cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct observation of taut tie molecules in high‐strength polyethylene fibers by Raman spectroscopy

The Raman spectra of four gel-spun high-strength polyethylene fibers were recorded as a function of stress, with detailed study of the 1063 cm−1 band. The change in the peak position of this band was linear at low stresses, but there was little change at high stresses. The center of mass of the band moved linearly with stress until fracture, and the shift per unit stress was almost the same for all the fibers studied at 4.0 ± 0.5 cm−1/GPa. The line shape is symmetric at low stresses, and the full width at half maximum increases with stress. When plastic deformation begins the band develops a broad low intensity tail extending to 1000 cm−1. This corresponds to stresses of up to 15 GPa, and the tail contains up to 18% of the band intensity when the maximum stress is applied. Equivalent wide-angle x-ray studies showed no such tail, so the highly stressed material is not crystalline, although it must be in the all-trans form to contribute to the Raman peak. Such load-bearing extended-chain-disordered material is described as taut tie molecules. The amount is much larger than that usually derived from mechanical modelling, it is essentially all the amorphous material if the DSC crystallinity of 85% is correct. It is thought to be interfibrillar, stressed when fibrils slide past each other in creep. On unloading the fiber, the band became more symmetrical again but did not always return to its initial position at zero stress. The peak moved to a wave number greater than its initial value on unloading and then over time relaxed to its original value. Thus tensile stresses in the disordered material, balanced by compression in the crystals, are slow to relax. Lower molecular weight fibers (Mn = 8 × 105) had small anelastic effects, probably because they relaxed within the time of the experiment.
Scanning Electron Microscopy of the Egg of Aedes &Protomacleaya& triseriatus &Diptera: Culicidae&

The egg of Aedes triseriatus (Say) is described with the aid of scanning electron micrographs. The egg is dull black, very broadly cigar shaped, and slightly tapered posteriorly. The length is about 681 microns and the width about 202 microns. On the ventral surface, the irregularly pentagonal or hexagonal outer chorionic cells are about as long as wide and are bounded by the greatly elevated walls of the chorionic reticulum. Each cell has usually one (occasionally two or three) large tubercles set in the cell corners, abutted against the reticulum wall. On the dorsal surface, the chorionic cells are different in structure, each filled by a large, smooth domed tubercle. The micropylar collar is continuous (without gaps), and the micropylar disk is especially clearly defined and has a raised outer margin.
Legal Penalties and Audit Quality: An Experimental Investigation*

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of legal penalties on audit quality under different legal regimes. We investigate whether audit quality is affected differentially due to the complexity inherent in legal regimes and the frequency of imposing legal penalties. Economic theory predicts that players adopt equilibrium strategies that reflect the expectation that a penalty will be incurred, but the actual occurrences of penalties, if consistent with this expectation, should not prompt an individual to modify his or her strategy. However, learning theory suggests that players' choices will be repeated in the future based on outcomes. We found that penalties triggered both increases and decreases in effort, and seemed to introduce a “shock” that increased the variability of effort. We also observed a “funnel” effect — that is. greater changes in effort closer to the imposition of penalties, and smaller changes as more periods go by without a penalty.
The Role of Explicit Information in Instructed SLA: An On-Line Study with Processing Instruction and German Accusative Case Inflections.

The present study reports the findings of an experiment on the effects of explicit information on the learning of German case markings. Fifty-nine learners of first- and second-year German received computer-based processing instruction on German accusative case marking and word order. These learners were divided into two groups: one received explicit information on the nature and form of case marking in German prior to the treatment, and one group did not. We measured the effects of explicit information by tracking correct responses on the computer as participants made their way through the activities. Analyses revealed that explicit information had an effect: those who received explicit information began to correctly respond to stimulus sentences (i.e., began to correctly indicate who did what to whom) sooner than those who did not. These results contradict previous research and suggest a hidden role for explicit information within processing instruction.
Transforming growth factor-beta 1 delivery from microporous scaffolds decreases inflammation post-implant and enhances function of transplanted islets

Biomaterial scaffolds are central to many regenerative strategies as they create a space for infiltration of host tissue and provide a platform to deliver growth factors and progenitor cells. However, biomaterial implantation results in an unavoidable inflammatory response, which can impair tissue regeneration and promote loss or dysfunction of transplanted cells. We investigated localized TGF-β1 delivery to modulate this immunological environment around scaffolds and transplanted cells. TGF-β1 was delivered from layered scaffolds, with protein entrapped within an inner layer and outer layers designed for cell seeding and host tissue integration. Scaffolds were implanted into the epididymal fat pad, a site frequently used for cell transplantation. Expression of cytokines TNF-α, IL-12, and MCP-1 were decreased by at least 40% for scaffolds releasing TGF-β1 relative to control scaffolds. This decrease in inflammatory cytokine production corresponded to a 60% decrease in leukocyte infiltration. Transplantation of islets into diabetic mice on TGF-β1 scaffolds significantly improved the ability of syngeneic islets to control blood glucose levels within the first week of transplant and delayed rejection of allogeneic islets. Together, these studies emphasize the ability of localized TGF-β1 delivery to modulate the immune response to biomaterial implants and enhance cell function in cell-based therapies.
Neuropathy, Ataxia, and Retinitis Pigmentosa

Abstract Neuropathy, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa (NARP) is a genetic disorder chiefly affecting the nervous system. Symptoms typically arise in childhood or early adulthood and consist of proximal neurogenic muscle weakness, sensory neuropathy, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa. Affected individuals may also develop seizures, sensorineural hearing loss, ophthalmoplegia, short stature, and cardiac conduction defects. Learning disabilities and developmental delays are common, and cases may develop dementia later in the disease course. NARP arises from a heteroplasmic transversion m.8993T>G or the transition m.8993T>C within the functional domain of the MT-ATP6 gene coding for subunit 6 of the mitochondrial ATPase (complex V of the electron transport chain). There are no specific therapies for NARP, and treatment is supportive.
Comments on “The Dialectics of Legitimation and Counternorms”:

Della Fave (1986) uses traditional social psychology and critical theory (Horkheimer, 1972; Adorno, 1973a; 1973b; Marcuse, 1960) to study the dialectics of legitimation and delegitimation. In an earlier effort, "The Meek Shall Not Inherit the Earth: Self-Evaluation and the Legitimacy of Stratification" (1980), Professor Della Fave developed a social psychological model of legitimation that he called "self-evaluation theory." He now rounds out that earlier work with a "macro-sociological" analysis of delegitimation. Taken together, both works constitute a single project. Because of this logical intertwining, before we can comment on the present work, we must first explore the self-evaluation model developed in the 1980 article. We will ask two questions of that model: (1) Can self-evaluation theory fully explain the processes of conflict that give rise to legitimation crises? (2) Is self-evaluation theory's use of Mead's generalized other concept valid? After addressing these questions, we will turn to the issues raised in this article. The third point of comment will examine the dialectical model employed by the author and compare it to critical theory's dialectical method. Finally, we will ask if self-evaluation theory is capable of grasping the intra subjective moment of delegitimation and, more generally, we will question the plausibility of synthesizing cognitive consistency theory and critical theory's "negative dialectic."
Socioeconomic status affects pulmonary hypertension disease severity at time of first evaluation

A low socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked to disproportionate access to health care in many diseases, leading to worse disease severity at initial presentation. There is a paucity of these data in the pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) population. We studied the association of SES, as measured by zip code–based median annual household income, with World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC) at time of first evaluation in PHTN patients. All patients evaluated at our center with a right heart catheterization revealing a mean pulmonary artery pressure of ≥25 mmHg within 12 months of initial evaluation were considered for the study. Demographics, WHO-FC, and zip codes were obtained from retrospective chart analysis. The 2010 US census was used to obtain zip code–based annual median income. The income groups were divided into quartiles. Patients were categorized by their WHO-FC and zip code–derived median income. Similar analyses were conducted for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. Survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Data were analyzed in SAS, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. There were 228 PHTN patients (70 [30.7%] male, 158 [69.3%] female). As median income decreased, the FC at presentation increased, signifying higher disease severity (Spearman correlation: r = −0.161, P < 0.0515). This association between median income groups and WHO-FC at initial evaluation was significant (χ2 test: P < 0.0168). There were 116 PAH patients (32 [27.6%] male, 84 [72.4%] female). There was again a negative relationship between income and initial FC (Spearman correlation: r = −0.0307, P < 0.0007). A lower SES was associated with worse disease, as measured by WHO-FC.
Bilateral hearing loss heralding sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a case report and literature review.

ObjectiveTo report a case of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) with bilateral hearing loss at onset and literature review of the scarce cases of CJD with similar audiologic manifestations at presentation.Case ReportA 67-yr-old man presented to the hospital for evaluation of rapid progression
Waves in a partially saturated layered half-space: Analytic formulation

Abstract Rayleigh waves in partially saturated layered half-spaces are investigated under plane strain conditions. The analytical model is based on Biot9s theory of wave propagation in porous fluid-saturated media. The dispersion relation is derived using methods from propagation of free waves in layered media. For limiting cases of the dimensionless frequency, it is shown that the problem reduces to more simplified forms discussed in previous works. Further, it is shown that for zero pore pressure, the problem reduces to known results of elastodynamics.
Ontology alignment in the cloud

The problem of ontology alignment is prominent for applications that operate on integrated semantic data. With ontologies becoming numerous and increasingly large in size, scalability is an important issue for alignment tools. This work introduces a novel approach for computing ontology alignments using cloud infrastructures. An alignment algorithm based on particle swarm optimisation is deployed on a cloud infrastructure, taking advantage of its ability to harness parallel computation resources. The deployment is done with a focus on parallel efficiency, taking into account both communication latency and computational inhomogeneity among parallel execution units. Complementing previous experiments showing the effectiveness of the alignment algorithm, this paper contributes an experiment executed "in the cloud", which demonstrates the scalability of the approach by aligning two large ontologies from the biomedical domain.
Dopants induced structural and optical anomalies of anisotropic edges of black phosphorous thin films and crystals

Abstract A detailed experimental investigation of dopants modified black-phosphorus and methodology to deposit film on glass substrate have been conducted in order to improve the optical properties and wider utility. It was observed that Raman peaks were less intense for film, compared to separately grown black-P crystals. It was also observed that when synthesis duration was reduced to four hours, all Raman peaks became broader. A non-uniform material luminescence with dominance of green luminescence was observed when black-P crystals were irradiated with light of wavelength ~565–575 nm. The sulfur doped black-P illustrated fascinating rod-and-globule like deposits on the parent nano-coral black phosphorous substrate, whereas selenium doped black-P exhibits a localized concentration of Se in the near homogeneous phosphorous coverage. The boron and sulfur doping increased the band gap. In contrast, Se, In, and Ga doping resulted in a significant decrease in band gap energy. Frequency dependent dielectric functions of the anisotropic zig-zag and armchair edges of phosphorene suggest that doping of black –P causes a diminution in the first peak position for the zigzag electric field polarization demonstrating a gradual red shift. The red shift in the first peak position was perceived to be greatest for doping with boron exhibiting a band edge at 0.65 eV and least in the case of doping with sulfur, resulting in a band edge at 1.09 eV.
Role of chromosomal 1p/19q co-deletion on the prognosis of oligodendrogliomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background The impact of chromosomal 1p/19q co-deletion on the prognosis of oligodendrogliomas has been measured in many studies previously. However most studies used 1p/19q co-deletion as a covariate to be adjusted for in a multivariable model that aimed to assess treatment effects, thus not directly measuring the effect of the 1p/19q co-deletion on prognosis. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the results and provide insight on how 1p/19q co-deletion affects prognoses of WHO grade II/III oligodendrogliomas. Methods Weighted mean difference (WMD), standardized mean difference (SMD), and hazard ratios (HRs) were used to report pooled effect of 1p/19q co-deletion on prognosis of oligodendrogliomas. The Meta-ANOVA model was used to obtain the pooled HRs. Results The difference in median overall survival (OS) time is 0.24 (95% CI: 0.15 to 0.33) and the WMD for 5-year OS rate is 6.87% (95% CI: 6.66% to 7.07%), favoring patients with co-deletion. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for mortality is 0.28 (95% CI: 0.13 to 0.62), favoring 1p/19q co-deletion. For progression free survival (PFS), the SMD of median PFS time is 0.13 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.21), in favor of 1p/19q co-deletion. When comparing therapies among patients with 1p/19q co-deletion, we found that those receiving radiation therapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) had a significantly better prognosis than those who received RT only, with pooled HR of 0.64 (95% CI: 0.51 to 0.80). Conclusions Our pooled results show that chromosomal 1p/19q co-deletion has a significant protective effect on prognosis of grade II/III oligodendrogliomas.
Automated functional test generation

The paper describes a new process for automating and controlling functional software testing, using a model of an application's desired behavior. The technology, known as Model Reference Technology, or MRT, is described. The process used to build a model and generate tests is explained and examples given. Samples of the results obtained by Cadence Design Systems using production applications of this technology are included.
CHAPTER 12 – Structure, Function, and Regulation of the Corpus Luteum

The corpus luteum—an endocrine gland in the adult ovary—is formed from the follicle wall after ovulation. It is associated with four unique features. The first is its ephemeral nature: the corpus luteum exists for a limited life span that in many species depends on the fate of the oocyte released by the antecedent ovulatory follicle. Second, its primary, if not sole essential function is to synthesize and secrete the steroid hormone, progesterone that acts in the reproductive tract to permit implantation of the early embryo in the uterine endometrium and support a maternal environment that sustains intrauterine pregnancy. Thus, the third feature of the corpus luteum is its physiological connection to viviparity. All mammals, many reptiles, and a few fishes that produce live young exhibit corpora lutea, although the essential connection between the corpus luteum and viviparity is less obvious in nonmammalian species. In some of these species, luteal function may be related to final oocyte maturation, egg movement in the oviduct, or oviposition, because the corpus luteum exists in some oviparous reptiles, amphibians, and birds as well.
Fast-Initiating, Ruthenium-based Catalysts for Improved Activity in Highly E-Selective Cross Metathesis

Ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalysts bearing dithiolate ligands have been recently employed to generate olefins with high E-selectivity (>99% E) but have been limited by low to moderate yields. In this report, 1H NMR studies reveal that a major contributing factor to this low activity is the extremely low initiation rates of these catalysts with trans olefins. Introducing a 2-isopropoxy-3-phenylbenzylidene ligand in place of the conventional 2-isopropoxybenzylidene ligand resulted in catalysts that initiate rapidly under reaction conditions. As a result, reactions were completed in significantly less time and delivered higher yields than those in previous reports while maintaining high stereoselectivity (>99% E).
Nedd4-2 is a Functional Oligomer Exhibiting Cooperative Allosteric Kinetics

The Hect ligase Standard Model posits binding of the E2∼ubiquitin co-substrate to a single site within a monomeric Hect domain followed by transthiolation to form a Hect∼ubiquitin thioester intermediate. Transfer of the Hect-bound ubiquitin to lysyl residues on target proteins is then catalyzed by the ligase, processesively assembling polyubiquitin chains by distal addition. Recently, we demonstrated that the Hect ligase Nedd4-2 catalyzes polyubiquitin chain assembly by cooperative allosteric kinetics ([S]1/2=93±20 nM; kcat=0.067±0.008 s−1; nH=1.9±0.6) and exhibits substrate inhibition above 0.5 µM Ubc5B∼125I-ubiquitin, requiring the enzyme to function as an oligomer with two ordered E2∼ubiquitin binding sites of different affinities. These data support an alternative model for Hect ligase conjugation and are in agreement with our previous observations for E6AP. The current studies employ kinetic and biophysical methods to further explore the mechanism of Nedd4-2. Gel filtration chromatography and dynamic light scattering are consistent with trimerization. Truncation of the N-terminus yielding GST-Nedd4-2HECT (residues 597-955) reveals cooperative kinetics for polyubiquitin chain assembly (nH=2.6±1) with a ca. 104-fold reduction in kcat (1.9±0.2 x 10−6 s−1), demonstrating allostery intrinsic to the Hect domain and N-terminal contributions supporting oligomerization. Processing of GST yields monomeric Nedd4-2HECT resulting in monoubiquitination with hyperbolic kinetics (KM=39±7 nM; kcat=6.0±0.2 x 10−6 s−1) and loss of polyubiquitin chain assembly and substrate inhibition. Addition of Nedd4-2ΔHECT (residues 1-596) to wild type Nedd4-2 quantitatively inhibits activity; however, addition of the dominant negative Nedd4-2C922A mutant inhibits Nedd4-2 to 30% limiting activity, requiring the two sites to function in trans. These data support a model requiring trimerization and intersubunit interactions for polyubiquitin chain assembly consistent with our model of Proximal Indexation. [Supported by GM34009 to A.L.H.]
Trends in hepatitis B virus screening in a large U.S. cancer center.

e19631 Background: In the past 5 years, national hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening recommendations differed with respect to populations that should be screened to prevent reactivation, which may occur in patients with hematologic or solid malignancies. Previous studies showed that up to 60% of oncologists are not screening. We sought to compare the HBV screening patterns over time in a large US cancer center in relationship to the 2010 ASCO Provisional Clinical Opinion (PCO) which includes recommendations to screen patients with hematologic malignancies prior to receipt of certain cancer therapies. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed cancer registered at MD Anderson (1/04 - 4/11) who received chemotherapy. Screening was defined as testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) before chemotherapy. We compared screening rates among patients with hematologic malignancies vs. solid tumors. Using Chi-square tests, we compare...
Risk factors for perioperative mortality and transfusion in sacrococcygeal teratoma resections

SummaryBackground Sacrococcygeal teratomas are a common congenital tumor. Surgical resection can occur in utero, in the neonatal period, or in the postneonatal period. Aims We describe patient and tumor factors associated with mortality and transfusion in this population. Methods We did a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent sacrococcygeal teratoma resection between January 1998 and March 2016. Demographic data, transfusion data, and tumor characteristics were collected. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and univariate comparisons were performed with chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. Variables significant at univariate level were used in multivariate logistic regression and negative binomial regression. Results Of the 112 cases, 6 were in utero repairs, 73 were neonatal repairs, and 33 were repairs at >30 days of life. There was 17%, 1%, and 0% intraoperative mortality and 33%, 5%, and 0% 30-day mortality in the in utero, neonatal, and >30 days of life repairs, respectively. All six patients who died within the first 30 days of life had a postmenstrual age of 30 weeks was associated with decreased intraoperative death (0% vs 10%; modified maximum likelihood estimate of OR 0.05; 95% CI 0.002–0.96; P = 0.02). Gestational age >30 weeks (2.4% vs 13.8%; OR 0.15; 95% CI 0.03–0.89; P = 0.04) and cystic morphology (0% vs 9.2%; modified maximum likelihood estimate of OR 0.1; CI 0.01–1.75; P = 0.04) were associated with decreased 30-day mortality and emergent surgery (17.9% vs 1.2%; OR 18; 95% CI 2–162.2; P = 0.004) was associated with increased 30-day mortality. Gestational age >30 weeks (33.7% vs 62.1%; OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.09–0.79; P = 0.02) and Altman class 3–4 (12.1% vs 52.7%; OR 0.1; 95% CI 0.03–0.34; P = 0.0002) were associated with decreased need for transfusion and noncystic tumor was associated with increased transfusion volume (131.6 ml·kg−1 [95% CI 94–184] vs 63 ml·kg−1 [95% CI 40–100.1]; P = 0.01). Conclusions Prematurity is associated with increased intraoperative and 30-day mortality. Noncystic tumor morphology was the only significant factor associated with transfusion volume and all six patients who died had transfusion volumes of 240 ml·kg−1 or greater. In these patients at high risk of mortality due to blood loss, the anesthesia team should be prepared to manage massive transfusion and coagulopathy with blood components and pharmacologic measures.
Ensuring faculty success in online competency-based education programs

Background The growth of competency-based programs means faculty are facing new challenges that require different institutional support than traditional programs. Method This article identifies how faculty roles are changing and discusses specific challenges for faculty in three diverse institutions, Rasmussen College, Westminster College, and Valdosta State University. Results and Conclusion The article recommends actions institutions can implement to better support CBE faculty.
Combined transaortic and transapical approach to septal myectomy in patients with complex hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Abstract Objectives Residual midventricular obstruction after transaortic myectomy may lead to recurrent symptoms and reoperation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and long-segment septal hypertrophy. A combined transaortic and transapical approach to septal myectomy during initial operation allows for the complete relief of subaortic and midventricular gradients and may reduce the risk of poor late functional results. Methods We analyzed the early outcomes of 86 patients aged 18 years or more who underwent combined transaortic and transapical septal myectomy for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction due to systolic anterior motion and midventricular obstruction or cavitary obliteration due to apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Results Midventricular obstruction was present in 59 patients (68.6%); 12 patients (14.0%) had cavitary obliteration, and 15 patients (17.4%) had a combination of both. Overall, median (25th, 75th percentile) prebypass and postbypass directly measured intracavitary gradients were 85 mm Hg (48, 125) and 4 mm Hg (0, 10.8), respectively; median predischarge transthoracic left ventricular outflow tract and midventricular gradients were 0 mm Hg (0, 0) and 0 mm Hg (0, 8.5). Median crossclamp and perfusion times were 35 minutes (27, 44) and 48.5 minutes (40, 64). The 30-day and 1-year survivals were both 95%, with 2 early deaths. Functional status beyond 30 days postoperatively was available in 42 patients, and 41 patients reported improvement in symptoms and were in New York Heart Association class I/II. Conclusions Combined transaortic and transapical septal myectomy is an effective and reasonably safe approach for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with complex septal hypertrophy. This method may prevent residual midventricular obstruction and permits myectomy to augment diastolic filling and improve left ventricular stroke volume in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
O Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) nos Estados Unidos

O Epidemic Intelligence Service (Servico de Investigacao Epidemica) (EIS) – o programa de formacao em epidemiologia aplicada, com a duracao de dois anos, dos Centros para o Controlo e Prevencao de Doencas (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) nos Estados Unidos (EU) – celebra o 50o aniversario em 2001. Desenvolvido durante a guerra da Coreia, cinco anos apenas apos a criacao dos CDC, o estimulo subjacente ao desenvolvimento do EIS foi a falta de investigadores de campo especializados na eventualidade de serem utilizados agentes biologicos contra a populacao dos EU. Foi, no entanto, gracas a Alexander Langmuir, o principal responsavel pela epidemiologia no CDC e fundador do EIS, que os participantes foram envolvidos numa grande variedade de actividades e ajudaram a preencher as lacunas existentes nos EU relativamente a epidemiologistas com capacidades e experiencia de campo pratica para a investigacao e controlo dos surtos de doencas.
Exploratory study of personal health information management using health literacy model

Purpose This study was to empirically test (1) whether individuals’ internal factors (prior knowledge, resources, and capability) and environmental factors (stimuli, limitation) have any influence on the development of personal health information management (PHIM) literacy skills and (2) which constructs are statistically associated with general health-related outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Survey responses were collected from Amazon’s mTurk (Mechanical Turk), a crowdsourcing Internet service, in December 2013. A total of five hundred and seventy-eight responses were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique. Findings The model as a whole exhibited 62.8% of variance in health-related outcomes. The findings suggest that prior knowledge has a direct effect on health literacy skills (H3: β=0.212, p < 0.001). The PHIM stimuli (H4: β=0.475, p < 0.001) have a direct impact on health literacy skills, and they have an indirect effect on the comprehension of...
The Virtues of Direct Realism

Abstract I defend epistemological Direct Realism, the view that perceptual experiences provide noninferential justification for beliefs about the external world. Direct Realism has two chief theoretical advantages over Indirect Realism (the view that we have only inferential justification for external world beliefs). First, Direct Realism enables us to account for why ordinary, unsophisticated observers are justified in their perceptual beliefs, given that they do not in fact base their perceptual beliefs on any further propositions. Second, Indirect Realists, unlike Direct Realists, must posit an unmotivated asymmetry among basic cognitive faculties, whereby some but not all faculties may legitimately be presumed reliable until proven otherwise.
Integrating proteomic or transcriptomic data into metabolic models using linear bound flux balance analysis.

Motivation Transcriptomics and proteomics data have been integrated into constraint-based models to influence flux predictions. However, it has been reported recently for Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that model predictions from parsimonious flux balance analysis (pFBA), which does not use expression data, are as good or better than predictions from various algorithms that integrate transcriptomics or proteomics data into constraint-based models. Results In this paper, we describe a novel constraint-based method called Linear Bound Flux Balance Analysis (LBFBA), which uses expression data (either transcriptomic or proteomic) to predict metabolic fluxes. The method uses expression data to place soft constraints on individual fluxes, which can be violated. Parameters in the soft constraints are first estimated from a training expression and flux dataset before being used to predict fluxes from expression data in other conditions. We applied LBFBA to E.coli and S.cerevisiae datasets and found that LBFBA predictions were more accurate than pFBA predictions, with average normalized errors roughly half of those from pFBA. For the first time, we demonstrate a computational method that integrates expression data into constraint-based models and improves quantitative flux predictions over pFBA. Availability and implementation Code is available in the Supplementary data available at Bioinformatics online. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Dynamics and algorithms for stochastic search

In this thesis we develop a mathematical formulation for the learning dynamics of stochastic or on-line learning algorithms in neural networks. We use this formulation to (1) model the time evolution of the weight space densities during learning, (2) predict convergence regimes with and without momentum, and (3) develop a new efficient algorithm with few adjustable parameters which we call adaptive momentum. In stochastic learning, the weights are updated at each iteration based on a single exemplar randomly chosen from the training set. Treating the learning dynamics as a Markov process, we show that the weight space probability density P(w,t) can be cast as a Kramers-Moyal series$${\partial P(w,t)\over\partial t} = L\sb{KM} P(w,t)\eqno(0.1)\cr$$where $L\sb{KM}$ is an infinite-order linear differential operator, the terms of which involve powers of the learning rate $\mu.$ We present several approaches for truncating this series so that approximate solutions can be obtained. One approach is the small noise expansion where the weights are modeled as a sum of a deterministic and noise component. However, in order to provide more accurate solutions, we also develop a perturbation expansion in $\mu.$ We demonstrate the technique on equilibrium weight-space densities. Unlike batch learning, stochastic updates are noisy but fast to compute. The speed-up can be dramatic if training sets are highly redundant, and the noise can decrease the likelihood of becoming trapped in poor local minima. However, acceleration techniques based on estimating the local curvature of the cost surface can not be implemented stochastically because the estimates of second order effects are much too noisy. Disregarding such effects can greatly hinder learning in problems where the condition number of the hessian is large. A matrix of learning rates (the inverse hessian) that scales the stepsize according to the curvature along the different eigendirections of the hessian is needed. We propose adaptive momentum as a solution. It results in an effective learning rate matrix that approximates the inverse hessian. No explicit calculation of the hessian or its inverse is required. This algorithm is only ${\cal O}(n)$ in both space and time, where n is the dimension of the weight vector.
Natural Glasses: Analogues for Radioactive Waste Forms

The long-term effects of alteration and radiation damage on waste glass forms are difficult to assess in time-limited laboratory experiments. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the long-term stability of naturally occurring analogues. Age distributions and alteration effects observed in natural glasses in different geologic environments provide insight into variables controlling the rates of devitrification, alteration and radiation damage.
The Transversal Campus: Open Black Box?

Many universities are creating new learning spaces designed to encourage interactions among students and faculty in an attempt to foster the kind of creative thinking demanded by today’s innovation economy. These new campus spaces share several characteristics of transversality, Felix Guattari’s descriptor for spatially open, socially interactive, and communal institutions, organized very differently than the spatially segregated, isolating, and hierarchical disciplinary institutions analyzed by Michel Foucault. The trend toward transversality on campus is predicated on the assumption that space itself shapes learning outcomes. To claim that a particular strategy or design will result in specific outcomes is to treat the teaching–learning process like a black box, as theorized by cybernetics, the science of command and control, and this claim shall be investigated in this chapter.
Effects of ABO Matching of Platelet Transfusions in Critically Ill Children

Objectives To determine if transfusing ABO compatible platelets has a greater effect on incremental change in platelet count as compared to ABO incompatible platelets in critically ill children. Design Secondary analysis of a prospective, observational study. Transfusions were classified as either ABO compatible, major incompatibility, or minor incompatibility. The primary outcome was the incremental change in platelet count. Transfusion reactions were analyzed as a secondary outcome. Setting Eighty-two PICUs in 16 countries. Patients Children (3 d to 16 yr old) were enrolled if they received a platelet transfusion during one of the predefined screening weeks. Interventions None. Measurements and main results Five-hundred three children were enrolled and had complete ABO information for both donor and recipient, as well as laboratory data. Three-hundred forty-two (68%) received ABO-identical platelets, 133 (26%) received platelets with major incompatibility, and 28 (6%) received platelets with minor incompatibility. Age, weight, proportion with mechanical ventilation or underlying oncologic diagnosis did not differ between the groups. After adjustment for transfusion dose, there was no difference in the incremental change in platelet count between the groups; the median (interquartile range) change for ABO-identical transfusions was 28 × 10 cells/L (8-68 × 10 cells/L), for transfusions with major incompatibility 26 × 10 cells/L (7-74 × 10 cells/L), and for transfusions with minor incompatibility 54 × 10 cells/L (14-81 × 10 cells/L) (p = 0.37). No differences in count increment between the groups were noted for bleeding (p = 0.92) and nonbleeding patients (p = 0.29). There were also no differences observed between the groups for any transfusion reaction (p = 0.07). Conclusions No differences were seen in the incremental change in platelet count nor in transfusion reactions when comparing major ABO incompatible platelet transfusions with ABO compatible transfusions in a large study of critically ill children. Studies in larger, prospectively enrolled cohorts should be performed to validate whether ABO matching for platelet transfusions in critically ill children is necessary.
The Role of a Center for Teaching and Learning in a De-Centered Educational World

Nearly twenty-five years ago in this magazine, Robert Barr and John Tagg (1995, p. 15) famously marked a paradigm shift from instruction, where “the mission of the college is to provide instruction...
DISCUSSION - TRAINING STATISTICIANS FOR EMPLOYMENT IN INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the view of Dr. Joseph Gani, Professor Lincoln Moses, Dr. Hogben, and Professor Kennedy regarding the training statisticians for employment in industry and government. Dr. Joseph Gani's description of work at Council for Scientific and Industrial Research confirms that working for a government agency is primarily concerned with the interface of statistics and physical and engineering sciences as opposed to social and economic sciences. Professor Lincoln Moses works in a Washington-based government agency also presents important factors in the training statisticians. His emphasis on the large government bureaucracies where potential for misunderstanding and fuzzy thinking abound. Dr. Hogben and Professor Kennedy both highlight the importance of computing in statistical practice within government and industry—a fact that is too little appreciated in establishment academia. The government (and presumably industrial) statisticians face a wide variety of interdisciplinary tasks. In-depth training in statistics alone is not adequate, but rather a perspective is required that appreciates a wide variety of interfaces.
Bullying victimization, negative emotionality, and suicidal ideation in Korean youth: assessing latent class analysis using the manual 3-step approach

This study employed a latent class analysis to identify heterogeneous subgroups of suicide ideation membership among Korean youth. Findings are measured by the longitudinal mediation test to estima...
Pre-Irradiation Comparison of W-Based Alloys for the PHENIX Campaign: Microstructure, Composition, and Mechanical Properties

AbstractTungsten is the material of choice as the plasma-facing material in future plasma-burning fusion reactors. During operation, plasma-facing materials will be simultaneously exposed to 14-MeV...
Teaching expectancy violations theory and self-disclosure through social media profile building

Courses: Interpersonal Communication, Computer-Mediated Communication, and Communication Theory.Objectives: This activity introduces students to expectancy violations theory through building a hypo...
Impact of Postoperative Complication and Completion of Multimodality Therapy on Survival in Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer.

Background Postoperative complication (POC) adversely impacts long-term survival in patients with gastric cancer, perhaps due in part to lower rates for receipt of multimodality therapy (MMT). We sought to determine the impact of POC on MMT completion rates and overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Study Design We analyzed 206 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer undergoing curative-intent resection from 2001 to 2015. POCs were graded using Clavien-Dindo classification and survival outcomes were compared between groups. Results One hundred and twenty patients underwent operation followed by chemoradiation therapy, 58 received perioperative chemotherapy, and 28 received total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT). Minor (Clavien-Dindo grade I to II) and major (Clavien-Dindo grade III to IV) POC occurred in 72 (35.0%) and 39 (18.9%) patients, respectively. At median follow-up of 37 months, the 3-year OS of patients experiencing a major, minor, or no POC were 33.3%, 56.9%, and 62.1% (p = 0.023), respectively. In contrast, there was no difference in 3-year OS rates in patients experiencing POC if they completed all intended MMT. Non-TNT patients who experienced a major POC were less likely to complete MMT (hazard ratio 0.36, p = 0.017), and a major POC in these patients had a significant impact on OS (hazard ratio 2.76, p = 0.011), and it did not in patients who completed MMT (hazard ratio 1.58, p = 0.336). Conclusions Major POC adversely affects long-term survival after gastrectomy for gastric cancer, at least in part via lower completion rates of MMT. Treatment strategy designed to ensure the completion of MMT, such as TNT, might be preferable, particularly for patients at high risk for POCs.
An Invitation to General Algebra and Universal Constructions

1 About the course, and these notes.- Part I: Motivation and Examples.- 2 Making Some Things Precise.- 3 Free Groups.- 4 A Cook's Tour.- Part II: Basic Tools and Concepts.- 5 Ordered Sets, Induction, and the Axiom of Choice.- 6 Lattices, Closure Operators, and Galois Connections.- 7 Categories and Functors.- 8 Universal Constructions.- 9 Varieties of Algebras.- Part III: More on Adjunctions.- 10 Algebras, Coalgebras, and Adjunctions.- References.- List of Exercises.- Symbol Index.- Word and Phrase Index.
A comparative analysis of premature heart disease- and cancer-related mortality in women in the USA, 1999-2018.

AIMS To compare premature heart disease- and cancer-related deaths in women in the USA. METHODS AND RESULTS We analysed the US national database of death certificates of women aged <65 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database between 1999 and 2018. We measured annual percentage changes (APCs) in age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and years of potential life lost per 100 000 persons due to heart disease and cancer. Overall, cancer was a more prevalent cause of premature death compared with heart disease. Between 1999 and 2018, the AAMRs decreased for both cancer (61.9/100 000 to 45.6/100 000) and heart disease (29.2/100 000 to 22.6/100 000). However, while APC in AAMR for cancer declined consistently over time, after an initial decline, APC in AAMR for heart disease increased between 2010 and 2018 [0.53 95% confidence interval (0.18-0.89)], with a significant rise in Midwest, medium/small metros, and rural areas after 2008. Compared with cancer, APC in AAMR for heart disease increased in women aged 25-34 years [2.24 (0.30-4.22); 2013-18) and 55-64 years [0.46 (0.13-0.80); 2009-13], as well as Non-Hispanic (NH) Whites [APC, 0.79 (0.46-1.13); 2009-18] and NH American Indian/Alaskan Native [2.71 (0.59-4.87); 2011-2018]. Consequently, the mortality gap between cancer and heart disease has narrowed from an AAMR of 32.7/100 000 to 23.0/100 000. CONCLUSIONS The mortality gap between cancer and heart disease is decreasing among women <65 years. Intensive cardiovascular health interventions are required focusing on vulnerable young demographic subgroups and underserved regional areas to meet the American Heart Association's Impact Goal and Million Hearts Initiative.
Overview of Simulation in Healthcare

This chapter provides an overview of key healthcare simulation concepts with particular attention to the various spectrum, modalities and key terms used. The key principles and uses of healthcare simulation within the domains of education, research and systems improvement are outlined.
Endolysosome localization of ERα is involved in the protective effect of 17α-estradiol against HIV-1 gp120-induced neuronal injury.

Neurotoxic HIV-1 viral proteins contribute to the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), the prevalence of which remains high (30 to 50%) with no effective treatment is available. Estrogen is a known neuroprotective agent; however, the diverse mechanisms of estrogen action on the different types of estrogen receptors is not completely understood. In this study, we determined the extent to which and mechanisms by which 17α-estradiol (17αE2), a natural less-feminizing estrogen, offers neuroprotection against HIV-1 gp120-induced neuronal injury. Endolysosomes are important for neuronal function and endolysosomal dysfunction contributes to HAND and other neurodegenerative disorders. In hippocampal neurons, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is localized to endolysosomes and 17αE2 acidifies endolysosomes. ERα knockdown or over-expressing an ERα mutant that is deficient in endolysosome localization prevents 17αE2-induced endolysosome acidification. Furthermore, 17αE2-induced increases in dendritic spine density depends on endolysosome localization of ERα. Pre-treatment with 17αE2 protected against HIV-1 gp120-induced endolysosome de-acidification and reductions in dendritic spines; such protective effects depended on endolysosome localization of ERα. In male HIV-1 transgenic rats, we show that 17αE2 treatment prevents the development of enlarged endolysosomes and reduction in dendritic spines. Our findings demonstrate a novel endolysosome-dependent pathway that governs the ERα-mediated neuroprotective actions of 17αE2, findings that might lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against HAND. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Extranuclear presence of membrane-bound estrogen receptors (ERs) underlie estrogen’s enhancing effect on cognition and synaptic function. The estrogen receptor subtype ERα are present on endolysosomes and play a critical role in the enhancing effects of 17αE2 on endolysosomes and dendritic spines. These findings provide novel insight into the neuroprotective actions of estrogen. Furthermore, 17αE2 protected against HIV-1 gp120-induced endolysosome dysfunction and reductions in dendritic spines, and these protective effects of 17αE2 were mediated via endolysosome localization of ERα. Such findings provide rationale for developing 17αE2 as a therapeutic strategy against HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
Creativity in Science: Introduction: Scientific Creativity

Consider the following list: Newton's Principia Mathematica , Plato's Republic , Shakespeare's Hamlet , da Vinci's Last Supper , and Beethoven's Fifth Symphony . What do these items have in common? The answer clearly is that all five represent creative products, even works of genius. Each can be considered an exemplary contribution to a particular domain of creative achievement. Each of these creations exerted a profound and pervasive influence on the collective repository of human accomplishments that defines world civilization. Yet in one crucial respect, one of the items on this list does not belong with the rest: Newton's scientific masterpiece. Unlike the others, it is the single work whose merits as a creative product cannot be reasonably assessed by an educated layperson. Any literate person can pull a copy of Republic or Hamlet off the library shelf and obtain at least some understanding of the logical argument or dramatic development. Likewise, anyone can look at a print of the Last Supper or listen to a recording of the Fifth Symphony and obtain a good notion of what was being graphically conveyed or musically expressed. In contrast, it would be rare to find a layperson who could make any sense of the Principia Mathematica . Even modern mathematicians and physicists find it tough going, given its obsolete notation and presentational style. Worse still, few people these days read Newton's masterwork for either pleasure or edification. It has become a museum piece largely doomed to collect dust on the bookshelf.