cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A 10MHz, 40V-to-5V clock-synchronized AOT hysteretic converter with programmable soft start technique for automotive USB chargers

Adaptive on-time (AOT) hysteretic control has gained increasing popularity in automotive electronics, because of its superior line regulation and fast load transient response. However, it faces serious switching frequency deviation and soft start issues from the conventional implementations. To mitigate these, this paper proposes a clock-synchronized AOT hysteretic control which adaptively synchronizes the switching converter to a desirable reference frequency without degrading its line regulation and load transient response. Meanwhile, a programmable soft start modulator is proposed to allow reliable start-up in heavy load condition and prevent large inrush current from damaging the power devices. Designed on a high voltage (HV) 0.35μm BCD process, the integrated converter achieves a single-stage 40V to 5V voltage conversion with a full load of 15W and a peak efficiency of 90.5%. With the proposed clock-synchronized Ton timer, the switching frequency is maintained at a fixed 10MHz, over the full input, output and load ranges. The programmable soft start modulator achieves 100μs to 6ms soft start time, which greatly suppresses startup inrush current.
Effects of local network topology on the functional reconstruction of spiking neural network models

The representation of information flow through structural networks, as depicted by functional networks, does not coincide exactly with the anatomical configuration of the networks. Model free correlation methods including transfer entropy (TE) and a Gaussian convolution-based correlation method (CC) detect functional networks, i.e. temporal correlations in spiking activity among neurons, and depict information flow as a graph. The influence of synaptic topology on these functional correlations is not well-understood, though nonrandom features of the resulting functional structure (e.g. small-worldedness, motifs) are believed to play a crucial role in information-processing. We apply TE and CC to simulated networks with prescribed small-world and recurrence properties to obtain functional reconstructions which we compare with the underlying synaptic structure using multiplex networks. In particular, we examine the effects of the surrounding local synaptic circuitry on functional correlations by comparing dyadic and triadic subgraphs within the structural and functional graphs in order to explain recurring patterns of information flow on the level of individual neurons. Statistical significance is demonstrated by employing randomized null models and Z-scores, and results are obtained for functional networks reconstructed across a range of correlation-threshold values. From these results, we observe that certain triadic structural subgraphs have strong influence over functional topology.
Selection for Collective Aggressiveness Favors Social Susceptibility in Social Spiders

Particularly socially influential individuals are present in many groups [1-8], but it is unclear whether their emergence is determined by their social influence versus the social susceptibility of others [9]. The social spider Stegodyphus dumicola shows regional variation in apparent leader-follower dynamics. We use this variation to evaluate the relative contributions of leader social influence versus follower social susceptibility in driving this social order. Using chimeric colonies that combine potential leaders and followers, we discover that leader-follower dynamics emerge from the site-specific social susceptibility of followers. We further show that the presence of leaders increases colony survival in environments where leader-follower dynamics occur. Thus, leadership is driven by the "social susceptibility" of the population majority, rather than the social influence of key group members.
Optimization of 18F‐syntheses using 19F‐reagents at tracer‐level concentrations and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis: Improved synthesis of [18F]MDL100907

Traditional radiosynthetic optimization faces the challenges of high radiation exposure, cost, and inability to perform serial reactions due to tracer decay. To accelerate tracer development, we have developed a strategy to simulate radioactive 18 F-syntheses by using tracer-level (nanomolar) non-radioactive 19 F-reagents and LC-MS/MS analysis. The methodology was validated with fallypride synthesis under tracer-level 19 F-conditions, which showed reproducible and comparable results with radiosynthesis, and proved the feasibility of this process. Using this approach, the synthesis of [18 F]MDL100907 was optimized under 19 F-conditions with greatly improved yield. The best conditions were successfully transferred to radiosynthesis. A radiochemical yield of 19% to 22% was achieved with the radiochemical purity >99% and the molar activity 38.8 to 53.6 GBq/ μmol (n = 3). The tracer-level 19 F-approach provides a high-throughput and cost-effective process to optimize radiosynthesis with reduced radiation exposure. This new method allows medicinal and synthetic chemists to optimize radiolabeling conditions without the need to use radioactivity.
Executive Dysfunction and Depression in Pediatric Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: The Contribution of Hippocampal Sclerosis and Psychosocial Factors.

Objectives: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) has been identified as a risk factor for increased depression features in children and adolescents; however, less is known regarding specific neurocognitive predictors of depression in this population above and beyond seizure-specific and sociodemographic factors. Methods: The study included 62 patients with TLE (64% male) aged 8 to 16 years (M=12.62; SD=2.26) who underwent comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Results: Correlation analyses revealed significant association between patient depression and WCST Total Perseverations, BRIEF Behavioral Regulation Index (BRI) and family stress. Perseverative errors on the WCST and the BRI were found to significantly predict depression features in youth with TLE. Patient performance on WCST was also found to fully mediate the significant relationship between hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and depression in pediatric TLE. Finally, logistic regression indicated HS in the presence of TLE was associated with a four-fold risk of clinically significant depression ratings. Conclusions: The current findings offer strong support for the relationship between executive function (EF) and depression in pediatric TLE. Also, as HS is not modifiable, these findings suggest EF intervention may be a potential modality for improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in youth with TLE. (JINS, 2018, 24, 606–616)
Theology and Psychological Theory: Psychological Implications of Some Modern Theologies

In a sense, theologies are psychologies. They discuss the human condition, largely in terms of motivation and cognition, and suggest ways of organizing our thinking about human aspirations and goal...
Abstract 51: Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 Deficiency Prevents Obesity and Insulin Resistance by Promoting Brown and Beige Adipocyte Thermogenic Programs

Objectives: Human population studies link sequence variants near the allograft inflammatory factor (Aif)-1 locus with obesity, adipose inflammation, and diabetes, conditions strongly associated wit...
iSchlenk: Portable Equipment for Hands-On Instruction in Air-/Moisture-Sensitive Syringe, Cannula, and Schlenk Techniques

iSchlenk, a portable instructional cart with equipment for hands-on student experience in safe handling of air-sensitive, moisture-sensitive, toxic, pyrophoric, and/or radioactive chemical materials, is described. The cart, for use by ≤4 students, has compressed air and vacuum from a diaphragm vacuum pump supplied to 4 three-port Schlenk lines with double-oblique glass stopcocks. Air pressure is adjusted by a pressure-release mineral oil bubbler. The cart’s drawers contain glassware and equipment (polypropylene and glass syringes, deflected-point needles, cannula, rubber septa, Schlenk flasks, Schlenk fritted funnels, pour tubes, gas-inlet adapters) for instruction in liquid transfer (syringe, cannula, pour tube) and basic Schlenk techniques. Water serves as the simulant for pyrophoric liquids, compressed air for inert gases, and fine sand for insolubles. The results of anonymous (coded by student) written assessments, before and after student use of iSchlenk, are presented. iSchlenk design criteria and c...
Prevalence and correlates of psychiatric symptoms among first responders in a Southern State.

Abstract First responders (FRs) respond to critical incidents as an expectation of their profession, and after years of service, exposure to trauma can accumulate and potentially lead to mental health problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A gap persists in the research regarding duty-related risk factors and prevalence of mental health problems among FRs. Guided by existing evidence and in partnerships with the state's FR community, this study assessed the mental health needs of FRs, risk factors that may contribute to these problems, and the associations therein. A convenience sample of firefighters and emergency medical technicians/paramedics (n = 220) were recruited from across Arkansas to complete an online survey. This survey incorporated brief assessment tools to measure various mental health problems, and captured other data regarding possible risk factors. Results found that 14% reported moderate-severe and severe depressive symptoms, 28% reported moderate-severe and severe anxiety symptoms, 26% reported significant symptoms of PTSD, 31% reported harmful/hazardous alcohol use and dependence, 93% reported significant sleep disturbances, and 34% indicated high risk for suicide. Significant group differences were found across measures and gender (female), shift-structure (48 h or more), department setting (rural), relationship status (non-partnered), and having a medical history of hypertension. These findings pose significant implications for mental healthcare providers, as well as other healthcare providers and FR organizations. Findings will guide future research that will address the need for changes in decision-making, funding, and policy regarding FRs' MH and MH services available to them.
SIMULATING INFRASTRUCTURE OUTAGES: AN OPEN-SOURCE GEOSPATIAL APPROACH

Abstract. Understanding the impact of service outages caused by natural or man-made disasters in utility services is a key part of decision-making in response and recovery efforts. Large-scale outages in the last 15 years, from the 2003 northeast blackout to Hurricane Maria devastating Puerto Rico in 2017, highlighted the importance of tight couplings within and across various utilities. The brittleness of these tight couplings results in long delays in restoring large-scale outages. Such cross-infrastructure effects can make analysis for decision makers and responders far more complex. To facilitate recovery, decision makers need to use specialized Decision Support Systems (DSS) that allow simulation of various alternative enablement options along with their impact on society. In this article, we describe our geo-simulation engine and datasets used for outage modelling. First, we detail our efforts in correcting and completing Electric Power (EP) network for the western US. Next, we explain the architecture and initial implementation of the platform-independent, open-source geospatial simulation engine that we are in the process of developing. Using this engine, we can consider the amount of commodity at the transmission source (power plants) and sinks (substations) and set thresholds at sinks to trigger and simulate outages. For instance, a threshold can be set to trigger an outage at substation level if the available commodity amount drops below 80 % of the demand. Future additions include cross-infrastructure and enablement consequence analysis to provide a complete and transparent DSS to study outages on multiple interrelating infrastructures through scenario-based evaluation criteria.
Physical Modeling of Carbon Filament Growth

Although the formation of filamentous carbon requires a transition metal catalyst particle, a gaseous environment containing carbon, and appropriate physical and chemical conditions, such filaments are formed rather broadly in modern industrial processes [1]. Indeed, the history of their formation in the solar system may be more venerable than had previously been expected. Bradley, Brownlee, and Fraundorf [2] have published a transmission electron microscope image of a carbon filament present in a chondritic meteorite. These researchers found several filaments in micrometeorites collected in the stratosphere which may be representative of the solar debris from which the planets were formed. Although the filaments’ length and quality are inferior to those grown in a laboratory under optimum conditions, they contain magnetite crystals in their interior and show clear evidence of a hollow core.
A MODEL BASE FOR SIMPLE MULTI-COMPUTER ARCHITECTURES

This chapter discusses a model base for simple multi-computer architectures. Other simple architectures are designed to replace the simple processor in a simple processor model/experimental frame pair and study performance of each under the same conditions. Three basic multiprocessing configurations are modeled, each having a coordinator that sends problems to some subordinate processors and receives solutions from them. In the multiserver architecture, the coordinator reroutes incoming problems to whichever processor is free at the time. In the pipeline architecture, problems pass through the processors in a fixed sequence, each processor performing a part of the solution. The chapter discusses that problems are decomposed into sub-problems that are worked on concurrently and independently by the processors in the divide and conquer architecture. When all partial solutions are available, they are then sent to a compiling processor to be put together to form the final solution. In each of the architectures, problems arrive at the coordinator and emerge from it.
What is a Good Intervention

What makes a good school-based intervention for students with behavioral, academic, or social difficulties? First, it is important to understand what an intervention is and what it is not. For the purposes of this book, interventions are not counseling or non-directive psychotherapies. There are places for these approaches in a school setting, however, their overall effectiveness for behavior problems, social skills deficits, and academic problems are less robust (Stage & Quiroz, 1997; Weiss, Catron, Harris, & Phung, 1999; Weisz, Weiss, Alicke, & Klotz, 1987). Our definition of an intervention is: the systematic application of research-validated procedures to change behaviors through either teaching new skills or through the manipulation of antecedents and consequences. It is important that any procedure implemented with students has been research-validated and published in a peer reviewed professional journal. This process insures that the intervention has been implemented with integrity and its’ effectiveness has been demonstrated using an acceptable research design and outcome measures. Most of the interventions reviewed in this book are either single subject or group research designs. Having the procedure “peer reviewed”, means that objective experts in the field have reviewed the intervention research study and found its’ methodology to be acceptable and the procedure effective in changing behaviors.
Rubber-Specific IgE in Children with Spina Bifida

AbstractWe attempted to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of rubber-specific IgE in a prospective case control study of 32 preoperative children with spina bifida, compared with 45 outpatient controls and 35 age-matched preoperative controls without spina bifida. A latex-specific radioallergosorbent test was positive in 11 of the 32 spina bifida patients (34%), compared with 1 (2%) and 4 (11%) of the respective controls (p <0.05). Within the spina bifida group 5 of 11 antibody-positive patients had a history of rubber-associated, intraoperative or otherwise idiopathic allergic episodes and 1 of 21 antibody-negative patients gave such a history (p = 0.012).Children with spina bifida have a significantly greater likelihood than controls of having IgE specific for rubber antigens. In addition, the presence of rubber-specific IgE is associated with a higher frequency of rubber-associated, intraoperative or idiopathic allergic reactions.
Development of an Efficient Low-Cost Low-Voltage DC Microgrid with Power Array Conversion (PAC) for a Commercial Building Application

PV solar energy is becoming increasingly more prevalent in electricity generation for residential and commercial buildings. Since PV solar directly supplies DC power, a DC microgrid is an ideal platform for PV energy resource in building applications. Existing DC power converters typically have low efficiency of power conversion at light and heavy load conditions. Much research has been done on the efficiency improvement of DC converters, but material, technology and manufacturing processes all impose a limitation on efficiency gain. This paper addresses the efficient improvement of DC microgrid with a power array conversion (PAC) for a commercial building application. The PAC configuration utilizes an array with three equal and parallel converters instead of a single larger converter to cover a wide range of load conditions. As power conversion is a large part of power loss in DC microgrids, especially for step-up conversion, the proposed PAC is developed to improve the conversion efficiency. Analysis results show that the proposed DC microgrid can improve the conversion efficiency up to 6.8% over the existing centralized single converter configuration. The proposed DC microgrid with PAC also generates 2.91% more power than the centralized single converter method. A review of the converter hardware costs indicates that the PAC approach offers savings on the initial purchase of converter. Furthermore, an array with three converters can improve the system reliability since it offers a level of redundancy where one or two converters can continue to operate, albeit at a lower output capacity, when other converters are out of service.
Embracing the dropouts in single-cell RNA-seq data

One primary reason that makes the analysis of single-cell RNA-seq data challenging is dropouts, where the data only captures a small fraction of the transcriptome of each cell. Many computational algorithms developed for single-cell RNA-seq adopted gene selection and dimension reduction strategies to address the dropouts. Here, an opposite view is explored. Instead of treating dropouts as a problem to be fixed, we embrace it as a useful signal for defining cell types. We present an iterative co-occurrence clustering algorithm that works with binarized single-cell RNA-seq count data. Surprisingly, although all the quantitative information is removed after the data is binarized, co-occurrence clustering of the binarized data is able to effectively identify cell populations, as well as cell-type specific pathways. We demonstrate that the binary dropout patterns of the data provides not only overlapping but also complementary information compared to the quantitative gene expression counts in single-cell RNA-seq data.
Launching Revolution: Social Media and the Egyptian Uprising’s First Movers

Drawing on evidence from the 2011 Egyptian uprising, this article demonstrates how the use of two social media platforms – Facebook and Twitter – contributed to a discrete mobilizational outcome: the staging of a successful first protest in a revolutionary cascade, referred to here as ‘first-mover mobilization’. Specifically, it argues that these two platforms facilitated the staging of a large, nationwide and seemingly leaderless protest on 25 January 2011, which signaled to hesitant but sympathetic Egyptians that a revolution might be in the making. It draws on qualitative and quantitative evidence, including interviews, social media data and surveys, to analyze three mechanisms that linked these platforms to the success of the January 25 protest: (1) protester recruitment, (2) protest planning and coordination, and (3) live updating about protest logistics. The article not only contributes to debates about the role of the Internet in the Arab Spring and other recent waves of mobilization, but also demonstrates how scholarship on the Internet in politics might move toward making more discrete, empirically grounded causal claims.
SWORD '96: surveillance of work-related and occupational respiratory disease in the UK

Chest and occupational physicians who report to the SWORD surveillance scheme are estimated to have seen some 3,300 new cases of work-related respiratory disease in 1996. This total has regained the level recorded prior to a low in 1995, probably because of improved chest physician participation and the introduction of a sampling system for occupational physicians. Trends in disease incidence have remained fairly constant with some changes only in pneumoconiosis and inhalation accidents. It is of concern that there has been no evidence of a decrease in frequency of occupational asthma or in any of the incriminated agents since the scheme began in 1989. Comparison with other sources of data shows that, for asthma, SWORD records a relatively high frequency in women, a substantial proportion of whom do not appear to receive compensation. For mesothelioma, rates based on death certificates continue for understandable reasons to run at about twice the level reported to SWORD or as reflected by successful claims to the DSS for industrial injuries benefit. The SWORD programme is now one of six clinically-based reporting schemes which, by the end of 1997, are planned to cover all types of occupational disease in the UK.
Manage Stress to Tackle Mental Health Problems in the Workplace

The number of people suffering from mental health problems in the workplace is alarming. As costs resulting from lost productivity increase, so does the need for work organizations to address mental health issues. Because stress negatively contributes to mental health, employers are encouraged to tackle mental health problems by assisting employees with stress management. In addition to creating a supportive environment, training employees on boundary and coping strategies, promoting and supporting daily recovery efforts, and encouraging and facilitating access to social support are described as three approaches work organizations may want to embrace.
Differential densimetry: A method for determining ultra-low fluid flux and tissue permeability

Osmotic transport devices (OTDs) are forward osmosis membrane devices that we recently developed to remove accumulated fluid from swollen tissue, in-vivo, under severe conditions. As such, the relative volume of the fluid required to be removed and the volumetric flowrate may be two orders of magnitude less than the operating volume and tangential flowrate of the device. This makes it challenging to measure the rate of fluid flow from the swollen tissue. Here, we introduce a differential densimetry method for determining ultra-low volumetric flux through tissue samples. This technique uses two vibrating tube density sensors, one placed upstream of the membrane in contact with the tissue sample, and one placed downstream. Any flow of biological fluid withdrawn through the tissue will combine with the OTD operating fluid resulting in an observed density shift in the second density sensor. By measuring the difference in density between the upstream and downstream fluids, one can calculate the amount of fluid flowing across the tissue with a relatively high level of sensitivity. This method is also relatively insensitive to drift from temperature fluctuations and capable of continuously monitoring tissue permeability in real time. As a proof of concept, we used this technique to measure fluid flow across ex-vivo rat spinal tissue for an appropriately scaled OTD. The repeatability error had a maximum of only 12%. This implies that this method can provide highly acceptable flux measurements with reasonable reproducibility in real-time applications of fluid removal in-vivo.
Chapter 75 – Huntington Disease

Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by multiple movement disorders, psychiatric disturbances, and cognitive decline. The pathogenic mechanism is expansion of a trinucleotide repeat region of the IT15 gene that produces excess polyglutamine residues in its protein product, huntingtin, which in turn is suspected to induce cellular dysfunction via aberrant bioenergetics and mitochondrial dysfunction. This progressive decline at the cellular level appears to be quite early and specific in the striatum, particularly impacting the medium spiny neurons, with eventual cortical dysfunction and more diffuse basal ganglia involvement. Treatment centers on suppression of hyperkinetic movements, stabilization of psychiatric disturbances including depression, irritability, and anxiety, and tailoring of lifestyle to promote safety and maximal activity. A major element of caring for HD families centers on genetic counseling for both affected and at-risk individuals.
Practical Framework for Beam Feature-based Physical Layer Identification in 802.11 ad/ay Networks

The millimeter wave (mmWave) technologies can significantly increase the throughput and user capacity in the future wireless networks. In term of device authentication, due to the usage of highly directional communication link, new physical layer identification (PLI) mechanism based on the spatial-temporal beam features becomes available. However, it is not known how to implement the new PLI mechanism using commodity devices in multiple client scenario in wireless networks. To this end, this paper presents a practical operational framework for the new beam feature-based PLI that is compatible with 802.11ad/ay standards. The low cost of these commodity devices leads to much wider beams, multiple main lobes, and high side lobes which in turn results in frequent sector level sweep (SLS) even for a minimal level of the transmitter-receiver misalignment. The high mobility sensitivity also triggers SLS. The key idea is to utilize the mobility of the mmWave device to collect enough measurements, the beam pattern feature values, from different observation angles where the beam features are extracted. This mobility effect takes advantage of the rich spatial-temporal information of the feature to prevent the system from spoofing. We also propose a novel feature database refinement algorithm to strengthen the database against false accept/reject rates and increase the identification accuracy. The algorithm filters the noisy data collected in the presence of multiple-clients. The proposed operational framework is implemented in commodity 802.11ad/ay devices. We show that the proposed scheme can reach near 100% accuracy even with a minimal feature vector database in real-time scenarios.
Not Just Endocarditis: Hospitalizations for Selected Invasive Infections Among Persons With Opioid and Stimulant Use Diagnoses-North Carolina, 2010-2018

Background While increases in overdoses, viral hepatitis, and endocarditis associated with drug use have been well-documented in North Carolina, the full scope of invasive drug-related infections (IDRIs) has not. We characterized trends in IDRIs among hospitalized patients in North Carolina. Methods We compared invasive infections that were related or not related to drug use among hospitalized patients aged 18-55 years based on retrospective review of administrative records from 2010-2018. Hospitalizations for endocarditis, central nervous system/spine infections, osteomyelitis, and septic arthritis were labeled as IDRIs if discharge codes included opioid and/or amphetamine misuse. Trends, rates, and distributions were calculated. Results Among 44 851 hospitalizations for the specified infections, 2830 (6.3%) were IDRIs. The proportion of infections attributable to drug use increased from 1.5% (2010) to 13.1% (2018), and the rate grew from 1.2 to 15.1 per 100 000. Compared with those who had non-drug-related infections, patients with IDRIs were younger (median age, 35 vs 46 years), more likely to be non-Hispanic white (81% vs 56%), and had longer hospitalizations (median, 8 vs 6 days). 43% of hospitalizations for IDRIs involved infective endocarditis. Conclusions The rate of IDRIs in North Carolina increased substantially during 2010-2018, indicating an urgent need for enhanced infection prevention, harm reduction, and addiction services aimed at community and inpatient settings.
Quantifying Local Energy Demand Through Pollution Analysis

In this paper, we explore the process of quantifying energy demand given measurable emissions of airborne pollutants throughout the United States, from 2014–2019. Airborne pollutants often take the form of criteria gasses, including Ozone, NO2, Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide, and toxic compounds. Using daily emission measurements throughout the United States from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and spot prices for oil and gas products from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), we define a mapping between these two universes. As a basis of analysis for the ecological consequences of oil and gas pricing on a daily scale, we define a demand score, based upon the Time-Lagged Cross Correlation (TLCC) between pollution levels, and spot prices. We have developed a scalable, pure-Apache Spark implementation of our TLCC algorithm. We then provide a reproducible justification for the predominantly negative correlation of pollution measures and oil prices on a local scale.
HARMONY: A Human-Centered Multimodal Driving Study in the Wild

Effective shared autonomy requires a clear understanding of driver’s behavior, which is governed by multiple psychophysiological and environmental variables. Disentangling this intricate web of interactions requires understanding the driver’s state and behaviors in different real-world scenarios, longitudinally. Naturalistic Driving Studies (NDS) have shown to be an effective approach to understanding the driver’s state and behavior in real-world scenarios. However, due to the lack of technological and computing capabilities, former NDS only focused on vision-based approaches, ignoring important psychophysiological factors such as cognition and emotion. The main objective of this paper is to introduce HARMONY, a human-centered multimodal naturalistic driving study, where driver’s behaviors and states are monitored through (1) in-cabin and outside video streams (2) physiological signals including driver’s heart rate and hand acceleration (IMU data), (3) ambient noise, light, and the vehicle’s GPS location, and (4) music logs, including song features such as tempo. HARMONY is the first study that collects long-term naturalistic facial, physiological, and environmental data simultaneously. This paper summarizes HARMONY’s goals, framework design, data collection and analysis, and the on-going and future research efforts. Through a presented case study, we first demonstrate the importance of longitudinal driver state sensing through using Kernel Density Estimation Methods. Second, we leverage the application of Bayesian Change Point detection methods to demonstrate how we can identify driver behaviors and responses to the environmental conditions by fusing psychophysiological information with features extracted from video streams.
An acoustic and articulatory study of rhotic and rhotic-nasal vowels of Kalasha

Abstract Kalasha, an endangered Dardic language (Indo-Aryan), is described as having series of retroflex and retroflex-nasal vowels, each with five contrasting vowel qualities. This study provides the first articulatory description of these vowels using lingual ultrasound imaging, showing that the vowels described as retroflex are produced not with tongue tip retroflexion but with bunching of the tongue body. Relative to their non-rhotic counterparts, these rhotic vowels are produced with more retracted tongue root and tongue blade, and they exhibit tongue dorsum concavity, much like bunched rhotic vowels in other languages. The five-way quality contrast between rhotic vowels is achieved using lip rounding as well as differences in tongue dorsum height, backness, and tongue root retraction. The lingual differences are reduced in comparison to the non-rhotic vowels, as they are constrained by the articulatory gestures used to achieve rhoticity.
Random Forests for Opponent Hand Estimation in Gin Rummy.

We demonstrate an AI agent for the card game of Gin Rummy. The agent uses simple heuristics in conjunction with a model that predicts the probability of each card's being in the opponent's hand. To estimate the probabilities for cards' being in the opponent's hand, we generate a dataset of Gin Rummy games using self-play, and train a random forest on the game information states. We explore the random forest classifier we trained and study the correspondence between its outputs and intuitively correct outputs. Our agent wins 61% of games against a baseline heuristic agent that does not use opponent hand estimation.
Acid-sensing ion channel 1 contributes to pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell depolarization following hypoxic pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is characterized by sustained vasoconstriction and remodelling of the small pulmonary arteries, which is associated with persistent depolarization of the resting membrane potential (Em ) of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). It is well-known that the underlying mechanism of this depolarization includes inhibition of K+ channels; however, whether other ion channels contribute to this depolarization is unknown. We previously reported that acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1), a non-selective cation channel (NSCC) that conducts both Na+ and Ca2+ , is present in PASMCs and contributes to the development of chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced pulmonary hypertension. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that ASIC1-mediated Na+ influx contributes to PASMC Em regulation following CH-induced pulmonary hypertension. Using sharp electrode intracellular recordings in isolated, pressurized small pulmonary arteries from rats and mice, we show that exposure to CH leads to PASMC membrane depolarization compared with control animals, and this is independent of intraluminal pressure-induced depolarization. In addition to a decrease in PASMC whole-cell K+ currents following CH, we demonstrate that whole-cell NSCC currents are increased and essential to the persistent CH-induced Em depolarization in PASMCs. Both the specific inhibitor of ASIC1, psalmotoxin 1, and global knockout of ASIC1 (Asic1-/- ) prevents CH-induced Em depolarization and largely inhibits whole-cell NSCC currents, without affecting whole-cell K+ currents. Our results show a combination of factors, including inhibition of K+ efflux and augmented Na+ influx, mediate CH-induced PASMC depolarization. Furthermore, this study demonstrates a novel role for ASIC1 in the regulation of Em in PASMCs during CH-induced pulmonary hypertension. KEY POINTS: In pulmonary hypertensive patients and animal models of pulmonary hypertension, the resting membrane potential (Em ) of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is persistently depolarized. In addition to the well-established reduction of K+ conductance, we show that non-selective cation channel currents are increased and essential to the persistent Em depolarization in PASMCs following chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced pulmonary hypertension. The current study provides novel evidence that acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1)-mediated Na+ influx induces membrane depolarization and regulates Em in PASMCs following CH exposure. Although fairly quiescent under control conditions, our findings demonstrate a pathological function of ASIC1 in the development of chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.
Succination of Dihydrolipoyllysine Succinyltransferase by Fumarate Exacerbates Defective Mitochondrial ATP Production during Complex I Deficiency

Summary The NDUFS4 knockout (KO) mouse phenotype resembles the human Complex I deficiency Leigh Syndrome. The irreversible succination of protein thiols by fumarate is increased in select regions of the NDUFS4 KO brain affected by neurodegeneration, suggesting a mechanistic role in neurodegenerative decline. We report that dihydrolipoyllysine-residue succinyltransferase (DLST), a component of the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex (KGDHC) of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, is succinated in the NDUFS4 KO brain. Succination of DLST reduced KGDHC activity in the brainstem (BS) and olfactory bulb (OB) of KO mice. The defective production of KGDHC derived succinyl-CoA resulted in decreased mitochondrial substrate level phosphorylation, further aggravating the OXPHOS ATP deficit. Protein succinylation, an acylation modification that requires succinyl-CoA, was reduced in the KO mice. Our data demonstrate that the biochemical deficit extends beyond impaired Complex I assembly and OXPHOS deficiency, functionally impairing select components of the TCA cycle to drive metabolic perturbations in affected neurons. Highlights Cysteine succination by fumarate is increased in model of Complex I deficiency Succination of DLST impairs KGDHC activity, limits SLP, and reduces lysine succinylation Irreversible succination drives neuropathology independent of the bioenergetic defect
Challenges in Banking the Rural Poor: Evidence from KenyaAS Western Province

Most people in rural Africa do not have bank accounts. In this paper, we combine experimental and survey evidence from Western Kenya to document some of the supply and demand factors behind such low levels of financial inclusion. Our experiment had two parts. In the first part, we waived the fixed cost of opening a basic savings account at a local bank for a random subset of individuals who were initially unbanked. While 63% of people opened an account, only 18% actively used it. Survey evidence suggests that the main reasons people did not begin saving in their bank accounts are that: (1) they do not trust the bank, (2) service is unreliable, and (3) withdrawal fees are prohibitively expensive. In the second part of the experiment, we provided information on local credit options and lowered the eligibility requirements for an initial small loan. Within the following 6 months, only 3% of people initiated the loan application process. Survey evidence suggests that people do not borrow because they do not want to risk losing their collateral. These results suggest that, while simply expanding access to banking services (for instance by lowering account opening fees) will benefit a minority, broader success may be unobtainable unless the quality of services is simultaneously improved. There are also challenges on the demand side, however. More work needs to be done to understand what savings and credit products are best suited for the majority of rural households.
Obierika's Children at Work and Play: Rethinking African Literary Studies in the 21st Century: ALA Presidential Address 2012

(2012). Obierika’s Children at Work and Play: Rethinking African Literary Studies In The 21st Century: ALA Presidential Address 2012. Journal of the African Literature Association: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 3-14.
Spatial carrier dynamics in photoconductors following femtosecond laser excitation

This study demonstrates the spatial carrier dynamics by Monte Carlo method on subpicosecond time scales including screening self-consistently through Poisson's equation. Numerical analysis of photoexcited carrier by the Monte Carlo method provides guidelines for the optimization of terahertz pulses. Results including the spatial effect at various the bias fields, electrode shapes, and optical fluences are also presented.
High variability in melting profiles from gel pad arrays.

We would like to point out an incorrect statement crediting our previous work in the recent paper of Siripong and colleagues (2006). The authors claim that ‘Recent work has suggested that the data-analysis tools used to assess melting profiles on gel-based microarrays can result in poor-quality melting profiles (Pozhitkov et al., 2005), but work by our group (e.g. Urakawa et al., 2002; 2003; El Fantroussi et al., 2003; Kelly et al., 2005) has demonstrated good melting-profile replication and has not shown any of the problematic data types described by Pozhitkov and colleagues (2005).’ In truth, P.A. Noble analysed the data of Urakawa and colleagues (2002; 2003) and El Fantroussi and colleagues (2003) and co-authored these papers, as well as Kelly and colleagues (2005). The reason why their statement is incorrect and misleading is because the method used for image processing in the Urakawa and colleagues (2002; 2003) and El Fantroussi and colleagues (2003), and Kelly and colleagues (2005) studies (which were co-authored by P.A. Noble) produced biased results as clearly demonstrated in the paper by Pozhitkov and colleagues (2005). Despite of the fact that the standard deviations of each data point in the Siripong and colleagues (2006) study (and previous studies) were relatively small (within-array reproducibility), there is an inconsistent systematic error associated with the grid placement that is not reflected by standard deviation. Therefore, any comparison between arrays is biased, with the results of a comparison significantly dependent upon the exact placement of the grid, as well as other factors discussed in Pozhitkov and colleagues (2005) and Pozhitkov and Noble (2007). It is impossible for other members of the Urakawa and colleagues (2002; 2003), El Fantroussi and colleagues (2003) and Kelly and colleagues (2005) group to demonstrate ‘good melting profile replication’ because the original images were not stored; therefore, they could not perform re-analysis of the raw images to determine reproducibility of the data – contrary of what was stated in the article by Siripong and colleagues (2006). This is why the statement under consideration, especially made in retrospective terms, is not accurate and very misleading to the readers. We would like to suggest that the authors correct themselves, make their raw data publicly available, and provide an explicit description of the method used for image processing in the Siripong and colleagues (2006) paper. It has been 5 years since a MIAME (minimum information about a microarray experiment) standard was proposed for all microarray studies (Brazma et al., 2001). All world-class journals adhere to this minimum standard. The standard requires disclosing the entire array data set to the readers. The Pozhitkov and colleagues (2005) paper and all subsequent papers by our group followed this standard.
How toxic is cocaine

The toxicities of cocaine are far-ranging. They include sudden death, acute medical and psychiatric illness, infectious complications, reproductive disturbances, trauma, criminal activities and societal disruption, including child neglect and abuse and lost job productivity. This chapter focuses on the medical complications. Medical complications in general reflect the intense sympathomimetic activities of cocaine ('sympathetic neural storm'). Psychiatric complications include acute anxiety or panic and paranoid psychosis. Cardiovascular complications include arrhythmias and sudden death, acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, dissecting aneurysm and bowel infarction. Neurological complications include seizure, intracerebral haemorrhage and brain injury due to hyperthermia and/or seizures, and headache. The incidence of medical complications has been estimated using two databases collected prospectively in the United States. In 1989 and 1990 cocaine ranked first in total encounters, major medical complications and drug-related deaths. An attempt was made to assess the intrinsic toxicity of cocaine by computing the incidence of adverse health outcomes per population of drug abusers. Rates of emergency department visits and deaths were 15.1 and 0.5 respectively, per 1000 persons using drugs in the past year. The magnitude of the cocaine problem, while considerable, is relatively small compared with that of cigarette smoking or alcohol abuse.
The effective use of quicksort visualizations in the classroom

We first draw the distinction between two instructional modes of using algorithm visualization (AV). The first of these is to have students construct their own visualizations. The second is to have students view an algorithm animation created by an expert. We then describe an experiment designed to test whether AV can be an effective learning tool in this second mode of use. To encourage the student's active engagement with the visualization, the AV system we used required that students interactively predict the actions that the depiction of the algorithm would portray. Two groups used the system, along with their textbook, to study quick sort. The difference between the groups was that one group used the system only for studying one particular algorithm. The other group had AV integrated more thoroughly into their entire course. We found that the latter group performed significantly better.
Strategies and Styles of Learning

The way we go about accomplishing learning will of course depend upon what we conceive of learning to be. I begin this concluding chapter by discussing definitions of learning. Then, I deal with the approaches students take to the task of learning in school. Approaches are the observable attempts of students to adapt to school, and they reflect both the school environment and the students themselves—individuals made up of unique past experiences and unique styles of perceiving and thinking. I consider some of the variables that contribute to the individuality of the student, including motives, self-concepts, and cognitive styles. I end by considering ways of improving learning, but since we can do little to change personality and cognitive style directly, suggestions generally involve modifications to the school environment.
Neurogenic and humoral factors maintaining arterial pressure in conscious dogs

This study examined the contribution of each primary pressor system to resting arterial pressure and the ability of each to maintain pressure in the absence of the other systems in conscious dogs. In dogs with intact carotid sinus baroreflexes, ganglionic blockade (GB) reduced blood pressure by 13 +/- 3 mmHg, whereas blockade of the renin-angiotensin (RAS) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) systems did not significantly alter arterial pressure. After removal of the other two systems, the depressor response to blockade of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) with hexamethonium and atropine was significantly augmented (-33 +/- 3 mmHg), whereas captopril (CAP) blockade of the RAS reduced pressure 14 +/- 4 mmHg, and AVP blockade decreased pressure 12 +/- 2 mmHg. In sinoaortic-denervated (SAD) dogs, the SNS exhibited a greater contribution (28 +/- 4 mmHg) to resting pressure compared with intact, and the role of the RAS (10 +/- 2 mmHg) was also augmented, whereas the effects of AVP blockade were unaltered. Effects of GB and CAP were unaltered after blockade of the other systems in SAD animals, whereas the depressor response to AVP antagonist (-13 +/- 2 mmHg) was significantly augmented. Results indicate the SNS is the primary pressor system in resting intact or SAD conscious dogs, whereas the RAS also contributes to resting blood pressure in SAD animals. The ability of the SNS alone to maintain arterial pressure after acute removal of the other systems is also significantly greater than that of AVP or the RAS.