cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Augmenting LZ-77 with authentication and integrity assurance capabilities: Research Articles

The formidable dissemination capability allowed by the current network technology makes it increasingly important to devise new methods to ensure authenticity and integrity. Nowadays it is common practice to distribute documents in compressed form. In this paper, we propose a simple variation on the classic LZ-77 algorithm that allows one to hide, within the compressed document, enough information to warrant its authenticity and integrity. The design is based on the unpredictability of a certain class of pseudo-random number generators, in such a way that the hidden data cannot be retrieved in a reasonable amount of time by an attacker (unless the secret bit-string key is known). Since it can still be decompressed by the original LZ-77 algorithm, the embedding is completely ‘transparent’ and backward-compatible, making it possible to deploy it without disrupting service. Experiments show that the degradation in compression due to the embedding is almost negligible. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid Handling in UHV

As surface chemistry deals with more and more complex systems it has become necessary to work at high gas pressures as described elsewhere in this book. In addition, examples are available where work under liquids has been done while maintaining clean surfaces.
The Endocrine Society Centennial: No Longer a Surprise: Estrogenic Chemicals in a Multitude of Places

Nowadays, we are bombarded with information on a large number of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. We hear and read about endocrine-disrupting chemicals on blogs, the web, news stories, television specials, advertisements, and of course scientific articles. Reports claim these ubiquitous compounds are responsible for increased rates of cancer, autism, obesity, hypospadias, and infertility, just to name a few. But it was not always this way. In fact, the scientific study of endocrine-disrupting chemicals is relatively new: a recent PubMed search found a total of 6184 hits for the term, 739 articles in 2015 as compared with 4, 20 years ago in 1995.
So Now What

The author reflects on various aspects of the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) as of 2016, and it mentions public health practices and principles in America, as well as political polarization in the country and efforts to improve the health of everyone in the U.S. According to the article, the primary purpose of the ACA is to increase the number of Americans with health insurance. The 2016 U.S. presidential election and ACA-related amendments are assessed.
Role of point-defect sinks on irradiation-induced compositional patterning in model binary alloys

The dynamical competition between the chemical mixing forced during energetic particle irradiation and thermally activated decomposition can lead to the stabilization of self-organized steady states in alloy systems comprised of immiscible elements. Continuum modeling and atomistic simulations predicted the stabilization of steady-state nanoscale compositional patterns for a well-defined range of ballistic mixing frequencies normalized by the irradiation-enhanced thermal atomic jump frequencies. Irradiation-induced compositional patterning has now indeed been observed experimentally, but a quantitative comparison has been lacking because models and simulations have relied on a simplified treatment with a fixed point-defect concentration. We overcome here this limitation by using a kinetic Monte Carlo code that includes the production, recombination, and elimination of point defects at sinks, as well as the chemical mixing forced by ballistic replacements. By varying the sink density and its efficiency, the temperature range of stabilization of steady-state compositional patterns is investigated in model binary alloys for point-defect regimes dominated by either recombination or elimination on sinks. We find that in the sink regime, compositional patterning can be extended to remarkably high temperatures. The results are discussed by analyzing the relative diffusivities of $A$ and $B$ species, and their dependencies on temperature.
Particulate Geochemistry in an Area of Coastal Upwelling--The Santa Barbara Basin

The Santa Barbara Basin is a shallow nearshore basin off southern California characterized by seasonal upwelling. Particulates were obtained there by Niskin filtering, and inorganic composition was determined by thin-film x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. In the mid-water column, resuspension of fine sedimentary material is found to provide the major input of particulates. Upwelling appears to increase the amount of resuspension in the basin. These resuspended sediments may affect coastal productivity.
Editorial: Why We Need to Humanize Online Education

While much of the current discourse focuses on interaction, active participation, motivation, and student engagement in online learning, less attention is paid to the challenge of humanizing distance education. Although the human element is undoubtedly inherent to each of these concerns, it often takes a peripheral role in pedagogical discussions. The following editorial considers how teachers can personalize their courses and how they can facilitate the development of an online community of peers. The editorial concludes with an open call for papers exploring this line of thinking DOI:10.2458/azu_itet_v5i1_czerkawski
Rural Trends in Diagnosis and Services for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Rural communities face significant challenges regarding the adequate availability of diagnostic-, treatment-, and support-services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specifically, a variety of factors, including geographic distance between families and service providers, low reliance on health care professionals, and cultural characteristics, contribute to the diminished availability and utilization of services. Together, these factors lead to risks for delayed ASD screening and diagnosis, yielding lower educational and functional outcomes. The purpose of this review is to outline the specific diagnosis and treatment barriers that affect individuals with ASD and their families in rural settings. Telehealth feasibility and efficacy research is also reviewed, suggesting that telecommunication services may offer an inroad for addressing the specific service barriers faced by rural communities. Together, the current review identifies specific needs for both research and support services that address the specific access barriers characteristic of rural settings.
The relative influence of temperature and size‐structure on fish distribution shifts: A case‐study on Walleye pollock in the Bering Sea

Research has estimated associations between water temperature and the spatial distribution of marine fishes based upon correlations between temperature and the centroid of fish distribution (centre of gravity, COG). Analysts have then projected future water temperatures to forecast shifts in COG, but often neglected to demonstrate that temperature explains a substantial portion of historical distribution shifts. We argue that estimating the proportion of observed distributional shifts that can be attributed to temperature vs. other factors is a critical first step in forecasting future changes. We illustrate this approach using Gadus chalcogrammus (Walleye pollock) in the Eastern Bering Sea, and use a vector-autoregressive spatiotemporal model to attribute variation in COG from 1982 to 2015 to three factors: local or regional changes in surface and bottom temperature (“temperature effects”), fluctuations in size-structure that cause COG to be skewed towards juvenile or adult habitats (“size-structured effects”) or otherwise unexplained spatiotemporal variation in distribution (“unexplained effects”). We find that the majority of variation in COG (including the north-west trend since 1982) is largely unexplained by temperature or size-structured effects. Temperature alone generates a small portion of primarily north–south variation in COG, while size-structured effects generate a small portion of east–west variation. We therefore conclude that projections of future distribution based on temperature alone are likely to miss a substantial portion of both the interannual variation and interdecadal trends in COG for this species. More generally, we suggest that decomposing variation in COG into multiple causal factors is a vital first step for projecting likely impacts of temperature change.
Clinical Manifestations and Treatment of Blastomycosis.

Blastomyces dermatitidis and Blastomyces gilchristii are the etiologic agents of blastomycosis. Blastomyces spp. are thermally dimorphic fungi that grow as a filamentous mold in the environment and as a yeast in human tissues. Blastomycosis is endemic to North America, particularly states/provinces bordering the Mississippi, Ohio and St. Lawrence Rivers, and the Great Lakes. The clinical manifestations of blastomycosis are broad, ranging from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. Extrapulmonary dissemination to the skin, bone, and central nervous system can occur. While culture and non-culture diagnostic tests are available, a high index of clinical suspicion is essential for prompt diagnosis. Treatment guidelines published by the Infectious Disease Society of America and the American Thoracic Society recommend the use of polyene or azole antifungal agents, with selection influenced by disease severity, site of infection, immunosuppression and pregnancy.
Abstract 3365: Epigenetic inactivation of PTPRT and sensitivity to STAT3 inhibition in lung cancer

Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription-3 (STAT3), a potent oncogenic transcription factor is persistently activated in several malignancies including lung cancer. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor-T (PTPRT) is an endogenous inhibitor of STAT3 transcriptional activity, and is methylated in many types of human cancer. Loss-of-function of PTPRT by promoter methylation contributes to STAT3 mediated growth and survival and represent one of the plausible mechanism of STAT3 hyperactivation. We report identification of hypermethylation in CpG islands of the PTPRT promoter which correlates with its transcriptional silencing as well as expression of pSTAT3 protein and STAT3 target genes in both lung cancer cell lines and primary human tumors. Analyses of the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) data revealed that PTPRT promoter is frequently hypermethylated in a subset of lung squamous cell carcinoma and approximately 25% of adenocarcinoma tumors in association with downregulation of PTPRT mRNA expression. This observation was verified in vitro using lung cancer cell lines. Out of the 7 lung cancer cell lines examined, one lung cancer cell line showed lack of methylation (only unmethylated sequences) of the PTPRT promoter region and revealed mRNA expression (H520). All 6 cell lines which showed PTPRT promoter methylation had nearly absent PTPRT mRNA and had high levels of pSTAT3Tyr705, while H520 had little or no pSTAT3Tyr705 protein expression. Silencing of PTPRT using siRNA in H520, where PTPRT was not endogenously silenced by promoter hypermethylation, resulted in the upregulation of the STAT3 target genes such as cyclin D1 and Bcl-XL mRNA and protein expression as well as increased pSTAT3Tyr705 level. Analyses of the methylation status in the PTPRT promoter region in primary lung tumor samples revealed methylation in one of the 3 tumor samples. This correlated with increased STAT3 target genes (cyclin D1 and Bcl-XL) mRNA expression. In lung cancer cell lines, PTPRT promoter methylation is associated with sensitivity to STAT3 inhibition. Our data suggests that silencing of PTPRT by promoter hypermethylation is a frequent mechanism of STAT3 hyperactivation, and targeting STAT3 may be an effective molecular targeted approach in the treatment of this subset of lung cancer. Citation Format: Malabika Sen, Audrey Kindsfather, James G. Herman. Epigenetic inactivation of PTPRT and sensitivity to STAT3 inhibition in lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3365. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3365
On updating the structure of sparse matrix factors

Structural analysis often involves the solution of a sparse system of linear equations using matrix factorization. For structural reanalysis problems, the system of equations is progressively changing and matrix factorization is required at each iteration step. In this paper, we study the problem of updating the structure of sparse matrix factors using an ordered-tree model. The ordered-tree model provides the information needed to symbolically compute the non-zero structure of the matrix factor of a sparse matrix. Furthermore, for matrix factor modification problems, this tree model can be used to determine the numerically modified entries in the matrix factor. Examples for modification of a structure and h-adaptive refinement of a finite element model are given to illustrate the potential application of the procedures developed in this study.
A multi-hazard approach to assess severe weather-induced major power outage risks in the U.S.

Abstract Severe weather-induced power outages affect millions of people and cost billions of dollars of economic losses each year. The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners have recently highlighted the importance of building electricity sector's resilience, and thereby enhancing service-security and long-term economic benefits. In this paper, we propose a multi-hazard approach to characterize the key predictors of severe weather-induced sustained power outages. We developed a two-stage hybrid risk estimation model, leveraging algorithmic data-mining techniques. We trained our risk models using publicly available information on historical major power outages, socio-economic data, state-level climatological observations, electricity consumption patterns and land-use data. Our results suggest that power outage risk is a function of various factors such as the type of natural hazard, expanse of overhead T&D systems, the extent of state-level rural versus urban areas, and potentially the levels of investments in operations/maintenance activities (e.g., tree-trimming, replacing old equipment, etc.). The proposed framework can help state regulatory commissions make risk-informed resilience investment decisions.
Assessment of Microbiological Safety and Quality of Marinades Used To Treat Beef and That Were Collected over a 12-Month Period from Specialty Retailers Near Raleigh, North Carolina.

In total, 115 marinade samples (58 fresh marinades and 57 spent marinades) were collected over 12 months from specialty retailers (four individual stores) near Raleigh, NC. These marinades were screened for total mesophilic aerobic plate count (M-APC), total psychrotrophic aerobic plate count (P-APC), and Enterobacteriaceae. These marinades were also screened for the seven regulated serogroups of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. Stores A and B used immersion to marinade raw beef cuts, whereas stores C-1 and C-2 used vacuum tumbling. In general, marinade temperatures at the stores ranged from 1.8 to 6.6°C, and beef cuts were marinated from a few minutes to up to 3 days. Regardless of the process used to marinade meat, levels of M-APC and P-APC in fresh marinades ranged from 3.4 to 4.7 and 1.4 to 1.8 log CFU/mL, respectively, whereas Enterobacteriaceae were not detected in any fresh marinades, even after enrichment. However, levels of M-APC, P-APC, and Enterobacteriaceae in spent marinades collected from stores C-1 and C-2 (ca. 3.6 to 7.1 log CFU/mL) were significantly higher ( P 0.05) association was observed between microbial levels (i.e., M-APC, P-APC, and Enterobacteriaceae) and the temperature or duration of the marination process. Levels of M-APC, P-APC, and Enterobacteriaceae in spent marinades were significantly affected by the marination method ( P < 0.05), with levels, in general, being higher in marinades used for tumbling. Thus, retailers must continue to keep marinade solutions and meat at a safe temperature (i.e., ≤4°C) and to properly and frequently sanitize the equipment and environment in both the processing area and deli case.
My Magnetometer Is Telling You Where I've Been?: A Mobile Device Permissionless Location Attack

Although privacy compromises remain an issue among users and advocacy groups, identification of user location has emerged as another point of concern. Techniques using GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth tracking and cell tower triangulation are well known. These can typically identify location accurately with meter resolution. Another technique, inferring routes via sensor exploitation, may place a user within a few hundred meters of a general location. Acoustic beacons such as those placed in malls may have more finely grained resolution yet are limited by the sensitivity of the device's microphone to ultrasonic signals and directionality. In this paper we are able to discern user location within commercial GPS resolution by leveraging the ability of mobile device magnetometers to detect externally generated signals in a permissionless attack. We are able to achieve an aggregate location identification success rate of 86% with a bit error rate of 1.5% which is only ten times the stationary error rate. We accomplish this with a signal that is a fraction of the Earth's magnetic field strength. We designed, prototyped, and experimentally evaluated a system where a location ID is transmitted via low power magnetic coil(s) and received by permissionless apps. The system can be located at ingresses and kiosks situated in malls, stores, transportation hubs and other public locations including crosswalks using a location ID that is mapped to the GPS coordinates of the facility hosting the system. We demonstrate that using Android phone magnetometers, we can correctly detect and identify the when and the where of a device when the victim walks at a comfortable pace while their device has all the aforementioned services disabled. In order to address the substantial signal fading effects due to mobility in a very-low power magnetic near field, we developed signal processing and coding techniques and evaluated the prototype on six android devices in an IRB-approved study with six participants.
Post-Kelo Eminent Domain Reform: A Double-Edged Sword for Historic Preservation

The preservation of historic structures provides communities across the nation with both a source of pride in our national history and a window through which to view that history. Governments‘ powers of eminent domain have long served as a tool for historic preservation; however, eminent domain also facilitates the destruction of historic structures. Thus, commentators have referred to eminent domain as a double-edged sword for historic preservation. 1 With the 2005 Kelo v. City of New London decision, the U.S. Supreme Court altered the field of permissible condemnations, validating governments‘ constitutional authority to condemn non-blighted neighborhoods for private redevelopment. 2 States
Posture, relationship, and discourse structure models of nonverbal behavior for long-term interaction

We present an empirical investigation of nonverbal behavior in long-term interaction spanning multiple conversations, in the context of a developing interpersonal relationship. Based on a longitudinal video corpus of human-human counseling conversation, we develop a model of the occurrence of posture shifts which incorporates changes that occur both within a single conversation and over multiple conversations. Implications for the design and implementation of virtual agents are discussed, with a particular focus on agents designed for long-term interaction.
Construction of a Shuttle Vector Using an Endogenous Plasmid From the Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803

To advance synthetic biology in the photosynthetic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 (Syn6803), we constructed a shuttle vector with some versatile features. This shuttle vector, pSCB-YFP, consists of a putative replicon identified on the plasmid pCC5.2, the origin of replication of pMB1 from E. coli, as well as the YFP reporter gene and a spectinomycin/streptomycin resistance cassette. pSCB-YFP is stably maintained in Syn6803M (a motile strain that lacks the endogenous pCC5.2) and expresses YFP. In addition, we engineered a fragment into pSCB-YFP that has multiple cloning sites and other features such that this plasmid can also be used as an expression vector (pSCBe). The shuttle vector pSCB-YFP can be stably maintained for at least 50 generations without antibiotic selection. It is a high copy number plasmid and can stably co-exist with the RSF1010-based pPMQAK1-GFP.
Phase 2 study of pembrolizumab in combination with azacitidine in subjects with metastatic colorectal cancer.

3054Background: Microsatellite stable (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has relatively poor tumoral infiltration of CD8+ T cells and is resistant to pembrolizumab (Pembro) when compared to ...
Density-dependence in the life history of fishes: When is a fish recruited?

Abstract In fisheries ecology and stock assessment, recruitment signifies the transition from early stages of the life cycle which are characterized by environmentally-driven variability and density-dependence in mortality rates, to a recruited phase when natural mortality is largely stable and density-independent. Age or size at recruitment is an important structural element of age-structured fisheries models and stock assessment methods, yet the choice is often somewhat arbitrary and little guidance exists for when, biologically, a fish can be considered recruited. Such models may be mis-specified when recruitment is assumed to occur too early, i.e. when ‘recruited’ fish are still subject to density-dependent mortality even though the model specifies that they are not. We synthesize empirical data on density-dependence in mortality at different life stages within wild, stocked, cultured and experimentally manipulated fish populations. Results suggest the existence of a broad, approximately invariant pattern of density dependence across a wide range of fish life histories. Density-dependent mortality is most likely to occur, and potentially strongest, while fish are smaller than 10% of population asymptotic lengthy L∞. Both the likelihood of encountering density-dependent mortality and its potential strength are far more moderate for fish between 10 and 20% of L∞, and diminish in fish larger than 20% of L∞. This result provides the first empirically-based guidance for determining an appropriate size or age at recruitment for stock assessments. The result also provides information relevant to other fisheries management issues, such as the design and evaluation of fish stocking programs.
Computational authorship attribution in medieval Latin corpora: the case of the Monk of Lido (ca. 1101–08) and Gallus Anonymous (ca. 1113–17)

This paper applies computational methods of authorship attribution to shed light on a still open question concerning two Latin works of the twelfth century: are the anonymous authors of the Translatio s. Nicolai (ca. 1101–1108) and the Gesta principum polonorum (ca. 1113–1117) one and the same person? The Translatio was written by the so-called Monk of Lido and describes Venice’s role in the First Crusade. The Gesta were written by the so-called Gallus Anonymous and contain a panegyric of the contemporary Polish ruler, Boleslaw III the Wry-Mouthed (r. 1102–1138). This study attributes authorship to these works within four corpora of Latin texts composed between the tenth and twelfth centuries, each with between 39 and 116 texts written by between 15 and 22 different authors. The goal of including four corpora is to see how robust the similarity between the target texts is to changes in text length, genre, and class balance in the corpora. In each corpus, nine different distance metrics and one machine-learning algorithm are used to classify the authors of the Translatio and Gesta. I conclude that it is highly likely that Gallus and Monk were indeed one and same anonymous author, and highlight the effectiveness of the Bray–Curtis distance and logistic regression as methods of attribution.
Ultrasound-guided axillary venous access for pediatric and adult congenital lead implantation.

Background Axillary venous access with ultrasound guidance for pediatric transvenous lead implantation may reduce risks for pneumothorax and hemothorax. The objective was to retrospectively evaluate ultrasound-guided axillary vein access as an alternative to the subclavian approach. Methods The technique consists of ultrasonographic identification of the axillary vein at the deltopectoral groove after initial contrast venography. A micropuncture kit is used for initial ultrasound-guided percutaneous access with fluoroscopic confirmation of wire position. Pocket creation is performed, and sheath insertion and lead implantation proceed as usual. Demographic, procedural, and radiation exposure data were collected and analyzed. Results Sixteen patients (median age = 13 years, 8-50 years; median weight = 56 kg, 29-77 kg) underwent lead implantation; two additional patients required fluoroscopy due to poor acoustic windows (89% success). Fifteen of 21 leads (71%) were ventricular; 50% of implants were pacemakers, and 31% were dual chamber. Median time to venous access was 13 min (interquartile range (IQR) = 9.25-20.25) and median implant procedure time was 156 min (IQR = 112-172). Median fluoroscopy time was 18.0 min (IQR = 11.9-29.6), median air kerma was 9.0 mGy (IQR = 3.0-28.5), and median dose-area product was 30.2 Gy-cm2 (IQR = 16.1-234.5). One patient required generator pocket revision 2 days postprocedure without lead dislodgement. There were no other complications encountered. Conclusions Transvenous pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead implantation in the pediatric and adult congenital population through ultrasound-guided axillary venous access is safe and efficacious. This technique may provide a low-risk alternative for vascular access for pediatric implantation procedures.
Safety and efficacy of topically applied 0.5% and 1% pirfenidone in a canine model of subconjunctival fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate tissue levels, safety, and efficacy of topical ophthalmic 0.5% and 1% pirfenidone in decreasing subconjunctival fibrosis. ANIMAL STUDIED: Twelve normal beagle dogs PROCEDURES: A 5 × 1 mm diameter silicone disk was implanted subconjunctivally in one eye, and then dogs were treated with topical 0.5% pirfenidone (n = 9) in artificial tears or artificial tears alone (n = 3) for 28 days. To evaluate tissue drug levels, a single sample of tears, conjunctiva, and aqueous humor was collected 30 (n = 3), 90 (n = 3), and 180 min (n = 3) following administration of the last drop of pirfenidone, respectively. Fibrous capsule thickness and staining for Ki67 and fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAPα) were evaluated histologically. After a 2‐week washout, the experiment was repeated in the opposite eye and using 1% pirfenidone. RESULTS: Treatment with pirfenidone resulted in thinner fibrous capsules and decreased staining for FAPα with no adverse effects. The implant in one dog treated with pirfenidone extruded. There was no difference in tissue levels, capsular thickness, or staining for Ki67 or FAPα between dogs treated with 0.5% or 1% pirfenidone. CONCLUSIONS: Pirfenidone may decrease fibrosis following glaucoma shunt surgery and can potentially be used indefinitely due to minimal side effects.
Anti-cancer effects of zoledronic acid on human cancer cells.

e13042 Background: Zoledronic Acid (Zole) is a potent nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (NBP) has been extensive used to limit bone turnover in a various diseases including tumors. Recently, clin...
Vision Outcomes in Early versus Late Surgical Intervention of Pituitary Apoplexy: Meta-Analysis.

Background Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is defined by hemorrhage and necrosis of the pituitary gland, often acute in onset, and frequently in the setting of an existing pituitary adenoma. Our objective was to conduct a meta-analysis of the available literature on vision outcomes following surgical intervention for PA on the basis of the timing from apoplexy to surgery (ATS). Methods A thorough literature search of the published English-language literature was performed in PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane databases using the key words (“pituitary apoplexy”) and (“surgery” or “vision”) from database inception to August 2018 was conducted. The primary outcome variable evaluated using a binary random-effects model was vision recovery outcomes (metric: odds ratio). Results Of 234 articles found, 12 articles containing 200 patients met our eligibility criteria. The mean age was 46.1, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.9:1. A total of 86% of PA patients presented with visual deficits (ATS 7 days in 79 patients). In patients with an ATS 7 days (odds ratio 2.6 [95% CI 0.94–7.31]; P value = 0.07). Conclusions Despite readily accepted guidelines provided by the United Kingdom advocating for early surgical intervention in PA, the rates of vision outcomes we report demonstrate >80% recovery for patients in both the early and late surgical intervention group. As such, conservative management may be warranted for early stabilization before surgical intervention in PA patients with respect to vision outcomes.
Classifying character degree graphs with six vertices

We investigate prime character degree graphs of solvable groups that have six vertices. There are 112 non-isomorphic connected graphs with six vertices, of which all except nine are classified in this paper. We also completely classify the disconnected graphs with six vertices.
2019 AMCA Memorial Lecture Honoree: William Richard Opp 1942-2017 A Life Well Lived Helping Others.

ABSTRACT Since 1979 more than 40 individuals have been recognized for their lifetime achievements in the AMCA Memorial Lecture. These individuals have included luminaries such as Carlos Finlay, Lel...
Awareness of the Profession of Audiology Among Ethnically Diverse Adolescents: A Pre- and Post-Education Study

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge about the profession of Audiology among adolescents from diverse backgrounds before, immediately after, and 6 months after an educatio...
Responsive neurostimulation for regional neocortical epilepsy.

Objective Surgical resection of seizure-producing brain tissue is a gold standard treatment for drug-resistant focal epilepsy. However, several patient-specific factors can preclude resective surgery, including a spatially extensive ("regional") seizure-onset zone (SOZ). For such patients, responsive neurostimulation (RNS) represents a potential treatment, but its efficacy has not been investigated in this population. Methods We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients (N = 30) with drug-resistant focal epilepsy and a regional neocortical SOZ delineated by intracranial monitoring who were treated with the RNS System for at least 6 months. RNS System leads were placed at least 1-cm apart over the SOZ, and most patients were treated with a lead-to-lead stimulation pathway. Five patients underwent partial resection of the SOZ concurrent with RNS System implantation. We assessed change in seizure frequency relative to preimplant baseline and evaluated correlation between clinical outcome and stimulation parameters. Results Median follow-up duration was 21.5 months (range 6-52). Median reduction in clinical seizure frequency was 75.5% (interquartile range [IQR] 40%-93.9%). There was no significant difference in outcome between patients treated with and without concurrent partial resection. Most patients were treated with low charge densities (1-2.5 µC/cm2 ), but charge density, interlead distance, and duration of treatment were not significantly correlated with outcome. Significance RNS is a feasible and effective treatment in patients with drug-resistant regional neocortical seizures. Prospective studies in larger cohorts are necessary to determine optimal lead configuration and stimulation parameters, although our results suggest that lead-to-lead stimulation and low charge density may be effective in some patients.
Intact reinforcement learning but impaired attentional control during multidimensional probabilistic learning in older adults

To efficiently learn optimal behavior in complex environments, humans rely on an interplay of learning and attention. Healthy aging has been shown to independently affect both of these functions. Here, we investigate how reinforcement learning and selective attention interact during learning from trial and error across age groups. We acquired behavioral and fMRI data from older and younger adults (male and female) performing two probabilistic learning tasks with varying attention demands. While learning in the unidimensional task did not differ across age groups, older adults performed worse than younger adults in the multidimensional task, which required high levels of selective attention. Computational modeling showed that choices of older adults are better predicted by reinforcement learning than Bayesian inference, and that older adults rely more on reinforcement learning based predictions than younger adults. Conversely, a higher proportion of younger adults9 choices was predicted by a computationally demanding Bayesian approach. In line with the behavioral findings, we observed no group differences in reinforcement-learning related fMRI activation. Specifically, prediction-error activation in the nucleus accumbens was similar across age groups, and numerically higher in older adults. However, activation in the default mode was less suppressed in older adults in for higher attentional task demands, and the level of suppression correlated with behavioral performance. Our results indicate that healthy aging does not significantly impair simple reinforcement learning. However, in complex environments, older adults rely more heavily on suboptimal reinforcement-learning strategies supported by the ventral striatum, whereas younger adults utilize attention processes supported by cortical networks. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Changes in the way that healthy human aging affects how we learn to optimally behave are not well understood; it has been suggested that age-related declines in dopaminergic function may impair older adult9s ability to learn from reinforcement. In the present fMRI experiment we show that learning and nucleus accumbens activation in a simple unidimensional reinforcment-learning task was not significantly affected by age. However, in a more complex multidimensional task, older adults showed worse performance and relied more on reinforcement-learning strategies than younger adults, while failing to disengage their default-mode network during learning. These results imply that older adults are only impaired in reinforcement learning if they additionally need to learn which dimensions of the environment are currently important. 1
Effect of ZnO-Saturated Electrolyte on Rechargeable Alkaline Zinc Batteries at Increased Depth-of-Discharge

Rechargeable alkaline batteries containing zinc anodes suffer from redistribution of active material due to the high solubility of ZnO in the electrolyte, limiting achievable capacity and lifetime. Here, we investigate pre-saturating the KOH electrolyte with ZnO as a strategy to mitigate this issue, utilizing rechargeable Ni–Zn cells. In contrast to previous reports featuring this approach, we use more practical limited-electrolyte cells and systematically study ZnO saturation at different levels of zinc depth-of-discharge (DODZn), where the pre-dissolved ZnO is included in the total system capacity. Starting with 32 wt. % KOH, cells tested at 14%, 21%, and 35% DODZn with ZnO-saturated electrolyte exhibit 191%, 235%, and 110% longer cycle life respectively over identically tested cells with ZnO-free electrolyte, with similar energy efficiency and no voltage-related energy losses. Furthermore, anodes cycled in ZnO-saturated electrolyte develop more favorable compact zinc deposits with less overall mass loss. The effect of initial KOH concentration was also studied, with ZnO saturation enhancing cycle life for 32 wt % and 45 wt % KOH but not for 25 wt % KOH, likely due to cell failure by passivation rather than shorting. The simplicity of ZnO addition and its beneficial effect at high zinc utilization make it a promising means to make secondary alkaline zinc batteries more commercially viable.
Retracing Rivers and drawing swamps: Using a drawing tablet to reconstruct an historical hydroscape from army corps survey maps

This article presents a novel geospatial approach to reconstructing and analyzing environmental change over extensive spatial and temporal scales, even in systems such as rivers and streams that ar...
Correlation of Coagulation Parameters With Clinical Outcomes During the Coronavirus-19 Surge in New York: Observational Cohort

Importance COVID-19 has caused a worldwide illness and New York became the epicenter of COVID-19 in the United States from Mid-March to May 2020. Objective To investigate the coagulopathic presentation of COVID and its natural course during the early stages of the COVID-19 surge in New York. To investigate whether hematologic and coagulation parameters can be used to assess illness severity and death. Design Retrospective case study of positive COVID inpatients between March 20, 2020-March 31, 2020. Setting Montefiore Health System main hospital, Moses, a large tertiary care center in the Bronx. Participants Adult inpatients with positive COVID tests hospitalized at MHS. Exposure for observational studies Datasets of participants were queried for demographic (age, sex, socioeconomic status, and self-reported race and/or ethnicity), clinical and laboratory data. Main outcome and measures Relationship and predictive value of measured parameters to mortality and illness severity. Results Of the 225 in this case review, 75 died during hospitalization while 150 were discharged home. Only the admission PT, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and first D-Dimer could significantly differentiate those who were discharged alive and those who died. Logistic regression analysis shows increased odds ratio for mortality by first D-Dimer within 48 hrs. of admission. The optimal cut-point for the initial D-Dimer to predict mortality was found to be 2.1 μg/mL. 15% of discharged patients required readmission and more than a third of readmitted patients died (5% of all initially discharged). Conclusion We describe here a comprehensive assessment of hematologic and coagulation parameters in COVID-19 and examine the relationship of these to mortality. We demonstrate that both initial and maximum D-Dimer values are biomarkers that can be used for survival assessments. Furthermore, D-Dimer may be useful to follow up discharged patients.
Notes on solutions of KZ equations modulo $p^s$ and $p$-adic limit $s\to\infty$

We consider the KZ equations over $\mathbb C$ in the case, when the hypergeometric solutions are hyperelliptic integrals of genus $g$. Then the space of solutions is a $2g$-dimensional complex vector space. We also consider the same equations modulo $p^s$, where $p$ is an odd prime and $s$ is a positive integer, and over the field $\mathbb Q_p$ of $p$-adic numbers. We construct polynomial solutions of the KZ equations modulo $p^s$ and study the space $\mathcal M_{p^s}$ of all constructed solutions. We show that the $p$-adic limit of $\mathcal M_{p^s}$ as $s\to\infty$ gives us a $g$-dimensional vector space of solutions of the KZ equations over $\mathbb Q_p$. The solutions over $\mathbb Q_p$ are power series at a certain asymptotic zone of the KZ equations. In the appendix written jointly with Steven Sperber we consider all asymptotic zones of the KZ equations in the case $g=1$ of elliptic integrals. The $p$-adic limit of $\mathcal M_{p^s}$ as $s\to \infty$ gives us a one-dimensional space of solutions over $\mathbb Q_p$ at every asymptotic zone. We apply Dwork's theory and show that our germs of solutions over $\mathbb Q_p$ defined at different asymptotic zones analytically continue into a single global invariant line subbundle of the associated KZ connection. Notice that the corresponding KZ connection over $\mathbb C$ does not have proper nontrivial invariant subbundles, and therefore our invariant line subbundle is a new feature of the KZ equations over $\mathbb Q_p$. We describe the Frobenius transformations of solutions of the KZ equations for $g =1$ and then recover the unit roots of the zeta functions of the elliptic curves defined by the equations $y^2= \beta \,x(x-1)(x-\alpha)$ over the finite field $\mathbb F_p$. Here $\alpha,\beta\in\mathbb F_p^\times, \alpha \ne 1$.
Engage for Equity: Advancing the Fields of Community-Based Participatory Research and Community-engaged Research in Community Psychology and the Social Sciences.

Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), as the most cited Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) approach in the health fields, mirrors community-psychology's long-term interest in participatory action research and community empowerment. This article introduces the Engage for Equity study, a long-term National Institutes of Health-funded inquiry to identify best partnering and collaborative practices that contribute to community capacity, empowerment and policy outcomes, and to long-term improved health and health equity. Four articles present facets of the study: psychometrics of partnering process and outcome measures, measures and outcomes of shared governance, and description of the CBPR Model as a new equity- and partnership based implementation framework; and as a tool for organizational learning and quality improvement. Finally a review of CBPR and CEnR in psychology offers recommendations for the field. Though focusing on CBPR and CEnR, Engage for Equity offers lessons for all forms of participatory action research.
Longleaf pine seedling growth and survival: Effects of season and intensity of simulated prescribed burning

Abstract Restoration of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) forests is an important land management goal in the southern United States. To achieve this goal, longleaf pine is increasingly being planted across its range. Fire is an important ecological factor that has historically shaped and sustained longleaf pine forests. However, we have limited information on how fire impacts longleaf pine seedlings in newly established plantations. We conducted this study in Northwest Florida to examine the effects of fire intensity (low intensity ((LI), ∼100 °C), medium intensity ((MI), ∼300 °C), high intensity ((HI), ∼500 °C), and an untreated control) on survival, growth (root collar diameter (RCD) and height), physiological processes (net assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gsw), and intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE)), and biomass allocation of longleaf pine seedlings over a period of six months after fire was applied in four seasons (summer, fall, winter, spring). Within a given season, the survival of seedlings did not significantly differ at different fire intensities, except in the summer (α = 0.05). For the summer application, survival was lower (18%) in the HI treatment compared to the MI (98%), LI (93%), and control (93%) (p = 0.003). RCD growth was significantly affected by fire intensity treatment only for the summer application. For the summer application, RCD growth six months after treatment (MAT) was highest (7.3 mm) in the control compared to the LI (2.7 mm), MI (2.7 mm), and HI (2.0 mm) (p = 0.021). The height growth of seedlings did not significantly differ at different fire intensities, though their values were greater at 6 months compared to 3 months. The effect of fire temperature on percent biomass allocation was only significant for the fall foliage (p = 0.004). Neither root, stem, nor total shoot percent biomass significantly differed for any other season. Largely, A, gsw, and iWUE were not significantly affected by fire temperature. iWUE did differ for MAT (p = 0.003), however, no pattern could be discerned. Overall, our observations suggest that longleaf pine seedlings are highly resistant and resilient to fire intensity in different seasons, with some vulnerability to high-intensity summer fires which can adversely affect their survival and growth. Summer burning is still a viable option for seedling survival provided conditions on the ground favor low/medium intensity fire.
The Great Patent Grab

From the late 1930s through the 1970s, the U.S. innovation economy operated under a weak property rights regime. Courts and regulators raised obstacles to patent enforcement and expansively interpreted antitrust constraints on patent licensing. This patent-skeptical climate was illustrated by a sequence of antitrust enforcement actions that resulted in the compulsory licensing of the patent portfolios held by some of the largest U.S. firms. Concurrently, the federal government instituted an implicit compulsory licensing regime through the infusion of R&D funding into the private sector, accompanied by legal constraints on firms’ control over technology developed using those funds. The U.S. economy exhibited robust innovation for a substantial but limited period, followed by a noticeable slowdown commencing in the mid-1960s as government funding declined. Contrary to expectations, reducing the force of patent protections did not appear to lower entry barriers or enhance competitive conditions. To the contrary: R&D investment was concentrated among a small group of large firms that received extensive government funding, market concentration did not decline, and there was little turnover in market leadership. Additionally, the weak-IP regime may have skewed organizational structures by favoring large firms that had the greatest access to government funding and could monetize R&D investment through integrated production and distribution structures. This weak-IP policy experiment suggests that the current revival of weak-IP policies among U.S. courts, legislators and regulators is likely to advantage, rather than challenge, incumbents in technology markets.
Sums of Two Squares

Logically, one should start with k = 1, i.e., the representation of a natural integer by a single (rational integral) square. In this case, however, both representation problems (i.e., problems (a), and (b) of Chapter 1) are trivial. For completeness only, we state here the result, without formal proof or further comments.
Buyer Choice Simulators, Optimizers, and Dynamic Models

Collecting and analyzing respondents’ conjoint data is an essential part of the analytical process. As noted by John Hauser and Vithala Rao in their excellent discussion of conjoint analysis over the past 30 years (see Chapter 6), marketing researchers have expended intense efforts on data collection and partworth estimation. Partworths have been estimated by full profile, Adaptive Conjoint Analysis, hybrid conjoint, and categorical conjoint, with or without empirical or hierarchical Bayes enhancement. Partworth measurement and estimation processes are central to the accuracy and usefulness of all conjoint studies. Accordingly, much has been written about the pros and cons of various conjoint data collection and parameter estimation methods.