cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Routing for symmetric FPGAs and FPICs

A new class of routing structures with fixed orthogonal wire segments and field programmable switches at the intersections of the wire segments is proposed. In comparison with the conventional two-dimensional field-programmable gate array (FPGA) routing structure, this class of routing structures has the advantage of using a smaller number of active programmable switches. An existing field-programmable interconnect chip (FPIC) routing structure can be included as a special case in our class of routing structures. Using a probabilistic model, we prove that complete routing can be achieved with a high degree of probability in a routing structure of this class in which the number of tracks in each channel approaches the lower bound asymptotically. We present a sequential routing algorithm based on the solution of the single net routing problem. We take into account the delay introduced by the active programmable switches on a routing path and formulate the single net routing problem as a node-weighted Steiner minimum tree (NWSMT) problem in a bipartite graph G. Since our single net routing problem is NP-complete, a polynomial time approximate algorithm is proposed. We prove that our single net routing algorithm produces an optimal solution for some special classes of bipartite graphs. In general, the solution obtained by our algorithm bas a performance bound of min{/spl Delta/(V/Z), |Z|-1}. Experimental results for several industrial circuits show a reduction of up to 41% in the number of active programmable switches when compared with corresponding results for the conventional FPGA routing structure.
Prevalence of antipsychotic prescriptions among patients with anxiety disorders treated in inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings.

Abstract Background An increasing number of prescribers are using antipsychotics for treatment of anxiety disorders, despite lack of FDA-approved indications and mixed efficacy results from clinical trials. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of antipsychotics prescription in psychiatric inpatients and outpatients with anxiety disorders. Methods This is a retrospective study of de-identified data from patients with a DSMIV-TR anxiety disorder diagnosis in an academic psychiatric setting in 2013. The final cohort of patients, after exclusion of bipolar/psychotic comorbidity, includes 1699 patients. Logistic regression models were used to explore associations between antipsychotic prescription and patient characteristics. Results Among non-psychotic/non-bipolar patients with anxiety disorder, 53.6% of inpatients and 16.6% of outpatients received antipsychotic medication. Rates varied with the disorder. Outpatients with post-traumatic stress disorder (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.66–3.01) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OR: 2.80, 95% CI: 1.86–4.19) received antipsychotic prescriptions more often than those without these diagnoses. Comorbidity with depression was common while comorbidity with borderline personality disorder was rare; both increased odds of receiving prescription of antipsychotics (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.16–2.12 for depression; OR: 2.63, 95% CI 1.42–4.88 for borderline personality disorder, respectively). Additionally, age was significantly associated with increased odds of being on an antipsychotic. Quetiapine and aripripazole were the most prescribed antipsychotics and very few patients received rescue medication for extrapyramidal symptoms. Limitations Lack of specific indications for the psychotropic prescriptions. Conclusions A substantial percentage of patients with anxiety disorders are prescribed antipsychotics, especially among inpatients. This practice may reflect the severity of the anxiety disorder or the high prevalence of comorbidity. Based on frequency of rescue medication prescription, treatment seemed well tolerated for extra-pyramidal neurological side-effects.
Balancing the risks and benefits of biologic therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Introduction: The incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) is rising and overall epidemiology is changing. Goals of IBD therapy are also fast changing to reflect the concept of mucosal healing. IBD management is increasingly revolving around questions of ideal positioning of biologic therapies.Areas covered: This paper covers important concepts regarding two classes of biologic medications approved for treatment of IBD in the United States – anti-TNF-α agents and lymphocyte-homing antagonists. Topics covered include drug mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic considerations for the clinician including therapeutic drug monitoring, summary of current evidence of drug efficacy in IBD focusing on randomized, controlled trial data. Additionally, nuanced discussion of medication side-effects and adverse reactions is presented.Expert opinion: Paradigms of treatment goals in IBD are changing with increasing focus on mucosal healing. Concomitantly, our understanding of important factors that impact drug pharma...
Art in Africa: Market Structure and Pricing Behavior in the South African Fine Art Auction Market, 2009 - 2013

In contrast to the international market in major centers such as New York and London, the South African market is distinguished by the presence of a clear market leader, and market follower amongst two auction houses that together virtually exhaust the domestic art market. A central concern of the present paper is how this market structure affects behavior in the market. We develop a theoretical framework to consider the interaction between market leader and follower in the context of a fine art market. Core implications are that the market follower is forced to issue excessive price estimates on art work that it attempts to attract for auction, at the cost of a higher buyin rate in auction. We test the implications of the theory against a data set of 7554 auction lots. A direct and an indirect test of the theory on our data robustly and strongly confirms the prediction of our model.
366 Plasma NOx Decreases Following Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Despite Lack of Change in Shear Stress

Purpose: Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have become an established therapy for heart failure. However, bleeding, thrombus formation and infection are still the most severe adverse events. Driven by advances in regenerative medicine, endothelial cell seeding is considered to be an important tool for optimizing haemocompatibility of artificial materials. Aiming towards improved haemocompatibility of LVAD systems, seeding properties of human cord blood derived endothelial cells (HCBEC) on sintered inflow cannula (SIC) were investigated. Methods and Materials: HCBEC were used for endothelialization of SIC and cultured for 7 days. Cell growth and seeding efficiency were quantified by fluorescence and scanning-electron-microscopy, as well as haemocompatibility of blank and endothelialized SIC after incubation with thrombocytes. Endothelial phenotype of HCBEC was analyzed by RT-PCR (e.g. CD31, vWF, VECad). Relative expression levels of endothelial specific activation (e.g. ICAM-1, VCAM-1) and thrombogenic state (e.g. thrombomodulin, tissue factor) markers were quantified using real-time RT-PCR. TNF -stimulation was used to examine their biologic reactivity. Results: HCBEC showed a stable endothelial phenotype. Relative expression levels of endothelial specific activation markers were unaffected by cell-to-SIC contact, but could be induced by TNF -stimulation. High expression levels of thrombomodulin and slight expression levels of tissue factor indicated a non-thrombogenic state. Microscopic analysis showed a nearly confluent endothelial monolayer on SIC and less adherent thrombocytes on endothelialized SIC compared to the blank ones. Conclusions: HCBEC seeded on SIC resulted in a non-activated and non-thrombogenic state while HCBEC maintained their biologic reactivity, as shown with TNF -stimulation. Endothelialization of SIC seems to improve haemocompatibility and may enhance long-term use of LVADsystems.
Decoding subjective decisions from orbitofrontal cortex

When making a subjective choice, the brain must compute a value for each option and compare those values to make a decision. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is critically involved in this process, but the neural mechanisms remain obscure, in part due to limitations in our ability to measure and control the internal deliberations that can alter the dynamics of the decision process. Here we tracked these dynamics by recovering temporally precise neural states from multidimensional data in OFC. During individual choices, OFC alternated between states associated with the value of two available options, with dynamics that predicted whether a subject would decide quickly or vacillate between the two alternatives. Ensembles of value-encoding neurons contributed to these states, with individual neurons shifting activity patterns as the network evaluated each option. Thus, the mechanism of subjective decision-making involves the dynamic activation of OFC states associated with each choice alternative.
Amanda Rockinson-Szapkiw and Lucinda Spaulding: Navigating the doctoral journey: a handbook of strategies for success

Navigating the Doctoral Journey: A Handbook of Strategies for Success (Rockinson-Szapkiw and Spaulding, 2014) offers current and potential graduate students and their professors vital guidelines and strategies for progressing through the doctoral journey. This book review will describe the contents of this new resources, as well as will point out some strengths and one weakness of this book. This text is both timely and practical and is a must read for doctoral students and their professors. Finally, given that the chapters were written by over 20 experts in their respective fields, the information presented is undoubtedly compelling.
Psychological Time Perspective Differences: A Look at Young Malaysians and Americans using the Fast Scale

Research was conducted on the psychological time perspectives of Malaysian and U.S. students to better understand the differences between the two groups and to provide the bases for a discussion of consumer behavior and future research implications. The “FAST” test, suggested by Settle and Alreck (1991), was the four dimensional measurement tool used. It was found that differences in psychological perspective exist in such areas as future/past orientation, sense of boredom, activity levels, need to plan/schedule and staying with a task until done. Consumer behavior and future research implications are offered.
CSF-1R inhibition attenuates renal and neuropsychiatric disease in murine lupus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease that can affect multiple end organs. Kidney and brain are two of the organs most commonly involved in SLE. Past studies have suggested the importance of macrophages in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). Furthermore, as the immune effectors of the brain, microglia have been implicated in pathways leading to neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE). We depleted macrophages and microglia using GW2580, a small colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) kinase inhibitor, in MRL-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice, a classic murine lupus model that displays features of both LN and NPSLE. Treatment was initiated before the onset of disease, and mice were followed for the development of LN and neurobehavioral dysfunction throughout the study. Treatment with GW2580 significantly ameliorated kidney disease, as evidenced by decreased proteinuria, BUN, and improved renal histopathology, despite equivalent levels of IgG and C3 deposition in the kidneys of treated and control mice. We were able to confirm macrophage depletion within the kidney via IBA-1 staining. Furthermore, we observed specific improvement in the depression-like behavioral deficit of MRL/lpr mice with GW2580 treatment. Circulating antibody and autoantibody levels were, however, not affected. These results provide additional support for the role of macrophages as a potentially valuable therapeutic target in SLE. Inhibiting CSF-1 receptor signaling would be more targeted than current immunosuppressive therapies, and may hold promise for the treatment of renal and neuropsychiatric end organ disease manifestations.
Ostomies in Trauma

Injuries to the colon represent a challenging and controversial facet of trauma surgery. Historically, diversion was considered to be the standard of care for all colon injuries. Recently, however, significant data have emerged that has demonstrated the safety of performing primary anastomoses after colonic injuries. This chapter reviews indications for performing a colostomy in injured patients. There are also unique anatomic and physiologic issues that surgeons must consider when performing a colostomy for trauma. Injured patients are more likely to require an “open abdomen” and are more likely to have devascularization secondary to blast effects or vessel trauma. These situations require special attention to diversion of fecal contents away from the open wound as well as accurate appreciation of the extent of devascularization. This chapter reviews the techniques for performing a colostomy that are germane to injured patients.
Review of New perspectives on the Study of Ser and Estar Edited by Isabel Pérez-Jiménez, Manuel Leonetti, and Silvia Gumiel-Molina. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins

This volume is the fifth in John Benjamins’ series Issues in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics. It contains 10 original contributions, in addition to an introduction by the editors. This volume is the first collection of papers devoted to Spanish copulas ser and estar using the tools and frameworks of contemporary theoretical linguistics.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin dysfunction and large artery stroke.

Ischemic stroke—that is, cerebral infarction causing stroke symptoms—is pathophysiologically and phenotypically heterogeneous. To address this heterogeneity, investigators have often chosen to study the genetics of ischemic stroke according to its less-heterogeneous phenotypes. Many systems have been developed and deployed for classifying ischemic stroke into subphenotypes. In pursuit of gene discovery, Malik et al. (1) in PNAS use the popular Trial of Org 10172 Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification system, which divides ischemic stroke into five main subphenotypes: large artery stroke (LAS), small artery stroke, cardioembolic stroke, stroke of undetermined etiology, and stroke of other defined etiology (rare causes, like arterial dissection). LAS remains a substantial public health problem. Population-based epidemiologic studies have shown that TOAST-defined LAS accounts for about 15% of all ischemic stroke cases (2). Patients with LAS tend to have poorer poststroke outcomes at 3 and 6 mo (3). In young and middle-aged stroke patients, LAS has the highest rates of recurrent stroke and death of any other stroke subtype (4). A patient with ischemic stroke is classified as having LAS if the cerebral infarct occurs in a perfusion zone distal to blood flow-restricting atherosclerotic stenosis and there is no obvious alternative explanation for the infarct like untreated atrial fibrillation. In medical practice, patients are diagnosed with LAS based on findings of infarction on computed tomography or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and findings of high-grade (>50% luminal reduction) stenosis on carotid ultrasonography, computed tomography angiography, MR angiography, or catheter-based angiography. Sources of potential cardioembolism are typically excluded based on findings of echocardiography and prolonged electrocardiography. Because of variability in the practice of evaluating patients with stroke and of interpreting test results, the reliability of diagnosing TOAST LAS is only modest. More elaborate web-based algorithmic approaches, like the Causative Classification of Stroke system that was used in the … [↵][1]1Email: Meschia.James{at}mayo.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Structure and properties of hydrogrossular mineral series

The hydrogrossular (HG) mineral series (Ca3Al2(SiO4)3-x(OH) 4x; 0 ≤ x ≤ 3) are water bearing minerals found in the upper part of the Earth's mantle and as well as on its surface. They are vital to the planet's hydrosphere under different hydrothermal conditions. The composition and structure of this mineral series are important in geoscience and share many commonalities with cement and clay materials. Other than the end members of the series grossular (x = 0) and katoite (x = 3) which have a cubic garnet structure, the structures of the intermediate members are totally unknown. We used large-scale ab initio modeling to investigate the structures and properties for HG series for x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3. Results indicate that for x > 0 and x < 3, the structures are tetragonal or nearly tetragonal, which partially justify that this garnet family is known to be cubic or pseudo-cubic. We also show that there are structural changes related to the disorder introduced with the composition mixing of SiO4 tetrahedra and AlO6 octahedra in the series. Based on the models constructed, the mechanical and interband optical properties of the HG series are calculated. For grossular and katoite, results are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The calculated electronic structure, total bond order explain the atomistic origin of the change in the compressibility of the series. Careful analysis of patterns of these results indicates that the series can be roughly divided into three regions: region I (x = 0 to 0.75), region II (x = 0.75 to 2.25) and region III (x = 2.25 to 3) with high, intermediate and low Si/H ratio respectively. We also point out the inappropriateness of using the ill-defined concept of treating O4H4 as a compressible structural unit in interpreting the structure and properties of HG series. Furthermore, the phonon spectra of grossular and katoite are calculated. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Single and Few-Layer MoS2: CVD Synthesis, Transference, and Photodetection Application

Two-dimensional layered materials, materials with weak out-of-plane van der Waals bonding and strong in-plane covalent bonding, have attracted special attention in recent years since the isolation and characterization of monolayer graphite, the graphene. The electrical bandgap in Transition Metal Di-Chalcogenides (TMDCs), non-existent in graphene, make them a good alternative family of materials for novel electronic and optoelectronic applications. 2H- MoS2, one of the most stable TMDCs, has been extensively studied, including the synthesis methods, and its potential applications in photodetection. The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis method has increased its potential over the years. The advantages of this method are scalability compared to micromechanical exfoliation, common process used in research laboratories, and the maintenance of the quality and intrinsic properties of the material compared to the liquid exfoliation methods. In this work, we synthesized high quality pristine 2H-MoS2 via atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) by vapor phase reaction of MoO3 and S powder precursors. The samples were characterized via Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and compared to mechanically exfoliated MoS2 crystal by measuring the full-width half maxima (FWHM) of monolayer and few-layer mesoscopic flakes. In addition, the CVD synthesized single and few-layered MoS2 domains were transferred to different substrates using a high yield process, including a flexible substrate, preserving the quality of the material. Finally, and mechanically exfoliated MoS2 two-terminal photodetector was designed, fabricated, and measured. Demonstrating thus the capability of heterostructure fabrication and the quality of our synthesis and device fabrication process.
Writing for Voters: How Electoral Competition Shapes Opinion Writing

One of the most pressing questions in the study of state judicial politics concerns the extent to which electoral considerations color judicial voting behavior. The electoral institutions and environments in states vary both across time and states and create differing incentives for judges to cultivate a personal vote. Relying on Nelson’s measure of electoral competition in judicial elections, I examine the extent to which judges’ opinion-writing behavior — in terms of the decision to dissent and the readability of judicial opinions — is affected by ballot rules and electoral competition. The results have important implications for judicial reform efforts nationwide.
Whither State Ownership? The Persistence of State-Owned Industry in Postsocialist Central and Eastern Europe

ABSTRACTAfter widespread privatization in the 1990s, the early 2000s witnessed the reemergence and consolidation of state owned industries in the postsocialist states of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). To counter views that state owned industries have largely disappeared from postsocialist CEE due to extensive privatization, the paper demonstrates the continued economic significance of state owned industries across the region. The paper then offers a typology of state-firm relations and highlights differences in empirical cases of large state-owned firms that have emerged in the region, distinguishing between market-oriented and politicized firms. Finally, the paper develops a comparative, macro-level processual analysis accounting for the institutional and political factors that explain why some postsocialist states have developed state-owned industries that operate successfully in competitive markets while others have developed highly politicized state-controlled firm. It finds that political factors ...
Fd-895 and Pladienolide B Inhibit mRNA Splicing and Induce Apoptosis in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract 3890 Alternative splicing plays a fundamental role in human biology and its relevance in cancer is rapidly emerging. Recent advances in oligonucleotide sequencing demonstrate that alternative splicing and gene mutations involved in the spliceosome can play a role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression in haematologic malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, there are few, if any, well-defined molecular probes that can be used to modulate splicing events in vitro or in vivo . As such, it is uncertain whether the spliceosome system can serve as a molecular target in cancer. We have addressed these questions using FD-895 and Pladienolide B, two bioactive polyketides that target the splicing factor SF3B. Primary leukemia cells from CLL patients were incubated with these two agents and the samples were analyzed for an early evidence of mRNA intron retention (splicing inhibition) and apoptosis. We observed that primary leukemia CLL cells incubated with FD-895 and Pladienolide B (10–1,000 nM) showed evidence of mRNA intron retention as early as 4 hours after incubation with increasing ratios of unspliced/spliced mRNA in several genes tested (DnaJ homolog subfamily B member 1, DNAJB1; RIO kinase 3, RIOK3 ; and X-box binding protein 1, XBP1 ). Contrary to that, neither Bendamustine (10–100 μM) nor Fludarabine (F-Ara-A, 10–100 μM) induced accumulation of unspliced mRNAs. CLL cells incubated with FD-895 and Pladienolide B (10–1,000 nM) underwent apoptosis with evidence of changes in mitochondrial transmembrane potential detected by DiOC6. Apoptosis was observed as early as 24 hours after incubation and required 3 2 hours of incubation with FD-895 and Pladienolide B. The IC50 for both agents was in the 100 nM range. Importantly, FD-895 and Pladienolide B both were able to induce apoptosis in CLL cells that were protected from spontaneous apoptosis using co-culture conditions with stromal cell support and despite the presence of high-risk prognostic factors such as ZAP-70 expression, unmutated IGHV and Del(17p), or the presence of SF3B1 mutation. In conclusion, we have shown for the first time that FD-895 and Pladienolide B induce early mRNA intron retention (splicing inhibition) in primary leukemia cells from patients with CLL and apoptosis at nanomolar concentrations in all patient samples tested (n=20). In vitro apoptosis was observed regardless of the presence of poor prognostic factors such as Del(17p) and SF3B1 mutations. In addition, the pro-apoptotic activity of FD-895 and Pladienolide B was present in CLL-stromal cell co-culture conditions that may resemble the protective tumor microenvironment. Our data presents evidence that the spliceosome system is a valid target in CLL and provides the rationale for the development of inhibitors that target this pathway. Disclosures: Kipps: Abbott: Consultancy, Research Funding.
Categorization in Neuroscience: Brain Response to Objects and Events

Abstract Neuroscientific methods have become an increasingly important influence on the study of cognitive processing. In this chapter, we look at how the study of patient populations in addition to neuroimaging techniques have been used to address basic questions about category knowledge. How does the brain represent category knowledge? What information is acquired during category learning? Why do people parse action streams into discrete events? We examine how neuroscience has shaped the way we ask and answer questions about category learning and representation. There may not be agreement about the answers, but neuroscientific methods have helped to make investigating the questions more interesting.
Amorphous Solid Dispersion of Epigallocatechin Gallate for Enhanced Physical Stability and Controlled Release

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been recognized as the most prominent green tea extract due to its healthy influences. The high instability and low bioavailability, however, strongly limit its utilization in food and drug industries. This work, for the first time, develops amorphous solid dispersion of EGCG to enhance its bioavailability and physical stability. Four commonly used polymeric excipients are found to be compatible with EGCG in water-dioxane mixtures via a stepwise mixing method aided by vigorous mechanical interference. The dispersions are successfully generated by lyophilization. The physical stability of the dispersions is significantly improved compared to pure amorphous EGCG in stress condition (elevated temperature and relative humidity) and simulated gastrointestinal tract environment. From the drug release tests, one of the dispersions, EGCG-Soluplus® 50:50 (w/w) shows a dissolution profile that only 50% EGCG is released in the first 20 min, and the remains are slowly released in 24 h. This sustained release profile may open up new possibilities to increase EGCG bioavailability via extending its elimination time in plasma.
Disks around merging binary black holes: From GW150914 to supermassive black holes.

NSF [PHY-1602536, PHY-1662211, PHY-1607449, OCI-1053575]; NASA [NNX13AH44G, 80NSSC17K0070, NNX16AR67G]; Simons foundation; National Science Foundation [OCI 07-25070]; state of Illinois
Health-care use and expenditures for children in special education with special health-care needs: is dual classification a marker for high use?

OBJECTIVES Children with special health-care needs are an important group for policy and research planning. Special education engages a group of children with increased utilization of services related to education. While increased service utilization in education or health-care settings is often used to classify children as having special needs, considerable heterogeneity exists within each group. The extent to which being identified in two functionally defined systems--special education and health care--relates to health-care utilization is unknown. We sought to determine health-care and mental health utilization and expenditures for children dually classified as receiving special education and having special health-care needs (SHCN) compared with those who only have SHCN, only are in special education, or don't fall into either category. METHODS A nationally representative sample of children aged 5-17 years from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey was used to compare mean health-care and mental health utilization and expenditures for the four groups. RESULTS Dually classified children had significantly higher mean utilization of health-care services than the other three groups (p < 0.05). Mean 12-month total health-care expenditures were highest for dually classified children ($3,891/year) (p < 0.05) and higher for children classified only as having SHCN ($1,426/year) than for children with neither classification ($644/year, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Children dually classified as receiving special education and having SHCN represent a subgroup of children with SHCN with high levels of health-care utilization and expenditures. This information can assist policy makers in identifying characteristics that place children at risk for very high expenditures, and in allocating health-care resources.
Idiopathic adrenal hypoplasia in children.

The cases of 10 patients with adrenal hypoplasia are reported, including two occurring in siblings; one in a monozygous twin with adrenal hypoplasia whose twin had adrenal glands of normal size; one in a trizygous triplet with adrenal hypoplasia, whose two siblings had no evidence of adrenal hypoplasia; and two in infants who were small for their gestational ages. Although all 10 infants had clinical signs consistent with adrenal insufficiency, this diagnosis was not made clinically in any case, and postmortem studies failed to provide anatomic evidence of adrenal insufficiency. Morphologically normal, but miniature, adrenal glands were found in nine of the ten patients.
Enzyme production by a fungoid marine protist, Thraustochytrium striatum.

Abstract Thraustochytrium striatum is a fungoid marine protist and was shown to be a promising enzyme producer for potential industrial applications. This research aimed at studying extracellular enzymes secreted by T. striatum under different conditions with specific objectives to qualitatively identify enzymes, quantify the cell growth and enzyme production, correlate enzyme production with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and examine the induction of enzyme by polysaccharide substrates. The qualitative analysis showed that T. striatum can produce at least seven extracellular enzymes including lipase and six polysaccharases (i.e., amylase, CMCase, xylanase, chitinase, pectinase, and κ-carrageenase). The carbon and nitrogen concentrations and salinity significantly affected the kinetics of enzyme production. T. striatum produced decent amount of polysaccharases at all conditions, but negligible lipase. Amylase was the predominant enzyme and reached the highest activity of 750 U/L with glucose = 30 g/L, nitrogen source = 6 g/L and salinity = 100% sea water. Enzymes appeared to correlate with the production and monosaccharide composition of EPS. Enzyme-specific polysaccharide substrates including starch, CMC, xylan, κ-carrageenan, pectin, and chitin did not induce the production of corresponding enzymes by T. striatum while carbon starvation condition resulted in comparable enzyme activities, which indicated that enzymes from T. striatum were constitutive.
Josiah Blackmore. Moorings: Portuguese Expansion and the Writing of Africa. U of Minnesota P, 2009.

Josiah Blackmore’s Moorings: Portuguese Expansion and the Writing of Africa deals with Portuguese textual constructions of African bodies from the first Portuguese incursions onto the continent in 1415 through the rounding of its southernmost tip by Vasco da Gama in 1497.
Robust Hierarchical Bayes Small Area Estimation for the Nested Error Linear Regression Model

Standard model‐based small area estimates perform poorly in presence of outliers. Sinha & Rao () developed robust frequentist predictors of small area means. In this article, we present a robust Bayesian method to handle outliers in unit‐level data by extending the nested error regression model. We consider a finite mixture of normal distributions for the unit‐level error to model outliers and produce noninformative Bayes predictors of small area means. Our modelling approach generalises that of Datta & Ghosh () under the normality assumption. Application of our method to a data set which is suspected to contain an outlier confirms this suspicion, correctly identifies the suspected outlier and produces robust predictors and posterior standard deviations of the small area means. Evaluation of several procedures including the M‐quantile method of Chambers & Tzavidis () via simulations shows that our proposed method is as good as other procedures in terms of bias, variability and coverage probability of confidence and credible intervals when there are no outliers. In the presence of outliers, while our method and Sinha–Rao method perform similarly, they improve over the other methods. This superior performance of our procedure shows its dual (Bayes and frequentist) dominance, which should make it attractive to all practitioners, Bayesians and frequentists, of small area estimation.
Parkinson’s Disease is Associated with Dysregulations of a Dopamine-Modulated Gene Network Relevant to Sleep and Affective Neurobehaviors in the Striatum

In addition to the characteristic motor symptoms, Parkinson’s disease (PD) often involves a constellation of sleep and mood symptoms. However, the mechanisms underlying these comorbidities are largely unknown. We have previously reconstructed gene networks in the striatum of a population of (C57BL/6J x A/J) F2 mice and associated the networks to sleep and affective phenotypes, providing a resource for integrated analyses to investigate perturbed sleep and affective functions at the gene network level. Combining this resource with PD-relevant transcriptomic datasets from humans and mice, we identified four networks that showed elevated gene expression in PD patients, including a circadian clock and mitotic network that was altered similarly in mouse models of PD. We then utilized multiple types of omics data from public databases and linked this gene network to postsynaptic dopamine signaling in the striatum, CDK1-modulated transcriptional regulation, and the genetic susceptibility of PD. These findings suggest that dopamine deficiency, a key aspect of PD pathology, perturbs a circadian/mitotic gene network in striatal neurons. Since the normal functions of this network were relevant to sleep and affective behaviors, these findings implicate that dysregulation of functional gene networks may be involved in the emergence of non-motor symptoms in PD. Our analyses present a framework for integrating multi-omics data from diverse sources in mice and humans to reveal insights into comorbid symptoms of complex diseases.
Global convergence or national variation? Examining national patterns of classroom instructional practices

ABSTRACTThe world culture framework posits a convergence in the organisation of education across the world. On the other hand, scholars observing teaching practices inside classrooms find significa...
Organic thin-film laser-excited electron sources

Laser-excited photoelectron emission from a variety of materials can provide modulated electron beams of high-current density and brightness. In applications such as lithography and in electron-beam devices where current density is important, the incident laser intensity at the emitter surface will be high, and the photocathode materials properties should be different from those needed, for example, in optical detectors. For process applications it is important that the electron source be unaffected by exposure to air. Thin films of organic materials on metallic substrates are attractive because they exhibit higher quantum yields than most metals, resist oxidation, and have intermediate electronic states which enhance two-photon photoelectric generation. Two-photon emission is interesting because chemically inert surfaces tend to have photoelectric threshold wavelengths below 300 nm, where simple continuous or high-repetition-rate lasers are not yet available. At the high-current (and power) densities required in several applications, use of a nonlinear emission mechanism may not pose additional problems, yet it permits use of more convenient laser wavelengths. The excited singlet or lowest triplet states of dye molecules can serve as the resonant intermediate level in such a process. Our calculations show that for a reasonable choice of parameters it should be possible to generate current densities in the 1–100-A/cm2 range by this method.
CYTOCHROME P-450 REDUCTION BY FMN-DEPLETED RAT LIVER NADPH-CYTOCHROME P-450 REDUCTASE RECONSTITUTED WITH ARTIFICIAL FLAVINS

When reduced with NADPH under anaerobic conditions, FMN-depleted NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase does not catalyze rapid electron transfer to P-450 LM . This activity is restored when the enzyme is reconstituted with FMN or a variety of artificial flavins, with the exception of 5-deaza-FMN. It was also found that the rate of P-450 LM 4 reduction by flavoprotein containing functional analogues such as 8-C1- and iso-FMN differs from that of the native enzyme. These and other results are consistent with a role for FMN in the transfer of electrons to oxidized P-450 LM via the reaction, FMNH 2 → FMNH.
Trait emotional experience in individuals with schizophrenia and youth at clinical high risk for psychosis

Background Disturbances in trait emotions are a predominant feature in schizophrenia. However, less is known about (a) differences in trait emotion across phases of the illness such as the clinical high-risk (CHR) phase and (b) whether abnormalities in trait emotion that are associated with negative symptoms are driven by primary (i.e. idiopathic) or secondary (e.g. depression, anxiety) factors. Aims To examine profiles of trait affective disturbance and their clinical correlates in individuals with schizophrenia and individuals at CHR for psychosis. Method In two studies (sample 1: 56 out-patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and 34 demographically matched individuals without schizophrenia (controls); sample 2: 50 individuals at CHR and 56 individuals not at CHR (controls)), participants completed self-report trait positive affect and negative affect questionnaires, clinical symptom interviews (positive, negative, disorganised, depression, anxiety) and community-based functional outcome measures. Results Both clinical groups reported lower levels of positive affect (specific to joy among individuals with schizophrenia) and higher levels of negative affect compared with controls. For individuals with schizophrenia, links were found between positive affect and negative symptoms (which remained after controlling for secondary factors) and between negative affect and positive symptoms. For individuals at CHR, links were found between both affect dimensions and both types of symptom (which were largely accounted for by secondary factors). Conclusions Both clinical groups showed some evidence of reduced trait positive affect and elevated trait negative affect, suggesting that increasing trait positive affect and reducing trait negative affect is an important treatment goal across both populations. Clinical correlates of these emotional abnormalities were more integrally linked to clinical symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia and more closely linked to secondary influences such as depression and anxiety in individuals at CHR. Declaration of interest None.
Cell surface–anchored serine proteases in cancer progression and metastasis

Over the last two decades, a novel subgroup of serine proteases, the cell surface-anchored serine proteases, has emerged as an important component of the human degradome, and several members have garnered significant attention for their roles in cancer progression and metastasis. A large body of literature describes that cell surface-anchored serine proteases are deregulated in cancer and that they contribute to both tumor formation and metastasis through diverse molecular mechanisms. The loss of precise regulation of cell surface-anchored serine protease expression and/or catalytic activity may be contributing to the etiology of several cancer types. There is therefore a strong impetus to understand the events that lead to deregulation at the gene and protein levels, how these precipitate in various stages of tumorigenesis, and whether targeting of selected proteases can lead to novel cancer intervention strategies. This review summarizes current knowledge about cell surface-anchored serine proteases and their role in cancer based on biochemical characterization, cell culture-based studies, expression studies, and in vivo experiments. Efforts to develop inhibitors to target cell surface-anchored serine proteases in cancer therapy will also be summarized.
S‐Nitrosoglutathione Reductase Null Mice Display Increased Brain Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Activity and Seizure Resistance in Hyperbaric Oxygen

An imbalance between glutamatergic and g-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synaptic transmission is associated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) induced seizures. Here we explored the impact of S-nitrosyla...
In situ and operando magnetic resonance imaging of electrochemical cells: A perspective

Abstract Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of electrochemical devices have become powerful tools for the in situ investigation of electrochemical processes. The techniques often take advantage of NMR’s nondestructive/noninvasive properties, its sensitivity to frequency shifts, internal interactions, and transport processes, as well as its ability to measure liquid phases and disordered materials. Here, we provide a perspective on recent work on in situ MRI of electrochemical devices, batteries and relevant model systems, and discuss their applications and promises in assessing device performance, and electrochemical processes in cells.
Abstract Constraints for Safe and Robust Robot Learning from Demonstration

My thesis research incorporates high-level abstract behavioral requirements, called â€˜conceptual constraintsâ€™, into the modeling processes of robot Learning from Demonstration (LfD) techniques. My most recent work introduces an LfD algorithm called Concept Constrained Learning from Demonstration. This algorithm encodes motion planning constraints as temporal Boolean operators that enforce high-level constraints over portions of the robot's motion plan during learned skill execution. This results in more easily trained, more robust, and safer learned skills. Future work will incorporate conceptual constraints into human-aware motion planning algorithms. Additionally, my research will investigate how these concept constrained algorithms and models are best incorporated into effective interfaces for end-users.
A graph-theoretic approach to identifying acoustic cues for speech sound categorization

Human speech contains a wide variety of acoustic cues that listeners must map onto distinct phoneme categories. The large amount of information contained in these cues contributes to listeners' remarkable ability to accurately recognize speech across a variety of contexts. However, these cues vary across talkers, both in terms of how specific cue values map onto different phonemes and in terms of which cues individual talkers use most consistently to signal specific phonological contrasts. This creates a challenge for models that aim to characterize the information used to recognize speech. How do we balance the need to account for variability in speech sounds across a wide range of talkers with the need to avoid overspecifying which acoustic cues describe the mapping from speech sounds onto phonological distinctions? We present an approach using tools from graph theory that addresses this issue by creating networks describing connections between individual talkers and acoustic cues and by identifying subgraphs within these networks. This allows us to reduce the space of possible acoustic cues that signal a given phoneme to a subset that still accounts for variability across talkers, simplifying the model and providing insights into which cues are most relevant for specific phonemes. Classifiers trained on the subset of cue dimensions identified in the subgraphs provide fits to listeners' categorization that are similar to those obtained for classifiers trained on all cue dimensions, demonstrating that the subgraphs capture the cues necessary to categorize speech sounds.
An Investigation into Training of Elementary and Secondary Level Teachers Regarding Presentation Skills

This research aimed to measure the drawbacks of in-service training Design for teachers at elementary and secondary levels in Punjab. The main objective of the study was to investigate whether training related to presentation skills is given to teachers or not. The population of the study consisted of all Trainers and Trainees (Teachers) at Elementary and Secondary level in Punjab. The sample of the study was comprised of 665 trainers and trainees and the sample for supplementary Questioners comprised of 621 trainers and trainees. Data was collected through Questioners. Two separate Questioners were developed for trainees and trainers and a supplementary Questionnaire was also prepared to address the remaining aspects related to disaster management, Computer skills, use of social media, and multigrade teaching. Three-Point scale was used for questionnaires and weightage was given as (1) Mostly (2) To Some Extent (3) Not at All. Chi-Square test was applied for Statistical analysis. The researcher personally visited the schools and distributed questionnaires among respondents. Data collected through research instruments were tabulated, analyzed, and was discussed. Rawalpindi and Gujranwala Divisions were selected for collection of data and the study was delimited to District Attock, Rawalpindi, and Gujranwala. This Research is fruitful for trainees and trainers as well as the administration of the Training Institutes. In the end, the Findings of the research show satisfactory results but most of the areas were neglected which needs to be addressed.
RAS suppression of PAR3 and its effects on SCC initiation and tissue architecture occurs independently of hyperplasia.

Proper epithelial development and homeostasis depends on strict control of oriented cell division. Current evidence shows that this process is regulated by intrinsic polarity factors and external spacial cues. Due to the lack of appropriate model system that can recapitulate skin's architecture, deregulation of spindle orientation in human epithelial carcinoma has never been investigated. Using an inducible model of human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), we demonstrate that RAS-dependent suppression of PAR3 accelerates epithelial disorganization during early tumorigenesis. Diminished PAR3 led to loss of E-cadherin mediated cell adhesion, which in turn contributed to misoriented cell division. Pharmacological inhibition of the MAPK pathway downstream of RAS activation reversed the defects in PAR3 expression, E-cadherin mediated cell adhesion and mitotic spindle orientation. Thus, temporal analysis of human neoplasia provides a powerful approach to study cellular and molecular transformations during early oncogenesis, which allowed identification of PAR3 as a critical regulator of tissue architecture during initial human SCC development.