cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An agent-based discrete event simulation approach for modeling large-scale disaster evacuation network

The need for appropriate evacuation strategies is always a daunting problem when confronted with a large-scale natural disaster. The challenge is to find a policy that maximizes the number of survivors and minimizes the total cost simultaneously under a set of resource and geographic constraints. We develop an agent-based discrete event simulation (ABDES) evacuation framework based on an embedded geographic information system (GIS) module to solve a network evacuation problem that involves multiple candidate shelters, multi-priorities evacuees and several vehicle types. The evacuation framework consists of three interacting components: a disaster scenario generator module, a GIS module for analyzing an evacuation network, and an ABDES module. We conduct experiments using the city of Galveston as an example. The evacuation framework offers insight to decision-makers about the number and location of shelters, allocation and assignment of evacuation vehicles, and distribution of relief resources that are required to complete a large-scale evacuation.
Resource Exchange in the Rhizosphere: Molecular Tools and the Microbial Perspective

The interface between living plant roots and soils (the rhizosphere) is a central commodities exchange, where organic carbon flux from roots fuels decomposers that, in turn, can make nutrients available to roots. This ongoing exchange operates in the path of vast, transpiration-driven water flow. How the spatio-temporal patterning in resource availability around plant roots affects rhizosphere community composition, activity, and nutrient cycling remains unknown. This review considers how molecular approaches contribute to the exploration of rhizosphere resource exchange, highlighting several recently developed methods linking microbial identity with substrate uptake and gene expression. In particular, strengths and weaknesses of genetically engineered bioreporters are discussed, because currently they alone provide in situ spatio-temporal information at scales of rhizosphere organisms. The soil spatial context is an emerging frontier in ecological soils research. We conclude with parallels linking empirical investigation in the rhizosphere with the quest for understanding general rhizosphere function in Earth’s diverse ecosystems.
Deriving oral assessment scales across different tests and rater groups

The purpose of this study is to derive the criteria/dimensions underlying learners' L2 oral ability scores across three tests: an oral interview, a narration and a read-aloud. A stimulus tape of 18 speech samples was presented to three native speaker rater groups for evaluation. The rater groups included teachers of Arabic as a foreign language in the USA, nonteaching Arabs residing in the USA for at least one year and nonteaching Arabs living in their home country (Lebanon). Each of the raters provided a holistic score for every speech sample. Holistic scores were analysed using the INDSCAL multidimensional scaling model. Results showed that the nonmetric three-dimensional solution provided a good fit to the data. Both regression and speech sample analyses were employed to identify those dimensions. Additionally, subject weights indicated that the three rater groups were emphasizing the three dimensions differentially, thus demon strating that native speaker groups with varied backgrounds perceive the L2...
The Role of Dreams in the Evolution of the Human Mind

This paper presents an evolutionary argument for the role of dreams in the development of human cognitive processes. While a theory by Revonsuo (2000) proposes that dreams allow for threat rehearsal and therefore provide an evolutionary advantage, the goal of this paper is to extend this argument by commenting on other fitness-enhancing aspects of dreams. Rather than a simple threat rehearsal mechanism, it is argued that dreams reflect a more general virtual rehearsal mechanism that is likely to play an important role in the development of human cognitive capacities. This paper draws on current work in cognitive neuroscience and philosophy of mind in developing the argument.
Analysis of mechanism of Nafion® conductivity change due to hot pressing treatment

In previous work, the authors observed that multiple hot-pressing cycles of Nafion 212 prior to Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) operation was found to result in significant performance gains. In order to further explore this effect, Nafion 212 samples were subjected to various thermal treatments and then to various analytical techniques in order to probe whether changes to the membrane contributed to these performance gains in a substantial way. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurement sought to validate that the treatment caused a proton conductivity change. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements were implemented to determine whether chemical changes in the membrane occurred. Results suggest that the hot pressing treatment causes a significant effect in the electrical properties of Nafion 212, however the physical change that occurs in the polymer is not chemical in nature. Further analysis attempts to support the idea that the change in proton conductivity is due to water channel reconfiguration in the membrane, activated by elevated temperature and compressive stress at the glass transition temperature of the Nafion 212.
p53 genes function to restrain mobile elements

Throughout the animal kingdom, p53 genes govern stress response networks by specifying adaptive transcriptional responses. The human member of this gene family is mutated in most cancers, but precisely how p53 functions to mediate tumor suppression is not well understood. Using Drosophila and zebrafish models, we show that p53 restricts retrotransposon activity and genetically interacts with components of the piRNA (piwi-interacting RNA) pathway. Furthermore, transposon eruptions occurring in the p53(-) germline were incited by meiotic recombination, and transcripts produced from these mobile elements accumulated in the germ plasm. In gene complementation studies, normal human p53 alleles suppressed transposons, but mutant p53 alleles from cancer patients could not. Consistent with these observations, we also found patterns of unrestrained retrotransposons in p53-driven mouse and human cancers. Furthermore, p53 status correlated with repressive chromatin marks in the 5' sequence of a synthetic LINE-1 element. Together, these observations indicate that ancestral functions of p53 operate through conserved mechanisms to contain retrotransposons. Since human p53 mutants are disabled for this activity, our findings raise the possibility that p53 mitigates oncogenic disease in part by restricting transposon mobility.
Considering Valuation of Noncognitive Skills in Benefit-Cost Analysis of Programs for Children

The prospect of improving “noncognitive” skills through intervention increases the need to understand how to represent them in evaluations. Economic assessment of such efforts rarely incorporates these factors, especially when a benefit-cost approach is employed. Programs targeting such skills are more likely to be assessed through approaches that do not monetize noncognitive ability (e.g., using cost-effectiveness analysis). This could lead to ineffective policy formulations in situations where policy is swayed toward programs that can show monetized effects. Benefit-cost analyses (BCAs) that are employed for programs that target noncognitive competencies currently may underestimate the true economic impact if such skills are left out of the equation. The limitations in valuing these skills impede thorough economic assessment for important and effective programs that target noncognitive competencies. This is especially the case for programs for younger children where readily monetized outcomes are few. The targeted outcomes in programs for children are often noncognitive skills, skills that are perceived as vital to healthy human development and valued by parents, teachers, and educators. In this paper, we review the state of valuation of key noncognitive skills that are often targeted in social policy intervention directed toward children in youth. We examine the state of valuation of noncognitive skills through a summary of the frameworks in research for characterizing noncognitive ability and by considering the measurement approaches for noncognitive skills in terms of origin (interpersonal versus intrapersonal) and measurement type (observed versus assessed). We review examples of recent BCAs that have employed shadow prices for certain noncognitive skills. Finally, we consider what research is necessary to facilitate valuation in BCA in the future. Shadow price methodology should be carried out in a rigorous manner that recognizes uncertainty in cost projections. Improved methodologies in this area will increase the potential for more comprehensive BCA in evaluations of programs for children and youth.
Discrete Metal Deposition on Hydrogen Terminated Silicon Surfaces: Kinetics, Morphologies and Sensor Applications

The presence of ultra-trace (as low as 1010 – 1013 atoms/cm2) quantities of metal contaminants on silicon substrates is well known to adversely affect the electrical properties of the silicon based microelectronic devices. In this paper, we report our most recent experimental findings on the trace metal deposition mechanisms and its interplays with silicon substrate surface properties at specific chemical environments. The emphases were on the deposition kinetics and morphology, especially at the early stage of metal out-plating process. For instance, our atomic force microscopy results revealed that the Cu deposition on H-Si(100) surface was dominated by nucleation of nanometer-sized Cu nuclei at the initial stage (less than 60 seconds). The growth of the existing Cu nuclei was suppressed for the initial nucleation period until all the nucleation sites were consumed. The number of nucleation sites were found to closely relate to wafer intrinsic properties and solution compositions. A novel sensor which provides direct detection of part-per-trillion level of metal ion impurities in wet cleaning solutions will also be presented.
Why A Compiler

The language APL presents a number of novel problems for a compiler writer: weak variable typing, run time changes in variable shape, and a host of primitive operations, among others. For this reason, many people have over time voiced the opinion that a compiler for the language was inherently impossible and that only an interpreter provided the necessary flexibility. One result of the APL compiler project described here is to cast a great deal of doubt on this position.
Assessing Residency Program Approaches to the Transgender Health CREOG Objective.

Abstract Purpose: The transgender population is a small yet distinctive portion of the gynecology patient population, requiring both primary care and specialty services. Recognizing the need for increased education, the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) developed objectives specific to the care of transgender patients. This study is to assess residency program directors' knowledge about the transgender health CREOG objectives, describe how objectives are being implemented in training programs, and identify what types of educational materials would be useful if available. Methods: In May 2014, an 11-item anonymous survey was sent through e-mail to all eligible program directors of accredited obstetrics and gynecology residency programs. The short questionnaire contained questions about program demographics, approach to training residents with regard to the CREOG objectives, and opinions on tools they would like to use to train their residents on the transgender CREOG object...
Oral lesions of interest to the prosthodontist: Part I. Denture stomatitis

Abstract A study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a number of different therapeutic regimens in the treatment of denture stomatitis. The therapeutic agents employed included 2 per cent amphotericin B in an adhesive base, a denture adhesive, a diluted sodium hypochlorite solution as a soaking medium, and 0.1 per cent triamcinolone acetonide in an adhesive base. Various of these regimens of drug therapy were found to be useful, where indicated, as adjunctive aids in the management of denture stomatitis. However, the administration of drug therapy is not intended to replace or supersede complete and thorough prosthetic dental care for patients with denture stomatitis. A thorough examination of the mouth as well as a complete evaluation of the dentures is a necessary prerequisite to any anticipated therapy. Laboratory procedures to ascertain the presence or absence of C. albicans organisms must also be considered essential in most instances of denture stomatitis. Finally, no single, specific drug therapy, arbitrarily selected, should be relied upon.
Effects of Gender and Acute Dental Pain on Thermal Pain Responses

Abstract:Objective:Considerable research suggests that females exhibit greater sensitivity to laboratory pain procedures than do males; however, whether the presence of acute clinical pain influences this sex difference in pain sensitivity has not been investigated. The present experiment investigat
ID: 23: LONG DELAY IN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS OF HNF1A-MODY IN THE US MONOGENIC DIABETES REGISTRY

Background Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is autosomal dominant, young-onset, non-insulin dependent diabetes accounting for 2% of diabetes cases and up to 10% before age 35 years. It is frequently misclassified as type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Genetic testing for accurate diagnosis is important to guide therapy and management decisions, which are distinct for the common types of MODY, and identifies affected family members who can benefit from genetic testing. HNF1A-MODY is the most common form worldwide and responds to low doses of sulfonylureas with equivalent or improved glycemic control as compared to insulin therapy. Aim Here we describe the US Monogenic Diabetes Registry HNF1A-MODY cohort, including phenotype, frequency and duration of diabetes misclassification, and treatment patterns. Results We currently follow 47 probands and 74 individuals with HNF1A-MODY. Current mean age of probands and the entire cohort is 31.5 years and 33.2 years, respectively. Mean age at diabetes diagnosis was 16.9 years for probands and 18.0 years for the entire cohort. 89% of probands were diagnosed with diabetes Conclusions The clinical features of MODY have been formally described since the early 1970s with gene causes discovered starting in 1992. However, MODY frequently goes unrecognized. In our cohort, most probands were misclassified for years prior to referral for genetic testing for accurate diagnosis. Sulfonylureas are the established first-line therapy for HNF1A-MODY. A large percentage of subjects were treated with insulin prior to diagnosis with subsequent initiation of sulfonylureas or other insulin secretagogues in 79% of those with current treatment data. The duration of diabetes misclassification coupled with frequent insulin use prior to accurate genetic diagnosis in our HNF1A-MODY cohort underscore the need to increase recognition of MODY among providers.
Look Backwards But Live Forwards.

In 1843, in his journals, the Danish theologian Soren Kierkegaard reflected: “It is perfectly true, as the philosophers say, that life must be understood backwards. But they forget the other proposition, that it must be lived forwards” [(1)][1]. Applied to medicine, this statement asserts an
178 CHARACTERIZATION OF METABOLIC SYNDROME BY APOLIPOPROTEIN-DEFINED LIPOPROTEIN SUBCLASSES.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to characterize dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome by apolipoprotein-defined apoA-I- and apoB-containing lipoprotein subclasses in addition to the traditional lipid profile. Background Metabolic syndrome is usually defined as a cluster of metabolic risk factors, including abdominal obesity, raised blood pressure, elevated glucose, prothrombotic and proinflammatory states, and atherogenic dyslipidemia. This constellation of metabolic abnormalities is associated with a significantly increased risk of coronary vascular disease. The atherogenic dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome has been characterized by increased levels of triglycerides and small dense LDL and decreased levels of HDL. To identify the chemical nature of potentially atherogenic triglyceride-rich lipoprotein(s) and that of cardioprotective HDL, we studied apolipoprotein-defined apoA-I- and apoB-containing lipoprotein subclasses. Methods We compared 32 patients with metabolic syndrome (WHO criteria) and type 2 diabetes with 40 healthy controls. Two major apolipoprotein-defined apoA-I-containing subclasses, LpA-I and LpA-I:A-II, were determined by a differential electroimmunoassay, while the major apoB-containing lipoprotein subclasses, including cholesterol-rich Lp-B and LpB:E and triglyceride-rich LpB:C, LpB:C:E, and LpA-II:B:C:D:E, were determined sequential immunoprecipitation. Results As expected, the metabolic syndrome was characterized by increased triglycerides and VLDL-C (p Conclusions Increased LpB:C, LpA-II:B:C:D:E, apoC-III, and apoC-III-HP are potentially atherogenic characteristic features of the dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome. It remains to be determined whether these abnormalities are also characteristic of metabolic syndrome in nondiabetic subjects.
The Development of a Disposition for Reflective Practice

The role of teacher preparation programs is to ensure that candidates are well prepared in the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to be effective in the classroom. While skills and knowledge in the field of education are fairly easy to define, cultivate, and assess, dispositions have consistently been difficult to define. In a research study on dispositions in teacher education conducted by Almerico, Johnson, Henriott, and Shapiro in 2011, it was identified that dispositions related to effective teaching have been defined in a number of ways over the years.
Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power: To “produce a union of the powers of the whole”: Jefferson's Transformation of the Appointment and Removal Powers

Jefferson described his election as a revolution, but his First Inaugural showed that elections, in place of revolutions, would provide the means for determining the majority will. More than any of his contemporaries, Jefferson perceived that the president would come to embody the majority by way of the presidential election. Thus Jefferson advocated a term limit for presidents in order to maximize the opportunities for presidents to lead constitutional majorities. And thus Jefferson invented the inaugural address as a practical means by which the principles of constitutional majorities may be enunciated. The first test of Jefferson's declaration of principles was the appointment and removal powers. Because 1800 was the first transfer of power, the meaning of that election would most immediately turn on the way Jefferson distributed executive offices. Scholars have long recognized that Jefferson should share some of the credit, normally reserved for Andrew Jackson, for inventing the spoils system, in which the victorious party distributes offices to its members. By refusing to acknowledge John Adams's “midnight appointments,” eliminating offices in the military and judiciary, forcing resignations, removing those who would not resign, and by appointing fellow partisans to theses offices, Jefferson brought the Revolution of 1800 to the bureaucracy. Again, instead of shunning executive power, Jefferson embraced it. What scholars have not appreciated fully enough, however, is the extent to which Jefferson's argument for the removal power was based on his plan for executive power.
Perspective: Ultracold molecules and the dawn of cold controlled chemistry

Ultracold molecules offer unprecedented opportunities for the controlled interrogation of molecular events, including chemical reactivity in the ultimate quantum regime. The proliferation of methods to create, cool, and confine them has allowed the investigation of a diverse array of molecular systems and chemical reactions at temperatures where only a single partial wave contributes. Here we present a brief account of recent progress on the experimental and theoretical fronts on cold and ultracold molecules and the opportunities and challenges they provide for a fundamental understanding of bimolecular chemical reaction dynamics.
Using hyperentanglement to enhance resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and measurement time

A hyperentanglement-based atmospheric imaging/detection system involving only a signal and an ancilla photon will be considered for optical and infrared frequencies. Only the signal photon will propagate in the atmosphere and its loss will be classical. The ancilla photon will remain within the sensor experiencing low loss. Closed form expressions for the wave function, normalization, density operator, reduced density operator, symmetrized logarithmic derivative, quantum Fisher information, quantum Cramer–Rao lower bound, coincidence probabilities, probability of detection, probability of false alarm, probability of error after M measurements, signal-to-noise ratio, quantum Chernoff bound, time-on-target expressions related to probability of error, and resolution will be provided. The effect of noise in every mode will be included as well as loss. The system will provide the basic design for an imaging/detection system functioning at optical or infrared frequencies that offers better than classical angular and range resolution. Optimization for enhanced resolution will be included. The signal-to-noise ratio will be increased by a factor equal to the number of modes employed during the hyperentanglement process. Likewise, the measurement time can be reduced by the same factor. The hyperentanglement generator will typically make use of entanglement in polarization, energy-time, orbital angular momentum and so on. Mathematical results will be provided describing the system’s performance as a function of loss mechanisms and noise.
Brain and Emotion

Progress in understanding the relation between brain profiles and emotions is being slowed by the belief in a collection of basic emotional states, with the names: fear, anger, joy, disgust, and sa...
Collapse Response and Design of Deep Steel Columns Subjected to Lateral Displacement

AbstractRecent experimental and computational studies have shown that the inelastic behavior of deep steel columns, where the cross-section depth is substantially greater than the flange width, is ...
Small hepatocellular carcinomas displayed as a ring enhancing mass on arterial phase MRI in the chronically diseased liver.

Aim To assess the prevalence of arterial phase (AP) ring-enhancing small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); detail additional MRI features that enable HCC diagnosis; and examine arterial timing as one possible cause of this appearance. Materials and methods Patients undergoing HCC screening with both computed tomography (CT) and MRI within 40 days were examined at a single institution over a 7- year time period ending in 2013. From this initial group, small (1–3 cm), (AP) ring-enhancing HCC on MRI were studied. Results From the initial group of 64 patients with 129 HCC, 20 patients with 78 HCCs had a small diameter with 32 (41%) having an AP ring at MRI. The mean age of this latter group was 63-years old, with the average tumour diameter of 1.9 cm. Histopathology and secondary imaging supported a diagnosis of HCC in 20 (100%) patients and 31 (97%) lesions. Most of the ringed lesions had early AP timing. Conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence (41%) of small, AP ring HCC with MRI. The use of other MRI sequences adds support in making the proper diagnosis with this appearance. Early AP timing may help create this pattern.
Outpatient Clinical Information Systems

An increasing amount of care is being delivered in the outpatient setting, and this care is increasingly complex. To meet these demands, full-featured electronic health record (EHR) systems are now commonly used in outpatient settings throughout the world in economically developed countries. Common features of outpatient systems include coded lists of patients’ medications, problems and allergies, electronic prescribing, tools for reviewing and tracking laboratory test results, and systems for clinical documentation and clinical decision support. The picture of benefits from outpatient EHRs is still emerging, but such systems hold promise for improving quality and safety, reducing costs, and improving access to information for physicians and patients.
Scalable Fabrication of Supercapacitors by Nozzle-Free Electrospinning

Nozzle-free electrospinning was investigated as a facile technique for producing nanoscale materials for supercapacitors. MnO2 nanofibers and their composites with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized in a single step, using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Mn(CH3COO)2·4H2O as starting materials, followed up by heat treatment in ambient air. Nanofibers of relatively uniform diameter were produced at high rates. The nanofibers exhibited good electrical contact between MnO2 and MWCNT without degradation, which was attributed to the improved stability of MWCNTs in PVP solutions. Electrochemical testing of the composites demonstrated a high capacitance of 1.43 F cm–2 at a scan rate of 100 mV s–1 in the three-electrode tests. Electrodes and devices produced by nozzle-free electrospinning are promising for practical energy storage applications.
Unique Within-Network Functional Connections Characterize Memory and Information Processing Speed in Multiple Sclerosis (P4.346)

Objective: To identify within-network patterns of functional connectivity (FC) uniquely related to memory and information processing speed. Background: Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), with memory (MEM) and information processing speed (SPEED) most affected. Altered functional connectivity (FC) has been observed in MS, although its relationship to cognitive impairment is poorly understood. Prior work has considered cognition in a non-specific (e.g., “4 impaired of 9 tests”) way. We examined FC within four primary brain networks to identify topographic patterns distinguishing MEM from SPEED. Design/Methods: 58 MS patients served. Latent variables of MEM (Selective Reminding Test, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test), and SPEED (Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Stroop, Trails) were derived using age-based z-scores and controlling for age, education, IQ. Resting-BOLD was acquired in a 3.0T scanner and registered to 3D T1-weighted images. FC was calculated as timeseries correlations computed across 264 pre-selected regions. Univariate analyses of pairwise connectivity were conducted separately for MEM and SPEED to identify pairs within each of four primary brain networks whose mutual temporal correlation was in turn correlated with either MEM or SPEED. Subsets of locations investigated corresponded to default mode, salience, attention, frontoparietal resting-state networks. Permutation tests with 1,000 iterations were run to identify region-pairs whose connectivity displayed a difference in correlation between MEM and SPEED. Results: Within each of the four networks, distinct patterns of significantly correlated pairs were found for SPEED and MEM, although the robustness of these findings must be tested/replicated in larger samples. Conclusions: FC studies in MS have neglected cognitive specificity, potentially conflating memory and speed impairments. Here, distinct FC patterns within four primary networks characterized memory and processing speed. Identifying key network nodes underlying speed and memory functions in MS is a first step towards establishing specificity of brain network configurations, and may provide novel treatment targets/outcome variables for cognitive interventions. Study Supported by: Funding for this work was provided in part by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (G-1508-05892 to VML) and by the National Institutes of Health (R00 HD060765 NICHD to JFS). Disclosure: Dr. Leavitt has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sumowski has nothing to disclose. Dr. Habeck has nothing to disclose.
The impact of combined degradations: Intelligibility of disordered speech in noise

In the current study, the intelligibility of dysarthric speech in background noise was determined. Speech-shaped noise was mixed with neurologically healthy (control) and disordered (dysarthric) speech at a series of signal-to-noise ratios. In addition, bandpass filtered control and dysarthric speech conditions were assessed to determine the effect of noise on both naturally and artificially degraded speech. Both the amount of noise and type of speech significantly impacted intelligibility, but there was no interaction between the two factors. Thus, it appears that there is no differential effect of noise on dysarthric speech relative to control speech. Despite this lack of interaction, it is important to note that the intelligibility of dysarthric speech was substantially lower than the intelligibility of control speech at each of the signal-to-noise ratios. This supports the idea that patients with dysarthria and their communication partners should be advised to select a favorable listening environment for communication. Lastly, large-scale online crowdsourcing via Amazon Mechanical Turk was utilized to collect data for the current study. Findings and implications for this data collection approach will be discussed.
Modification and Spin Labeling Studies of Membrane Bioenergetics

We are using chemical modification techniques, alone and in combination with nitroxide spin probes, to study biological energy converters, emphasizing light-energized systems with relatively simple structures. The principal research objective is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of energy conversion by photocatalysts. Bacteriorhodopsin (BR) has been the primary focus of our research program; but recently we initiated some studies with bacterial chromatophores, which contain only photosystem I, but not the water-splitting photosystem II of higher plants.
Acoustic Blind Deconvolution in Uncertain Shallow Ocean Environments

Abstract : The overall long-term goal for this project is to develop engineering tools that are useful to the Navy as it operates in uncertain, partially-known, or unknown ocean environments. During the last year, this project has focused on further determining the utility of a time-reversal-based technique for blind deconvolution of recorded sounds broadcast by a remote source with emphasis on determining if and how the results might be used for tracking and identification of remote sources in poorly known or unknown ocean waveguide environments. The long term goals of this project since are: 1) to determine the effectiveness of artificial time reversal (ATR) for the purposes of blind deconvolution in noisy unknown ocean sound channels, 2) to effectively apply ATR to marine mammal sounds recorded in the ocean with vertical and/or horizontal arrays, and 3) to utilize the ATR-corrected signals and ocean-sound-channel impulse response estimates to identify and track individual marine mammals (or other sound sources of interest). Since early 2009 this project has focused on developing an acoustic-ray-based version of artificial time reversal (ATR), a technique for recovering the original signal and the source-to-array impulse response for a remote unknown sound source in an unknown ocean waveguide. The specific objectives are to: a) determine the signal-to-noise, array size, and array element number limitations of ATR via acoustic propagation simulations, b) verify these findings with simple airborne-sound laboratory experiments involving multiple microphones and several ray paths, c) obtain and process at-sea array recordings of remote-but-cooperative sound sources, and d) obtain and process marine mammal vocalizations for the purposes of marine mammal tracking and identification. This research effort extends the past mode-based version of ATR to higher frequencies and smaller receiving arrays, and will identify its capabilities and limitations.
Virology and Immunology of Bats

Bats harbor many pathogens of veterinary and human health concern, including several emerging and reemerging viruses such as lyssaviruses, filoviruses, henipaviruses, and SARS-like coronaviruses. Despite immune responses to these viruses, many bats remain infected without disease and likely shed virus to other bats and mammals. Little is known about bat immune systems or how the immune responses of bats control infections. The recent characterization of genome and transcriptome sequences of several bat species suggests they are similar to other mammals. These data indicate that bats possess orthologous genes, antibodies, and cells involved in innate and adaptive immune responses as do other mammals, but bats likely evolved unique mechanisms for controlling viruses that cause disease in other species. It is unclear how these diseases affect bat ecology, and thus, a greater understanding of immunology and infection is needed to understand health impact on bats.
Association of race, reproductive factors, and lifestyle factors with tumor subtype defined by Oncotype DX recurrence score.

e13581Background: A variety of patient factors have been shown to affect breast cancer risk and prognosis. Recent studies have suggested that these factors may also be associated with quantitative ...
A Model for Flexibility Analysis of RESS with Electric Energy Storage and Reserve

To address continuously varying operating conditions in a power system with intermittent energy sources, the system should demonstrate certain level of flexibility. This paper identifies the parameters affecting flexibility in a power system and proposes an optimization model to study various impacts of these parameters. In this regard, storage, as one solution to increase flexibility, is being installed in FLEXITRANSTORE project, funded by European Commission under Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The model incorporates electric energy storage, variable energy resources and their curtailment, active demand response and load shedding scheme as well as operational reserve and market. Moreover, system limits such as voltage angle and transmission constraints are considered in obtaining the optimal system-oriented solutions. Additionally, a novel flexibility index (FLEXIN) is designed to translate the benefits from deploying various products for the system and society. The model is studied under different scenarios and tested on a modified IEEE 24-bus test system. The results show the advantages of the model and the index with respect to current state-of-the-art models as well as its capability in addressing current challenges of providing enough flexibility.
The TMEM106B rs1990621 protective variant is also associated with increased neuronal proportion

Background: In previous studies, we observed decreased neuronal and increased astrocyte proportions in AD cases in parietal brain cortex by using a deconvolution method for bulk RNA-seq. These findings suggested that genetic risk factors associated with AD etiology have a specific effect in the cellular composition of AD brains. The goal of this study is to investigate if there are genetic determinants for brain cell compositions. Methods: Using cell type composition inferred from transcriptome as a disease status proxy, we performed cell type association analysis to identify novel loci related to cellular population changes in disease cohort. We imputed and merged genotyping data from seven studies in total of 1,669 samples and derived major CNS cell type proportions from cortical RNAseq data. We also inferred RNA transcript integrity number (TIN) to account for RNA quality variances. The model we performed in the analysis was: normalized neuronal proportion ~ SNP + Age + Gender + PC1 + PC2 + median TIN. Results: A variant rs1990621 located in the TMEM106B gene region was significantly associated with neuronal proportion (p=6.40x10-07) and replicated in an independent dataset. The association became more significant as we combined both discovery and replication datasets in multi-tissue meta-analysis (p=9.42x10-09) and joint analysis (p=7.66x10-10). This variant is in high LD with rs1990622 (r2 = 0.98) which was previously identified as a protective variant in FTD cohorts. Further analyses indicated that this variant is associated with increased neuronal proportion in participants with neurodegenerative disorders, not only in AD cohort but also in cognitive normal elderly cohort. However, this effect was not observed in a younger schizophrenia cohort with a mean age of death < 65. The second most significant loci for neuron proportion was APOE, which suggested that using neuronal proportion as an informative endophenotype could help identify loci associated with neurodegeneration. Conclusion: This result suggested a common pathway involving TMEM106B shared by aging groups in the present or absence of neurodegenerative pathology may contribute to cognitive preservation and neuronal protection.
A Machine Learning Algorithm to Estimate Sarcopenia on Abdominal CT.

Rationale and Objectives To assess whether a fully-automated deep learning system can accurately detect and analyze truncal musculature at multiple lumbar vertebral levels and muscle groupings on abdominal CT for potential use in the detection of central sarcopenia. Materials and Methods A computer system for automated segmentation of truncal musculature groups was designed and created. Abdominal CT scans of 102 sequential patients (mean age 68 years, range 59–81 years; 53 women, 49 men) conducted between January 2015 and February 2015 were assembled as a data set. Truncal musculature was manually segmented on axial CT images at multiple lumbar vertebral levels as reference standard data, divided into training and testing subsets, and analyzed by the system. Dice similarity coefficients were calculated to evaluate system performance. IRB approval was obtained, with waiver of informed consent in this retrospective study. Results System performance as gauged by the Dice coefficients, for detecting the total abdominal muscle cross-section at the level of the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae, were, respectively, 0.953 ± 0.015 and 0.953 ± 0.011 for the training set, and 0.938 ± 0.028 and 0.940 ± 0.026 for the testing set. Dice coefficients for detecting total psoas muscle cross-section at the level of the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae, were, respectively, 0.942 ± 0.040 and 0.951 ± 0.037 for the training set, and 0.939 ± 0.028 and 0.946 ± 0.032 for the testing set. Conclusion This system fully-automatically and accurately segments multiple muscle groups at all lumbar spine levels on abdominal CT for detection of sarcopenia.
21st Century Workforce Initiatives: Implications for Information Literacy Instruction in Academic Libraries

The discussion that follows is designed to expose the reader to a selection of educational reform initiatives that fall under the “21st Century Workforce” umbrella. The aims of these initiatives are quite harmonious with the overarching goals of librarianship and the opportunities for librarians to become involved and to demonstrate leadership in this arena are plentiful. The author’s efforts to incorporate information literacy principles and to encourage critical thinking in a graduate level organizational behavior class – in light of these initiatives and in response to employer feedback – are also discussed. It is hoped that the following information will inspire librarians to explore the initiatives further and to re-examine current information literacy and instruction efforts within this larger framework.
Land, Technological Triumphalism and Planetary Limits: Revisiting Human-Land Affinity

In the era of Anthropocene, we humanists need to interact with social and natural scientists in a joint effort to curtail the rise of technological supremacy derived from Western modernism. In this chapter, I examine the Chinese policy of “cash changeover” (bianxian), that is, using a computation formula to convert local environments into monetary assets and sell a portion of the resources to fund local industrial projects for fast-track revenue. I critique the notion that one can go selling land-based resources as if they were movable items of one’s belonging and consume them at peril, while I strive to reenchant a notion of the traditional Chinese ethics, “human-land affinity” (rendi qihe) so that humans can cohabit the lands with nonhuman life forms in harmony.
The use of epidemiology, scientific data, and regulatory authority to determine risk factors in cancers of some organs of the digestive system. 6. Pancreatic cancer.

The etiology of pancreatic cancer remains elusive. It predominates in males and in certain ethnic populations (i.e., Polynesians and blacks). Primarily a disease of aging, it is rare in individuals under 40. Genetics is believed to play a very small part if any. While diabetics have higher than expected incidence and mortality rates, several recent studies have indicated that in most cases the diabetes is an early sign of pancreatic cancer rather than a predisposing condition. Other conditions have been infrequently reported in association with pancreatic cancer. None of them have shown a definitive associative pattern and are believed to represent coincidental occurrences. Migrant studies of Japanese immigrants implicate some type of environmental etiology, since pancreatic cancer rates increase dramatically within one to two generations. Studies on atom bomb survivors have demonstrated no link between a single intense dose of radiation and subsequent development of this disease. Workers exposed to low-level radiation have shown an increase in pancreatic cancer, but this result may reflect methodologic problems. Many chemicals have been shown to cause pancreatic cancer in animals, and chemists exhibit higher pancreatic cancer rates than expected. However, the human cases have not been traced to any specific chemical. Many other occupations besides chemistry have shown increased pancreatic cancer rates, but the common factor in these occupations is not obvious. Studies analyzing the relationship of alcohol consumption to pancreatic cancer yield conflicting results. This may be explained if the observed effects are due to a confounder, such as cigarette smoking; to an ingredient other than alcohol contained in alcoholic beverages, such as nitrosamines; or to the immunosuppressive effects of chronic excessive alcohol consumption. Smoking is the risk factor showing the most definitive and consistent results. There is little doubt that it plays an etiologic role, and it probably accounts for the higher incidence of the disease in males. Most other research does not support MacMahon's reported association between coffee drinking and pancreatic cancer. Recent studies have indicated a generally increased fluid intake in pancreatic cancer patients due to a disease-induced disturbance in glucose tolerance function. Such increased fluid intake would tend to manifest itself in the most popular beverage of the country (i.e., coffee in the United States and tea in the United Kingdom). Animal studies have indicated a link between pancreatic cancer and high fat and/or high protein diets as well as raw soybean consumption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Evaluation and management of the lateral marginal vein in Klippel-Trénaunay and other PIK3CA-related overgrowth syndromes.

Abstract The lateral marginal vein is an anomalous clinical entity found in association with Klippel-Trenaunay and other PIK3CA-related overgrowth syndromes. Although it is reported to affect
Questioning the regressivity of tobacco taxes: a distributional accounting impact model of increased tobacco taxation.

Background Tobacco taxes, as with other ‘sin taxes’, are generally regarded as a highly cost-effective mechanism to reduce consumption but are often considered by policymakers to be regressive, undermining efforts to fully implement them at levels recommended by the WHO due to concerns of fairness. We aim to demonstrate whether there are circumstances in which the impacts of additional tobacco taxes are not regressive, using a standard income-share accounting definition of tax burden. Methods and findings We apply mathematical modelling and explore the hypothetical distributions in the net change in tobacco taxes and cigarette expenditures by income group, following an increase in tobacco taxation. The hypothetical distribution per income group of additional taxes and cigarette expenditures borne by individuals following tobacco tax hikes was calculated with respect to a selection of parameters including: the change in the retail price of cigarettes, the price elasticity of demand for tobacco, smoking prevalence, cigarette consumption and individual income. We determine the range of hypothetical parameter values for which increased tobacco taxation should not be considered to penalise the poorest income groups when examining marginal cigarette consumption expenditures and using an accounting definition of tax burden. Conclusions Our findings question the doctrine that tobacco taxes are uniformly regressive from a standard income-share accounting view and point to the importance of the specific features of tax policy to shape a progressive approach to tobacco taxation: tobacco tax increases are less likely to be regressive when accompanied by a broad framework of demand-side measures that enhance the capacity of low-income smokers to quit tobacco use.
"I Hesitate but I Do Have Hope": Youth Speculative Civic Literacies for Troubled Times.

In this essay, Nicole Mirra and Antero Garcia explore how young people from six demographically distinct communities across the United States understand the social and political issues affecting th...
The Rise of Fintech - Foreword

This foreword introduces "The Rise of Fintech," a series of essays published in a symposium issue of the Washington University Journal of Law & Policy. The contributions examine the structure of firms and markets, considering fintech activities occurring within existing firms and regulatory perimeters and activities that spill over the boundaries we currently take for granted. The contributors examine the emerging regulatory responses to fintech, taxonomizing them. They consider which regulatory approaches, or ecosystems, will best help fintech to develop. They examine how fintech applies to fundraising, examining initial coin offerings (ICOs) and equity crowdfunding, techniques that attract attention for different reasons – ICOs because they occur so frequently beyond existing regulatory perimeters when they should not and equity crowdfunding because it occurs so infrequently despite enjoying regulatory accommodations. The authors also examine the promise and limits of “smart” contracts in consumer finance.