cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of prescribed fire and fire surrogates on Saproxylic coleoptera in the Southern Appalachians of North Carolina

We examined the effects of forest management practices (prescribed burning, mechanical, and prescribed burn plus mechanical) on saproxylic forest Coleoptera in the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. During the 2-yr study, we captured 37,191 Coleoptera with baited multiple- unnel traps and pipe traps, comprising 20 families and 122 species that were used for our analysis. Saproxylic beetle numbers increased greatly from the first year to the second year on all treatments. Species richness and total abundance of Coleoptera were not significantly affected by the treatments, but several families (e.g., Elateridae, Cleridae, Trogositidae, Scolytidae) were significantly more abundant on treated plots. Abundances of many species, including various species of Scolytidae were significantly affected by the treatments. However, these scolytids (Hylastes salebrosus Eichoff, Ips grandico/lis Eichoff, Xyloborinus saxeseni Ratzburg, Xyleborus sp., Xyleborus atratus Eichoff) did not respond in the same way to the treatments. Likewise, other Coleoptera such as Pityophagus sp. (Nitidulidae), Hylobius pales Herbst (Curculionidae), and Xyleborus atratus Germar (Cerambycidae) also varied in their responses to the treatments. Species richness was not significantly different for the spring 2003 trapping seasons, but the fall 2003 sample had a higher number of species on mechanical shrub removal only and mechanical shrub removal plus prescribed burning plots compared with controls. Linear regression analysis suggests that increased dead wood caused by hot fires on mechanical plus burn and burn only treatments resulted in increases among various Coleoptera families and species. We saw no evidence that the treatments negatively impacted saproylic species and in most cases they benefited from the disturbances.
A Simply Prepared Broth for Producing Hemolytic Streptococcal Hematoxin (Streptolysin).

SummaryA very satisfactory medium for producing streptolysin and yielding heavy growths of bacteria results from adding filtered sterile salts, buffers, and glucose to beef heart, peptone broth previously sterilized at 100°C.
Sonification and the Mysticism of Negation

Sonification has become a commonly used tool for data analysis, auditory feedback and compositional inspiration. It is often described in scientific terms as a means of uncovering previously unknown patterns in information or data through the use of the auditory sense. This goal seems to be objective, but the results and methodologies can be highly subjective. Moreover, the techniques and sources of information are strikingly similar to those used in mysticism, especially mysticisms of negation, even though the frames of reference and underlying perceptions of the world are markedly different. Both practitioners of sonification and apophatic mystics believe that certain types of information are incomprehensible through traditional analytic means and can only be understood through experience. In this way, sonification can be thought of as a source of mystical information. In this paper, I will discuss the similarities between sonification and apophatic mysticism, or the mysticism of negation. I will argue that the practice of sonification, as a source of mystical information, is ideally suited for creative contemplation, particularly in electronic music. I will start by providing some historical background on the mysticism of negation. I will then present several ways in which sonified knowledge (sound) is often imagined, discussed and perceived akin to a mystical object. Finally, I will discuss specific ways in which sonification exemplifies apophatic mysticism and reveals mystical information. This information – whatever its nature – can be used for creative contemplation and is a potentially invaluable source of compositional and spiritual inspiration.
New Trichoptera From Puerto Rico

Very few Trichoptera have as yet been recorded from the West Indies; still fewer are known from Puerto Rico. It was with considerable interest that a collection of Trichoptera from Puerto Rico was examined and found to contain a number of species, five of which were new. I have been informed by Dr. H. D. Pratt who collected these specimens that material secured from Lake Tortuguero, which is in Vega Baja township, are from the only large fresh water lake in Puerto Rico and that it is located practically at sea level; specimens from El Yunque are from the best known high mountain in Puerto Rico and were collected at about twenty-two hundred feet elevation; those collected at Luquillo are from “roaring streams coming out of the high tropical rain forest” and were taken at approximately five hundred feet elevation. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. H. D. Pratt of the U. S. Public Health Service for collecting these specimens.
Feigning incompetency to stand trial: An investigation of the Georgia Court Competency Test.

The vulnerability of competency to stand trial instruments to malingering was previously unexamined. In this study, the Georgia Court Competency Test (GCCT) was administered to offenders asked to feign incompetency; their results were compared to controls and pretrial defendants (both competent and incompetent). Offenders appeared to be able to simulate incompetency and tended to score lower on the GCCT than their truly incompetent counterparts. For the detection of simulators, a newly developed Atypical Presentation scale for the GCCT showed promise. In addition, several strategies were explored that included simulators' failure of very simple items (i.e., floor effect) and variable success on items of increasing difficulty (i.e., performance curve). Optimal cutting scores are presented for forensic clinicians to screen defendants for feigned incompetency.
More Unequal in Income, More Unequal in Wellbeing

This study focuses on the long-term trend in happiness by income level in the United States. General Social Survey data suggest that in the past, rich and poor Americans were not only more equal in terms of income, but also in terms of their subjective wellbeing: the happiness gap between the poor and the rich has been increasing. Today’s poor suffer greater relative unhappiness than the poor of past decades. The gap between the poor and the rich is substantial, approximately 0.4 on a 1–3 happiness scale. The increase in the happiness gap is striking: comparing the 1970s to the 2000s, the gap has widened by about 40 % between the poor and the rich, and by about 50 % between the middle class and the rich.
Identification and characterization of a new enterovirus serotype of the FJ96-71 strain isolated in Fujian province

The new enterovirus serotype of the FJ96-71 strain isolated in Fujian province was identified by using serotype-specific antisera in a virus neutralization test,and characterized by RT-PCR coupled with amplicon sequencing and comparison to database of the enterovirus nucleotide sequence.It was demonstrated that the FJ96-71 strain of virus was not neutralized the standard enterovirus typing antisera,indicating that it may be a new serotype of enterovirus.The complete nucleotide sequence of FJ96-71 was 7426 bp,exclusive of the poly(A) tract,which was typical to the human enterovirus genome organization.Analyzing the gene sequence in the VP1 region,FJ96-71 was 80.6% identical(95.5% amino acid identity) with USA/OK85-10362(AY556070) strain,which was proposed to be classified as 75 type of enterovirus(EV75),but it has only 69.7% of identity to the reference strain of any serotype of enterovirus.The result of sequence identity in P1 region and the phylogenetic analysis further confirmed these results.The difference between FJ96-71 and AY556070 in 5' un-translated region(UTR) and the non-capsid protein code indicated that this new serotype of EV75 had circulated over a wide geographical area for a long time.It is concluded that the FJ96-71 is a member of the new enterovirus serotype,EV75, somewhat similar to USA/OK85-10362(AY556070).
Complications after use of elastomeric pressure-indicating media at 24-hour follow-up visit for immediate maxillary complete removable dental prosthesis: A clinical report

Various pressure-indicating media are available to assess the adaptation of the intaglio surface of a removable dental prosthesis at the insertion and follow-up appointments. This clinical report describes the use of an elastomer that entered the maxillary sinus through an undetected oroantral communication at the 24-hour follow-up for an immediate maxillary complete removable dental prosthesis. A Caldwell-Luc sinusotomy procedure was required to remove the material, and the patient required over 1 year of healing time before his reported symptoms resolved.
The Three Families

This chapter describes the processes involved in selecting the research site, how the author approached the refugee participants, and how the relationships between the participants and researcher were established and maintained. The chapter also introduces the three participant families, their stories, biographical information, insights, and their circumstances during the data-collection period.
Microprocessors for Signal and Image Processing

Digital signal microprocessors appeared in the early 1980s. These devices are able to perform extremely fast multiplications and additions. This ability is particularly beneficial for tasks that require repetitive calculations — e.g., filtering, speech and handwriting recognition, and image processing and enhancement.
Temperature Dependence of L-Proline RNA Duplex Destabilization

L-Proline, an osmoprotectant and non-essential amino acid, destabilizes the secondary and tertiary structures of nucleic acids. L-proline interactions with the surface area exposed in unfolding RNA duplexes were quantified using m-values for ten RNA dodecamer duplexes that varied in GC content from 17% to 83%. The RNA dodecamer unfolding transitions were facilitated by thermal denaturation and isothermal titration with proline, both monitored using ultraviolet spectroscopy. The m-values from isothermal titration at 22 °C were independent of GC content. However, m-values from thermal denaturation were greater in magnitude and more negative for higher GC content RNA indicating more favorable proline interactions with the accessible surface area exposed in unfolding high GC content duplexes. Since RNA duplex transition temperatures increase with GC content, the more favorable L-proline interactions with the high GC content duplex surface area result from the temperature dependence of L-proline interactions rather than the RNA surface chemical composition. The enthalpy contribution to the m-value is positive and small (indicating a slight increase in duplex unfolding enthalpy with L-proline) while the entropic contribution to the m-value is positive and increases with temperature. Our results help facilitate using L-proline as a probe of solvent accessible surface area changes during biochemical reactions at different reaction temperatures.
Law in the Shadow of Negotiation: On the Jurisprudence of Roger Fisher

This chapter reviews the life work of one of negotiation’s most famous scholars and offers a wholly new observation. Roger Fisher did not understand negotiation as primarily something that happens in the shadow of the law. Rather, based on his years thinking about international conflict, Fisher offered a theory of negotiation as a form of legal ordering and, by extension, a theory of law as a form of negotiation — one with enduring relevance for dispute resolution today.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy for metastases to the kidney in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a new treatment paradigm for durable palliation.

Background: Cancer metastasis to the kidney is a rare event; treatment must take into account the associated and unique anatomic and physiological challenges of treating the kidney. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a widely emerging modality of radiotherapy touted for its ability to minimize irradiation to surrounding tissues and to provide a vastly shortened treatment course that is highly biologically potent. However, the use of SBRT to treat kidney neoplasms has been described in only a few case reports generally for primary renal malignancies. The role of SBRT in patients with renal metastasis, in providing durable local control and palliation of symptoms, is currently undefined. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and symptomatic renal metastases treated with SBRT. All patients meeting these criteria from a single institution were included. Results: Symptomatic relief and early tumor control was achieved in all patients. We demonstrate that SBRT is a safe and effective treatment for renal metastases, with ability to spare surrounding tissues and to be delivered in a convenient treatment course of no more than 5 fractions, which lends support to its use in palliative care and appropriate oligometastatic scenarios. Conclusions: Further corroborative work is needed to assess kidney function after SBRT and to better characterize the expected duration of local control and palliative relief following SBRT.
Keystroke-level analysis to estimate time to process pages in online learning environments

ABSTRACTIt is challenging for students to plan their work sessions in online environments, as it is very difficult to make estimates on how much material there is to cover. In order to simplify this estimation, we have extended the Keystroke-level analysis model with individual reading speed of text, figures, and questions. This was used to estimate how long students might take to work through pages in an online learning environment. The estimates from the model were compared to data collected from 902 volunteer students. Despite the huge differences in reported reading speeds between students, the presented model performs reasonably well and could be used to give learners feedback on how long it takes to work through pages in online learning environments. This feedback could be used to support students’ motivation and effort regulation as they work through online course components. Although the model performs reasonably well, we propose giving feedback in the form of intervals to indicate the uncertainty...
Synthesis of Metal Carbides Using Biological Templates

Nanocrystalline metal carbides (MC: M=Si, Ti) have been prepared using cellulose network mineralized with silica and titania by carbothermal reduction at high temperature in Ar. Hierarchical biological structures indigenous to the cellulose precursor were completely replicated after the reaction. Cubic phase MC composites show relative low oxygen content 0.24 wt% and a high lattice parameter of 4.327A in TiC. The particle sizes of the MC composites are 200-700nm for SiC and 10-50nm for TiC, and high BET surface area, up to 150m2/g.
Tuning Selectivity of CO2 Hydrogenation Reactions at the Metal/Oxide Interface

The chemical transformation of CO2 not only mitigates the anthropogenic CO2 emission into the Earth’s atmosphere but also produces carbon compounds that can be used as precursors for the production of chemicals and fuels. The activation and conversion of CO2 can be achieved on multifunctional catalytic sites available at the metal/oxide interface by taking advantage of the synergy between the metal nanoparticles and oxide support. Herein, we look at the recent progress in mechanistic studies of CO2 hydrogenation to C1 (CO, CH3OH, and CH4) compounds on metal/oxide catalysts. On this basis, we are able to provide a better understanding of the complex reaction network, grasp the capability of manipulating structure and combination of metal and oxide at the interface in tuning selectivity, and identify the key descriptors to control the activity and, in particular, the selectivity of catalysts. Finally, we also discuss challenges and future research opportunities for tuning the selective conversion of CO2 on ...
Genetic engineering: Lassoing genomic libraries

Long single-stranded DNA probes enable the capture and multiplexed cloning of DNA at the megabase scale.
Validation of an In-Mold Multivariate Sensor for Measurement of Melt Temperature, Pressure, Velocity, and Viscosity

Abstract A multivariate sensor (MVS) is described for measurement of melt temperature, melt pressure, melt velocity, and melt viscosity. Melt pressure and temperature are respectively obtained through the incorporation of a piezo-ceramic element and infrared thermopile. Melt velocity is derived from the initial response of the melt temperature as the polymer melt flows across the sensor lens. The apparent melt viscosity is then derived based on the melt velocity and the time derivative of the increasing melt pressure. The response of the MVS is analyzed using an instrumented mold including piezoelectric pressure sensors, an infrared pyrometer, and thermocouples. A 12-run, blocked half-fractional design of experiments (DOE) was run to characterize the effect of melt temperature, mold temperature, packing pressure, and ram velocity. The results show that the MVS provides excellent measurement of melt temperature and pressure. The accuracy of the melt velocity estimations depended on the ram velocity set-poi...
Israel: ‘Law as the Continuation of War by Other Means’

On the night of October 14, 1953, Israeli soldiers attacked the Palestinian village of Qibya, killing about sixty villagers, most of them women and children. In the 64 years that passed from the Qibya massacre to this day much has changed in the strategic and tactical policies adopted by Israel to cope with the threats of terrorism. The terrorist threats themselves have changed in many ways. But the main legal, moral, ethical and even strategic dilemmas remained very much the same, and are still alive and unsettled. These dilemmas include fundamental issues such as the very definition of terrorism, as well as more practical questions concerning the applicable legal framework and the balance between national security and personal liberties. The following sections will focus on the domestic law enforcement regime in Israel, and on the particular ways Israeli legislators adopted to cope with the threats of terrorism. While analyzing specific law enforcement counter-terrorism means and methods, this essay focuses on ‘law as the Continuation of war by other means,’ and demonstrates the impact of the ‘war on terror’ on counter-terrorism law and practice.
Connectome-based predictive modeling of attention: Comparing different functional connectivity features and prediction methods across datasets.

Connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM; Finn et al., 2015; Shen et al., 2017) was recently developed to predict individual differences in traits and behaviors, including fluid intelligence (Finn et al., 2015) and sustained attention (Rosenberg et al., 2016a), from functional brain connectivity (FC) measured with fMRI. Here, using the CPM framework, we compared the predictive power of three different measures of FC (Pearson's correlation, accordance, and discordance) and two different prediction algorithms (linear and partial least square [PLS] regression) for attention function. Accordance and discordance are recently proposed FC measures that respectively track in-phase synchronization and out-of-phase anti-correlation (Meskaldji et al., 2015). We defined connectome-based models using task-based or resting-state FC data, and tested the effects of (1) functional connectivity measure and (2) feature-selection/prediction algorithm on individualized attention predictions. Models were internally validated in a training dataset using leave-one-subject-out cross-validation, and externally validated with three independent datasets. The training dataset included fMRI data collected while participants performed a sustained attention task and rested (N = 25; Rosenberg et al., 2016a). The validation datasets included: 1) data collected during performance of a stop-signal task and at rest (N = 83, including 19 participants who were administered methylphenidate prior to scanning; Farr et al., 2014a; Rosenberg et al., 2016b), 2) data collected during Attention Network Task performance and rest (N = 41, Rosenberg et al., in press), and 3) resting-state data and ADHD symptom severity from the ADHD-200 Consortium (N = 113; Rosenberg et al., 2016a). Models defined using all combinations of functional connectivity measure (Pearson's correlation, accordance, and discordance) and prediction algorithm (linear and PLS regression) predicted attentional abilities, with correlations between predicted and observed measures of attention as high as 0.9 for internal validation, and 0.6 for external validation (all p's < 0.05). Models trained on task data outperformed models trained on rest data. Pearson's correlation and accordance features generally showed a small numerical advantage over discordance features, while PLS regression models were usually better than linear regression models. Overall, in addition to correlation features combined with linear models (Rosenberg et al., 2016a), it is useful to consider accordance features and PLS regression for CPM.
A Role for Monomethylation of Histone H3-K27 in Gene Activity in Drosophila

Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a conserved chromatin-modifying enzyme that methylates histone H3 on lysine-27 (K27). PRC2 can add one, two, or three methyl groups and the fully methylated product, H3-K27me3, is a hallmark of Polycomb-silenced chromatin. Less is known about functions of K27me1 and K27me2 and the dynamics of flux through these states. These modifications could serve mainly as intermediates to produce K27me3 or they could each convey distinct epigenetic information. To investigate this, we engineered a variant of Drosophila melanogaster PRC2 which is converted into a monomethyltransferase. A single substitution, F738Y, in the lysine-substrate binding pocket of the catalytic subunit, E(Z), creates an enzyme that retains robust K27 monomethylation but dramatically reduced di- and trimethylation. Overexpression of E(Z)-F738Y in fly cells triggers desilencing of Polycomb target genes significantly more than comparable overexpression of catalytically deficient E(Z), suggesting that H3-K27me1 contributes positively to gene activity. Consistent with this, normal genomic distribution of H3-K27me1 is enriched on actively transcribed Drosophila genes, with localization overlapping the active H3-K36me2/3 chromatin marks. Thus, distinct K27 methylation states link to either repression or activation depending upon the number of added methyl groups. If so, then H3-K27me1 deposition may involve alternative methyltransferases beyond PRC2, which is primarily repressive. Indeed, assays on fly embryos with PRC2 genetically inactivated, and on fly cells with PRC2 chemically inhibited, show that substantial H3-K27me1 accumulates independently of PRC2. These findings imply distinct roles for K27me1 vs. K27me3 in transcriptional control and an expanded machinery for methylating H3-K27.
Activation of Striatal Neurons Causes a Perceptual Decision Bias during Visual Change Detection in Mice

Summary The basal ganglia are implicated in perceptual decision-making, although their specific contributions remain unclear. Here, we tested the causal role of the basal ganglia by manipulating neuronal activity in the dorsal striatum of mice performing a visual orientation-change detection (yes/no) task. Brief unilateral optogenetic stimulation caused large changes in task performance, shifting psychometric curves upward by increasing the probability of "yes" responses with only minor changes in sensitivity. For the direct pathway, these effects were significantly larger when the visual event was expected in the contralateral visual field, demonstrating a lateralized bias in responding to sensory inputs rather than a generalized increase in action initiation. For both direct and indirect pathways, the effects were specific to task epochs in which choice-relevant visual stimuli were present. These results indicate that the causal link between striatal activity and decision-making includes an additive perceptual bias in favor of expected or valued visual events.
Heritable variation in prey defence provides refuge for subdominant predators.

Generalist predators with broadly overlapping niches commonly coexist on seemingly identical sets of prey. Here, we provide empirical demonstration that predators can differentially exploit fine-gr...
Comparing Two Approaches to Engineering Design in the 7th Grade Science Classroom

In schools, design projects can be implemented at a variety of ways and with varying degrees of resources from teachers and schools. However, little work has been done on the differences between student learning outcomes and the type of design projects. This study compares two design projects implemented in 7th grade classrooms (n=677) at two different schools to explain affordances of each approach based on differences in project authenticity, scale, and depth of context in supporting student learning outcomes. The main data sources were an engineering science test and a design reasoning elicitation problem, administered at each school before and after the design project. To understand the relationship between students’ science learning gains and school implementation, we conducted a sign test to compare between-group differences and a Mann Whitney Test to compare within-group differences. Then, we performed a content analysis to examine students’ design reasoning and a two-way contingency table analysis to understand if a student’s school implementation was related to the changes in design trade-off reasoning. Students at both schools exhibited statistically significant but small gains on their engineering science test scores. While students at the school with a more interdisciplinary, more authentic design project had higher scores on the engineering science test, students at the school with a smaller scale implementation discussed more trade-off factors in their design reasoning elicitation problem. These findings suggest that differences in project implementation appear to be associated with different learning outcomes, and there are potential benefits to both authenticity and simplicity in design projects.
Optimal Control Problems and Variational Methods

In the previous discussions on controllability, we have been concerned with the possibility of bringing a state (vector) from an initial position to an assigned position, namely the target, in a finite amount of time. In practice, many factors must be brought into consideration. For instance, the state may not be allowed to travel outside a certain region and the control (function) has certain limited capacity. Another important consideration is that there are certain quantities that we wish to optimize. Usually the quantities to be minimized are time, fuel, energy, cost, etc. and those to be maximized include speed, efficiency, profit, etc. The problem under consideration is, therefore, to optimize a quantity, called a functional, which usually depends on the control function, the state vector, and the time parameter, and at the same time, to satisfy certain constraints, namely: the control equation of the state-space description, a region the state vector is confined to, and an admissible collection of functions to which the control function belongs.
Ethics and Nostalgia in the Contemporary Novel: Narratives of return: locating ethics in the age of globalization

When it comes to being ethical, there is no escaping the imperative of place. – Edward S. Casey, Getting Back into Place Where I was before I came here, that place is real. It's never going away. Even if the whole farm – every tree and grass blade of it dies. The picture is still there and what's more, if you go there – you who never was there – if you go there and stand in the place where it was, it will happen again; it will be there for you, waiting for you. So, Denver, you can't never go there. Never. Because even though it's all over – over and done with – it's going to always be there waiting for you. – Toni Morrison, Beloved In the age of supersonic travel and virtual highways, place has reemerged as a central social and philosophical concern. Or one might at least get this impression from scanning the academic book lists in the humanities and social sciences since the early 1990s. A term previously dismissed as embodying stasis and conservative claims of authenticity now graces the titles of an impressive range of texts with widely varying politics and methodologies. Philosopher Edward S. Casey's Getting Back into Place , cultural geographer Doreen Massey's Space, Place and Gender , literary scholar Ian Baucom's Out of Place , and anthropologists Akhil Gupta and James Ferguson's edited volume Culture, Power, Place represent only a small sample of this phenomenon.
An experimental study of turtle shell rattle production and the implications for archaeofaunal assemblages.

Turtle shell rattles are percussion instruments used by Indigenous peoples of the Americas in ceremonial contexts to keep rhythm. Archaeological investigations in the southeastern United States produced several complete and partial Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) shell rattles from mortuary contexts dating from the Archaic (ca. 8000-1000 BC) through Mississippian periods (ca. AD 800-1500). Fragmentary turtle remains, some identified as Eastern box turtle, are frequently recovered from non-mortuary contexts. Traditionally, these fragmentary remains are attributed to food waste. Given the archaeological and ethnographic evidence for turtle shell rattles, we need to consider how fragmentary remains might fit into the chaine operatoire of rattle production. This paper presents the results of an experimental study designed to identify one such chaine operatoire of rattle production. During this experiment, the data on taphonomic processes such as manufacturing marks, use-wear, and breakage patterns, were recorded. We then tested the taphonomic findings from the experimental study and an object trait list we compiled from known rattle specimens and documentary sources with archaeological turtle remains recovered from non-mortuary contexts at two Mississippian period (ca. AD 1000-1450) sites in Middle Tennessee. Historic indigenous groups are known to have, and still do into the present-day, make and use turtle shell rattles in the region. Ultimately, we determined that "food refuse" should not be the default interpretation of fragmentary box turtle remains, and instead the taphonomic history and contextual associations must be considered in full. The experimental process of crafting turtle shell rattles enhances our understanding of an ancient musical instrument and the success rate of identifying musical artifacts and distinguishing between other modified turtle remains in the archaeological record. This study expands our knowledge of ancient music in North America and prompts re-analysis of curated turtle remains in museums for rattle-related modifications.
Functional characterization of natural variants found on the major stress inducible 70-kDa heat shock gene, HSPA1A, in humans

Abstract In this report, we investigated the effects of natural single nucleotide polymorphisms on the function of HSPA1A, the major stress-inducible Hsp70 gene in humans. We first established that all mutant proteins retain their ability to hydrolyze ATP, but three of them had a significantly lower rate of ATP hydrolysis as compared to the wild-type (WT) protein. We also used Isothermal Titration Calorimetry and found that although all mutants bind to protein substrate with dissociation constants similar to the WT protein, four of them had increased reaction entropies. We also tested whether these mutations affect the ability of HSPA1A to refold heat-denatured luciferase. These assays revealed that one mutation resulted in significantly lower levels while a second one resulted in higher levels of the refolded enzyme. We then determined whether the mutations affected the ability of HSPA1A to prevent apoptosis caused by poly-glutamine carrying huntingtin proteins. This assay determined that three of the mutations caused increased cell apoptosis as compared to the WT. Our results reveal that although none of these naturally occurring mutations exists on positions of known function, some alter the molecular chaperone activities of HSPA1A most probably by affecting the allosteric communication between its two major domains.
Measuring crime: behind the statistics: by Sharon L. Lohr, Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press, 2019, 157 + viii pp., $23.96 (paperback), ISBN: 978-1-138-48907-3

This well-composed book is not quite technically written statistics book. Nevertheless, it is an excellent source for learning on how to handle the massive data especially about the crime incidence...
Reverse norms and L∞ exponential decay for a class of degenerate evolution systems arising in kinetic theory

Abstract We consider the question of exponential decay to equilibrium of solutions of an abstract class of degenerate evolution equations on a Hilbert space modeling the steady Boltzmann and other kinetic equations. Specifically, we provide conditions suitable for construction of a stable manifold in a particular “reverse L ∞ ” norm and examine when these do and do not hold.
Exploring Identity Through Literature and Language: Adolescents’ Identity Positioning in Rural Appalachia

ABSTRACTThis article centers on the discursive moves that two adolescent girls in rural Appalachia use to negotiate dominant discourses regarding Appalachian identity and language. The data is draw...
Fast Detection of Hidden Dangers in Transmission Line Corridors Based on Region Partitioning and Feature Extraction

Hidden dangers like large-scale construction machinery are the main causes of line trips. In this paper, we propose a fast detection algorithm for hidden dangers in transmission line corridors based on region partitioning and feature extraction. Since the scenes in the sky are simple and stable compared with the scenes on the ground, we detect hidden dangers in the sky and those on the ground separately. For hidden dangers in the sky, we firstly designed an algorithm to calculate the mask image for sky area. After dividing the sky area, we extracted features including colors and shapes of the difference areas in order to eliminate the interference factors. The targets left are the hidden dangers we truly cared about. For hidden dangers on the ground, firstly we design a pre-processing algorithm to eliminate the influence of uneven illumination on subsequent matching. Secondly, we propose a multi-scale gray-weighted average method to fuse multiple channels of multiple color spaces, by which we can effectively suppress noise caused by camera shake and maximize the area that cannot be matched. Thirdly, we use the Haar feature density map to filter the photo to remove discrete pixel points caused by small disturbances. Finally, we extract multiple features and fuse those features on decision level to obtain the final matching result. When deployed on intelligent monitoring devices and tested with massive scene photos, our algorithm has achieved the expected running efficiency and detection accuracy.
Algorithmic Decision-Making: Examining the Interplay of People, Technology, and Organizational Practices through an Economic Experiment

Human experts are being increasingly required to work with artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in organizational decision-making. Using a large-scale historic dataset, we design and run an economic experiment where financially incentivized participants evaluate loan applications with the aid of an AI/ML. We find that humans and AI working together can surpass the AI itself and the humans working alone, under the right conditions. The performance of human-machine teams depends crucially on quality AI technology and well designed organizational practices. Importantly, when both are jointly put into place, firms most significantly increase their profits. We also find that, only when the AI/ML in use has adequate accuracy can the human-machine teams excel humans operating on their own. Otherwise, humans are actually better off working by themselves. We contribute to the emerging algorithmic decision-making literature by examining the properties of both AI/ML technology and organizational policies, in addition to accounting for the human decision makers' characteristics. Importantly, we highlight the importance of their interdependent effect on maximizing organizational outcomes. We especially contribute to the automation literature which investigates which tasks should and should not be automated. Our comparison of human-machine teams vs. machine goes beyond merely pitting human against the machine and is especially important given rising concerns about AI replacing human workers, exacerbating inequality, even eradicating the need for organizational structure. Our findings hold implications for firms wishing to build sustainable human-machine collaboration, that not only serves to increase organizational financial gains, but more importantly, also to understand more clearly the role of humans in the current constantly changing employment landscape due to the rapid advances in AI/ML every day.
Towards Developing a Micropulse Differential Absorption Lidar to Measure Atmospheric Temperature

It has generally been assumed that differential absorption lidar (DIAL) systems are incapable of measuring atmospheric temperature with useful accuracy. This assumption is a direct result of errors that arise in standard DIAL retrievals due to differential Rayleigh-Doppler broadening from aerosols and molecules. We present here, a combined high spectral resolution (HSRL) and DIAL system that addresses this identified source of uncertainty by measuring quantitative aerosol parameters as well as oxygen absorption parameters. This system, in combination with a perturbative retrieval method, accounts for the Rayleigh-Doppler broadening effects on the oxygen absorption. We describe this combined DIAL/HSRL system and retrieval to evaluate the first retrieval parameters exploring the likelihood that it is possible to measure atmospheric temperature using a DIAL system.
Expiratory Pause Maneuver to Assess Muscle Pressure During Simulated Assisted Mechanical Ventilation Part 1: Feasibility

Background: Patient effort during AMV is measured by esophageal pressure change (ΔPes) as a signifier of Pmus. Proper esophageal balloon placement requires close correspondence between ΔPes and airway pressure change (ΔPaw) during an occlusion test (ie, Baydur Maneuver). Because ΔPaw is the accepted standard for estimating ΔPmus, we reasoned that introducing an airway occlusion at end expiration to measure ΔPaw during the subsequent patient-triggered inspiration might be a practical, noninvasive way to assess inspiratory effort. We evaluated how closely clinician Pmus measurements using EMP reflected that generated by a breathing simulator under various conditions of inspiratory effort and breathing modes. Methods: Spontaneous breathing was simulated using an Ingmar ASL-5000 (Ingmar, Pittsburgh, PA) with a compliance of 80 mL/cm H2O and resistance of 5 cm H2O/L/s. The breathing pattern was f of 20 breaths/min at 3 ΔPmus levels reflecting mild, moderate and high effort (5, 10, 15 cm H2O) using a 20% pressure rise, 10% hold and 10% decay (inspiratory time or Ti: 1.2 s). The test series consisted of 15 breaths/Pmus. A PB-980 ventilator (Medtronics, Minneapolis, MN) was used with 3 modes: continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP: 5 cm H2O), pressure support ventilation (PSV: Δ15/5 cm H2O), and volume control ventilation (VCV: tidal volume: 500 mL, f: 15 breaths/min, peak flow: 60L/m, Ti: 0.9s, positive end-expiratory pressure: 5 cm H2O). Trigger sensitivity was set at 3 L/min. For each condition (and after allowing 5 min of practice), 5 clinicians measured Pmus using the ventilator9s negative inspiratory force function during expiration and releasing the pause-hold as soon as a negative deflection in ΔPaw was observed on the scalar waveform. An average of 24 breaths per observer was used for each condition. Multiple comparisons used one-way ANOVA and Tukey Kraemer post-test. Bland Altman analysis was done during passive VCV comparing plateau to lung pressure with a 1.5-s pause. Alpha was set at 0.05. Results: EPM closely approximated simulated Pmus for all mild and moderate Pmus conditions for CPAP and PSV (Table). Under VCV at moderate and high effort EPM estimates of Pmus deviated from measurements made on CPAP and PSV. However, most comparisons were within parameters suggested by Bland-Altman analysis (ie, PB-980 Pressure bias -1.7 cm H2O (95% CI: -1.5 to -1.8 cm H2O). Conclusions: EPM is a feasible, noninvasive technique to assess breathing effort during AMV.
Demonstration of a microwave SQUID multiplexer with pre-amplification from a kinetic inductance traveling-wave parametric amplifier

Kinetic inductance traveling-wave parametric amplifiers (KITs) are under development for the read out of large cryogenic detector arrays. We present new KIT designs based on 20nm NbTiN films patterned by use of standard optical photolithography. We report device gain, bandwidth, and noise properties, which approach the quantum limit. In addition, we demonstrate a KIT preamplifier with a microwave SQUID multiplexer. The improved input referred current noise, as compared to standard HEMT readout, opens up new possibilities for cryogenic receivers. We discuss these benefits.
Neuroscience of object relations in health and disorder: A proposal for an integrative model

Recent advances in the neuroscience of episodic memory provide a framework to integrate object relations theory, a psychoanalytic model of mind development, with potential neural mechanisms. Object relations are primordial cognitive-affective units of the mind derived from survival- and safety-level experiences with caretakers during phase-sensitive periods of infancy and toddlerhood. Because these are learning experiences, their neural substrate likely involves memory, here affect-enhanced episodic memory. Inaugural object relations are encoded by the hippocampus-amygdala synaptic plasticity, and systems-consolidated by medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Self- and object-mental representations, extracted from these early experiences, are at first dichotomized by contradictory affects evoked by frustrating and rewarding interactions ("partial object relations"). Such affective dichotomization appears to be genetically hardwired the amygdala. Intrinsic propensity of mPFC to form schematic frameworks for episodic memories may pilot non-conscious integration of dichotomized mental representations in neonates and infants. With the emergence of working memory in toddlers, an activated self- and object-representation of a particular valence can be juxtaposed with its memorized opposites creating a balanced cognitive-affective frame (conscious "integration of object relations"). Specific events of object relations are forgotten but nevertheless profoundly influence the mental future of the individual, acting (i) as implicit schema-affect templates that regulate attentional priorities, relevance, and preferential assimilation of new information based on past experience, and (ii) as basic units of experience that are, under normal circumstances, integrated as attractors or "focal points" for interactive self-organization of functional brain networks that underlie the mind. A failure to achieve integrated object relations is predictive of poor adult emotional and social outcomes, including personality disorder. Cognitive, cellular-, and systems-neuroscience of episodic memory appear to support key postulates of object relations theory and help elucidate neural mechanisms of psychodynamic psychotherapy. Derived through the dual prism of psychoanalysis and neuroscience, the gained insights may offer new directions to enhance mental health and improve treatment of multiple forms of psychopathology.
A random forest method with feature selection for developing medical prediction models with clustered and longitudinal data.

Abstract Background Machine learning methodologies are gaining popularity for developing medical prediction models for datasets with a large number of predictors, particularly in the setting of clustered and longitudinal data. Binary Mixed Model (BiMM) forest is a promising machine learning algorithm which may be applied to develop prediction models for clustered and longitudinal binary outcomes. Although machine learning methods for clustered and longitudinal methods such as BiMM forest exist, feature selection has not been analyzed via data simulations. Feature selection improves the practicality and ease of use of prediction models for clinicians by reducing the burden of data collection. Thus, feature selection procedures are not only beneficial, but are often necessary for development of medical prediction models. In this study, we aim to assess feature selection within the BiMM forest setting for modeling clustered and longitudinal binary outcomes. Methods We conducted a simulation study to compare BiMM forest with feature selection (backward elimination or stepwise selection) to standard generalized linear mixed model feature selection methods (shrinkage and backward elimination). We also evaluated feature selection methods to develop models predicting mobility disability in older adults using the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study dataset as an example utilization of the proposed methodology. Results BiMM forest with backward elimination generally offered higher computational efficiency, similar or higher predictive performance (accuracy and area under the receiver operating curve), and similar or higher ability to identify correct features compared to linear methods for the different simulated scenarios. For predicting mobility disability in older adults, methods generally performed similarly in terms of accuracy, area under the receiver operating curve, and specificity; however, BiMM forest with backward elimination had the highest sensitivity. Conclusions This study is novel because it is the first investigation of feature selection for developing random forest prediction models for clustered and longitudinal binary outcomes. Results from the simulation study reveal that BiMM forest with backward elimination has the highest accuracy (performance and identification of correct features) and lowest computation time compared to other feature selection methods in some scenarios and similar performance in other scenarios. Many informatics datasets have clustered and longitudinal outcomes and results from this study suggest that BiMM forest with backward elimination may be beneficial for developing medical prediction models.
Would You Be Interested in a Corporate Start-Up?

Entrepreneurship. Innovation. Creativity. While these words may spark some sort of inspiration within you, most people would associate these ingenuity concepts with start-ups. But it is not only startups that need entrepreneurs. In today's world, high-performing companies need to constantly reinvent themselves. They must consistently find new products and services to stay relevant. Hence, goal-oriented entrepreneurs and leaders are needed more than ever in corporations around the globe. The relatively recent term intraprenuership has emerged, defined as the act of behaving like an entrepreneur while working within a large organization.