cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A quality-aware optimizer for information extraction

A large amount of structured information is buried in unstructured text. Information extraction systems can extract structured relations from the documents and enable sophisticated, SQL-like queries over unstructured text. Information extraction systems are not perfect and their output has imperfect precision and recall (i.e., contains spurious tuples and misses good tuples). Typically, an extraction system has a set of parameters that can be used as “knobs” to tune the system to be either precision- or recall-oriented. Furthermore, the choice of documents processed by the extraction system also affects the quality of the extracted relation. So far, estimating the output quality of an information extraction task has been an ad hoc procedure, based mainly on heuristics. In this article, we show how to use Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves to estimate the extraction quality in a statistically robust way and show how to use ROC analysis to select the extraction parameters in a principled manner. Furthermore, we present analytic models that reveal how different document retrieval strategies affect the quality of the extracted relation. Finally, we present our maximum likelihood approach for estimating, on the fly, the parameters required by our analytic models to predict the runtime and the output quality of each execution plan. Our experimental evaluation demonstrates that our optimization approach predicts accurately the output quality and selects the fastest execution plan that satisfies the output quality restrictions.
A Hyperstable Model-Following Flight Control System Used for Reconfiguration Following Aircraft Impairment

Techniques have been developed for remixing the commands issued by flight control laws that assume unimpaired operation. This approach allows impairments to be accommodated that previously were not. This increase in fault tolerance does not decrease reliability because no additional hardware is installed on the aircraft. Instead, previously existing redundant control surfaces are used to greater advantage. A recent effort has focused on an implicit approach as opposed to a previously mechanized explicit approach. The implicit approach, which is termed Hyperstable Model-Following Flight Control (HMFC), is estimated to be an order-of-magnitude smaller in size than the explicit approach, which is termed the Control Reconfiguration Feature (CRF). This reduction in size is accomplished without a loss in performance. In fact, performance can be increased because the reduced complexity allows a higher iteration rate and, hence, reduced reconfiguration time. Furthermore, HMFC will successfully reconfigure under conditions for which the CRF will not, while possessing robustness with respect to disturbances and unmodeled states. The completion of the HMFC system design constitutes an advance in the simplicity and comprehensiveness of reconfigurable flight control systems.
Horizontal Slip-Form Construction—Section Stability

Horizontal slip-form construction with low slump concrete is adaptable to geometrical cross sections with large longitudinal dimensions. Section heights of 5 ft (1.5 m) or more have been readily constructed. A limitation of the method has been the lack of a simple method for evaluating the section stability. To provide the needed information, an experimental slip-form constructed wall section was analyzed by the finite element method using mechanical properties from laboratory tests converted to field mix conditions. Results showed that section stability can be determined by a comparison of the maximum shear stress with the undrained shear strength from unconfined compression tests on fresh concrete. Using results from the finite element method, a simplified analysis uses the relationship between a shape factor and stress ratio to determine the maximum shear stress. Comparison of this stress with the available undrained shear strength gives a measure of the factor of safety for the slip-form constructed section.
Replication fork regression in vitro by the Werner syndrome protein (WRN): Holliday junction formation, the effect of leading arm structure and a potential role for WRN exonuclease activity

The premature aging and cancer-prone disease Werner syndrome stems from loss of WRN protein function. WRN deficiency causes replication abnormalities, sensitivity to certain genotoxic agents, genomic instability and early replicative senescence in primary fibroblasts. As a RecQ helicase family member, WRN is a DNA-dependent ATPase and unwinding enzyme, but also possesses strand annealing and exonuclease activities. RecQ helicases are postulated to participate in pathways responding to replication blockage, pathways possibly initiated by fork regression. In this study, a series of model replication fork substrates were used to examine the fork regression capability of WRN. Our results demonstrate that WRN catalyzes fork regression and Holliday junction formation. This process is an ATP-dependent reaction that is particularly efficient on forks containing single-stranded gaps of at least 11-13 nt on the leading arm at the fork junction. Importantly, WRN exonuclease activity, by digesting the leading daughter strand, enhances regression of forks with smaller gaps on the leading arm, thus creating an optimal structure for regression. Our results suggest that the multiple activities of WRN cooperate to promote replication fork regression. These findings, along with the established cellular consequences of WRN deficiency, strongly support a role for WRN in regression of blocked replication forks.
Tree buttress microhabitat use by a neotropical leaf-litter herpetofauna

Abstract We assessed the importance of tree buttresses as a microhabitat for leaf-litter amphibians and reptiles in a tropical wet forest in Costa Rica by making comparisons of species richness and abundance between pairs of 4 × 4 m leaf-litter quadrats. One quadrat in each pair contained a central buttressed tree, and the other did not. Both abundance and species richness of the herpetofauna were much greater in plots containing buttressed trees; higher species richness in buttress plots was attributed solely to greater abundance in these plots. Buttress and nonbuttress plots contained a similar species composition, and we found particularly strong use of this microhabitat by the scincid lizard Sphenomorphus cherriei. Our results indicate that the microhabitat provided by tree buttresses forms a site of generalized high abundance for the leaf-litter herpetofauna and may contribute to localized high abundance of at least one species.
Calcified pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis

A patient presented with severe suboccipital headaches. Noncontrast CT was obtained and a densely calcified mass was found at the right cerebellomedullary angle cistern (figure 1). This lesion was followed clinically and with serial imaging. Follow-up MRI of the brain performed 8 months later demonstrated slightly increased mass effect and edema on the adjacent medulla and gross total surgical resection was performed. Final pathologic diagnosis was calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuraxis (CAPNON) (figure 2).
Review. Computer-Assisted Foreign Language Teaching and Learning: Technological Advances by Zou, et al. (2013)

Levy (1997) defineix l'aprenentatge de llengues assistit per l'ordinador (CALL) com "la recerca i l'estudi de les aplicacions de la informatica a l'ensenyament i l'aprenentatge de llengues" (p.1). Amb l'avanc de la tecnologia, el terme "ordinador" en CALL s'ha ampliat per incloure mes conceptes com el programari (software) que representa l'aula virtual, eines de tecnologia que podrien utilitzar-se en una classe de llengues que barreja la interaccio presencial amb la interaccio 'online ', l'avaluacio i l'us de les eines interactives per a la col·laboracio, i diversos tipus de copula que recolza l'us de la llengua meta de manera autentica i en diversos contextos. El desenvolupament continu de les tecnologies de la informacio impulsa la recerca continua de noves aplicacions a l'ensenyament i l'aprenentatge de llengues segones i llengues estrangeres.
What Good Is a Scientist in the Classroom? Participant Outcomes and Program Design Features for a Short-Duration Science Outreach Intervention in K–12 Classrooms

Many short-duration science outreach interventions have important societal goals of raising science literacy and increasing the size and diversity of the science workforce. Yet, these long-term outcomes are inherently challenging to evaluate. We present findings from a qualitative research study of an inquiry-based, life science outreach program to K–12 classrooms that is typical in design and excellent in execution. By considering this program as a best case of a common outreach model, the “scientist in the classroom,” the study examines what benefits may be realized for each participant group and how they are achieved. We find that K–12 students are engaged in authentic, hands-on activities that generate interest in science and new views of science and scientists. Teachers learn new science content and new ways to teach it, and value collegial support of their professional work. Graduate student scientists, who are the program presenters, gain teaching and other skills, greater understanding of education and diversity issues, confidence and intrinsic satisfaction, and career benefits. A few negative outcomes also are described. Program elements that lead to these benefits are identified both from the research findings and from insights of the program developer on program design and implementation choices.
Polyisobutylene-based urethane foams. II: Synthesis and properties of novel polyisobutylene-based flexible polyurethane foams

Novel polyisobutylene-based flexible polyurethane foams (PIB–PUF) have been prepared manually by the prepolymer method using three-arm star hydroxyl-terminated polyisobutylenes (PIB–triols) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Solvent extraction and IR spectroscopy of PIB–PUFs indicated essentially complete crosslinking. Conventional polyether-based polyrethane foams (PE–PUFs) and polybutadiene-based polyurethane foams (PBD–PUFs) have also been prepared by the same method and select physical-mechanical properties of all these urethane foams, such as tensile strength, elongation, resilience, water permeability, hot air stability, and hydrolytic stability, have been examined and compared. Although the density of PIB–PUF is lower than that of PE–PUF, its tensile strength is superior to the latter. Elongation of PIB–PUF is almost the same as those of the other foams. The PIB–PUF exhibits low resilience which indicates good damping properties. Due to the hydrophobicity of the soft segment, PIB–PUF exhibits very low water permeability. The hydrolytic and hot air stability of PIB–PUFs are outstanding. Attempts have been made to determine gas permeabilities; however, due to the open-cell nature of the foams, these studies could not be completed. The new PIB-based urethane foams combine excellent thermal, environmental, barrier, and mechanical properties, unmatched by conventional PUFs.
“It was a cold and rainy night”: Set the Scene with a Good Introduction

In theatrical productions, there is a process called setting the scene , which is the act of describing a situation so that the audience understands what is happening. Setting the scene lays the groundwork for what to expect during the remaining acts in the production. Similarly, a well-written introduction in a scientific paper sets the scene for the reader. It starts by telling the reader what is happening or has happened (the context), and ends by giving the reader a glimpse of what follows in the remainder of the article (the plot). Introductions seemingly should be easy to write, since they do not require details about methods and results or a discussion of the results. Besides, the introduction is usually found right after the abstract, where you already summarized the content for the reader. In actuality, however, writing a good introduction requires considerable time and thought. Here I provide information about the structure of a good introduction and how to avoid common problems that editors see with submitted manuscripts. Introductions have shapes. Some individuals see them as funnels, others as cones or inverted pyramids. Whatever image you choose should go from large to small, broad to narrow. This is how the information in the introduction should flow as well (Fig. 1⇓ ). Begin by providing the reader with background information on the topic of the paper. Describe what is known about a disease, technique, or compound and why it is an important topic. Do not be concerned if this takes several sentences. If there is a certain amount of background information that you believe the reader must have to follow the remainder of the article, include it. But make sure that the background information directly relates to your specific study. For example, if you are reporting on a new …
Squares In Sumsets

A finite set A of integers is square-sum-free if there is no subset of A sums up to a square. In 1986, Erdős posed the problem of determining the largest cardinality of a square-sum-free subset of 1,..., n. Answering this question, we show that this maximum cardinality is of order n1/3+0(1).
Renal Impairment of Pure Autonomic Failure

Supine hypertension is difficult to manage in patients with pure autonomic failure (PAF), because treatment can worsen orthostatic hypotension. Supine hypertension in PAF has been associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, but end organ damage in the kidney has not been assessed. We reviewed hemodynamic and laboratory data of 64 male patients with PAF who were 69+/-11 (mean+/-SD) years old. Systolic blood pressure fell by 67+/-40 mm Hg within 10 minutes of standing, with an inappropriately low 13+/-11-bpm increase in heart rate. Plasma norepinephrine levels were below normal (0.62+/-0.32 nmol/L supine and 1.28+/-1.25 nmol/L standing). A control data set of 75 men (67+/-12 years) was obtained from a deidentified version of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center electronic medical chart database. Compared with controls, PAF patients had lower hemoglobin (8.3+/-0.9 versus 9.3+/-0.8 mmol/L; P or = 150 mm Hg). Serum creatinine was higher in patients with supine hypertension (133+/-44 versus 106+/-27 micromol/L; P=0.021) and estimated glomerular filtration rate was lower (57+/-22 versus 70+/-20 mL/min per 1.73 m2; P=0.022) compared with patients who did not have supine hypertension. These findings may indicate that renal function is diminished in PAF in association with supine hypertension.
Analysis of Cell Migration Using Whole-Genome Expression Profiling of Migratory Cells in the Drosophila Ovary

Cell migration contributes to normal development and homeostasis as well as to pathological processes such as inflammation and tumor metastasis. Previous genetic screens have revealed signaling pathways that govern follicle cell migrations in the Drosophila ovary, but few downstream targets of the critical transcriptional regulators have been identified. To characterize the gene expression profile of two migratory cell populations and identify Slbo targets, we purified border cells and centripetal cells expressing the mouse CD8 antigen and carried out whole-genome microarray analysis. Genes predicted to control actin dynamics and the endocytic and secretory pathways were overrepresented in the migratory cell transcriptome. Mutations in five genes, including ttk, failed to complement previously isolated mutations that cause cell migration defects in mosaic clones. Functional analysis revealed a role for the Notch-activating protease Kuzbanian in border cell migration and identified Tie as a guidance receptor for the border cells.
Diverse routing in networks with probabilistic failures

We develop diverse routing schemes for dealing with multiple, possibly correlated, failures. While disjoint path protection can effectively deal with isolated single link failures, recovering from multiple failures is not guaranteed. In particular, events such as natural disasters or intentional attacks can lead to multiple correlated failures, for which recovery mechanisms are not well understood. We take a probabilistic view of network failures where multiple failure events can occur simultaneously, and develop algorithms for finding diverse routes with minimum joint failure probability. Moreover, we develop a novel Probabilistic Shared Risk Link Group (PSRLG) framework for modeling correlated failures. In this context, we formulate the problem of finding two paths with minimum joint failure probability as an integer nonlinear program (INLP) and develop approximations and linear relaxations that can find nearly optimal solutions in most cases.
The history of Samoan sexual conduct and the Mead-Freeman controversy

The Mead-Freeman controversy over Samoan culture -especially Samoan sexual conduct- has provoked debate for more than a decade. A key issue involves the nature of the Samoan system of institutionalized virginity. Citing historical sources, Freeman has argued that the « taupou » system's restrictive code of sexual behavior permeated colonial Samoan culture. Yet a rereading of many of these sources indicates that sexual conduct was less restrictive and more variable than Freeman allows. His refutation of Mead rests on the accuracy of his historical reconstruction, but the evidence does not support important parts of his interpretation
Self-Reported Sleep Quality Predicts Poor Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults

This study examined the relation between sleep quality and cognitive performance in older adults, controlling for common medical comorbidities. Participants were community volunteers who, while not selected on the basis of their sleep, did report substantial variability in sleep quality. Good and poor sleepers differed on tests of working memory, attentional set shifting, and abstract problem solving but not on processing speed, inhibitory function, or episodic memory. Poor sleep was also associated with increased depressive symptomatology but only for functional symptoms (e.g., decreased concentration) and not for mood (e.g., sadness). The relationships between sleep quality and cognition were not explained by confound factors such as cerebrovascular disease, depression, or medication usage. Sleep problems may contribute to performance variability between elderly individuals but only in certain cognitive domains.
Effects of iron ions, protons and X rays on human lens cell differentiation.

Abstract Chang, P. Y., Bjornstad, K. A., Rosen, C. J., McNamara, M. P., Mancini, R., Goldstein, L. E., Chylack, L. T. and Blakely, E. A. Effects of Iron Ions, Protons and X Rays on Human Lens Cell Differentiation. Radiat. Res. 164, 531–539 (2005). We have investigated molecular changes in cultured differentiating human lens epithelial cells exposed to high-energy accelerated iron-ion beams as well as to protons and X rays. In this paper, we present results on the effects of radiation on gene families that include or are related to DNA damage, cell cycle regulators, cell adhesion molecules, and cell cytoskeletal function. A limited microarray survey with a panel of cell cycle-regulated genes illustrates that irradiation with protons altered the gene expression pattern of human lens epithelial cells. A focus of our work is CDKN1A (p21CIP1/WAF1), a protein that we demonstrate here has a role in several pathways functionally related to LET-responsive radiation damage. We quantitatively assessed RNA and protei...
Development of PCR-Based Assays for the Detection and Molecular Genotyping of Microorganisms of Importance to Biological Warfare

Species- or strain-specific polymerase chain reaction assays offer an extremely sensitive and accurate detection method for biological warfare agents. Several different strategies can be used for identifying and cloning unique nucleic acid sequences which can detect one type of microorganism from others found in mixed samples or the environment. Specific PCR probes can be obtained from plasm id and chromosomal libraries, ribosomal DNA genes, rep-PCR libraries, and gene sequences in DNA databases. Such probes should be conserved in the genome of the organism in question.
INFLUENCE OF STORAGE CONDITIONS ON THE STABILITY OF CHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY IN PLASMA AND BRAIN TISSUE TAKEN FROM CARBAMATE OR ORGANOPHOSPHORUS PESTICIDE-TREATED RATS

Cholinesterase (ChE) activity in tissues from carbamate-treated animals is especially difficult to analyze because the inhibited ChE tends to decarbamylate, leading to an underestimation of ChE inhibition. Given this instability during analysis, reactivation of the carbamylated ChE may occur during storage. The present study was designed to investigate the degree of reactivation of ChE in plasma and brain tissue taken from carbamate-treated animals. Plasma and brain were taken from carbaryl-treated (50 mg/kg, po) male, Long-Evans rats and stored at either 20 or 80 C and analyzed for ChE activity after 31, 46, and 138 days of storage. A "control" group of tissues was taken from rats treated (20 mg/kg, po) with chlorpyrifos (considered a stable inhibitor of ChE; not pronetoreactivation)and handled and analyzed in exactly the samemanner. Plasma ChE activity from carbaryl- or chlorpyrifos-treated animals remained stable when stored at 80 C; in the 20 C storage condition, the chlorpyrifosinhibited plasma ChE l...
A mouse model of breast cancer reveals social environment-tumor interactions

CN05-02 Background: The psychosocial environment exerts potentially powerful effects on physical health. Research in our laboratories now demonstrates that the psychosocial environment modulates development of mammary gland cancer. Objective: The main goal of our studies is to determine whether psychosocial factors influence breast tumor biology and if so, to characterize the physiological and molecular mechanisms through which these environmental factors act. Through a cross-disciplinary collaboration, we are examining the effects of social isolation on the acute corticosterone stress response and the mechanisms whereby altered corticosterone responses to everyday stressors affect mammary gland cancer. In humans it is nearly impossible to chart the lasting impact of early psychosocial influences on distant pathological outcomes. Moreover, the inability to randomly assign social conditions precludes moving beyond correlational studies. In contrast, animal models allow one to observe how psychosocial events change physiology and in turn, gene expression and ultimately, tumor development. Methods: We are using the mammary epithelial cell-targeted SV40 T antigen (SV40-Tag) transgenic mouse to assess whether mammary gland carcinomas can be influenced by psychosocial events. This research is uncovering the neuroendocrine correlates of the social environment and connecting physiological changes with mammary gland carcinogenesis. Results: Our data show that SV40 Tag mice placed in social isolation from weaning develop a greater corticosterone response to a moderate stressor (30 minute restraint). Overall tumor incidence and tumor volume is higher in socially isolated versus group-housed mice. We have also found that lifelong social isolation increases vigilant behavior, raising the possibility that this behavior and its associated physiological state may mediate the link between social isolation and mammary gland biology. Behavioral testing and endocrine measurements, as well as molecular/pathological characterization of mammary tumors including gene expression differences will be presented. Conclusions: These studies allow a cross-disciplinary analysis of psychosocial factors and the physiological mechanisms by which these factors may affect the biology of mammary epithelial cell growth and tumorigenesis.
Making space for fundamentals

Frank Arntzenius says this book is not primarily concerned with overarching themes and that his main goal is to examine some loosely related topics. These all have to do with what theories of modern physics imply (or at least suggest) about the structure and contents of space and time. Each of the eight chapters focuses on a different potential implication and may be read independently. But the author does acknowledge that two overarching themes emerge. The first theme is that much of modern physics is best understood as positing novel spaces—physical objects distinct from ordinary 3-dimensional space (or the 4-dimensional space–time of relativity) while sharing some elements of geometric structure. The second is that ‘‘our knowledge of the structure of the world derives from one basic idea: the idea that the laws of the world are simple in terms of the fundamental objects and predicates’’. I will return to these themes after discussing the contents of each chapter. After a gentle introduction to the structure postulated for time by Newtonian and then relativistic physics, Arntzenius devotes the rest of Chapter 1 to explaining and then assessing the prospects of the view that time has no structure. Basically Julian Barbour’s view, the idea is that its metric, topological and order structure are not fundamental features of time, but rather derive from non-temporal relations among what happens at each moment. Using minimal mathematics, Arntzenius explains how to formulate Barbourian versions of Newtonian, special relativistic and general relativistic space–time theories. After showing why none of these is clearly empirically inferior to a standard version formulated within a relatively rich temporal structure, he presents and assesses objections to each. Barbourian general relativity faces the strongest such objections. Barbour himself expresses confidence that further development of his programme to encompass a combination of general relativity with quantum theory will overcome them. But Arntzenius declines to pursue his
Development of Seeded and Parthenocarpic Fruits in Mulberry (Morus Rubra L.)

SummaryOpen-pollinated fruits of the ‘Tufts’ mulberry (Morus rubra L.) were studied throughout the 1969 growing season. Growth of the multiple fruit followed the double sigmoid pattern characteristic of drupaceous fruits. Growth of the accessory fruitlet (pistil plus persistent calyx), the sepals, which become succulent as the fruitlet ripens, and the ovary also followed the double sigmoid curve. Since the mulberry ovary is similar to that of fleshy drupaceous fruits both morphologically and in growth pattern, it should be classified as a drupelet rather than as an achene or nutlet. The growth pattern for seeds is a single sigmoid curve, but growth continues during the plateau (period 2) of the ovary growth curve. In typical drupes the integuments attain their ultimate size during period 1 of the curve.About 45% of the open-pollinated fruitlets examined in 1969 were seedless, but had growth curves similar to those of their seeded counterparts. ‘Tufts’ and ‘Hicks’ inflorescences bagged in 1970 to prevent p...
Between Biopolitical Governance and Care: Rethinking Health, Selfhood, and Social Welfare in East Asia.

Video abstractRead the transcriptWatch the video on Vimeo In both Japan and China, health has historically been entwined with notions of morality and broader social ideals. In part, this is because...
Knowledge and behavior of adults about hypertension care in a subdistrict of Xiqing District of Tianjin City in 2011

[Objective]To understand the present status and its influencing factors of hypertension self-care ability among adults in a subdistrict of Xiqing District of Tianjin City.[Methods]Phased systematic sampling method was adopted to recruit 2 268 adults above 18 years from 8 villages(subdistrict) as study objects.A face-to-face questionnaire survey was adopted to investigate socio-demographic characteristics of the family members and the general condition of family,health status,health care services,daily habits and hypertension care knowledge and skills.[Results] A total of 536 hypertension patients were identified in the surveyed population,with the prevalence of 23.63%.The differences of awareness of hypertension related health knowledge were significant.The awareness of blood pressure,diagnostic criteria for hypertension and how to treatment hypertension with medication of hypertension patients was significantly higher than that of the non-hypertensive population(P0.05).While the awareness of "standard daily salt consumption" of hypertension patients was significantly lower than that of the non-hypertensive population(P0.05).Health behavior factor of smokers quitting behavior rate was relatively low among hypertension patients(5.73%).Compared hypertension patients with non-hypertensive population,smoker quitting,no drinking,regular physical exercise constituent ratio were significantly higher in hypertension patients(P0.05),while the rate of no smoking was significantly higher in non-hypertensive population(P0.05).[Conclusion]The adults in a subdistrict of Xinqing District possess a certain awareness and ability of hypertension prevention and treatment.But their hypertension control knowledge and lifestyle improvement still need to give specific guidance to improve their hypertension self-care ability
Analysis of the Different Fringe Space Lengths in the Experiment of Wedge-Shaped Interference

In the experiment of wedge shaped interference, the fringe space becomes wider as the thickness of the membrane increases. This is because the shape of glass changes and the incident beam on the wedge shaped surface is not strictly parallel. A practical and efficient method is given to reduce measuring error in this experiment. The effect of divergence of incident beam has been determined in the experiment, which coincide with the theoretical calculation.
Post traumatic pulmonary pseudoaneurysm requiring pneumonectomy: a case report

A 57-year-old male presented with progressive exertional dyspnea, cough, and hemoptysis. He underwent a chest computed tomography (CT) that demonstrated a 27 cm × 20 cm right chest mass that was causing a local mass effect. Pertinent history revealed that the patient had suffered a severe chest trauma from a MVA in 1981. The patient underwent workup including: needle localized biopsy, bronchoscopy and endoscopic biopsy. There was considerable concern for a malignant process and a subsequent right pneumonectomy with en bloc resection of the chest wall and diaphragm was performed. The final pathology concluded the mass to be a large pseudoaneurysm. Pseudoaneurysms after traumas are extremely rare, especially blunt trauma, and should be considered once other etiologies have been excluded.
Prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of immunoglobulin G antibodies to Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide against murine experimental corneal infection.

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-specitic antibodies administered prophylactically or therapeutically to protect against corneal challenge with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods. The prophylactic efficacy of active immunization with purified P. aeruginosa LPS was devaluated in a murine corneal-scratch model of P. aeruginosa keratitis. The saine model was used to evaluate both the prophylactic and the therapeutic efficacy of systemic passive transfer of variable region-identical, isotype-switched, LPS-specific, murine immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The mAbs were injected intraperitoneally at various times either before or after corneal challenge and the corneal response was monitored macroscopically. In addition, immune rabbit sera were used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment. Results. Active immunization with homologous, but not heterologous, LPS before challenge reduced the severity of corneal disease and prostected challengred mice against permanent corneal damage. Passive transfer of the LPS-specific IgM mAb IF6 before challenge did not prevent corneal damage at any dose tested and had no effect on the course of disease. However, results of dose-response studies of the passive transfer of a variable region-identical IgG2b mAb, 2H3, before challenge indicated a 50% protective dose of 11.8 μg. When mAb 2H3 was administered at a dose of 50 μg before challenge, and the challenge inoculum was increased, all mice were protected from corneal damage up to a challenge inoculum of 2.2 increased, all mice were protected from corneal damage up to a challenge inoculum of 2.2 x 10 8 CFU/eye. When given 2 or 4 hours after corneal challenge with P. aeruginosa strain 6294 (which invades corneal epithelial cells during infection) but not when given at 8 or 24 hours, 50 μγ of mAb 2H3 conferred significant protection (P<0.05). The maximal interval after challenge during which this antibody could be administered and still protect 50% mice was calculated by probit analysis to be 9.4 hours. Administration of Homologous LPS-specific rabbit antiserum to mice at various times after challenge with P. aeruginosa strain 6206 (which is cytotoxic to corneal epithelial cells and does not remain in these cells during infection) resulted in significant protection when administered 4 or 8 hours after infection. Although probit analysis could not be performed with the available data, 50%. of mice were completely protected when the antiserum was given up to 24 hours after challenge, Conclusions. In an experimental model of P. aeruginasa keratitis, systematically delivered IgG antibodies directed against the O-side-chain antigens of P. aeruginosa, LPS conferred protection against severe corneal damage when administered both prophylactically and therapeutically.
What Explains Personality Covariation? A Test of the Socioecological Complexity Hypothesis:

Correlations among distinct behaviors are foundational to personality science, but the field remains far from a consensus regarding the causes of such covariation. We advance a novel explanation fo...
Clinicopathologic effects of the Q64ter rhodopsin mutation in retinitis pigmentosa.

Purpose. To correlate retinal histopathology with functional changes caused by the rhodopsin Q64ter mutation. Methods. A 50-year-old female heterozygote was evaluated clinically and with psychophysical and electroretinographic measurements of rod and cone function. The retinas obtained after death were examined microscopically, including immunolabeling with antibodies against the C- and N-termini of rhodopsin. Results. On clinical examination 4 months before death, patient's acuity was 20/60, and she had midperipheral scotomas with retained function centrally and in the far periphery. The rod electroretinogram (ERG) was undetectable, and the cone ERG was reduced in amplitude with abnormal receptoral and postreceptoral responses. A previous study of the phenotype of mildly affected family members of the donor suggested that the rod outer segments (ROS) were shortened and that only wild-type rhodopsin was functional. The retinas contained only scattered cones in the midperiphery ; the maculas and far peripheral regions contained reduced numbers of rods and cones with short to absent outer segments. The ROS appeared to contain wild-type, but not mutant, rhodopsin, and many peripheral rods had sprouted long rhodopsin-positive neurites that projected into the inner retina. Many cone synapses were abnormal, and the axons of some peripheral cones reached the inner plexiform layer. Conclusions. Microscopic changes in the donor retinas correlated well with the abnormalities in visual function in the patient donor and other family members. Postreceptoral ERG defects may relate to the abnormal photoreceptor processes found in the inner retina.
Measuring the Impact of Patient-Engaged Research: How a Methods Workshop Identified Critical Outcomes of Research Engagement.

Purpose While strategies to evaluate the influence of engaging patient partners in research, such as the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) WE-ENACT surveys, are beginning to emerge, a systematic set of measures for assessing the impact of patient engagement in research (PER) on study approaches and outcomes is lacking. This article describes a workshop and process used to identify and develop Critical Outcomes of Research Engagement (COREs). It proposes preliminary measures for assessing the impact of PER on the research process and outcomes of research studies. Methods A group of 24 researchers and 5 patient partners participated in a PCORI-funded workshop designed to identify key research outcomes and corresponding measures to evaluate the impact of patient-engaged research on those outcomes. Interactive group discussion and synthesis by workshop attendees led to a proposed set of core components of patient-engaged research by each stage of a research study as well as some overarching principles. Postworkshop discussions further distilled the output and considered potential gaps. Results CORE components identified were: patient-centered, meaningful, team collaboration, understandable, rigorous, adaptable/integrity, legitimate, feasible, ethical and transparent, timely, and sustainable. Existing measures skew more toward measuring the process of engagement and less toward measuring downstream outcomes of patient-partner engagement in all phases of research. Conclusions Next steps include finalizing measures, pilot testing them with the workshop participants, and building a larger community of practice to further advance this work. The new community plans to create a measurement tool and conduct a study to validate the measures.
Text Sequence Modeling and Deep Learning

Much of the discussion in the previous chapters has focused on a bag-of-words representation of text. While the bag-of-words representation is sufficient in many practical applications, there are cases in which the sequential aspects of text become more important.
Pearls & Oy-sters: Relapse of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis after prior first- and second-line immunotherapy.

Relapse of anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis should be considered in all patients with history of anti-NMDAR encephalitis presenting with new acute-onset encephalopathy or psychosis.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Two Empathy Measures: A Comparison of the Measurement Precision, Construct Validity, and Incremental Validity of Two Multidimensional Indices:

The quality of empathy research, and clinical assessment, hinges on the validity and proper interpretation of the measures used to assess the construct. This study investigates, in an online sample...
Introduction Some Historical Background

This book deals with the cohomology of groups, particularly finite ones. Historically, the subject has been one of significant interaction between algebra and topology and has directly led to the creation of such important areas of mathematics as homological algebra and algebraic uT-theory. It arose primarily in the 1920’s and 1930’s independently in number theory and topology. In topology the main focus was on the work of H. Hopf, but B. Eckmann, S. Eilenberg, and S. MacLane (among others) made significant contributions. The main thrust of the early work here was to try to understand the meanings of the low dimensional homology groups of a space X”. For example, if the universal cover of X was three connected, it was known that H 2(X; A) depends only on the fundamental group of X. Group cohomology initially appeared to explain this dependence.
Pulmonary Infections in Immunocompromised Hosts: Clinical

Pulmonary infections in immunocompromised patients remain a significant contributor to mortality, morbidity, and health care-associated costs in such a vulnerable patient population. Their epidemiology is changing, set forth by new trends in immunosuppressive regimens and also prophylaxis. The host characteristics, presenting clinical symptomatology, along with radiographic patterns, have also evolved. The microbiology diagnostics are now enriched with nonculture methods for better identification of the causative pathogens. Chest imaging remains the cornerstone of the initial workup. Our article will examine the new trends in epidemiology, clinical findings, and diagnostics for immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infections (transplant recipients, neutropenic hosts, HIV-infected patients, and patients with autoimmune conditions). We will also review the differential diagnosis that most of the times includes malignancies and drug or radiation-related toxicities.
The blue paradox: Preemptive overfishing in marine reserves.

Most large-scale conservation policies are anticipated or announced in advance. This risks the possibility of preemptive resource extraction before the conservation intervention goes into force. We use a high-resolution dataset of satellite-based fishing activity to show that anticipation of an impending no-take marine reserve undermines the policy by triggering an unintended race-to-fish. We study one of the world’s largest marine reserves, the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), and find that fishers more than doubled their fishing effort once this area was earmarked for eventual protected status. The additional fishing effort resulted in an impoverished starting point for PIPA equivalent to 1.5 y of banned fishing. Extrapolating this behavior globally, we estimate that if other marine reserve announcements were to trigger similar preemptive fishing, this could temporarily increase the share of overextracted fisheries from 65% to 72%. Our findings have implications for general conservation efforts as well as the methods that scientists use to monitor and evaluate policy efficacy.
Alcohol Interaction with Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Opioids, Nicotine, Cannabis, and γ-Hydroxybutyric Acid.

Millions of people around the world drink alcoholic beverages to cope with the stress of modern lifestyle. Although moderate alcohol drinking may have some relaxing and euphoric effects, uncontrolled drinking exacerbates the problems associated with alcohol abuse that are exploding in quantity and intensity in the United States and around the world. Recently, mixing of alcohol with other drugs of abuse (such as opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, cannabis, and γ-hydroxybutyric acid) and medications has become an emerging trend, exacerbating the public health concerns. Mixing of alcohol with other drugs may additively or synergistically augment the seriousness of the adverse effects such as the withdrawal symptoms, cardiovascular disorders, liver damage, reproductive abnormalities, and behavioral abnormalities. Despite the seriousness of the situation, possible mechanisms underlying the interactions is not yet understood. This has been one of the key hindrances in developing effective treatments. Therefore, the aim of this article is to review the consequences of alcohol’s interaction with other drugs and decipher the underlying mechanisms.
Extracellular Vesicles from Apoptotic Cells Promote TGFβ Production in Macrophages and Suppress Experimental Colitis

The clearance of apoptotic cells is an essential process to maintain homeostasis of immune system, which is regulated by immunoregulatory cytokines such as TGFβ. We show here that Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) were highly released from apoptotic cells, and contributed to macrophage production of TGFβ in vitro and in vivo. We further elucidated mechanistically that phosphatidylserine in EVs was a key triggering-factor, and transcription factor FOXO3 was a critical mediator for apoptotic EV-induced TGFβ in macrophages. Importantly, we found that macrophages pre-exposed to EVs exhibited an anti-inflammatory phenotype. More strikingly, administration of EVs in vivo promotes Tregs differentiation and suppresses Th1 cell response, and ameliorates experimental colitis. Thus, apoptotic-EV-based treatment might be a promising therapeutic approach for human autoimmune disease.
Characterization of Silicon Nanowires Reflectance by Effective Index Due to Air-Silicon Ratio

Silicon Nanowires (SiNWs) enhance light collection efficiency which is key in the performance of many optical and optoelectronic devices. We fabricated SiNWs by metal assisted chemical etching (MACE) and determined Air:Si ratios by analyzing SEM images of substrate surface by image thresholding technique in MATLAB. For normal incidence, a minimum reflectance of around 0.2% was achieved for about 2μm long SiNW with a slight increase when etching time was increased from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. Fresnel's equations at minimum reflectance provided an estimated effective refractive index (ERI) of 1.04. The Air:Si ratio decreased from 0.70 to 0.62 when the etching time was increased from 30 to 45 minutes which corresponded to an increase in the estimated ERI from 1.04 to 1.07. Beyond the etching time for minimum reflectance, the increase in reflectance may be due to increase in the ERI caused by the decreased Air:Si ratio.
Towards a cognizant virtual software modeling assistant using model clones

We present our new ideas on taking the first steps towards cultivating synergy between model-driven engineering (MDE), machine learning, and software clones. Specifically, we describe our vision in realizing a cognizant virtual software modeling assistant that uses the latter two to improve software design and MDE. Software engineering has benefited greatly from knowledge-based cognizant source code completion and assistance, but MDE has few and limited analogous capabilities. We outline our research directions by describing our vision for a prototype assistant that provides suggestions to modelers performing model creation or extension in the form of 1) complete models for insertion or guidance, and 2) granular single-step operations. These suggestions are derived by detecting clones of the in-progress model and existing domain, organizational, and exemplar models. We overview our envisioned workflow between modeler and assistant, and, using Simulink as an example, illustrate different manifestations including multiple overlays with percentages and employing variant elements.
High-Efficiency Full-Duplex V2V Communication

For the safety of future traffics, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication should be able to ensure high reliability and low latency in a dense scenario. Device to device (D2D) transmission, or sidelink, is a promising technology which reduces the latency of base station transit and does not rely on the cellular coverage. There are some sensing-based methods to realize it. Among them, sensing-based semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) achieves a relatively better performance. However, in a high-density scenario, the reliability is hard to achieve due to miss reception and multiuser interference. In this paper, a distributed antenna deployment and a novel full-duplex V2V transceiver are proposed. The antenna deployment makes full duplex much easier to realize and increases the degree of freedom in spatial domain. The transceiver uses autonomous grant-free transmission not relying on reference signal to support a large amount of users with a very high spectrum efficiency. By sufficiently utilizing the user multiplexing abilities in power, code, spatial and constellation domain, the transceiver is able to support highly reliable transmissions especially for the short-range vehicles. The simulation results show the proposed method achieves a much better performance and meanwhile uses only 20% time-frequency resources compared with the conventional method. Moreover, the adaptability to highly dynamic V2V network is also verified to be much better.
Improvement of Morphology and Free Carrier Mobility through Argon-Assisted Growth of Epitaxial Graphene on Silicon Carbide

Graphene was epitaxially grown on both the C- and Si-faces of 4H- and 6H-SiC(0001) under an argon atmosphere and under high vacuum conditions. Following growth, samples were imaged with Nomarski interference contrast and atomic force microscopies and it was found that growth under argon led to improved morphologies on the C-face films but the Si-face films were not significantly affected. Free carrier transport studies were conducted through Hall effect measurements, and carrier mobilities were found to increase and sheet carrier densities were found to decrease for those films grown under argon as compared to high vacuum conditions. The improved mobilities and concurrent decreases in sheet carrier densities suggest a decrease in scattering in the films grown under argon.