cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
OpenMP-oriented applications for distributed shared memory architectures: Research Articles

The rapid rise of OpenMP as the preferred parallel programming paradigm for small-to-medium scale parallelism could slow unless OpenMP can show capabilities for becoming the model-of-choice for large scale high-performance parallel computing in the coming decade.The main stumbling block for the adaptation of OpenMP to distributed shared memory (DSM) machines, which are based on architectures like cc-NUMA, stems from the lack of capabilities for data placement among processors and threads for achieving data locality. The absence of such a mechanism causes remote memory accesses and inefficient cache memory use, both of which lead to poor performance.This paper presents a simple software programming approach called copy-inside–copy-back (CC) that exploits the data privatization mechanism of OpenMP for data placement and replacement. This technique enables one to distribute data manually without taking away control and flexibility from the programmer and is thus an alternative to the automat and implicit approaches. Moreover, the CC approach improves on the OpenMP-SPMD style of programming that makes the development process of an OpenMP application more structured and simpler.The CC technique was tested and analyzed using the NAS Parallel Benchmarks on SGI Origin 2000 multiprocessor machines. This study shows that OpenMP improves performance of coarse-grained parallelism, although a fast copy mechanism is essential. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent Neuropathologic Research in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

The aim of this critical review was to establish morphologic or biochemical diagnostic markers or indications for the pathogenesis of SIDS in the CNS and to review current literature dealing with CNS changes, especially in the brain stem. The functional disturbances recently discussed as the cause of SIDS, i.e. primary CNS changes in the sense of retardation of neurons in the brain stem, are presented first. Signs of retardation were obtained by quantification of dendritic spines [1, 2] and determination of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT), the adrenalin-synthesizing enzyme [3] and disturbances of endorphin immunoreactivity [4, 5]. Dendritic spine density was higher and PNMT activity weaker in the SIDS cases than in the controls, whereas no definitive findings of an increase or decrease in endorphin system activity were found. Signs of secondary CNS changes were established by quantification of the glial cell population in the brain stem [6–8] and determination of Purkinje cell density [9]; some authors found evidence of a brain stem gliosis, but no further indications of chronic systemic hypoxia or chronic hypoperfusion of the CNS could be established in SIDS victims.
Biochemical and Immunological Properties of Peroxidase from Human Parotid Saliva

Abstract The peroxidase from human parotid saliva has been partially purified by molecular sieve chromatography and cation exchange chromatography. The purity index of this fraction was determined to be 0.6. Amino acid and hexosamine analysis of the partially purified salivary peroxidase preparation revealed high amounts of proline, glycine, glutamic acid and glucosamine. The salivary peroxidase was shown by gradient SDS-PAGE, electrotransfer and immunodetection to be monodispersed with an Mr = 78,000. Antibodies raised against lactoperoxidase cross-reacted with salivary peroxidase as shown by ELISA and immunoblotting procedures. The pH-optimum for the oxidation of SCN - catalyzed by salivary peroxidase was between 5.2 and 5.6. At pH's approaching neutrality, SP was a more efficient catalyst for the inorganic substrate SCN - than for the organic substrate ABTS.
Meson Spectra — What We Learn from Single Particle Distributions

The dynamics of nucleus-nucleus collisions determine where the hadrons are observed in experiments. The distributions of different hadronic species in rapidity, y, transverse momentum, p t, and transverse mass, m t provide insights into the reaction dynamics. They shed light on the extent of thermalization, 1 the possibility and magnitude of collective flow, 2 and the effects of reinteractions of the produced particles. We use single particle spectra to look for evidence of formation of an extended strongly interacting system in heavy ion collisions. Formation of such a system allows study of the properties of highly excited matter, and enhances any signals over the “background” of normal hadronic interactions. It is in this region of high energy density that we can look for evidence of formation of a quark gluon plasma, as described theoretically in several lectures at this school.
Arthroscopy of the subtalar joint and arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis.

Subtalar arthroscopy has become a valuable adjunct to the tools used in lower extremity surgery. For the past 25 years, ankle arthroscopy has been in vogue for treating a variety of conditions. Subtalar arthroscopy has more treatment limitations and is more technically difficult to perform than ankle arthroscopy because of the anatomic confines and structure of the subtalar joint. Most procedures are performed on the posterior aspect of the subtalar joint. The subtalar joint is composed of three articulations (posterior, middle, and anterior facets) and is surrounded by a variety of intra-articular and extra-articular ligaments, whose anatomy must be fully understood before attempting this procedure. Subtalar arthroscopy may be indicated for diagnostic purposes and for debridement of synovial impingement syndromes in the sinus tarsi. It may be used to examine loose bodies or osteochondral lesions, to address fractures of the lateral process of the talus, and to evaluate subtalar instability to determine appropriate stabilization methods. Arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis also has gained credibility over the past 10 years as an acceptable surgical procedure. Arthroscopic evaluation of subtalar instability is useful in planning the appropriate stabilization. Subtalar arthroscopy is usually performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position without traction. Anterior and posterior portals as well as an accessory anterior portal are usually necessary to perform all of the above procedures. Because of the limited confines of the joint, care must be taken to prevent any articular cartilage damage. When performing subtalar arthroscopy in conjunction with ankle arthroscopy, the subtalar arthroscopy should be performed first to avoid excessive extravasation from the ankle arthroscopy, which could obscure entry to the subtalar joint. Complications of subtalar arthroscopy are similar to those encountered in ankle arthroscopy, such as damage to the sural and superficial peroneal nerves.
Influence of hydrogen peroxide in enhancing photocatalytic activity of carbon nitride under visible light: An insight into reaction intermediates

Abstract Carbon nitride is a known photocatalyst that can be activated under visible light irradiation. In this research, the combined effect of carbon nitride and hydrogen peroxide in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in water was investigated under visible light. Carbon nitride was synthesized by thermal polymerization of dicyandiamide and characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and pore textural properties. The kinetic study of degradation of MB with carbon nitride and in presence of hydrogen peroxide showed complete degradation of MB before 45 min of time interval. The kinetic studies were also performed by varying the dose of photocatalyst and initial concentration of MB and it was shown that higher dose of photocatalyst and lower concentration of MB resulted in higher rate of degradation. The dual role of hydrogen peroxide can be related to the generation of additional highly reactive hydroxyl radicals in presence of photocatalyst and prevention of recombination of holes and electrons of carbon nitride thereby improving its photocatalytic activity. The pH study revealed that neutral pH of the solution results in the highest rate of degradation. Analysis of liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LCMS) results helped to reveal the reaction steps of photocatalysis of MB and it was found that the four stages of photodegradation of MB were demethylation, ring shortening, ring opening and complete mineralization.
Can Surgical Performance for Varying Experience be Measured from Hand Motions

This study evaluates if hand movements, tracked using digital video, can quantify in-context surgical performance. Participants of varied experience completed simple interrupted suturing and runnin...
Pulmonary Impairment after Respiratory Viral Infections Is Associated with High Mortality in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients

Abstract Pulmonary impairment predicts increased mortality in many settings, and respiratory viral infection (RVI) causes considerable morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients (allo-HCT). We hypothesized that pulmonary impairment after RVI, defined as a decline of forced expiratory volume in 1 second values by ≥10%, may identify allo-HCT recipients at high risk for mortality. We studied all allo-HCT recipients at our institution who had RVI with respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, or influenza from 2004 to 2013 and had pre-RVI and post-RVI pulmonary function tests. We used competing risk regression models to identify risk factors for 2-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM) as the primary outcome after RVI and relapse-related mortality as a competing risk. From 223 eligible patients, pulmonary impairment after RVI was associated with over a 3-fold increase in 2-year NRM (pulmonary impairment, 25.3%; no impairment, 7.4%; univariate subhazard ratio [SHR], 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 to 8.1; P
Prenatal Maternal Stress and the Cascade of Risk to Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders in Offspring.

Disruptions in fetal development (via genetic and environmental pathways) have been consistently associated with risk for schizophrenia in a variety of studies. Although multiple obstetric complications (OCs) have been linked to schizophrenia, this review will discuss emerging evidence supporting the role of prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) in the etiology of schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). In addition, findings linking PNMS to intermediate phenotypes of the disorder, such as OCs and premorbid cognitive, behavioral, and motor deficits, will be reviewed. Maternal immune and endocrine dysregulation will also be explored as potential mechanisms by which PNMS confers risk for SSD. PNMS has been linked to offspring SSD; however, findings are mixed due to inconsistent and retrospective assessments of PNMS and lack of specificity about SSD outcomes. PNMS is also associated with various intermediate phenotypes of SSD (e.g., prenatal infection/inflammation, decreased fetal growth, hypoxia-related OCs). Recent studies continue to elucidate the impact of PNMS while considering the moderating roles of fetal sex and stress timing, but it is still unclear which aspects of PNMS (e.g., type, timing) confer risk for SSD specifically. PNMS increases risk for SSD, but only in a small portion of fetuses exposed to PNMS. Fetal sex, genetics, and other environmental factors, as well as additional pre- and postnatal insults, likely contribute to the PNMS-SSD association. Longitudinal birth cohort studies are needed to prospectively illuminate the mechanisms that account for the variability in outcomes following PNMS.
Use of the C.A.T. Project for a Socially Anxious Teenager: Lessons Learned From Manual Modification:

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a prevalent mental disorder among adolescents, often causing significant impairments in social and academic functioning with a broad pattern of fear and avoidance. ...
Public–Private Partnerships (P3s) for Social Infrastructure

Much of the discussion surrounding public–private partnerships (P3s) in the US today focuses on their use in transportation. This focus is understandable owing to the age and condition of the nation’s transportation infrastructure (ASCE 2017). The use of P3s for social infrastructure receives less attention. While transportation infrastructure is important to the economic and social well-being of states, cities, and communities, so too is social infrastructure. Social infrastructure has a direct economic impact because it makes areas more or less attractive places to live and work (Knopman et al. 2018). Businesses, and the people who work for them, make decisions about where to locate based on the quality of social infrastructure.
“Local Yearnings”: Re-Placing Nostalgia in Don DeLillo’s _Underworld_

Many scholars have read DeLillo’s fiction as an illustration of “how conflicting postmodern practices collide” (Parrish 697). In this essay, I proceed from the recognition that the nature-culture binary is more fluid than ever and situate DeLillo as a theorist not only of postmodern culture but also of postmodern nature. I examine DeLillo’s most ambitious and complex novel, Underworld, through the lens of green cultural studies—a phrase I prefer to “ecocriticism” because it resonates with cultural studies’ interdisciplinarity, ideology critique, and attention to power. Combining a cultural studies methodology with more traditional ecocritical strategies, green cultural studies confronts networks of power while exploring the socio-environmental dimensions of a given text. A green cultural studies approach is particularly well-suited to addressing the novel’s compelling, often confounding, refractions of the postnatural condition. Using this critical framework, I suggest that this simultaneously nostalgic and ironic text, characterized by an alternately worshipful and irreverent treatment of nature, both maps and engenders a radicalized postmodern nostalgia—nostalgia with a critical edge. Unlike critics (such as Renato Rosaldo, William Cronon and others) who have theorized nostalgia’s limitations, Underworld shows how nostalgia can be harnessed and utilized in the service of social and environmental critique.
MIXED FARMING AMONG HERDER HOUSEHOLDS IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

The notion that herder households only restrict their livelihood strategy to the rearing of livestock most often than not excludes the group from the right to access land for the agricultural activity they engage in. This study investigated the participation of herder households in sedentary agriculture (crop production) in Niger state, Nigeria. Findings from this study show that herder households in the study area are no longer strictly livestock keepers; they participate in crop production just like crop farmers who also combine the cultivation of crops with livestock keeping. The results also revealed that most herder households (66%) that engage in crop production cultivate cereals; other crops cultivated by herder households in the study area include tuber crops (22%) and vegetables. Regarding herder household farm outputs, most of the harvests are at the subsistence level, with the harvests ranging between 300 kg and 750 kg. Identified drivers of herder households’ participation in crop production include: duration of stay in a particular locality, increase in household size, economic motives (grain price), and reducing the dependence on crop farmers for food supply. Therefore, this study recommends that interest of herder households in cultivating crops be sustained and encouraged. The participation of herder households in crop production will enhance their own food security status in the first instance and throughout the area in general.
Where to rewild? A conceptual framework to spatially optimize ecological function.

Rewilding is an approach aiming at restoring ecosystems to a self-sustaining state by restoring ecological function through active reintroductions or passive management. Locations for most rewilding-through-reintroduction efforts today are selected based on the suitability of the habitat for the reintroduced species, often with little consideration of where the ecological function is most needed. We developed the Spatial Planning of Rewilding Effort (Spore) framework to identify priority locations for rewilding projects through simultaneous consideration of habitat suitability and provisioning of ecological function. We use the island of Guam as a case study for a potential rewilding project, as the island has functionally lost all native seed dispersers as a result of the invasive brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis). The Sali (Micronesian starling, Aplonis opaca) is a good candidate for rewilding to restore ecological function, because it is an effective seed disperser with a localized remnant population. Using Spore, we identify three priority areas for the restoration of seed dispersal, each subdivided into management units. By recognizing the influence of landscape structure and the behaviour of the reintroduced species on the spatial pattern of the function provided by that species, this approach should lead to improved ecological outcomes.
Aramid nanofiber interlayer for improved interlaminar properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites

Abstract Delamination is a persistant problem that restricts the ability of carbon fiber reinforced composites to support out-of-plane loading. One method to alleviate this issue which has shown promise in recent years is the use of nanoscale interleaves to strengthen the interlaminar region of carbon fiber composites. Here, layers of aramid nanofibers (ANFs) are deposited onto the surface of woven carbon fabric using a spray-coating technique that avoids agglomeration issues and improves the interlaminar properties of carbon fiber composites. The excellent compatibility of the ANF interlayer with epoxy resin allows for both improved chemical and mechanical interaction between the fiber and the matrix. The areal density of the ANF interlayer was adjusted for optimal mechanical performance, resulting in a 33.7% and 81.6% improvement in apparent short beam strength and initiation Mode I fracture toughness (GIC), respectively, while maintaining tensile strength. The improved resistance to crack initiation and propagation is the result of the transition of interlaminar failure from adhesive to cohesive due to the ANF reinforcement. Therefore, this work presents a simple, fast, and cost-effective technique that can be scaled up to industrial production levels for the fabrication of high toughness carbon fiber reinforced composite structures.
Endothelial function under pressure.

In the study entitled “Men Born in 1914,” a reduction ofpulse-wave amplitude during reactive hyperemia was foundto be predictive of long-term cardiovascular events (1).Ofparticular note is the fact that these observations were mademany years before the whole concept of endothelium-dependent vasoreactivity and its mediators was elaborated(2). Therefore, this study was the ﬁrst to subsequentlydemonstrate the association between vascular function andlong-term clinical outcome. With a better understanding ofthe underlying molecular mechanisms and different tech-niques to examine endothelium-mediated vasoreactivity,subsequent studies conﬁrmed the prognostic signiﬁcance ofendothelial dysfunction in both the coronary and the pe-ripheral circulation (3–6).
Risk Factors for Nonhome Discharge After Esophagectomy for Neoplastic Disease.

Background Esophagectomies are known to be technically challenging operations that create significant physiologic changes. These patients often require assisted care postoperatively that necessitates a nonhome discharge. The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with nonhome discharge after esophagectomy for neoplastic disease. Methods The 2016 to 2017 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Esophagectomy database was queried to identify patients who underwent esophagectomy for a neoplasm. Patients were excluded if they died within 30 days of their operation, the index operation was considered emergent, or had missing data for the variables of interest. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify which factors were predictive of nonhome discharge. Results One thousand seven patients were included. Of those, 121 (12.0%) had a nonhome discharge. Multivariable analysis showed that the following factors were associated with nonhome discharge: Modified Charlson comorbidity index (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-2.86), partially dependent preoperative functional status (aOR, 13.18; 95% CI, 1.07-315.67), urinary tract infection (aOR, 5.25; 95% CI, 1.32-20.41), and length of stay (aOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08-1.16). Conclusions We identified various factors associated with nonhome discharge. Early identification of patients who are at risk for nonhome discharge is important for early discharge planning, which may decrease nonmedical delays and healthcare costs.
Endovascular embolization versus surgical clipping in a single surgeon series of basilar artery aneurysms: a complementary approach in the endovascular era.

Currently, most basilar artery aneurysms (BAAs) are treated endovascularly. Surgery remains an appropriate therapy for a subset of all intracranial aneurysms. Whether open microsurgery would be required or utilized, and to what extent, for BAAs treated by a surgeon who performs both endovascular and open procedures has not been reported. Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained, single-surgeon series of BAAs treated with endovascular or open surgery from the first 5 years of practice. Forty-two procedures were performed in 34 patients to treat BAAs—including aneurysms arising from basilar artery apex, trunk, and perforators. Unruptured BAAs accounted for 35/42 cases (83.3%), and the mean aneurysm diameter was 8.4 ± 5.4 mm. Endovascular coiling—including stent-assisted coiling—accounted for 26/42 (61.9%) treatments and led to complete obliteration in 76.9% of cases. Four patients in the endovascular cohort required re-treatment. Surgical clip reconstruction accounted for 16/42 (38.1%) treatments and led to complete obliteration in 88.5% of cases. Good neurologic outcome (mRS ≤ 2) was achieved in 88.5% and 75.0% of patients in endovascular and open surgical cohorts, respectively (p = 0.40). Univariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that advanced age (OR 1.11[95% CI 1.01–1.23]) or peri-procedural adverse event (OR 85.0 [95% CI 6.5–118.9]), but not treatment modality (OR 0.39[95% CI 0.08–2.04]), was the predictor of poor neurologic outcome. Complementary implementation of both endovascular and open surgery facilitates individualized treatment planning of BAAs. By leveraging strengths of both techniques, equivalent clinical outcomes and technical proficiency may be achieved with both modalities.
Spatio-Temporal Graph Convolutional Networks for Road Network Inundation Status Prediction during Urban Flooding.

The objective of this study is to predict the near-future flooding status of road segments based on their own and adjacent road segments current status through the use of deep learning framework on fine-grained traffic data. Predictive flood monitoring for situational awareness of road network status plays a critical role to support crisis response activities such as evaluation of the loss of access to hospitals and shelters. Existing studies related to near-future prediction of road network flooding status at road segment level are missing. Using fine-grained traffic speed data related to road sections, this study designed and implemented three spatio-temporal graph convolutional network (STGCN) models to predict road network status during flood events at the road segment level in the context of the 2017 Hurricane Harvey in Harris County (Texas, USA). Model 1 consists of two spatio-temporal blocks considering the adjacency and distance between road segments, while Model 2 contains an additional elevation block to account for elevation difference between road segments. Model 3 includes three blocks for considering the adjacency and the product of distance and elevation difference between road segments. The analysis tested the STGCN models and evaluated their prediction performance. Our results indicated that Model 1 and Model 2 have reliable and accurate performance for predicting road network flooding status in near future (e.g., 2-4 hours) with model precision and recall values larger than 98% and 96%, respectively. With reliable road network status predictions in floods, the proposed model can benefit affected communities to avoid flooded roads and the emergency management agencies to implement evacuation and relief resource delivery plans.
Decision-Making in U.S. Foreign Policy Crises: Presidential Leadership and Outcomes:

Scholars of foreign policy decision-making have argued that international interactions ultimately are grounded in people acting singly or in groups. Unfortunately, data limitations prevent many of ...
263-OR: Higher Glycemic Threshold for Glucagon Suppression in Impaired Fasting Glucose and Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Impaired glucagon suppression is an overlooked contributor to the transition of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes. Graded Glucose Infusion (GGI) is a technique used to assess Insulin Secretion Rate (ISR) in response to rising glucose concentrations. We used GGI to examine the relationship of ISR and Glucagon Secretion Rate (GSR) with rising glucose. We studied 32 nondiabetic, weight-stable individuals (54 ± 2 yrs, 29 ± 1 Kg/M2) categorized on the basis of fasting and glucose tolerance status following a 75g OGTT at the time of screening. After an overnight fast, at 07:00 a variable insulin infusion was used to maintain glucose at ~4.4 mmol/L (until 08:30) enabling the subsequent measurement of the glycemic threshold for ISR and GSR. At 09:00 GGI commenced, starting at 1 mg/kg/min and doubling every 60 min until 13:00. GSR and ISR were calculated by nonparametric deconvolution from plasma concentrations of glucagon and c-peptide respectively. β-cell responsivity (Φ) was estimated from the relationship of ISR to glucose. The glycemic threshold for glucagon suppression was higher in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) than normal fasting glucose (NFG), 10.9 ± 0.8 vs. 8.3 ± 0.5 mmol/L, p Disclosure J. D. Kohlenberg: None. M. C. Laurenti: None. A. M. Egan: None. C. Cobelli: None. C. Dalla man: Research Support; Self; Becton, Dickinson and Company, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH. A. Vella: Research Support; Self; Novo Nordisk. Funding Endocrine Fellows Foundation (DK078646DK116231)
The effect of frictional coefficients and sock material on plantar surface shear stress measurement.

Abstract At present, there are no viable systems that can acquire in-shoe measurement of distributed shear forces. Foot-shoe interactions are such that skin shear is a notoriously difficult quantity to measure under the best of conditions. This is further complicated by the presence of forces normal to the skin surface that are large compared to the shear forces, which often results in crosstalk between pressure and shear signals. The present study used multibody dynamic simulations to investigate the combined effects of (i) coefficient of friction (COF) at skin-sock and sock-sensor interfaces, as well as (ii) sock stiffness on the accuracy of measured shear against the skin. These factors were systematically altered within a wide range (COF: 0.04, 0.34, 0.54, and 0.9; sock stiffness: 100, 250, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 N/m) to simulate a total of 96 scenarios. The correlation between the shear at the skin and at the sensor was used to compare each set of conditions. The results indicated that a high COF at the sock-sensor interface and a low sock stiffness would individually result in a significantly higher accuracy of shear measurements (p
The value of consent for biobanking.

Biobanks facilitate large-scale tests of hypotheses that may advance health, but whether biobanking participants adequately comprehend the potential uses of their data should concern researchers and the public. Consent matters because it provides a singular safeguard and a participatory mechanism to influence science’s production of new forms of power.
Identification of an E3 ubiquitin ligase that regulates cellular resistance to influenza virus infection by controlling levels of the antiviral protein IFITM3 (INM3P.363)

Interferon (IFN)-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a cellular antiviral restriction factor that is able to inhibit infection by a wide variety of viruses, including influenza and Ebola. We previously showed that IFITM3 turnover is promoted by its ubiquitination, though the ubiquitin ligase responsible for this modification was not identified. Here we demonstrate that the E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 ubiquitinates IFITM3 in vitro and in cells. Accordingly, we found that NEDD4 knockout mouse fibroblasts accumulate IFITM3, and that this accumulation is lost upon reconstitution of these cells with NEDD4. Importantly, IFITM3 accumulation results in enhanced resistance of NEDD4 knockout cells to influenza virus strains. Similarly, knockdown of NEDD4 in several human lung cell lines resulted in a buildup of IFITM3 and resistance to infection, demonstrating an evolutionary conservation of this regulatory mechanism in mice and humans. Further supporting a role for NEDD4 as a regulator of IFITM3 turnover, overexpression of the NEDD4 inhibitory protein, interferon stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), led to increased IFITM3 levels in human lung cells but decreased IFITM3 ubiquitination, demonstrating a new synergistic link between ISG15 and IFITM3. This work implicates NEDD4 as a therapeutic target for the prevention or treatment of influenza virus infections, and introduces a new paradigm for up-regulating the cellular level of an IFN-inducible antiviral protein independently of IFNs.
Genetics of Resistant Hypertension: a Novel Pharmacogenomics Phenotype

Resistant hypertension (RHTN), defined as an uncontrolled blood pressure despite the use of multiple antihypertensive medications, is an increasing clinical problem associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk, including stroke and target organ damage. Genetic variability in blood pressure (BP)-regulating genes and pathways may, in part, account for the variability in BP response to antihypertensive agents, when taken alone or in combination, and may contribute to the RHTN phenotype. Pharmacogenomics focuses on the identification of genetic factors responsible for inter-individual variability in drug response. Expanding pharmacogenomics research to include patients with RHTN taking multiple BP-lowering medications may identify genetic markers associated with RHTN. To date, the available evidence surrounding pharmacogenomics in RHTN is limited and primarily focused on candidate genes. In this review, we summarize the most current data in RHTN pharmacogenomics and offer some recommendations on how to advance the field.
The Effects of the Availability of Linguistic Labels on Concurrent Discrimination Learning by an ASL Responding Chimpanzee

Publisher Summary Since the early 1970s, most of the research reported on non-human primates use of symbolic language has focused on describing or demonstrating linguistic attributes deemed essential or intrinsic in human language use. In the past, investigations of discrimination learning phenomena have demonstrated many comparable learning capabilities and strategies between man and the higher primates, as well as illuminating some differences. Analogous higher-order capabilities (which at one time, like language, were thought to be species-specific to man)—such as the acquisition of a learning set or learning to learn—have been demonstrated in many animal studies, as well as comparable performances across species by using complex concurrent discrimination procedures. In the study given in the chapter, an experimental design was selected to allow a direct comparison of the results to a verbal discrimination learning theory that emphasizes the importance of linguistic processes during list acquisition.
Effect of pH on the Protective Action of Interferon in L Cells

Abstract The pH of the solution in which interferon was applied to L cells determined the level of resistance developed against challenge with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). No inhibition of challenge virus was observed when interferon was applied to cells at pH 6.0. At pH 6.5, partial inhibition of VSV replication was observed and inhibition was maximum at pH 7.0. Evidence was obtained that interferon interacted with L cells at pH 6.0, but that resistance did not develop until the cells were placed in a medium at pH 7.0. These effects were explained by data showing that exposure of cells to a medium at pH 6.0 reversibly inhibited both ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis.
A pipelined VLSI chip architecture for real-time computed tomography of fan-beam data

Image reconstruction from projection data is very computationally intensive. A novel IC architecture is presented which can be used in a pipeline of identical ICs to reconstruct images from parallel- and fan-beam scanner configurations. The accuracy and the finite word-length effects of fan-beam reconstruction are considered. Software simulations of the architecture designed in a 1 mu m CMOS technology show that a maximum clock speed of 40 MHz is possible under nominal operating conditions. >
Commercializing War: Private Military and Security Companies, Mercenaries and International Law

This paper addresses the growing involvement of foreign and private military, defense and security firms and mercenaries, particularly in the countries with the least effective control of their often remote and dangerous resource rich territories. Private military and security companies pride themselves as responses to the failure of national, regional and international public governance structures to play effective roles in maintaining peace and security. This paper shows that international law rules on regulating the use of violence of non-State actors is divided between those cases like terrorism, where the state responsibility has been laid down in mandatory terms by the Security Council. By contrast, the regulation of private military and security companies has not attracted the same kind of categorical obligations on the part of States. What we see then is how the commercialization of violence has created differing responses in international law and institutions to the violence meted out by non-State actors - between those defined as terrorists and are currently stringently regulated, on the one hand, and those which define themselves as providing security, order and other ancillary services, who are currently not as stringently regulated under international law. In addition, this paper shows a divide between vigorously pursuing individuals responsible for commission of crimes against bodily integrity in the international criminal context, and much less of a focus on the economic actors who are often complicit as accessories to those crimes. The paper argues in favor of tougher regulatory controls through new international legal framework and national standards backed up by a concurrent multilateral commitment to dealing with mercenaries as decisively as with other non-State actors who wield violence.
Using the Simplex Code to Construct Relative Difference Sets in2-groups

Relative Difference Sets with the parameters (2a, 2b, 2a, 2a-b) have been constructed many ways (see davis, EB, jung, maschmidt, and pottsurvey for examples). This paper modifies an example found in arasusehgal to construct a family of relative difference sets in 2-groups that gives examples for b e 2 and b e 3 that have a lower rank than previous examples. The Simplex code is used in the construction.
Acting with an end in sight

Supplementing an account of actions offered by Horty and Belnap [8] makes it more suitable for use in deontic logic. I introduce a new tense operator, for a while in the immediate future, provide for action terms as well as action formulas, and introduce an intention function into our models. With these changes, we are able to (a) explore means/ends relations involving actions, (b) make room for one agent to enable another to act, and (c) provide a means for distinguishing intended from unintended consequences. In combination, these improvements make it possible to consider collaborative action aimed at a goal, within a setting open to detailed normative scrutiny of ends, means, actions and intentions.
Simultaneous multi-object segmentation using local robust statistics and contour interaction

In this work, we present an active contour scheme to simultaneously extract multiple targets from MR and CT medical imagery. A number of previous active contour methods are capable of only extracting one object at a time. Therefore, when multiple objects are required, the segmentation process must be performed sequentially. Not only may this be tedious work, but moreover the relationship between the given objects is not addressed in a uniform framework, making the method prone to leakage and overlap among the individual segmentation results. On the other hand, many of the algorithms providing the capability to perform simultaneous multiple object segmentation, tacitly or explicitly assume that the union of the multiple regions equals the whole image domain. However, this is often invalid for many medical imaging tasks. In the present work, we give a straightforward methodology to alleviate these drawbacks as follows. First, local robust statistics are used to describe the object features, which are learned adaptively from user provided seeds. Second, several active contours evolve simultaneously with their interactions being governed by simple principles derived from mechanics. This not only guarantees mutual exclusiveness among the contours, but also no longer relies upon the assumption that the multiple objects fill the whole image domain. In doing so, the contours interact and converge to equilibrium at the desired positions of the given objects. The method naturally handles the issues of leakage and overlapping. Both qualitative and quantitative results are shown to highlight the algorithm's capability of extracting several targets as well as robustly preventing the leakage.
An Adaptive Model of Student Performance Using Inverse Bayes

I propose a coherent framework for the use of Inverse Bayesian estimation to summarize and make predictions of student behavior in adaptive educational settings. The Inverse Bayes Filter utilizes Bayes theorem to estimate the relative impact of contextual factors and internal student factors on student performance using time series data across a range of possible dimensions. The Inverse Bayesian algorithm treats the student as a Bayesian learner; her partial credit score or confidence is proportional to her prior knowledge and how she interprets her environment. Once the algorithm has weighted internal and external factors this information is used to make a prediction about the student’s next attempt.
Emerging network of resources for exploring paths beyond academia

An expanding collection of resources is helping trainees acquire important knowledge about careers outside academia.
Isolation and characterization of modified globin messenger ribonucleic acid from erythropoietic mouse spleen.

Abstract Messenger RNA activity for α and β chains of hemoglobin has been detected in the RNA of free polyribosomes from splenic erythroblasts following phenylhydrazine injection of mice. This activity accumulates rapidly from 66 hours after injection, reaching a maximum at 114 hours. After polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the messenger RNA activity for both α and β chains is found in a single RNA band having an estimated molecular weight of 150,000. In contrast, globin messenger RNA isolated from rabbit reticulocytes has an estimated molecular weight of 190,000. When rabbit reticulocyte lysate was mixed with mouse spleens prior to homogenization, the RNA isolated was deficient in the 190,000-dalton reticulocyte mRNA, but contained an excess of the 150,000-dalton RNA which directed the synthesis in vitro of predominantly rabbit α and β chains. Thus, we infer that the globin mRNA obtained from mouse spleen erythroblasts has been modified by ribonuclease activity during its isolation. This modified mRNA is also deficient in polyadenylic acid, as judged by its behavior on oligo(dT) cellulose chromatography. We conclude that globin mRNA lacking a portion of its untranslated structure may still retain considerable mRNA template activity. Moreover, since globin messenger RNA activity is isolated at a specific time of cellular differentiation in the erythropoietic mouse spleen, this system appears well suited for the study of regulation of transcription.
Median and robust polynomial filters for multivariate image data

This paper addresses the problems of image enhancement and restoration in the case of multivariate image data. Multivariate generalizations of median filtering are studied. The robustness properties of two such techniques are investigated using the influence function approach. Robust polynomial filters are introduced for applications where the original image has to be restored with high fidelity. Filtering examples are given using multivariate noise processes with equal component variances, unequal component variances, correlated noise components, and in the presence of outliers. Both simulated data and multivariate data from a range imaging sensor are used. >
Engaging students through video: integrating assessment and instrumentation

CS50 is Harvard's introductory course for majors and non-majors alike. For years, we have posted videos of the course's lectures and sections online for the sake of review and distance education alike. But students' experience with these videos has been historically passive. Students have been able to watch the course's content on demand, rewinding and fast-forwarding at will, but they have not had means to engage interactively with the content or to check their understanding of material while watching videos. Furthermore, while we collected basic usage data (e.g., how many times a video was viewed), we lacked detailed analytics describing, for example, which portions of a video were commonly skipped or watched multiple times by students. To make videos more immersive and engaging for students, we developed CS50 Video, an open-source video player for desktop and mobile devices. CS50 Video allows instructors to integrate assessment questions to be answered by students at their own pace or at specific points in time directly into a video player. CS50 Video also allows students to search over video transcripts to find content easily as well as view videos at variable playback speeds (in order to make videos more accessible for ESL learners). Finally, CS50 Video integrates with third-party analytics solutions to allow instructors to view detailed usage statistics describing how students are interacting with videos (e.g., which videos or portions of videos are commonly watched or skipped over). We have deployed CS50 Video to students taking CS50 online and have obtained preliminary results. Because CS50 Video stores responses to questions server-side, we have been able to track students' performance on in-video assessments. Thus far, we have observed that only 28% of students who watch online videos have engaged with assessment questions. Students who answer an assessment question incorrectly on their first attempt will often try again until reaching a correct answer, with 84.5% of correct answers reached in at most three attempts. We next plan to analyze the effects of in-video assessments on students' mastery of material and introduce A/B-testing functionality for questions. We also plan to use students' performance on assessments to understand the topics with which students struggle.
Speciation and fluxes of nutrients (N, P, Si) from the upper Yukon River

[1] Water samples were collected from the Yukon River near the Stevens Village Station from May to September 2002 and analyzed for nutrients (N, P, and Si) in dissolved, particulate, organic, and inorganic forms to examine temporal variations in nutrient concentrations, fluxes, and phase partitioning. Both NO3 and PO4 concentrations in the Yukon River were much lower than those of world rivers, with an average concentration of 2.43 ± 0.63 μM-N and 0.053 ± 0.040 μM-P, respectively. Si(OH)4 concentrations were more comparable to those of world rivers, with an average concentration of 82 ± 21 μM-Si. Integrated annual fluxes were 2.4 × 108 mole-NO3, 3.4 × 106 mole-PO4, and 8.7 × 109 mole-Si(OH)4, respectively. Nutrient discharge during the river ice open season contributed 73 to 95% of the annual flux depending on nutrient species. Within the total N pool transported by the Yukon River, dissolved inorganic N comprised 7 ± 4% and particulate N made up 25 ± 10%, while dissolved organic N (DON) was the dominant N species (with an average of 67 ± 10%). In contrast, P was predominantly partitioned in the particulate phase (with an average of 94 ± 6%), leaving 4 ± 5% of the total P in the dissolved organic phase and ∼2 ± 1% in the dissolved inorganic phase. The partitioning of N and P indicates that the transformation between dissolved and particulate or inorganic and organic phases may play a critical role in controlling the flux of bioavailable nutrients and thus the nutrient dynamics in the Yukon River Basin and its coastal region. Nutrient specific fluxes normalized to drainage area in the Yukon River Basin were 0.57 mmole/m2/yr for NO3, 0.012 mmole/m2/yr for PO4, and ∼19 mmole/m2/yr for Si(OH)4, respectively. The relatively low specific fluxes of NO3 and PO4 in the Yukon River Basin reflect its pristine status or little anthropogenic influence, whereas cold climate in the Arctic/subarctic region may be responsible for its lower Si(OH)4 specific flux, in agreement with a general trend of increasing Si specific flux with decreasing latitude in global river systems. A warming climate and thus deeper permafrost active layer in the Yukon River watershed would likely enhance the export flux of nutrients into the Bering Sea.
Neural network iterative diagonalization method to solve eigenvalue problems in quantum mechanics

We propose a multi-layer feed-forward neural network iterative diagonalization method (NNiDM) to compute some eigenvalues and eigenvectors of large sparse complex symmetric or Hermitian matrices. The NNiDM algorithm is developed by using the complex (or real) guided spectral transform Lanczos (cGSTL) method, thick restart technique, and multi-layered basis contraction scheme. Artificial neurons (or nodes) are defined by a set of formally orthogonal Lanczos polynomials, where the biases and weights are dynamically determined through a series of cGSTL iterations and small matrix diagonalizations. The algorithm starts with one random vector. The last output layer produces wanted eigenvalues and eigenvectors near a given reference value via a linear transform diagonalization approach. Since the algorithm uses the spectral transform technique, it is capable of computing interior eigenstates in dense spectrum regions. The general NNiDM algorithm is applied for calculating energies, widths, and wavefunctions of two typical molecules HO2 and CH4 as examples.