cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Die Unterschiede zwischen kosmischer und organischer Evolution

Der Biologe ist derart daran gewohnt, an organische Evolution zu denken, sobald er das Wort Evolution hort, das er immer ein wenig verwundert ist, wenn er den Ausdruck Evolution auf andere Phanomene angewendet findet, beispielsweise auf die kosmische Evolution. Und doch sprechen Astronomen und Astrophysiker wie Shapley (1960) ohne Zogern von kosmischer Evolution. Damit erhebt sich die Frage, ob die Erscheinungen der unbelebten Welt und die des Lebens wirklich so ahnlich sind, das es gerechtfertigt ist, beide mit demselben Namen zu bezeichnen. Diese Frage ist schon oft gestellt worden. Im Jahre 1973 nahm ich an einem Symposium uber Evolution teil (Scharf, 1975), bei dem es hauptsachlich um die Gemeinsamkeiten kosmischer und biologischer Evolution ging. Die Mehrheit der Teilnehmer war der Meinung, in beiden Bereichen seien analoge Prozesse beteiligt. Insbesondere die Physiker konzentrierten sich bei ihren Vergleichen fast vollig auf die Tatsache, das beide Typen von Evolution denselben grundlegenden Naturgesetzen, beispielsweise dem Zweiten Hauptsatz der Thermodynamik, oder der Frage Determinismus kontra Zufall gehorchen.
Control of dense-time Discrete Event Systems using digital-clocks to observe event-occurrence times

We study the supervisory control of dense-time discrete event systems (DESs) where controllers employ finite precision digital-clocks to observe the event occurrence times, relaxing the assumption of the prior works that time can be measured precisely. The passing of time, in our paper, is measured using the number of ticks generated by a digital-clock. We formalize the notion of a control policy that employs observations of events and their occurrence times as measured using a digital-clock for computing the control actions, and show that it can be equivalently represented as a "digitalized"- automaton. We introduce the notion of observability with respect to the partial observation of time resulting from the use of a digital-clock, and show that this together with controllability (for timed setting) serves as a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a supervisor to enforce a real-time specification on a dense-time DES. The observability condition presented in the paper is quite different from the one arising due to a partial observation of events for the reason that a partial observation of time is in general nondeterministic.
Software and algorithms for sensitivity analysis of large-scale differential algebraic systems

Sensitivity analysis for DAE systems is important in many engineering and scientific applications. The information contained in the sensitivity trajectories is useful for parameter estimation, optimization, model reduction and experimental design. In this paper we present algorithms and software for sensitivity analysis of large-scale DAE systems of index up to two. The new software provides for consistent initialization of the solutions and the sensitivities, interfaces seamlessly with automatic differentiation for the accurate evaluation of the sensitivity equations, and is capable via MPI of exploiting the natural parallelism of sensitivity analysis as well as providing an efficient solution in sequential computations.
Utilidad de la PET/TC en el manejo del cáncer de vulva

a b s t r a c t Objective: To describe the clinical impact of PET/CT in the management of patients with vulvar cancer. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of 13 PET/CT studies with
The anthropometric definition of the rectum is highly variable

The precise definition of the rectum is essential for localizing colorectal pathology, yet current definitions are nebulous. The objective of this study is to determine the anthropometric definition of common pelvic landmarks in relation to patient characteristics. Seventy-one patients underwent open proctectomy with intra-operative measurements from the anal verge to various pelvic landmarks, and patient characteristics were evaluated. Analyses were performed using Spearman correlation and Wilcoxon rank sum. The mean landmark distance was dentate line = 1.7 cm (range 0.8–4.0 cm), puborectalis muscle = 4.2 cm (range 2.0–8.0 cm), anterior peritoneal reflection = 13.2 cm (range 8.5–21.0 cm), sacral promontory = 17.9 cm (range 13.0–26.0 cm), and confluence of the taenia = 25.5 cm (range 16.0–44.0 cm). Men had longer mean distances to the dentate line (p = 0.0003), puborectalis muscle (p = 0.03), and anterior peritoneal reflection (p = 0.02). Patient weight significantly correlated with distance to all landmarks except for the confluence of the taenia, which did not correlate with any patient factor. The location of common pelvic landmarks is highly variable. The use of predefined absolute measurements from the anal verge to localize rectal pathology is inaccurate and fails to account for patient variability.
The External Contingencies and Development Processes of Students with Emotional Disabilities.

This paper examines the external contingencies that students with emotional disabilities (ED) experience throughout childhood and adolescence. It presents an in-depth assessment of the impact of external dynamics on the emotional development of students with ED, and considers the school, home, and community support systems. The paper assesses school implementation and the ability to influence the regulation process, along with a review of strategy that assists schools and parents in assessing interventions.
Robust software-defined optical networking for the power grid

The operation of smart power grids will depend on a reliable and flexible communication infrastructure for monitoring and control. Software defined networking (SDN) is emerging as a promising control platform, facilitating network programmability and bandwidth flexibility. We study SDN optical transmission reliability for smart grid applications. We identify the collaboration of the control plane and the data plane in software-defined optical transmission systems as a cyber-physical interdependency where the ‘physical’ fiber network provides the ‘cyber’ control network with means to distribute control and signaling messages and in turn is itself operated by these ‘cyber’ control messages. We examine the robustness of such an interdependent communication system and quantify the advantages of optical layer reconfigurability.
A Metrological Traceability System for Microflowrate Measurement

Applications of MEMS have prompted the design and manufacture of fluidic devices for sub-microliter fluid flow measurement. The accuracy of flowrate in terms of traceability and repeatability provides key information for successful micro-fluidics applications. To establish a measurement standard for microflow sensors and microflow controller for liquid handling and microfluidic monitoring, a traceable measurement system at Taiwan’s NMI has been sponsoring since 2002. The applied approaches included a gravimetric approach, a virtual piston approach, and a velocity-based approach. The expected flowrate ranges from 10 mL/min down to 10 nL/min, and the measurement uncertainty is evaluated. In this paper, the gravimetric approach and the chip based volumetric approach were demonstrated of their measurement setup and capability.© 2005 ASME
Nation-building in the Baltic states: transforming governance, social welfare, and security in Northern Europe GUNDAR J. KING & DAVID E. MCNABB Boca Raton, CRC Press, 2014. ISBN 978-1-48-225071-8.

A product of more than 20 years of collaborative research, Nation-Building in the Baltic States is one of the newest contributions to the literature on Baltic development. Coauthored by Pacific Lut...
Hearing impairment and its effects on auditory perception-an systematic approach

This review provided a different view of hearing impairment and its effects on auditory perception from system research based on the etiology,histopathology,psychophysics and audiology.
Molecular cloning and expression of a new rat liver cell-CAM105 isoform. Differential phosphorylation of isoforms

An hepatocyte cell-adhesion molecule (cell-CAM105) was recently shown to be identical with the liver plasma-membrane ecto-ATPase. This protein has structural features of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is homologous with carcinoembryonic antigen proteins. We have cloned a cDNA encoding a new form of the cell-CAM105 which is a variant of the previously isolated clone. In addition to having a shorter cytoplasmic domain, the new isoform also has substitutions clustered in the first 130 amino acids of the extracellular domain. Both of these isoforms are expressed on the surface of hepatocytes with the shorter variant being the predominant form. The previously isolated cell-CAM105 (long form) has more potential phosphorylation sites than does the new isoform (short form). Both isoforms are found to be phosphorylated after incubation with [32P]phosphate in vitro, with the long form being phosphorylated to a significantly higher extent. This observed differential phosphorylation could be one of the mechanisms for the regulation of isoform functions. Using antipeptide antibodies specific for the long form and antibodies that are reactive with both isoforms, we have shown that both isoforms are localized in the canalicular domain of hepatocytes. The sequence differences between these two isoforms suggest that they are probably derived from different genes rather than from alternative splicing.
Down-regulation of the G-proteins G(q)α and G11α by transfected human M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in Chinese hamster ovary cells is independent of receptor down-regulation

Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with human M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors show a 40-50% reduction in the immunoreactive G-proteins Gq alpha and G11 alpha when stimulated with the cholinergic agonist carbachol. This effect is seen after 9 h, is maximal after 24 h, and occurs over a range of carbachol concentrations that activate phosphoinositide hydrolysis in these cells. The effect is specific for Gq alpha family proteins as Gs alpha was slightly increased after carbachol treatment and G13 alpha was unchanged. Using a urea gel system, we were able to resolve Gq alpha and G11 alpha, both of which were down-regulated by carbachol. An M3 receptor mutant, with C-terminal threonines changed to alanines as described previously, binds ligand and activates phosphoinositide hydrolysis normally but is not down-regulated in response to carbachol. This receptor, however, induces Gq alpha/G11 alpha down-regulation similarly to wild-type M3 receptors, indicating that G-protein down-regulation is not directly coupled to receptor down-regulation. Thus down-regulation of Gq alpha and G11 alpha may contribute to heterologous desensitization particularly at longer times of agonist exposure.
Reduced In Vitro Displacement of Valproic Acid From Protein Binding by Salicylate in Uremic Sera Compared with Normal Sera: Role of Uremic Compounds

Limited studies indicate increased free fraction of valproic acid in uremia. One study also described displacement of valproic acid from protein binding by salicylate in children with epilepsy. The authors studied in vitro interaction of valproic acid and salicylate in uremic sera and compared their results with same interactions in normal sera. As expected, the concentrations of free valproic acid were always significantly higher in uremic sera compared with normal sera. When uremic sera were supplemented with both valproic acid and salicylate, a much lower displacement of valproic acid by salicylate was observed, compared with the effects observed in normal sera. Treatment of uremic sera with charcoal removed those uremic compounds, and the concentration of free valproic acid in charcoal-treated uremic sera were comparable to the concentrations observed in normal sera. When uremic compounds were extracted from charcoal with methanol, lyophilized, and added to normal serum, an increase in free valproic acid concentration in normal serum was observed, indicating that uremic compounds, rather than altering albumin structure, are responsible for elevated free valproic acid concentration in uremia. However, uremic extract failed to produce any further displacement of valproic acid in normal serum in the presence of salicylate. The authors concluded that uremic compounds are responsible for elevated free valproic acid concentrations, but the displacement of valproic acid by salicylate in uremic sera are less remarkable compared with such effect in normal sera.
Distinct Subthreshold Mechanisms Underlying Rate-Coding Principles in Primate Auditory Cortex

A key computational principle for encoding time-varying signals in auditory and somatosensory cortices of monkeys is the opponent model of rate coding by two distinct populations of neurons. However, the subthreshold mechanisms that give rise to this computation have not been revealed. Because the rate-coding neurons are only observed in awake conditions, it is especially challenging to probe their underlying cellular mechanisms. Using a novel intracellular recording technique that we developed in awake marmosets, we found that the two types of rate-coding neurons in auditory cortex exhibited distinct subthreshold responses. While the positive-monotonic neurons (monotonically increasing firing rate with increasing stimulus repetition frequency) displayed sustained depolarization at high repetition frequency, the negative-monotonic neurons (opposite trend) instead exhibited hyperpolarization at high repetition frequency but sustained depolarization at low repetition frequency. The combination of excitatory and inhibitory subthreshold events allows the cortex to represent time-varying signals through these two opponent neuronal populations.
An Introduction to Africana Philosophy: Introduction: Africana philosophy in context

Africana philosophy is a species of Africana thought, which involves theoretical questions raised by critical engagements with ideas in Africana cultures and their hybrid, mixed, or creolized forms worldwide. Since there was no reason for the people of the African continent to have considered themselves African until that identity was imposed upon them through conquest and colonization in the modern era (the sixteenth century onward), this area of thought also refers to the unique set of questions raised by the emergence of “Africans” and their diaspora here designated by the term “Africana.” Such concerns include the convergence of most Africans with the racial term “black” and its many connotations. Africana philosophy refers to the philosophical dimensions of this area of thought. There is, however, perhaps no greater controversy in philosophy than its definition. As we will see even the claim to its etymological origins in the Greek language is up for debate. This may seem rather odd since the word “philosophy” is a conjunction of the ancient Greek words philia , which means a form of respectful devotion, often defined as “brotherly love,” and sophia , which means “wisdom.” The source of controversy is that it could easily be shown, as scholars such as the Argentinean philosopher, historian, and theologian Enrique Dussel, the Irish political scientist and archaeolinguist Martin Bernal, and the Congolese philosopher, historian, and archaeologist Theophile Obenga have demonstrated, that these words are transformed versions of ancient Phoenician and Hittite words, which in turn are varied and adopted words from the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt.
Thermal perturbation difference spectroscopy of Salmonella flagellin.

Abstract The appropriateness of a two-state model for the previously reported thermal transition of Salmonella flagellin and the reversibility of this process recently has been questioned by others. Spectrophotometric evidence is presented here that reveals two separate thermally-induced structural transitions in flagellin which may resolve apparent controversy. A low temperature transition (I) appears between 28 and 35°C with a midtransition temperature of 30.7°C. With increasing temperature in this transition region a progressive shift to the red of the absorbance band at 284 nm occurs. The latter, probably due to an infolding of tyrosyl residues, is paralleled by a decrease in the rate of polymerization of flagellin. The temperature profile for the spectral behavior of flagellin in transition I fulfills criteria for a two-state process and is fully reversible. A second transition, also reversible, is observed between 40 and 60°C with a midtransition temperature near 50°C. Transition II, observed as a blue spectral shift of the absorbance band at 277 nm, is better described as a multistate process. Tyrosyl residues appear to maintain the conformational integrity of the polymerizable state of flagellin.
Pinball attacks: Exploiting channel allocation in wireless networks

As wireless networks continue to grow rapidly denser with the introduction of various wireless-enabled elements, signal interference coupled with limited radio spectrum availability emerges as a significant hindrance to network performance. In order to retain high network throughput, channels must be strategically assigned to nodes in a way that minimizes signal overlap between neighboring nodes. Current static channel assignment techniques are intolerant of network variations and growth, but flexible dynamic techniques are becoming more feasible with the introduction of software defined networks and network function virtualization. As network maintenance tasks are increasingly handled by software, however, network stability becomes susceptible to malicious behavior. In this paper, we adopt an attacker's prespective and expose stealthy attacks — which we coin “pinball” Attacks — that aim to trigger unnecessary channel switching behavior in a network and increase signal interference between neighboring nodes. We develop a Markov Decision Process (MDP) framework and investigate suboptimal attack policies applied to a number of real-world topologies. We derive attack policies as approximate MDP solutions due to the exponentially large state space. Our results show that pinball attack outperforms other attack policies such as Denial of Service, Random, and other heuristic policies.
Identifying vehicles with VNIR-SWIR hyperspectral imagery: sources of distinguishability and confusion

Multispectral and hyperspectral imaging can facilitate vehicle tracking across a series of images by gathering spectral information that distinguishes the vehicle of interest from confusers. Developing effective algorithms for utilizing this information requires an understanding of the sources and nature of both the common and unique components in vehicle spectra, as well as the variations associated with lighting, view angle, and part of the vehicle being observed. In this study, focusing on the VNIR-SWIR spectral region, we analyze hyperspectral data from a recent field experiment at the Rochester Institute of Technology. We describe the spectra of painted vehicle surfaces in general terms, and demonstrate effective classification of automobiles based on spectra from upward facing surfaces (the roof, hood or trunk) using a method that combines the Support Vector Machine with data pre-conditioning.
The Role of the FDA in Guiding Drug Development

The drug development process is defined here as one that includes the preclinical and clinical phases of drug development following the selection of a lead molecule by the sponsor, and includes the regulatory review phase that is intended to lead to marketing authorization. This process is complex, time-consuming, and costly. A typical new molecular entity (NME), if approved for marketing, has gone through extensive preclinical pharmacology/toxicology evaluation followed by a clinical evaluation stage that lasts, on average, 5–7 years. With an average of 6–10 months required for regulatory review, the entire process, from preclinical evaluation to market approval, may take up to 15 years, with a cost that may exceed $990 million dollars in direct and lost-opportunity costs. Given the current high attrition rate of drugs that enter into clinical testing (~50% in Phase III), the need for more predictive and informative drug development is obvious.
Predictive maintenance applications for machine learning

Machine Learning provides a complementary approach to maintenance planning by analyzing significant data sets of individual machine performance and environment variables, identifying failure signatures and profiles, and providing an actionable prediction of failure for individual parts.
Assessment of Adult ADHD With College Students.

Objective: When assessing adult ADHD, self-report measures are commonly used to guide clinical diagnosis. Self-report measures may be broadband covering a range of behaviors or narrowband and speci...
Controlling Quantum Phenomena: The Dream is Becoming A Reality

Abstract Over the past decade, an intense effort has brought together theoretical and laboratory tools for controlling molecular motion with tailored laser pulses. Various means for designing laser pulses are available, but presently, the most viable general procedure for achieving successful control over quantum systems in the laboratory is through the use of closed loop learning algorithms. The logic behind the operation of such algorithms is discussed, along with a summary of several recent laboratory achievements exploiting closed loop learning to control quantum and nonlinear optical phenomena.
Erythritol ingestion impairs adult reproduction and causes larval mortality in Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Previous feeding studies showed the polyalcohol erythritol was toxic when ingested by adult laboratory fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). We asked whether erythritol could additionally affect fly population growth either through larval toxicity or through effects on adult reproduction. Females did not avoid laying on food substrates with 1M erythritol; laying rate on 1M erythritol food was similar to control food when females were given free-choice access. Eggs laid or placed on 0.5 M to 2.5 M erythritol foods hatched at normal rates, suggesting erythritol was not toxic to eggs upon contact. Drosophila melanogaster larvae readily consumed food containing 1 M erythritol, but none of these larvae reached pupation. Longevity of larvae feeding on in 1 M erythritol food was significantly reduced relative to controls, and mean ± SE larval lifespan on erythritol was 1.54 ± 0.10 days (max. = 3 days). Exposing cohorts of second-instar larvae to food with varying concentrations of erythritol showed the LD50 (at 24 hr) concentration was approximately 0.6 M. Taken together, these results suggest erythritol could be employed in effective larval-sink baits. Adults flies fed with erythritol produced significantly fewer eggs on days when they fed on 1 M erythritol, and egg production was significantly reduced for one additional day after the adults were moved to control food. These findings suggest erythritol is rapid and effective at temporarily suppressing D. melanogaster reproduction, increasing its potential for use in effective insect population control.
The Wisconsin Historical Society: Collecting, Preserving, and Sharing Stories since 1846

Review of: The Wisconsin Historical Society: Collecting, Preserving, and Sharing Stories since 1846, by John Zimm
Method for Continuous Monitoring of Electrospray Ion Formation

A method for continuously monitoring the performance of electrospray ionization without the addition of hardware or chemistry to the system is demonstrated. In the method, which we refer to as SprayDx, cluster ions with solvent vapor natively formed by electrospray are followed throughout the collection of liquid chromatography-selected reaction monitoring data. The cluster ion extracted ion chromatograms report on the consistency of the ion formation and detection system. The data collected by the SprayDx method resemble the data collected for postcolumn infusion of analyte. The response of the cluster ions monitored reports on changes in the physical parameters of the ion source such as voltage and gas flow. SprayDx is also observed to report on ion suppression in a fashion very similar to a postcolumn infusion of analyte. We anticipate the method finding utility as a continuous readout on the performance of electrospray and other atmospheric pressure ionization processes. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
The Effect of Smoking on Thirty-Day Postoperative Complications After Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

Abstract Background Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is a highly successful treatment, but is burdensome to the national healthcare budget. National quality initiatives seek to reduce costly complications. Smoking's role in perioperative complication after TJA is less well known. This study aims to identify smoking's independent contribution to the risk of short-term complication after TJA. Methods All patients undergoing primary TJA between 2011 and 2012 were selected from the American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's database. Outcomes of interest included rates of readmission, reoperation, mortality, surgical complications, and medical complications. To eliminate confounders between smokers and nonsmokers, a propensity score was used to generate a 1:1 match between groups. Results A total of 1251 smokers undergoing TJA met inclusion criteria. Smokers in the combined total hip and knee arthroplasty cohort had higher 30-day readmission (4.8% vs 3.2%, P = .041), were more likely to have a surgical complication (odds ratio 1.84, 95% confidence interval 1.21-2.80), and had a higher rate of deep surgical site infection (SSI) (1.1% vs 0.2%, P = .007). Analysis of total hip arthroplasty only revealed that smokers had higher rates of deep SSI (1.3% vs 0.2%, P = .038) and higher readmission rate (4.3% vs 2.2%, P = .034). Analysis of total knee arthroplasty only revealed greater surgical complications (2.8% vs 1.2%, P = .048) and superficial SSI (1.8% vs 0.2%, P = .002) in smokers. Conclusion Smoking in TJA is associated with higher rates of SSI, surgical complications, and readmission.
Technical Note: On Cardiac Ablation Lesion Visualization for Image-guided Therapy Monitoring.

The delivery of insufficient thermal dose is a significant contributor to incomplete tissue ablation and leads to arrhythmia recurrence and a large number of patients requiring repeat procedures. In concert with ongoing research efforts aimed at better characterizing the RF energy delivery, here we propose a method that entails modeling and visualization of the lesions in real time. The described image-based ablation model relies on classical heat transfer principles to estimate tissue temperature in response to the ablation parameters, tissue properties, and duration. The ablation lesion quality, geometry, and overall progression is quantified on a voxelby-voxel basis according to each voxel’s cumulative temperature and time exposure. The model was evaluated both numerically under different parameter conditions, as well as experimentally, using ex vivo bovine tissue samples. This study suggests that the proposed technique provides reasonably accurate and sufficiently fast visualizations of the delivered ablation lesions.
Knowings About Sigu: Kigiqtaamiut Hunting as an Experiential Pedagogy

Complex and ever-changing sea ice coverage results in often highly differentiated spring hunting conditions on an annual basis in eastern Bering Strait. Kigiqtaamiut (Shishmaref) hunters’ way of knowing about biophysical phenomena reflects this variability. A continuously advancing, experientially informed analysis, the hunters’ way of knowing is an ongoing processual engagement in the world. This chapter explores what Kigiqtaamiut hunters know about local sea ice conditions and how they come to make authoritative claims about what they know. A comprehensive analysis of Kigiqtaamiut hunters’ ice knowledge includes an equally critical engagement with the sociocultural mechanisms of local knowledge construction. Drawing upon an experientially driven ethnography of spring-bearded seal hunting conducted over three seasons, this chapter examines how Kigiqtaamiut hunters’ understanding of sea ice and their way of learning are mutually constitutive and inseparable components of Kigiqtaamiut ways of knowing about sea ice in an environment of extreme temporal variability and annual fluctuations.
Pediatric Postoperative Pain Management

This article reviews methods to relieve postoperative pain in most children. It also discusses the major barriers to treatment and considers the provision of opioids via a painless route as an alternative to the more usual intramuscular (and painful) route.
Acclimatization of low altitude-bred deer mice ( Peromyscus maniculatus) to high altitude.

Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are robust and very active mammals that are found across the North American continent. They are also highly adaptable to extreme environments. When introduced to ...
Inferring Sequence-Structure Preferences of RNA-Binding Proteins with Convolutional Residual Networks

To infer the sequence and RNA structure specificities of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) from experiments that enrich for bound sequences, we introduce a convolutional residual network which we call ResidualBind. ResidualBind significantly outperforms previous methods on experimental data from many RBP families. We interrogate ResidualBind to identify what features it has learned from high-affinity sequences with saliency analysis along with 1st-order and 2nd-order in silico mutagenesis. We show that in addition to sequence motifs, ResidualBind learns a model that includes the number of motifs, their spacing, and both positive and negative effects of RNA structure context. Strikingly, ResidualBind learns RNA structure context, including detailed base-pairing relationships, directly from sequence data, which we confirm on synthetic data. ResidualBind is a powerful, flexible, and interpretable model that can uncover cis-recognition preferences across a broad spectrum of RBPs.
Co-Curricular Activities in Computer Science Departments

Academic co-curricular activities (e.g., programming contests, hackathons, student ACM clubs, tutoring, internships, undergrad research) are popular with students, may promote academic engagement, and can give a leg up to students applying for jobs and grad schools. Yet information about co-curricular activities in departments and schools can be hard to come by. This BOF will provide participants with a forum for comparing notes: What co-curricular opportunities exist in your department? Does your department or school explicitly support or promote undergraduate co-curricular activities? If so, how (e.g., staff positions, faculty release time, student leadership - volunteer or for pay or credit) What have you learned from your experiences with co-curricular activities? Are co-curricular activities a good investment of department resources?
Value Relevance of Capital Expenditures and the Business Cycle

We examine the relationship between corporate capital investments and the business cycles. Specifically, we test whether the stock market exhibits different reactions to corporate capital expenditures under various business conditions, and provide evidence that US firms’ capital expenditures during an expansionary business cycle are more value relevant to capital market participants and conversely, less value relevant for contractionary cycles, which corroborate and validate previous literature that has found uncertain, cyclical nature of information contents of capital expenditures. Our finding has various implications for capital market participants; investor for gauging the expected future cash flows for the firm from the capital expenditures, creditors for extending credits to firms as they have more accurate information on the viability of long term investment, and for managers for planning long term capital expenditures across the different business cycles. The capital expenditures are good news for investors, but investors will make a better returns when firms make a capital expenditures during the expansionary period. Our results also suggest to creditors that an excessive amount of loans during the contractionary period may be suboptimal as the debtors’ returns on capital investment are less than those of the expansionary period. Ceteris paribus, capital investments during the expansionary period is more value relevant than those of contractionary period.
Nursing Global Health Competencies Framework.

Aim This article describes the process of developing the Nursing Global Health Competencies Framework. Background Despite progress in the identification of global health competencies in nursing education, a theoretical underpinning to guide curriculum development and research in global health nursing was needed. Method Scoping review of the literature; deduction. Discussion The framework contains one dimension, nursing core value and principles, delineated with seven subcategories: social justice and equity, holistic care, advocacy, health as human right, sustainability, advocacy, and collaboration. The framework also contains four assumptions: environmental focus, care focus, education focus, and competency leveling. Conclusion A framework for global health in nursing education is critical to guide the development of competencies and relevant curricula to reflect the core values and principles of nursing. The literature germane to global health nursing was synthesized to define the relationships of core values in a graphic framework that depicts the essential concepts.
Special Operations Forces’ Role in Political Warfare

Great-power competition is once again the primary threat to the security of the United States. This is reminiscent of the political warfare between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, ...
Jean Améry and Primo Levi: The Differences in Likeness

The lives (and deaths) of Jean Amery and Primo Levi have numerous parallels, and this underscores the differences in the ways that they understand their wartime experience and their post-Holocaust reaction to that past.
Extended temperature regions of multiferroicity in nanoscale CuO

Abstract We have measured the magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity of CuO nanoparticles (16 nm) from 2 K to 400 K using a Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS). The magnetization curves, acquired at various field strengths from 0 Oe to 50 kOe, are similar to literature data of bulk and nanoscale CuO showing a minimum at about 150 K, an upturn as temperature approaches 0 K, and a broad maximum at high temperatures extending beyond 400 K. The heat capacity data between 200 K and 400 K show several broad peaks. The number of these peaks and the temperatures at which they occur differ significantly from the magnetic transitions known to exist in bulk CuO. To further investigate these transitions in nanoscale CuO, we performed temperature dependent x-ray diffraction (XRD) at temperatures from 90 K to 700 K from which lattice parameters as a function of temperature were derived using a Rietveld refinement. Although no phase transitions were observed in these data, changes in the slopes of the lattice parameters are apparent at the transition temperatures observed in the heat capacity and susceptibility measurements. The various transitions in the heat capacity data are attributed to competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions caused by structural properties that are unique to nanophase CuO, and the temperature range of multiferroicity in nanoscale CuO is shown to extend to temperatures higher than those observed for bulk CuO. The heat capacity and temperature dependent XRD measurements are the first of their kind to be reported for CuO nanoparticles.
Northeastern U.S. Salmonella Strains from Retail Meat Are More Prevalent and More Resistant to Antimicrobials

ABSTRACT Between 2002 and 2017, the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) recovered 5,803 Salmonella isolates from retail meat samples of chicken parts, ground turkey, pork chops, and ground beef collected in 21 states. NARMS tested these isolates for susceptibility to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ampicillin, azithromycin, cefoxitin, ceftiofur, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole), sulfisoxazole, and ciprofloxacin. To evaluate possible geographic differences in the prevalence and distribution of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella, we used a chi-square test of association. We used the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit map for the regional subdivisions. A significant association was found between region, Salmonella prevalence, and Salmonella resistance to all tested antimicrobials except cotrimoxazole, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. The Northeast region was the most influential contributor to overall prevalence and resistance to most of the antimicrobials tested, and Salmonella Typhimurium was the serotype driving these associations. Although this work did not elucidate the reasons for differences in prevalence and antimicrobial resistance for Salmonella Typhimurium strains in the Northeast, lack of certain resistance mechanisms in Salmonella strains from other regions was ruled out by analysis of 484 sequences from the 485 isolates resistant to ampicillin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline. HIGHLIGHTS
Evaluating goal-advice appropriateness for personal financial advice

Over the years, the number of consumers seeking personal financial advisory services has grown globally. However, recent studies indicate a worrying decline in consumers’ trust and confidence in advisers and financial institutions, as well as low regulatory compliance rates. Inspiring consumer trust through increased vigilance of advice is not possible using current auditing practices as reviews are manual, time-consuming and complex. In this paper, we describe a generalised framework which leverages machine learning approaches to systematically characterise the risk status of financial advice documents prior to client delivery. We show how the framework presented provides a comprehensive, accurate and efficient compliance review of financial advice documents for financial advisers and compliance officers alike.
Procalcitonin, CRP, prealbumin, and WBC in diagnosis of children with severe pneumonia

Objective To investigate the value of procalcitonin, CRP, prealbumin, and WBC in the diagnosis of children with severe pneumonia. Methods 105 children with severe pneumonia treated at our hospital from March 2015 to September 2016 were divided into a mycoplasma infection group (34 cases), a viral infection group (34 cases), and a bacterial infection group (37 cases). 30 healthy children were selected as a control group. The serum levels of PCT, CRP, PA, and WBC were detected and compared between these four groups. Results The serum levels of PCT, CRP, and WBC were significantly lower and the serum LA level was higher in the control group than the severe pneumonia group (t1=27.099,t2=33.273,t3=24.893,t4=10.307, allP<0.05). The serum levels of PCT, CRP, and WBC were significantly higher and the serum PA level was significantly lower in the mycoplasma infection group than in the virus infection group (t1=26.840,t2=15.360,t3=15.768,t4=4.912, allP<0.05). The serum levels of PCT, CRP, and WBC were significantly higher and the serum PA level was significantly lower in the bacterial infection group than in the mycoplasma infection group (t1=8.276,t2=4.219,t3=10.982,t4=12.871, allP<0.05). The positive rates of serum PCT, CRP, PA, and WBC were significantly higher in the bacterial infection group than the mycoplasma infection group (χ21=8.272,χ22=9.234,χ23=11.992,χ24=6.406, allP<0.05). The positive rate of serum PCT, CRP, PA, and WBC were significantly higher in the Mycoplasma infection group than in the viral infection group (χ21=19.125,χ22=3.985,χ23=3.985,χ24=3.886, allP<0.05). Conclusions The combined detection of PCT, CRP, PA, and WBC can be used as an important diagnostic index for severe pneumonia in children and effectively predict the types of infectious pathogens. It has a higher clinical guidance value in the diagnosis and treatment of severe pneumonia in children. Key words: Serum procalcitonin; C-reactive protein; Prealbumin; WBC; Severe pneumonia in children; Clinical diagnosis
Olive Oil Lignan (+)-Acetoxypinoresinol Peripheral Motor and Neuronal Protection against the Tremorgenic Mycotoxin Penitrem A Toxicity via STAT1 Pathway

Penitrem A, PA, is an indole diterpene alkaloid produced by several fungal species. PA acts as a selective Ca2+-dependent K-channels (Maxi-K, BK) antagonist in brain, causing motor system dysfunctions including tremors and seizures. However, its molecular mechanism at the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is still ambiguous. The Mediterranean diet key ingredient extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) provides a variety of minor bioactive phenolics. (+)-Pinoresinol (PN) and (+)-1-acetoxypinoresinol (AC) are naturally occurring lignans in EVOO with diverse biological activities. AC exclusively occurs in EVOO, unlike PN, which occurs in several plants. Results suggest that PA neurotoxicity molecular mechanism is mediated, in part, through distortion of the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway. PA selectively activated the STAT1 pathway, independently of the interferon-γ (IFN-γ) pathway, in vitro in Schwann cells and in vivo in Swiss albino mice sciatic nerves. Preliminary in vitro screening of an EVOO phenolic compounds library for the ability to reverse PA toxicity on Schwann cells revealed PN and AC as potential hits. In a Swiss albino mouse model, AC significantly minimized the fatality after intraperitoneal administration of PA fatal doses and normalized most biochemical factors by modulating the STAT1 expression. The olive lignan AC is a novel lead that can prevent the neurotoxicity of food-contaminating tremorgenic indole alkaloid mycotoxins.
Driver mutations to predict for poorer outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation and consolidation durvalumab.

8528Background: The use of durvalumab after chemoradiation in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients significantly improves overall survival. However, it is unclear whether th...
Electrocardiogram-based Deep Learning and Clinical Risk Factors to Predict Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled analysis of 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) may facilitate efficient estimation of incident atrial fibrillation (AF) risk. However, it remains unclear whether AI provides meaningful and generalizable improvement in predictive accuracy beyond clinical risk factors for AF. Methods: We trained a convolutional neural network ("ECG-AI") to infer 5-year incident AF risk using 12-lead ECGs in patients receiving longitudinal primary care at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). We then fit three Cox proportional hazards models, each composed of: a) ECG-AI 5-year AF probability, b) the Cohorts for Heart and Aging in Genomic Epidemiology AF (CHARGE-AF) clinical risk score, and c) terms for both ECG-AI and CHARGE-AF ("CH-AI"). We assessed model performance by calculating discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, AUROC) and calibration in an internal test set and two external test sets (Brigham and Women's Hospital and UK Biobank). Models were recalibrated to estimate 2-year AF risk in the UK Biobank given limited available follow-up. We used saliency mapping to identify ECG features most influential on ECG-AI risk predictions and assessed correlation between ECG-AI and CHARGE-AF linear predictors. Results: The training set comprised 45,770 individuals (age 55±17 years, 53% women, 2,171 AF events), and the test sets comprised 83,162 individuals (age 59±13 years, 56% women, 2,424 AF events). AUROC was comparable using CHARGE-AF (MGH 0.802, 95% CI 0.767-0.836; BWH 0.752, 95% CI 0.741-0.763; UK Biobank 0.732, 95% CI 0.704-0.759) and ECG-AI (MGH 0.823, 95% CI 0.790-0.856; BWH 0.747, 95% CI 0.736-0.759; UK Biobank 0.705, 95% CI 0.673-0.737). AUROC was highest using CH-AI: MGH 0.838, 95% CI 0.807-0.869; BWH 0.777, 95% CI 0.766-0.788; UK Biobank 0.746, 95% CI 0.716-0.776). Calibration error was low using ECG-AI (MGH 0.0212; BWH 0.0129; UK Biobank 0.0035) and CH-AI (MGH 0.012; BWH 0.0108; UK Biobank 0.0001). In saliency analyses, the ECG P-wave had the greatest influence on AI model predictions. ECG-AI and CHARGE-AF linear predictors were correlated (Pearson r MGH 0.61, BWH 0.66, UK Biobank 0.41). Conclusions: AI-based analysis of 12-lead ECGs has similar predictive utility to a clinical risk factor model for incident AF and both approaches are complementary. ECG-AI may enable efficient quantification of future AF risk.
[22] Cloning and sequencing immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor variable regions involved in neuroimmune disorders

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates a method for the generation of cDNA from a small number of lymphocytes, as few as 10, that might be encountered in the study of human neuroimmune diseases. The method is inexpensive, does not require kits or extraordinary equipment, and is incredibly rapid, making it ideal for analysis of several samples at once. Nonidet P-40 lysis cDNA synthesis has been accomplished in every cell type and disrupted tissue thus far attempted, including hybridomas and B and T lymphocytes, pituitary, hypothalamus, thymus, and liver tissue, and is expected to work on other cell types as well. This technique is therefore a legitimate substitute to timely RNA extractions requiring voluminous cells and can be utilized for typical RT-PCR applications.
The magnetic resonance myth of radio waves

An inaccurate description of magnetic resonance is current among those employing it in medicine and biology. The technique is purported to use radio waves for both stimulation of the sample and for reception of the ensuing signal. Arguments are presented which counter this myth, and using only magnetic fields, an accurate classical description of transmission and reception is given.
Polycythemic response in normal adult rats to a nonprotein plasma extract from anemic rabbits.

Experiments are described in which a protein-free extract of plasma obtained from anemic rabbits was injected into healthy young rats. The resulting erythropoietic response was comparable to that induced by hypoxia. The findings suggest that a humoral factor was at work which was capable of disturbing the physiologic mechanisms which establish the equilibrium between red blood cell formation and destruction. The far-reaching significance of these findings is apparent.
Personality Development and Participation in College Athletics

Abstract On the basis of their past histories of athletic participation, a group of 340 cadets entering the United States Military Academy were designated as athletes, and another group of 116 were designated as athletic nonparticipants. The Cattell Sixteen Personality Factor test was administered shortly after entrance and again shortly prior to graduation. Entering cadet athletes were significantly different from nonparticipants on seven of the 16 P-F scales. The proportion of athletes who graduated from the academy was significantly greater than the proportion of nonparticipants who graduated. If participation in athletics in college has an effect on personality structure, the effect would be expected to be greater on individuals with little previous athletic participation than on accomplished athletes. However, despite four years of regular athletic participation, the designated nonparticipant group was not found to change in personality structure as measured by the 16 P-F Test: (a) to a greater exten...