cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secondary level engineering professional development: content, pedagogy, and challenges

The design of this study was a multiple case study conducted to examine the knowledge, pedagogical principles, and challenges involved in providing engineering-oriented professional development for teachers at the secondary school level. A set of criteria was used to identify five representative projects for analysis in the US. A variety of tools and processes were used to gather data including on-site observations, interviews, focus groups and document reviews. Results of the study indicate that engineering professional development tends to be based on work focused on curriculum development and implementation. Given the distinct design orientation of engineering, it is not surprising that the focus of engineering-oriented professional development tends to concentrate on engaging activities, with a primary focus on process rather than content. A key outcome of this study was an observed lack of a clearly formulated and articulated conceptual foundation for secondary level engineering. Regarding pedagogy, the researchers identified a heavy emphasis on modeling and applied learning. At the same time, the researchers observed a lack of emphasis on reflection and analysis of the pedagogical processes and techniques used to shape teachers’ ability to teach engineering to their students. The findings of the study also include concerns raised by teachers as they engage in engineering professional development. These include concerns about technical knowledge, particularly with the use of specialized software applications and other tools, as well as with practical issues such as time, resources, and availability of appropriate curriculum.
High field magnet designs for the ARIES-I reactor

The requirements for developing large, very-high-field superconducting tokamaks are investigated, The superconducting material, the structure, and the integration issues are investigated for both the toroidal field coils and the poloidal field coils. The interaction between the two systems (out-of-plane and heating) are studied. Near-term and longer-term materials are compared. However, no materials or properties that have not been determined in the laboratory have been assumed. >
Effect of the Angular Momentum and Magnetic Quantum Numbers on Auger and Photoelectron Scattering

Angle-resolved electron intensity distributions for Auger and photo- electrons are calculated using a curved-wave electron scattering formalism and compared with experiment. The distributions are found to depend significantly on both the l and m l quantum numbers of the scattered electron. We consider the simple metals Ir and Al. Although the intensity patterns depend strongly on the l quantum number at relatively low energy, even at high energies (around 1500 eV), a significant l effect remains, which we find arises from nearest neighbor single scattering and from the multiple scattering or defocussing effect. The relative contribution of each l and m l partial wave is determined not only by the quantum mechanicaf matrix elements, but also by the energy, polarization, and direction of the excitation beam.
Decomposing protein interactome networks by graph entropy

Recent high-throughput experimental methods have generated protein-protein interaction data in the genome scale, called interactome. Various graph clustering algorithms have been applied to the protein interactome networks for identifying protein complexes and predicting functional modules. Although the previous algorithms are scalable and robust, their accuracy is still limited because of complex connectivity of the networks. In this study, we propose a novel information-theoretic definition, Graph Entropy, as a measure of structural complexity of a graph. Loss of graph entropy represents an increase in modularity of the graph. Based on this concept, we present a graph clustering algorithm. Starting from a random seed vertex and its neighbors as a seed cluster, the algorithm iteratively adds or removes vertices on the border of the cluster to minimize graph entropy. We make an additional improvement on the algorithm for generating overlapping clusters. In the experiments with the yeast protein interactome network, we show the graph entropy-based approach has higher accuracy in predicting functional modules than other competing methods.
Tethering DNA Damage Checkpoint Mediator Proteins Topoisomerase IIβ-binding Protein 1 (TopBP1) and Claspin to DNA Activates Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated and RAD3-related (ATR) Phosphorylation of Checkpoint Kinase 1 (Chk1)

The ataxia-telangiectasia mutated and RAD3-related (ATR) kinase initiates DNA damage signaling pathways in human cells after DNA damage such as that induced upon exposure to ultraviolet light by phosphorylating many effector proteins including the checkpoint kinase Chk1. The conventional view of ATR activation involves a universal signal consisting of genomic regions of replication protein A-covered single-stranded DNA. However, there are some indications that the ATR-mediated checkpoint can be activated by other mechanisms. Here, using the well defined Escherichia coli lac repressor/operator system, we have found that directly tethering the ATR activator topoisomerase IIβ-binding protein 1 (TopBP1) to DNA is sufficient to induce ATR phosphorylation of Chk1 in an in vitro system as well as in vivo in mammalian cells. In addition, we find synergistic activation of ATR phosphorylation of Chk1 when the mediator protein Claspin is also tethered to the DNA with TopBP1. Together, these findings indicate that crowding of checkpoint mediator proteins on DNA is sufficient to activate the ATR kinase.
Secondary Sphere Hydrogen Bonding in Monocopper Complexes of Potentially Dinucleating Bis(carboxamide) Ligands

Reaction of a macrocyclic ligand precursor comprising two bis(carboxamido)pyridine units (H4L4) connected by ethylene linkers with NMe4OH and CuX2 (X = Cl, OAc, or OTf) yielded monocopper complexes [NMe4][(H2L4)Cu(X)] (X = Cl (3), OAc (4), or OH (5)), in contrast to previous work using a related ligand with ortho-phenylene linkers wherein dicopper compounds were isolated. X-ray structures of the complexes revealed hydrogen bonding from the free carboxamide N-H groups in the doubly protonated form of the ligand (H2L4- ) to the monodentate fourth ligand coordinated to the Cu(II) ion. Similar secondary sphere hydrogen bonding interactions were identified in multinuclear compounds [NMe4]2[((H2L4)Cu)n(CO3)] (n = 2 or 3) that were isolated from exposure of 5 to air. Cyclic voltammetry revealed oxidations of 3 and 5 at potentials ~300 mV higher than analogous monocopper complexes of bis(arylcarboxamido)pyridine ligands which lack the intramolecular hydrogen bonds, consistent with removal of electron density from the metal center by the hydrogen bonding array. Another ligand variant (H4L5) with ortho-phenylene linkers and only one bis(carboxamido)pyridine moiety yielded monocopper complexes [NMe4][(H2L5)Cu(OAc)] • DMF (8) and [NMe4][(H2L5)CuCl)] • CH3CN (9), but the X-ray structures revealed a different hydrogen bonding arrangement to the solvate molecules. Nonetheless, a high redox potential for 9 was observed, consistent with intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions in solution.
Development of Laser Engineered Net Shape (LENS) Additive Manufacturing for Repair

Laser Engineered Net Shape processing was evaluated as a means to repair scratched gas sample bottles and mis-machined test bases. Defects to be repaired were intentionally introduced. These defects simulated scratches and holes that had been either over bored or misaligned. These parts were repaired using LENS and then tested in the baseline, as damaged, and hydrogen charged conditions. The effect of LENS repair was not detrimental to the properties of the components. Further development work and implementation of the process is recommended.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Conditional Expression of E2A-HLF Induces B-Cell Precursor Death and Myeloproliferative-Like Disease in Knock-In Mice

Chromosomal translocations are driver mutations of human cancers, particularly leukemias. They define disease subtypes and are used as prognostic markers, for minimal residual disease monitoring and therapeutic targets. Due to their low incidence, several translocations and their biological consequences remain poorly characterized. To address this, we engineered mouse strains that conditionally express E2A-HLF, a fusion oncogene from the translocation t(17;19) associated with 1% of pediatric B-cell precursor ALL. Conditional oncogene activation and expression were directed to the B-cell compartment by the Cre driver promoters CD19 or Mb1 (Igα, CD79a), or to the hematopoietic stem cell compartment by the Mx1 promoter. E2A-HLF expression in B-cell progenitors induced hyposplenia and lymphopenia, whereas expression in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells was embryonic lethal. Increased cell death was detected in E2A-HLF expressing cells, suggesting the need for cooperating genetic events that suppress cell death for B-cell oncogenic transformation. E2A-HLF/Mb1.Cre aged mice developed a fatal myeloproliferative-like disorder with low frequency characterized by leukocytosis, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly and organ-infiltration by mature myelocytes. In conclusion, we have developed conditional E2A-HLF knock-in mice, which provide an experimental platform to study cooperating genetic events and further elucidate translational biology in cross-species comparative studies.
Surrogate Based Reduced-Order Aerothermodynamic Modeling for Structural Response Prediction at High Mach Numbers

One of the primary challenges for hypersonic aerothermoelastic analysis of air-breathing hypersonic vehicles is accurate and efficient computation of the unsteady aerothermodynamic loads, where currently approaches are limited to either simple engineering level approximations or expensive Computational Fluid Dynamics. This study aims to fill the modeling gap between these two extremes by constructing computationally efficient surrogates for CFD predictions of the unsteady aerodynamic pressure loads. A novel aspect of the work is the use of steady-state CFD data for the surrogate, corrected for unsteady effects using piston-theory aerodynamics. Validation of the steady-state surrogate is achieved by comparing to 500 steady-state full order CFD cases. Results indicate that the surrogate generally has less than 1% RMS error. Comparison of the unsteady generalized aerodynamic forces computed using the corrected surrogate, third-order piston theory, unsteady Euler, and unsteady NavierStokes aerodynamics demonstrates that the developed surrogate method produces predictions superior to unsteady Euler solutions and piston theory, at a computational cost similar to that of piston theory. The surrogate is also implemented into a dynamic aerothermoelastic panel simultation, and compared with previous results using analytical approaches. The comparison reveals differences of over 100% in the onset time to flutter, and significantly altered post-flutter responses. The surrogate framework is found to enable a reasonably accurate, robust, and efficient method for incorporating CFD loads prediction, which would otherwise be impractical, into a long time-record aerothermoelastic analysis of structures for a complete hypersonic trajectory.
Effect of measurement errors on cardiac output calculated with O2 and modified CO2 Fick methods.

We have investigated the effect of measurement errors on cardiac output, calculated via three different Fick methods. In method 1, the classic O2 Fick equation is expressed in terms of oxygen uptake (\(\dot Vo_2 \)), arterial pulse (Sao2) and venous oximetry (Svo2) saturations. The second method, a modified CO2 Fick method, is obtained by replacing\(\dot Vo_2 \) in method 1 with carbon dioxide production (\(\dot Vco_2 \)) divided by the respiratory quotient. In method 3, cardiac output is expressed as\(\dot Vco_2 \) divided by the product of the Sao2-Svo2 difference and a constant. This constant is determined from initial measurements of\(\dot Vco_2 \), Sao2, Svo2, and thermodilution cardiac output (Qth). This determination of the constant results in equality of the initial cardiac output of method 3 with the simultaneously determined Qth and, therefore, is similar to performing an autocalibration. For each of the three preceding Fick methods, we derive general expressions that explicitly show how measurement errors (random and systematic) in the Fick variables (\(\dot Vo_2 \),\(\dot Vco_2 \), Sao2, and Svo2) propagate into errors in calculated cardiac output. The errors in theoretically calculated cardiac output decrease as the Sao2-Svo2 difference increases, except for the systematic error in method 3. The systematic error of method 3 is constant and depends only upon the accuracy of the initial Qth. Analytic expressions for the sensitivity of calculated cardiac output to errors in individual Fick variables are also obtained. Using estimates from the literature for typical systematic and random measurement errors in the Fick variables, the resultant errors in cardiac output are numerically calculated. The effect of random measurement errors on errors in calculated cardiac output was comparable among the three methods. However, the systematic error was least with method 3. Total errors (random and systematic) were comparable among the three methods. Using these numerical measurement errors, we conclude that continuous cardiac output may be calculated with comparable accuracy with each of these methods.
Behavioral measures of neurotoxicity.

Three particular behavioral functions constitute the focus of this chapter: motor, sensory and complex (learning and memory) behavior. A wealth of behavioral procedures have been devised to assess each of these behavioral functions. One purpose of this monograph is to familiarize the reader with the particular procedures most frequently utilized to evaluate neurotoxicant-induced changes in each of these categories, pointing out their relative strengths and weaknesses. A second and predominant purpose is to acquaint the reader with the more complex behavioral approaches and procedures available for each of these functions, paradigms which exemplify the scope and possibilities provided by behavioral measures. While the more complex procedures unquestionably require more extensive training time, they also offer the advantage of a more selective measurement of the particular behavioral function of interest. Delineation of the components of complex performance may yield information relevant to understanding both the behavioral and biological mechanisms underlying a toxicant's effect. Furthermore, complex procedures provide the capability of determining the specificity of a toxicant-induced change in a particular behavioral function by allowing concurrent evaluation of multiple behavioral functions. Language: en
Evaluation of sex differences in cannabinoid withdrawal in rats

s / Drug and Alcohol Dependence 146 (2015) e118–e201 e195 Trends in racial/ethnic differences in heroin use and heroin risk behaviors among nonmedical users of prescription opioids from 2002 to 2011 Silvia S. Martins1, Julian Santaella1, Brandon D. Marshall 2, Adriana Maldonado1, Magdalena Cerda1 1 Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States 2 Epidemiology, Brown University, Providence, RI,
On a result of J.J. Sylvester

Abstract For any algebraically closed field F and any two square matrices A , B over F, Sylvester (1884) [8] and Cecioni (1910) [1] showed that A X = X B implies X = 0 if and only if A and B have no common eigenvalue. It is proved that a third equivalent statement is that, for any given polynomials f, g in F [ t ] , there exists h in F [ t ] such that f ( A ) = h ( A ) and g ( B ) = h ( B ) . Corresponding results hold also for any finite set of square matrices over F, and these lead to a new property of all associative rings and algebras (even over arbitrary fields) with 1.
Efficient generation of monoclonal antibodies against peptide in the context of MHCII using magnetic enrichment

Monoclonal antibodies specific for foreign antigens, auto-antigens, allogeneic antigens and tumour neo-antigens in the context of major histocompatibility complex II (MHCII) are highly desirable as novel immunotherapeutics. However, there is no standard protocol for the efficient generation of monoclonal antibodies that recognize peptide in the context of MHCII, and only a limited number of such reagents exist. In this report, we describe an approach for the generation and screening of monoclonal antibodies specific for peptide bound to MHCII. This approach exploits the use of recombinant peptide:MHC monomers as immunogens, and subsequently relies on multimers to pre-screen and magnetically enrich the responding antigen-specific B cells before fusion and validation, thus saving significant time and reagents. Using this method, we have generated two antibodies enabling us to interrogate antigen presentation and T-cell activation. This methodology sets the standard to generate monoclonal antibodies against the peptide-MHCII complexes.
Early Labiche: From Vaudeville to Comedy of Character

In studying an output as immense as Labiche’s, it is not a simple matter to distinguish clear lines of development. In general, however, one can say that there are two large categories of plays: those in which fantasy and absurdity dominate, and those which are somewhat closer to reality. The former tend to be vaudevilles and farces, the latter comedies. But clear lines of demarcation are not always apparent, for plays like Celimare le bien aime (Celimare the Well-beloved, Celimare) and La Cagnotte (The Kitty, Pots of Money), which possess real characters rather than puppets, are also built along the implausible lines of Labiche2019s more obvious vaudevilles.
Separated by Bars or Dollar Signs? A Comparative Examination of the Financial Literacy of Those Incarcerated and the General Population

This study examines the level of financial literacy of inmates in Arkansas correctional institutions. Furthermore, it compares the financial knowledge, planning, and practices between not only white and non-white inmates but also between males within and outside of penal institutions. Specifically, this research combines primary data on the financial realities of those within correctional institutions and existing statistics on the public to examine the relationship between demographics, banking history, use of non-traditional lenders, and financial literacy. While prior literature on the public is extensive, research on the financial literacy of individuals currently incarcerated is sparse. Findings indicate vast differences between the public and those within penal institutions, particularly in financial knowledge and planning. For our incarcerated sample we find similar disparities between our white and non-white respondents. Last, we find that youth, minority status, and lowered education are predictors of lower financial knowledge, use of predatory lender use, and poor financial planning among inmates. This is crucial because low levels of financial literacy, use of predatory lenders, and poor financial planning often provide barriers to asset accumulation, which increases the probability of incarceration and recidivism.
Repair of a bowel-containing, scrotal hernia with incarceration contributed by femorofemoral bypass graft.

The rising use of endovascular techniques utilizing femoral artery access may increase the frequency with which surgeons face the challenge of hernia repair in reoperative groins—which may or may not include a vascular graft. We present a case where a vascular graft contributed to an acute presentation and complicated dissection, and review the literature. A 67-year-old man who had undergone prior endovascular aneurysm repair via open bilateral femoral artery access and concomitant prosthetic femorofemoral bypass, presented with an incarcerated, scrotal inguinal hernia. The graft with its associated fibrosis contributed to the incarceration by compressing the inguinal ring. Repair was undertaken via an open, anterior approach with tension-free, Lichtenstein herniorraphy after releasing graft-associated fibrosis. Repair of groin hernias in this complex setting requires careful surgical planning, preparation for potential vascular reconstruction and meticulous technique to avoid bowel injury in the face of a vascular conduit and mesh.
Organizational Learning Strategies and Verbal Memory Deficits in Bipolar Disorder.

Background: Verbal memory (VM) impairment is prominent in bipolar disorder (BD) and is linked to functional outcomes. However, the intricacies of VM impairment have not yet been studied in a large sample of BD patients. Moreover, some have proposed VM deficits that may be mediated by organizational strategies, such as semantic or serial clustering. Thus, the exact nature of VM break-down in BD patients is not well understood, limiting remediation efforts. We investigated the intricacies of VM deficits in BD patients versus healthy controls (HCs) and examined whether verbal learning differences were mediated by use of clustering strategies. Methods: The California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) was administered to 113 affectively stable BD patients and 106 HCs. We compared diagnostic groups on all CVLT indices and investigated whether group differences in verbal learning were mediated by clustering strategies. Results: Although BD patients showed significantly poorer attention, learning, and memory, these indices were only mildly impaired. However, BD patients evidenced poorer use of effective learning strategies and lower recall consistency, with these indices falling in the moderately impaired range. Moreover, relative reliance on semantic clustering fully mediated the relationship between diagnostic category and verbal learning, while reliance on serial clustering partially mediated this relationship. Conclusions: VM deficits in affectively stable bipolar patients were widespread but were generally mildly impaired. However, patients displayed inadequate use of organizational strategies with clear separation from HCs on semantic and serial clustering. Remediation efforts may benefit from education about mnemonic devices or “chunking” techniques to attenuate VM deficits in BD. (JINS, 2017, 23, 358–366)
Self-Construal, Family Context, and the Cortisol Awakening Response in First- and Second-Generation Asian American College Students:

The current study employed latent difference score modeling to test whether acculturation processes at the level of the individual (i.e., self-construal) and family (i.e., family cultural conflict ...
Interpreting Cyclone Disasters in Bangladesh and Myanmar from Web-Based Newspaper Discourse: Media Framing of Cyclone Vulnerability on the Bay of Bengal Coast

Based on discourse analysis of 226 Web-based newspaper reports on three major cyclones in the Bay of Bengal—Gorky (1991), Sidr (2007), and Nargis (2008)—this study assesses a number of research assumptions dealing with media framing of cyclone vulnerability on the Bay of Bengal coast. Using a social constructionist perspective, the content of each report is classified into several segments, each providing data on how the selected newspapers framed certain aspects of the disaster news. Frequency counts of these themes provide specific data for assessing several research paradigms. Newspaper discourse was replete with references to a set of socio-economic variables as elements of risk, such as an impoverished population, marginal locations in low-lying topographic settings, poor-quality housing, and a risk-prone subsistence economy, as the context for cyclone vulnerability on the Bay of Bengal coast. Data obtained from discourse analysis also provide evidence of cyclone victims' vulnerability due to logisti...
Developing cognitions about race: White 5‐ to 10‐year‐olds' perceptions of hardship and pain

White American adults assume that Blacks feel less pain than do Whites, but only if they believe that Blacks have faced greater economic hardship than Whites. The current study investigates when in development children first recognize racial group differences in economic hardship and examines whether perceptions of hardship inform children's racial bias in pain perception. Five- to 10-year-olds (N = 178) guessed which of two items (low versus high value) belonged to a Black and a White child and rated the amount of pain a Black and a White child would feel in 10 painful situations. By age 5, White American children attributed lower-value possessions to Blacks than Whites, indicating a recognition of racial group differences in economic hardship. The results also replicated the emergence of a racial bias in pain perception between 5 and 10. However, unlike adults', children's perceptions of hardship do not account for racial bias in pain perception.
Effect of volume fraction of reinforcement phase on mechanical behavior of ultra-high-temperature composite consisting of iron matrix and TiB2 particulates

Recently, ultra-high-temperature ceramics have received abundance attention due to growing demand of new materials for extreme service conditions. In this study, titanium diboride particles as an u...
What Does Music Sound Like for a Cochlear Implant User

Objective Cochlear implant research and product development over the past 40 years have been heavily focused on speech comprehension with little emphasis on music listening and enjoyment. The relatively little understanding of how music sounds in a cochlear implant user stands in stark contrast to the overall degree of importance the public places on music and quality of life. The purpose of this article is to describe what music sounds like to cochlear implant users, using a combination of existing research studies and listener descriptions. We examined the published literature on music perception in cochlear implant users, particularly postlingual cochlear implant users, with an emphasis on the primary elements of music and recorded music. Additionally, we administered an informal survey to cochlear implant users to gather first-hand descriptions of music listening experience and satisfaction from the cochlear implant population. Conclusion Limitations in cochlear implant technology lead to a music listening experience that is significantly distorted compared with that of normal hearing listeners. On the basis of many studies and sources, we describe how music is frequently perceived as out-of-tune, dissonant, indistinct, emotionless, and weak in bass frequencies, especially for postlingual cochlear implant users-which may in part explain why music enjoyment and participation levels are lower after implantation. Additionally, cochlear implant users report difficulty in specific musical contexts based on factors including but not limited to genre, presence of lyrics, timbres (woodwinds, brass, instrument families), and complexity of the perceived music. Future research and cochlear implant development should target these areas as parameters for improvement in cochlear implant-mediated music perception.
Cell-free artificial photosynthesis system

We developed a cell-free artificial photosynthesis platform conducting both light and dark reactions for harvesting light energy and transforming the energy to organic compounds. To the best of our knowledge, such a device had not been reported so far. This system was able to harvest light energy and transform the energy to organic compounds, mimicking a plant leaf. We integrated the "artificial leaves" on a PCB demonstration board to create a compact energy harvesting system with a promising efficiency.
Second-generation antihistamines : A comparative review

Second-generation histamine H1 receptor antagonists (antihistamines) have been developed to reduce or eliminate the sedation and anticholinergic adverse effects that occur with older H1 receptor antagonists. This article evaluates second-generation antihistamines, including acrivastine, astemizole, azelastine, cetirizine, ebastine, fexofenadine, ketotifen, loratadine, mizolastine and terfenadine, for significant features that affect choice. In addition to their primary mechanism of antagonising histamine at the H1 receptor, these agents may act on other mediators of the allergic reaction. However, the clinical significance of activity beyond that mediated by histamine H1 receptor antagonism has yet to be demonstrated. Most of the agents reviewed are metabolised by the liver to active metabolites that play a significant role in their effect. Conditions that result in accumulation of astemizole, ebastine and terfenadine may prolong the QT interval and result in torsade de pointes. The remaining agents reviewed do not appear to have this risk. For allergic rhinitis, all agents are effective and the choice should be based on other factors. For urticaria, cetirizine and mizolastine demonstrate superior suppression of wheal and flare at the dosages recommended by the manufacturer. For atopic dermatitis, as adjunctive therapy to reduce pruritus, cetirizine, ketotifen and loratadine demonstrate efficacy. Although current evidence does not suggest a primary role for these agents in the management of asthma, it does support their use for asthmatic patients when there is coexisting allergic rhinitis, dermatitis or urticaria.
Motor Weakness After Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection

Transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) is an effective approach to deliver medication to the anterior epidural space. This approach is associated with unique risks because of proximity of the needle to susceptible anatomic structures and because of anatomic variation from patient to patient. Although some motor weakness can be seen in patients after TFESI, profound weakness or paraplegia is not expected, and the provider should be concerned for major complications. Immediate measures should be taken to rule out life-threatening conditions or those which may result in permanent disability. A thorough history and physical examination should be conducted, and immediate action may be required including additional monitoring, imaging, and/or neurosurgical evaluation.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 9 Reduces Cardiac Fibrosis and Improves Cardiac Function in Heart Failure

Background: Heart failure is a growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) promotes cardiac fibrosis, but also activates counterregulatory pathways ...
Universal and Succinct Source Coding of Deep Neural Networks

Deep neural networks have shown incredible performance for inference tasks in a variety of domains. Unfortunately, most current deep networks are enormous cloud-based structures that require significant storage space, which limits scaling of deep learning as a service (DLaaS) and use for on-device intelligence. This paper is concerned with finding universal lossless compressed representations of deep feedforward networks with synaptic weights drawn from discrete sets, and directly performing inference without full decompression. The basic insight that allows less rate than naive approaches is recognizing that the bipartite graph layers of feedforward networks have a kind of permutation invariance to the labeling of nodes, in terms of inferential operation. We provide efficient algorithms to dissipate this irrelevant uncertainty and then use arithmetic coding to nearly achieve the entropy bound in a universal manner. We also provide experimental results of our approach on several standard datasets.
Local Search Heuristics for the Design of Freight Carrier Networks

The design problem of freight carrier networks is an actual problem in Germany due to the changing transport market. Such a network consist of depots, each with a pick-up and delivery area, which are linked by direct relations or via hubs. The design problem involves the decisions on the number and locations of depots and hubs. The operations in a freight carrier network and the design problem are described, a planning model is formulated and a heuristic algorithm based on a Local Search Scheme is presented. Computational tests and a real life application are reported.
The Impact of Blockade

The course of history reflects a continual contest between limited, orderly processes of development and historical accident. The more sudden and unanticipated the accident that strikes into a ‘normal’ or previously predictable progression of events, the greater the sense of shock and reaction to it. A barrier suddenly thrown across a stream will interrupt the existing and hitherto ‘natural’ course of flow, producing a series of ‘unnatural’ repercussions and diversions. And so it was, for German history, with the Entente blockade of 1914. The Mitteleuropa enthusiasm was primarily the result of an accident with delayed, but catastrophic results. Mitteleuropa was the unanticipated product of a total strategic situation that was largely unforeseen by both alliance systems and which the Central Powers were almost completely unprepared to meet. Seldom have the so-called fortunes of war produced social and economic changes that had such a relatively great effect upon certain nations and peoples within so brief a span of time.
Neural Network Optimized Controller for Motion and Position Control in Autonomous Systems

Motion and position control are key components of autonomous systems. In this paper, a novel framework of neural network optimized controller is proposed for motion control and position control of autonomous systems. Two case studies are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. In the first case, a Lyapunov-based nonlinear controller for mobile robot trajectory tracking is optimized using neural network. In the second case, the neural network-based optimization is performed on Linear Quadratic Regulator-based optimal controller for a 2-DOF helicopter position control. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme achieves a faster transient response, as well as better overall error minimization, as compared to traditional control schemes. Furthermore, the proposed optimization is performed based on the samples from test navigation and it does not require accurate models of the plant. Therefore, it can be used to compensate for poor control performance due to inaccurate models.
Noninsulin medication therapy for hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus.

Purpose Published evidence regarding the role of noninsulin antidiabetic therapies in glycemic management of hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus is reviewed. Summary The American Diabetes Association recommends against the routine use of noninsulin antidiabetic therapies during hospitalization and supports insulin use instead. There are significant risks associated with insulin therapy, including hypoglycemia, and use of alternative therapies may be considered in hospitalized patients. A MEDLINE literature search was conducted to find articles on studies evaluating the use of noninsulin antidiabetic therapies in the inpatient setting; all full-text English-language publications presenting observational and randomized clinical trial data on the topic of interest were considered for inclusion in the review, with 9 publications selected for review. The majority of the reviewed research focused on incretin-based therapies, and favorable safety and efficacy outcomes were reported with the use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. The available evidence indicates that the use of other noninsulin medications, including glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sulfonylureas, to achieve and maintain glycemic control in the inpatient setting may be limited by adverse effects. Conclusion Optimal glycemic control in hospitalized patients with diabetes is necessary to avoid adverse effects. Insulin therapy is currently the primary medication recommended for this patient population. DPP-4 inhibitors have been demonstrated to be safe and effective for use in the inpatient setting in patients with well-controlled diabetes. Further research is needed to help define the role of noninsulin medications in the inpatient setting.
“But Why Do We Need the Bomber to be Studying for a Science Test?”: Racialized Arab Femininities and Masculinities

In order to understand the schooling experiences of Saudi students and their families across gender and age in the U.S., this article draws on a multi-sited, multi-age ethnographic study with an Arab family from Saudi Arabia living in the Midwestern region of the United States. Through this study, I empirically illustrate the impact of gendered racialization of Arab femininities and masculinities in educational settings through the stories of Sarah, a 40-year-old undergraduate student, and her 14-year-old son, Ayman. The results of this study highlight the ways these gendered racialized experiences differ based ona g e and gender as well ashow the participants respond to them. The discussion and implications sections focus on the importance of exposing the hierarchies of violence of complicit anti-Arab racisms as well as areas for improvement for school administrators, policymakers, and teacher education programs.
Personalized heart failure severity estimates using passive smartphone data

Heart failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of mortality in the United States with a high economic burden due to readmissions. We present a novel approach to remotely monitor quality of life in patients with HF using a smartphone app and a scalable cloud-based architecture. In a preliminary study, we assess continuous data from 10 HF subjects over a period of up to a year. Over 680 million samples of physical movement data, 9,000 geographic location updates, and 11,000 individual social networking events in the form of phone calls were captured from the app. Personalized models were constructed from these data to estimate self-reported quality of life using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), which has been shown to be a reliable health status measure for HF patients. Generalized linear models using only activity features were shown to reliably estimate the KCCQ score with an out of sample mean absolute error of 5.71%. Personalized models for estimating the HF severity as mild or severe were also built as a proof of concept to detect when a subject’s data indicated a clinical deterioration. Average out of sample accuracy was 83% for this binary classification problem. Creation of personalized models from passive smartphone data collected ‘in-the-wild’ to identify changes in HF severity appears possible. This new approach holds promise as a low burden and accurate method of monitoring HF symptoms, which could aid clinicians in early assessment and prevention of adverse outcomes.
HEMS-enabled transactive flexibility in real-time operation of three-phase unbalanced distribution systems

This paper proposes a coordinated two-stage real-time market mechanism in an unbalanced distribution system which can utilize flexibility service from home energy management system (HEMS) to alleviate line congestion, voltage violation, and substation-level power imbalance. At the grid level, the distribution system operator (DSO) computes the distribution locational marginal prices (DLMP) and its energy, loss, congestion, and voltage violation components through comprehensive sensitivity analyses. By using the DLMP components in a first-stage optimization problem, the DSO generates two price signals and sends them to HEMS to seek flexibility service. In response to the request of DSO, each home-level HEMS computes a flexibility range by incorporating the prices of DSO in its own optimization problem. Due to future uncertainties, the HEMS optimization problem is modeled as an adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) to minimize the total expected cost and discomfort of the household over a forward-looking horizon. The flexibility range of each HEMS is then used by the DSO in a second-stage optimization problem to determine new optimal dispatch points which ensure the efficient, reliable, and congestion-free operation of the distribution system. Lastly, the second-stage dispatch points are used by each HEMS to constrain its maximum consumption level in a final ADP to assign consumption level of major appliances such as energy storage, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, and water heater. The proposed method is validated on an IEEE 69-bus system with a large number of regular and HEMS-equipped homes in each phase.
A Haptic Virtual Kitchen for the Cognitive Empowerment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Research works have been carried out on how children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) react to different virtual environment (VE) stimuli. It is hypothesized by psychologists that children with ASD will be cognitively empowered while interacting in a VE, as it can offer positive reinforcement and a better sense of engagement to keep the child’s interests awake. This research will explore the development and refinement of virtual kitchen applications in an immersive environment by incorporating the sense of touch. A tangible VE lets users touch, grasp, and manipulate virtual objects with the help of a haptic force feedback device. The Unity game engine will be integrated with the existing haptic pipeline to build a full-fledged haptic virtual kitchen. Once developed, the software will be tested by children with and without ASD under a psychologist’s observation. Monitoring will be done by tracking users’ progress while learning different steps of cooking in a haptic VE; transfer of knowledge from a VE to the real world will be closely observed.
Quantitative Proteomics Uncovers the Interaction between a Virulence Factor and Mutanobactin Synthetases in Streptococcus mutans

ABSTRACT Streptococcus mutans, the primary etiological agent of tooth decay, has developed multiple adhesion and virulence factors which enable it to colonize and compete with other bacteria. The putative glycosyltransferase SMU_833 is important for the virulence of S. mutans by altering the biofilm matrix composition and cariogenicity. In this study, we further characterized the smu_833 mutant by evaluating its effects on bacterial fitness. Loss of SMU_833 led to extracellular DNA-dependent bacterial aggregation. In addition, the mutant was more susceptible to oxidative stress and less competitive against H2O2 producing oral streptococci. Quantitative proteomics analysis revealed that SMU_833 deficiency resulted in the significant downregulation of 10 proteins encoded by a biosynthetic gene cluster responsible for the production of mutanobactin, a compound produced by S. mutans which helps it survive oxidative stress. Tandem affinity purification demonstrated that SMU_833 interacts with the synthetic enzymes responsible for the production of mutanobactin. Similar to the smu_833 mutant, the deletion of the mutanobactin gene cluster rendered the mutant less competitive against H2O2-producing streptococci. Our studies revealed a new link between SMU_833 virulence and mutanobactin, suggesting that SMU_833 represents a new virulent target that can be used to develop potential anticaries therapeutics. IMPORTANCEStreptococcus mutans is the major bacterium associated with dental caries. In order to thrive on the highly populated tooth surface and cause disease, S. mutans must be able to protect itself from hydrogen peroxide-producing commensal bacteria and compete effectively against the neighboring microbes. S. mutans produces mutacins, small antimicrobial peptides which help control the population of competing bacterial species. In addition, S. mutans produces a peptide called mutanobactin, which offers S. mutans protection against oxidative stress. Here, we uncover a new link between the putative glycosyltransferase SMU_833 and the mutanobactin-synthesizing protein complex through quantitative proteomic analysis and a tandem-affinity protein purification scheme. Furthermore, we show that SMU_833 mediates bacterial sensitivity to oxidative stress and bacterial ability to compete with commensal streptococci. This study has revealed a previously unknown association between SMU_833 and mutanobactin and demonstrated the importance of SMU_833 in the fitness of S. mutans.
Length‐dependent MRI of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies

OBJECTIVE Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is caused by heterozygous deletion of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene. Patients with HNPP present multifocal, reversible sensory/motor deficits due to increased susceptibility to mechanical pressure. Additionally, age-dependent axonal degeneration is reported. We hypothesize that length-dependent axonal loss can be revealed by MRI, irrespective of the multifocal phenotype in HNPP. METHODS Nerve and muscle MRI data were acquired in the proximal and distal leg of patients with HNPP (n = 10) and matched controls (n = 7). More specifically, nerve magnetization transfer ratios (MTR) were evaluated to assay proximal-to-distal gradients in nerve degeneration, while intramuscular fat percentages (Fper ) were evaluated to assay muscle fat replacement following denervation. Neurological disabilities were assessed via the Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy score (CMTNS) for correlation with MRI. RESULTS Fper values were elevated in HNPP proximal muscle (9.8 ± 2.2%, P = 0.01) compared to controls (6.9 ± 1.0%). We observed this same elevation of HNPP distal muscles (10.5 ± 2.5%, P < 0.01) relative to controls (6.3 ± 1.1%). Additionally, the amplitude of the proximal-to-distal gradient in Fper was more significant in HNPP patients than controls (P < 0.01), suggesting length-dependent axonal loss. In contrast, nerve MTR values were similar between HNPP subjects (sciatic/tibial nerves = 39.4 ± 2.0/34.2 ± 2.5%) and controls (sciatic/tibial nerves = 37.6 ± 3.8/35.5 ± 1.2%). Proximal muscle Fper values were related to CMTNS (r = 0.69, P = 0.03), while distal muscle Fper and sciatic/tibial nerve MTR values were not related to disability. INTERPRETATION Despite the multifocal nature of the HNPP phenotype, muscle Fper measurements relate to disability and exhibit a proximal-to-distal gradient consistent with length-dependent axonal loss, suggesting that Fper may be a viable biomarker of disease progression in HNPP.
On the presence of solute-solvent transport coupling in reverse osmosis

Abstract The present work demonstrates that experimental salt passage data for reverse osmosis (RO) shows better agreement with models capturing solute-solvent transport coupling (convective coupling), especially as the applied pressure is increased. This conclusion is drawn based on five RO data sets using cellulose acetate and polyamide membranes that were modeled using the classical solution diffusion (SD) model, which does not include convection, as well as the convection-inclusive SD model introduced by Paul in 2004 and the pore-based model, which also includes convective coupling. The improved model-to-experimental data agreement with solute-solvent coupling is more easily noticed from salt passage variation with pressure than from the most commonly studied RO metric, salt rejection ratio. The importance of solute-solvent coupling in RO indicates that free volume in the membrane influences the description of membrane transport, and that these voids *open up as applied pressure is increased. The derivation of the pore-based and SD models from the Maxwell-Stefan equations is shown, and major differences in assumptions used in their derivation are discussed. A study of these differences should aid membrane researchers in selecting the most appropriate modeling approach for a given solute-solvent-membrane system.
What owns the land: the corporate organization of farmland investment

Novel investment vehicles continue to dominate discussions of the financial entities driving the global land rush. However, less attention has been devoted to the mundane elements of such investmen...