cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accounting for the Relationship Between Initial Status and Growth in Regression Models

ABSTRACTEducational analysts studying achievement and other educational outcomes frequently encounter an association between initial status and growth, which has important implications for the analysis of covariate effects, including group differences in growth. As explicated by Allison (1990), where only two time points of data are available, identifying a preferred model can be difficult or impossible. In this paper we extend Allison's inquiry by considering multiple sources of the association between initial status and growth simultaneously, including measurement error but also intrinsic associations between initial status and growth. We illustrate the potential trade-offs between the change-score model specifications (models without a control for initial status) and regressor-variable specifications (with a control for initial status) using simulated data.
“We Built Our Own School”: The Cooperative Preschool Movement in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1940 to the Present

The experiences of the El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative, founded and led by mothers who had migrated to the San Francisco Bay Area during the Depression and World War II, offer insight into the rise, decline, and partial resurgence of a largely forgotten movement to provide affordable child care and preschool education.
Sox2 and Pax6 Play Counteracting Roles in Regulating Neurogenesis within the Murine Olfactory Epithelium

In the adult olfactory epithelium, the transcription factors Pax6 and Sox2 are co-expressed in sustentacular cells, horizontal basal cells (HBCs), and less-differentiated globose basal cells (GBCs)–both multipotent and transit amplifying categories—but are absent from immediate neuronal precursor GBCs and olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). We used retroviral-vector transduction to over-express Pax6 and Sox2 individually and together during post-lesion recovery to determine how they regulate neuronal differentiation. Both Pax6 and Sox2, separately and together, can suppress the production of OSNs, as fewer clones contain neurons than with empty vector (EV), although this effect is not absolute. In this regard, Pax6 has the strongest effect when acting alone. In clones where neurons form, Pax6 reduces neuron numbers by comparison with EV, while Sox2 expands their numbers. Co-transduction with Pax6 and Sox2 produces an intermediate result. The increased production of OSNs driven by Sox2 is due to the expansion of neuronal progenitors, since proliferation and the numbers of Ascl1, Neurog1, and NeuroD1-expressing GBCs are increased. Conversely, Pax6 seems to accelerate neuronal differentiation, since Ascl1 labeling is reduced, while Neurog1- and NeuroD1-labeled GBCs are enriched. As a complement to the over-expression experiments, elimination of Sox2 in spared cells of floxed Sox2 mice, by retroviral Cre or by K5-driven CreERT2, reduces the production of OSNs and non-neuronal cells during OE regeneration. These data suggest that Pax6 and Sox2 have counteracting roles in regulating neurogenesis, in which Pax6 accelerates neuronal production, while Sox2 retards it and expands the pool of neuronal progenitors.
Fin de Siècle Feydeau: Early Brilliance

Feydeau’s two brilliant successes of 1892 typify what might be called his major manners: Monsieur chasse, written alone, has a small cast (7 men and 3 women) while Champignol, written with Maurice Desvallieres, has a large one (22 men and 4 women). For all its relative simplicity, Monsieur chasse displays all the complexities of situation that an author’s fertile imagination might devise with the number of pieces on the board. Champignol, of course, offers many more possibilities of complication and misunderstanding because of the greatly increased number of characters.
Menstrual Cycle: An Integrative View

The elucidation of the hormonal dynamics of the human menstrual cycle is one of the most important advances in reproductive endocrinology and infertility over the past century. Further advances in genetic and molecular methods promise an even more sophisticated understanding of the interactions within this cycle.
Constant‐ductility response spectra for sequential earthquake and tsunami loading

Summary Simplified approaches for examining structural system response under sequential earthquake and tsunami loading are helpful for understanding response trends. To aid understanding, nonlinear (constant-ductility) response spectra are developed for elastoplastic single degree of freedom systems subjected to seismic loads followed by hydrodynamic tsunami loads. The forcing function is composed of long-duration earthquake motion concatenated with a range of tsunami hydrodynamic forces that are proportional to the pseudo-spectral acceleration produced by the earthquake motion. The constant-ductility spectra are thus constructed for scenarios where the loading imposed by one hazard is not dominant over the other. The spectra and basic intensity measures indicate that the amplification of response for sequential earthquake and tsunami loading over the earthquake only case is most significant for systems with long natural periods and high-ductility capacity under seismic loading. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Islam in the 21st century: Can the Islamic belief system and the ethics of social work be reconciled?

ABSTRACTNational tragedies such as the September 11th attacks (also known as “911”), the San Bernardino attack on December 2, 2014 and the Orlando murders at Pulse nightclub on June 13, 2016, which were all committed by sympathizers of Islamic terrorist groups, have fueled anti-Muslim sentiment and have led to a spike in hate attacks on Muslims (Siemaszko, 2015). Sadly, these acts of terrorism have created a climate of Islamophobia, or “an exaggerated fear, hatred, and hostility toward Islam and Muslims that is perpetuated by negative stereotypes resulting in bias, discrimination, and the marginalization and exclusion of Muslims from social, political, and civic life” (Gallup, 2015). Since the results of a 2015 Gallup report found 43% of Americans have some degree of prejudice toward Muslims, this manuscript will address the following question: “Can the Islamic belief system and the ethics of social work be reconciled?” To respond to the primary research question, we will address the following three quest...
Simulated upland placement of estuarine dredged materials

Abstract Placement of estuarine dredged materials on the land surface can result in severe environmental issues if acid sulfate conditions develop. In this study, upland placement of marine dredged material was simulated using a mesocosm experiment. Dredged materials were sampled from eight low energy and high energy subaqueous soil-landscape units of four estuaries in Rhode Island. Soils were mapped in the low energy landscape units (i.e. coves and bottoms) as Sulfiwassents and in the high energy units (i.e. deltas and fans) as Psammowassents. Dredged materials were characterized for various physical and chemical properties, placed into mesocosms, and exposed to natural climatic conditions outside. In addition, high energy and low energy materials were mixed at ratios of 20:1, 10:1, 5:1, and 2.5:1 and placed in mesocosms. Mesocosm leachate was collected and analyzed for pH, conductivity, and sulfate content for over 2 years (one year for the mixed mesocosms). Dredged materials ranged from sand to silt loam textures with the Sulfiwassents having finer textures and higher levels of carbon and calcium carbonates. Inorganic sulfide concentrations ranged from 56 to 3410 μg g− 1, with an average of 228 μg g− 1 for the Psammowassents and 2319 μg g− 1 for Sulfiwassents. Concentrations of Zn in the Sulfiwassent materials decreased by more than half after 2-years suggesting leaching of Zn during oxidation of the dredged materials. Leachate from low energy Sulfiwassents showed a large drop in pH (pH ≤ 4.0) associated with sulfide oxidation and creation of acid sulfate conditions, while leachate from coarser textured Psammowassents increased in pH to > 8.0, presumably from the formation of salts. These conditions generally persisted for the duration of the experiment. Salts washed out of the dredged material fairly quickly such that leachate conductivities reached
The inner and outer approaches to the design of recursive neural architectures

Feedforward neural network architectures work well for numerical data of fixed size, such as images. For variable size, structured data, such as sequences, d dimensional grids, trees, and other graphs, recursive architectures must be used. We distinguish two general approaches for the design of recursive architectures in deep learning, the inner and the outer approach. The inner approach uses neural networks recursively inside the data graphs, essentially to “crawl” the edges of the graphs in order to compute the final output. It requires acyclic orientations of the underlying graphs. The outer approach uses neural networks recursively outside the data graphs and regardless of their orientation. These neural networks operate orthogonally to the data graph and progressively “fold” or aggregate the input structure to produce the final output. The distinction is illustrated using several examples from the fields of natural language processing, chemoinformatics, and bioinformatics, and applied to the problem of learning from variable-size sets.
Fast and accurate computation of projected two-point functions

We present the 2-point function from Fast and Accurate Spherical Bessel Transformation (2-FAST) algorithm for a fast and accurate computation of integrals involving one or two spherical Bessel functions. These types of integrals occur when projecting the galaxy power spectrum $P(k)$ onto the configuration space, $\xi_\ell^\nu(r)$, or spherical harmonic space, $C_\ell(\chi,\chi')$. First, we employ the FFTlog transformation of the power spectrum to divide the calculation into $P(k)$-dependent coefficients and $P(k)$-independent integrations of basis functions multiplied by spherical Bessel functions. We find analytical expressions for the latter integrals in terms of special functions, for which recursion provides a fast and accurate evaluation. The algorithm, therefore, circumvents direct integration of highly oscillating spherical Bessel functions.
Christians under covers: evangelicals and sexual pleasure on the Internet

This briskly written and carefully disciplined book explores the semipublic world of the Internet in order to understand Christian sexuality. Or is this a book that explores sexuality in order to u...
Nam June Paik's Etude 1 and the Indeterminate origins of Digital Media Art

This essay describes the discovery and significance of Etude 1 (1967), a previously unknown work by media artist Nam June Paik. Composed at Bell Labs and written in an early version of the computer...
Treatment of Hepatitis C After Liver Transplantation

The goal of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment in liver transplant (LT) recipients is to prevent graft loss and liver-related complications. Currently, the primary approach to the management of transplant recipients with HCV has been to treat after transplantation (Table 4.1). Antiviral therapy can be undertaken early, within the first 6 months post-LT, when recurrent viremia is documented, but prior to the presence of histologic criteria for treatment. This is often termed preemptive therapy. More commonly, treatment with antiviral therapy is reserved for those with recurrent and progressive histologic disease. Experts recommend treatment for patients with moderate to severe necroinflammatory activity or mild to moderate fibrosis (F2 or greater). Peginterferon and ribavirin has been the mainstay of posttransplant therapy for the past 15 years. With the recent approval of the first direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs—NS3/4A protease inhibitors—the standard of care for patients with genotype 1 HCV infection has changed to a triple drug regimen of peg-IFN, RBV, and either telaprevir or boceprevir. Since the majority of transplant recipients with HCV are infected with HCV genotype 1, this offers a significant opportunity to improve outcomes in these patients. Although, triple therapy is not approved for use in transplant recipients, off-label use is occurring due to significant need for more efficacious therapies in patients with progressive or severe recurrent disease. However, significant challenges including a higher risk of adverse events and more drug–drug interactions have been identified in early reports. In the future, DAA drugs with improved tolerability and less drug–drug interactions may allow greater ease of use, better tolerability, and higher rates of viral clearance.
A Beginning Rural Principal's Toolkit: A Guide for Success.

The purpose of this article is to explore both the challenges and skills needed to effectively assume a leadership position and thus to create an entry plan or ‘toolkit’ for a new rural school leader. The entry plan acts as a guide beginning principals may use to navigate the unavoidable confusion that comes with leadership. It also assists aspiring new leaders to think through, and vicariously experience, the challenges they may face in a leadership role. If focuses on three specific areas most relevant to rural principals: Dealing with professional isolation and loneliness, getting to know and thriving in a rural community, and basic management skills for the lone administrator. It provides a series of tools that beginning principals may find useful as they embark on a leadership journey in a rural setting and also identifies the specific skills various stakeholder groups perceive as most important for rural school leaders.
CONNEXINS, TISSUE EXPRESSION

Connexins are transmembrane proteins that form gap junction channels. Gap junctions interconnect cells to allow the diffusion of signaling molecules and metabolites between cells. Cells in the respiratory system exhibit unique patterns of connexin expression which determine whether they are interconnected with neighboring cells and the types of signals transmitted between them. Connexin expression in the lung is altered in response to injury as a compensatory mechanism to alter the extent of cell–cell coupling. Gap junctional communication between type II and type I cells plays a critical role in integrating the alveolus to enable type I cells to act as mechanical sensors to regulate pulmonary surfactant secretion by type II cells. By regulating intercellular signaling, controlling the flow of metabolites, and restricting the flow of toxic agents, connexins enable the cells of the lung to act as an integrated system.
Animal Models of Human Viral Diseases

Abstract As the threat of exposure to emerging and reemerging viruses within a naive population increases, it is vital that the basic mechanisms of pathogenesis and immune response be thoroughly investigated. Recent outbreaks of Middle East respiratory syndrome corona virus, Ebola virus, Chikungunya virus, and Zika virus illustrate the emerging threats that are encountered. By utilizing animal models in this endeavor, the host response to viruses can be studied in a more complex and integrated context to identify novel drug targets, and assess the efficacy and safety of new products rapidly. This is especially true in the advent and implementation of the FDA animal rule. Although no one animal model is able to recapitulate all aspects of human disease, understanding the current limitations allows for a more targeted experimental design. Important facets to consider prior to an animal study are route of viral exposure, species of animal, biomarkers of disease, and a humane endpoint. This chapter covers the current animal models for medically important human viruses, and demonstrates where the gaps in knowledge exist.
Uncertainty, Humility and Adaptation to the Tropical Forest: The Agricultural Augury of the Kantu

The most problematic characteristic of the tropical forest for many swidden cultivators is the uncertainty of rainfall, pest invasions, etc. Field research in West Kalimantan suggests that this uncertainty is best dealt with not by analysis and prediction but by emulation through diversification. The Kantu' diversify, and avoid the temptation of prediction, by timing and locating their swiddens according to random bird omens. This institutional humility in the face of tropical forest complexity contrasts with the development agencies' assumption of omnipotence, suggesting new ways of thinking about tropical forest development and conservation.
A Consensus Problem in Mean Field Setting with Noisy Measurements of Target

We consider a class a stochastic nonzero-sum games of the mean-field (MF) type where a generic player's loss function is a convex combination of two quadratic terms: The deviation of the player's action variable from a random variable (target) which the player observes in additive noise, and deviation of the action variable from the average of the actions of all the players. Statistics of all the random variables are Gaussian. For this model, we obtain analytic expressions for Nash and MF equilibria, establish uniqueness of both as well as a direct correspondence between the two, obtain precise values of the coefficient of the leading term in the approximation to the Nash equilibrium of the finite-player game as provided by the solution of the MF game, and derive the unique distribution for the MF term which turns out not to be deterministic. We also apply the results to a price model of oligopoly with a large number of firms (players).
Management of Intra-Aortic Balloon Rupture and Entrapment.

Abstract An 89-year-old man with peripheral vascular disease was admitted for aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting. Intraoperatively he was managed with an intraaortic balloon pump for circulatory support. Several hours postoperatively the balloon ruptured and became entrapped. Attempted removal of the balloon was complicated by retention of the tip. In this case report, we review balloon pump rupture and entrapment, discussing the recognition and management of this rare but life threatening complication.
Raising the Bar: Maximizing Engaged Student Learning Using the American Mock Trial Association Case State of Midlands v. Dylan Hendricks

AbstractThis short review demonstrates how the use of American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) case materials, both throughout intercollegiate competitions and in academic courses, can engage and invigorate students while teaching them crucial skills in a way that few other programs or activities can do. The AMTA case provided for the 2017–2018 academic year, State of Midlands v. Dylan Hendricks, offers a comprehensive introduction to the rules of evidence and crucial criminal law concepts while teaching students the importance of thorough preparation in a way that is difficult to do in a classroom setting. This case requires student attorneys to make difficult choices while preparing their case, witnesses, and evidence for trial. Arriving at an optimum strategy (or strategies) can only occur after critical and reasoned examination of each side of an often complex problem, thereby providing an excellent opportunity for students to use critical thinking skills and to analyze all sides of an issue and all pot...
A new family of partial difference sets in 3-groups

In this paper we construct several infinite families of partial difference sets of both the Latin and negative Latin square type. Among these constructions is a new family having parameters $$(3^{2t},r(3^t+1),-n+r^2+3r,r^2+r)$$ , where $$r=3^{t-1}+1$$ (new for $$t \ge 4$$ ). For the cases where $$r = 3^{t-1}-1$$ and $$3^{t-1}$$ , the constructions generalize previous results to a larger collection of abelian groups.
Designing seryl-tRNA synthetase for improved serylation of selenocysteine tRNAs

Selenocysteine (Sec) lacks a cognate aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. Instead, seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS) produces Ser-tRNASec , which is subsequently converted by selenocysteine synthase to Sec-tRNASec . Escherichia coli SerRS serylates tRNASec poorly; this may hinder efficient production of designer selenoproteins in vivo. Guided by structural modelling and selection for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase activity, we evolved three SerRS variants capable of improved Ser-tRNASec synthesis. They display 10-, 8-, and 4-fold increased kcat /KM values compared to wild-type SerRS using synthetic tRNASec species as substrates. The enzyme variants also facilitate in vivo read-through of a UAG codon in the position of the critical serine146 of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. These results indicate that the naturally evolved SerRS is capable of further evolution for increased recognition of a specific tRNA isoacceptor.
Superior Silver Sorbents for Removing 2-Vinyl Thiophene from Styrene by π-Complexation

Styrene made from raw pyrolysis gasoline contains sulfur impurities such as 2-vinyl thiophene. We prepared three sorbents, namely, AgY, AgNO3/γ-Al2O3, and AgNO3/SiO2, to remove 2-vinyl thiophene from styrene. All three sorbents showed good desulfurization performance while AgY had the highest sulfur capacity. This was due to π-complexation, where the silver cations in AgY can bond 2-vinyl thiophene more strongly than styrene. The desulfurization capacity of AgNO3/γ-Al2O3 was better than that of AgNO3/SiO2 when taking its lower silver loading and surface area into consideration. Moreover, prewetting the sorbents was critical for desulfurization but can cause polymerization. Comparison between desulfurization of gasoline and styrene, using AgY, shows its superior sulfur adsorption capacity for desulfurization of styrene. A possible mechanism on the preferential adsorption for 2-vinyl thiophene over styrene by Ag+ is given via the comparison between thiophene and benzene.
Array of Linear and Nonlinear Electrostatic Energy Harvesters for Broadband Energy Harvesting

An array of four out-of-plane, gap-closing, electret-based electrostatic energy harvesters capable to harvest over a wide frequency range is designed. The novel design consists of energy harvesters with linear springs, softening springs, hardening springs and mechanical stoppers. This unique method of designing array with combination of linear and nonlinear generators allows the system to harvest significant amount of power even with shift in vibration frequency. A dynamic model of the system is derived and optimized using MATLAB. The optimized system is built using Coventorware / MEMS+®. A maximum power of 75 nW is obtained over a frequency range of 450-760 Hz. The design also takes 75% less volume compared to an array of linear energy harvesters to generate over the same frequency range.
Beneath the Surface of the Sexual Harassment Label: A Mixed Methods Study of Young Working Women

The now extensive literature on workplace sexual harassment provides compelling evidence for the persistence and pervasiveness of the phenomenon, with about half of all U.S. women experiencing harassment at some point in their working lives (Fitzgerald and Cortina 2018). One thought-provoking and counterintuitive finding from this literature is that relatively few of these women use the label “sexual harassment” in understanding their experiences (Magley et al. 1999; McLaughlin et al. 2012). The study described here explores definitional and motivational explanations for this low level of self-labeling, using data from questionnaires and in-depth interviews of 22 self-labeling and 20 non-labeling U.S. female college students who were victims of employment-based sexual harassment. Participants’ responses provided insight into normative beliefs about what constitutes harassment and the circumstances under which it occurs, and they suggest that the correspondence between experiences and normative definitions of harassment affects whether women self-label. However, the results also suggest that some women think of their experiences as something other than harassment in order to avoid negative consequences, such as damage to their self-identity as well as blame and derision from others.
Body and mind: two sides of one coin

Psychosomatics is concerned with mentalization and the mind’s impact on the body’s functions. Choosing the reverse approach, how the body steers the mind, the author elaborates on a monistic mind-b...
Queer socialization: A case study of lesbian, gay, and queer (LGQ) parent families

This paper uses case study data from 4 lesbian, gay, and queer (LGQ) parent families with children between the ages of 14–18 years old to describe queer socialization, or the process of by which ch...
Vero Cells as a Mammalian Cell Substrate for Human Norovirus

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a principal cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Its global prevalence is underscored by more serious morbidity and some mortality in the young (<5 years) and the elderly. To date, there are no licensed vaccines or approved therapeutics for HuNoV, mostly because there are limited cell culture systems and small animal models available. Recently described cell culture systems are not ideal substrates for HuNoV vaccine development because they are not clonal or only support a single strain. In this study, we show Vero cell-based replication of two pandemic GII.4 HuNoV strains and one GII.3 strain and confirm exosome-mediated HuNoV infection in Vero cells. Lastly, we show that trypsin addition to virus cultures or disruption of Vero cell host genes can modestly increase HuNoV replication. These data provide support for Vero cells as a cell culture model for HuNoV.
Mixing and Accretion in lambda Bootis Stars

Strong evidence for deep mixing has been uncovered for slowly rotating F, and A stars of the main sequence. As the accretion/diffusion model for the formation of lboo stars is heavily dependent on mixing in superficial regions, such deep mixing may have important repercussions on our understanding of these stars. It is shown that deep mixing at a level similar to that of FmAm stars increases the amount of matter that needs to be accreted by the stars with respect with the standard models by some three orders of magnitude. It is also shown that significantly larger accretion rates have to be maintained, as high as $10^{-11}$~M$_\sun yr^{-1}$, to prevent meridional circulation from canceling the effect of accretion. The existence of old ($\approx 1$~Gyr) is not a likely outcome of the present models for accretion/diffusion with or without deep mixing. It is argued that lboo stars are potentially very good diagnostics of mixing mechanisms in moderately fast rotators.
Cross-border venture capital investments in Asia: Selection and exit performance

Abstract We investigate the investment behavior and exit performance of VCs that have pursued expansion outside their home locations, specifically, in Asia. Our findings indicate that, in the Asian VC markets, foreign VCs have relative advantages over local VCs in terms of size and experience while they are at a disadvantage in information collection and monitoring due to both geographic and cultural distances. When investing alone, foreign VCs are more likely to invest in more information-transparent ventures. Partnership with local VCs helps alleviate information asymmetry and monitoring problem and has positive implication for the exit performance of local entrepreneurial firms. Specifically, we find that after controlling for the endogeneity of selection, firms with both foreign and local VC partnership are about 5% more likely to successfully exit.
Implicit adversarial data augmentation and robustness with Noise-based Learning

Abstract We introduce a Noise-based Learning (NoL) approach for training neural networks that are intrinsically robust to adversarial attacks. We find that the learning of random noise introduced with the input with the same loss function used during posterior maximization, improves a model’s adversarial resistance. We show that the learnt noise performs implicit adversarial data augmentation boosting a model’s adversary generalization capability. We evaluate our approach’s efficacy and provide a simplistic visualization tool for understanding adversarial data, using Principal Component Analysis. We conduct comprehensive experiments on prevailing benchmarks such as MNIST, CIFAR10, CIFAR100, Tiny ImageNet and show that our approach performs remarkably well against a wide range of attacks. Furthermore, combining NoL with state-of-the-art defense mechanisms, such as adversarial training, consistently outperforms prior techniques in both white-box and black-box attacks.
Modeling the Effects of HIV and Aging on Resting-State Networks using Machine Learning.

BACKGROUND The relationship between HIV infection, the functional organization of the brain, cognitive impairment, and aging remains poorly understood. Understanding disease progression over the life span is vital for the care of people living with HIV (PLWH). SETTING Virologically suppressed PLWH (n = 297) on combination antiretroviral therapy and 1509 HIV-uninfected healthy controls were evaluated. PLWH were further classified as cognitively normal (CN) or cognitively impaired (CI) based on neuropsychological testing. METHODS Feature selection identified resting-state networks (RSNs) that predicted HIV status and cognitive status within specific age bins (younger than 35 years, 35-55 years, and older than 55 years). Deep learning models generated voxelwise maps of RSNs to identify regional differences. RESULTS Salience (SAL) and parietal memory networks (PMNs) differentiated individuals by HIV status. When comparing controls with PLWH CN, the PMN and SAL had the strongest predictive strength across all ages. When comparing controls with PLWH CI, the SAL, PMN, and frontal parietal network (FPN) were the best predictors. When comparing PLWH CN with PLWH CI, the SAL, FPN, basal ganglia, and ventral attention were the strongest predictors. Only minor variability in predictive strength was observed with aging. Anatomically, differences in RSN topology occurred primarily in the dorsal and rostral lateral prefrontal cortex, cingulate, and caudate. CONCLUSION Machine learning identified RSNs that classified individuals by HIV status and cognitive status. The PMN and SAL were sensitive for discriminating HIV status, with involvement of FPN occurring with cognitive impairment. Minor differences in RSN predictive strength were observed by age. These results suggest that specific RSNs are affected by HIV, aging, and HIV-associated cognitive impairment.
How Much Is Financial Advice Worth? The Transparency-Revenue Tension in Social Trading

In social trading, less experienced investors (followers) are allowed to copy the trades of experts (traders) in real time after paying a fee. Such a copy-trading mechanism often runs into a transp...
Augmented Reality (AR) in Orthopedics: Current Applications and Future Directions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Imaging technologies (X-ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound) have revolutionized orthopedic surgery, allowing for the more efficient diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of musculoskeletal aliments. The current review investigates recent literature surrounding the impact of augmented reality (AR) imaging technologies on orthopedic surgery. In particular, it investigates the impact that AR technologies may have on provider cognitive burden, operative times, occupational radiation exposure, and surgical precision and outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Many AR technologies have been shown to lower provider cognitive burden and reduce operative time and radiation exposure while improving surgical precision in pre-clinical cadaveric and sawbones models. So far, only a few platforms focusing on pedicle screw placement have been approved by the FDA. These technologies have been implemented clinically with mixed results when compared to traditional free-hand approaches. It remains to be seen if current AR technologies can deliver upon their multitude of promises, and the ability to do so seems contingent upon continued technological progress. Additionally, the impact of these platforms will likely be highly conditional on clinical indication and provider type. It remains unclear if AR will be broadly accepted and utilized or if it will be reserved for niche indications where it adds significant value. One thing is clear, orthopedics' high utilization of pre- and intra-operative imaging, combined with the relative ease of tracking rigid structures like bone as compared to soft tissues, has made it the clear beachhead market for AR technologies in medicine.
Is CIETAC Breaking Apart? An Analysis of the Split in the CIETAC System

In 2012, a serious internal dispute happened in the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission [hereinafter CIETAC] system that received remarkable attention in the international arbitration arena. The dispute was triggered by the new CIETAC Arbitration Rules which came into force on May 1, 2012. The origin of the dispute is rooted in the structure of the CIETAC system, specifically the over-autonomy of the sub-commissions of CIETAC. This dispute has already produced a profound influence on the CIETAC system and the development of arbitration in Mainland China. This article provides one of the first in-depth, English-language discussions of the development of this dispute. The author analyzes the origins and the essence of the dispute, introduces its development and the latest news, and addresses the dispute’s implications for international arbitral practice. Last but not least, this article offers some suggestions for how the dispute should be resolved.
Automated foveola localization in retinal 3D-OCT images using structural support vector machine prediction

We develop an automated method to determine the foveola location in macular 3D-OCT images in either healthy or pathological conditions. Structural Support Vector Machine (S-SVM) is trained to directly predict the location of the foveola, such that the score at the ground truth position is higher than that at any other position by a margin scaling with the associated localization loss. This S-SVM formulation directly minimizes the empirical risk of localization error, and makes efficient use of all available training data. It deals with the localization problem in a more principled way compared to the conventional binary classifier learning that uses zero-one loss and random sampling of negative examples. A total of 170 scans were collected for the experiment. Our method localized 95.1% of testing scans within the anatomical area of the foveola. Our experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively identify the location of the foveola, facilitating diagnosis around this important landmark.
Advances in Food Science and Technology, Volume 1. Edited by Visakh P. M., Sabu Thomas, Laura B. Iturriaga, and Pablo Daniel Ribotta

The editors provide a wide-ranging review that imparts an historical prospective to contemporary innovative food science research and development efforts and challenges. In the Preface, the authors...
Long-Term Deprivation of Substance P in PPT-A Mutant Mice Alters the Anoxic Response of the Isolated Respiratory Network

The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of the neuromodulator substance P and its related tachykinin neurokinin A (NKA) in the homeostasis of respiratory activity. Respiratory activities, i...
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Fecal Coliform and Escherichia coli Associated with Suspended Solids and Water within Five Northern California Estuaries

Fecal coliform and associated with suspended solids (SS) and water in five northern California estuaries were studied to document process influences and water quality monitoring biases affecting indicator bacteria concentrations. We collected and analyzed 2371 samples during 10 sampling events for the five studied estuaries. Concentrations during wet-season stormflow conditions were greater than during wet-season base flow and dry-season base flow conditions. Results also document concentration gradients across the length of the studied estuaries and with depth of sample collection. Highest concentrations were associated with shallow samples collected furthest inland. Corresponding decreases occurred the deeper and closer to the estuary mouth a sample was collected. Results also identify direct relationships of wind speed and discharge velocity and indirect relationship of tide stage to indicator bacteria concentrations. Bacteria associated with suspended solids (SS), after conversion to the same units of measurement (mass), were three orders of magnitude greater than in the water fraction. However, the mean proportion contributed by SS to composite water sample concentrations was 8% (SE 0.3) for fecal coliform and 7% (SE 0.3) for . Bacteria from the SS proportion is related to seasonality, tide stage, and discharge velocity that are consistent with mechanisms for entrainment, transport of SS, and reduced particle settling. These results are important for both managing and monitoring these systems by improving sample spatial and temporal context and corresponding bacteria concentration values across the freshwater-saltwater interface.
Connectivity-preserving parallel operators in 2D and 3D images

Connectivity preservation is a concern in the design of parallel reduction processes for 2D and 3D image processing algorithms. Algorithm designers need efficient and available connectivity preservation tasks to prove algorithm correctness. Although efficient 2D tests are known, efficient 3D tests still need to be developed. We review earlier results for 2D connectivity preservation tests and demonstrate several 'design spaces' for classes of parallel reduction operators including subiteration and subfields approaches. We then extend certain 'path based' tests from the 2D to the 3D case and show efficient realizations for all but one test for fully parallel reduction operators. Very efficient tests are determined for 3D subfields reduction operators.
Cloning, Expression, Purification, and Characterization of the Human Broad Specificity Lysosomal Acid α-Mannosidase *

We have cloned and expressed two cDNAs encoding the human lysosomal alpha-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.24) by RT-PCR of human spleen mRNA. This enzyme is required for the degradation of N-linked carbohydrates during glycoprotein catabolism in eucaryotic cells. The shorter of the two cDNAs (3 kilobases (kb)) was found to encode an open reading frame of 2964 base pairs and, when expressed in Pichia pastoris, was found to encode an enzyme that could cleave high mannose oligosaccharides, oligosaccharides isolated from alpha-mannosidosis fibroblasts, and p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside substrates. In addition, the Pichia-expressed enzyme was inhibited by swainsonine, and had a pH optimum, Km, and Vmax characteristic of the enzyme purified previously from human liver. The second, larger RT-PCR product (3.6 kb) was found to contain an insertion and a deletion relative to the 3-kb spleen amplimer and encoded a truncated coding region, indicating that it resulted from alternate transcript splicing. No alpha-mannosidase activity could be detected in Pichia transformants containing this coding region, indicating that it did not encode a functional enzyme. Antiserum raised to the recombinant product of the 3-kb alpha-mannosidase cDNA immunoprecipitated lysosomal alpha-mannosidase activity from human fibroblast extracts. Northern blots identified a 3-kb RNA transcript in all human tissues tested, including alpha-mannosidosis fibroblasts, while minor transcripts of 3.6 kb were also present in several adult tissues. Human chromosome mapping of the mannosidase gene confirmed that the functional gene maps to the MANB locus on chromosome 19. Sequence comparisons were made to previously published human cDNA sequences encoding a putative lysosomal alpha-mannosidase (Nebes, V. L., and Schmidt, M. C. (1994) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 200, 239-245) and several differences were found relative to the functional lysosomal alpha-mannosidase encoded by the 3-kb spleen cDNA.
Kinetics of adsorption and proteolytic cleavage of a multilayer ovalbumin film by subtilisin Carlsberg.

Adsorption and proteolytic activity of the enzyme subtilisin Carlsberg have been studied on an immobilized, multilayer ovalbumin film. The cross-linked multilayer substrate permits protease adsorption to be examined unencumbered by the surface inhomogeneity typically observed in monolayer studies of protease surface kinetics. Decline of the protein film was measured over time using ellipsometry. Resulting kinetic data as a function of aqueous enzyme concentration and temperature were well fit by a Langmuir−Michaelis−Menten model for surface proteolysis. We observed that both the protein degradation kinetics and the in situ adsorption data were well described by the proposed model. The temperature dependence of the kinetic rate parameter yielded an activation energy of 12 kcal/mol. Further, the apparent Langmuir adsorption equilibrium constant of the enzyme at the protein/aqueous interface was 0.11 L/mg at 22 °C, 0.034 L/mg at 36 °C, and 0.011 L/mg at 50 °C. Although enzyme adsorption at a given aqueous en...
Assessment of scaphoid viability with MRI: a reassessment of findings on unenhanced MR images.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the accuracy of unenhanced T1-weighted MR images in predicting the vascular status of the proximal pole of the scaphoid in patients with chronic scaphoid fracture nonunions.MATERIALS AND METHODS. A database search identified 29 patients with chronic scaphoid nonunions who underwent a preoperative MRI examination and intraoperative assessment of scaphoid viability from 2004 to 2009. T1-weighted MR images were evaluated by two musculoskeletal radiologists. If the proximal pole demonstrated diffusely decreased T1-weighted signal (less than or equal to that of skeletal muscle), the patient was placed in a moderate-to-high risk for avascular necrosis (AVN) category. Otherwise, the patient was placed in a viable-to-low risk for AVN category. Scaphoid viability or necrosis was diagnosed intraoperatively depending on whether punctate bleeding was present. After the patients were classified according to the T1-weighted appearance, the appearance on STIR images ...
Natural hazards in the Bavarian Alps: a historical approach to risk assessment

The Bavarian Alps region is strongly affected by various natural hazards, mainly hydrological events (floods, debris flows), geomorphic/geological events (landslides, rock falls), and avalanches. Extraordinary floods, like in 2002 or in the summer of 2005 in south Bavaria, have again posed the question of the possible extent and frequency of recurrence of catastrophic events. To put risk assessment on a broader basis historical data about all kinds of past natural hazards were detected in the archives of local authorities and administrative offices for water management. More than 10,000 sources (written accounts, maps, and photographs) were collated in a database. The majority of this information reaches back to the middle of the 19th century. In addition, many documents referring to events dating back even as far as the middle age were found. The Historische Analyse von NaturGefahren (HANG, historical analysis of natural hazards) project at the University of Eichstaett mainly focuses on a small-scale examination of the data. Initial results of the data analysis show that most catastrophic events in the Bavarian Alps only affect parts of the area, but not the whole region. Therefore it is necessary to assess the risk potential on a local scale like valleys, the catchment areas of mountain streams, or even single streams. Firstly the presented data is aimed to help engineers in future planning of hazard-protection measures. Secondly the information can form a vital component to enhance our knowledge of hydrological and geomorphic/geological dynamics in the Alps.
Activity Screening of Carrier Domains within Nonribosomal Peptide Synthetases Using Complex Substrate Mixtures and Large Molecule Mass Spectrometry

For screening a pool of potential substrates that load carrier domains found in nonribosomal peptide synthetases, large molecule mass spectrometry is shown to be a new, unbiased assay. Combining the high resolving power of Fourier transform mass spectrometry with the ability of adenylation domains to select their own substrates, the mass change that takes place upon formation of a covalent intermediate thus identifies the substrate. This assay has an advantage over traditional radiochemical assays in that many substrates, the substrate pool, can be screened simultaneously. Using proteins on the nikkomycin, clorobiocin, coumermycin A1, yersiniabactin, pyochelin, and enterobactin biosynthetic pathways as proof of principle, preferred substrates are readily identified from substrate pools. Furthermore, this assay can be used to provide insight into the timing of tailoring events of biosynthetic pathways as demonstrated using the bromination reaction found on the jamaicamide biosynthetic pathway. Finally, thi...
Agonist-induced expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases and metalloproteinases by human macrophages is regulated by endogenous prostaglandin E2 synthesis.

The regulatory effect of endogenously synthesized eicosanoid metabolites on the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP), interstitial collagenase, and 92-kDa gelatinase by human macrophages was examined. TIMP and metalloproteinase production were stimulated with three agonists that produce distinct patterns of eicosanoid synthesis: lipopolysaccharide (10 μg/ml), denatured collagen (10 μg/ml), or zymosan (1 μg/ml). Indomethacin (3 μg/ml) or MK886 (3 μM), a specific inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, was used to examine the role of endogenous metabolites of arachidonic acid. Regardless of the agonist used, TIMP production by macro-phages was inhibited 65% by indomethacin, synthesis of interstitial collagenase was reduced 70%, and expression of 92-kDa gelatinase was decreased 40%. In contrast, inhibition of leukotriene synthesis had no effect on metalloproteinase or TIMP production. The agonist-stimulated increase in TIMP and collagenase production was directly correlated to the cumulative prostaglandin E 2 level induced by the agonist used. However, if response to an agonist was poor, the exogenous addition of prostaglandin E 2 could not increase TIMP or collagenase production more than twofold, indicating an important permissive effect of the agonist on the regulation of each protein's expression. The mechanism of indomethacin inhibition of TIMP and collagenase production was studied by labeling the cells with [ 35 S]-methionine and performing immunoprecipitation using specific antiserum. Indomethacin markedly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced biosynthesis of both TIMP and collagenase. Northern analysis revealed parallel suppression of TIMP and collagenase steady-state mRNA levels by indomethacin, indicating pretranslational control. The regulation of inflammatory-cell TIMP and interstitial collagenase expression by prostaglandin E 2 suggests that therapy inhibiting the cellular response to prostaglandins may be useful in cutaneous and systemic disease states involving macrophage-mediated connective-tissue destruction.
Chemical analysis of filtrate and condensate from wet-carbonized peat by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Abstract Peat in its naturally occurring state contains as much as 90 wt.% water. To use peat as a source of energy, the bulk of water must be removed by the wet-carbonization process. In this process, wet peat is heated under pressure (500 psi) at a temperature of 400°F for 40 min of residence time. Wet carbonization of peat also removes a fraction of the oxygen from the peat by decarboxylation and dehydration reactions. During wet carbonization, considerable filtrate and condensate is produced, which contained phenols, aromatic acids, n-fatty acids, alkanes, ketones, aldehydes, bicyclic alkanes, etc. Many of these identified compounds have not been previously reported in peat studies.