cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical beam steering using InGaAsP multiple quantum wells

We report an efficient optical beam steering device based on InGaAsP multiple quantum wells. An area-selective zinc in-diffusion process is used to define highly localized p-n junctions through which electrical currents are injected into the quantum wells. The extent of the lateral spreading of the electrical carriers can be optimized by selecting the appropriate diffusion depth. Using a twin-parallel-stripe structure, an optical beam at a wavelength of 1.51 /spl mu/m was steered over a 17-/spl mu/m range using dc electrical currents of less than 13 mA.
From Smile Asymptotics to Market Risk Measures

The left tail of the implied volatility skew, coming from quotes on out-of-the-money put options, can be thought to reflect the market's assessment of the risk of a huge drop in stock prices. We analyze how this market information can be integrated into the theoretical framework of convex monetary measures of risk. In particular, we make use of indifference pricing by dynamic convex risk measures, which are given as solutions of backward stochastic differential equations (BSDEs), to establish a link between these two approaches to risk measurement. We derive a characterization of the implied volatility in terms of the solution of a nonlinear PDE and provide a small time-to-maturity expansion and numerical solutions. This procedure allows to choose convex risk measures in a conveniently parametrized class, distorted entropic dynamic risk measures, which we introduce here, such that the asymptotic volatility skew under indifference pricing can be matched with the market skew. We demonstrate this in a calibration exercise to market implied volatility data.
European Equity Markets and Emu: Are the Differences between Countries Slowly Disappearing?

During the 1980s country effects have been larger than industry effects in the equity markets of Western Europe. This has continued to be the case for the EMU countries in the 1993-1998 period, despite the convergence of interest rates and the harmonization of fiscal and monetary policies following the Maastricht Treaty of 1992. As of now, there is no evidence that the differences between countries have disappeared.
A fuzzy-logic autonomous agent applied as a supervisory controller in a simulated environment

An unsupervised learning system, implemented as an autonomous agent is presented. A simulation of a challenging path planning problem is used to illustrate the agent design and demonstrate its problem solving ability. The agent, dubbed the ORG, employs fuzzy logic and clustering techniques to efficiently represent and retrieve knowledge and uses innovative sensor modeling and attention focus to process a large number of stimuli. Simple initial fuzzy rules (instincts) are used to influence behavior and communicate intent to the agent. Self-reflection is utilized so the agent can learn from its environmental constraints and modify its own state. Speculation is utilized in the simulated environment, to produce new rules and fine-tune performance and internal parameters. The ORG is released in a simulated shallow water environment where its mission is to dynamically and continuously plan a path to effectively cover a specified region in minimal time while simultaneously learning from its environment. Several paths of the agent design are shown, and desirable emergent behavior properties of the agent design are discussed.
Spruce beetle-induced changes to Engelmann spruce foliage flammability.

Intermountain Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm) stands affected by the spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis Kirby) represent a unique and growing fuel complex. In this study, we quantified and compared the changes in moisture content, chemistry, and flammability of foliage from trees in three crown condition classes: unattacked (green [G]), currently mass attacked (green-infested [GI]), and mass attacked the previous year (yellow [Y]) over the course of a fire season. GI trees displayed highly variable decreases in moisture content both between trees and within individual tree crowns that produced variable increases in flammability. The foliage on Y trees had significantly lower moisture contents, higher proportions of lignin and cellulose, and lower proportions of carbohydrate-based compounds than G foliage, which resulted in increased flammability. This increase in crown flammability was short-lived because the foliage on Y trees dropped abruptly approximately 14 months after mass attack (by late July). Given the observed changes in flammability, increased crown fire potential may occur in spruce beetle-infested forests during the spring when G and Y foliage flammability is highest, provided sufficiently dry conditions, and in late summer when the combination of peak GI foliage flammability coincides with the peak in seasonal drying.
Theoretical and architectural support for input device adaptation

The graphical user interface (GUI) is today's de facto standard for desktop computing. GUIs are designed and optimized for use with a mouse and keyboard. However, modern trends make this reliance on a mouse and keyboard problematic for two reasons. First, people with disabilities may have trouble operating those devices. Second, with the popularization of wireless communication and mobile devices such as personal data assistants, the mouse and keyboard are often replaced by other input devices. Our solution is a tool that can be used to translate a user's input to a form recognizable by any Windows-based application. We argue that a formal model of input is necessary to support arbitrary translations of this sort. We present a model, based on Markov information sources, that extends past work in its ability to handle software-based input such as speech recognition, and to measure relative device bandwidth. We also present our translation tool, which is based on our model, along with four applications built using that tool.
Diffusion Compartmentalization Using Response Function Groups with Cardinality Penalization

Spherical deconvolution SD of the white matter WM diffusion-attenuated signal with a fiber signal response function has been shown to yield high-quality estimates of fiber orientation distribution functions FODFs. However, an inherent limitation of this approach is that the response function RF is often fixed and assumed to be spatially invariant. This has been reported to result in spurious FODF peaks as the discrepancy of the RF with the data increases. In this paper, we propose to utilize response function groups RFGs for robust compartmentalization of diffusion signal and hence improving FODF estimation. Unlike the aforementioned single fixed RF, each RFG consists of a set of RFs that are intentionally varied to capture potential signal variations associated with a fiber bundle. Additional isotropic RFGs are included to account for signal contributions from gray matter GM and cerebrospinal fluid CSF. To estimate the WM FODF and the volume fractions of GM and CSF compartments, the RFGs are fitted to the data in the least-squares sense, penalized by the cardinality of the support of the solution to encourage group sparsity. The volume fractions associated with each compartment are then computed by summing up the volume fractions of the RFs within each RFGs. Experimental results confirm that our method yields estimates of FODFs and volume fractions of diffusion compartments with improved robustness and accuracy.
Heterokaryon analysis of the genetic control of pigment synthesis in chick embryo melanocytes.

The genetic control of pigmentation was analyzed using five unlinked mutants, namely, c, pk, Bl, ey and I. Each mutant blocks or reduces pigmentation. Chick melanocyte cultures of each mutant type were fused to produce all ten possible pair combinations of nondividing heterokaryons. Heterokaryons were identified autoradiographically. (One partner in each pair was labeled with 3H-thymidine.) Crosses produced comparable pairs of double heterozygotes that were analyzed in vivo and in vitro. Heterokaryon pairs were compared to their corresponding double heterozygotes.—Some combinations showed complementation and produced wild-type pigment. Others showed noncomplementation having little or no pigment. Double heterozygotes complemented each other except in the cases involving the dominant mutant, I. Four heterokaryon pairs gave different results from their corresponding double heterozygotes. The pk-Bl and pk-ey combinations failed to complement as heterokaryons but did complement as double heterozygotes. On the other hand, the I-c and I-Bl combinations complemented as heterokaryons but not as double heterozygotes. Based on these differences it is hypothesized that the pk and I loci are nuclearly restricted regulatory elements. Examples in the literature from other systems are cited to support such a hypothesis.
Effective Jet Printing of Organic Semiconducting Polymers

Organic semiconducting polymers are an attractive alternative to conventional inorganic materials because of the ability to process the polymers from solution and apply them to flexible substrates using lower temperatures and at a lower cost. Direct writing of these materials has the potential to reduce processing steps and material waste. While printing of semiconductors for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) is well known, little has been reported on printing semiconductors for organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs). We have developed a process to fabricate TFTs and arrays using jet printing to eliminate all photolithographic patterning. Active layers of the polymeric semiconductor are jet-printed for the active layer. Many factors are found to affect the characteristics of devices having a jet-printed semiconductor layer, including the substrate temperature, surface energy, device geometry, and drop size and overlap. We will discuss the printing conditions that lead to performance similar to that of devices fabricated by spin coating.
A comparison of gang and individual rape incidents.

This study examined differences between gang and individual offender rape incidents reported to the Chicago police. Analyses showed that victims and offenders in gang rape incidents were younger, more likely to be unemployed, but not different in marital status or race than victims and offenders in individual rapes (e.g., single offender, single victim crimes). Gang rapes were characterized by more alcohol and drug involvement, fewer weapons, more night attacks, less victim resistance, and more severe sexual assault outcomes compared with individual rapes. Regression analyses revealed distinct correlates of physical injury outcomes for gang and individual rape incidents. Implications for treatment and prevention of these types of assaults are discussed.
Red Capitalists in China: The Politics of Co-optation

If we allow private entrepreneurs [to join the party], it would create serious conceptual chaos within the party, and destroy the unified foundation of the political thought of the party that is now united, and destroy the baseline of what the party is able to accommodate in terms of its advanced class nature. … The party name, the party constitution, and the party platform all would have to be changed. The practical experience of our party shows that the structure of the party membership is related to and to a certain degree influences the party's character. However, it is not the decisive factor affecting the party's character. WITH the beginning of the reform era, the CCP not only created new organizations to link itself with the changing economic and social environment, it also undertook a determined and extensive effort to recruit new members with new sets of skills into the party. This was a direct consequence of the party's decision to switch its key task from promoting class struggle during the Mao years to promoting economic modernization in the post-Mao era. The change in goals necessitated a change in criteria for recruiting new members and appointing new personnel to key posts in the party and government at all levels.
Taste Detection and Preferences in Diabetics and their Relatives

In order to determine whether a generalized defect in glucose recognition exists in diabetes, taste detection and preference were measured in adult onset diabetics (AOD), juvenile onset diabetics (JOD), and healthy first-degree relatives of diabetics (NR). Controls (C) were age and sex matched nondi
The technological tradition of Korean black ware and the indigenous development of glaze technology in Korea during the first millennium A.D.

A collection of 70 black ware shards excavated from 16 kiln sites in South Korea and dating from the 3rd-13th centuries were studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron beam microprobe analysis to determine the range of technological variability in composition, microstructure and firing temperature. Materials analysis provided a means of deconstructing and reconstructing the development of (1) consistent high temperature firing, (2) unintentional ash glazing on black ware, (3) intentionally applied black glazes, (4) the relationship of grey and black glazes to green and white ones. This paper addresses issues of the influence of high-firing technology on glaze development and the development and continuity of the black glaze tradition. In addition, the black glazed Onggi ware of the late 19th century was compared to the earlier black-glaze tradition, once stabilized in composition in the Koryo dynasty, and results suggest a technological connection with the earlier tradition.
Abstract P320: Congestive Heart Failure Readmissions: Relationship Between Preadmission Patient Determinants and 30 Day Rehospitalization

Introduction Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most costly disease in the US. Readmission costs contribute significantly to this healthcare expenditure. While adherence to published guidelines has increased, readmission rates have not improved. There is an urgent need to identify clinical and process measures that improve care for CHF patients. Thirty day readmission rates have often been used by third party payers as a surrogate index for quality of care in the inpatients settings. This study looked at the relationship between preadmission patient characteristics and 30 day readmissions. Methods: This was a single center retrospective case-control study that evaluated 6063 consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of CHF from December 2001 through December 2008. Data was abstracted for independent and dependent variables, including heart failure performance measures at discharge. This Ad hoc analysis focused on the relationship between patient determinants on 30 day readmissions. Statistical comparison was made between readmitted and non readmitted cohorts. Results: There were 6063 total patients admitted with the principal diagnosis of CHF. A total of 19.6% (1191 of 6063) of the patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Another 19.9% (1211 of 6063) served as control cohort. The mean age for readmitted and non readmitted patients was 77.8(+/- 11.6) and 75.7 (+/- 11.8) years respectively. Mean duration of initial hospital stay for readmitted patients was 5.7 (+/- 4) days and 6.0 (+/-4) days for the control group. Readmitted patients were more likely to be smokers than their counterparts. (O.R= 1.5, 95% CI 1.2-1.9 p=0.002).Non usage of ACEI medication prior to hospitalization was associated with higher rates of readmission (O.R 1.30, 95% CI 1.1-1.6, p=0.003).However beta blocker therapy did not correlate with 30 day readmissions. (O.R 1.0, 95% CI 0.89- 1.19, p=0.970). Conclusions: In patients admitted with CHF, non usage of ACEI prior to hospitalization and smoking history may serve as indicators for early readmissions. Preadmission beta blocker use was not associated with reduced early readmissions. More studies need to be done to stratify determinants that identify patients at risk for early readmissions.
A three-dimensional CT (CAT) scan through a rock with Permian alga Ivanovia tebagaensis

Embedded thalli of Permian Ivanovia tebagaensis, a calcified, cyathiform, codiacean, Chlorophyta, were X-rayed with a medical CT (computed tomography) scanner. The two-dimensional digital X-ray image files were copied to floppy disks and transferred to an IBM-compatible personal computer. The images were cropped, and built into a data volume with a commercial three-dimensional software program. The data were color edited so that only the algae were visible. The data volume was then systematically manipulated to visualize some hitherto unknown details of the structure of the utricles, and of a vegetative propagule, a developing bud.
Assessment of biomass burning smoke influence on environmental conditions for multiyear tornado outbreaks by combining aerosol‐aware microphysics and fire emission constraints

We use the WRF system to study the impacts of biomass burning smoke from Central America on several tornado outbreaks occurring in the US during spring. The model is configured with an aerosol-aware microphysics parameterization capable of resolving aerosol-cloud-radiation interactions in a cost-efficient way for numerical weather prediction (NWP) applications. Primary aerosol emissions are included and smoke emissions are constrained using an inverse modeling technique and satellite-based AOD observations. Simulations turning on and off fire emissions reveal smoke presence in all tornado outbreaks being studied and show an increase in aerosol number concentrations due to smoke. However, the likelihood of occurrence and intensification of tornadoes is higher due to smoke only in cases where cloud droplet number concentration in low level clouds increases considerably in a way that modifies the environmental conditions where the tornadoes are formed (shallower cloud bases and higher low-level wind shear). Smoke absorption and vertical extent also play a role, with smoke absorption at cloud-level tending to burn-off clouds and smoke absorption above clouds resulting in an increased capping inversion. Comparing these and WRF-Chem simulations configured with a more complex representation of aerosol size and composition and different optical properties, microphysics and activation schemes, we find similarities in terms of the simulated aerosol optical depths and aerosol impacts on near-storm environments. This provides reliability on the aerosol-aware microphysics scheme as a less computationally expensive alternative to WRF-Chem for its use in applications such as NWP and cloud-resolving simulations.
Sensory-motor dynamics of mother-infant-object interactions: Longitudinal changes in micro-behavioral patterns across the first year

Infants rapidly develop the skills to coordinate attention to objects and people. In particular, the period 9–12 months is thought to bring a new ability to coordinate with and to share the objects of another persons' attention—like following the gaze of the mother or playing a ball tossing game together. This has been termed “triadic” or “you-me-it” attention and is thought to be the basis for future learning, including early language (Bruner, 1975; Tomasello & Farrar, 1986).
Comparison of Closure Times and Bleeding Times in the Evaluation of Patients Referred for Mild Bleeding Disorder Evaluations.

The bleeding time has largely been replaced by closure times using a PFA-100 device for the evaluation of patients with suspected platelet function defects or von Willebrand’s disease. Initial studies showed concordance with both tests being abnormal in well defined thrombocytopathies (thrombasthenia, Bernard-Soulier syndrome, storage pool deficiency, and aspirin-like defects) and in von Willebrand’s disease. However recent studies have suggested that the closure time may be particularly insensitive in the more common platelet secretion disorders. This is a retrospective medical record review study to compare the results of closure times and bleeding times performed the same day in a consecutive series of patients evaluated for mild bleeding disorders. Incusion criteria were all patients referred to the PI at the Hemostasis and Thrombosis outpatient clinic at the Institute for Transfusion Medicine for such an evaluation, who had both closure and bleeding times performed on the same day. Exclusions were patients who did not have these tests performed on the same day. Platelet function testing included platelet aggregation in platelet rich plasma (epinephrine-11 micromolar, ADP 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 micromolar, collagen 2 mg/ml, high and low dose Ristocetin), adenine nucleotides.If these were normal, whole blood aggregation and ATP secretion were also assessed. Von Willebrand parameters (on at least three different dates) and von Willebrand multimers were measured. Thirty-two patients were evaluated and of these, two had normal tests. The remaining thirty patients (8M:20F) had a median age of 51 (range = 18 to 80). Seventeen pts (57%) were referred for abormal surgical bleeding, four (13%) were evaluated for bleeding (CNS in two, menorrhagia in two), one pt for excessive bruising and the remainder because of abnormal tests.Their diagnoses were platelet secretion defects (n=20), storage pool deficiency (n=5), aspirin-like defects (n=4) and von Willebrand’s disease type 1 (n=1). Bleeding times and closure times were both abnormal in only 3/30 pts (10%).CT coll/epi and CT coll/ADP results were abnormal in 5/30 (17%) and in 3/30 (10%) respectively. By contast, bleeding times were abnormal in 19/30 (63%). Only two/30 pts (7%) had isolated prolongation of the closure times. Of note, 9/30 patients (30%) had normal values in all three screening assay parameters. Using ROC analysis, the area under the curve was not significant for closure times with p values for CT:coll/epi of 0.387 and for CT:coll/ADP of 0.362. However, the p value for bleeding times was significant at <0.001. Using a cutoff bleeding time of greater or equal to 7.5 minutes, the sensitivity was 67% and specificity was 100% for this group of patients. We conclude that the closure time is not a good screening assay for patients with the more common thrombocytopathies. Unfortunately bleeding times also remain insensitive for screening for these disorders.
Assessing the accuracy of neurological surgery resident case logs at a single institution.

Background Despite the importance of case logs in evaluating residents, no studies assess their accuracy in neurological surgery. Studies from other specialties reveal variations in reporting. This study assesses the accuracy of neurological surgery resident case logs at a single institution. Methods Data was collected from three databases: billing data and two separate resident-managed case logs [department log and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) case logs], containing records of procedures performed by 14 neurological surgery residents at a single institution over a 1-year period. The billing data was used as a proxy for a census of procedures performed during the study period. The difference between the number of procedures logged by residents and the number of procedures billed was calculated to determine the accuracy of the resident case logs. Results Over the study period, 2150 procedures were billed at the institution, whereas 1749 procedures were logged in the ACGME case log and 1873 in the department log, representing an error rate of -18.65% and -12.88%, respectively. The error rate varied significantly (-1150% to +50.23%) between ACGME procedure categories. In 13 of the 22 ACGME procedure categories, the procedures were under-logged by residents in both resident-managed case logs. No category demonstrated over-logging in both case log systems. Conclusion Resident managed case logs are an incomplete representation of clinical work. The cause for inaccuracy is multifactorial. The authors suggested that further research is necessary to validate their results and to identify means by which the accuracy of case logs can be increased.
Surgical Leadership and Standardization of Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Care The Evolution of the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers

Evidence has shown that multidisciplinary specialist team evaluation and management for cancer results in better patient outcomes. For breast cancer, breast centers are where this evaluation and management occurs. The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers has helped standardize multidisciplinary breast cancer care by defining services and standards required of accredited breast centers.
Parent Expectations and Preparatory Activities as Adolescents with ASD Transition to Adulthood

Community stakeholders, researchers, and providers are increasingly focused on individual, family, and systemic factors that contribute to positive outcomes for adults on the autism spectrum. Parent expectations for their youth’s future are associated with adult outcomes (e.g., employment, school success, independence), yet the mechanism for this effect remains unclear. This study investigated how expectations were related to parent transition-related activities in a sample of 298 parents of adolescents on the autism spectrum (48% female adolescents), stratified by parent-reported IQ (average or above, borderline, or below 70). Parent expectations for the future predicted engagement in some activities intended to enhance adult outcomes when controlling for IQ, gender, age, and household income. The results have implications for how providers discuss expectations and support families in preparing for adulthood.
Eye Movements During Scene Viewing: An Overview

Publisher Summary Vision is a dynamic process in which representations are built up over time from multiple eye fixations. The study of eye movement patterns during scene viewing contributes to an understanding of how information in the visual environment is dynamically acquired and represented. The interaction among vision, cognition, and eye movement control can be seen as a scientifically tractable testing ground for theories of the interaction between input, central, and output systems. The chapter focuses on static scenes. Eye movement behavior during scene viewing is divided into two relatively discrete temporal phases, fixations, or periods of time when the point of regard is relatively still, and saccades, or periods of time when the eyes are rotating at a relatively rapid rate to reorient the point of regard from one spatial position to another. Useful pattern information is acquired during the fixations, with less useful pattern information derived during the saccades due to a combination of visual masking and central suppression. It is vital exactly where the fixation position tends to be centered and how long the position tends to remain centered at a particular location in a scene.
Allergic Rhinitis, Asthma, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The Link

Airway diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea are quite common and frequently co-exist. The reasons for this relationship have not been clearly demonstrated. However, several mechanisms for the “unified airway” have been postulated involving common inflammatory and neurologic pathways. Specific associations between allergic rhinitis and asthma, allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea, and asthma and obstructive sleep apnea are reviewed in detail. Epidemiologic, pathologic, and physiologic links among the diseases as well as differences are discussed. When these diseases are present together it may be more difficult to treat one without appropriately managing the others.
Marcos de acción en la lucha contra el hambre

This article defines and specfies the following frameworks for action in the fight against hunger: the right to food, food security and food sovereignty.These three aspects have traditionally offered different solutions tothe problem of starvation and malnutrition, but interaction is needed to create protective mechanisms in judicial spheres and public policies to encourage the governance of global food security at different levels.
Use of Intelligent Compaction in Detecting and Remediating Under-Compacted Spots During Compaction of Asphalt Layers

Under-compaction of asphalt layers results in premature distresses like rutting, localized depressions and pot-holes. Over-compaction may crush the aggregates which can result in unstable asphalt mixes. It is therefore highly important to achieve the required air voids or relative density (6–8% air voids or 92–94% relative density). Real-time monitoring of the relative density can certainly be helpful in achieving the required relative density. The traditional quality control procedure, which involves collecting cores and conducting volumetric analysis on them, does not provide any measure of the air voids or relative density level during the compaction itself, thus under-compacted spots, if any, remain undetected. Intelligent compaction methods are able to continuously monitor the air voids or density of asphalt layers during the compaction process. The University of Oklahoma has developed an intelligent compaction analyzer (ICA). The ICA is based on the hypothesis that the vibratory roller and the underlying pavement form a coupled system whose response during compaction is influenced by the stiffness of the pavement layers. The ICA is capable of generating as-built maps providing information on coverage and quality of compaction of the compacted asphalt layers. This paper discusses the principle of ICA, and its application in measuring the density of asphalt layers. Results from one demonstration are included in this paper. The ICA measured densities were validated by comparing them with densities obtained from cores. It was found that the ICA measured densities and core densities correlated well with an R2 between 0.85 and 0.93. Also, t-test conducted with the ICA-estimated densities and core densities verified that the difference between the above-mentioned two types of densities are insignificant at 95% confidence level. ICA was able to detect several under-compacted spots which were then remediated with additional roller passes. The application of the ICA certainly helped in achieving higher and uniform density throughout the test section.
Improved survival with adjuvant brachytherapy in stage IA endometrial cancer of unfavorable histology.

Abstract Purpose We evaluated the utilization of vaginal brachytherapy (BT) and the resulting impact on survival in stage IA endometrial cancer of clear cell (CC), papillary serous (PS), and carcinosarcoma (CS) histology. Methods Patients with uterine cancer diagnosed from 2004 to 2015 were identified from the National Cancer Database. Patients underwent hysterectomy, showing FIGO stage IA disease with CC, PS, or CS histology. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of BT utilization and to generate propensity scores. Survival was compared using log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards modeling, with propensity score adjustment. Results We identified 5711 patients who underwent hysterectomy showing FIGO pT1a, N0 or NX endometrial cancer with CC, PS, or CS histology, of which 29.5% received BT. Multivariate predictors of increased receipt of BT were identified. With a median follow-up of 3.3 years, 3-year overall survival (OS) was 87% for those receiving BT versus 78% for those without (p Conclusions In this cohort of women with stage IA endometrial cancer of unfavorable histology, the use of BT was associated with improved survival. In this study, 29.5% of patients in our cohort received BT.
A Bayesian Disease Progression Model for Clinical Trajectories.

In this work, we consider the problem of predicting the course of a progressive disease, such as cancer or Alzheimer’s. Progressive diseases often start with mild symptoms that might precede a diagnosis, and each patient follows their own trajectory. Patient trajectories exhibit wild variability, which can be associated with many factors such as genotype, age, or sex. An additional layer of complexity is that, in real life, the amount and type of data available for each patient can differ significantly. For example, for one patient we might have no prior history, whereas for another patient we might have detailed clinical assessments obtained at multiple prior time-points. This paper presents a probabilistic model that can handle multiple modalities (including images and clinical assessments) and variable patient histories with irregular timings and missing entries, to predict clinical scores at future time-points. We use a sigmoidal function to model latent disease progression, which gives rise to clinical observations in our generative model. We implemented an approximate Bayesian inference strategy on the proposed model to estimate the parameters on data from a large population of subjects. Furthermore, the Bayesian framework enables the model to automatically fine-tune its predictions based on historical observations that might be available on the test subject. We applied our method to a longitudinal Alzheimer’s disease dataset with more than 3,000 subjects [1] with comparisons against several benchmarks.
Did Radio RTLM Really Contribute Meaningfully to the Rwandan Genocide?: Using Qualitative Information to Improve Causal Inference from Measures of Media Availability

ABSTRACTRecent research has employed estimates of media exposure to explore the relationship between information disseminated ‘from above’ and political violence. I argue that those methods involve...
Frequency spectra and cosinor for evaluating circadian rhythms in rodent data and in man during Gemini and Vostok flights.

With the advent of a capability for extraterrestrial existence of lifeforms, chronobiology--the study of biological rhythms--has reached a position analogous to that of classical endocrinology. Just as an endocrine gland can be removed from an experimental animal, the effects of removal examined and the gland (or an extract) then replaced to determine whether the removal effects are reversible, lifeforms should be rigorously evaluated by rhythmometry before and during their (attempted) removal from Earth effects, as well as following their return to Earth. Methods lending themselves to such studies before, during and after travel in extraterrestrial space are illustrated herein, and their applications may be of value to preventive medicine as well as to basic science. Analyses of terrestrial control data and of restricted time series from extraterrestrial missions indicate that substantial scientific returns on Earth can be anticipated if in the routine of all mammalian space travelers provisions are made for: (1) monitoring body core temperature so as to evaluate its stable circadian rhythm--a phenomenon of interest in itself and also a reference rhythm for other variables; (2) saving aliquots from all urine samples, whereby a spectrum of diverse rhythms can be examined; (3) repeating simple performance tests, e.g., of grip strength or eye-hand coordination. Plans also should be implemented in unmanned space vehicles for explicit chronobiologic studies so designed that daily cosinor analysis can determine, e.g., whether circadian phase control or the desynchronized period length be altered as we move away from the Earth. Thus, some of the mechanisms underlying rhythms are now amenable to study on experimental mammals in unmanned space vehicles. In view of the high degree of generality of mammalian rhythms--many related to human well-being and optimal performance--and of dramatic consequences from some rhythmic variations in man, such studies deserve time and attention equal to that expended on weather and communication satellites.
Transacting Nuclear Proteins That Bind to the Upstream Regulatory Region of a MHC Class I Gene

Expression of MHC class I gene is regulated via the highly conserved 5’ class I regulatory element (CRE) and interferon consensus sequence (ICS). The CRE exerts both negative and positive regulation that is responsible for developmental control of the MHC class I gene expression. The ICS is involved in elevating transcription of MHC class I gene in response to interferon treatment. We examined the presence of transacting nuclear factors which interact with these regulatory sequences in a variety of cells. In gel mobility shift analyses we show that in cells expressing MHC class I genes possess at least three distinct nuclear factors capable of binding to the CRE. These three nuclear factors bind DNA sequences comprizing precise direct- and inverted repeats within the CRE. F9 embryonal carcinoma cells lack one of the three factors, which may be relevant to the absence of MHC gene expression in these cells. We also show that the ICS binds a unique nuclear factor, independent of the above factors. Tests with a number of mutant duplex oligonucleotides allowed us to localize the binding site of the factor to the core region of the ICS.
Hydrothermally-grown nanostructured anatase TiO2 coatings tailored for photocatalytic and antibacterial properties

Abstract Low-temperature solution growth of TiO2 films provides unique surface functionalities for base materials that may not survive high processing temperatures. It involves multiple stages of crystal growth at various length scales. Having a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms involved in those stages is essential to obtain desirable functional performances. In this study, we prepared diverse anatase microstructures via a hydrothermal method, all of which start from homogeneous nucleation of the nanoparticles when precursor solution reaches above a critical saturation point. Depending on pH, concentration, temperature and ionic species of precursor solution, however, these primary nanoparticles evolve into different shapes of secondary nanostructures via aggregation of nanoparticles. Thin films of anatase TiO2 consisting of those secondary nanostructures, which have a [001]-texture with (004) surfaces exposed, exhibited the strongest photocatalytic as well as antibacterial properties.
Mesenchymal stem cell biomakers prevent Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia via suppression of lung inflammation

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic debilitating lung disease of preterm infants leading to arrested alveolar development with long term morbidity and high mortality. Current therapies lack effectiveness and cause undesirable side effects. Our work utilizing bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells conditioned-media (MSC-CM) have shown protective effects in mouse BPD models. Analysis of the MSC-CM identified Osteopontin (Opn) and Macrophage colony stimulating factor 1 (Csf1), as key mediatros (biomarkers) leading to protection against BPD. Our pilot feasibility study demonstrated …
Loss of CLN3, the gene mutated in juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, leads to metabolic impairment and autophagy induction in retinal pigment epithelium.

Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, aka. juvenile Batten disease or CLN3 disease) is a lysosomal storage disease characterized by progressive blindness, seizures, cognitive and motor failures, and premature death. JNCL is caused by mutations in the Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, Neuronal 3 (CLN3) gene, whose function is unclear. Although traditionally considered a neurodegenerative disease, CLN3 disease displays eye-specific effects: Vision loss not only is often one of the earliest symptoms of JNCL, but also has been reported in non-syndromic CLN3 disease. Here we described the roles of CLN3 protein in maintaining healthy retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and normal vision. Using electroretinogram, fundoscopy and microscopy, we showed impaired visual function, retinal autofluorescent lesions, and RPE disintegration and metaplasia/hyperplasia in a Cln3 ~ 1 kb-deletion mouse model [1] on C57BL/6J background. Utilizing a combination of biochemical analyses, RNA-Seq, Seahorse XF bioenergetic analysis, and Stable Isotope Resolved Metabolomics (SIRM), we further demonstrated that loss of CLN3 increased autophagic flux, suppressed mTORC1 and Akt activities, enhanced AMPK activity, and up-regulated gene expression of the autophagy-lysosomal system in RPE-1 cells, suggesting autophagy induction. This CLN3 deficiency induced autophagy induction coincided with decreased mitochondrial oxygen consumption, glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and ATP production. We also reported for the first time that loss of CLN3 led to glycogen accumulation despite of impaired glycogen synthesis. Our comprehensive analyses shed light on how loss of CLN3 affect autophagy and metabolism. This work suggests possible links among metabolic impairment, autophagy induction and lysosomal storage, as well as between RPE atrophy/degeneration and vision loss in JNCL.
Nonequilibrium states of a plasmonic Dicke model with coherent and dissipative surface-plasmon-quantum-emitter interactions

This paper presents a theoretical examination of the non-equilibrium phase diagram of quantum emitters in a plasmonic cavity. The authors generalize driven-dissipative Dicke model to account for the coherent and dissipative interactions between the quantum emitters and the surface plasmon cavity mode. Depending on the interaction strength, the normal, superradiant, regular lasing, and lasing without inversion states are identified. Their signatures in the photon emission spectra are demonstrated.
The Effect of Osteoporosis Medication on Risk Attenuation of Non-Trauma Fracture Among Adults with Cerebral Palsy: A Propensity Score-Matched Observational Study

Purpose The efficacy of osteoporosis medication on reducing the risk of non-trauma fracture (NTFx) among adults with cerebral palsy (CP) has not been comprehensively investigated. There are many logistical and biological factors that may reduce this efficacy, and therefore requires attention. The purpose of this propensity score-matched, observational cohort study was to determine if osteoporosis medication was associated with NTFx risk attenuation among adults with CP and compared to adults without CP. Materials and methods Data from 07/01/2011 to 09/30/2015 were extracted from Optum Clinformatics® Data Mart. Claims identified adults (≥18 years), CP, osteoporosis medication, pre-index NTFx (6-months), and post-index NTFx (12-months). CP without osteoporosis medication (CPMeds-) and without CP with Meds (non-CPMeds+; reflects "background" population) served as controls and were matched (6:1 ratio) to adults with CP with Meds (CPMeds+; n=306). The Meds groups were further stratified by the initiation of their medication as new users or consistent users. Changes in the prevalence of NTFx from pre- to post-index periods were examined with risk ratios (RR) and the change was compared among groups using the ratio of the RR (RRR) via difference-in-difference analysis. Results New users with CP had: a larger risk attenuation of any NTFx compared to CPMeds- (RRR=0.39; 95% CI=0.22-0.71), which was consistent for vertebral column/hip and lower extremities; a larger risk attenuation for NTFx of the lower extremities compared to consistent users with CP (RRR=0.22; 95% CI=0.05-0.93); and a similar risk attenuation of any NTFx compared to new users without CP (RRR=0.81; 95% CI=0.45-1.43), which was consistent for vertebral column/hip and lower extremities. Conclusion The findings suggest that osteoporosis medication is associated with clinically meaningful risk attenuation of NTFx, especially for new users with CP.
Resetting of the 24-nt siRNA landscape in rice zygotes

Background: The zygote, a totipotent stem cell, constitutes a critical stage of the life cycle of sexually reproducing organisms. It is produced by the fusion of two differentiated cells - the egg and sperm, which in plants have radically different siRNA transcriptomes from each other and from multicellular embryos. Due to technical challenges, the epigenetic changes that accompany the zygotic transition are poorly understood. Results: Here, we characterized the small RNA transcriptome of rice zygotes. We found widespread redistribution of 24-nt siRNAs relative to gametes, including absence of sperm signature siRNAs, reduction at egg signature siRNA loci, and upregulation at seedling signature siRNA loci. Loci with reduced siRNAs in zygote relative to egg were gene-distal and heterochromatic, while loci with increased siRNAs relative to egg had a similar genomic distribution to canonical siRNA loci. Although both egg and zygote siRNA loci had higher mCHH level in wildtype than in drm2 embryo, zygote but not egg siRNA loci were associated with hypermethylation in mature embryo. A small fraction of siRNA loci (~1%) called siren loci accounted for 60% of all siRNAs within zygote siRNA loci, that likely arose from maternal carryover as they had similarly abundant siRNAs in egg; these siren loci were not associated with embryo hypermethylation. Conclusions: Taken together, our results indicate re-distribution of siRNAs in rice zygotes towards the canonical vegetative profile, that are consistent with the initiation of resetting of the gametic epigenome before the first embryonic division.
Calm During the Storm: Micro-Assemblage, Meteorology and Community Building on a Local Independent Weather Blog During Hurricane Harvey

During Hurricane Harvey, a local weather blog heavily emphasized risk and meteorological data without defaulting to disaster or human interest frames common in mainstream news coverage of severe we...
StARTing to understand cholesterol transfer.

The crystal structure of a lipid transfer START domain has been solved and shown to contain a hydrophobic tunnel that likely binds cholesterol. These results have implications for understanding the mechanism of action of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), which is indispensable in steroid biosynthesis.
Characterization of the cellulose-binding domain of the Clostridium cellulovorans cellulose-binding protein A.

Cellulose-binding protein A (CbpA), a component of the cellulase complex of Clostridium cellulovorans, contains a unique sequence which has been demonstrated to be a cellulose-binding domain (CBD). The DNA coding for this putative CBD was subcloned into pET-8c, an Escherichia coli expression vector. The protein produced under the direction of the recombinant plasmid, pET-CBD, had a high affinity for crystalline cellulose. Affinity-purified CBD protein was used in equilibrium binding experiments to characterize the interaction of the protein with various polysaccharides. It was found that the binding capacity of highly crystalline cellulose samples (e.g., cotton) was greater than that of samples of low crystallinity (e.g., fibrous cellulose). At saturating CBD concentration, about 6.4 mumol of protein was bound by 1 g of cotton. Under the same conditions, fibrous cellulose bound only 0.2 mumol of CBD per g. The measured dissociation constant was in the 1 microM range for all cellulose samples. The results suggest that the CBD binds specifically to crystalline cellulose. Chitin, which has a crystal structure similar to that of cellulose, also was bound by the CBD. The presence of high levels of cellobiose or carboxymethyl cellulose in the assay mixture had no effect on the binding of CBD protein to crystalline cellulose. This result suggests that the CBD recognition site is larger than a simple cellobiose unit or more complex than a repeating cellobiose moiety. This CBD is of particular interest because it is the first CBD from a completely sequenced nonenzymatic protein shown to be an independently functional domain.