cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) to detect subclinical vitamin A deficiency: comparison of CIC with biochemical assessments

By use of sensitivity and specificity analysis, conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) was compared with fasting serum vitamin A levels and relative dose response (RDR) of Guatemalan children. One impression was taken from the temporal bulbar aspect of each eye, fasting serum vitamin A levels were then drawn, 480 RE of oil-based retinyl palmitate was given, and a 5-h postdosing vitamin A level was drawn (RDR procedure). For a 20% RDR cutoff, the sensitivity of CIC was 23% with a specificity of 80% and a positive predictive value of 9% (n = 213 children). Compared with fasting vitamin A levels alone (with 0.70 mumol/L as abnormal), the sensitivity of CIC was 26%, specificity was 81%, and positive predictive value was 22% (n = 221 children). There was no significant difference in the mean serum retinol level between those with abnormal and normal CIC. In this study population CIC does not identify the same group of children with marginal vitamin A as identified biochemically.
Time Delay and Noise Coupling in Limiting Control Effectiveness in Unstable Combustors

Combustion instabilities are a significant problem encountered in low NOx, premixed combustors used for ground based or aero-applications. Current capabilities to predict the conditions under which instabilities occur are immature, often resulting in the appearance of expensive and problematic instabilities late in the development stage of an engine. Consequently, there is significant interest in development of active instability control systems that can suppress an unexpected instability. While significant progress has been made in demonstrating that active instability control is feasible, the results of control implementation are highly variable. Much work remains in understanding the factors influencing how effective control will be for a given system. This paper describes a theoretical analysis of the statistics of a self excited combustor with closed loop feedback control. In particular, influence of the controller upon regions over which the system can be stabilized is investigated, as well as the limit cycle amplitude and degree of “amplitude breathing” of the controlled combustor. Additionally, the sensitivity of these control effectiveness figures of merit to variations in controller characteristics is explored. The model predictions are consistent with the experimental observation that the same control system can have dramatically different effects upon the controlled combustor amplitude. For example, this was demonstrated by showing that the effect of the same controller is quite different for different unstable combustors with different internal time delays ‐ this can include the controller having essentially no useful effect at all.
The Organizational Roots of Political Activism: Field Experiments on Creating a Relational Context

This article examines the role that democratic organizations play in fostering political activism in America. Activists make democracy work by attending meetings, engaging others, trying to make their voice heard, and participating in myriad other ways. Yet, we still need a deeper understanding of what role organizations play in cultivating that activism. The article presents data from three field experiments showing that creating a relational organizational context makes targets more likely to sign petitions, recruit others, and attend meetings. The article argues that civic organizations can have a powerful impact on activism. In doing so, it introduces a new set of variables related to organizational context to consider in understanding the sources of participation. The article thus extends a burgeoning body of experimental research on the social bases of voter turnout by examining not only voting but other forms of activism that are increasingly common modes of citizen involvement in the twenty-first century.
Direct Current Stimulation Alters Neuronal Input/Output Function.

Abstract Background Direct current stimulation (DCS) affects both neuronal firing rate and synaptic efficacy. The neuronal input/output (I/O) function determines the likelihood that a neuron elicits an action potential in response to synaptic input of a given strength. Changes of the neuronal I/O function by DCS may underlie previous observations in animal models and human testing, yet have not been directly assessed. Objective Test if the neuronal input/output function is affected by DCS Methods Using rat hippocampal brain slices and computational modeling, we provide evidence for how DCS modulates the neuronal I/O function. Results We show for the first time that DCS modulates the likelihood of neuronal firing for a given and fixed synaptic input. Opposing polarization of soma and dendrite may have a synergistic effect for anodal stimulation, increasing the driving force of synaptic activity while simultaneously increasing spiking probability at the soma. For cathodal stimulation, however, the opposing effects tend to cancel. This results in an asymmetry in the strength of the effects of stimulation for opposite polarities. Conclusions Our results may explain the asymmetries observed in acute and long term effects of transcranial direct current stimulation.
Einspritzen von Kälteflüssigkeit in die Saugleitung

Tritt bei langen Saugleitungen eine starke Uberhitzung durch einfallende Warme ein, so vermindert sich die Leistungsfahigkeit der Anlage. Man kann diesem Ubelstand begegnen durch Einspritzen einer kleinen Menge Kalteflussigkeit in die Saugleitung vor dem Eintritt des Gases in den Kompressor. Dadurch wird allerdings dem Verdampfer etwas Flussigkeit entzogen, der Arbeitsbedarf vermindert sich aber und die Gesamtkalteleistung wird bei gegebener Anlage groser, weil der Kompressor ein groseres Gewicht ansaugen kann. Das Verfahren ist um so wirksamer, je tiefer die Temperatur im Verdampfer gegenuber derjenigen im Maschinenhaus liegt.
The Double Track in Continental European Criminology

This is a brief history of the "double track" criminal justice approach in Germany, Italy, and elsewhere on the Continent.
Design pattern-based model transformation supported by QVT

Defining a design pattern at the metamodel level.Defining the notion of pattern consistency.Defining the notion of pattern conformance.Describing transformation rules in QVT.Transforming an application model using a design pattern. A design pattern helps to improve the quality of a software system by providing a proven solution for recurring design problems. However, the abstract and informal nature of prevailing pattern descriptions makes it difficult to use design patterns. There have been significant works on formalizing design patterns which found a base for systematic application of a design pattern. Pattern-based model transformation has emerged as an approach for incorporating pattern properties into a design model. However, the existing work mostly focuses on the solution domain of a pattern while leaving out the problem domain, structural pattern aspects with little attention to behavioral aspects, and general methodologies without concrete implementations. In this work, we present an approach for transforming an application model using both the structural and behavioral properties of a design pattern defined in terms of the problem and solution domain and its implementation using Query/View/Transformation (QVT). In the approach, we define pattern consistency for structural and behavioral pattern properties and pattern conformance for pattern applicability before transformation solution conformance after transformation. We demonstrate the approach using the Observer pattern applied to a graph application. Besides the Observer pattern, we also define transformation rules for the Visitor and Adapter patterns.
Small round blue cell tumors of the sinonasal tract: a differential diagnosis approach

One of the most challenging diagnostic categories within tumors of the sinonasal tract is the small round blue cell tumors. Biopsies are usually small and limited, resulting in considerable diagnostic difficulty for practicing surgical pathologists. These tumors share several overlapping histologic and immunophenotypic findings while also showing considerable variation within and between cases. Specific tumor site of origin, imaging findings, and clinical findings must be combined with the histology and pertinent ancillary studies if the correct diagnosis is to be reached. Discrimination between neoplasms is critical as there are significant differences in therapy and overall outcome. It is important to have a well developed differential diagnosis for this category of tumors, where each of the diagnoses is considered, evaluated, and either confirmed or excluded from further consideration. In an undifferentiated tumor, showing a small round blue cell morphology, using the mnemonic 'MR SLEEP' helps to highlight tumors to consider: melanoma, mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (including NUT carcinoma), small cell osteosarcoma, lymphoma, esthesioneuroblastoma (olfactory neuroblastoma), Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor, pituitary adenoma, and plasmacytoma. A panel of pertinent immunohistochemistry studies, histochemistries and/or molecular tests should aid in reaching a diagnosis, especially when taking the pattern and intensity of reactions into consideration.
Use of Diversity and Distance Measures in the Analysis of Qualitative Data

The paper discusses some theoretical and practical considerations in the choice of diversity and distance measures or comparing populations in terms of gene frequencies associated with various characteristics. It develops systematic methods for grouping populations by similarity in genetic diversity, apportioning diversity as between and within populations, grouping of populations by similarity in gene frequencies (cluster analysis) and testing consistency of results by using different diversity and distance measures and subsets of data. The methods are illustrated using the data on nine serological and six biochemical characteristics of the Makiritare Indians. They can be used in the analysis of any qualitative data, such as those that arise in sociological research.
Mixed Finite Volume Methods for Linear Elasticity

We present a new mixed finite element method for linear elasticity with weakly enforced stress symmetry on simplicial grids. Motivated by the multipoint flux mixed finite element method for Darcy flow, we consider a special quadrature rule that allows for elimination of the stress and rotation variables and leads to a cell-centered system for the displacements. Theoretical and numerical results indicate first-order convergence for all variables in the natural norms.
Kinetic theory of transport for inhomogeneous electron fluids

The interplay between electronic interactions and disorder is neglected in the conventional Boltzmann theory of transport, yet can play an essential role in determining the resistivity of unconventional metals. When quasiparticles are long lived, one can account for these intertwined effects by solving spatially inhomogeneous Boltzmann equations. Assuming smooth disorder and neglecting umklapp scattering, we solve these inhomogeneous kinetic equations and compute the electrical resistivity across the ballistic-to-hydrodynamic transition. An important consequence of electron-electron interactions is the modification of the momentum-relaxation time; this effect is ignored in the homogeneous theory. We characterize precisely when interactions enhance the momentum scattering rate, and when they decrease it. Our approach unifies existing semiclassical theories of transport, and explains how the resistivity can be proportional to the rate of momentum-conserving collisions without Baber scattering. We compare this result with existing transport mysteries, including the disorder-independent ${T}^{2}$ resistivity of many Fermi liquids, and the linear-in-$T$ ``Planckian-limited'' resistivity of many strange metals.
Quantifying variability in stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios within the skeletons of marine mammals of the suborder Caniformia

Abstract Stable isotope ratios of bone collagen are commonly used to investigate foraging and movement of human and animal populations. This technique is especially valuable for archaeological and paleoecological applications, as bones are among the few tissues that are commonly preserved in archaeological and assemblages. Selection of skeletal elements for stable isotope analysis is typically driven by sample sizes and convenience, with the assumption that each bone is equally likely to be representative of the entire skeleton. This study investigated the degree of variability in stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) within the skeletons of individual marine mammals to determine whether any systematic differences in δ 13 C and δ 15 N exist among skeletal elements. We measured δ 13 C and δ 15 N in paired crania and mandibles from 11 Pacific walruses ( Odobenus rosmarus divergens ), as well as representative elements from the skeletons of three marine mammals: an adult ringed seal ( Pusa hispida , n = 10), a juvenile seal of the genus Phoca ( Phoca sp., n = 9), and an adult sea otter ( Enhydra lutris , n = 8). Differences among the walrus cranium/mandible pairs were not significant, mostly falling within analytical error. Variability across the skeletons of the seals and sea otter was greater, exceeding 1.0‰ in some cases. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicated systematic differences within all three skeletons, with the distal appendicular bones (metatarsal, phalanx, calcaneus) separating from the rest of the skeleton in the two seals, and the scapula and vertebra distinct from all other bones in the sea otter. Removing these bones from analysis greatly reduced overall variability in all three animals. Further study is required to determine whether the patterns observed in this study are consistent across individuals and taxa as sample sizes increase.
Clarifications on the Construction and Use of the ManyBugs Benchmark

High-quality research requires timely dissemination and the incorporation of feedback. Since the publication of the ManyBugs benchmark and its release on http://repairbenchmarks.cs.umass.edu/, researchers have provided feedback on the benchmark's construction and use. Here, we describe that feedback and our subsequent improvements to the ManyBugs benchmark.
Genic control of meiosis

Meiosis is the process of specialized divisions that gives rise to the haploid nuclear products that become the gametes. Although some species have special modifications, most follow the same basic pattern of meiotic events: replication of bulk DNA (the premeiotic S phase), synapsis of homologous chromosomes and crossing over, segregation of homologous centromeres to opposite poles at anaphase I, segregation of sister centromeres to opposite poles at anaphase II. At least most of these events are under genetic control, since mutants that are defective in specific events exist in one or more species (Baker et ai. 1976). These mutants can be used as probes into the functions of and interrelationships among the various meiotic events. One of the advantageous features of meiosis for such a genetic dissection is that, in general, the process as a whole continues to completion even in the absence of individual events. All the ramifications of a particular defect can therefore be studied and different types of techniques (genetics and cytology, for example) can be employed.
Compensation of Investment Advisors

The use of an investment advisor presents an agency problem: The firm works in the client’s interest while also managing its own growth. We use a dataset of over 30,000 advisor-year observations to investigate the potential for agency problems in the analysis of investment advisor firm characteristics. The compensation structures of investment advisors are not homogenous, varying by services offered. In addition, firm size is a large factor in determining the number of clients an advisory employee serves. This analysis lays the foundation for understanding the compensation component of the investment advisor relationship and the associated agency problem.
Atomic Force Microscopy Beyond the Standard Quantum Limit

We explore the impact of quantum noise reduction on force microscopy for broadband off-resonant materials characterization by integrating a multi-spatial-mode squeezed state as the readout field in a commercially available microscope.
Action-selection in hamsterdam: lessons from ethology

A computational model of action-selection is presented, which by drawing on ideas from Ethology, addresses a number of problems which have been noted in models proposed to date including the need for greater control over the temporal aspects of behavior, the need for a loose hierarchical structure with information sharing, and the need for a flexible means of modeling the influence of internal and external factors. The paper draws on arguments from Ethology as well as on computational considerations to show why these are important aspects of any action-selection mechanism for animats which must satisfy multiple goals in a dynamic environment. The computational model is summarized, and its use in Hamsterdam, an object-oriented tool kit for modeling animal behavior is discussed briefly. Results are presented which demonstrate the power and usefulness of the novel features incorporated in the algorithm.
Care of Ebola-Infected Human Remains

The postmortem care of patients who have died from the Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a high-risk procedure, and during the 2014–2016 EVD outbreak in West Africa, care of the deceased was associated with the spread of the disease, requiring the implementation of strict safe burial practices to assist in controlling the outbreak.
Scope of Rapid HIV Testing in Urban U. S. Hospitals

Objective. The present study examined the scope of rapid human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in urban U.S. hospitals. Methods. In a multistage national probability sample, 12 primary metropolitan statistical areas (three per region) were sampled randomly, with weights proportionate to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) populations. All 671 eligible hospitals within areas were selected. Laboratory staff from 584 hospitals (87%) were interviewed by telephone in 2005. Results. About 52% reported rapid HIV test availability (50% in occupational health, 29% in labor and delivery, and 13% in emergency department/urgent care), and 86% of hospitals offering rapid tests processed them in the laboratory. In multivariate models, rapid test availability was more likely in hospitals serving more patients, and located in high-poverty, high-AIDS prevalence areas, and in the South or Midwest vs. West. It was less likely in hospitals serving areas with large percentages of people who were black/African American or Hispanic/Latino (p<0.05). Conclusions. Rapid HIV testing is increasing across urban U.S. hospitals, primarily for occupational exposure and in hospitals with greater resources and need. To achieve routine HIV screening, policies should encourage greater breadth of diffusion of rapid testing at the point of care, especially in smaller facilities, the West, and communities with racial/ethnic diversity.
Fractal Structure of Electrum Dendrites in Bonanza Epithermal Au-Ag Deposits

Epithermal vein and disseminated Au-Ag deposits hosted by Tertiary volcanic rocks account for a significant amount of the precious metals extracted in the Great Basin region of the western United States. Locally extraordinarily rich (bonanza) shallow epithermal vein deposits consist of crustiform bands containing varying proportions of fine-grained silica (SiO2), adularia (KAlSi3O8), and electrum (Au-Ag alloy) that were typically deposited at temperatures 1 kg Au/tonne occur at approximately the same elevation. This has been cited as evidence of hydrothermal fluids boiling over a narrow vertical range (Buchanan, 1981; Berger and Eimon, 1983). Highest grade ores commonly contain electrum dendrites in a matrix of opal or very fine-grained silica recrystallized from opal (Saunders, 1994). Surface features of electrum dendrites and their intimate association with former silica colloids (now opal) indicate that dendrites formed by aggregation of colloidal particles (Saunders, 1990, 1994).
Noise cancellation using total variation for copy number variation detection.

Due to recent advances in sequencing technologies, sequence-based analysis has been widely applied to detecting copy number variations (CNVs). There are several techniques for identifying CNVs using next generation sequencing (NGS) data, however methods employing depth of coverage or read depth (RD) have recently become a main technique to identify CNVs. The main assumption of the RD-based CNV detection methods is that the readcount value at a specific genomic location is correlated with the copy number at that location. However, readcount data’s noise and biases distort the association between the readcounts and copy numbers. For more accurate CNV identification, these biases and noise need to be mitigated. In this work, to detect CNVs more precisely and efficiently we propose a novel denoising method based on the total variation approach and the Taut String algorithm. To investigate the performance of the proposed denoising method, we computed sensitivities, false discovery rates and specificities of CNV detection when employing denoising, using both simulated and real data. We also compared the performance of the proposed denoising method, Taut String, with that of the commonly used approaches such as moving average (MA) and discrete wavelet transforms (DWT) in terms of sensitivity of detecting true CNVs and time complexity. The results show that Taut String works better than DWT and MA and has a better power to identify very narrow CNVs. The ability of Taut String denoising in preserving CNV segments’ breakpoints and narrow CNVs increases the detection accuracy of segmentation algorithms, resulting in higher sensitivities and lower false discovery rates. In this study, we proposed a new denoising method for sequence-based CNV detection based on a signal processing technique. Existing CNV detection algorithms identify many false CNV segments and fail in detecting short CNV segments due to noise and biases. Employing an effective and efficient denoising method can significantly enhance the detection accuracy of the CNV segmentation algorithms. Advanced denoising methods from the signal processing field can be employed to implement such algorithms. We showed that non-linear denoising methods that consider sparsity and piecewise constant characteristics of CNV data result in better performance in CNV detection.
Mutations in GPR101 as a potential cause of X-linked acrogigantism and acromegaly.

Abstract X-linked acrogigantism (XLAG) is a recently described early-onset gigantism due to GPR101 duplication that induces growth hormone (GH) oversecretion. GPR101, which belongs to Family A rhodopsin-like family of G protein-coupled receptors, is predominantly expressed in hypothalamus and pituitary, suggesting that GPR101 might be important in regulating diverse functions such as energy balance and reproduction. Most mammalian GPR101s have extremely long third intracellular loops (ICL3); however, zebrafish GPR101 has a much shorter ICL3, but a longer C-terminus. GnRH-(1–5), a GnRH metabolite, can modulate the hypothalamus–pituitary–gonad axis and cancer cell migration via activating GPR101. GPR101 couples to both Gαs and Gαi proteins. GPR101 duplication has a causative role in XLAG, while GPR101 variants, especially c.924G > C (E308D), located at ICL3, are attributed to acromegaly. Some GPR101 mutations that are associated with a small proportion of pituitary tumors without GH oversecretion have also been identified recently. This chapter will summarize studies on GPR101, including its molecular cloning and tissue distribution, physiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology.
CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY AMONG CANCER PATIENTS: DETERMINING A SAFE PLATELET THRESHOLD

Cancer patients with CAD & thrombocytopenia are usually managed non-invasively due to perceived high risk of procedural complications (i.e. bleeding). Initial experience suggested feasibility of coronary angiography (CA) irrespective of platelet count. We sought to determine if thromboelastogram (
The uptake of family screening in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and an online video intervention to facilitate family communication.

BACKGROUND Individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), even when asymptomatic, are at-risk for sudden cardiac death and stroke from arrhythmias, making it imperative to identify individuals affected by this familial disorder. Consensus guidelines recommend that first-degree relatives (FDRs) of a person with HCM undergo serial cardiovascular evaluations. METHODS We determined the uptake of family screening in patients with HCM and developed an online video intervention to facilitate family communication and screening. Family screening and genetic testing data were collected through a prospective quality improvement initiative, a standardized clinical assessment and management plan (SCAMP), utilized in an established cardiovascular genetics clinic. Patients were prescribed an online video if screening of their FDRs was incomplete and a pilot study on video utilization and family communication was conducted. RESULTS Two-hundred and sixteen probands with HCM were enrolled in SCAMP Phase I and 190 were enrolled in SCAMP Phase II. In both phases, probands reported that 51% of FDRs had been screened (382/749 in Phase I, 258/504 in Phase II). Twenty patients participated in a pilot study on video utilization and family communication. Nine participants reported watching the video and six participants reported sharing the video with relatives; however only one participant reported sharing the video with relatives who were not yet aware of the diagnosis of HCM in the family. CONCLUSION Despite care in a specialized cardiovascular genetics clinic, approximately one half of FDRs of patients with HCM remained unscreened. Online interventions and videos may serve as supplemental tools for patients communicating genetic risk information to relatives.
THE STRUCTURE OF CHROMATIN AND ITS RECONSTRUCTION

ABSTRACT It is now generally accepted that most the DNA and histones of chromatin are organized into subunits, called nu bodies or nucleosomes, each containing about 190 base pairs of DNA and approximately an equal weight of histone (1-4). The existence of such subunits has been demonstrated by partial staphylococcal nuclease digestion of nuclei, which results in liberation of nucleosome monomers and oligomers. Further nuclease digestion of nucleosomes or of purified chromatin results in attack on the nucleosome structure itself, yielding a discrete set of double-stranded DNA fragments ranging in size from about 160 to 40 base pairs (5). Similar sets of fragments can also be generated by digestion of nucleoprotein reconstituted from DNA and chromatin total histones. We have systematically examined the nuclease digestion patterns of DNA-histone reconstitutes containing all possible combinations of the histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. We find that single histones, and most combinations of histone pairs, do not give rise to discrete DNA fragments. The histone pair H3/H4 appears to be essential to generation of the characteristic chromatin digest pattern. Use of other probes of structure, such as DNase I and trypsin, confirms this conclusion. We are able to show that the H3/H4 pair stabilizes DNA segments that are almost as long as the nucleosome “core”, and we conclude that the DNA of the nucleosome is to a large extent organized by this arginine-rich histone pair.
Role of Epigenetics in Unicellular to Multicellular Transition in Dictyostelium

The evolution of multicellularity is a critical event that remains incompletely understood. We use the social amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum, one of the rare organisms that exists in both unicellular and multicellular stages, to examine the role of epigenetics in regulating multicellularity. While transitioning to multicellular states, patterns of H3K4 methylation and H3K27 acetylation significantly change. By combining transcriptomics, epigenomics, chromatin accessibility, and syntenic analyses with other unicellular and multicellular organisms, we identify 52 conserved genes, which are specifically accessible and expressed during multicellular states. We validated that four of these genes, including the H3K27 deacetylase hdaD, are necessary and that an SMC-like gene, smcl1, is sufficient for multicellularity. These results highlight the importance of epigenetics in reorganizing chromatin architecture to facilitate the evolution of multicellularity. One Sentence SummaryEpigenetic regulation of multicellularity
Fluorescence of Hematoporphyrin-Derivative for Detection and Characterization of Tumors

Hematoporphyrin-Derivative (HpD) is well known for its tumor specificity and its photodynamic effect in photoradiation therapy. HpD is also fluorescent, and can be used to detect and localize tumors such as in fluorescence endoscopy. There is also the possibility that the differential accumulation of HpD may vary not only between benign and malignant states, but at various stages in the transformation of normal cells to malignancy, permitting the fluorescence of HpD to serve as an indicator of the transformation. The concentration of HpD in the tumor and in surrounding nonmalignant tissue is needed to plan the therapy because the absorbed dose in photoradiation therapy is proportional to the concentration of HpD, and the space irradiance or energy flux density of the light at the dose point. Fluorescence may serve as an indicator of HpD concentration if corrections are made for competing absorption.
Selective laser sintering (SLS)-printable thermosetting resins via controlled conversion

An alternative strategy toward SLS-printable thermosets is demonstrated based on partial curing of the material to increase the Tg of the resin and minimize the additional cure needed to cross-link the printed article. This material is then printed, yet it does not become cross-linked during the printing process. Rather, after printing the material is cured via a slow temperature ramp maintained just below the material’s evolving Tg. Although equipment limitations resulted in parts which have intrinsic porosity, the strategy employed here serves as the first demonstration of SLS printing and subsequent curing of minimally filled (< 1 wt% filler) high Tg (~ 200°C) thermoset materials competitive with popular thermoplastics such as PEEK and PPS.
Locally-Connected, Irregular Deep Neural Networks for Biomimetic Active Vision in a Simulated Human

An advanced simulation framework has recently been introduced for exploring human perception and visuomotor control. In this context, we investigate locally-connected, irregular deep neural networks (liNets) for biomimetic active vision. Like commonly used CNNs, liNets are locally-connected, forming receptive fields, but unlike CNNs, they are suitable for spatially irregular photoreceptor distributions inspired by those found in foveated biological retinas. Compared to fully-connected deep neural networks, liNets accommodate a much greater number of retinal photoreceptors to enhance visual acuity without intractable memory consumption. LiNets serve well in the biomimetic active vision system embodied in a simulated human that learns active visuomotor control and active appearance-based recognition.
Metastable biomolecular condensates of interferon-inducible antiviral Mx-family GTPases: A paradigm shift in the last three years

Membraneless organelles (MLOs) in the cytoplasm and nucleus in the form of phase-separated biomolecular condensates are increasingly viewed as critical in regulating diverse cellular functions. We summarize a paradigm shift over the last 3 years in the field of interferon (IFN)-inducible antiviral Mx-family GTPases. Expression of the ‘myxovirus resistance proteins’ MxA in human cells and its ortholog Mx1 in murine cells is increased 50- to 100-fold by Type I (IFN-α and -β) and III IFNs (IFN-λ). Human MxA forms cytoplasmic structures, while murine Mx1 forms nuclear bodies. Since 2002, it has been widely thought that human (Hu) MxA is associated with the membraneous smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In a paradigm shift, our recent data showed that HuMxA formed membraneless phase-separated biomolecular condensates in the cytoplasm. Some of the HuMxA condensates adhered to intermediate filaments generating a reticular pattern. Murine (Mu) Mx1, which was predominantly nuclear, was also confirmed to be in phase-separated nuclear biomolecular condensates. A subset of Huh7 cells showed association of GFP-MuMx1 with intermediate filaments in the cytoplasm. While cells with cytoplasmic GFP-HuMxA condensates and cytoplasmic GFP-MuMx1 filaments showed an antiviral phenotype towards vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), those with only nuclear GFP-MuMx1 bodies did not. The new data bring forward the paradigm that both human MxA and murine Mx1 give rise to phase-separated biomolecular condensates, albeit in different subcellular compartments, and that differences in the subcellular localization of condensates of different Mx proteins determines the spectrum of their antiviral activity.
Modeling and Numerical Simulation of Concentrated Solar Energy Storage in a Packed Bed of Silicon Carbide Particles

In this paper, a radiative heat transfer model is developed and a computational fluid dynamics approach is used to simulate concentrated solar energy (CSE) absorption by a packed bed of silicon car...
Insertion of alpha1S II-III loop and C terminal sequences into alpha1H fails to restore excitation-contraction coupling in dysgenic myotubes.

The L-type Ca2+ channel in skeletal muscle (α1S) is essential for excitation–contraction (EC) coupling. Previous studies using chimeras composed of α1S together with α1C or α1M demonstrated the importance of the α1S II–III loop and of a smaller subdomain (residues 720–764; ‘ECC’) in skeletal EC coupling. However, these chimeras failed to test the significance of regions outside the II–III loop, which are highly conserved between α1S and α1C. Therefore, we have injected dysgenic (α1S-lacking) myotubes with cDNAs encoding chimeras between α1S and the highly divergent T-type Ca2+ channel, α1H. The chimeras consisted of GFP-tagged α1H with one or more of the following substitutions: α1S II–III loop residues 720–764 (‘ECC’), a putative targeting domain of the α1S C terminus (‘target’; residues 1543–1662) or the entire α1S C terminus (‘Cterm’; residues 1382–1873). The presence of either target or Cterm affected the expression and/or kinetics of whole-cell currents recorded from both dysgenic muscle cells and tsa-201 cells. Importantly, substitution of ECC alone into GFP-α1H (GFP-α1H + ECC), or together with either target (GFP-α1H + ECC + target) or Cterm (GFP-α1H + ECC + Cterm ), was insufficient to restore electrically evoked contractions. Depolarization-induced fluorescence transients for GFP-α1H + ECC, GFP-α1H + ECC + target or GFP-α1H + ECC + Cterm had a bell shaped dependence upon membrane voltage (inconsistent with skeletal EC coupling) and were also exceedingly small (unlike cardiac EC coupling). The absence of EC coupling for these chimeras raises the possibility that regions of α1S outside of ECC and target are necessary for providing the context that allows these two domains to function in EC coupling and targeting, respectively. Additionally, an inadequate membrane density of the chimeras may have contributed to the lack of coupling.
Network-based Characterization of Inflammation Biomarkers, Phytochemicals and Disease

Chronic inflammation is often a major contributor to the onset and progression of cardiometabolic dysfunction. Whether through effects on the inflammatory response system or independent of inflammation, plant-derived polyphenols comprise a micro-nutrient class important in cardiovascular disease and other cardiometabolic traits. Well-known effects of these compounds include reducing blood glucose, acting as a diuretic, and raising HDL cholesterol. Using a computational approach, published phytochemicals and disease interaction information was mined from the literature and integrated with publicly available phytochemical data, including those relating specific phytochemicals to food items. The resulting federated database can be interrogated for the purpose of constructing molecular networks that depict relationships between diet, cardiometabolic traits, aging and inflammation. This nutrition-inflammation interactome is a useful tool to understanding the diet-disease-inflammation axis and is also a vehicle...
How do age and nature of the motor task influence visuomotor adaptation

Visuomotor adaptation with prism glasses is a paradigm often used to understand how the motor system responds to visual perturbations. Both reaching and walking adaptation have been documented, but not directly compared. Because the sensorimotor environment and demands are different between reaching and walking, we hypothesized that characteristics of prism adaptation, namely rates and aftereffects, would be different during walking compared to reaching. Furthermore, we aimed to determine the impact of age on motor adaptation. We studied healthy younger and older adults who performed visually guided reaching and walking tasks with and without prism glasses. We noted age effects on visuomotor adaptation, such that older adults adapted and re-adapted slower compared to younger adults, in accord with previous studies of adaptation in older adults. Interestingly, we also noted that both groups adapted slower and showed smaller aftereffects during walking prism adaptation compared to reaching. We propose that walking adaptation is slower because of the complex multi-effector and multi-sensory demands associated with walking. Altogether, these data suggest that humans can adapt various movement types but the rate and extent of adaptation is not the same across movement types nor across ages.
Effect of general anesthesia on the defibrillation energy requirement in patients undergoing defibrillator implantation.

Background: The effect of general anesthesia on defibrillation efficacy in humans is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of general anesthesia on the defibrillation energy requirements in patients undergoing implantation of a pectoral defibrillator. Methods and Results: Nineteen consecutive patients who underwent defibrillator implantation under general anesthesia were prospectively compared to 16 consecutive patients who underwent defibrillator implantation by the same physicians, using similar devices, at another hospital under conscious sedation. Pre-discharge testing was performed 1.4 ± 1.0 days after implant using sedation in both groups. The defibrillation energy requirement was determined using the same predefined step-down protocol (15, 10, 8, 5, 3, 1 J) at the time of implantation and during pre-discharge testing. The clinical characteristics of the patients were similar between groups. There was no significant difference in the mean implant defibrillation energy requirement compared to the mean pre-discharge defibrillation energy requirement in either the general anesthesia group (8.5 ± 4.7 vs. 8.4 ± 3.4 J; p = 0.9) or in the conscious sedation group (9.4 ± 3.9 vs. 9.0 ± 3.8 J; p = 0.7). Conclusions: When compared to conscious sedation, general anesthesia with mechanical ventilation has no significant effect on defibrillation efficacy in patients undergoing defibrillator implantation.
Native defects in Tl6SI4: Density functional calculations

Tl6SI4 is a promising room-temperature semiconductor radiation detection material. Here, we report density functional calculations of native defects and dielectric properties of Tl6SI4. Formation energies and defect levels of native point defects and defect complexes are calculated. Donor-acceptor defect complexes are shown to be abundant in Tl6SI4. High resistivity can be obtained by Fermi level pinning by native donor and acceptor defects. Deep donors that are detrimental to electron transport are identified and methods to mitigate such problem are discussed. Furthermore, we show that mixed ionic-covalent character of Tl6SI4 gives rise to enhanced Born effective charges and large static dielectric constant, which provides effective screening of charged defects and impurities.
An Evangelical Commonwealth: Johannes Eisemann on Law and the Common Good

This essay, dedicated to Professor Lindberg in admiration and appreciation, introduces one such Lutheran jurist, Johannes Eisermann (ca. 1485-1558). Eisermann, a former student of Philipp Melanchthon, was the founding law professor of the new Evangelical University of Marburg and counselor to one of the strongest Lutheran princes of the day, Landgrave Philipp of Hesse. He took the new evangelical theology to heart and sought to translate it into new legal terms, both statutory and theoretical. Particularly important was Eisermann's work on the origin, nature, and purpose of a Christian commonwealth, which was first published in 1533. This was one of the first detailed statements of evangelical legal and political theory, and it anticipated many of the more famous political formulations of Protestant writers in the later sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
The European Linguistic Tradition - The Greco Roman Legacy

The European linguistic tradition exists since the very beginning of date and even before. This long-lasting tradition is believed to have started with Greeks, and it has been, since then, one of the very few unbroken chains of scholarship. Five hundred years before date, the Greeks were already launching this tradition which went through different stages to become the scientific study that it is today. The logical question that one might ask is: Why are Greeks considered to be the pioneers in linguistic thinking? A possible answer is provided by Bloomfield (1935: 4) when he says that 'the ancient Greeks had the gift of wondering at things that other people take for granted.' Although, the gift in question may have had a lot to do with the political, economic and social situation of the time, the Greeks, and the Romans after them, are believed to be the roots of a long-lasting European linguistic tradition.
Role of the clinical laboratory in guiding treatment of Amanita virosa mushroom poisoning: report of two cases

Historically, mortality after Amanita mushroom ingestion has ranged from 50% to 90%. Prompt diagnosis is imperative, and aggressive therapeutic measures must be instituted quickly to improve the outcome. We report successful treatment of two cases of A. virosa poisoning by use of combined therapies, including thioctic acid and hemoperfusion.
Porous Media Primer for Physicists

This chapter provides an introduction to concepts and fundamental relationships of pore-scale phenomena in such a way that is hoped to reduce uncertainty in understanding of porous media for a typically trained physicist without a background in the particular subject. The first topic is how and why percolation theory should be considered. Then, certain pitfalls of conventional interpretations are described. In particular we examine in detail the (casually) presumed mapping between pressure-saturation curves and the pore-size distribution, and find that complications due to finite column size, flow rates (equilibrium), and the phase connectivity described in terms of the accessibility function from percolation theory make such assumptions unjustifiable. Finally various treatments of porous media are discussed, such as capillary bundle, network, and fractal models. The serious problems associated with reliance on capillary bundle models are listed and corrections are referred to later chapters.
Mechanism of faulting in southern California indicated by seismograms

For about twenty years it has been known that the first impulse due to the direct longitudinal waves of an earthquake produces a compression of the particles in certain areas of the earth's surface, whereas in other extended regions a rarefaction (dilatation) is observed. The pattern depends on the movements at the source. A summary of the earlier literature has been given by Kawasumi (1937). The purpose of the present paper is to investigate such patterns of compressions and dilatations in local shocks in southern and central California and to draw conclusions respecting the mechanism of faulting.
Time and temperature dependence of phosphorus vapor pressure as measured by a pressure-balanced, sealed-ampoule technique

For some commercial red P currently available, the vapor pressure values given by the supplier's data sheets are much different from those of K.J. Bachmann and E. Buehler (1974). During the synthesis of InP in sealed fused silica ampoules, explosions often occur when the vapor pressure estimated from the P reservoir temperature and the Bachmann-Buehler data is well below the breaking strength of the ampoule. To avoid such problems, the authors are balancing the P pressure inside the sealed synthesis ampoule with high-pressure Ar gas in a steel pressure vessel. Balancing is accomplished with the aid of a transducer that senses the difference between the P and Ar pressures. Unexpectedly rapid changes in P pressure with reservoir temperature have been observed during synthesis runs employing this procedure. A study of the time and temperature dependence of P vapor pressure that utilizes the pressure balancing apparatus and technique developed for InP synthesis is described. >
Constructive Order Types on Cuts

If A and B are subsets of natural numbers we say that A is recursively equivalent to B (denoted A ≃ B ) if there is a one-one partial recursive function which maps A onto B , and that A is recursively isomorphic to B (denoted A ≅ B) if there is a one-one total recursive function which maps A onto B and Ā (the complement of A ) onto B#x00AF; .
Analysis of sulfate and phosphate esters of amino acids by ion-exchange chromatography on polymeric deae

Abstract A liquid chromatographic system has been developed for the analysis of the sulfate esters of serine and tyrosine and the phosphate esters of threonine, serine and tyrosine. The system also allows the determination of tryptophan obtained by base hydrolysis of peptides and proteins. The system employs a polymer-based DEAE anion-exchange column, elution with a sodium chloride—borate gradient under basic conditions, post-column derivatization by o -phthalaidehyde and fluorescence detection. The method has been successfully applied to the analysis of a synthetic peptide containing tyrosine-O-sulfate.