cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A spatial-based multi-resolution data dissemination scheme for wireless sensor networks

We propose a spatial-based multi-resolution data dissemination (SMRDD) scheme for data retrieval at multiple levels of detail in wireless sensor networks. In addition to saving energy by avoiding query flooding and extra data transmission for data storage elsewhere, SMRDD achieves further energy efficiency by reducing dissemination of redundant data. In SMRDD, instead of being addressed to nodes, queries are sent to pixel points, a set of carefully selected locations across the sensor field, on the support of a geographic routing protocol. The query finally reaches the home node of the pixel point, the node geographically closest to the pixel point, which reports data to sinks in response. The density of the pixel points corresponds to data resolution level. The higher the density, the higher the data resolution level. The highest density of pixel points is determined by the sensing range of sensors for the application, which allows sensing ranges of home nodes of all pixel points to cover the whole sensor field. Analysis and simulation results show that the performance of our method is much better than early flooding based methods like directed diffusion.
Metabolite cumulation during long‐term oral encainide administration

Cumulation of encainide and its major metabolites, O-demethylencainide (ODE), 3-methoxy-ODE (MODE), and N-demethylencainide (NDE) was examined in patients with frequent complex ventricular ectopy. After 6 mo on encainide patients were admitted to Stanford University Hospital and the drug was discontinued for 24 hr. During this time blood samples were drawn to characterize the cumulation and disposition of the drug and metabolites. The mean steady-state concentrations of encainide, ODE, and MODE were 56.3, 214.6, and 184.6 ng/ml after doses ranging from 100 to 250 mg/day. The concentration ratios of ODE/encainide and MODE/encainide were 5.02 ±2.61 and 5.15 ±4.13. NDE was detected in the plasma of only one patient. Elimination half lifes of encainide and ODE were 1.16 ± 0.5 and 11.41 ± 9.58 hr. MODE disappeared slowly and at 24 hr the plasma concentration was still 59.8 ± 39.9% of its mean steady-state concentration. Our data indicate that the metabolites of encainide cumulate in the plasma of patients on long-term oral therapy and must be considered when evaluating its clinical efficacy. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1982) 31, 427–432; doi:10.1038/clpt.1982.55
Adaptation to thermal stress in lichen‐eating webspinners (Embioptera): habitat choice, domicile construction and the potential role of heat shock proteins

Summary 1Embiids are a unique group of web-spinning insects, which construct silk domiciles. In sunny habitats, silk may provide a shady refuge, or exacerbate exposure to high temperatures. Here we present the first description of the thermal biology of embiids, focusing on Notoligotoma hardyi from Magnetic Island, Australia. 2We recorded natural colony positions and temperature of silk domiciles relative to incident radiation, and manipulated locations of domiciles on sunny (north-facing) and shady (south-facing) rock faces to test whether silk dampens thermal exposure. We also compared responses to laboratory heat stress in N. hardyi with two other embiids: Australembia incompta (Magnetic Island) and Antipaluria urichi (rainforest). 3Temperatures of air (TA), rocks (TR) and domiciles (TD) are significantly hotter for north- than south-facing colonies. North-facing colonies have less extensive silk coverings and are found in crevices. For natural and experimentally manipulated north-facing colonies, TD was cooler than TR but hotter than TA, whereas TD and TA were similar for south-facing colonies. Individuals living in north-facing colonies adjusted position to remain in the shade. Ability to recover from heat exposure was greatest in Australian embiids and was linked to expression of heat shock proteins. 4In sunny microhabitats, silk reduces but does not prevent exposure to physiologically stressful temperatures. N. hardyi tolerates thermal extremes using a combination of behavioural thermal regulation, microhabitat selection and a robust heat shock response.
Distributed File System Virtualization Techniques Supporting On-Demand Virtual Machine Environments for Grid Computing

This paper presents a data management solution which allows fast Virtual Machine (VM) instantiation and efficient run-time execution to support VMs as execution environments in Grid computing. It is based on novel distributed file system virtualization techniques and is unique in that: (1) it provides on-demand cross-domain access to VM state for unmodified VM monitors; (2) it enables private file system channels for VM instantiation by secure tunneling and session-key based authentication; (3) it supports user-level and write-back disk caches, per-application caching policies and middleware-driven consistency models; and (4) it leverages application-specific meta-data associated with files to expedite data transfers. The paper reports on its performance in wide-area setups using VMware-based VMs. Results show that the solution delivers performance over 30% better than native NFS and with warm caches it can bring the application-perceived overheads below 10% compared to a local-disk setup. The solution also allows a VM with 1.6 GB virtual disk and 320 MB virtual memory to be cloned within 160 seconds for the first clone and within 25 seconds for subsequent clones.
A mathematical model for predicting coupled heat and water movement in unsaturated soil

An investigation was conducted to develop a comprehensive moisture model for predicting non-isothermal moisture conditions in soils. An extensive literature review indicated that a model based on the Philip and de Vries equations for non-isothermal moisture movement and heat conduction would give the best results. By using numerical methods, the implicit finite difference approximations to the moisture movement and heat-transfer equations were programmed for computer solution of water content and temperature in the soil with time. Validation studies indicate that the moisture model can be used to predict accurately moisture conditions in the soil. The model was validated by using hydraulic data from laboratory studies conducted on soil columns compacted with AASHO A-3 and AASHO A-4 soil. The application of the moisture model to the study of non-isothermal moisture movement in the field is demonstrated. The influence of parameters such as water table depth, precipitation, and soil hydraulic properties on soil moisture content are shown by use of the moisture model. The model is shown to be applicable to a wide range of boundary conditions and that it predicts the moisture-temperature regime with time in soils utilizing climatic input data.
Interference with RhoA–ROCK Signaling Mechanism in Autoreactive CD4+ T Cells Enhances the Bioavailability of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Vitamin D deficiency is a major risk factor for central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, that of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Both vitamin D3 and 1, 25-dihydroxyviatmin-D3 (calcitriol) had beneficial effects in EAE/MS. However, the exact cause of vitamin D deficiency in EAE/MS is not clear. Previously, we documented that lovastatin (LOV) provides protection in EAE animals via inhibition of RhoA–ROCK signaling. Herein, we demonstrate that LOV prevents the lowering of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 and 1,25-dihydroxyviatmin-D3 levels including 1,25-dihydroxyviatmin-D3 levels in the peripheral lymphoid organs and CNS of treated EAE animals. These effects of LOV were attributed to enhanced expression of vitamin D synthesizing enzyme (1α-hydroxylase) in kidney and the CNS, with corresponding reduction of vitamin D catabolizing enzyme (24-hydorxylase) expression in the CNS of EAE animals via inhibition of RhoA–ROCK signaling. Ex vivo and in vitro studies established that autoreactive Th1/Th17 cells had higher expression of 24-hydroxylase than Th2/T regulatory cells, that was reverted by LOV or ROCK inhibitor. Interestingly, LOV-mediated regulation of vitamin D metabolism had improved vitamin D3 efficacy to confer protection in EAE animals and that was ascribed to the LOV- and calcitriol-induced immunomodulatory synergy. Together, these data provide evidence that interfering with RhoA–ROCK signaling in autoreactive Th1/Th17 cells can improve vitamin D3 efficacy in clinical trials of MS and related neurodegenerative disorders.
On the analysis of a recurrent neural network for solving nonlinear monotone variational inequality problems

We investigate the qualitative properties of a recurrent neural network (RNN) for solving the general monotone variational inequality problems (VIPs), defined over a nonempty closed convex subset, which are assumed to have a nonempty solution set but need not be symmetric. The equilibrium equation of the RNN system simply coincides with the nonlinear projection equation of the VIP to be solved. We prove that the RNN system has a global and bounded solution trajectory starting at any given initial point in the above closed convex subset which is positive invariant for the RNN system. For general monotone VIPs, we show by an example that the trajectory of the RNN system can converge to a limit cycle rather than an equilibrium in the case that the monotone VIPs are not symmetric. Contrary to this, for the strictly monotone VIPs, it is shown that every solution trajectory of the RNN system starting from the above closed convex subset converges to the unique equilibrium which is also locally asymptotically stable in the sense of Lyapunov, no matter whether the VIPs are symmetric or nonsymmetric. For the uniformly monotone VIPs, the aforementioned solution trajectory of the RNN system converges to the unique equilibrium exponentially.
Frequency analysis via the method of moment functionals

The authors present the use of modulating functions in the context of the nonparametric system identification problem. The proposed method uses the frequency content in short data lengths to set up at least squares estimation of the transfer function at selected frequencies. Since short data lengths are used, there is no assumption of steady-state operation or stationarity of the data, though sufficient energy content in the data at the specified frequencies must be present in order to avoid degeneracy in the least squares estimate. The basis of the technique is the classical Shinbrot method of moment functionals, also known as the modulating function technique, using complex Fourier-based modulating functions. An example illustrating the application of the proposed approach is presented. >
The Continuous Prisoner's Dilemma: II. Linear Reactive Strategies with Noise

We present a general model for the Continuous Prisoner's Dilemma and study the effect of errors. We find that cooperative strategies that can resist invasion by defectors are optimistic (make high initial offers), generous (always offer more cooperation than the partner did in the previous round) and uncompromising (offer full cooperation only if the partner does). A necessary condition for the emergence of cooperation in the continuous Prisoner's Dilemma with noise is b (1-p)>c, where b and c denote, respectively, the benefit and cost of cooperation, while p is the error rate. This relation can be reformulated as an error threshold: cooperation can only emerge if the probability of making a mistake is below a critical value. We note, however, that cooperation in the continuous Prisoner's Dilemma with noise does not seem to be evolutionarily stable: while it is possible to find cooperative strategies that resist invasion by defectors, such cooperators are generally invaded by more cooperative strategies which eventually yield to defectors. Thus, the long-term evolution of the continuous Prisoner's Dilemma is either characterized by unending cycles or by stable polymorphisms of cooperators and defectors.
Is a modified FE (Engrng License) exam useful for admission decisions for graduate school

Summary form only given as follows. The Fundamentals of Engineering (Discipline spec) is offered twice a year. The morning section tests the first two years of college and the p.m. section tests the subjects learned in the specific engineering discipline. The GRE Engrng test is no longer offered. This work analyzes whether the FE exam or a modified exam format would be useful for deciding admission to grad school. The FE exam is a nationally normed exam and is the first step toward licensure. It is also being used for outcomes assessment during program reviews and accreditation. The second part of the presentation deals with an analysis of the requirements of an entrance test for graduate study of two types: the professional degree and the research degree. An examination is made of the current FE exam with respect to its current format and how the types of questions and raw scores would be useful for an entrance type test. The current FE is centered around meeting the minimum competency requirements. The third part of the paper deals with how the criteria set (with respect to Item Response Theory) for the FE exam need to be modified so that it becomes useful as an entrance-type exam. The fourth part of the presentation addresses the issue of a criterion-referenced test versus a norm-referenced one when considering the issue of using it for making decisions for grad school admission. Finally, the presentation concludes with the practical issues of building a modification of a standardized test as well as the practical matters involved in obtaining support for its use as a tool for selection decisions for graduate school.
A Bayesian belief network for IT implementation decision support

Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) are graphical models that provide a compact and simple representation of probabilistic data. BBNs depict the relationships among several variables and include conditional probability distributions that make probabilistic statements about those variables. This paper demonstrates how to create a BBN from real-world data on Information Technology implementations. The paper also displays the resulting BBN and describes how it can be incorporated into a DSS to support "what-if' analyses about Information Technology implementations. The paper combines techniques originating from artificial intelligence, statistics, and computer-based decision making.
Atomistic Aspects of Crack Propagation Along High Angle Grain Boundaries

We present atomistic simulations of the crack tip configuration near a high angle Σ= 5 [001](210) symmetrical tilt grain boundary in NiAl. The simulations were carried out using molecular statics and embedded atom (EAM) potentials. The cracks are stabilized near a Griffith condition involving the cohesive energy of the grain boundary. The atomistic configurations of the tip region are different in the presence of the high angle grain boundary than in the bulk. Three different configurations of the grain boundary were studied corresponding to different local compositions. It was found that in ordered NiAl, cracks along symmetrical tilt boundaries show a more brittle behavior for Al rich boundaries than for Ni-rich boundaries. Lattice trapping effects in grain boundary fracture were found to be more significant than in the bulk.
Zonisamide overview of the United States experience.

Although established antiepilepsy drugs (AEDs) are efficacious and new drugs have become available to treat patients with epilepsy, at least 30% of all patients remain refractory to available treatment.1 Continued efforts to identify and develop new compounds for the treatment of epilepsy motivate all concerned because of the plight of so many patients. In the following sections, data are provided that document the US experience in the development and ultimate availability of zonisamide for treatment of patients with partial seizures. Development of zonisamide in the United States began in 1982 as a collaborative project between Dainippon Pharmaceuticals Co, and Parke–Davis. Pilot studies of bioavailability and pharmacokinetics involved about 270 healthy volunteers and also patients with epilepsy. Both open and controlled protocols that were performed in the mid-1980s suggested that zonisamide had efficacy for treatment of patients with refractory partial seizures.2,3 However, drug development in the United States was halted when 3.7% of patients enrolled in studies developed renal calculi. Since studies in Europe and Japan showed both efficacy and safety4,5 with lower rates of calculi formation, studies in the US were resumed in the 1990s. As detailed in the following reports, bioavailability and bioequivalence were evaluated in five studies of 72 patients and healthy volunteers aged 19–69 years. Fourteen studies of 172 patients and healthy volunteers aged 18–71 years reported the effects of
Multiple-quantum-well GaInNAs-GaNAs ridge-waveguide laser diodes operating out to 1.4 /spl mu/m

In this letter, results from a ridge waveguide laser diode (LD) structure, with three GaInNAs quantum wells (QWs) and GaNAs barriers, are presented. The sample was grown by solid source molecular beam epitaxy with an RF plasma nitrogen source. These devices differ from previously reported GaInNAs QWs LDs that used GaAs as the barrier material. The introduction of nitrogen into the barriers reduces the spectral blue shift caused by post-growth annealing. Long wavelength emission out to 1.405 /spl mu/m was observed. The devices exhibited threshold current densities as low as 1.5 kA/cm/sup 2/, high differential efficiency of 0.67 W/A, and a maximum output power of 350 mW.
Distinct Coping Combinations are Associated with Depression and Support Service Utilization in Men who have Sex with Men Living with HIV.

Stigma and stress may place HIV-positive men who have sex with men (HIV+ MSM) at risk for depression. Additionally, HIV+ MSM might utilize multiple HIV-related services as a way to gain support for, and more effectively manage, HIV-related stressors. Although prior research has demonstrated that depression severity and utilizing support services are associated with functional or dysfunctional coping strategies, researchers have not investigated the impact of different coping combinations—specifically, the concurrent use of functional and dysfunctional strategies—in this population. Thus, we explored (1) how items on one measure of coping, the Brief COPE, capture HIV-related coping of HIV+ MSM using Principal Components Analysis, (2) how HIV+ MSM’s coping groups into unique combinations, and (3) how these coping combinations relate to depression and the scope of HIV-related support service utilization. Our sample consisted of 170 HIV+ MSM engaged with medical care. Results indicated the use of both functional and dysfunctional coping strategies. Unique combinations of functional and dysfunctional strategies showed differential associations with depression and the extent of HIV-related support service utilization. Specifically, individuals who engaged in low levels of both functional and dysfunctional coping, compared to individuals who more frequently engaged in functional coping strategies, were significantly less likely to utilize a range of critical HIV-related services. Individuals who reported frequent use of dysfunctional coping strategies, regardless of functional coping strategy use, reported higher levels of depression. Therefore, providers should continue to focus more closely on identifying functional coping strategies and reducing dysfunctional coping when working with HIV+ MSM.
Measuring Positive Emotions

When researchers want to assess positive feelings, they need to understand the various definitions and models of emotion. The current chapter describes the theories and various measures that derive from them, and reviews the strenghts and weaknesses of different measures of positive emotions. In addition, nonself-report measures of positive feelings are reviewed
A multi-domain evaluation of scaling in a general episodic memory

Episodic memory endows agents with numerous general cognitive capabilities, such as action modeling and virtual sensing. However, for long lived agents, there are numerous unexplored computational challenges in supporting useful episodic memory functions while maintaining real time reactivity. In this paper, we review the implementation of episodic memory in Soar and present an expansive evaluation of that system. We demonstrate useful applications of episodic memory across a variety of domains, including games, mobile robotics, planning, and linguistics. In these domains, we characterize properties of environments, tasks, and episodic cues that affect performance, and evaluate the ability of Soar's episodic memory to support hours to days of real time operation.
Generalized interaction coefficients: Part I: Definitions

Abstract The concept of interaction coefficients is generalized to apply to the enthalpy and entropy functions, as well as to the free energy function, and to cover terms of different orders in the expansion of these functions in Taylor's series. The use of a second order free energy interaction coefficient is particularly emphasized and the relationships between various interaction coefficients are developed. The applicability of the terms defined to data in the literature is discussed.
Individual Differences in Delay Discounting: Differences are Quantitative with Gains, but Qualitative with Losses

Research on delay discounting and inter-temporal choice has yielded significant insights into decision making. Although research has focused on delayed gains, the discounting of losses is potentially important in precisely those areas where the discounting of gains has proved informative (e.g., substance use and abuse). Participants in the current study completed both a questionnaire consisting of choices between immediate and delayed gains and an analogous questionnaire consisting of choices between immediate and delayed losses. For almost all participants, the likelihood of choosing the delayed gain decreased with increases in the wait until it would be received. In contrast, when losses (i.e., payments) were involved, different participants showed quite different patterns of choices. More specifically, although the majority of the participants became increasingly likely to choose to pay later as the delay was increased, some participants appeared to be debt averse, in that they were more likely to choose the immediate payment option when the delay was long than when it was brief. These debt-averse participants also were more likely to choose to wait for a larger delayed gain than other participants and scored lower on Impulsiveness than those who showed the typical pattern of discounting delayed losses. Taken together, these results suggest that in the case of delayed gains, people differ only quantitatively (i.e., in how steeply they discount), whereas in the case of delayed losses, people differ qualitatively as well as quantitatively, contrary to the common assumption that a single impulsivity trait underlies choices between immediate and delayed outcomes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Action-level real-time DEVS modeling and simulation

For some classes of systems, it is advantageous to develop real-time models instead of step-wise or logical-time models. Toward this goal, the action-level real-time ALRT discrete-event system specification DEVS modeling and simulation approach is proposed. Modeling of actions is introduced into the parallel DEVS formalism using time invariants defined for real-time statecharts. Actions are specified in terms of time-windows that are to be executed in real-time. An abstract simulator protocol is devised for executing the ALRT-DEVS models under constrained computational resources. The approach is implemented in the parallel DEVS-Suite simulator. These models can be simulated on unitary computing platforms. A simple example switch model is detailed and tested to show the kinds of real-time modeling and simulation studies that can be supported.
Intact Parathyroid Hormone Immunoradiometric Assays: Part II: Evaluating Two Commercial Kits for Routine Clinical Use

The recent development of immunoradiometric assays (IRMA) for the detection of human intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) in serum has led to the diagnosis of disorders of the parathyroid glands. We evaluated the analytical performance of two commercial IRMA kits for the detection of intact PTH in serum by assessing the following performance characteristics: imprecision, parallelism, and range of linearity. We also assessed analytical sensitivity in order to validate the reportable range for patient sample results. We compared the PTH concentration in 90 serum samples measured by two IRMA kits in our laboratory with those obtained on the same samples assayed by one of the commercial IRMA kits at a reference laboratory. The acceptable performance and excellent correlations demonstrated that either commercial IRMA kit for intact PTH would be suitable for routine use in a clinical laboratory. This article is the final installment in a two-part series on PTH. The first article focused on the measurement and clinical use of PTH.
Abstract 3446: Induction of colonic aberrant crypts in mice by an apparent N-nitroso compound fraction derived from hot dogs

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Introduction: Nitrite-preserved meat products, e.g., hot dogs, may be a cause of colon cancer. This may occur because such products contain a possibly carcinogenic fraction called “total apparent N-nitroso compounds” (ANC). Feeding such products to humans and mice increased the fecal excretion of ANC. We tested here whether hot-dog-derived ANC could induce colonic aberrant crypts (ABC), a precursor lesion for colon cancer, in mice. Methods: We purified the ANC precursor (ANCP) fraction of commercial hot hogs by adsorption-desorption on silica gel and cation exchange resin, and treated the ANCP with nitrite to convert them to ANC. As a positive control group, adult female A/J mice were given 1 or 3 i.p. injections of 5 mg/kg of azoxymethane (AOM) [Experiment (Exp.) 1]. In Exps. 2 and 3, similar mice were continuously fed the purified hot dog ANC (initial dose, 100 nmol/g diet) in a high-fat or “high-fat stress” diet. In Exp. 2 the ANC dose initially dropped sharply, probably because the ANCP was unstable on thawing, but later in Exp 2 and throughout Exp 3 the ANCP level was stable and was maintained at 100 nmol/g diet. The mice were killed after 8 (for AOM tests) or 24-34 (for ANC tests) weeks of treatment. Feces of the ANC-treated mice contained up to 225 nmol ANC/g, indicating that the ANC reached the colon. The distal 2 cm of each colon was stained with methylne blue, the mucosal surfaces were scanned at 400 x magnification, and ABC were identified and counted. Results: Mean numbers of ANC/colon for 1 and 3 AOM injections, AOM controls, ANC (Exp 2), ANC (Exp. 3) and ANC controls were 28, 76, 14, 20, 14 and 5-8. Standard deviations were <50% of mean values. The effect of ANC was significant by the rank order test (P < 0.01) for both Exps. 2 and 3. Potency of ABC induction per mole ANC was 1.7% (Exp. 2) and 0.4% (Exp. 3) of that for AOM in Exp. 1. In Exp. 3 we noted that the ABC occurred as foci with 1-4 ABC/focus and a mean of 6.8 foci/colon. ANC treatment did not affect the number of foci. Conclusions: Hot-dog-derived ANC induced a significant number of ABC in the mouse colon, but the effect was relatively weak. These results provide a direct link between ANC in a nitrite-preserved meat product and effects in the colon. Partly supported by NIH grant RO1 CA-143460-01. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3446.
Evaluating the predictive ability of a path-dependent thermal inactivation model for salmonella subjected to prior sublethal heating in ground turkey, beef, and pork.

Pathogen thermal inactivation models currently available to and used by industry consider only the present state of the product when predicting inactivation rates. However, bacteria subjected to sublethal thermal injury can develop partial protection against lethal temperatures. The objective of this study was to extend the capabilities of a previously published path-dependent Salmonella inactivation model by accounting for longer sublethal heating periods and different substrates and to test this new model against independent data. Ground samples of irradiated (>10 kGy) turkey breast, beef round, and pork loin were inoculated with an eight-serovar Salmonella cocktail and subjected to 53 nonisothermal treatments (in triplicate) that combined a linear heating rate (1, 2, 3, 4, or 7 K/min), a variable length sublethal holding period (at 40, 45, or 50°C), a lethal holding temperature (55, 58, 61, or 64°C), and a nominal target kill (3- or 5-log reductions) (n = 159 for each meat species). When validated agai...
Transcriptomic Changes in Brain Development

The transcriptome changes hugely during development of the brain. Whole genes, alternate exons, and single base pair changes related to RNA editing all show differences between embryonic and mature brain. Collectively, these changes control proteomic diversity as the brain develops. Additionally, there are many changes in noncoding RNAs (miRNA and lncRNA) that interact with mRNA to influence the overall transcriptional landscape. Here, we will discuss what is known about such changes in brain development, particularly focusing on high-throughput approaches and how those can be used to infer mechanisms by which gene expression is controlled in the brain as it matures.
When short runs beat long runs

What will yield the best results: doing one run n generations long or doing m runs n/m generations long each? This paper presents a technique-independent analysis which answers this question, and has direct applicability to scheduling and restart theory in evolutionary computation and other stochastic methods. The paper then applies this technique to three problem domains in genetic programming. It discovers that in two of these domains there is a maximal number of generations beyond which it is irrational to plan a run; instead it makes more sense to do multiple shorter runs.
Integrated approaches to physical Therapy education: a new comprehensive model from the University of Illinois Chicago

Demand for physical therapists in the United States (U.S.) is currently robust and expected to grow further. There are currently 228 physical therapy programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), and 30 more are in development in the U.S.; 29,246 students are currently enrolled in these programs (2014-2015 data). A shortage of physical therapy faculty with an advanced doctoral degree (i.e., PhD, EdD, DSc) is a primary concern for these programs. Specialized residency and fellowship training in physical therapy continue to expand, preparing professionals to deliver advanced clinical care. The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) reports that there are currently 179 accredited residency programs and 35 accredited fellowship programs in the U.S. A number of academic physical therapy programs also currently operate a clinical faculty practice. Currently, these aspects and trends in physical therapy education, advanced training, and clinical practice, for the most part, lack synergy and connectivity, in both planning and implementation amongst the various components. This professional theoretical article describes a novel model for academic physical therapy, with potential transformative implications for entry-level physical therapy education, advanced clinical training, and academic preparation.
Assessment of SOAP note evaluation tools in colleges and schools of pharmacy

Abstract Introduction To describe current methods used to assess SOAP notes in colleges and schools of pharmacy. Methods Members of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Laboratory Instructors Special Interest Group were invited to share assessment tools for SOAP notes. Content of submissions was evaluated to characterize overall qualities and how the tools assessed subjective, objective, assessment, and plan information. Results Thirty-nine assessment tools from 25 schools were evaluated. Twenty-nine (74%) of the tools were rubrics and ten (26%) were checklists. All rubrics included analytic scoring elements, while two (7%) were mixed with holistic and analytic scoring elements. A majority of the rubrics (35%) used a four-item rating scale. Substantial variability existed in how tools evaluated subjective and objective sections. All tools included problem identification in the assessment section. Other assessment items included goals (82%) and rationale (69%). Seventy-seven percent assessed drug therapy; however, only 33% assessed non-drug therapy. Other plan items included education (59%) and follow-up (90%). Discussion and conclusions There is a great deal of variation in the specific elements used to evaluate SOAP notes in colleges and schools of pharmacy. Improved consistency in assessment methods to evaluate SOAP notes may better prepare students to produce standardized documentation when entering practice.
Reactive catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass to produce high-quality bio-crude

Reactive catalytic fast pyrolysis (RCFP) of biomass with atmospheric pressure hydrogen was investigated in a lab-scale fluidized bed reactor with varying reaction conditions (temperature and hydrogen concentration) and catalysts. Presence of atmospheric hydrogen with candidate RCFP catalysts was found to improve the yield and quality of bio-crude and minimize the char and coke formation. A molybdenum-based catalyst was the most effective at hydrodeoxygenating biomass pyrolysis vapors to produce a hydrocarbon-rich bio-crude intermediate with low oxygen content (<10 wt%). Higher hydrogen concentration and moderate reaction temperature (450 °C) favored higher bio-crude yields and quality. A yield of 43.2 C% in the C4+ organic fraction with as low as 6.2 wt% oxygen in the liquid was obtained under optimized reaction conditions. The resulting bio-crude contained primarily aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, with small amounts of simple ketones, furans, and phenols. Up to 41.5% carbon in the biomass feed was converted into gas and condensable hydrocarbons with 29.7% in the condensable C4+ fraction. The improved bio-crude quality is expected to be more compatible with existing petroleum refining infrastructure.
Articulatory effects on speech perception: a preliminary report

Abstract: Experiments in perceptuo-motor adaptation to speech have shown that the production values of voice onset time for voiceless plosives become systematically shorter after repetitive listening to such plosives. In the present research, we studied the possibility of perceptuo-motor control in a converse experimental situation, in which subjects were required to utter a repetitive sequence of syllables immediately prior to identifying syllables presented auditorily. In the main experiment, subjects uttered a sequence of the syllables [bae], [mae], and [vae], all containing labial initial segments. After each 1-min period of repetitive articulation, the subjects were required to identify synthetic CV syllables ([bae]-[dae]-[gae]) which varied from one another in the starting frequency and direction of the second- and third-formant transitions. Some subjects showed systematic perceptuo-motor effects, both in a condition in which they received auditory feedback during repetitive articulation (closed loop test) and, more importantly, in a condition in which feedback for both air- and bone-conducted signals was eliminated by means of white noise masking (open loop test). The perceptuo-motor effects for these subjects matched the effects obtained for the subjects in a strictly perceptual adaptation test; for both tests, after adaptation with the [bae]-[mae]-[vae] sequence, the subjects’ phonetic boundary between the [b] and [d] categories shifted toward [b], signifying that fewer identification responses were assigned to the [b] category after adaptation; on the other hand, the phonetic boundary between [d] and [g] remained stationary. For other subjects, failure to obtain perceptuo-motor effects was correlated with relatively weak or non-existent effects in the perceptual adaptation test. The results add support to the notion that there exists a unitary mechanism which processes information about certain consonant features during both speech perception and speech production.
The eukaryotic enzyme Bds1 is an alkyl but not an aryl sulfohydrolase.

Abstract The eukaryotic enzyme Bds1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a metallo-β-lactamase-related enzyme evolutionarily originating from bacterial horizontal gene transfer that serves an unknown biological role. Previously, Bds1 was reported to be an alkyl and aryl sulfatase. However, we demonstrate here that Bds1 acts on primary alkyl sulfates (of 6–12 carbon atoms) but not the aryl sulfates p-nitrophenyl sulfate and p-nitrocatechol sulfate. The apparent catalytic rate constant for hydrolysis of the substrate 1-hexyl sulfate by Bds1 is over 100 times lower than that of the reaction catalyzed by its bacterial homolog SdsA1. We show that Bds1 shares a catalytic mechanism with SdsA1 in which the carbon atom of the sulfate ester is the subject of nucleophilic attack, rather than the sulfur atom, resulting in C–O bond lysis. In contrast to SdsA1 and another bacterial homolog with selectivity for secondary alkyl sulfates named Pisa1, Bds1 does not show any substantial activity towards secondary alkyl sulfates. Neither Bds1 nor SdsA1 have any significant activity towards a branched primary alkyl sulfate, primary and secondary steroid sulfates, or phosphate diesters. Therefore, the enzymes homologous to SdsA1 that have been identified and characterized thus far vary in their selectivity towards primary and secondary alkyl sulfates but do not exhibit aryl sulfatase activity.
Aquatic Environmental Fate of Deltamethrin

Deltamethrin [(S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (1R,3R)-cis-2,2-dimethyl-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl) cyclopropanecarboxylate] is a powerful pyrethroid insecticide which exhibits very high toxicity to aquatic organisms. Major routes of degradation or dissipation of parent deltamethrin in natural water are chemical and photochemical conversion to a mixture of inactive and active stereoisomers, and hydrolysis with subsequent oxidation of products. Chiral high performance liquid Chromatographic analyses revealed that the parent 1-deltamethrin in natural water in the dark is subject to cis/trans isomerization yielding the α-S, IS eis isomer 2'-deltamethrin, which is inactive against mice and insects. Sunlight photolysis of deltamethrin in natural water is only a partial detoxification step since although it produced the inactive 2'-deltamethrin isomer as well as the inactive α-S, IS trans isomer 4’-deltamethrin, it did produce in addition the α-S, 1R trans isomer 3-deltamethrin, which does retain some activity toward mice, insects and Daphnia magna , albeit less than the parent 1-deltamethrin.
Multivalent Cation-Bridged PI(4,5)P2 Clusters Form at Very Low Concentrations

Abstract Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P 2 or PIP2), is a key component of the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in eukaryotic cells. In model membranes, PIP2 has been reported to form clusters, but whether these locally different conditions could give rise to distinct pools of unclustered and clustered PIP2 is unclear. By use of both fluorescence self-quenching and Forster resonance energy transfer assays, we have discovered that PIP2 self-associates at remarkably low concentrations starting below 0.05 mol% of total lipids. Formation of these clusters was dependent on physiological divalent metal ions, such as Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Zn 2+ , or trivalent ions Fe 3+ and Al 3+ . Formation of PIP2 clusters was also headgroup-specific, being largely independent of the type of acyl chain. The similarly labeled phospholipids phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol exhibited no such clustering. However, six phosphoinositide species coclustered with PIP2. The degree of PIP2 cation clustering was significantly influenced by the composition of the surrounding lipids, with cholesterol and phosphatidylinositol enhancing this behavior. We propose that PIP2 cation-bridged cluster formation, which might be similar to micelle formation, can be used as a physical model for what could be distinct pools of PIP2 in biological membranes. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of PIP2 forming clusters at such low concentrations. The property of PIP2 to form such clusters at such extremely low concentrations in model membranes reveals, to our knowledge, a new behavior of PIP2 proposed to occur in cells, in which local multivalent metal ions, lipid compositions, and various binding proteins could greatly influence PIP2 properties. In turn, these different pools of PIP2 could further regulate cellular events.
Can we abandon anthracyclines for early breast cancer patients

The anthracyclines doxorubicin and epirubicin are among the most effective cytotoxic treatments developed for the treatment of breast cancer.
Interface Materials for Oxide Composites

Several interphase systems with the potential to enable damage tolerant behavior in oxide composites are reviewed. The most promising are rare-earth phosphates (monazite), aligned layer structures (β-aluminas/magnetoplumbites), and porous coatings. Observations of the fracture behavior and microstructural stability of LaPO4 coatings in alumina and alumina-zirconia are discussed.
New Firm Alliance Formation from the Perspective of Cognitive Legitimacy

This paper investigates how a new firm’s relative level of cognitive legitimacy affects its alliance formation. When a new firm associates itself with a product category, it is comprehensible to th...
Characterization Studies of Solids from Reactor Coolant System Water and Test Filter Media from Three Mile Island Unit 2

Because of the impact of poor water clarity on defueling operations at the Three Mile Island Unit 2 nuclear power station, a study was undertaken to characterize suspended particulates in the react...
Sonic hedgehog selectively promotes lymphangiogenesis after kidney injury through noncanonical pathway

Kidney fibrosis is associated with an increased lymphangiogenesis, characterized by the formation and expansion of new lymphatic vessels. However, the trigger and underlying mechanism responsible f...
Matched Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES) of Tumor Tissue with Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) Analysis: Complementary Modalities in Clinical Practice

Tumor heterogeneity, especially intratumoral heterogeneity, is a primary reason for treatment failure. A single biopsy may not reflect the complete genomic architecture of the tumor needed to make therapeutic decisions. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is believed to overcome these limitations. We analyzed concordance between ctDNA and whole-exome sequencing/whole-genome sequencing (WES/WGS) of tumor samples from patients with breast (n = 12), gastrointestinal (n = 20), lung (n = 19), and other tumor types (n = 13). Correlation in the driver, hotspot, and actionable alterations was studied. Three cases in which more-in-depth genomic analysis was required have been presented. A total 58% (37/64) of patients had at least one concordant mutation. Patients who had received systemic therapy before tissue next-generation sequencing (NGS) and ctDNA analysis showed high concordance (78% (21/27) vs. 43% (12/28) p = 0.01, respectively). Obtaining both NGS and ctDNA increased actionable alterations from 28% (18/64) to 52% (33/64) in our patients. Twenty-one patients had mutually exclusive actionable alterations seen only in either tissue NGS or ctDNA samples. Somatic hotspot mutation analysis showed significant discordance between tissue NGS and ctDNA analysis, denoting significant tumor heterogeneity in these malignancies. Increased tissue tumor mutation burden (TMB) positively correlated with the number of ctDNA mutations in patients who had received systemic therapy, but not in treatment-naive patients. Prior systemic therapy and TMB may affect concordance and should be taken into consideration in future studies. Incorporating driver, actionable, and hotspot analysis may help to further refine the correlation between these two platforms. Tissue NGS and ctDNA are complimentary, and if done in conjunction, may increase the detection rate of actionable alterations and potentially therapeutic targets.
Geographies of hope in cultural resources protection

This work to articulate a geography of hope in the face of institutionalized epistemic injustice extends the emerging Indigenous political ecology approach through engagement with cultural resource...
NEW DATABASE PRODUCTS: SOCIAL SCIENCE, HUMANITIES, NEWS AND GENERAL (ISSUE 8)

This is the eighth article on social science, humanities, news and general databases in a continuing series of articles summarising and commenting on new database products. There are two companion articles: one covering science, technology, and, medicine (STM) appeared in Online & CDROM Review, vol. 20, no. 4 and the other covering business and law (BSL) will appear in Online & CDROM Review, vol. 20, no. 6. The articles are based on the newly appearing database products in the Gale Directory of Databases. The Gale Directory of Databases (GDD) was created in January 1993 by merging Computer‐Readable Databases: A Directory and Data Sourcebook (CRD) together with the Directory of Online Databases (DOD) and the Directory of Portable Databases (DPD).
The SEC vs. the Dow Jones: A Profitable Betting Strategy in NCAA Football

This article tests the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) and the profitability of a simple betting strategy in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football. We examine all games that have a point spread, from September 2003 through January 2015, for inter-conference matches involving a Power Five/Automatic Qualifying (P5/AQ) team against a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent. We further investigate one conference using these matches from 2016 through 2018 seasons. The betting strategy evidence suggests it is nonrandom and profitable to bet against the Southeastern Conference (SEC), despite its perceived status as the nation’s top conference.
Gastric Bypass for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on BMI >35

The type 2 diabetes (T2D) epidemic in the USA is paralleled with the obesity epidemic, a modifiable risk factor for T2D. The pathophysiology of T2D in patients with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2) is multifactorial and includes increased central and intrahepatic adiposity, absolute or relative deficiency in pancreatic β-cell insulin production, and insulin resistance. These lead to chronic hyperglycemia with multiple end-organ damage. Compared to conventional medical therapy, gastric bypass produces higher rates of T2D remission and reduction in T2D-associated complications and premature mortality. Randomized studies showed that gastric bypass has equivalent and superior outcomes compared to biliopancreatic diversion and gastric banding, respectively. However, conflicting results were observed when it was compared to sleeve gastrectomy. Preoperative and postoperative factors can predict T2D remission and relapse, and glycemic control involves several weight-dependent and weight-independent mechanisms.