cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Software fault tolerance for FPUs via vectorization

Future generation processors are expected to have high soft error rates and will require increased fault detection and fault tolerance. This work focuses on errors in execution units. Hardware or software duplication or triplication, parity, or residue codes could be used to detect errors in execution units. However, hardware duplication/triplication have significant area overhead and, in applications with high utilization of floating point units (FPU), very high energy cost. Software duplication/ triplication of instructions also increases both execution time and energy consumption. This paper proposes to reduce the cost of redundant instruction execution in FPUs through vectorization. Duplicated or triplicated instructions and result comparisons can be packed by a compiler into vector instructions, such as SSE or AVX. Experimental results using hand vectorization on a variety of benchmarks show that, compared to error detection through scalar instruction duplication, vector mode redundant execution achieves 1.78× and 2.73× average speedup for SSE and AVX instructions, respectively. It also significantly reduces the energy consumption, by an average of 40% and 53%, respectively, for SSE and AVX. Thus the proposed technique enables error detection with no hardware cost and reduced time and energy overhead compared to brute-force scalar instruction duplication.
Readability, Logodiversity, and the Effectiveness of College Science Textbooks.

Textbooks are required in most introductory college science courses, but students may not be benefitting from the textbooks as much as their instructors might hope. Word use in the textbooks may influence textbook effectiveness. I tested whether either the amount of technical vocabulary or the readability had a significant effect on students’ ability to learn general biology concepts. I provided different versions of the same reading, then tested students on the content. On the topic with the lowest overall post-reading quiz scores, students who received readings with less technical vocabulary outperformed their peers (P = 0.03). Textbooks did not appear to be an important source of learning for students in this study; fewer than half the students reported that they were reading the assigned chapters near the start of the semester, and this number declined sharply. Students had difficulty correctly answering questions immediately after reading brief selections, indicating a low level of comprehension. Changes in textbooks and teaching strategies may improve student learning and reading compliance.
Tie-mediated signal from apoptotic cells protects stem cells in Drosophila melanogaster

Some normal and cancer stem cells are resistant to killing by genotoxins, but the mechanism for this resistance is poorly understood. Here the authors show that adult stem cells in Drosophila melanogaster germline and midgut are resistant to genotoxic stimuli and find that this is mediated by signalling via the receptor tyrosine kinase Tie released from apoptotic cells.
Esterase Isozymes in the Mosquito Culex pipiens fatigans. Developmental and Genetic Variation

An electrophorctic analysis of esterases in developing Culex pipiens fatigans Wiedemann (Diptera: Culicidae), showed characteristic zymogram patterns for each of the major stages of metamorphosis. However, little qualitativevariation was observed within each of the major stages. There was an increase in esterase activity as the larvae developed, and adult males and females were differentiated by 4 weak zones of esterase activity. A genetic study of the larval polymorphism for the Esterase E (Est E) zone indicated that this esterase was specified by a pair of autosomal alleles inherited without dominance: Est E a and Est E b. Homozygotes showed the slow-moving (Est Ea) or the fast-movingh and (Est Eb) only. Heterozygotes had both parental bands and in addition a hybrid enzyme band. The formation of the hybrid molecule suggests that the Est E variants in Culex exist as a dimer. However, in vivo and in vitro hybridization tests showed a deficiency in the enzyme activity of the hybrid molecule. A partial characterization of the Est E zone indicated that this enzyme is probably an ali-esterase.
S.L Morgan og C. Winship: Counterfactuals and Causal Inference. Methods and Principles for Social Research

Counterfactuals and Causal Inference ble forst utgitt i 2007. Min utgave fra 2010 er sjuende opptrykk. Interessen har altsa vaert stor. Mange samfunnsforskere strever jo med hvordan A¢â¬ÂarsakA¢â¬Â skal forstas og analyseres. Ikke bare forskere etterspor arsaksanalyser. I debattene vrimler pastander om at slankemetoder A¢â¬Âhar effektA¢â¬Â, at private helsetilbud A¢â¬Âhelt sikkertA¢â¬Â reduserer koene og at innstramninger A¢â¬ÂgarantertA¢â¬Â vil overvinne krisa i okonomien. I dag tor knapt noen politiker begrunne et forslag kun med verdistandpunkter. Instrumentell tenkning har hegemoniet. Alt skal vurderes med effekter som malestokk, og media krever at forskningen skal dokumentere utvetydig hva virkningene er av tiltak, inngrep og politikk.
Variable Charge Reactive Potential for Hydrocarbons to Simulate Organic-Copper Interactions

A variable charge reactive empirical potential for carbon-based materials, hydrocarbons, organometallics, and their interfaces is developed within the framework of charge optimized many-body (COMB) potentials. The resulting potential contains improved expressions for the bond order and self-energy, which gives a flexible, robust, and integrated treatment of different bond types in multicomponent and multifunctional systems. It furthermore captures the dissociation and formation of the chemical bonds and appropriately and dynamically determines the associated charge transfer, thus providing a powerful method to simulate the complex chemistry of many-atom systems in changing environments. The resulting COMB potential is used in a classical molecular dynamics simulation of the room temperature, low energy deposition of ethyl radicals on the Cu (111) surface (a system with ∼5000 atoms) to demonstrate its capabilities at describing organic-metal interactions in a dynamically changing environment.
Single molecule tracking studies of flow-aligned mesoporous silica monoliths: aging-time dependence of pore order.

Single molecule tracking (SMT) methods are employed to characterize the in-plane alignment and order of cylindrical mesopores in flow-aligned surfactant-templated silica monoliths prepared within glass microfluidic channels. The majority of dye molecules observed in wide-field fluorescence videos of these samples exhibit one-dimensional (1D) diffusive motions. Orthogonal regression analysis of these motions provides a measure of the mesopore orientation distribution function, which in turn is used to quantify the mesopore order via a two-dimensional orientational order parameter, ⟨P⟩. Mesopore organization is explored as a function of aging time between sol preparation and filling of the microfluidic channels. Channels filled well before gelation of the sol are shown to incorporate large monodomains having average pore alignment within a few degrees of the flow direction. These monodomains extend over several millimeters and yield aging-time-independent ⟨P⟩ values larger than ∼0.80. In contrast, channels ...
001.2 Azithromycin-resistant neisseria gonorrhoeae in men who have sex with men (msm) in seattle, washington: 2014–2015

Background The emergence of azithromycin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae threatens recommended first-line treatment regimens. Methods We investigated cases of azithromycin-resistant gonorrhoea detected at Public Health – Seattle and King County STD Clinic between January 2014 and February 2015. In 2012–2013, zero of 237 MSM urethral isolates were azithromycin-resistant. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) do not define an azithromycin-resistance breakpoint. CDC uses ≥2 mcg/mL as an “Alert Value” minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) (here called resistant). We used agar dilution to determine MICs. Results Of 179 urethral, 83 pharyngeal and 87 rectal isolates from MSM, 11 (6.1%), 6 (7.2%) and 5 (5.7%) had azithromycin MIC ≥2 mcg/mL, respectively. We identified no cases of azithromycin-resistance among 56 heterosexuals. Overall, 19 (6.9%) of 276 MSM with culture-positive gonorrhoea had an azithromycin-resistant isolate. The median azithromycin MIC was 4.0 mcg/mL (range 2 to >256 mcg/mL). Eight patients’ isolates also demonstrated tetracycline resistance (MIC ≥2 mcg/mL); one was ciprofloxacin-resistant (MIC 16.0 mcg/mL). None exhibited reduced susceptibility to cefixime or ceftriaxone. Clinicians treated thirteen (68%) cases with ceftriaxone and azithromycin, one (5.3%) with ceftriaxone and doxycycline, two (10.6%) with study drug, and three (15.8%) with 2g of azithromycin. Two of three men treated with azithromycin-monotherapy had a test of cure (TOC) and both had persistent infection; their isolates demonstrated azithromycin MICs of 32 mcg/mL and 4.0 mcg/mL. One rectal treatment-failure was cured with 360 mg of gentamicin intramuscularly; the other (urethra/pharynx positive), was treated with ceftriaxone and doxycycline. He did not undergo repeat TOC. The individual with high-level azithromycin-resistance (MIC >256 mcg/mL) was an international traveller and not locatable for TOC. Conclusions Clinically important azithromycin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae now are found in >5% of MSM with gonorrhoea in Seattle. These findings support new CDC recommendations to avoid treating gonorrhoea with azithromycin alone. Disclosure of interest statement This work was funded by the US National Institutes of Health and CDC. No pharmaceutical grants were received in the development of this study.
When Our Lips Synch Together: The Transvestite Voice, the Virtuoso, Speed, and Pumped-Up Volume in Some Over-heard Shakespeares

In the spectacular, Las Vegas-style Capulet ball sequence in Baz Luhrmann’s William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1996), a bearded Mercutio, played by black actor Harold Perinneau, is the “very pink of courtesy,” performing in full drag on a staircase in front of a huge painting of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, surrounded by six male dancers (who flash their star-crossed buns to the camera) and flanked by two male go-go dancers. Shot as if he’s in an MTV music video sequence in quickly paced zooms, zips, and pans, Mercutio wears a matching sequined cape, necklace, bodice, and miniskirt with exposed garters, stockings, and panties; white, long-sleeved, satin gloves; pumps; false eyelashes; heavy mascara and eyeshadow; bright red lipstick; and a large white fright wig. While dancing a showgirl number complete with above-the-head alternating leg kicks, Mercutio lip-synchs a pumping, Latin disco song entitled “Young Hearts Run Free” (sung by Kym Mazelle) and, extending his tongue at certain moments, makes a striptease-like address to the camera as well as to Romeo. We also see Juliet’s father give his own drag performance at the party, dressed apparently as a garishly made-up Bacchus, singing “Amore” in a red sequined toga that looks like a dress and miming Mercutio as he hikes his toga above his panties and gives his own leg kicks.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Observation of α-Synuclein Membrane Interaction by Monitoring the Acetylation Reactivity of Its Lysine Side Chains

The interaction between α-synuclein (αS) protein and lipid membranes is key to its role in synaptic vesicle homeostasis and plays a role in initiating fibril formation, which is implicated in Parkinson’s disease. The natural state of αS inside the cell is generally believed to be intrinsically disordered, but chemical cross-linking experiments provided evidence of a tetrameric arrangement, which was reported to be rich in α-helical secondary structure based on circular dichroism (CD). Cross-linking relies on chemical modification of the protein’s Lys Ce amino groups, commonly by glutaraldehyde, or by disuccinimidyl glutarate (DSG), with the latter agent preferred for cellular assays. We used ultra-high-resolution homonuclear decoupled nuclear magnetic resonance experiments to probe the reactivity of the 15 αS Lys residues toward N-succinimidyl acetate, effectively half the DSG cross-linker, which results in acetylation of Lys. The intensities of both side chain and backbone amide signals of acetylated Lys...
A MicroRNA Cluster miR-23-24-27 Is Upregulated by Aldosterone in the Distal Kidney Nephron Where it Alters Sodium Transport.

Abstract The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is expressed in the epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubules, connecting tubules and cortical collecting duct (CCD) in the kidney nephron. Under the regulation of the steroid hormone aldosterone, ENaC is a major determinant of sodium (Na(+) ) and water balance. The ability of aldosterone to regulate microRNAs (miRs) in the kidney has recently been realized, but the role of miRs in Na(+) regulation has not been well established. Here we demonstrate that expression of a miR cluster mmu-miR-23∼24∼27, is upregulated in the CCD by aldosterone stimulation both in vitro and in vivo. Increasing the expression of these miRs increased Na(+) transport in the absence of aldosterone stimulation. Potential miR targets were evaluated and miR-27a/b was verified to bind to the 3'-untranslated region of intersectin-2, a multi-domain protein expressed in the distal kidney nephron and involved in the regulation of membrane trafficking. Expression of Itsn2 mRNA and protein was decreased after aldosterone stimulation. Depletion of Itsn2 expression, mimicking aldosterone regulation, increased ENaC-mediated Na(+) transport, while Itsn2 overexpression reduced ENaC's function. These findings reinforce a role for miRs in aldosterone regulation of Na(+) transport, and implicate miR-27 in aldosterone's action via a novel target. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Synthetic biology: Precision timing in a cell

A 16-year-old synthetic genetic circuit that produces gene-expression oscillations in bacterial cells has been given an upgrade, making it an exceptionally precise biological clock.
Siderophores: More than Stealing Iron.

Siderophores are small molecular iron chelators that are produced by microbes and whose most notable function is to sequester iron from the host and provide this essential metal nutrient to microbes. Recent studies have proposed additional, noncanonical roles for siderophores, including the acquisition of noniron metals and modulation of host functions. Recently, Holden et al. (V. I. Holden, P. Breen, S. Houle, C. M. Dozois, and M. A. Bachman, mBio 7:e01397-16, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01397-16) showed that siderophores secreted by Klebsiella pneumoniae during lung infection induce stabilization of the transcription factor HIF-1α, increase the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the lung, and promote dissemination of K. pneumoniae to the spleen. Thus, their study demonstrated novel roles for siderophores in vivo, beyond iron sequestration. The interaction of siderophores with host cells further promotes the pathogenicity of K. pneumoniae and is likely relevant for other pathogens that also secrete siderophores in the host.
Identification of Glutaminyl Cyclase Genes Involved in Pyroglutamate Modification of Fungal Lignocellulolytic Enzymes.

Author(s): Wu, Vincent W; Dana, Craig M; Iavarone, Anthony T; Clark, Douglas S; Glass, N Louise | Abstract: The breakdown of plant biomass to simple sugars is essential for the production of second-generation biofuels and high-value bioproducts. Currently, enzymes produced from filamentous fungi are used for deconstructing plant cell wall polysaccharides into fermentable sugars for biorefinery applications. A post-translational N-terminal pyroglutamate modification observed in some of these enzymes occurs when N-terminal glutamine or glutamate is cyclized to form a five-membered ring. This modification has been shown to confer resistance to thermal denaturation for CBH-1 and EG-1 cellulases. In mammalian cells, the formation of pyroglutamate is catalyzed by glutaminyl cyclases. Using the model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, we identified two genes (qc-1 and qc-2) that encode proteins homologous to mammalian glutaminyl cyclases. We show that qc-1 and qc-2 are essential for catalyzing the formation of an N-terminal pyroglutamate on CBH-1 and GH5-1. CBH-1 and GH5-1 produced in a Δqc-1 Δqc-2 mutant, and thus lacking the N-terminal pyroglutamate modification, showed greater sensitivity to thermal denaturation, and for GH5-1, susceptibility to proteolytic cleavage. QC-1 and QC-2 are endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized proteins. The pyroglutamate modification is predicted to occur in a number of additional fungal proteins that have diverse functions. The identification of glutaminyl cyclases in fungi may have implications for production of lignocellulolytic enzymes, heterologous expression, and biotechnological applications revolving around protein stability.ImportancePyroglutamate modification is the post-translational conversion of N-terminal glutamine or glutamate into a cyclized amino acid derivative. This modification is well studied in animal systems but poorly explored in fungal systems. In Neurospora crassa, we show that this modification takes place in the ER and is catalyzed by two well-conserved enzymes, ubiquitously conserved throughout the fungal kingdom. We demonstrate that the modification is important for the structural stability and aminopeptidase resistance of CBH-1 and GH5-1, two important cellulase enzymes utilized in industrial plant cell wall deconstruction. Many additional fungal proteins predicted in the genome of N. crassa and other filamentous fungi are predicted to carry an N-terminal pyroglutamate modification. Pyroglutamate addition may also be a useful way to stabilize secreted proteins and peptides, which can be easily produced in fungal production systems.
Biosynthesis of cabbage phytoalexins from indole glucosinolate

Brassica crop species are prolific producers of indole–sulfur phytoalexins that are thought to have an important role in plant disease resistance. These molecules are conspicuously absent in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, and little is known about the enzymatic steps that assemble the key precursor brassinin. Here, we report the minimum set of biosynthetic genes required to generate cruciferous phytoalexins starting from the well-studied glucosinolate pathway. In vitro biochemical characterization revealed an additional role for the previously described carbon–sulfur lyase SUR1 in processing cysteine–isothiocyanate conjugates, as well as the S-methyltransferase DTCMT that methylates the resulting dithiocarbamate, together completing a pathway to brassinin. Additionally, the β-glucosidase BABG that is present in Brassica rapa but absent in Arabidopsis was shown to act as a myrosinase and may be a determinant of plants that synthesize phytoalexins from indole glucosinolate. Transient expression of the entire pathway in Nicotiana benthamiana yields brassinin, demonstrating that the biosynthesis of indole–sulfur phytoalexins can be engineered into noncruciferous plants. The identification of these biosynthetic enzymes and the heterologous reconstitution of the indole–sulfur phytoalexin pathway sheds light on an important pathway in an edible plant and opens the door to using metabolic engineering to systematically quantify the impact of cruciferous phytoalexins on plant disease resistance and human health.
Guided Waves in a Fluid-Orthotropic Solid Bilayer

Leaky Lamb waves have been used extensively for ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation of elastic properties: the reader is referred to papers by Dayal and Kinra [1,2], Chimenti and Martin [3], Mal et al. [4], and Chimenti and Nayfeh [5]. The principal disadvantage of this method is the high attenuation of the waves in the immersed solid plate due to continuous radiation to the surrounding fluid. As a result, their amplitudes become immeasurably small after a short distance of travel as observed by Dayal and Kinra. This provided the motivation for the present work: a study of the propagation of harmonic waves in a solid plate loaded by a fluid layer of a finite thickness. In a previous work by the authors [6], the dispersion equation for an isotropic solid/fluid bilayer was obtained. It was seen that a thin layer of fluid coupled the symmetric (5) and antisymmetric (A) modes in the solid layer and that along a branch a quasi-symmetric mode changed character to a quasi-antisymmetric mode near a region where previously the S and the A branches crossed but were uncoupled. In the present work the dispersion equation for an orthotropic solid/fluid bilayer is derived. Mode shapes are studied for a graphite-epoxy/water bilayer for the case of equal thickness of the fluid and solid layers. In this case, coupling between fluid and solid modes is observed.
Psychosocial Response to New-Onset Diabetes as a Long-Term Effect of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Currently, little information is available to guide health care practitioners on how to facilitate positive outcomes in individuals who develop new-onset diabetes after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo HSCT) for treatment of hematological cancers. Results from this constructivist grounded theory study provide a theoretical framework explaining the psychosocial process of change that middle-age and older adults experience when developing new-onset diabetes in this context. Two predominant factors influenced this change: treatment burden and perception of diabetes. Key findings were that participants with ongoing complications, primarily graft-versus-host disease, experienced a high degree of treatment-related burden and unclear perceptions of diabetes when compared with those with no or few post-allo-HSCT complications. These factors limited their capacity to positively respond to and self-manage their condition. Implications for practice are to thoroughly consider these two factors when developing patient-centered interventions for middle-age and older adults with new-onset diabetes after allo HSCT.
Promoting an Effective R&D/Marketing Interface

(1980). Promoting an Effective R&D/Marketing Interface. Research Management: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 10-15.
Designing Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometers for the Future: Multichannel Recording of Peptide Amino Acid Sequences

Mass spectrometry has played an important role in research in the health and life sciences for many years. Identification and quantitation of the metabolites of new drugs, for example, has generally involved the use of combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS). However, in recent years, the introduction of new ionization techniques such as plasma desorption mass spectrometry (PDMS), fast atom bombardment (FAB), electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization (MALDI) has extended the analytical capabilities of mass spectrometers. The samples now amenable to these new techniques include peptides and proteins, carbohydrates and glycopeptides, and oligonucleotides. Double-focusing sector instruments and quadrupole mass filters continue to be the most commonly used mass analyzers. Because they record mass spectra by scanning the mass range, they are most appropriately used for methods (such as FAB and ESI) which produce ions continuously. In addition, sector and quadrupole analyzers are easily combined to form tandem (or hybrid) configurations that can provide detailed structural analysis from samples that may include a mixture of analytes. Thus, combinations of FAB with a four-sector mass analyzer or ESI with a triple quadrupole analyzer have become the major high performance instruments for the amino acid sequence analysis of peptides and proteins.
Physics-Based Co-Simulation Platform With Analytical and Experimental Verification for Bidirectional IPT System in EV Applications

Inductive power transfer (IPT) technology has been approved to be convenient and reliable interface for charging and discharging the electric vehicles (EVs). Precise model for such system can help designers and researchers to anticipate, optimize, and evaluate its behavior amid the development. Thus, this paper presents a physics-based co-simulation platform for the bidirectional IPT system (BIPTS) in EVs’ applications. The platform is established through the coupling between finite element and circuit analysis. The power electronic converters and controllers are developed in Simulink ; and the power pads are modeled in Magnet environment. The two parts are lined together through the compatible Simulink plug-in tool. In addition, a state-space dynamic mathematical model for the same BIPTS is derived and implemented in MATLAB environment. A 1.2 kW BIPTS is analyzed under different dynamics by both models and the results are compared. The effect of the nonlinearities and the magnetic material characteristics on the BIPTS's performance is assessed, in terms of errors and harmonics analysis. The analysis considered both the full and light loading operating conditions in the system. Finally, a small-scale prototype for a BIPTS is built, tested, and compared with the co-simulation results for verification purposes. The proposed co-simulation could provide accurate prediction for the system's dynamics, during both charging and discharging operation. The scheme is generic and can be easily expanded to different pad structures, compensation networks, and converter topologies.
Cascade Synthesis of 3-Functionalized Indoles from Nitrones and Their Conversion to Cycloheptanone-Fused Indoles

A cascade reaction of N-aryl-α,β-unsaturated nitrones and electron-deficient allenes has been discovered that allows single-step access to 3-functionalized indoles that usually require preformation and alkylation of an indole precursor. The heterocycles prepared through the hydrogen bond donor catalyzed cascade reaction are poised to undergo a McMurry coupling to form previously synthetically elusive cycloheptanone-fused indoles. The scope of these transformations is discussed as well as mechanistic experiments describing proposed intermediates of the cascade reaction and an initial catalytic asymmetric example that generates a carbon stereocenter during the cascade process.
Terrorism vs. Tourism: How Terrorism Affects the Tourism Industry

The twenty-first century has seen incredible growth in terrorism and related events that impact the tourism industry. This research outlines implications for the tourism industry, in an effort to determine the relationship between terrorism-related events and tourism. Specifically, events in the tourism industry are examined through both tourism and terrorism lenses—which provides a unique perspective. This research focuses on the response to these industries throughout the time period. The research concludes with a discussion of the challenges and implications for the tourism industry due to terrorism. The goal of the research is to address the question: is there a correlation between the events, the reactions, and the implications?
Synchronization and fractal scaling as foundations for cognitive control

Abstract This article investigates the degree to which the intrinsic propensity for entrainment in oscillatory systems serves as a plausible foundation for understanding the assembly and flexibility of cognitive systems. Three experiments tested for the strength of performance entrainment to oscillations inserted into event timing and stimulus properties of cognitive tasks. In the first temporal estimation experiment, attractor strength analyses revealed participants spontaneously entrained to sinusoidal changes in the duration of inter-trial intervals. A second simple reaction time task introduced oscillatory changes to the inter-stimulus interval durations across trials, and attractor strength analyses revealed weaker but reliable entrainment to the input signals. A third dyadic temporal estimation task revealed oscillatory entrainment that was distributed across pairs of participants. The experimental results were evaluated in terms of coupled oscillator dynamics and short-term perceptual lags. The entrainment hypothesis was most successful in explaining the empirical patterns, suggesting that cognitive performance relies on coordinative activity. Together, the three studies demonstrated coordinative activity over a range of temporal scales and distributed across individuals comprising the dyads. The simple reaction time study illustrated within-trial coordinative dynamics; individual temporal estimation illustrated across-trial coordination, and dyadic temporal estimation illustrated person-to-person coordinative dynamics. The findings underscore the role environmental constraints impose on cognitive activity and demonstrate how seemingly disparate features of distinct cognitive tasks can be assimilated in terms of synchronization principles.
Electronic Health Record–Enabled Big-Data Approaches to Nephrotoxin-Associated Acute Kidney Injury Risk Prediction

Nephrotoxin-associated acute kidney injury (NTx-AKI) has become one of the most common causes of AKI among hospitalized adults and children; across acute and intensive care populations, exposure to nephrotoxins accounts for 15-25% of AKI cases. Although some interventions have shown promise in observational studies, no treatments currently exist for NTx-AKI once it occurs. Thus, nearly all effective strategies are aimed at prevention. The primary obstacle to prevention is risk prediction and the determination of which patients are more likely to develop NTx-AKI when exposed to medications with nephrotoxic potential. Historically, traditional statistical modeling has been applied to previously recognized clinical risk factors to identify predictors of NTx-AKI. However, increased electronic health record adoption and the evolution of "big-data" approaches to predictive analytics may offer a unique opportunity to prevent NTx-AKI events. This article describes prior and current approaches to NTx-AKI prediction and offers three novel use cases for electronic health record-enabled NTx-AKI forecasting and risk profiling.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine treatments by patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.

Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a common chronic disorder of impaired airflow during sleep associated with oxyhemoglobin desaturation, sleep disruption, neurobehavioral consequences, and cardiovascular sequelae.1 The initial treatment option for most OSAHS patients is continuous positive airway pressure.2 Other conventional treatments for OSAHS include weight reduction,3 sleep position restriction,3 oral appliances,4 and a variety of surgical procedures.5 Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is defined as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be a part of conventional medicine.6 The 5 subgroups of CAM therapies are alternative medical systems (e.g., Ayurveda), mind-body interventions (e.g., meditation), biologically based therapies (e.g. herbal supplements), manipulative and body-based methods (e.g., chiropractic therapy), and energy therapies (e.g., magnetic therapy).7 CAM is very popular in the United States. According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention involving more than 31,000 participants, 49.8% of the US adults reported ever (previous or current) use of CAM.8 There are multiple reasons why OSAHS patients might consider CAM. Some of the features of OSAHS, such as fatigue and fragmented sleep, are nonspecific, and most cases of OSAHS remain undiagnosed.9 Thus, patients with undiagnosed OSAHS may seek relief through CAM not realizing their symptoms are attributable to OSAHS for which conventional treatment options exist. Some patients may be deterred by the perceived inconvenience of a formal sleep evaluation and seek CAM options as a “quick fix.”10 For patients with known OSAHS, conventional therapies may be dissatisfying. Compliance with modalities such as continuous positive airway pressure may be challenging, adverse events may occur, and impact on daytime sleepiness, neurobehavioral performance, quality of life, and cardiovascular morbidity may be incomplete.2 The use of CAM by patients with OSAHS has not been reported in any previous study. Herein we present the results from a cross-sectional survey of 646 patients undergoing evaluation for the presumptive diagnosis of OSAHS. Participants were asked about their previous or current use, and interest in future use, of CAM treatments. The study was conducted at the sleep disorders center at a tertiary care center in the Midwest.
Pedetes capensis (Springhaas)

Karyotypes were prepared from lymphocyte cultures (pokeweed stimulation) and fibroblast cultures of a pair of animals from the San Diego Zoo. Fibroblast stock is frozen. The female karyotype is prepared with ASG bands.
New species of Habrocestum Simon, 1876 and a redescription of Curubis tetrica Simon, 1902 (Araneae: Salticidae: Salticinae: Hasariini) from India

The jumping spider genus Habrocestum Simon, 1876 is recorded for the first time from India. Habrocestum longispinum sp. nov. is described and illustrated in detail. The hitherto unknown female of t...
TREATING BIPOLAR I DISORDER WITH COMORBID PARKINSON'S DISEASE: A CATCH-22

Introduction The current population growth of older adult psychiatric patients has resulted in an increased prevalence of patients experiencing comorbid illnesses that can further complicate care of their psychiatric disorders. One specific example of this situation are patients with Bipolar I disorder who develop Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, there is a limited amount of literature available describing comorbidities of Bipolar I disorder such as Parkinson's disease, much less any established treatment options for patients with these dual conditions. Furthermore, the underlying proposed mechanism of pathology for both disorders, with bipolar disorder worsened by increased dopamine while Parkinson's disease being a result of decreased dopamine, makes it difficult to treat each illness without affecting the other. Through this poster presentation, we hope to discuss the case of a geriatric patient initially diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder who later developed Parkinson's disease. We will highlight the course of illness leading to diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, as well as the challenges with pharmacological management of his psychiatric and neurological illnesses. Methods This case report focuses on a geriatric patient with Bipolar I disorder and comorbid Parkinson's disease, and the associated complexities in treatment that resulted. Patient's clinical documents in our electronic medical records system were reviewed. A literature survey was performed on the topics of Bipolar I disorder with comorbid Parkinson's disease, and current approaches to pharmacological treatment. Results A 67 year old Caucasian man was seen in outpatient geriatric psychiatry clinic for management of Bipolar I disorder. While on lithium for mood stabilization, he experienced what was initially believed to be medication induced Parkinson's symptoms. However, after persistence of symptoms and further workup by neurology, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Careful coordination with neurology led to patient being started on dopaminergic medication for movement disorder, adjusting dosage as tolerated while monitoring for worsening mood symptoms. Concurrently, patient's psychotropic medications were evaluated and maintained, while also monitoring for worsening movement symptoms despite not having to use any dopamine antagonists. Conclusions Geriatric patients with Bipolar I disorder and comorbid Parkinson's disease present a unique and challenging treatment problem due to the pathological mechanisms of these illnesses. Lack of evidence based treatment options adds to the difficulty of treating these patients. However, through care coordination with other medical specialists and careful monitoring of symptoms, it is possible to offer a well-balanced pharmacological treatment approach that adequately controls the symptoms of patients with both Bipolar I disorder and Parkinson's disease. This research was funded by N/A
Neural sensitivity to dynamic binaural cues: Human electroencephalogram and chinchilla single-unit responses

Animals encounter dynamic binaural timing information in broadband sounds such as speech and background noise due to moving sound sources, self motion, or reverberation. Most physiological studies of interaural time delay (ITD) or interaural correlation (IAC) sensitivity have used static stimuli; neural sensitivity to dynamic ITD and IAC is rarely systematically addressed. We used a system-identification approach using maximum-length sequences (MLS) to characterize neural responses to dynamically changing ITDs and IACs in broadband sounds. Responses were recorded from humans (electroencephalogram; EEG) and from single neurons in terminally anesthetized chinchillas (auditory nerve fibers; ANFs). Chinchilla medial superior olive (MSO) responses were simulated based on binaural coincidence from recorded ANF spike times in response to left- and right-channel input. Estimated ITD and IAC transfer functions were low-pass, with corner frequencies in the range of hundreds of Hz. Human EEG-based transfer functions, likely reflecting cortical responses, were also low-pass, but with much lower corner frequencies in the region of tens of Hz. Human behavioral detection of dynamic IAC extended beyond 100 Hz consistent with the higher brainstem limits. On the other hand, binaural unmasking effects were only evident for low-frequency ITD/IAC dynamics in the masking noise.
Estimation of total fusion reactivity and contribution from supra-thermal tail using 3-parameter Dagum ion speed distribution

Abstract Thermonuclear fusion reactivity is a pivotal quantity in the studies pertaining to fusion energy production, fusion ignition and energy break-even analysis in both inertially and magnetically confined systems. Although nuclear fusion reactivity and thereafter the power density of a magnetic confinement fusion reactor and the fulfillment of the ignition criterion are quantitatively determined by assuming the ion speed distribution to be Maxwellian, a significant population of suprathermal ions, with energy greater than the quasi-Maxwellian background plasma temperature, is generated by the fusion reactions and auxiliary heating in the fusion devices. In the current work 3-parameter Dagum speed distribution has been introduced to include the effect of suprathermal ion population in the calculation of total fusion reactivity. The extent of enhancement in the fusion reactivity, at different back-ground temperatures of the fusion fuel plasma, due to the suprathermal ion population has also been discussed.
Nickel Metalloregulators and Chaperones.

Nickel is essential for the survival of many pathogenic bacteria. E. coli and H. pylori require nickel for [NiFe]-hydrogenases. H. pylori also requires nickel for urease. At high concentrations nickel can be toxic to the cell, therefore, nickel concentrations are tightly regulated. Metalloregulators help to maintain nickel concentration in the cell by regulating the expression of the genes associated with nickel import and export. Nickel import into the cell, delivery of nickel to target proteins, and export of nickel from the cell is a very intricate and well-choreographed process. The delivery of nickel to [NiFe]-hydrogenase and urease is complex and involves several chaperones and accessory proteins. A combination of biochemical, crystallographic, and spectroscopic techniques has been utilized to study the structures of these proteins, as well as protein–protein interactions resulting in an expansion of our knowledge regarding how these proteins sense and bind nickel. In this review, recent advances in the field will be discussed, focusing on the metal site structures of nickel bound to metalloregulators and chaperones.
Feeding during High-Flow Nasal Cannula for Bronchiolitis: Associations with Time to Discharge.

Background High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is increasingly used to treat children hospitalized with bronchiolitis; however, the best practices for feeding during HFNC and the impact of feeding on time to discharge and adverse events are unknown. The study objective was to assess whether feeding exposure during HFNC was associated with time to discharge or feeding-related adverse events. Methods This retrospective cohort study included inpatients aged 1-24 months receiving HFNC for bronchiolitis at an academic children's hospital from January 1, 2015 to March 1, 2017. Feeding exposures during HFNC were categorized as fed or not fed. Among fed children, we further evaluated mixed (oral and tube) or exclusive oral feeding. The primary outcome was time to discharge after HFNC cessation. Secondary outcomes were aspiration, intubation after HFNC, and seven-day readmission. Results Of 123 children treated with HFNC, 45 (37 %) were never fed. A total of 78 children (63%) were fed; 50 (41%) were exclusively orally fed and 28 (23 %) had mixed feeding. Median (interquartile range) time to discharge after HFNC was 29.5 hours (23.5-47.9) and 39.8 hours (26.4-61.5) hours in the fed and not fed groups, respectively. In adjusted models, time to discharge was shorter with any feeding (hazard ratio [HR] 2.17; 95% CI: 1.34-3.50) and with exclusive oral feeding (HR 2.13; 95% CI: 1.31-3.45) compared with no feeding. Time to discharge from HFNC initiation was shorter for exclusive oral feeding versus not feeding (propensity weighted HR 1.97 [95% CI: 1.13-3.43]). Adverse events (one intubation, one aspiration pneumonia, one readmission) occurred in both groups. Limitations Assessment of feeding exposure did not account for quantity and duration. Discussion Children fed while receiving HFNC for bronchiolitis may have shorter time to discharge than those not fed. Feeding-related adverse events were rare regardless of the feeding method. Controlled prospective studies addressing residual confounding are needed to justify a change in the current practice.
Chemical Effects in Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

We have investigated chemical contributions to the total enhancement in surface- enhanced Raman scattering under conditions where the electromagnetic contribution is small. On stepped and kinked silver surfaces with surface atoms of high coordination number neither chemisorption of pyridine nor enhancement is observed. On a stepped surface with moderate coordination, chemisorption is observed but there is still no enhancement of the Raman scattering. Finally, pyridine chemisorbs strongly on essentially isolated silver adatoms on a rhodium substrate and enhancements of a factor of fifty or so are observed. We have obtained the electronic spectra of the latter two silver-pyridine systems using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy and find no correlation between the strength of the charge transfer bands observed and the enhancement factor.
Small Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Small cell carcinoma of the prostate (SCCP) is a rare malignancy that is considered a lethal entity of prostate cancer. Once it is diagnosed, patients characteristically experience an aggressive clinical course with poor overall survival rates, which unfortunately still holds even with modern treatments. In this report, we discuss the case of a 63-year-old African American male who initially presented to the hospital with an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 9.41 ng/mL and was found to have locally extensive SCCP. After one cycle of chemotherapy, the patient's symptoms worsened, and his disease continued to progress with an increased metastatic burden. In a matter of just a few months, the patient's disease progressed from a locally advanced entity to a diffusely metastatic one, showcasing the true aggressive nature of this disease. Through an extensive literature review, this case report also sheds further light on SCCP's histological characteristics, its apparent differences from adenocarcinoma of the prostate, and its aggressive nature even through treatment.
A School Nurse-Led Asthma Intervention for School-Age Children: A Randomized Control Trial to Improve Self-Management

Asthma is a common disease in children, and obtaining basic knowledge and skills to manage asthma symptoms is critically important. This study examined the effectiveness of a theoretically based school nurse-led asthma intervention on asthma symptoms, self-management, peak flow meter usage, daily activities, and school absences in children 7-12 years old. A randomized controlled, two-group, repeated measures design was conducted in eight public schools. Data collection occurred at three time points. The treatment group had statistically significant differences in reported symptoms (p < .001), asthma control with a peak flow meter usage (p < .001), and daily activities (p < .001) at 6 weeks and at 12 weeks. Although difference in school absences was not statistically significant, the treatment group missed fewer school days than the control group. Self-management is a complex process, and school nurses can provide essential learning steps and continuity of care for school-age children living with asthma.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response Simulation: Impact of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions on Ending Lockdowns

As many federal and state governments are starting to ease restrictions on non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) used to flatten the curve, we developed an agent-based simulation to model the incidence of COVID-19 in King County, WA under several scenarios. While NPIs were effective in flattening the curve, any relaxation of social distancing strategies yielded a second wave. Even if daily confirmed cases dropped to one digit, daily incidence can peak again to 874 cases without import cases. Therefore, policy makers should be very cautious in reopening society.
Boron Nitride Nanotube Impurity Detection and Purity Verification

Interest in the boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) composites has grown exponentially because of BNNTs’ unique properties. The vast majority of papers have used a BNNT material without identifying its p...
Extrapolative Expectations, Corporate Activities, and Asset Prices

This paper studies how extrapolative expectations affect corporate activities and asset prices. Empirically, an increase in misperception on earnings growth, a firm-level proxy for extrapolation, is associated with an increase in investment, debt and equity issuance, and bond and stock prices in the short term, but is predictive of a decline in all activities and prices in the long term. This pattern is more pronounced among financially constrained firms. Theoretically, I build a firm dynamics model with extrapolative expectations and financial frictions, and show that the interaction between these two frictions is crucial in explaining the empirical findings. Intuitively, after a sequence of favorable shocks, agents extrapolate and become overoptimistic about future productivity. Firms invest and borrow more in the short term. A lower perceived default probability improves financing conditions, further increasing investment and borrowing. Future realizations then turn out worse than expected, subjecting real and financial activities and asset prices to predictable reversals in the long term.