cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene patents and Lockean constraints.

February 2000 the US Patent Office issued a patent on a human gene to a Maryland biotechnology company, Human Genome Sciences (HGS). It had discovered and sequenced the gene thought responsible for preventing AIDS. HGS discovered that people who have a mutation of their patented gene appear not to contract AIDS, even after exposure to HIV, the AIDS virus. Within five months of that patent, HGS had received more than 100 additional patents and had 7500 pending patents on human genes. Just the patent on the AIDS receptor gene will give the Maryland corporation a monopoly over the gene, its protein, and all AIDS drugs developed through them. On the one hand, patent critics say now the corporation can restrict the numbers of scientists working on AIDS cures and drugs, unless they pay a hefty licensing fee to HGS. They also say the corporation did not invent this human gene, but merely discovered it. On the other hand, those who support the company make two responses. One is that it takes ingenuity and labor to find and isolate a given gene, and scientists should be rewarded for this effort. They also say the patents are awarded for new compositions of matter, like chemicals, not for genes in their natural state. What is patented, they say, deserves a reward because it is the isolated, characterized gene, on which corporate scientists have labored (Krimsky 2003, pp. 57-61). Scientists have labored not only on human genes useful for medical purposes but also on genetically engineered seeds (GES) in agriculture. Monsanto, the company holding the most GES patents, dominates the market with its RoundupResistant (RR) varieties of soy, corn, and canola. Eighty percent of all commercial GES crops are engineered mainly to make them herbicide resistant so that farmers can avoid labor costs by applying otherwise-lethal doses of herbicides. Although the US patent on Monsanto's Roundup, the best-selling herbicide in the world, ran out in the year 2000, by requiring all farmers growing their RR crops to sign contracts to buy only Roundup as an herbicide, Monsanto is assured of herbicide profits indefinitely into the future. Today Argentina, the US, and Canada are the main GES users, accounting for 99 percent of all GES cropland. In Argentina, 95 percent of all soybeans are transgenic; in the US, 54 percent. From 1996 to 2000, global GES cropland rose 2500 percent, to 100 million acres. One-fourth of US crop land is planted in GES. Globally, an area larger than the UK is planted just
Inhibition by Serotonin of Amino Acid Release and Protein Degradation in Skeletal Muscle

The effect of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) on muscle amino acid and protein metabolism was investigated in vitro, using the isolated intact epitrochlaris preparation of rat skeletal muscle. Increasing concentrations of serotonin (1 nM-0.1 mM) produced a concentration-dependent decrease in the rate of alanine and glutamine release from muscle; intracellular levels of these amino acids were also decreased slightly by serotonin. Muscle alanine reutilization, as determined by [U-14C]alanine oxidation to 14CO2 and incorporation into protein, was unaffected by serotonin, and maximal rates of muscle protein synthesis, as judged by [3H]leucine incorporation into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable protein, were also unaltered. These effects of serotonin were blocked by cyproheptadine and methysergide, but were unaffected by morphine and tetrodotoxin (0.1 , µg/ml). None of these antagonists exhibited substantial independent effects on muscle alanine and glutamine synthesis and release. Exogenous serotonin resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in steady-state levels of intracellular cyclic 39,59-AMP in these muscle preparations. Theophylline (1 mM) or isobutylmethylxanthine (0.2 mM) potentiated the effects of submaximal concentrations of serotonin (1 µM) on muscle amino acid release, and amplified the increments in muscle cyclic AMP produced by this concentration of serotonin. Cyproheptadine and methysergide, but not morphine or tetrodotoxin, blocked the serotonin-induced increments in muscle cyclic AMP levels. The effects of serotonin on alanine and glutamine synthesis and release from muscle were reproduced by exogenous dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Serotonin did not reduce the rate of formation of alanine and glutamine from exogenous amino acid precursors such as aspartate, cysteine, leucine, and valine. Skeletal muscle proteins in the epitrochlaris preparations were partially labeled with [guanido-14C]arginine administered in vivo using pulse-chase methods. On incubation of these preparations in vitro, serotonin decreased the rate of loss of 14C label from trichloroacetic acid-precipitable protein in the muscles. Correspondingly, serotonin also decreased the appearance of 14C label in the incubation medium and in the supernatant fraction of the muscles obtained after trichloroacetic acid treatment. These data indicate that serotonin inhibits alanine and glutamine synthesis and release from intact skeletal muscle. This effect is mediated by a specific D-class serotonin receptor and appears to require the intermediary participation of muscle cyclic AMP. The mechanism of serotonin action most probably involves primary inhibition of protein degradation, which thereby results in decreased availability of precursor amino acid substrates for conversion to alanine and glutamine. These results indicate that serotonin, like norepinephrine, has direct effects on skeletal muscle metabolism, and that these effects are independent of its vasoactive properties.
Venous infarction of the testis owing to vena caval thrombosis.

AbstractA 37-year-old man presented with what appeared to be acute epididymitis but was later found to be venous Infarction of the testis owing to vena caval thrombosis.
Exercise training bradycardia is largely explained by reduced intrinsic heart rate.

Introduction Resting heart rate (RHR) declines with exercise training. Possible mechanisms include: 1) increased parasympathetic tone, 2) decreased responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation, 3) decreased intrinsic heart rate or 4) combination of these factors.
Influence of Au nanoclusters on the power conversion efficiency of hybrid solar cells

Recently, organic/inorganic hybrid solar cells have been extensively studied as a means to fabricate low-cost, relatively high efficiency solar cell devices. Along this line of research, we report the observed enhancement in the power conversion efficiency of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) on planar silicon (Si) hybrid heterojunction solar cell devices when incorporating gold (Au) nanoclusters in the PEDOT:PSS blend. The Au nanoclusters of size 3–5 nm were synthesized by wet chemical methods, and capped with 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (p-MBA). The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the described structures with Au nanoclusters was measured to be 8.2%, which compares well to the PCE value of 7.3% for similar devices without the nanoclusters. The increased PCE of the devices is attributed to the measured increased electrical conductivity as well as near field plasmonic effects of the aforementioned films due to the incorporation of the Au nanoclusters, which is directly reflected in the improved fill factor and external quantum efficiency (EQE) of the devices produced.
Measuring Effectiveness of Mutant Sets

Redundancy in mutants, where multiple mutants end up producing the same semantic variant of a program, is a major problem in mutation analysis. Hence, a measure of effectiveness that accounts for redundancy is an essential tool for evaluating mutation tools, new operators, and reduction techniques. Previous research suggests using the size of the disjoint mutant set as an effectiveness measure. We start from a simple premise: test suites need to be judged on both the number of unique variations in specifications they detect (as a variation measure), and also on how good they are at detecting hard-to-find faults (as a measure of thoroughness). Hence, any set of mutants should be judged by how well it supports these measurements. We show that the disjoint mutant set has two major inadequacies -- the single variant assumption and the large test suite assumption -- when used as a measure of effectiveness in variation. These stem from its reliance on minimal test suites. We show that when used to emulate hard to find bugs (as a measure of thoroughness), disjoint mutant set discards useful mutants. We propose two alternatives: one measures variation and is not vulnerable to either the single variant assumption or the large test suite assumption, the other measures thoroughness. We provide a benchmark of these measures using diverse tools.
Niche partitioning along the diet axis in a colour polymorphic population of Eastern Red-backed Salamanders, Plethodon cinereus

Eastern Red-backed Salamanders are colour polymorphic and have become a model system for examining ecological separation and the mechanisms for potential divergence in sympatry. Morphs of this species are differentiated along several niche axes including temperature optima, territorial behaviour, and response to predators. We were interested in whether temporal variation in ecological conditions would affect foraging behavior and ultimately diet. The goal of our study was to compare the diets of striped and unstriped P. cinereus over a range of seasonal conditions to better understand if the reported differences observed in the fall season at our field site remain consistent through the active season of this species. Diet differences between the two morphs were greatest during spring and fall when salamanders are most abundant at the surface. These diet differences were driven largely by two prey categories. In the spring, striped salamanders ate more oribatid mites and in the fall they consumed more entomobryomorph Collembola. Trade-offs associated with territory acquisition coupled with physiological and morphological differences may explain the observed seasonal niche partitioning related to the diet in this population.
Dual roles for 12-Lipoxygenase in regulation of hemostasis and thrombosis

F of bioactive lipids by oxygenases is known to play both a protective and pro-thrombotic role in circulation. 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) and its oxidized products play an important but unresolved role in regulation of platelet function. 12-LOX oxidation of the fatty acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), produces the novel bioactive metabolite 12-hydroxyeicosatetrienoic acid (12(S)-HETrE). Recent work suggests that while 12(S)-HETE (produced from 12-LOX oxidation of AA) is pro-thrombotic to the platelet, 12(S)-HETrE acts in a protective manner in platelets to limit activation. Therefore, we sought to identify the mechanism by which DGLA inhibits platelet activation through 12(S)-HETrE. Delineating the mechanism by which this previously unknown metabolite regulates cellular activity is essential to begin to understand how 12-LOX oxidation of DGLA can potentially lead to regulation of a number of physiological processes including thrombosis. To address these questions, we have employed pharmacological and whole animal studies. Pharmacological intervention has confirmed an integral role of 12-HETrE production through 12-LOX to negatively regulate activity in the platelet. These observations have been confirmed in mice lacking the 12-LOX gene. Further, dietary supplementation of DGLA-enriched chow supports our ex vivo studies exogenously adding DGLA and/or 12-HETrE to attenuate agonist-induced platelet activation. Hence, these studies are the first to begin to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which omega-3 and 6 fatty acids are protective against cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Landau-Zener transition driven by slow noise

The effect of a slow noise in nondiagonal matrix element $J(t)$ that describes the diabatic level coupling on the probability of the Landau-Zener transition is studied. For slow noise, the correlation time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}$ of $J(t)$ is much longer than the characteristic time of the transition. Existing theory for this case suggests that the average transition probability is the result of averaging of the conventional Landau-Zener probability, calculated for a given constant $J$, over the distribution of $J$. We calculate a finite-${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}$ correction for this classical result. Our main finding is that this correction is dominated by sparse realizations of noise for which $J(t)$ passes through zero within a narrow time interval near the level crossing. Two models of noise, random telegraph noise and Gaussian noise, are considered. Naturally, in both models the average probability of transition decreases upon decreasing ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}$. For Gaussian noise we identify two domains of this falloff with specific dependencies of average transition probability on ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}$.
A LEAN APPROACH TO CARE TRANSITIONS REDUCES READMISSIONS FOR HEART FAILURE PATIENTS

Background Reducing readmissions for heart failure (HF) patients is a national imperative, as prevalence and care costs for HF climb. Our multidisciplinary team utilized a programmatic, patient-centered, Lean approach to improve care processes and prepare patients for successful self-management at home. Processes included identification of the patient cohort, early assessment for readmission risk, enhanced patient education, accurate medication reconciliation, follow-up appointments and follow-up phone calls. Objectives Reduce readmissions for HF patients by 30% within two years at an academic medical center. Methods A core team of clinical stakeholders with cross-functional support staff used an A3-driven approach to assess current-state problems, understand root causes, and design, test, and stabilize countermeasures. Each intervention had its own workgroup led by a frontline staff member and supported by an improvement coach. EMR enhancements were created to support new workflows. A team-designed HF dashboard provided real-time, filterable process and outcome metrics that aided analysis. This helped identify opportunities for refinements and facilitated feedback to frontline staff. Results 30-day readmission rate for primary diagnosis HF patients improved from 20% to 10% over the ensuing 10 months. 90-day readmission rates decreased to 27% from 31%. Improving process metric trends demonstrated hardwiring of new workflows, and patient responses to survey questions related to care transitions validated improved outcomes. Conclusions Partnering with patients, multidisciplinary collaboration and timely feedback to frontline staff foster improved care transitions and patient outcomes. Tracking data for continuous improvement, we can refine care processes and inform innovative improvements in care across our organization.
A Case of Ataxia and Dystonia in the Setting of a Renal Oncocytoma (P2.112)

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of a woman with progressive ataxia, apraxia and dystonia whose neurological condition improved following ablation of a renal oncocytoma BACKGROUND: While many paraneoplastic syndromes are associated with malignant tumors, a number have been described in association with benign tumors, including anti-NMDA receptor antibody encephalitis in the setting of benign ovarian teratoma, and myasthenia gravis in conjunction with benign thymoma. Renal oncocytomas are tumors that typically behave in a benign fashion. There is one prior case report of a paraneoplastic syndrome with neurologic effects occurring in the setting of a renal oncocytoma. DESIGN/METHODS/RESULTS: A 40 year old woman developed a syndrome of ataxia, dystonic hand posturing, tremor, and motor apraxia. Her symptoms were progressive and she was wheel chair bound within 5 months. Serum antibody testing showed elevated anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies of 1232.6 IU/ML (reference range 0.0 - 5.6 IU/mL) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies of 1554.2 IU/ML (reference range 0.0-4.1 IU/ML). Serum paraneoplastic panel showed elevated Striated Muscle Ab of 1:240 titer (reference CONCLUSIONS: The discovery of an otherwise benign tumor in the setting of a paraneoplastic syndrome should not necessarily be considered an incidental finding. Careful consideration should be made to its possible contribution to the presenting symptoms. Disclosure: Dr. Bledsoe has nothing to disclose. Dr. Comella has received personal compensation for activities with Ipsen, Merz, Allergan, Inc., Medtronic, Inc., Teva, US World Meds, Impax, and Acadia. Dr. Comella9s institution has received research support from Ipsen, Merz, Allergan, Inc., the National
The design of the DC servo motor controller based on fuzzy immune PID algorithm

Conventional parameter-not-adjustable PID controller has a poor dynamic response, and the output cannot follow the input quickly, accurately and stably when dealing with the uncertain parameters, non-linear, wide input system. Current mainstream self-turning algorithms are difficult to transplant to the embedded platform due to the large volume, real-time issue. A fuzzy immune PID algorithm based on the conventional PID controller is put forward to realize the self-tuning of the PID parameters following motor speed value. Against the proportional parameter, it is adjusted according to the mechanism of the human immune system, and its non-linear part is approximated by the fuzzy algorithm; Against the integral and derivative parameters, its self-adjustment is directly realized by the fuzzy algorithm. Finally, the validity of the whole algorithm is verified by using MATLAB / Simulink simulation platform. The hardware of the controller manufacture based on the STM32 produced by St semiconductor is completed and velocity tracking experiments are done. When the servo motor is given 60r/min and 360r/min speed inputs, the response time is within 130ms and the amount of overshoot is below 0.5%. In the case of external disturbance, the speed fluctuation value is within 0.2%. Then the controller is applied to full range chassis and succeeded in controlling it with high precision. Simulation and experiments both show that the controller has good dynamic and static performance, and it can effectively control the servo motor.
A field experiment on consumer willingness to accept milk that may have come from cloned cows

Abstract FDA policy states that meat and milk from cloned animals is as safe as those from conventional animals and thus such products do not need to be labeled. Therefore if the voluntary moratorium on these foods were to end, consumers would be uncertain which items were products of cloned animals. This study examined consumer willingness to accept (WTA) milk that may or may not have come from cloned cows to judge the market impact of this policy. Non-hypothetical field experiments at four diverse locations were conducted to determine the amount consumers would require to switch from a cup of conventional milk to one with potentially cloned cow milk. Nearly a third of participants submitted the maximum request of $5, indicating a complete unwillingness to switch, while another quarter requested no compensation. Tobit model results showed opinions, attitudes, and shopping habits highly influenced consumers’ WTA. Accompanying survey results found a neutral opinion and low knowledge of cloning, but strong support for labeling despite being informed of the FDA conclusions. Given these findings, in the absence of policy changes voluntary labeling of milk as not being from cloned cows could be a likely future outcome.
Hunter-Gatherer Site in Colorado

Hunter and gather groups leave little in the way of architecture that can be directly imaged using either GPR or magnetic mapping. A site along the Colorado Front Range contains artifacts that span almost 6,000 years of time, but little was preserved in the way of architecture. Magnetic anomalies are good indicators of buried hearths or roasting pits, which also produce very subtle features in GPR profiles but almost no reflection amplitude features in slice-maps. In areas where the landscape changed dramatically over a long period of time, GPR reflection profiles can identify packages of soil and sediment that contain artifacts and other larger anthropogenic features from ephemeral occupations. The history of this area is even more complicated because the environments changed dramatically over millennia, as the nearby fluvial system degraded and at other times filled up with sediments during floods. The integration of geologically-identified strata, which can be mapped with GPR using direct correlations of known units to those that contain artifacts, is one way to place people within a landscape that changed dramatically over a long span of time.
Oxoiron(IV) complexes as synthons for the assembly of heterobimetallic centers such as the Fe/Mn active site of Class Ic ribonucleotide reductases

Nonheme oxoiron(IV) complexes can serve as synthons for generating heterobimetallic oxo-bridged dimetal complexes by reaction with divalent metal complexes. The formation of FeIII–O–CrIII and FeIII–O–MnIII complexes is described herein. The latter complexes may serve as models for the FeIII–X–MnIII active sites of an emerging class of Fe/Mn enzymes represented by the Class 1c ribonucleotide reductase from Chlamydia trachomatis and the R2-like ligand-binding oxidase (R2lox) found in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These synthetic complexes have been characterized by UV–Vis, resonance Raman, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, as well as electrospray mass spectrometry. The FeIII–O–CrIII complexes exhibit a three-band UV–Vis pattern that differs from the simpler features associated with FeIII–O–FeIII complexes. The positions of these features are modulated by the nature of the supporting polydentate ligand on the iron center, and their bands intensify dramatically in two examples upon the binding of an axial cyanate or thiocyanate ligand trans to the oxo bridge. In contrast, the FeIII–O–MnIII complexes resemble FeIII–O–FeIII complexes more closely. Resonance Raman characterization of the FeIII–O–MIII complexes reveals an 18O-sensitive vibration in the range of 760–890 cm−1. This feature has been assigned to the asymmetric FeIII–O–MIII stretching mode and correlates reasonably with the Fe–O bond distance determined by EXAFS analysis. The likely binding of an acetate as a bridging ligand to the FeIII–O–MnIII complex 12 lays the foundation for further efforts to model the heterobimetallic active sites of Fe/Mn enzymes.
Effect of Distance Between Baited Multiple-Funnel Traps on Catches of Bark and Wood-Boring Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Cerambycidae) and Associates in North-Central Georgia1

Abstract In the fall of 2011, we examined the effects of inter–trap distances of 2, 6, and 12 m on catches of bark and wood-boring beetles (and associates) in traps baited with either ethanol + α-pinene (EA) or ipsenol + ipsdienol (SD) in a stand of loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., in northern Georgia. Traps baited with EA interrupted catches of Ips avulsus (Eichhoff) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in traps baited with SD at a distance of 2 m but not at distances of 6 or 12 m. In contrast, catches of I. avulsus and Dendroctonus terebrans (Olivier) in traps with EA were greatest in those traps spaced 2 m from the traps baited with SD and lowest at an inter–trap distance of 12 m. Similarly, catches of Monochamus titillator (F.) (Cerambycidae) in traps baited with EA were increased when spaced 2 m from traps baited with SD but not at a spacing of 6 or 12 m. The mean (± SE) diversity of species in traps baited with EA was 19.1 ± 0.5 species/trap and unaffected by distance to traps baited with SD. In co...
The Global Emergence of Climate Policy

When analyzing the climate policies of countries, as put forth in so-called Nationally Determined Contributions, we see that the world is nowhere near meeting its ≤ 2 °C objective. One striking example of policy failure is the USA, currently headed by a climate denier who has taken the largest per capita emitter of CO2 out of the Paris Agreement. In contrast to Trump, California has reinforced its climate policies as model for the rest of the world. So have other climate-policy leaders, notably China and France. Companies too seek to contribute to the struggle against global warming, as exemplified by Microsoft’s global carbon fee, Tesla’s product development, or Google’s Sidewalk Labs planning the city of the future. These developments will be dwarfed by much more radical approaches to organizing, say, traffic, agriculture, or waste management in the not-so-distant future.
Cation Exchange Softening Coupled with Electrodialysis for High Recovery Desalination

Recovery of a maximum volume of desalted product water from a given saline feed water source Is a goal in desalting where there is a shortage of feed water or the disposal of the desalting reject brine volume is a problem. In many instances of inland brackish water desalting, brine disposal by such methods as deep well injection or evaporation in ponds can be the dominant cost. Thus, by minimizing the brine volume to be disposed of and maximizing the product water volume, high recovery desalting may be economically feasible in water-scarce localities of the world. The Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Department of the Interior, has been investigating high recovery desalting for possible application in the arid southwestern United States. The Bureau is not only investigating methods of providing the benefits of fresh water from brackish water, but it has been studying methods to limit the amount of dissolved solids entering the Colorado River because of the detrimental effects of salinity on irrigation and other uses of Colorado River water. One possible solution for keeping saline waters from entering the Colorado River is to utilize them for industrial or utility cooling in place of fresh water.
The Closed Cardiovascular System

It is evident that the demands on this transport department must be subject to very large variations in accordance with the activity of the body.
The influence of learners' perceptions of virtual humans on learning transfer

Abstract Virtual humans are often integrated into novel multimedia learning environments. However, little is known about learner's perceptions of the agents or the relationship between the perceptions and learning. In this study, the authors revise the Agent Persona Instrument, a measurement tool designed to examine how learners perceive pedagogical agents. The factor structure of the revised instrument was evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis. Next, k-means clustering was used to examine how participants' ratings on the instrument cluster into groups based on their perceptions of the virtual human. After describing the qualities of the clusters within the data, linear regression was used to examine to what extent the cluster membership influenced participant's scores on a transfer test of learning. The results indicated that cluster membership only explained a small amount of variance in transfer test scores. This study provides a revised instrument for measuring pedagogical agent persona. It implemented a novel method for investigating perceptions of pedagogical agents using k-means clustering which was able to identify two unique groups of participants based on their perceptions of the agent. Finally, it presents empirical results indicating that learner's perceptions of the agent had a small influence on their learning outcome scores.
The Application of FLOW 800 ICG Videoangiography Color Maps for Neurovascular Surgery and Intraoperative Decision Making.

Background Indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography can assess cerebral blood flow, but results are primarily qualitative. FLOW 800 software measures fluorescence dynamics and creates a semiquantitative color delay map for assessment of relative sequence of blood flow within the vasculature. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 23 consecutive patients for whom FLOW 800 ICG videoangiography was used. They harbored aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF), or hemangioblastoma. Patients' characteristics, FLOW 800 data, and clinical findings were recorded. Color map data were readily available intraoperatively and guided surgery. Results The cohort included 10 patients with AVMs, 11 with aneurysms, 1 with dAVF, and 1 with hemangioblastoma. Approximately two thirds of patients underwent intraoperative angiography. FLOW 800 data provided semiquantitative data regarding localization, flow status in major feeding arteries, and dominance of the arterialized draining veins for AVMs, more than data from ICG videoangiography alone. For complex aneurysms, color maps confirmed relative adequate flow in parent and branching vessels. For the foramen magnum dAVF, the location of the dominant transdural connection was appreciated only via flow analysis. Flow analysis created the blood flow map of a large complex solid brainstem hemangioblastoma and guided devascularization. All FLOW 800 findings agreed with intraoperative and postoperative angiography. Conclusions ICG videoangiography with FLOW 800 analysis can provide semiquantitative and relative flow magnitude data that are efficient and noninvasive. This process helps identify early arterialized veins and their flow status during AVM and dAVF surgery and can confirm adequate relative flow within branching vessels during aneurysm surgery when clip-induced stenosis is suspected.
Entropy-Aware I/O Pipelining for Large-Scale Deep Learning on HPC Systems

Deep neural networks have recently gained tremendous interest due to their capabilities in a wide variety of application areas such as computer vision and speech recognition. Thus it is important to exploit the unprecedented power of leadership High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems for greater potential of deep learning. While much attention has been paid to leverage the latest processors and accelerators, I/O support also needs to keep up with the growth of computing power for deep neural networks. In this research, we introduce an entropy-aware I/O framework called DeepIO for large-scale deep learning on HPC systems. Its overarching goal is to coordinate the use of memory, communication, and I/O resources for efficient training of datasets. DeepIO features an I/O pipeline that utilizes several novel optimizations: RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access)-assisted in-situ shuffling, input pipelining, and entropy-aware opportunistic ordering. In addition, we design a portable storage interface to support efficient I/O on any underlying storage system. We have implemented DeepIO as a prototype for the popular TensorFlow framework and evaluated it on a variety of different storage systems. Our evaluation shows that DeepIO delivers significantly better performance than existing memory-based storage systems.
High-speed AFM imaging via iterative learning-based model predictive control

Abstract Atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging has been broadly used for material topography characterization and observation of dynamic material morphology revolution. However, current efforts on high-speed AFM imaging are still limited. In this study, we propose an iterative learning-based model predictive control (IL-MPC) scheme to achieve high-speed AFM imaging. Integrated with the conventional PI feedback control, the IL-MPC scheme is used in the feedforward path to ensure accurate tracking of the sample topography by the AFM z-axis piezo at high imaging speed. Particularly, IL-MPC combines a model predictive controller (MPC) with an iterative learning controller (ILC), where the MPC ensures the fast convergence of the ILC with the existence of line-to-line sample topography variation and the ILC ensures the precision tracking of the sample topography by dealing with the modeling uncertainty of MPC and the nonlinearities of AFM piezo actuator. Moreover, the proposed IL-MPC can be implemented in time domain so that the computation complexity is greatly reduced compared to other frequency-domain iterative learning feedforward approaches. For validation and demonstration, both the proposed method and the conventional contact-mode AFM are applied to image a silicon calibration sample with square pitches (step height: 178 nm). The experiment results show that the proposed technique can increase the scanning speed to scan rate of 50Hz (with linear tip velocity of 1.7 mm/s) while maintaining the imaging quality.
Generational status, immigrant concentration and academic achievement: comparing first and second-generation immigrants with third-plus generation students

Immigrants and their children are the fastest-growing demographic group in the United States, and schools are often the first social institution young immigrants engage with on a sustained basis. As such, the academic achievement of immigrant students can be viewed as an indicator of their incorporation and a predictor of educational and employment outcomes in adulthood. In this study, we examined the factors associated with differences in mathematics achievement between first, second, and third-plus generation students in the US. We analyzed the data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2012. Our analytic sample included 3700 15 year-old students attending US public and private schools. We used information on students’ background and school characteristics from the student and school questionnaires. We used multiple linear regression models to predict mathematics achievement. To address the sampling design of PISA and the use of plausible values we fitted the models using the IDB Analyzer. Our analysis shows that the families and schools of second-generation students are more similar to their first-generation than their third-plus generation peers. Once we control for student background characteristics and school contextual factors, the achievement gap between first-generation students and their second and third-plus generation peers disappears. Our results suggest that what we observed as generational differences in achievement are more likely to be gender, racial, and socioeconomic gaps. Our findings imply that student background and school contextual factors counteract some of the disadvantages that first-generation students face in the US. Our results also support existing evidence about the second-generation advantage in academic achievement. Taken together, these findings suggest that mathematics achievement can be addressed by policies and practices that support all students alongside policies and practices that target immigrant students.
Got shrubs? Precipitation mediates long-term shrub and introduced grass dynamics in chaparral communities after fire

Short-term post-fire field studies have shown that native shrub cover in chaparral ecosystems negatively affects introduced cover, which is influenced by burn severity, elevation, aspect, and climate. Using the southern California 2003 Old and Simi fires and the 2008 Sesnon Fire, we investigated the role of native shrubs in post-fire ecosystem responses across gradients of elevation, aspect, climate, burn severities, fire histories, and time. We collected field estimates of species cover in 2004 and 2015 at nested sampling sites. We used structural equation models with introduced and shrub cover as dependent variables. Shrub cover in 2004 was most influenced by the number of reburns, while shrub cover in 2015 was most influenced by the time between the two most recent fires. In 2004, introduced cover was most influenced by burn severity in 2003; similarly, in 2015, introduced cover was most influenced by burn severity in 2008. In both one and twelve years post fire, average precipitation increased the length of time between fires and decreased the number of times a site burned. This direct reduction in the number of times a site had burned due to average precipitation resulted in lower shrub cover one and twelve years post fire. Additionally, mean annual precipitation increased burn severity one year post fire, which resulted in lower introduced cover. However, this indirect relationship between precipitation and introduced cover through burn severity was no longer present twelve years post fire. Shrub cover increased with a longer average time between fires twelve years after fire. Shrub cover did not mediate any indirect relationships between burn severity or fire history metrics and introduced cover in either year, suggesting competitive exclusion of introduced species by shrubs. Our research found that significant fire effects on shrub and introduced species are often mediated by precipitation. Precipitation trends are likely to change fire regimes and thus alter plant community dynamics.
Venetoclax combination therapy in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia: A single institution experience.

Venetoclax (VEN) is a selective BCL-2 inhibitor that has been shown to be effective when used in combination with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) or low-dose cytarabine (LDAC) for treatment-naive, elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients unfit for intensive chemotherapy. Data on its use in the relapsed/refractory setting are limited. A retrospective analysis was performed among 14 patients with relapsed or refractory AML treated with VEN combination therapy at the University of California Los Angeles from 2018-2019. Eight patients received VEN in combination with azacitidine, 5 patients with decitabine, and 1 patient with LDAC. The majority (10 patients, 71.4%) had adverse cytogenetics. Three patients (21.4%) had undergone an allogeneic stem cell transplant prior to VEN therapy, and 5 patients (35.7%) had leukemia that failed HMA therapy prior. The objective response rate (ORR) was 35.7% (3 patients achieved complete remission with incomplete hematologic recovery and 2 patients achieved partial remission). Three patients (21.4%) were successfully transitioned to either allogeneic bone marrow transplant (2 patients) or donor lymphocyte infusion (1 patient). Seven patients (50.0%) developed a grade 3 or greater infection following VEN therapy, and 3 patients (21.4%) developed a grade 3 or greater intracranial hemorrhage. Three patients experienced early death within 30 days of therapy (2 from infection, 1 from bleeding). The median overall survival (OS) was 4.7 months, and the 1-year OS rate was 23.6% (95% CI 4.4-51.2) for the entire patient cohort. Overall, the response rate was not inferior to that with conventional salvage chemotherapy, but there were notable complications as a result of prolonged cytopenias.
Validation of novel forensic DNA markers using multiplex microhaplotype sequencing

Microhaplotypes (MH) are comprised of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are located within 300 bases of genomic sequence. Improved tools are needed to facilitate broader application of microhaplotypes in a diverse range of populations and forensic settings. We designed an assay for multiplex sequencing of 90 microhaplotypes (mMHseq) that include 46 MH loci with high Effective Number of Alleles (Ae) from previous studies [1], and 44 high Ae MH loci containing between four to fourteen SNPs that were identified from the 1000 Genomes (1KG) Project. The unique design of mMHseq integrates a novel method for multiplex amplification from small DNA amounts, and multiplex sequencing of 48 samples in a single MiSeq run to detect all relevant MH variation. Assay performance was evaluated in a cohort of 156 individuals from seven different world populations from Africa, Asia, and Europe. Three of those populations from East Africa (Chagga, Sandawe, and Zaramo) and one from Eastern Europe (Adygei) had sufficient individuals sequenced by the assay to be included in statistical analyses with the 26 1KG populations. For those 30 populations the mean global average Ae was 5.08 (range: 2.7-11.54) and mean informativeness for biogeographic variation (In) was 0.30 (range: 0.08-0.70). Eighty-five novel SNPs were detected in 58 of the 90 microhaplotypes. Open-source, web-based software was developed to visualize haplotype phase data for each microhaplotype and individual. Our approach for multiplex microhaplotype sequencing can be customized and expanded as novel loci are being discovered.
Assessing the Robustness of Frequency-Domain Ultrasound Beamforming Using Deep Neural Networks

We study training deep neural network (DNN) frequency-domain beamformers using simulated and phantom anechoic cysts and compare to training with simulated point target responses. Using simulation, physical phantom, and in vivo scans, we find that training DNN beamformers using anechoic cysts provided comparable or improved image quality compared with training DNN beamformers using simulated point targets. The proposed method could also be adapted to generate training data from in vivo scans. Finally, we evaluated the robustness of DNN beamforming to common sources of image degradation, including gross sound speed errors, phase aberration, and reverberation. We found that DNN beamformers maintained their ability to improve image quality even in the presence of the studied sources of image degradation. Overall, the results show the potential of using DNN beamforming to improve ultrasound image quality.
Client Network: An Interactive Model for Predicting New Clients.

Understanding prospective clients becomes increasingly important as companies aim to enlarge their market bases. Traditional approaches typically treat each client in isolation, either studying its interactions or similarities with existing clients. We propose the Client Network, which considers the entire client ecosystem to predict the success of sale pitches for targeted clients by complex network analysis. It combines a novel ranking algorithm with data visualization and navigation. Based on historical interaction data between companies and clients, the Client Network leverages organizational connectivity to locate the optimal paths to prospective clients. The user interface supports exploring the client ecosystem and performing sales-essential tasks. Our experiments and user interviews demonstrate the effectiveness of the Client Network and its success in supporting sellers' day-to-day tasks.
Spin transport in a DNA molecule modified by cytosine methylation

Abstract Spin transport in a methylated DNA molecule sandwiched between ferromagnetic electrodes was examined based on the Landauer formula with the first-principles approximation. Although methylation increased the conductance of the DNA molecule, the raised width was very small to be discriminated using an analytical method. Contrastingly, cytosine methylation affected spin polarization, resulting in more than 10% change in the ratio of magnetoresistance. The change in magnetoresistance was enhanced with a certain degree of cytosine methylation, whereas segregated cytosine methylation was unable to induce a detectable change in the magnetoresistance. These results suggest the possibility of elucidating the relationship between cytosine methylation and epigenetics by assessing magnetoresistance in a DNA molecule in the future.
Topographic, edaphic and climate influences on aspen (Populus tremuloides) drought stress on an intermountain bunchgrass prairie

Abstract Quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides, has experienced severe declines in recent years in part due to the effects of changing climate and extreme drought. This study set out to investigate these effects by assessing associations of climatic, edaphic and topographic variables with physiological drought stress in aspen. The study took place on the Zumwalt Prairie in northeastern Oregon, a semi-arid bunchgrass prairie where aspen occur in isolated stands associated with riparian areas and late-season persistence of snow drifts. Using a 33-year time series of Landsat imagery to detect associations of aspen stands late-season snow cover and field measurements of soil moisture in aspen stands during 2017, we found while snow dominated stands were associated with greater soil moisture during spring, levels had equilibrated to those of other upland stands by summer. Measurements of predawn and midday stem Ψ in multiple height classes of aspen ramets revealed associations of both shallow soil moisture and vapor pressure deficit with physiological drought stress in aspen. Analysis of soil texture class revealed an important association with midday stem Ψ, with finer textured soils associated with decreased stem Ψ in comparison to coarser textured soils. While neither topographical characteristics nor snow cover were found to be important drivers of drought stress, topographical curvature was found to have a strong influence on summer soil moisture in upland stands. These findings contribute to our understanding of aspen physiology, drought ecology and landscape hydrology toward the xeric margin of aspen’s range. This information can help land managers anticipate and adapt to changing climates and understand their effects on key plant species such as aspen.
Headache Characteristics and Psychological Factors Associated with Functional Impairment in Individuals with Persistent Posttraumatic Headache.

OBJECTIVE Persistent posttraumatic headache (PPTH), one of the most common symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury, is often associated with substantial functional disability. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of demographics, headache characteristics, and psychological symptoms to disability associated with PPTH. METHODS Participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire. Two linear regression models were formulated to interrogate the relationships between 1) demographics and headache characteristics with the MIDAS questionnaire and 2) demographics, headache characteristics, and psychological symptoms with the MIDAS questionnaire. A two-way stepwise regression using the Akaike information criterion was performed to find a parsimonious model describing the relationships between demographics, headache characteristics, and psychological measures with the MIDAS questionnaire. RESULTS Participants included 58 patients with PPTH and 39 healthy controls (HCs). The median MIDAS score among those with PPTH was 48.0 (first quartile [1Q] = 20.0, third quartile [3Q] = 92.0), indicative of severe disability. Compared with the HCs, those with PPTH had higher scores on the BDI, STAI, and PCS. Older age predicted lower MIDAS scores (age: B=-0.11, P<0.01), whereas higher headache frequency, greater headache intensity, and higher trait anxiety scores predicted higher MIDAS scores in individuals with PPTH (headache frequency: B=0.07, P<0.001; headache intensity: B=0.51, P=0.04; trait anxiety score: B=1.11, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS Individuals with PPTH had substantial psychological symptoms and headache-related disability. Disability was partially explained by age, headache frequency and intensity, and trait anxiety. Holistic management of patients with PPTH to address headaches and psychological symptoms might reduce headache-associated disability.
Molecular Iodine Interactions with Fe, Ni, Cr, and Stainless Steel Alloys

The adsorption behavior of molecular iodine is important for understanding the spread of radioiodine in a nuclear accident. Prior experiments indicate that, in addition to the interaction with Fe, ...