide modes, and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy is introduced as a tool to characterize them. Combined experiments and simulations show the excitation of guided modes by the electron beam and their efficient detection via photons emitted in the ribbon plane, which enables the measurement of key properties such as the evanescent field into the vacuum cladding with nanometer resolution. The results identify van der Waals waveguides operating in the infrared and highlight an electron-microscopy-based approach for probing complex-shaped nanophotonic structures.
The Poem of the Understanding: Kant, Novalis, and Early German Romantic Philosophy

In this chapter, Jane Kneller argues that in order to fully appreciate the contribution of early German Romanticism, it is necessary to recognize the important metaphysical and social commitments that this movement shared with Kant. Her focus is on their central philosophical figure, Friedrich von Hardenberg, known as Novalis. After briefly discussing both the philosophical milieu and personal circumstances of Novalis’ defining contribution to early German Romanticism, Novalis reception of Kant’s work is examined and the case is made for the influence of Kant on Novalis’ philosophical development. The chapter closes with a discussion of how Novalis adoption of Kant’s transcendental constraints on human knowledge provided the space for a profoundly new conception of the possibilities of human cognitive and social development.
Imaging redshift estimates for Fermi BL Lac objects

We have obtained WIYN and SOAR i' images of BL Lacertae objects and used these to detect or constrain the flux of the host galaxy. Under common standard candle assumptions, these data provide estimates of, or lower bounds on, the redshift. Our targets are a set of flat-spectrum radio counterparts of high flux Fermi Large Area Telescope sources, with sensitive spectral observations showing them to be continuum-dominated BL Lac objects. In this sample, 5 of 11 BL Lac objects yielded significant host detections, with standard candle redshifts z = 0.13-0.58. Our estimates and lower bounds are generally in agreement with other redshifts estimates, although our z = 0.374 estimate for J0543–5532 implies a significantly sub-luminous host.
Effective Feedback Strategies that Promote Critical Thinking Skills in Online Learning Environments: An Online Assessment Learning Perspective

This paper presents a thematic analysis of how higher education instructors can effectively provide feedback in the online learning environment, in such a way that, it promotes critical and creative thinking skills in the students. Feedback has been a great point of interest to many researchers. However, previous research has mainly focused on analyzing student perception toward the feedback they receive in the learning environment but, little focus is being put on how effective feedback should be delivered to the students, in such a way that sparks their thinking to greater heights improving the learning process. This comprehensive review of literature will explore various interactive feedback strategies such as, those recommended by prominent researchers (Narciss, 2008) that instructors can utilize. The paper will provide dominant themes within several research literature on feedback, with an aim of enhancing the quality of feedback in the online learning environment.
A Dual Full-Scope and Reduced-Scope Microworld Simulator Approach to Evaluate the Human Factors of a Coupled Hydrogen Production Concept of Operations

Simulators serve as a valuable human factors research tool for control room modernization as nuclear power plants continue to upgrade their analog technology with digital equivalents. Beyond upgrades, plants are beginning to explore alternative concepts of operation including using their thermal output for chemical processes. These upgrades represent more substantial plant modifications and mandate new human factors techniques to develop and evaluate the HSIs, procedures, and operations required to control the new systems. This paper describes the strategy and use of a full-scope and reduced-scope simulator in a comprehensive research approach to develop the concept of operations. Specifically, the full-scope simulator serves as a means to extract invaluable operational knowledge from operators and the reduced-scope simulator, namely the Rancor microworld, serves as a means to address targeted human factors issues and is sufficiently flexible to be more easily integrated with small scale physical test beds than the full-scope counterpart.
Surgeon satisfaction and outcomes of tele-proctoring for robotic gynecologic surgery.

Surgical proctoring requires increasing resources in growing healthcare systems. In addition, travel has become less safe in the era of COVID-19. This study demonstrates surgeon satisfaction and safety with tele-proctoring in robotic gynecologic surgery. This pilot study assesses surgeon satisfaction and operative outcomes with a novel operative tele-proctoring system with a continuous two-way video-audio feed that allows the off-site surgeon to see the operating room, surgical field, and hands of the robotic surgeon. After thorough system testing, two experienced surgeons underwent tele-proctoring for hospital credentialing, completing 7 total cases. Each completed pre- and post-surveys developed from the Michigan Standard Simulation Experience Scale. Surgical characteristics were compared between tele-proctored cases and 59 historical cases proctored in-person over the last 8 years. Surgeons reported unanimous high satisfaction with tele-proctoring (5 ± 0). There were no major technologic issues. Five of the tele-proctored cases and 35 of controls were hysterectomies. Mean age was 48.2 ± 1.4 years, mean BMI was 29.6 ± 0.9 kg/m2, and mean uterine weight was 152 ± 112.3 g. Two-thirds had prior abdominal surgery (P > 0.1). Tele-proctored hysterectomies were 58 ± 6.5 min shorter than controls (P = 0.001). There were no differences in EBL or complication rates (P > 0.1). Tele-proctoring resulted in high surgeon satisfaction rates with no difference in EBL or complications. Tele-mentoring is a natural extension of tele-proctoring that could provide advanced surgical expertise far beyond where we can physically reach.
New-onset Hypogammaglobulinemia and Infectious Complications Associated with Rituximab Use in Childhood-onset Rheumatic Diseases.

Objective To investigate the incidence and risk factors for hypogammaglobulinemia and infectious complications associated with rituximab treatment in childhood-onset rheumatic diseases. Methods We performed a single-center retrospective study of patients (n = 85) treated at Boston Children's Hospital (BCH) from 2009 to 2019. Study subjects included patients (ages 6 to 24) who received rituximab for the treatment of a childhood-onset rheumatic disease. Results New-onset hypogammaglobulinemia developed in 23 (27.1%) patients within 18 months of rituximab induction treatment. 22 patients (25.9%) developed at least one infectious complication in the 18 months following the first rituximab infusion; of these, 11 (50%) had serious infections requiring inpatient treatment. After adjusting for potential confounders, exposure to pulse corticosteroid therapy in the month prior to rituximab use was a significant predictor of both new-onset hypogammaglobulinemia (OR 3.94; 95% CI 1.07-16.0; p = 0.044) and infectious complications (OR 15.3; 95% CI 3.04-126.8; p = 0.003). Post-rituximab hypogammaglobulinemia was the strongest predictor of serious infectious complications (OR 7.89; 95% CI 1.41-65.6; p = 0.028). Younger age at rituximab use was also a significant predictor of new-onset hypogammaglobulinemia (OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.70-0.97; p = 0.021). Compared with other rheumatic diseases, patients with vasculitis had a higher likelihood of developing infectious complications, including serious infections. Conclusion Although rituximab was well tolerated in terms of infectious complications in the majority of patients with childhood-onset rheumatic diseases, a substantial proportion developed new-onset hypogammaglobulinemia and infectious complications following treatment. Our study highlights a role for heightened vigilance of rituximab-associated hypogammaglobulinemia and infections in pediatric patients with rheumatic conditions.
Stochastic Uncertainty Propagation in Power System Dynamics using Measure-valued Proximal Recursions.

We present a proximal algorithm that performs a variational recursion on the space of joint probability measures to propagate the stochastic uncertainties in power system dynamics over high dimensional state space. The proposed algorithm takes advantage of the exact nonlinearity structures in the trajectory-level dynamics of the networked power systems, and is nonparametric. Lifting the dynamics to the space of probability measures allows us to design a scalable algorithm that obviates gridding the underlying high dimensional state space which is computationally prohibitive. The proximal recursion implements a generalized infinite dimensional gradient flow, and evolves probability weighted scattered point clouds. We clarify the theoretical nuances and algorithmic details specific for the power system nonlinearities, and provide illustrative numerical examples.
Combined Prediction Method of Transmission Line Icing Based on ARIMA-CSSVR

Real-time prediction of icing on power transmission lines is of great significance for grid disaster warning. Under the same terrain conditions, "micro-meteorological" such as air humidity, temperature, and wind speed are the main reasons that affect the icing of power lines. The construction and prediction accuracy of the existing mechanism-based and statistical model are difficult to meet the requirements of practical applications, while related intelligent computing models ignore the effect of time accumulation. This paper proposes a combined prediction model based on ARIMA-CSSVR. ARIMA predicts the linear growth of icing on power transmission lines. SVR based on CS optimized is used to fit the nonlinear errors contained in the ARIMA predicted time series. Then combined the two results as the final prediction. A numerical example is used to compare it with other machine learning algorithms, and the prediction advantage of this method is verified.
Effects of isoflurane on regulation of capacitance vessels under normotensive and chronically hypertensive conditions.

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes several studies that demonstrate that significant differences exist in the reflex regulation of mesenteric capacitance veins in chronic renal wrap hypertensive versus normotensive rabbits. The heart rate response to aortic depressor nerve stimulation and to graded hypoxia has also been equally attenuated by isoflurane in both groups of animals. The two groups of animals also differ significantly in the baseline responses to isoflurane administration. In both groups of animals, 1.5% inhaled isoflurane significantly reduces heart rate and mean arterial pressure and dilated mesenteric capacitance vein diameter. However, in the hypertensive animals, the isoflurane-mediated reduction in arterial pressure has been significantly greater and the isoflurane-mediated increase in mesenteric vein diameter has been significantly less than that observed in the normotensive animals. The present study of the interaction between a volatile anesthetic and the hypertensive condition focused on changes in reflex responses that are mediated primarily by an elevation of sympathetic neural efferent activity. It has been observed that an inhibition of baroreflex and chemoreflex changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and mesenteric vein diameter during the administration of 0.75 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) isoflurane in normotensive control animals. In addition, isoflurane has been shown to inhibit the relaxation effect of endothelium-derived nitric oxide on vascular smooth muscle cells in in vitro mesenteric vein ring preparations. In the hypertensive animals, the inhibitory effect of isoflurane on the heart rate responses to chemoreflex activation, on the blood pressure responses to both baroreflex and chemoreflex activation and on the mesenteric venodilation in response to aortic depressor nerve stimulation has been the same as in the normotensive control animals. Finally, it should be noted that the action of different anesthetic agents on sympathetically mediated reflex responses, particularly reflex regulation of venous tone, may vary.
Media and community

(1989). Media and community. Critical Studies in Mass Communication: Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 322-326.
The engineering of knowledge-based systems: theory and practice

1. Introduction to Knowledge-Based Systems. 2. Structure. 3. Logic and Automated Reasoning. 4. Forward Reasoning Rule-Based Systems. 5. Backward-Reasoning Systems. 6. Associative Networks, Frames, and Objects. 7. Blackboard Architectures. 8. Uncertainty Management. 9. Advanced Reasoning Techniques. 10. The Software Lifecycle in Knowledge-based Systems. 11. Feasibility Analysis. 12. Requirements Specification and Design. 13. Knowledge Acquisition and System Implementation. 14. Practical Considerations in Knowledge Acquisition. 15. Alternative Knowledge Acquisition Means. 16. Verification and Validation. 17. Legal Issues in Knowledge-Based Systems. Appendix A: The CLIPS System. Appendix B: The Personal Consultant Shell System.
180 GHz InAlAs/InGaAs HEMT monolithic integrated frequency doubler

The design, monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) implementation, and testing of a 180 GHz doubler based on InP-HEMT (high electron mobility transistor) technology is reported. Doublers were fabricated using submicron (0.1 mu m) InAlAs/InGaAs HEMTs. A simplified harmonic content study was employed in order to understand the power characteristics in HEMT doublers. The experimental conversion loss followed the predicted performance and showed a minimum conversion loss of 6 dB at 0 dBm input power. >
Asymptotic Properties of Isolated Systems: Recent Developments

Since this report belongs to the general plenary session, I thought it would be best to present a review of the current status of the field in broad terms. Thus, I will omit all proofs and try to convey the essential ideas instead. Furthermore, in the main text, technical points will be occasionally skipped, and, in some cases, results presented will not be the most general ones available today. The hope is that the style adopted will facilitate non-experts to get a good feeling for the type of issues that are discussed in the field. I must say, however, that the discussion is not evenly distributed among the various topics of interest: the emphasis is on the material which was published during the last three or four years and which is not covered in other talks at this conference. The experts will find that some of the material is presented from a new angle — the relation between the conformally rescaled and physical space-time quantities is stressed — and that a few of the ideas are new (in the sense that they have not appeared in print before).
Abscisic Acid Biosynthesis and Metabolism

One of the questions which plant physiologists ask about a hormone is how its cellular levels are regulated. The concentration of a hormone, or of any other cellular constituent, will depend on its rate of synthesis and metabolism and on its rate of import into and export from the cell. Abscisic acid (ABA, Fig. 1) is a particularly interesting hormone with regard to the regulation of its levels, since they rise and fall dramatically in several kinds of tissues in response to environmental and developmental changes. When leaves of mesophytic plants are water stressed, ABA levels can rise from 10-to 50-fold within 4 to 8 hours, apparently due to a greatly increased rate of biosynthesis. When the plants are rewatered, the ABA levels drop to pre-stress levels within 4 to 8 hours. The drop in concentration is due to a reduced biosynthetic rate, a vigorous metabolism and possibly export from the leaves. In developing seeds of various plants, ABA levels can rise a hundred-fold within a few days and then decline to low levels as the seeds mature and dessicate. Synthesis and metabolism, as well as import, are involved in changing the ABA levels. Dormant buds and seeds of woody plants accumulate high levels of ABA which then decrease when the tissues are exposed to low temperatures. A combination of synthesis, metabolism, import and export are probably involved in determining the ABA levels in these issues.
Epidemiology and practice patterns of achalasia in a large multi-centre database

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 33: 1209–1214 Summary Background Due to its rarity, achalasia remains a difficult disease to study. Aims To describe the epidemiology of achalasia and practice patterns in its endoscopic management, utilising patient records from a large national database of endoscopic procedures. Methods The Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative maintains a database of endoscopic procedures in diverse clinical practices. The data from 89 endoscopy practices distributed throughout the US during 2000–2008 were used to analyse the characteristics and therapy of patients with achalasia. Results Among 521 497 upper endoscopies during the study period, we identified 896 patients with achalasia. Compared with the entirety of all other endoscopic diagnoses, achalasia was more common in men than in women (OR = 1.39, CI 1.22–1.59), but similar among nonwhites and whites (OR = 0.87, CI 0.74–1.03). Relatively, more achalasia patients were treated at university than at community practices (OR = 1.52, CI 1.30–1.78). Botox injection was most frequently used as first choice of endoscopic therapy in 41%, followed by balloon dilation in 21%, Savary dilation in 20%, Maloney dilation in 10%, Rigiflex in 4% and other modalities in 4% of patients. One quarter of achalasia patients treated endoscopically underwent a repeat therapy about every 14 months. Conclusions Botox has become the primary choice of initial endoscopic therapy in achalasia. Despite their partial deviation from guidelines and recommendations, these endoscopic patterns reflect the current clinical practice in the United States.
Functional photoacoustic microscopy of diabetic vasculature

We used functional photoacoustic microscopy to image diabetes-induced damage to the microvasculature. To produce an animal model for Type 1 diabetes, we used streptozotocin (STZ), which is particularly toxic to the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas in mammals. A set number of ND4 Swiss Webster mice received intraperitoneal injections of STZ for five consecutive days at 50 mg/kg. Most mice developed a significant rise in blood glucose level (∼400 mg/dL) within three weeks of the first injection. Changes in vasculature and hemodynamics were monitored for six weeks. The mouse ear was imaged with an optical-resolution photoacoustic microscope at a main blood vessel branch from the root of the ear. There are noticeable and measurable changes associated with the disease, including decreased vessel diameter and possible occlusion due to vessel damage and polyurea. We also observed an increase in the blood flow speed in the vein and a decrease in the artery, which could be due to compensation for the dehydration and vessel diameter changes. Functional and metabolic parameters such as hemoglobin oxygen saturation, oxygen extraction fraction, and oxygen consumption rate were also measured, but showed no significant change.
A comparison of various routes and dosages of misoprostol for cervical ripening and the induction of labor

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of different routes of misoprostol administration for cervical ripening and the induction of labor. Study Design: Three hundred thirty women at ≥32 weeks gestation with a Bishop score ≤6 and an indication for induction were randomized to 1 of 3 double-blinded groups: (1) 25 μg orally administered misoprostol plus 25 μg vaginally administered misoprostol, (2) orally administered placebo plus 25 μg vaginally administered misoprostol, or (3) 25 μg orally administered misoprostol plus vaginally administered placebo. Doses were repeated every 4 hours until onset of labor or a maximum of 12 doses were given. The primary outcome of the trial was vaginal delivery within 24 hours of the initiation of induction. Secondary outcomes were the time from induction to delivery, need for oxytocin augmentation, mode of delivery, frequency of side effects, and neonatal and maternal outcome. Analysis of variance, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used for analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in maternal characteristics or indications for induction. The percentage of women who achieved vaginal delivery within 24 hours was highest in the vaginally administered misoprostol group: 67% compared with 53% in the oral-plus-vaginal group ( P P P P P P Conclusion: At the doses studied, induction of labor with vaginally administered misoprostol is more efficacious than either oral-plus-vaginal or oral-only route of administration. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;185: 911-5.)
Natural insertions in rice commonly form tandem duplications indicative of patch-mediated double-strand break induction and repair.

The insertion of DNA into a genome can result in the duplication and dispersal of functional sequences through the genome. In addition, a deeper understanding of insertion mechanisms will inform methods of genetic engineering and plant transformation. Exploiting structural variations in numerous rice accessions, we have inferred and analyzed intermediate length (10–1,000 bp) insertions in plants. Insertions in this size class were found to be approximately equal in frequency to deletions, and compound insertion–deletions comprised only 0.1% of all events. Our findings indicate that, as observed in humans, tandem or partially tandem duplications are the dominant form of insertion (48%), although short duplications from ectopic donors account for a sizable fraction of insertions in rice (38%). Many nontandem duplications contain insertions from nearby DNA (within 200 bp) and can contain multiple donor sources—some distant—in single events. Although replication slippage is a plausible explanation for tandem duplications, the end homology required in such a model is most often absent and rarely is >5 bp. However, end homology is commonly longer than expected by chance. Such findings lead us to favor a model of patch-mediated double-strand-break creation followed by nonhomologous end-joining. Additionally, a striking bias toward 31-bp partially tandem duplications suggests that errors in nucleotide excision repair may be resolved via a similar, but distinct, pathway. In summary, the analysis of recent insertions in rice suggests multiple underappreciated causes of structural variation in eukaryotes.
Statistical embeddings using a multilayer union of subspaces

Toward the goal of improved representation learning, we propose a novel deep architecture for unsupervised feature learning based on a recursive multilayered union of subspaces (UoS) model. The model is able to accurately generate recursive nested signal segments at increasing fields of view as we progress from one layer to the next. The local subspace dimension (latent space) grows linearly while the observation space grows exponentially at increasing layers. We apply locally linear coordination to our model output at the top layer to create a globally aligned coordinate system. This enables a very low-dimensional statistical embedding useful for tasks like compression and retrieval. Although the architecture is able to model arbitrary sensor modalities, we focus on image modeling in this study. We compare the performance of our model to the deep belief network by measuring the structural similarity index for a fixed dimensionality reduction on sample face images from CalTech-101. We also show samples of content-based retrieval results on image patches using the statistical embedding.
Nonuniform spatial mesh adaptation using a posteriori error estimates: applications to forward and inverse problems

Abstract In this paper we present an adaptive method for the solution of large scale forward and inverse problems occurring in biomedicine. Specifically, we describe models based on magnetic resonance images of the human thorax that are used to solve electric and potential field imaging problems. We introduce two- and three-dimensional nonuniform spatial mesh adaptation schemes based upon a posteriori error estimates from the finite element approximation, an algorithm that utilizes a minimax theorem based on estimates of the electric and potential fields and a three-dimensional, Delaunay triangulation program. Initial results are presented for two- and three-dimensional models.
Phase I Study of the Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Palifermin in Children Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

The maximum tolerated dose of palifermin, a keratinocyte growth factor, in children is not known, and its pharmacokinetics in this population has not been well studied. This is a phase I study of palifermin was designed to evaluate its tolerability at doses of 40, 60, and 90 μg/kg/day in children age 2-18 years of age, receiving a myeloablative preparative regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In each cohort, palifermin was given for 3 consecutive days before the preparative regimen and for 3 days after the stem cell infusion. Twelve patients were enrolled. Palifermin 90 μg/kg/day was tolerated in 6 patients without dose-limiting toxicity. All patients had at least 1 adverse event, mostly National Cancer Institute grade 1 or 2 severity. Skin rash, grade 2 or lower, was the most common adverse event, seen in 67% of patients. Only 3 patients (25%) had mucositis. The area under the concentration–time curve increased proportionally to the dose, and approximately 97% of palifermin exposure occurred in the first 24 hours after administration. Palifermin clearance increased linearly with body weight, supporting dosing by body weight. The mean clearance was 1893 mL/hour/kg, and it did not change significantly between administration of the first and last doses (P = .80). The mean elimination half-life was 4.6 hours. Our data show that palifermin was tolerated at a dose of 90 μg/kg/day, and exhibits linear pharmacokinetics in children undergoing allogeneic HSCT.
Problems in comprehending recursion and suggested solutions

Recursion is a very powerful and useful problem solving strategy. But, along with pointers and dynamic data structures, many beginning programmers consider recursion to be a difficult concept to master. This paper reports on a study of upper-division undergraduate students on their difficulty in comprehending the ideas behind recursion. Three issues emerged as the points of difficulty for the students: (1) insufficient exposure to declarative thinking in a programming context (2) inadequate appreciation of the concept of functional abstraction (3) lack of a proper methodology to express a recursive solution. The paper concludes with a discussion of our approach to teaching recursion, which addresses these issues. Classroom experience indicates this approach effectively aids students' comprehension of recursion.
Diversity in Online Teaching: When Culture and Online Education Conflict

Developing and implementing communication strategies to counterbalance the obstacles to social interaction created by the separation of learners from one another present a challenge for Internet-based instructors. Sensitivity is required to accommodate ethnically diverse variations in communicative practices so that learners are neither penalized for their cultural differences nor impeded in their learning processes by those differences. The literate discourse style imbedded in the online threaded discussion may be a new way of communicating for learners with a culturally based oral discourse style. Ill-structured problems, facilitation, and explicit criteria for evaluation that is distinctly different from the directions for participating in the discussion help students make a successful transition from speaking in the classroom to writing in the online threaded discussion.
A Consortium Project to Improve Retention and the First Year of College: Results and Recommendations

This article examines the operation and perceived effectiveness of a short-term, nine-community-college consortium, a consortium dedicated to the improvement of student retention and first-year edu...
Parasite extracellular vesicles: mediators of intercellular communication.

The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine recognized pioneering research on secretion of proteins outside the cell and the delivery of selected cargo to specific intracellular compartments via secretory vesicles. This seminal work, performed in yeast and mammalian cells, defined multiple vital roles vesicles play in cellular physiology. Recent studies have revealed the critical role of vesicles in intercellular communication. Here, we provide an overview of eukaryotic parasite-associated extracellular vesicles (EVs). Their contribution to host–pathogen interactions and possible use in vaccine design and disease diagnosis is discussed.
Influence of sodium pyrophosphate on thermal inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in pork slurry and ground pork

The thermal inactivation (55–62·5°C) of Listeria monocytogenes in pork slurry and ground pork that contained 0, 0·25 or 0·5% sodium pyrophosphate (SPP) was evaluated. Surviving cells were enumerated on Modified Oxford Medium. Decimal reduction (D)-values in pork slurry control (0% SPP) were 8·15, 2·57, 0·99, and 0·18 min, at 55, 57·5, 60 and 62·5°C, respectively; D-values in ground pork ranged from 15·72 min at 55°C to 0·83 min at 62·5°C. D-values in pork slurry that contained 0·25% SPP (w/v) were 4·75, 1·72, and 0·4 min, at 55, 57·5, and 60°C respectively; the values in ground pork ranged from 16·97 at 55°C to 0·80 min at 62·5°C. At 62·5°C,L. monocytogenes in slurry that contained SPP were killed too rapidly to allow determination of the D-value. Addition of 0·5% SPP further decreased (P<0·05) the heat resistance of L. monocytogenes in pork slurry but not in ground pork. The z-values in slurry ranged from 4·63 to 5·47°C whereas higher z-values (5·25 to 5·77°C) were obtained in ground pork. Degradation of SPP to orthophosphates in ground pork was two or three times greater than in pork slurry. Possible reasons for failure of SPP to reduce the thermal resistance of L. monocytogenes in ground pork are discussed.