cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal Inflation Stabilization in a Medium-Scale Macroeonomic Model

This paper characterizes Ramsey-optimal monetary policy in a medium-scale macroeconomic model that has been estimated to fit well postwar US business cycles. We find that mild deflation is Ramsey optimal in the long run. However, the optimal inflation rate appears to be highly sensitive to the assumed degree of price stickiness. Within the window of available estimates of price stickiness (between 2 and 5 quarters) the optimal rate of inflation ranges from -4.2 percent per year (close to the Friedman rule) to -0.4 percent per year (close to price stability). This sensitivity disappears when one assumes that lump-sum taxes are unavailable and fiscal instruments take the form of distortionary income taxes. In this case, mild deflation emerges as a robust Ramsey prediction. In light of the finding that the Ramsey optimal inflation rate is negative, it is puzzling that most inflation-targeting countries pursue positive inflation goals. We show that the zero bound on the nominal interest rate, which is often cited as a rationale for setting positive inflation targets, is of no quantitative relevance in the present model. Finally, the paper characterizes operational interest-rate feedback rules that best implement Ramsey-optimal stabilization policy. We find that the optimal interest-rate rule is active in price and wage inflation, mute in output growth, and moderately inertial.
The in vitro replicative potential and cellular morphology of human lens epithelial cells derived from different aged donors

Cultures of human lens epithelial cells have been established using explants of the lens capsule from different aged donors. Outgrowth from the explants occurs more quickly using material from younger as opposed to older donors. The total number of cells as well as the cumulative surface area covered by cell growth is more extensive with the explants from the lens capsules of younger donors as compared with the amount of cell growth from older donor lens capsules. Thus, there is an inverse correlation between donor age and the replicative capacity of human lens epithelial cells in vitro. The lens epithelial cell cultures from human donors of all ages have a finite replicative potential.
Outlier detection and evaluation by network flow

Detecting outliers is an important topic in data mining. Sometimes the outliers are more interesting than the rest of the data. Outlier identification has lots of applications, such as intrusion detection, and unusual usage of credit cards or telecommunication services. In this paper, we propose a novel method for outlier identification which is based on network flow. We use the well known Maximum Flow Minimum Cut theorem from graph theory to find the outliers and strong outlier groups, and evaluate the outliers by the volume of the flow. This outlier detection occurs in a novel setting: to repair poor quality clusters generated by a clustering algorithm.
All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality among Mexican-American and Non-Hispanic White Older Participants in the San Antonio Heart Study— Evidence against the “Hispanic Paradox”

The observation that Hispanics have lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates despite increased rates of diabetes and obesity and lower socioeconomic status has been termed the "Hispanic paradox." The authors therefore examined the relation between ethnicity and mortality in 1,438 Mexican-American and 921 non-Hispanic White San Antonio Heart Study participants, aged 45-64 years when they enrolled between 1979 and 1988. Over an average of 14.5 years, 466 deaths occurred: 238 attributed to cardiovascular disease (death certificate International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes 401-414 or codes 420-447 with the exception of code 427.5) and 117 attributed to coronary heart disease (codes 410-414). Age- and gender-adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause, cardiovascular, and coronary heart disease mortality comparing Mexican Americans with non-Hispanic Whites were 1.50 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23, 1.81), 1.70 (95% CI: 1.30, 2.24), and 1.60 (95% CI: 1.09, 2.36), respectively. After adjusting for possible confounders, among diabetic individuals not using insulin, the authors found excess risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and coronary heart disease mortality associated with being Mexican American; however, in nondiabetic individuals and insulin-using diabetic individuals, Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites appeared to be at similar risk of mortality. Contrary to the prediction of the "Hispanic paradox," in the San Antonio Heart Study, Mexican Americans were at greater risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and coronary heart disease mortality than were non-Hispanic Whites.
The Impact of Nudging in the Meteorological Model for Retrospective Air Quality Simulations. Part II: Evaluating Collocated Meteorological and Air Quality Observations

Abstract For air quality modeling, it is important that the meteorological fields that are derived from meteorological models reflect the best characterization of the atmosphere. It is well known that the accuracy and overall representation of the modeled meteorological fields can be improved for retrospective simulations by creating dynamic analyses in which Newtonian relaxation, or “nudging,” is used throughout the simulation period. This article, the second of two parts, provides additional insight into the value of using nudging-based data assimilation for dynamic analysis in the meteorological fields for air quality modeling. Meteorological simulations are generated by the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) using both the traditional dynamic analysis approach and forecasts for a summertime period. The resultant meteorological fields are then used for emissions processing and air quality simulations using the Community Multisca...
Adrenalectomy But Not Adrenal Demedullation During Pregnancy Prevents the Growth‐Retarding Effects of Fetal Alcohol Exposure

Growth retardation, both in the prenatal and the early neonatal period, is a consistent feature of fetal alcohol exposure, but the mechanism by which alcohol affects growth has not been elucidated. Because other stressors--such as maternal restraint and neonatal glucocorticoid treatment--can also affect growth, we examined the effect of ethanol on pup birthweight under two experimental conditions that altered maternal adrenal function. In the first study when dams were adrenalectomized and given low replacement doses of dexamethasone, the ethanol-exposed offspring of the adrenalectomized dams had birthweights similar to those of dams maintained on regular lab chow diets. In a second study, we found that maternal adrenal demedullation did not alter the reduction in birthweight produced by fetal ethanol exposure. The results suggest that the effects of ethanol on fetal growth may be mediated in part through ethanol-induced changes in the function of the maternal adrenal cortex.
Access and Alignment of Data in an Array Processor

This paper discusses the design of a primary memory system for an array processor which allows parallel, conflict-free access to various slices of data (e.g., rows, columns, diagonals, etc.), and subsequent alignment of these data for processing. Memory access requirements for an array processor are discussed in general terms and a set of common requirements are defined. The ability to meet these requirements is shown to depend on the number of independent memory units and on the mapping of the data in these memories. Next, the need to align these data for processing is demonstrated and various alignment requirements are defined. Hardware which can perform this alignment function is discussed, e.g., permutation, indexing, switching or sorting networks, and a network (the omega network) based on Stone's shuffle-exchange operation [1] is presented. Construction of this network is described and many of its useful properties are proven. Finally, as an example of these ideas, an array processor is shown which allows conflict-free access and alignment of rows, columns, diagonals, backward diagonals, and square blocks in row or column major order, as well as certain other special operations.
Refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease: advances and treatment

'Refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease' is one of the most common misnomers in the area of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The term implies reflux as the underlying etiology despite unresponsiveness to aggressive proton pump inhibitor therapy. The term should be replaced with 'refractory symptoms.' We must acknowledge that in many patients symptoms of reflux often overlap with non-GERD causes such as gastroparesis, dyspepsia, hypersensitive esophagus and functional disorders. Lack of response to aggressive acid suppressive therapy often leads to diagnostic testing. In majority of patients these tests are normal. The role of non-acid reflux in this group is uncertain and patients should not undergo surgical fundoplication based on this parameter. In patients unresponsive to acid suppressive therapy GERD is most commonly not causal and a search for non-GERD causes must ensue.
AIF-1 Expression Modulates Proliferation of Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by Autocrine Expression of G-CSF

Objective— Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is associated with vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) activation and vascular injury. The purpose of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanism of AIF-1 growth-enhancing effects in human VSMC. Methods and Results— Primary human VSMCs were stably transduced with AIF-1 retrovirus (RV). Impact on cell growth was evaluated by the increase in cell number, and the effects on gene expression were determined by cDNA microarray analysis. AIF-RV overexpressing cells grew significantly more rapidly than empty-RV control cells in growth medium and serum-reduced medium ( P P Conclusions— This study indicates that AIF-1 enhances VSMC growth by autocrine production of G-CSF, and AIF-1 expression may influence VSMC–inflammatory cell communication.
Mobile power management for maximum battery life in wireless communication networks

We address the problem of how a mobile node in a wireless network should vary its transmitter power so that energy consumption is minimized, subject to fixed quality-of-service constraints. Optimal solutions are obtained for channels with stationary, extraneous interference. A simple dynamic power management algorithm based on these solutions is developed. The algorithm is tested by a series of simulations, including the extraneous-interference case and the more general case where multiple, mutually interfering transmitters operate in a therefore highly responsive interference environment. Results show improved network capacity and stability in addition to substantially improved battery life at the mobile terminals.
Response-Adapted Volume De-escalation (RAVD) in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: Efficacy and Human Papillomavirus–Positive Subgroup Analysis

Response-Adapted Volume De-escalation (RAVD) in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: Efficacy and Human PapillomavirusePositive Subgroup Analysis J.M. Melotek, V.M. Villaflor, T.G. Karrison, R.J. Brisson, E.A. Blair, L. Portugal, K.M. Stenson, J. De Souza, E. Cohen, A. Langerman, M.T. Spiotto, T.Y. Seiwert, E.E. Vokes, and D.J. Haraf; University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, Rush University, Chicago, IL, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Geographic Variation in Clutch Size in the Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus): Support for Ashmole's Hypothesis

La taille de la couvee est significativement correlee a la fois avec le rapport productivite estivale/densite estimee de reproduction de toutes les especes de picides et avec le rapport productivite/productivite hivernale, ce qui confirme l'hypothese d'Ashmole
Differential Incorporation of Glucose into Biomass during Warburg Metabolism

It is well established that most cancer cells take up an increased amount of glucose relative to that taken up by normal differentiated cells. The majority of this glucose carbon is secreted from the cell as lactate. The fate of the remaining glucose carbon, however, has not been well-characterized. Here we apply a novel combination of metabolomic technologies to track uniformly labeled glucose in HeLa cancer cells. We provide a list of specific intracellular metabolites that become enriched after being labeled for 48 h and quantitate the fraction of consumed glucose that ends up in proteins, peptides, sugars/glycerol, and lipids.
Study on Heat Power Generation Technology by Using SAGD Heavy Oil Recovery Waste

SAGD technology used in Liaohe oil field area shu one district du 84 to exploit heavy oil,result in the temperature of wellhead produced fluid is up to 170—180 ℃,which led to a large waste heat.In order to effectively use this part of the heat,a small low-temperature waste heat power generation system is designed,based on the principle of power cycle and the characteristics of CFC cycle power generation system.Then the main heat exchanger components of the system(evaporator,condenser) and the turbine is thermodynamic calculated,and the structural parameters of evaporator and condenser and the electric power are determined.The results may be valuable for waste heat power generation system design based on the rankine cycle.
On the Suffering Theme of Lu Yao's Novels

There were not many comments about Lu Yao's works in the past, and they mostly discussed the social significance of the works from the realistic aspect. This article attempts to explore the suffering theme of Lu Yao's novels from another aspect of Lu Yao's experience and his attitude towards life. It expounds Lu Yao's great personality reflected in the suffering as well as the suffering complex of his novels. In addition, this article also analyzes the unique expression and value of the suffering theme of Lu Yao's novels.
In-situ modification of nonzeolitic pores in MFI membrane layer and the separation of xylene isomers

Tubular MFI-type zeolite membranes were synthesized by in-situ hydrothermal crystallization using a rotated autoclave.The non-zeolitic pores(intercrystalline pores and micro-defects) were mended by carbonization and deposition of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene online during p-/o-xylene separation process at 375℃.The results demonstrated that the new online modification method was effective for reducing the nonselective intercrystalline pores and enhancing the separation performance for xylene isomers.
Notochord morphogenesis in Xenopus laevis : simulation of cell behavior underlying tissue convergence and extension

Cell intercalation and cell shape changes drive notochord morphogenesis in the African frog, Xenopus laevis. Experimental observations show that cells elongate mediolaterally and intercalate between one another, causing the notochord to lengthen and narrow. Descriptive observations provide few clues as to the mechanisms that coordinate and drive these cell movements. It is possible that a few rules governing cell behavior could orchestrate the shaping of the entire tissue. We test this hypothesis by constructing a computer model of the tissue to investigate how rules governing cell motility and cell-cell interactions can account for the major features of notochord morphogenesis. These rules are drawn from the literature on in vitro cell studies and experimental observations of notochord cell behavior. The following types of motility rules are investigated: (1) refractory tissue boundaries that inhibit cell motility, (2) statistical persistence of motion, (3) contact inhibition of protrusion between cells, and (4) polarized and nonpolarized protrusive activity. We show that only the combination of refractory boundaries, contact inhibition and polarized protrusive activity reproduces normal notochord development. Guided by these rules, cells spontaneously align into a parallel array of elongating cells. Self alignment optimizes the geometric conditions for polarized protrusive activity by progressively minimizing contact inhibition between cells. Cell polarization, initiated at refractory tissue boundaries, spreads along successive cell rows into the tissue interior as cells restrict and constrain their neighbors' directional bias. The model demonstrates that several experimentally observed intrinsic cell behaviors, operating simultaneously, may underlie the generation of coordinated cell movements within the developing notochord.
Effect of frequency of boar exposure and adjusted mating times on measures of reproductive performance in weaned sows.

In weaned sows, reduced reproductive performance can result from failure or delayed return to estrus or improper timing of insemination. This experiment evaluated the effect of increased frequency of boar exposure and adjusted mating times on reproductive performance. Sows of mixed parity were weaned approximately 18.7 d after parturition and allotted by genotype, parity, and lactation length to boar exposure frequency of once daily (1X, n = 66), twice daily every 12 h (2X, n = 61), or three times daily exposure at 8-h intervals (3X, n = 60). Sows were weaned into crates and boar exposure was initiated 3 d after weaning. Once estrus was detected, ultrasound was performed every 8 h to determine time of ovulation. All sows were artificially inseminated twice in the 1X group at 0 and 24 h, in the 2X group at 12 and 24 h, and in the 3X group at 16 and 32 h after onset of estrus. The weaning-to-estrus interval was not influenced by treatment and averaged 4.5 d. The percentage of sows expressing estrus in 8 d was higher (P 0.10) and averaged 96.5%. Estrus-to-ovulation interval was not affected by treatment (44.7 h) but was influenced by weaning-to-estrus interval (P 0.10) for 2X (87.2%) and 3X (83.1%) treatments compared with 1X (75.0%). Total pigs born was also not affected by treatment, although 2X (11.2) and 3X (10.7) numbers were greater than 1X (10.0). It appears that once-daily estrus detection combined with delayed mating could achieve optimal reproductive performance.
Existence of Stochastic Integrals

This chapter discusses the existence of stochastic integrals. It has been shown that belated integrals exist under hypotheses reminiscent of those for the Riemann integral. The chapter presents useful estimates for the norms of such integrals. The two types of noise processes that have been used in models of systems are—Gaussian white noises and the point processes, such as the Poisson processes. These are studied as instances of the general theory. In the case of the Wiener processes, or Brownian motion, the second-order integrals assume a convenient form. A point process is one in which events, each with its own probability distribution, occur at a discrete set of random times. All the existence theorems for the belated integral have direct analogs for the Ito-belated integral.
Fueling Industrial Superpower: Energy, Raw Materials, and Comprehensive Security

Traditionally, a large, heavily populated territory was the most important basis of state power; the larger the territory, the more difficult for enemies to mount a successful invasion, while the more people under a state’s thumb, the more soldiers could be mobilized for defense or foreign invasion. The industrial revolution broadened the basis of power — a large territory was still preferable, while a large population provided not just mass-armies, but mass-consumers with which the country’s industries could enjoy economies-of-scale and thus a comparative advantage over their foreign rivals, in turn creating more wealth with which to equip large modern armies to either defend or expand the state’s power. Equally important was access to rich troves of natural resources to fuel industrialization.
A Model System for Studying the Penetration of Microorganisms into Meat

This study assessed the effect of line pressure used in spraying meat surfaces on removal of inoculated bacteria and on penetration of Blue Lake, an insoluble dye, into sprayed meat. Pressures used in this analysis were 690, 2070, 4140, and 6200 kPa. The highest pressure, 6200 kPa, removed significantly less aerobic bacteria than the other three lower pressures. No significant differences in removal of Enterobacteriaceae were noted due to pressure. Nozzle type was also a variable in the study on penetration. Type of nozzle had a significant effect on the penetration of the Blue Lake into the meat at a pressure of 6200 kPa. An equation describing penetration of the Blue Lake into the meat is given.
Technology in Teaching English Language Learners: The Case of Three Middle School Teachers

This study looks at how three middle school teachers of English as a second language (ESL) use technology in the classroom. Technology use in the ESL classroom has the potential of supporting the English and content learning of English language learners, but the availability of technology does not necessarily lead to technology integration that supports student learning. Teacher attitudes and beliefs toward technology as well as lack of time and adequate resources may deter teachers from integrating technology in their lessons. The researcher conducted teacher interviews and classroom observations of each of the language arts classes taught by three ESL teachers. Available technology at the classroom, ESL department, and school levels was diverse: digital boards, overhead projectors for the digital boards, document cameras, laptops, desktops, iPods, iPads, and internet connection for all the devices. The teachers seemed to be comfortable users of the available technology despite scarce training, lack of time and technology support, and several episodes of technology malfunction. However, the use of technology could be expanded. The researcher makes several recommendations, such as additional time for planning lessons that use technology and further professional development related to technology use.
Counterlegal dependence and causation’s arrows: causal models for backtrackers and counterlegals

A counterlegal is a counterfactual conditional containing an antecedent that is inconsistent with some set of laws. A backtracker is a counterfactual that tells us how things would be at a time earlier than that of its antecedent, were the antecedent to obtain. Typically, theories that evaluate counterlegals appropriately don’t evaluate backtrackers properly, and vice versa. Two cases in point: Lewis’ (Nous 13:455–476, 1979a) ordering semantics handles counterlegals well but not backtrackers. Hiddleston’s (Nous 39(4):632–657, 2005) causal-model semantics nicely handles backtrackers but not counterlegals. Taking Hiddleston’s account as a starting point, I offer steps toward a theory capable of handling both counterlegals and backtrackers. The core contribution of this paper is a means for evaluating counterlegals relative to minimally-illegal models.
Gs Family of Heterotrimeric G Proteins

The heterotrimeric G proteins in the G s family (G s and G olf ) have structurally similar α -subunits (G s α and G olf α , respectively) and primarily act by stimulating adenylyl cyclase to mediate receptor-stimulated intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate generation. G olf α expression is limited to a subset of neuroendocrine tissues while G s α is ubiquitously expressed and is activated by receptors for many peptide and glycoprotein hormones, neurotransmitters, and other extracellular stimuli. The G s α gene GNAS is a complex imprinted gene that uses alternative promoters and first exons to generate other gene products, including the G s α isoform XL α s, which is only expressed from the paternal allele and has a more limited neuroendocrine tissue distribution. G s α itself is imprinted in a tissue-specific manner, being biallelically expressed in most tissues but paternally silenced in a few tissues. A variety of clinical disorders with endocrine, metabolic, skeletal, and other manifestations result from different types of G s α molecular defects, including posttranslational modifications, activating and inactivating mutations, and abnormal imprinting of the GNAS gene. In addition, various germline and tissue-specific G s α mouse models have provided important insights into the roles of this signaling molecule in development, cell biology, and metabolism.
Scaling up professional learning: technical expectations and adaptive challenges

In order to be effective, professional development efforts are most promising if they are context specific and focus on supporting collaboration. Increasingly, schools initiate professional development with small groups of teachers, with the intention that the effects of the initiatives will spill over to other school personnel. This study follows one such context-specific and collaboration-driven professional development initiative designed to support teachers in implementing new disciplinary literacy practices. Qualitative data – including interviews, focus group data and written narratives from participants – were analyzed to understand how teachers understood the work of participating in a professional learning community over two years and how they thought about scaling their work to other teachers. Initially, participants perceived change as technical and straightforward, but they came to revise their views over time. However, participants’ increasingly complex views of change eventually came into co...
Hybrid CMOS-compatible material and device platform for integrated nanophotonics

In this talk, the recent achievements in the development and optimization of hybrid multilayer CMOS-compatible material systems (e.g., SiN/Si, multi-layer Si/SiO 2 , etc.) to address all the practical requirements of ultra-fast and ultra-compact integrated photonic structures will be discussed. Using these hybrid material systems, a series of ultracompact and high-performance reconfigurable photonic devices and subsystems that are formed by using high Q resonators will be demonstrated. The use of these devices and subsystems for realization of densely-integrated reconfigurable photonic chips for signal processing and sensing applications will be discussed.
Improved Anemia, Organomegaly and Sustained Fetal Hemoglobin Induction within Aging TR2/TR4 Overexpressing UAB Sickle Cell Mice

Abstract 3248 Background: Fetal Hemoglobin (Hgb F)has been shown to improve morbidity and mortality with SCD patients. We recently published that forced expression of TR2/TR4 resulted in 2.5 fold induction of Fetal Hemoglobin and improved phenotypes within adult 2–3 month humanized sickle cell mice (PNAS Campbell and Cui et al 2011). We wanted to determine the if the Hgb F expression remained durable by HPLC within > 6 m/o mice within SCD:TgTR2/TR4 UAB Mice when compared to 2–3 m/o SCD:TgTR2/TR4 UAB Mice. Further, we wanted to determine if the increased Hgb F expression and improved phenotype observed previously persisted within the 6–8m/o SCD:TgTR2/TR4 mice when compared to the 6–8 m/o SCD UAB Mice. Methods: Humanized Homozygous Knock-In UAB-Sickle Cell (UAB-Hbahα/hα Hbbhβs/hβs) Mice (Wu et al Blood 2006) was mated to TR2/TR4 Overexpressing Mice (TgTR2/TR4) to generate SCD-TR2/TR4 compound heterozygotes (UAB-Hba hα/hα Hbb hβs/hβs TgTR2/TR4). We compared the hemoglobin F levels(HPLC), CBC, and % body weight (liver, spleen, kidney) of 6–8 m/o SCD:TgTR2/TR4(n=5) mice to 2–3 m/o SCD:TgTR2/TR4(n=5) mice. We also analyzed 6–8m/o SCD mice to the TR2/TR4 SCD Mice. Tail PCR genotyping of all SCD Mice were confirmed by HPLC Hemoglobin electrophoresis. Results: Fetal Hemoglobin Expression remained elevated in the 6–8 m/o SCD:TR2/TR4 Mice at 16.7% (+/− 3.94) compared to 18.5% (+/−2.91) in 2–3 month old SCD:TR2/TR4 mice. %BW of spleen (3.7% vs 3.4%) liver (7.29% v 7.8%), kidney (0.98% vs 1.1%), remained similarly lower in the 6–8 m/o compared to the 2–3 m/o mice of the SCD:TR2/TR4 Mice. [Table 1][1] shows increased Hgb F and overall improved anemia and %BW of organs within the older SCD:TR2/TR4 SCD Mice. | | 6-8 mo (n) | Hgb F (HPLC) | Hct | Plt | %BW Spln | %BW Liver | %BW Kid | %BW Heart | |:-------------- | ---------- | ------------ | ---- | --- | --------- | --------- | ------- | ---------- | | SCD | 9 | 4.88% | 21.1 | 375 | 4.65 | 8.1 | 1.0 | 0.84 | | SCD: TgTR2/TR4 | 5 | 16.7%[*][2] | 30 | 332 | 3.4[*][2] | 7.29 | 0.98 | 0.72[*][2] | | Wild Type | 6 | N/A | 42 | 599 | 0.28 | 4.84 | 0.81 | 0.398 | * [↵][3]* P<0.05 (SCD vs SCD TR2/TR4). Table 1 Conclusions: TR2/TR4 overexpression within >6 m/o humanized SS mouse model resulted in continued >3 fold induction of fetal hemoglobin based on HPLC compared control 6–8 m/o SCD Mice. Further, increased TR2/TR4 overexpression improved anemia, organomegaly, within sickle cell disease mice. Expression of Fetal Hemoglobin by TR2/TR4 remains sustained within older sickle cell mice with improved organomegaly with reversion phenotypically to the wild type phenotype. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. [1]: #T1 [2]: #fn-1 [3]: #xref-fn-1-1
A unifying variational inference framework for Hierarchical Graph-Coupled HMM with an application to influenza infection

The Hierarchical Graph-Coupled Hidden Markov Model (hGCHMM) is a useful tool for tracking and predicting the spread of contagious diseases, such as influenza, by leveraging social contact data collected from individual wearable devices. However, the existing inference algorithms depend on the assumption that the infection rates are small in probability, typically close to 0. The purpose of this paper is to build a unified learning framework for latent infection state estimation for the hGCHMM, regardless of the infection rate and transition function. We derive our algorithm based on a dynamic auto-encoding variational inference scheme, thus potentially generalizing the hGCHMM to models other than those that work on highly contagious diseases. We experimentally compare our approach with previous Gibbs EM algorithms and standard variational method mean-field inference, on both semi-synthetic data and app collected epidemiological and social records.
AI education: open-access educational resources on AI

Open-access AI educational resources are vital to the quality of the AI education we offer. Avoiding the reinvention of wheels is especially important to us because of the special challenges of AI Education. AI could be said to be "the really interesting miscellaneous pile of Computer Science". While "artificial" is well-understood to encompass engineered artifacts, "intelligence" could be said to encompass any sufficiently difficult problem as would require an intelligent approach and yet does not fall neatly into established Computer Science subdisciplines. Thus AI consists of so many diverse topics that we would be hard- pressed to individually create quality learning experiences for each topic from scratch.
A single phase transformer-less string inverter with integrated magnetics and active power decoupling

This paper proposes a transformer-less single phase inverter for photovoltaic (PV) application with integrated magnetics and active power decoupling minimizing the capacitance requirement, converter volume, and cost. The topology is a combination of boost and half-bridge stages along with a buck-boost power decoupling stage. This converter ensure the complete elimination of high frequency capacitive coupled ground current by the combination of the half-bridge buck-boost stages. The inductors of these two stages are integrated in one single core to further reduce the core loss and converter volume and cost. Closed loop experimental results of the converter with integrated magnetics are provided to validate its operation.
On the Grothendieck Group Associated to Solutions of a Functional Equation Arising from Multiplication of Quantum Integers

We provide a solution to an open problem of Melvyn Nathanson, concerning the Grothendieck group associated to solutions of functional equations arising from multiplication of quantum integers, when the fields of coefficients of such solutions are of characteristic zero.
Optimized optical wireless channel for indoor and intra-vehicle communications: power distribution and SNR analysis

Light emitting diodes - LEDs are modernizing the indoor illumination and replacing current incandescent and fluorescent lamps rapidly. LEDs have multiple advantages such as extremely high energy efficient, longer lifespan, and lower heat generation. Due to the ability to switch to different light intensity at a very fast rate, LED has given rise to a unique communication technology (visible light communication - VLC) used for high speed data transmission. By studying various kinds of commonly used VLC channel analysis: diffuse and line of sight channels, we presented a simply improved indoor and intra-vehicle visible light communication transmission model. Employing optical wireless communications within the vehicle, not only enhance user mobility, but also alleviate radio frequency interference, and increase efficiency by lowering the complexity of copper cabling. Moreover, a solution to eliminate ambient noise caused by environmental conditions is examined by using optical differential receiver. The simulation results show the improved received power distribution and signal to noise ratio - SNR.
Grillin’ with My Grandchild©: multigenerational programming for grandfathers and grandchildren: Program Profiles

ABSTRACTThis article describes the Grillin’ with My Grandchild© multigenerational relationship education program which is designed to encourage the enhancement and maintenance of a meaningful grandfather-grandchild relationship. During this multi-session program, grandfather and grandchild participants engage in several activities which include creating an electronic memory book as well as grilling and eating food together. They learn through facilitated discussion and by sharing personal experiences what it means to be a grandfather and a grandchild. Facilitated discussion about nutritional grilling practices and safe food grilling are implemented at each session. Grandfather-grandchild dyads interact with other familial dyads in their group and experience a sense of community and familiarity. Future research into the relational and psychological benefits of the program are suggested.
A computational study of the Kemeny rule for preference aggregation

We consider from a computational perspective the problem of how to aggregate the ranking preferences of a number of alternatives by a number of different voters into a single consensus ranking, following the majority voting rule. Social welfare functions for aggregating preferences in this way have been widely studied since the time of Condorcet (1785). One drawback of majority voting procedures when three or more alternatives are being ranked is the presence of cycles in the majority preference relation. The Kemeny order is a social welfare function whicll has been designed to tackle the presence of such cycles. However computing a Kemeny order is known to be NP-hard. We develop a greedy heuristic and an exact branch and bound procedure for computing Kemeny orders. We present results of a computational study on these procedures.
Accounting for Housing Rent-Price Ratios, 1975-2004

Movements in aggregate and regional house prices are largely accounted for by movements in the rent-price ratio rather than movements in rents. Movements in rent-price ratios are correlated with trend deviations in household income and the rate of home ownership, both of which are at odds with efficient markets predictions of equilibrium rent-price ratios. To reconcile these facts, I model the rent-price ratio as determined by the marginal homebuying household, when this household is borrowing constrained. Factors which loosen or tighten the borrowing constraints of this marginal household are first order determinants of house prices.
Catalase-overexpressing transgenic mouse heart is resistant to ischemia-reperfusion injury

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is at least partially mediated by oxygen-derived free radicals. Catalase is a major enzyme involved in the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide. The activity of catalase in the heart is very low, which may be a factor responsible for the high sensitivity of the heart to ischemia-reperfusion injury. The present study was undertaken to determine whether elevation of catalase specifically in the heart of transgenic mice can provide protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. Hearts isolated from transgenic mice in which catalase in the heart was elevated approximately 60-fold higher than that in nontransgenic heart and from the non-transgenic littermates were subjected to 50 min of warm (37 degrees C) zero-flow ischemia followed by 90 min reflow. Compared with nontransgenic controls, transgenic hearts showed significantly improved recovery of contractile force (75 vs. 25% at the end of 90 min reperfusion, P < 0.01). Efflux of creatine kinase was reduced by approximately 50%, and the zone of myocardial infarction as demarcated by triphenyltetrazolium at the end of reperfusion was reduced by approximately 40% in transgenic hearts compared with nontransgenic controls. These findings support the view that hydrogen peroxide is an important cause of ischemia-reperfusion damage and suggest that protection may be provided by elevation of catalase activity.
Catalytic promiscuity potentiated the divergence of new cytochrome P450 enzyme functions in cyanogenic defense metabolism

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) constitute the largest metabolic enzyme family in plants, responsible for synthesizing hundreds of thousands of specialized metabolites with essential roles in chemical defenses against herbivores and pathogens (Banks et al., 2011; Nelson and Werck-Reichhart, 2011; Wurtzel and Kutchan, 2016). Substrate promiscuity has been documented to play a central role in the evolution of plant specialized metabolic enzymes (Weng et al., 2012; Leong and Last, 2017), however most plant P450s are highly substrate-specific (Verpoorte, 2013). Here, we show the rapid inversion of primary and weak secondary (promiscuous) catalytic activities between two distinct yet evolutionarily linked multifunctional P450s, CYP71A12 and CYP71A13, based on intramolecular epistasis of two amino acid residues under positive selection in CYP71A12. Furthermore, we uncover previously undocumented catalytic activity during the inversion as well as naturally occurring amino acid substitution patterns that could have been present in evolutionary intermediates between the two enzymes. Comparative expression profiling and homology modeling reveal that natural selection acted on the promoter of CYP71A13 and the substrate-recognition elements of CYP71A12 to improve the efficiencies of their promiscuous reactions. The rise in catalytic promiscuity potentiated the divergence of new P450 enzyme functions in cyanogenic defense metabolism. Directed evolution of promiscuous reactions is one of the core technologies underpinning the field of synthetic biology. Our results provide a more complete understanding of how natural selection uses promiscuous reactions to generate new enzymes in nature and chemical diversity in pathogen defense, as well as demonstrate a novel strategy for identifying their molecular origins in highly divergent, related enzymes.
Preamble Detection for the In-Vehicle System Receiver

This paper presents the hardware design and simulation of the preamble detection for the In-vehicle system (IVS) receiver. FPGA technology is employed to develop the receiver modules on a single chip. Xilinx FPGA tools and Verilog HDL are utilized to develop the Register Transfer Level (RTL) of the modules. The developed receiver is compiled, synthesized, and simulated. An architecture is proposed for preamble detection in the IVS receiver. A complete set of the input signals are used to simulate and verify the performance of the module. The top test bench is employed to test and verify the performance of the proposed architecture.
Generalizing semi-supervised generative adversarial networks to regression using feature contrasting

Abstract In this work, we generalize semi-supervised generative adversarial networks (GANs) from classification problems to regression problems. In the last few years, the importance of improving the training of neural networks using semi-supervised training has been demonstrated for classification problems. We present a novel loss function, called feature contrasting, resulting in a discriminator which can distinguish between fake and real data based on feature statistics. This method avoids potential biases and limitations of alternative approaches. The generalization of semi-supervised GANs to the regime of regression problems of opens their use to countless applications as well as providing an avenue for a deeper understanding of how GANs function. We first demonstrate the capabilities of semi-supervised regression GANs on a toy dataset which allows for a detailed understanding of how they operate in various circumstances. This toy dataset is used to provide a theoretical basis of the semi-supervised regression GAN. We then apply the semi-supervised regression GANs to a number of real-world computer vision applications: age estimation, driving steering angle prediction, and crowd counting from single images. We perform extensive tests of what accuracy can be achieved with significantly reduced annotated data. Through the combination of the theoretical example and real-world scenarios, we demonstrate how semi-supervised GANs can be generalized to regression problems.
Mass-Forming Ischemic Colitis: A Potential Mimicker of Malignancy

Ischemic colitis (IC) results from reduced colonic vascular perfusion, accounting for 50-60% of all gastrointestinal ischemic episodes. IC leads to mucosal damage with clinical symptom severity developing based on the duration and extent of colonic injury. In rare cases IC may form a mass-like lesion mimicking malignancy. Here we present the case of a 55-year-old female with hematochezia and diarrhea, who on workup was found to have a mass-like lesion at the ileocecal valve. Multiple biopsies demonstrated ischemic change and mucosal injury without evidence of dysplasia or carcinoma. Two months later on follow-up imaging, after supportive treatment the lesion was completely resolved. It is critical for gastroenterologists and pathologists to be aware of this variant of IC to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures and treatment of patients.
Effects of Pressure and Temperature on the Atomic Fluctuations of Dihydrofolate Reductase from a Psychropiezophile and a Mesophile

Determining the effects of extreme conditions on proteins from “extremophilic” and mesophilic microbes is important for understanding how life adapts to living at extremes as well as how extreme conditions can be used for sterilization and food preservation. Previous molecular dynamics simulations of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from a psychropiezophile (cold- and pressure-loving), Moritella profunda (Mp), and a mesophile, Escherichia coli (Ec), at various pressures and temperatures indicate that atomic fluctuations, which are important for enzyme function, increase with both temperature and pressure. Here, the factors that cause increases in atomic fluctuations in the simulations are examined. The fluctuations increase with temperature not only because of greater thermal energy and thermal expansion of the protein but also because hydrogen bonds between protein atoms are weakened. However, the increase in fluctuations with pressure cannot be due to thermal energy, which remains constant, nor the compressive effects of pressure, but instead, the hydrogen bonds are also weakened. In addition, increased temperature causes larger increases in fluctuations of the loop regions of MpDHFR than EcDHFR, and increased pressure causes both increases and decreases in fluctuations of the loops, which differ between the two.
Mindfulness and negative affectivity in real time: a within-person process model

To extend our understanding of the proximal etiology of personality pathology, this study examined the dynamic, in-the-moment relations between mindfulness and negative affectivity (NA; emotional lability, anxiousness, separation insecurity) as defined by the alternative model for personality disorders. We tested predictions based upon the Monitor and Acceptance Theory that when people monitored their attention judgmentally, their state NA would be higher than usual; by contrast, when they monitored their attention nonjudgmentally, their state NA would be lower than usual. Sixty-five undergraduates participated in an experience sampling study wherein they completed five reports per day for eight days about their states of mindfulness and NA. Multi-level models revealed an interaction wherein participants exhibited more state NA when they monitored their attention judgmentally than when they monitored their attention nonjudgmentally. Analyses of simple slopes revealed that participants exhibited more state NA than usual when they monitored their attention judgmentally. These findings emerged for only one of two attention monitoring processes, however: monitoring relations between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, but not monitoring sensory stimuli. Analyses including non-reactivity instead of nonjudgment replicated these findings. Implications for theory, research, and treatment are discussed.
APEX: automatic precondition execution with isolation and atomicity in internet-of-things

In Internet-of-Things there are situations where before users can execute commands on IoT devices, certain conditions must be met for sake of safety, correctness or efficiency. Thus, a series of other commands need to precede the user commands in a correct order to make those conditions true. Users have to consciously follow the order and manually send those commands one by one, which is error prone and inconvenient. We propose APEX, a system automatically deducing, satisfying all the preconditions of the user commands. It has two strategies. Evaluation on a 20-node testbed proves that our conservative strategy sustains high execution success rates despite resource contention, while in realistic enterprise environments, our aggressive strategy may execute significantly faster, saving up to 7s and reducing about 46% of conservative strategy's time cost.
Assessment of the percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy technique in experimental manikins and canine cadavers.

Objective To evaluate procedure time, ease of placement, and complication rates of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) compared to surgical tracheostomy (ST) in canine cadavers. Design Randomized crossover experimental manikin and cadaver study involving 6 novice veterinary students. Setting University teaching hospital. Animals Canine tracheostomy training manikin, 24 canine cadavers. Interventions None. Measurements and main results For training, each student performed 10 PDT and 10 ST procedures on a training manikin, followed by 2 PDT and 2 ST procedures on a canine cadaver. After each training procedure, feedback from bronchoscopy and observers was provided. Final PDT and ST tube placements using new equipment were performed in unused cadavers. Placements were timed, ease of placement was scored using visual analog scales (VAS, 0-10 cm), and complications were assessed by two independent observers using ordinal scales (0-3). Cadaver tracheas were explanted postprocedure to evaluate anatomical damage scores (0-3). Procedure time and VAS scores for PDT and ST procedures were analyzed using mixed-effects linear models, accounting for student, technique, and procedure number with post hoc pairwise comparisons. Data are presented as median (range). For the final cadaver placement, there were no significant differences in placement time (300 seconds [230-1020] vs 188 seconds [116-414], P = 0.210), ease of placement (3.8 cm [2.1-5.7] vs 1.9 cm [0-4.7], P = 0.132), anatomical damage score (1 [0-2] vs 0 [0-1], P = 0.063), or equipment complications score (0 [0-1] vs 0 [0-0], P = 1.000) between PDT and ST, respectively. Conclusions These data suggest that PDT can be performed as quickly, as easily, and as safely as ST in a canine cadaver by novice veterinary students following manikin training. Additional studies will be required to determine if these findings can be translated into veterinary clinical practice.