cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE VASELINE TUBE AND SYRINGE METHOD OF MICRO GAS ANALYSIS OF BACTERIAL CULTURES.

There has been described the use of the vaseline tube and the tuberculin syringe for the study of gas production by bacteria. A comparison is made of some of the results obtained by the use of the method here described, the Smith fermentation tube, and the tube of Eldredge and Rogers. The reports of CO2 production by certain streptococci by Ayers, Rupp, and Mudge and by Bacterium typhosus by Nichols have been confirmed by the author's method. The data presented serve to illustrate the accuracy and technical possibilities of the method. In addition to economy of glassware, medium, and labor, the vaseline tube and syringe method of micro gas analysis possesses the following advantages. (1) Gas produced above either liquid or solid media may be measured and analyzed. (2) The gas produced may be measured in terms of a definite and constant quantity of medium used. (3) The vaseline tube provides a closed system from which gases do not escape into the air. (4) Separate determinations of the CO2 produced in and above fluid media may be made. (5) Determinations may be made from very small samples of material. (6) Numerous gas analyses of the same culture may be made at various times during the growth of the culture without contaminating or destroying it. (7) Gas production may be observed under both anaerobic and controlled aerobic conditions.
FTIR spectroscopic imaging of protein aggregation in living cells

Protein misfolding and aggregation are the hallmark of a number of diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the prion diseases. In all cases, a naturally-occurring protein misfolds and forms aggregates that are thought to disrupt cell function through a wide range of mechanisms that are yet to be fully unraveled. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a technique that is sensitive to the secondary structure of proteins and has been widely used to investigate the process of misfolding and aggregate formation. This review focuses on how FTIR spectroscopy and spectroscopic microscopy are being used to evaluate the structural changes in disease-related proteins both in vitro and directly within cells and tissues. Finally, ongoing technological advances will be presented that are enabling time-resolved FTIR imaging of protein aggregation directly within living cells, which can provide insight into the structural intermediates, time scale, and mechanisms of cell toxicity associated with aggregate formation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: FTIR in membrane proteins and peptide studies.
Adaptive subchannel allocation in multiuser MC-CDMA systems

We treat the multiuser scheduling problem in MC-CDMA systems. To reduce the implementation complexity, we present an efficient structure for the multiuser scheduler. Given the active users and the channels, the subchannel allocator then aims at maximizing the instantaneous system throughput. We develop a stochastic-ruler based algorithm to achieve the subchannel allocation, and prove its global convergence. We also extend the algorithm to track the time-varying optimum in non-stationary channels. We present simulation results to show the performance of the proposed schemes in terms of the throughput maximization with fast convergence, the excellent tracking capability in time-varying channels, and the small throughput loss of the multiuser scheduler.
The spectrum of neuromyelitis optica

Summary Neuromyelitis optica (also known as Devic's disease) is an idiopathic, severe, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that preferentially affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. Neuromyelitis optica has a worldwide distribution, poor prognosis, and has long been thought of as a variant of multiple sclerosis; however, clinical, laboratory, immunological, and pathological characteristics that distinguish it from multiple sclerosis are now recognised. The presence of a highly specific serum autoantibody marker (NMO-IgG) further differentiates neuromyelitis optica from multiple sclerosis and has helped to define a neuromyelitis optica spectrum of disorders. NMO-IgG reacts with the water channel aquaporin 4. Data suggest that autoantibodies to aquaporin 4 derived from peripheral B cells cause the activation of complement, inflammatory demyelination, and necrosis that is seen in neuromyelitis optica. The knowledge gained from further assessment of the exact role of NMO-IgG in the pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica will provide a foundation for rational therapeutic trials for this rapidly disabling disease.
Spamming botnets: signatures and characteristics

In this paper, we focus on characterizing spamming botnets by leveraging both spam payload and spam server traffic properties. Towards this goal, we developed a spam signature generation framework called AutoRE to detect botnet-based spam emails and botnet membership. AutoRE does not require pre-classified training data or white lists. Moreover, it outputs high quality regular expression signatures that can detect botnet spam with a low false positive rate. Using a three-month sample of emails from Hotmail, AutoRE successfully identified 7,721 botnet-based spam campaigns together with 340,050 unique botnet host IP addresses.Our in-depth analysis of the identified botnets revealed several interesting findings regarding the degree of email obfuscation, properties of botnet IP addresses, sending patterns, and their correlation with network scanning traffic. We believe these observations are useful information in the design of botnet detection schemes.
Robust linear quadratic designs with real parameter uncertainty

This note derives a linear quadratic regulator which is robust to real parametric uncertainty, by using the overbounding method of Petersen and Hollot (1986). The resulting controller is determined from the solution of a single modified Riccati equation. This controller has the same guaranteed robustness properties as standard linear quadratic designs for known systems. It is proven that when applied to a structural system, the controller achieves its robustness by minimizing the potential energy of uncertain stiffness elements, and minimizing the rate of dissipation of energy by the uncertain damping elements. >
Zero-Crossing Location and Detection Algorithms For Hybrid System Simulation

Abstract Computational models of embedded control systems often combine continuous-time with discrete-event behavior, mathematically representing hybrid dynamic systems. An essential element of numerical simulation of a hybrid dynamic system is the generation of discrete events from continuous variables that exceed thresholds. In particular, the occurrence of such an event has to be detected and the point in time where the threshold is first exceeded has to be located. This paper presents a number of problems that are encountered in event detection and location when using existing techniques. Solution strategies that balance efficiency and robustness are presented to address: (i) repeated detection of a zero-crossing event at consecutive time steps, (ii) masked zero-crossing events because of multiple zero-crossing functions, and (iii) chattering and Zeno behavior.
Mexican American Labor, 1790-1990

Historians of labour in the United States have given scant attention to Mexican American workers and their trade union activity. This panoramic history summarises the origins of this work force and the social and economic changes the workers experienced as industrialisation and capitalism transformed employment in the nineteenth century. He focuses on the Southwest and California in particular in recounting worker efforts to organise trade unions over the past one hundred years. As the author traces the historic evolution of struggles to gain economic equity and ethnic and gender equality, he introduces the individual experiences of many courageous workers.
A loss-of-function mutation in the nucleoporin AtNUP160 indicates that normal auxin signalling is required for a proper ethylene response in Arabidopsis

As part of a continuing effort to elucidate mechanisms that regulate the magnitude of ethylene signalling, an Arabidopsis mutant with an enhanced ethylene response was identified. Subsequent characterization of this loss-offunction mutant revealed severe hypocotyl shortening in the presence of saturating ethylene along with increased expression in leaves of a subset of ethylene-responsive genes. It was subsequently determined by map-based cloning that the mutant (sar1-7) represents a loss-of-function mutation in the previously described nucleoporin AtNUP160 (At1g33410, SAR1). In support of previously reported results, the sar1-7 mutant partially restored auxin responsiveness to roots of an rce1 loss-of-function mutant, indicating that AtNUP160/SAR1 is required for proper expression of factors responsible for the repression of auxin signalling. Analysis of arf7-1/sar1-7 and arf19-1/sar1-7 double mutants revealed that mutations affecting either ARF7 or ARF19 function almost fully blocked manifestation of the sar1-7-dependent ethylene hypersensitivity phenotype, suggesting that ARF7- and ARF19-mediated auxin signalling is responsible for regulating the magnitude of and/or competence for the ethylene response in Arabidopsis etiolated hypocotyls. Consistent with this, addition of auxin to ethylene-treated seedlings resulted in severe hypocotyl shortening, reminiscent of that seen for other eer (enhanced ethylene response) mutants, suggesting that auxin functions in part synergistically with ethylene to control hypocotyl elongation and other ethylene-dependent phenomena.
Chorionic villus sampling for abnormal screening compared to historical indications: prevalence of abnormal karyotypes.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of abnormal karyotype results in women undergoing chorionic villus sampling (CVS) for abnormal first trimester screening compared to CVS for historical indications (advanced maternal age (AMA) or prior aneuploidy). Methods: Retrospective cohort of all patients undergoing CVS at Oregon Health & Science University from January 2006 to June 2010. Patients were separated based on CVS indication: (1) positive ultrasound (U/S) or serum screening; or (2) AMA or prior aneuploidy with normal or no screening. Prevalence of abnormal karyotype results were compared between groups. Results: Fetal karyotyping was successful in 500 of 506 CVS procedures performed. 203 CVS were performed for positive screening with 69 abnormal karyotypes (34.0%). 264 CVS were performed for historical indications with 11 abnormal karyotypes (4.2%). This difference was statistically significant (χ2 71.9, p < 0.001; OR 11.8 [95% CI 5.8, 24.6]). There were two age-related aneuplodies in AMA women withou...
Meso-scale computational modeling of the plastic-damage response of cementitious composites

Concrete is considered as a 3-phase composite material; mortar matrix, aggregates, and interfacial transmission zone (ITZ). In order to investigate the contribution of each phase to the strength and damage response of concrete, 2-D and 3-D meso-scale simulations based on a coupled plasticity-damage model are carried out. The aggregates are modeled as a linear-elastic material, whereas the mortar matrix and ITZ are modeled using a coupled plasticity-damage model with different tensile and compressive mechanical behavior. Aggregate shape, distribution, and volume fraction are considered as simulated variables. The effect of the ITZ thickness and the strength of the ITZ and mortar matrix are also evaluated. It is shown that the behavior of concrete is merely dependent on the aggregate distribution and the strength of the mortar matrix, but dependent on aggregate shape, size, and volume fraction, and the thickness and strength of the ITZ.
Performance tradeoffs of optical WDM switches using different shared limited-range wavelength conversion mechanisms

The effects of different wavelength conversion ranging configurations on the performance of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) optical switches are investigated. Any-to-Any, Any-to-Range, Range-to-Any, and Range-to-Range conversion ranging configurations are considered. These mechanisms provide important design alternatives for optical switches due to technological limitations in the implementation of full range wavelength conversion in an all-optical wavelength converter device. Limited-range wavelength converter (LRWC) is a more economical and practical solution for WDM based optical networks. Differences among the input and output side ranging mechanisms and their effects on conversion resource sharing, and consequently on performance, are investigated. Any- to-Range ranging configuration is the most efficient mechanism and it operates comparably to Any-to-Any, reducing the need for complex control algorithms. The results help determine the most efficient ranging configuration for all-optical crossconnect.
NaK bound–free and bound–bound 4 3Σ+ → a 3Σ+ emission

The relative transition dipole moment function M(R) for the 4 3 R + ? a 3 R + electronic transition in the
Treatment of myeloma: cure vs control.

Although not often openly acknowledged, “cure versus control” is the dominant philosophical difference behind many of the strategies, trials, and debates related to the management of myeloma. Should we treat patients with myeloma with multidrug, multitransplant combinations with the goal of potentially curing a subset of patients, recognizing that the risk of adverse events and effect on quality of life will be substantial? Or should we address myeloma as a chronic incurable condition with the goal of disease control, using the least toxic regimens, emphasizing a balance between efficacy and quality of life, and reserving more aggressive therapy for later? To be sure, if cure were known to be possible (with a reasonable probability) in myeloma, it would undoubtedly be the preferred therapeutic goal of most patients and physicians. But this is not the case. Myeloma is generally not considered a curable disease; however, new definitions of cure have been suggested, including operational cure, which is defined as a sustained complete response (CR) for a prolonged period. (1,2) Cure versus control is debated because the strategies currently being tested are not truly curative but rather are intended to maximize response rates in the hope that they will translate into an operational cure for a subset of patients. For decades, the treatment of myeloma was restricted to conventional chemotherapy with alkylators and corticosteroids, and the question of cure versus control never arose. The response rate with alkylators and corticosteroids was only about 50%, and CR (3,4) was rare. Cure was never a goal of therapy because it was assumed to be unattainable. Instead, the goal was to control the disease as much as possible, providing the best quality of life to the patient for the longest duration by judicious, intermittent use of the 2 available classes of active chemotherapeutic agents. In the 1990s, high-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) became part of standard practice when it was found to prolong survival compared with conventional chemotherapy. (5-7) Subsequently, bisphosphonates were found to be effective in decreasing the incidence of bone lesions. (8,9) In the past decade, thalidomide, (10) bortezomib (11-13) and lenalidomide (14,15) emerged as effective agents for the treatment of myeloma, producing spectacular results in combination with other known agents in terms of response rate, CR rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and (more recently) overall survival. Numerous combinations have been developed, resulting in a veritable alphabet soup of clinical trials (16) and drug combinations are vying with each other for the highest response rate (and prominence). (17,18) The results obtained with new combinations have indeed been remarkable and have prompted a relatively new philosophy of treating myeloma with the goal of potential cure rather than disease control. These philosophical differences underpin the various clinically relevant debates regarding myeloma currently confronting patients and
Two mechanisms for inward rectification of current flow through the purinoceptor P2X2 class of ATP-gated channels

1. The ATP receptor subunit P2X2 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. ATP-activated currents were studied with two-electrode voltage clamp recordings from oocytes, whole-cell recordings from HEK 293 cells, and outside-out patch clamp recordings from both cell types. The steady-state current-voltage (I-V) relation showed profound inward rectification in all recording configurations. 2. Recordings from outside-out patches demonstrated that inward rectification does not require intracellular Mg2+ or polyamines, and that inward rectification was present when the same solution was used on both sides of the patch. 3. Voltage jump experiments were performed to evaluate the voltage dependence of channel gating. After fast voltage jumps, instantaneous current jumps were followed by substantial relaxations to the steady state. The time course of the current relaxations could be fitted by single exponential functions. The instantaneous I-V relation was less inwardly rectifying than the steady-state I-V relation; however, it was not linear. 4. Single channel recordings indicated that the single channel conductance became smaller when the membrane potential became more positive. This decrease could quantitatively account for inward rectification of the instantaneous I-V relation. 5. We conclude that inward rectification of P2X2 is due to two mechanisms: voltage-dependent gating and voltage dependence of the single channel conductance.
Brain Basis of Samadhi: The Neuroscience of Meditative Absorption

Scientific and clinical interest in mindfulness has seen a dramatic increase in the past ten years, but there has as yet been surprisingly little deep engagement with the traditional Buddhist literature by contemporary clinical and scientific proponents of mindfulness. This literature review summarizes a classical Theravada Buddhist framework describing samadhi, a state of consciousness often translated as meditative absorption. Following the discussion of the stages of samadhi from the traditional phenomenological perspective is a review of the cognitive, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological literature that has begun to explore the brain bases of the subjective experience of samadhi during deep meditation. Due to the incipient nature of this literature, the review makes suggestions for interpretations and future directions of empirical research. Finally, the long term effects of meditation practice are discussed.
Managing records in networked environment using EDRMS applications: a case study of Rand Water

Rand Water was founded in 1903 at the conclusion of the Anglo Boer War and has a very rich history as an organisation. Founded with the sole purpose to provide clean water to domestic and industry needs in the greater Johannesburg and Witwatersrand area, at that time, it then became part of the bigger body of bulk water supply entities in 1997 as guided by the Water Services Act of 1997. In consideration of the date that Rand Water was founded, its records pre-date it by ten years as its oldest archives date back to 1893 with correspondence about the setting up of smaller, fractional water supply authorities. Evolution of the organisation as it grew brought new ways of managing its records and archives. The impetus towards new approaches to managing records and ensuring archival compliance in accordance with standards was propelled by the relevant legislation as approved by Government and internationally adopted standards. This article is based on the experiences of the authors and attempts to navigate through the records management and archival story of Rand Water representing water sector challenges and opportunities that organisations such as this are faced with in consideration of the ever-improving technologies and strategies at their disposal.
COMPARISON OF PILOT VARIATIONS FOLLOWING TERMINAL AREA TRAJECTORIES

Automation is being investigated to help air traffic controllers and pilots in all phases of flight. Such automation requires accurate estimates of trajectories to predict and resolve conflicts between aircraft. A problem with creating trajectories in the terminal area is pilot variability when performing maneuvers. A full-mission flight simulation was performed, using a Boeing 747-400 six degree of freedom simulator. One goal of the simulation was to examine the variability of maneuvers for aircraft equipped with three levels of on-board automation. Four variables were examined: time of flight, altitude, speed, and start of turns. Tune of flight was examined to compare to previous experiments and was found to have the expected accuracy of plus or minus 15 sec. Altitude maneuvers show significant variability, which needs to be resolved for accurate trajectory prediction. Speed maneuvers also had a wide variability, but take place over short periods in the trajectory. Consequently, their impact on trajectory prediction is minimal. The starts of turns varied by about one nautical mile. Turn effects can be removed by using a flight management system to fly the route, but this issue needs to be addressed for planes without such equipment.
EVALUATION OF SPACE SIMULATORS USING LARGE SUNS

The development plans of many large f a c i l i t i e s fo r the simulation of the therms1 environment i n space have included so la r simulation as one of the prime requirements. This has been j u s t i f i e d on the assumption t h a t prec ise da ta on the thermal performance of a spacecraft cannot be obtained without accurate simulation of a l l the major external energy sources t h a t w i l l a f f e c t i t s hea t balance i n space. Since d i r e c t so l a r r ad ia t ion cons t i tu tes one of the l a rges t of these external thermal sources, the development of so l a r simulation devices has been a major undertaking i n the spacecraft industry. The problems of designing sources t h a t rcatch the spectrum of the sun and the op t i ca l systems fo r d i s t r ibu t ing t h i s energy in to a collimated bean of uniform int ens i ty have been very d i f i i c u l t t o solve. A s a r e s u l t , the so l a r simulation systems t h a t have been completed and a re currently i n operation have included many design compromises. They involve spec t r a l mismatch with the t rue sun a t zero a i r mass, decollimation, lack of uniformity of i nc ident radia t ion , and compromises i n the design of an enclosure t h a t simulates cold black space.
Anticipated resource utilization for injury versus non-injury pediatric visits to emergency departments

Childhood injuries are increasingly treated in emergency departments (EDs) but the relationship between injury severity and ED resource utilization has not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to compare resource utilization for pediatric injury-related ED visits across injury-severity levels and with non-injury visits, using standardized, validated scales. A retrospective analysis of 2004-2008 ED visits from the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Core Data Project. Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale severity (MAIS) and Severity Classification System (SCS) scores were calculated and compared. MAIS and SCS are ordinal scales from 1 (minor injury) to 6, and 1 (low anticipated resource utilization) to 5, respectively. ED length of stay (LOS) and admission percentages were calculated as comparative proxy measures of resource utilization. There were 763,733 injury visits and 2,328,916 non-injury visits, most with SCS of 2 or 3. Of the injured patients, 59.2 % had an MAIS of 1. ED LOS and admission percentage increased with increasing MAIS from 1-5. LOS and admission percentage increased with increasing SCS in both samples. Median LOS was shorter for injured versus non-injured patients with SCS 3-5. Non-injured patients with SCS 2-5 were more likely admitted than injured patients. Most injured patients had an SCS 3 with an MAIS 1-2, or an SCS 2 with an MAIS 1, with no correlation between the two scales. While admission rates and LOS increase with increasing AIS and SCS severity, these two classification schemas do not reliably correlate. Similarly, ED visit metrics differ between injured and non-injured patients in similar SCS categories. Although AIS and SCS both have value, these differences should be considered when using these schemas in research and quality improvement.
Elimination of Non-Simultaneous Triggering Effects in Finger-type ESD Protection Transistors Using Heterojunction Buried Layer

This paper presents a novel technique to eliminate non-simultaneous triggering effects in finger-type ESD protection transistor using SiGe heterojunction buried layer structures. It is confirmed that lower snapback voltage and maximum lattice temperature are obtainable in the new structure based on device simulation. As a result, current localization and lattice overheating of a finger-type protection transistor caused by process variations can be avoided in this structure.
Review of videolaryngoscopy pharyngeal wall injuries.

OBJECTIVES Reports of patient injuries associated with videolaryngoscopy are increasing in the literature. There are a wide variety of opinions regarding both safe use of the device and patient care following aerodigestive tract injury. We have seen an increase in videolaryngoscopy-associated injuries in recent years at our institution. Because of this, we wanted to determine if video-assisted laryngoscopy presents a greater risk of injury compared with direct laryngoscopy. Furthermore, we wanted to determine if there were patient and/or surgical factors that could contribute to patient injuries following videolaryngoscopy. DATA SOURCES MAMC anesthesia records, PubMed, Ovid. REVIEW METHODS We compared rates of injury between videolaryngoscopy to direct laryngoscopy at our institution by searching anesthesia records to identify laryngoscopy procedures that resulted in injury to the soft palate or oropharynx. We also identified 19 published cases in the literature, in addition to our cases, that we reviewed for patient characteristics (e.g., body mass index, age and sex, Mallampati grade), type of videolaryngoscope, location of injury, and type of repair (if any) required. RESULTS At our institution, we have a statistically higher rate of injury using videolaryngoscopy compared to direct laryngoscopy. Our data also indicate that women are more commonly injured during videolaryngoscope intubation than men. The right tonsillar pillars and soft palate are the most frequently injured, with through-and-through perforation of the soft tissues being the most common type of injury. The most common repair of injuries required simple closures, and long-term harm was very rare. CONCLUSION Our data suggests that using video-assisted laryngoscopy for intubation puts a patient at significantly greater risk for injury compared to direct laryngoscopy. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:349-353, 2017.
Advanced high-resolution interferometric phase shift technique far microlithography

This paper reports simulation and experimental details of a novel phase shifting technique based on interferometry. Phase shifting is one of the most promising techniques1 for future DRAM fabrication. In recent years, many phase shifting methods have been proposed to extend the resolution limit and the contrast of the image of patterns. These techniques, however, have several problems. The phase shifting elements on the mask need precise placement and exact thickness in order to achieve the desired amount of phase shifting. Further adjustment becomes impossible once the masks are fabricated. As a result, the manufacturing cost of phase shifting masks is high, and yields are at present quite low. This has slowed the introduction of the phase shift technique into the production line.
Investigating pottery vessel manufacturing techniques using radiographic imaging and computed tomography: Studies from the Late Archaic American Southeast

Abstract Advances in image acquisition and processing, including the increasing availability of computed tomography (CT), have expanded the research potential for radiography. This paper employs recent radiographic advancements to investigate how hand-formed pottery was manufactured, with a focus on defining “micro-techniques” that may be isomorphic with past social groups. By creating and imaging experimental vessels, unique structural “fingerprints” are defined for a number of micro-techniques, which are then used to categorize assemblages from two contemporaneous and neighboring archaeological sites. Results suggest that the two sites were occupied by distinct potting communities and that radiographic imaging can be a powerful tool for determining the presence of past social groups.
Sustained selective attention predicts flexible switching in preschoolers

Stability and flexibility are fundamental to an intelligent cognitive system. Here, we examined the relationship between stability in selective attention and explicit control of flexible attention. Preschoolers were tested on the Dimension Preference (DP) task, which measures the stability of selective attention to an implicitly primed dimension, and the Dimension Change Card Sort (DCCS) task, which measures flexible attention switching between dimensions. Children who successfully switched on the DCCS task were more likely than those who perseverated to sustain attention to the primed dimension on the DP task across trials. We propose that perseverators have less stable attention and distribute their attention between dimensions, whereas switchers can successfully stabilize attention to individual dimensions and, thus, show more enduring priming effects. Flexible attention may emerge, in part, from implicit processes that stabilize attention even in tasks not requiring switching.
Molecular Assessment of Human Diseases in the Clinical Laboratory

Abstract The past decades have seen significant advances in the field of genomics. Perhaps most notably, major advances in nucleic acid sequence analysis and computing technology enabled the successful completion of the Human Genome Project. This new knowledge at the genetic level has been followed at the transcriptomic (RNA) and proteomic (protein) levels. These advances supported the development of targeted molecular diagnostics and therapeutics, facilitating a more personalized approach to health care, reducing unnecessary treatments and improving health outcomes. For example, infectious diseases and cancer are detected earlier and more accurately. Molecular testing is now an integral part of disease management and therapy and spans the entire spectrum of applications that are performed on a routine basis in most hospital clinical laboratories. While the ability of clinical laboratories to detect human genetic variation has historically been limited to a rather small number of traditional genetic diseases, the current understanding of many diseases at a molecular level has expanded testing capabilities to both human and nonhuman applications. The identification of numerous new genes and disease-causing mutations, as well as benign polymorphisms that may influence a specific phenotype, has created a rapidly growing demand for molecular diagnostic testing.
Study of Asymmetric Electron Emission in Two-Color Ionization of Helium (XUV–IR)

In this work, we focused on the angular photoelectron emission from helium generated by an Attosecond Pulse Train (APT) in the presence of a weak Infrared (IR) field. The APT creates both an excited and a continuum electron wave packets. By ionizing the excited state with the IR pulse, a delayed new continuum electron wave packet is created. Consequently, a mix of energy-degenerate even and odd parity states is fed in the continuum by one- and two-photon transitions. These interfere, leading to an asymmetric electron emission along the polarization vector. The interference can be controlled by varying the time delay between the APT and IR pulses.
Dynamic Knowledge Representation Using Agent-Based Modeling: Ontology Instantiation and Verification of Conceptual Models

The sheer volume of biomedical research threatens to overwhelm the capacity of individuals to effectively process this information. Adding to this challenge is the multiscale nature of both biological systems and the research community as a whole. Given this volume and rate of generation of biomedical information, the research community must develop methods for robust representation of knowledge in order for individuals, and the community as a whole, to "know what they know." Despite increasing emphasis on "data-driven" research, the fact remains that researchers guide their research using intuitively constructed conceptual models derived from knowledge extracted from publications, knowledge that is generally qualitatively expressed using natural language. Agent-based modeling (ABM) is a computational modeling method that is suited to translating the knowledge expressed in biomedical texts into dynamic representations of the conceptual models generated by researchers. The hierarchical object-class orientation of ABM maps well to biomedical ontological structures, facilitating the translation of ontologies into instantiated models. Furthermore, ABM is suited to producing the nonintuitive behaviors that often "break" conceptual models. Verification in this context is focused at determining the plausibility of a particular conceptual model, and qualitative knowledge representation is often sufficient for this goal. Thus, utilized in this fashion, ABM can provide a powerful adjunct to other computational methods within the research process, as well as providing a metamodeling framework to enhance the evolution of biomedical ontologies.
Mechanisms of Hyperglycemic Damage in Diabetes

All forms of diabetes are characterized by hyperglycemia, a relative or absolute lack of insulin action, and the development of diabetes-specific pathology in the retina, renal glomerulus, and peripheral nerve. Diabetes is also associated with accelerated atherosclerotic disease, which affects arteries that supply the heart, brain, and lower extremities. As a consequence of its disease-specific pathology, in the developed world diabetes mellitus is now the leading cause of new blindness in working-age people and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). More than 60% of diabetic patients are affected by neuropathy, which includes distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN), mononeuropathies, and a variety of autonomic neuropathies that cause erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, gastroparesis, and nocturnal diarrhea. Diabetic accelerated lower extremity arterial disease in conjunction with neuropathy accounts for more than 50% of all nontraumatic amputations in the USA [1].
The student skill model

One of the most popular methods for modeling students' knowledge is Corbett and Anderson's[1] Bayesian Knowledge Tracing (KT) model. The original Knowledge Tracing model does not allow for individualization. Recently, Pardos and Heffernan [4] showed that more information about students' prior knowledge can help build a better fitting model and provide a more accurate prediction of student data. Our goal was to further explore the individualization of student parameters in order to allow the Bayesian network to keep track of each of the four parameters per student: prior knowledge, guess, slip and learning. We proposed a new Bayesian network model called the Student Skill model (SS), and evaluated it in comparison with the traditional knowledge tracing model in both simulated and realword experiments. The new model predicts student responses better than the standard knowledge tracing model when the number of students and the number of skills are large.
Use of Antihypertensive Agents and Association With Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease: Focus on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers.

Background Our objective was to determine patterns of antihypertensive agent use by stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to evaluate the association between different classes of antihypertensive agents with nonrenal outcomes, especially in advanced CKD . Methods and Results We studied 3939 participants of the CRIC (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) study. Predictors were time-dependent angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker , β-blocker, and calcium channel blocker use (versus nonuse of agents in each class). Outcomes were adjudicated heart failure events or death. Adjusted Cox models were used to determine the association between predictors and outcomes. We also examined whether the associations differed based on the severity of CKD (early [stage 2-3 CKD ] versus advanced disease [stage 4-5 CKD ]). During median follow-up of 7.5 years, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor use plateaued during CKD stage 3 (75%) and declined to 37% by stage 5, while β-blocker, calcium channel blocker, and diuretic use increased steadily with advancing CKD . Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor use was associated with lower risk of heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.97) and death (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.90), regardless of severity of CKD . Calcium channel blocker use was not associated with risk of heart failure or death, regardless of the severity of CKD . β-Blocker use was associated with higher risk of heart failure (hazard ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-2.04) and death (hazard ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.43), especially during early CKD ( P<0.05 for interaction). Conclusions Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker use decreased, while use of other agents increased with advancing CKD . Use of agents besides angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers may be associated with suboptimal outcomes in patients with CKD .
Children with appendicitis on the US-Mexico border have socioeconomic challenges and are best served by a freestanding children's hospital.

The US–Mexico border is medically underserved. Recent political changes may render this population even more vulnerable. We hypothesized that children on the border present with high rates of perforated appendicitis due to socioeconomic barriers. A prospective survey was administered to children presenting with appendicitis in El Paso, Texas. Primary outcomes were rate of perforation and reason for diagnostic delay. We evaluated the association between demographics, potential barriers to care, risk of perforation and risk of misdiagnosis using logistic regression. p < 0.05 was considered significant. 98 patients participated from October 2016 to February 2017. 96 patients (98%) were Hispanic and 81 (82%) had Medicaid or were uninsured. 11 patients (11%) resided in Mexico or Guatemala. Patients were less likely to receive a CT and more likely to receive an ultrasound if they presented to a freestanding children’s hospital (p = 0.01). 37 patients (38%) presented with perforation, of which 19 (52%) were the result of practitioner misdiagnosis. Patients who presented to a freestanding children’s hospital were less likely to be misdiagnosed than patients presenting to other facilities (p = 0.05). Children who underwent surgery in a freestanding children’s hospital had the shortest length of stay after adjusting for perforation status and potential confounders (p < 0.01). Children with low socioeconomic status did not have difficulty accessing care on the USA–Mexico border, but they were commonly misdiagnosed. Children were less likely to receive a CT, more likely to be correctly diagnosed and length of stay was shorter when patients presented to a freestanding children’s hospital.
We Need More Resources: Stories of QTPOC* Survival in the South

While men’s sexual violence against women is unarguably a social and public health issue, both nationally representative data and smaller studies tell us that rates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, tran...
Editorial: The Promise of Psychiatric Translational Research: Exploring How the Gut Can Influence Brain Development.

How the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can influence the development and functioning of the central nervous system is one of the hottest translational research topics today. In animal studies, GI infections have been linked to enteric inflammation, disrupted intestinal permeability, and changes in diversity in the gut microbiome as well as brain dysfunction.1 In humans, infectious gastroenteritis has been associated with modified composition of the gut microbiome and systemic inflammation.2 Although gastroenteritis has not been causally linked to dysregulation of the brain in humans, it has been associated with later chronic GI conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, which is often accompanied by anxiety and depression.2-4 In other human studies, microbiome dysbiosis has been associated with significantly increased the risk for later systemic inflammation and brain dysfunction manifested as changes in emotions, behaviors, pain perception, and cognitions.5,6 Most studies investigating these relationships have focused on adult cohorts and are often cross-sectional in design nature. The study by Parent et al.7 is the first longitudinal study to evaluate whether repeated episodes of gastroenteritis during early childhood predicts behavioral problems in later childhood and mental illness during adolescence. In addition, it has an exploratory mechanistic objective: whether systemic inflammation in later childhood and adolescence moderates this brain-gut relationship.
Parametric Optimization Problem Formulation for Connected Hybrid Electric Vehicles Using Neural Network Based Equivalent Model

The dynamics of powertrain control systems are complicated and involve both nonlinear plant model and control functionalities, albeit they are well defined and formulated using first principle approaches. This constitutes difficulties in exploring implementable optimal tuning rules for some selected control parameters using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communica- tions. This paper presents a way to use neural networks (NN) to represent the problem of parameter tuning for optimizing fuel consumption. For this purpose, physical modelling and validation have been firstly performed for the closed loop powertrain system of the concerned vehicle for some given driving cycles. This is then followed by the sensitivity analysis that selects most influential control parameters to optimize. Using the data generated from the obtained physical models, an equivalent NN formulation has finally been obtained that gives simple yet unified objectives and constraints ready to be used to solve the optimization problem that produces optimal tuning rules for the selected control parameters to minimize fuel consumption.
Job-Task Analysis of Vision Rehabilitation Therapists:

Introduction:One way to understand a profession is to examine the job tasks undertaken by professionals within the field. The profession of vision rehabilitation therapy is examined by finding the ...
Relationship Between Liver Cancer Mortality and Racial Residential Segregation Across Wisconsin Metropolitan Areas

Abstract Purpose This cross-sectional study tested relationships between racial segregation and liver cancer across several different metropolitan areas in Wisconsin. Methods Tract level liver cancer mortality rates in Wisconsin were calculated using cases from 2003-2012. Hotspot analysis was conducted and segregation scores in high, low, and baseline mortality tracts were compared with ANOVA. Spatial regression analysis was done controlling for socioeconomic advantage and rurality. Results Black isolation scores were significantly higher in high mortality tracts compared to baseline and low mortality tracts, but stratification by metropolitan areas found this relationship was driven by two of the five metropolitan areas. Hispanic isolation was predictive for higher mortality in regression analysis, but this effect was not found across all metropolitan areas. Conclusions This study showed associations between liver cancer mortality and racial segregation, but found this relationship was not generalizable to all metropolitan areas in the study area.
The Role of Law in Adam Smith’s Moral Philosophy:Natural Jurisprudence and Utility

Adam Smith writes of human action that: [W]hen we are determining the degree of blame or applause which seems due 10 any action, we very frequently make use of two different standards. The first is the idea of complete propriety and perfection, which, in those difficult situations, no human conductever did, or ever can come up to; and in comparison with which the actions of all men must for ever appear blameable and imperfect. The second is the idea of that degree of proximity or distance from this complete perfection, which the actions of the greater part of men commonly arrive at. Whatever goes beyond this degree, how far soever it may be removed from absolute perfection, seems to deserve applause and whatever falls short of it, to deserve blame. (TMS, 26)
The effect of sleep deprivation and restriction on mood, emotion, and emotion regulation: three meta-analyses in one.

Study objectives New theory and measurement approaches have facilitated nuanced investigation of how sleep loss impacts dimensions of affective functioning. To provide a quantitative summary of this literature, three conceptually related meta-analyses examined the effect of sleep restriction and sleep deprivation on mood, emotion, and emotion regulation across the lifespan (i.e. from early childhood to late adulthood). Methods A total of 241 effect sizes from 64 studies were selected for inclusion, and multilevel meta-analytic techniques were used when applicable. Results There was a moderate, positive effect of sleep loss on negative mood (g = 0.45), which was stronger for studies with younger samples, as well as a large, negative effect of sleep loss on positive mood (g = -0.94). For negative mood only, studies that used total sleep deprivation had larger effect sizes than studies that restricted sleep. After correcting for publication bias, a modest but significant negative effect for sleep loss on emotion (g = -0.11) was found; the valence of emotional stimuli did not change the direction of this effect, and type of sleep manipulation was also not a significant moderator. Finally, sleep restriction had a small, negative effect on adaptive emotion regulation (g = -0.32), but no significant impact on maladaptive emotion regulation (g = 0.14); all studies on adaptive emotion regulation were conducted with youth samples. Conclusions Sleep loss compromises optimal affective functioning, though the magnitude of effects varies across components. Findings underscore the importance of sleep for healthy affective outcomes.
The moral economy of the algorithmic crowd: Possessive collectivisim and techno-economic rentiership

Algorithmic scoring systems provide novel ways to sort larger populations of borrowers, consumers, employees and benefits recipients. Such algorithmic regimes of classification enable the more effi...