cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Two Regimens of β-Adrenergics in Acute Asthma

Background and Methods: Inhaled adrenergics and steroids are the main agents used in acute asthma. Dosing recommendations for adrenergics, while generally becoming more aggressive, lack prospective validation. A double blind, randomized trial of two regimens of nebulized metaproterenol was conducted in patients presenting to an Emergency Department with an acute asthma exacerbation. Asthmatics age 16–55, with no other cardio-pulmonary disease, presenting with peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) <30% of predicted and greater than 80L/m were enrolled. All patients received 125 mg of methylprednisolone and theophylline, if needed, to reach therapeutic levels. The experimental group received 0.3 cc metaproterenol in 2.5 cc of saline at times 0, 20″, 40″, 1′, 2′, 3′, 4′, 5′, 6′, and 7′. The control group received metaproterenol at times 0,1 hr, and hours 3, 5, and 7. Placebo was given to control group patients at 20″, 40″, 2′, 4′, and 6′. PEFR and vital signs were measured 10 min after each treatment. Study end points included discharge upon reaching set criteria or admission if patients were not discharged following the hour 7 treatment. Results: Seventy one patients were enrolled, 40 in experimental group and 31 in the control group. The group characteristics did not differ at entry in any significant way, and the groups began with mean expected PEFR of 23.4% and 24.5%, respectively. There were no significant differences at any point in PEFR outcomes, time to discharge, or admission rate. The experimental group showed a greater increase in pulse rate and a reduced diastolic blood pressure at 20, 40 and 60 min. The experimental group had a 12- and 8-fold increase in the risk of a pulse rate >140 at 40 and 60 min, respectively. This group also had two moderate complications, both near the 60-minute mark. These were an induction of atrial fibrillation in one patient and ischemic electrocardiographic changes in another. Conclusion: Three treatments in the first hour, and hourly thereafter showed no benefit over treatments initially, at one hour, and every other hour in acute, moderate, or severe exacerbation of asthma. Side effects were markedly increased in the control group. Such dosing should not be recommended as routine therapy.
Linker Length-Dependent Control of Gemini Surfactant Aqueous Lyotropic Gyroid Phase Stability.

Network-phase lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) derived from the water-directed self-assembly of small molecule amphiphiles comprise a useful class of soft nanomaterials, with wide-ranging applications in structural biology and membrane science. However, few known surfactants enable access to these mesophases over wide temperature and amphiphile concentration phase windows. Recent studies have demonstrated that gemini (“twin tail”) dicarboxylate surfactants, in which alkyl carboxylates are covalently linked near the headgroups by a hydrophobic bridge, exhibit increased propensities to form double gyroid network phase LLCs. We demonstrate herein that the lyotropic self-assembly behaviors of gemini dicarboxylates sensitively depend on the linker length, whereby odd-carbon linkers stabilize the double gyroid network LLC over unprecedented amphiphile concentration windows up to ∼45 wt % wide between T ≈ 22–80 °C. These self-assembly phenomena, which arise from the linker length-dependent preferred molecular co...
Development of Diesel Engine Fault Diagnosis Virtual Instrument Based on LabVIEW

The development of the voice signals is used to diesel engine fault diagnosis virtual instrument based on fractal theory.The build of hardware terrace and the design of software terrace based on mix-programming by LabVIEW and MATLAB were described.The software terrace composed by four modules,the collect of voice signals,the pretreatment of signals,the distill of fault character and the fault diagnosis.The G-P computational method of fractal correlation dimension was expatiated in the distill of fault character module.The tests of the diesel engine fault diagnosis show that the correlation dimension of diesel engine voice signals varies with the change of engine operating conditions,and it can be used as a characteristic parameter in fault diagnosis,so this virtual instrument can diagnose the fault rapid and effective.
Chapter 11:Methodological Considerations, Drivers and Trends in the Life Cycle Analysis of Bioproducts

It is important to assess the relative environmental performance of bioproducts compared to their conventional (fossil-based) counterparts and to identify additional opportunities to improve bioproducts’ environmental impacts. This chapter examines the application of life cycle analysis (LCA) to these purposes and includes a discussion of LCA methodology including treatment of bioproduct feedstocks, conversion process analysis, and end-of-life assumptions. Decisions an LCA practitioner makes about bioproduct end-of-life are especially influential in calculations of bioproduct life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Options for end-of-life treatment including complete or partial degradation in a landfill and combustion with and without energy recovery are discussed using polyethylene as an example. Another critical issue in bioproduct LCA that this chapter discusses is treatment of co-products. Moreover, we present life-cycle GHG emissions and fossil energy consumption (FEC) for eight bioproducts (propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, acrylic acid, polyethylene, isobutanol, succinic acid, and 1,4-butanediol) produced from either corn stover or algae. With the exception of 3-hydroxypropionic acid, which has no fossil-derived counterpart, all of the bioproducts included in this study exhibited lower life-cycle GHG emissions and FEC than the same compound produced from fossil sources. In addition to GHG and energy consumption metrics, life-cycle water consumption is also key because of concerns about water consumption used to grow biomass. This chapter presents estimates of the water intensity of the feedstock production stage of each of the considered bioproducts. These estimates are dependent upon the location of feedstock growth and, in the case of algae, assumptions about the portion of water that comes from municipal waste water treatment plant effluent.
Immunohistologic studies of type IV collagen in anterior lens capsules of patients with Alport syndrome.

Background Alport syndrome is an inherited disorder affecting the kidney, eye and ear arising from mutations in the gene COL4A5, which encodes the alpha 5 chain of type IV collagen. Structural defects of glomerular basement membranes in Alport syndrome are associated in most instances with failure to detect the alpha 3, alpha 4, and alpha 5 chains of type IV collagen as well as the Alport antigen that is identified in normal tissues by a genetically discriminating alloantibody and monoclonal antibody. Anterior lenticonus is an ocular abnormality pathognomic of Alport syndrome that is associated with marked thinning of the anterior lens capsule (ALC). The reactivity of Alport ALC with type IV collagen antibodies has not previously been reported. Experimental design ALCs were obtained at the time of cataract extraction from two unrelated males with Alport syndrome and anterior lenticonus, and stained with antibodies against the alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3 and alpha 4 chains of type IV collagen, as well as an antibody against the alpha 5 (IV) chain. Controls consisted of ALCs from a normal individual and from a patient with diabetes mellitus. Results Normal and diabetic ALCs reacted with antibodies against the alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 4 chains of type IV collagen and the alpha 5 (IV) chain. In one of the Alport patients, ALC showed no reactivity with antibodies against the alpha 5 (IV) chain and the alpha 3 and alpha 4 chains of type IV collagen. In the second patient, ALC reactivity with these antibodies was preserved. Epidermal basement membranes from this second patient also showed reactivity with antibody against the alpha 5 (IV) chain, unlike most males with Alport syndrome. In both Alport patients, ALCs reacted with antibodies against the alpha 1 (IV) and alpha 2 (IV) chains. Conclusions These findings suggest that anterior lenticonus in patients with Alport syndrome may be associated with absence of the alpha 3 and alpha 4 chains of type IV collagen, as well as the alpha 5 (IV) chain, from anterior lens capsule. On the other hand, these chains may be present in Alport patients with anterior lenticonus. The precise structural basis for mechanical weakness of the anterior lens capsule in patients with Alport syndrome remains to be determined.
On the interactions of Ti2AlC, Ti3AlC2, Ti3SiC2 and Cr2AlC with pure sodium at 550 °C and 750 °C

Abstract Herein we report on the interaction of the Mn+1AXn phases – Ti2AlC, Ti3AlC2, Ti3SiC2 and Cr2AlC – with static, pure molten sodium. The MAX phases were sealed in 316 stainless steel tubes filled with Na that, in turn, were heated to 550 °C or 750 °C for 168 h. Based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) of post-exposed samples we conclude that even after exposure for 168 h at 750 °C, Ti2AlC, Ti3SiC2 and Cr2AlC did not react with Na. In the case of Ti3AlC2, exposure to molten Na alters both the grains and the grain boundaries, despite the fact that no Na signal was detected in the post-exposed samples. These chemical alterations were observed in TEM and manifested themselves by a change in the hardness values of the exposed surfaces.
Ligand Screening Using NMR

NMR has proven to be an invaluable technique for identifying and characterizing ligand interactions with biomolecules. NMR-based detection of ligand binding to protein targets is described. Specifically, the use of the WaterLOGSY NMR experiment to screen mixtures of compounds from a fragment library for binding to influenza H5 hemagglutinin is detailed.
codes of ethics

Partly as a result of much recent evidence of business and government crime, a large proportion of major corporations have adopted codes of ethics; government service is also making more use of them. The electrical manufacturing anti-trust conspiracy and 1973–1976 investigation of foreign and domestic bribery were immediate prods. There are also government codes of which the ASPA code is most widely distributed. Corporate codes discuss relations to employees, interemployee relationships, whistle blowing, effect on environment, commercial bribery, insider information, other conflicts of interest, anti-trust, accounting, consumer relations, and political activities. A discussion of use of codes shows partly favorable results. A number of corporation decisions have not yet become a subject of code provisions. Codes will be more useful if the reasons behind each order are stated and team work is encouraged.
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of PdxAu100–x Alloy Nanoparticles: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Assessment of Synthetic and Compositional Effects upon Catalytic Reactivity

PdxAu100–x nanoparticle (NP) catalysts with well-defined morphologies and compositions can be rapidly prepared using a simple microwave-assisted synthetic approach. Common Pd(II) and Au(III) precursors are coreduced in ethylene glycol to give small and nearly monodisperse (2.5 ± 0.6 nm) NPs with homogeneously alloyed structures in less than 300 s at 150 °C. A comparison of the nucleation and growth processes responsible for the formation of PdAuNPs by microwave and conventional methods revealed faster and more reproducible product formation under microwave-assisted heating. Pd-rich NPs were rapidly formed, into which Au atoms were subsequently incorporated to give the alloyed NPs. The value of x in the PdxAu100–xNPs obtained can be finely controlled, allowing the surface electronic structure of the NPs to be broadly tuned. This permits model heterogeneous reaction studies, in which catalytic reactivity can be directly related to Pd:Au composition. Vapor-phase alkene hydrogenation studies using a series of...
Hardware Aspects of the IUCF Control System

A variety of standard hardware has been developed to link the Sigma 2 control computer to the Indiana University cyclotron. Monitoring of analog signals is accomplished by using dual ramp, integrating analog to digital converters of the 11 bit or 14 bit variety. Up to 16 channels may be multiplexed to each converter. The control of power supplies is accomplished by using 12 bit or 16 bit digital to analog converters, which may be optically isolated if required, or by motor-driven potentiometers. Movement of probes or slit assemblies is accomplished via stepping motors with feedback obtained from a mechanical counter with electrical readouts or from potentiometers. A standard on/off circuit has been developed which is applicable to power supplies as well as to solenoid operated devices such as beam stops and valves.
Autoantibody recognition mechanisms of MUC1

Abstract The most cost-effective blood-based, noninvasive molecular early cancer biomarkers are based on p53 epitopes and MUC1 tandem repeats. Here we use dimensionally compressed bioinformatic fractal scaling analysis to compare the two distinct and comparable probes, which examine different sections of the autoantibody population, achieving combined sensitivities of order 50%. We explain the experimental observation that glycosylation does not enhance, and can depress, the sensitivity of MUC1 tandem repeat biomarkers. We propose a possible supplementary MUC1 epitope in the SEA region outside the tandem repeats.
Mixed Messages, Mixed Outcomes: Exposure to Direct-to-Consumer Advertising for Statin Drugs is Associated with More Frequent Visits to Fast Food Restaurants and Exercise

AbstractThis study examines whether exposure to direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCAs) for statin drugs is associated with non-pharmaceutical behaviors to prevent cardiovascular disease. We focus on the relationship between statin drug DTCA exposure and the frequency of (a) visits to fast-food restaurants and (b) exercise. We combine data on the televised broadcast availability of statin drug DTCAs in large media markets in the United States with 18 waves of the Simmons National Consumer Survey (NCS; n = 120, 229) from 2001 to 2009. We find that statin drug DTCA exposure is associated, in a dose–response pattern, with modest increases in the frequency of exercise and large increases in the frequency of fast-food-restaurant visits. The relationship between statin DTCA exposure and fast-food-restaurant visits were largely consistent in direction but differed in magnitude between those without a previous diagnosis of high cholesterol and those treating high cholesterol with a statin. We conclude with a discu...
Robotic Hand Acceleration Feedback to Synergistically Prevent Grasped Object Slip

A control framework is proposed that autonomously modulates a dexterous grasp synergy to proactively prevent grasped object slip. The proposed controller offers a practical means of preventing slip in uncertain environments, such as upper-limb prosthetics applications. The controller was evaluated with slip prevention experiments in which a dexterous manipulator grasped four separate objects and was subsequently excited by a robotic arm. Results showed that the proposed strategy significantly reduced grasped object slip.
Larval Anatomies, Eggs, and Developmental Biologies of Centris bicornuta and Epicharis albofasciata (Apoidea: Apidae)

This paper presents detailed comparative descriptions of the mature larvae and eggs of Centris (Heterocentris) bicornuta Mocsary and Epicharis (Epicharoides) albofasciata Smith as representatives of two genera that are closely related. It strongly suggests that both species, while developing, pass through five larval instars; because the first instar remains mostly pharate within the chorion, it is only as a second instar that it begins to consume provisions and increase in size. There follows an account of how each species changes in functional anatomy from one instar to the next and how each instar of one species compares with the same instar of the other.In response to a recently published paper (Martins and Melo, 2016), which suggested that the tribe Centridini may be polyphyletic because some taxa within Centris share features with corbiculate genera, it is pointed out that all corbiculate genera uniquely share an apomorphy: they bear small paired, elevated, finely setose, sclerotized, and usually pigmented apical tubercles on the thoracic segments of mature larvae. Such thoracic tubercles are unknown in the Centridini or elsewhere among bees.
Timing and Reset Mechanism of GTP Hydrolysis-Driven Conformational Changes of Atlastin

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms a branched, dynamic membrane tubule network that is vital for cellular function. Branching arises from membrane fusion facilitated by the GTPase atlastin (ATL). Many metazoan genomes encode for three ATL isoforms that appear to fulfill partially redundant function despite differences in their intrinsic GTPase activity and localization within the ER; however, the underlying mechanistic differences between the isoforms are poorly understood. Here, we identify discrete temporal steps in the catalytic cycle for the two most dissimilar isoforms, ATL1 and ATL3, revealing an overall conserved progression of molecular events from nucleotide binding and hydrolysis to ATL dimerization and phosphate release. A crystal structure of ATL3 suggests a mechanism for the displacement of the catalytic Mg2+ ion following guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis. Together, the data extend the mechanistic framework for how GTP hydrolysis drives conformational changes in ATL and how the cycle is reset for subsequent rounds of catalysis.
Genetic ancestry in normal breast tissue donors from the Susan G. Komen tissue bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center (KTB).

e13065Background: When studying complex diseases with a heritable component, such as breast cancer, chances of finding disease susceptibility genes can be increased by accounting for genetic ancest...
A Self-Regulated Learning Approach to Teaching Educational Psychology

In this paper, we describe an undergraduate educational psychology course that utilizes self-regulated learning as the organizing principle. The course aims to facilitate students' development in self-regulated learning and to promote students' understanding of how to embed instruction for self-regulated learning strategies into classroom teaching. In the first section of the paper, we develop the rationale for this position and identify underlying assumptions we believe should guide the development and implementation of such a program. In the second section of the paper, we demonstrate how we have incorporated these assumptions in a basic educational psychology course.
Generalized lymphatic anomaly successfully treated with long-term, low-dose sirolimus.

Generalized lymphatic anomaly is a rare, complex, lymphatic anomaly generally involving soft tissues, spleen, and bones. It can lead to focal skeletal fragility and pathologic effusions. A recent prospective trial of sirolimus for complicated vascular anomalies showed partial response in seven patients with generalized lymphatic anomaly treated with sirolimus with a target trough level of 10-15 ng/mL for 1 year (Adams et al). We describe successful treatment of generalized lymphatic anomaly with a lower-dose, long-term course of sirolimus.
Prediction, molecular modelling and dynamic simulations of Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 as a potential molecular target for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-pdioxin

Dioxins are ubiquitous, persistent environmental pollutants known to accumulate in fat. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induces immunotoxicity and promotes the differentiation regulatory T cells and inhibits the Th17 cells. To date, studies on only few molecular targets for TCDD are available, thereby limiting the understanding of the exact mechanism of action on immune response. To that end, in the present study, we have predicted the molecular targets for TCDD using knowledge-based approach and reverse pharmacophore mapping approach, and analyzed the mechanism underlying receptor conformational changes following the binding of TCDD using molecular modelling and molecular dynamic simulation (MDS) studies. Results showed that 11 potential target candidates predicted in Mus musculus and 20 in Homo sapiens with Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) being the high probability target for TCDD in both Mus musculus and Homo sapiens . Results from molecular docking studies showed that TCDD interacts with a binding energy of −7.37 kcal/mol with mouse VEGFR1 and −6.55 kcal/mol with human VEGFR1. Four independent MDS studies revealed key interactions and major secondary structural changes for both mouse and human VEGFR1-TCDD complexes, specifically at residues in α-helices and coils for human VEGFR1-TCDD complex. In conclusion, this study defines VEGFR1 as a potential molecular target candidate for TCDD and establishes the structural basis for the VEGFR1-TCDD interactions as well as reveals that conformational changes at the onset of ligand binding may play a role in immunomodulation.
Artifacts and Mind-Independence

Realists maintain that the only material objects there are those that exist mind-independently. In this chapter I argue that realists can consistently maintain that artifacts of many, many familiar kinds really exist. I end by suggesting that realists can even affirm the reality of artifacts that are not material objects at all – “cultural artifacts” such as gender roles or codes of etiquette. Exactly what are the reasons for doubting whether realists can consistently affirm the reality of artifacts? One reason that probably motivates some doubts is that artifacts are things that we create. A more substantial reason, as we shall see, is that artifacts appear to belong to diverse kinds, each essentially characterized by a distinctive function or functions. The function that characterizes the artifacts in a given kind appears to be fixed by how we act and think in regard to those objects; so if that function is essential to those artifacts, we are responsible for those objects’ having at least one of their essential properties. By itself, I shall argue, even this reason for suspecting that realists cannot afford to affirm artifacts is less substantial than at first it appears. But it may appear inseparable from a third and truly substantial reason for doubting whether realists can affirm artifacts. This reason is that, since we fix the functions of artifacts by our actions and thoughts, we are in a privileged epistemic position with respect to (at least some of) their essential properties – a position too privileged to leave room for the idea that those artifacts exist mind-independently. This worry is acute in the case of “capitalist artifacts,” by which I shall mean artifacts produced in the relations of production that Marx called “the commodity form of production.” It is even more acute in the case of “cultural artifacts.” But this worry can nevertheless be dispelled, I shall argue.
The cardiac murmur: When to refer?

This review article outlines the significance and defines the skills important for the diagnosis and recognition of common innocent cardiac murmurs in childhood. The origin of heart sounds and murmurs is reviewed, and an approach to pediatric murmur evaluation is presented. The seven innocent murmurs of childhood and adolescence are reviewed in detail. Further diagnostic evaluation and referral is dependent on the comfort factor and experience in recognition and correct characterization of these murmurs.
The Emergence of the Secular Kingdom of God

The ideal of modern science of mastering the forces of nature and the idea of progress emerged neither in the classical world nor in the East, but in the West. But what enabled us to remake the world in the image of man? Is it perhaps that the belief in being created in the image of a Creator-God, the hope in a future Kingdom of God, and the Christian command to spread the gospel to all the nations for the sake of salvation have turned into the secular presumption that we have to transform the world into a better world in the image of man and to save unregenerate nations by Westernization and reeducation?...
Rodney Wilson, Economics, Ethics and Religion: Jewish, Christian and Muslim Economic Thought

Rodney Wilson's book aims to highlight the religious-ethical basis of economic actions through the kaleidoscope of` "comparative religions perspectives on economics" (p. 21). The economic teachings of the three great religions in the Abrahamic tradition - namely, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - are juxtaposed here in one volume to facilitate a fruitful inter-religious dialogue on common moral and economic concerns of a modern society. Wilson, "as a Christian who has participated in interfaith dialogue" (p. 2), was well-placed to write such a wide-ranging, well-researched work which seeks to unite, rather than divide, the 'peoples of the Book', a welcome news for those who would rather reject the dark forebodings of the "Clash of Civilizations". He draws freely on a large number of writings of 'authentic' exponents of the Judaic, Christian and Islamic points of view and compares, without being polemical, their competing but mostly complementary (if seen in the 'correct' historic sequence), positions on economic matters. Written in a racy, persuasive style, the book impresses the reader as a work of significant scholarship.
An Uncertainty Estimation Model for Radiometric Intercalibration Between GPM Microwave Imager and TRMM Microwave Imager

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) is the radiometric calibration transfer standard for the intersatellite radiometric calibration of the NASA GPM constellation radiometers. Because these radiometers are not identical, the GPM Intersatellite Calibration (XCAL) Working Group has developed a robust double difference technique to estimate the brightness temperatures (Tb) bias, which is applied to the brightness temperatures of constellation radiometers before being input into a single satellite radiometer rain retrieval algorithm (GPROF). Since the radiative transfer models and input geophysical parameters are not perfect, errors (uncertainties) in the estimates of the Tb biases will result. Further, the microwave sensors observations are not coincident in time nor exactly spatially collocated, and this also contributes to the Tb bias uncertainty. Therefore, it is important to quantify the bias uncertainty estimates, considering the various sources aforementioned and more, and to include them with the associated Tb bias before producing science products. A generic uncertainty quantification model is developed herein. For illustration purposes, we use the XCAL between GMI and the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI), and results show that, after removing the biases, the residual uncertainty between GMI and TMI Tb's are< 0.3 K.
Abnormal Vibration Analysis and Treatment for Unit 3 in a Power Plant

This paper introduced the situation of vibration of unit 3 in a power plant,and analyzed the main cause of vibration.The main cause leading to abnormal vibration was accurately diagnosed to be the dropping of some components from rotating shaft during startup,and position of unbalance causing by dropping components was given,therefore the abnormal vibration of turbine-generator unit was eliminated successfully.After treatment,the vibration of the unit was level A,and its safety operation was ensured.
A Layered After-sale Quality Evaluation Model Based on Improved Artificial Neural Network

In this paper, a model of quality evaluation of after-sale service based on improved artificial neural network is proposed. This model applies an improved analytic hierarchy process to determine the weight of the evaluation index system, and then employs the artificial neural network to evaluate the after-sale service quality. Aiming at the problem that the classical BP neural network has slow convergence speed and low learning efficiency, this paper uses an accelerated BP neural network learning algorithm based on momentum constants. Compared with the classical BP neural network, the accelerated neural network in this paper has higher learning efficiency. Finally, through the evaluation experiment of the automobile service quality, the evaluation model of service quality can be used to evaluate the quality of the After-sale service, which provides the scientific and effective guidance for the evaluation of the service quality of the automobile.
Markets, Insurance, And The Medical Costs Of Smokers

Even though people may miss work because of illnesses or deaths that are attributed to smoking, the cost of any resulting lost production that results is borne by the smokers and not by the nonsmoking members of society. But can the same thing be said about the medical expenses that are associated with the treatment of illnesses some claim are smoking-related? Those expenses are also substantial; they were estimated in the report of the Office of Technology Assessment to be roughly half the size of the costs of lost production — ranging from $12 to $35 billion in 1985, and with a “best” estimate of $22 billion. This “best” estimate is about 70 cents per pack, which is about twice the present tax burden on cigarettes. The more recent study of Smoking and Health: A National Status Report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimated the health-care bill for smoking at $23.7 billion (in 1985 dollars) out of a grand total including lost production of $52.4 billion.
Two-dimensional correlation and codistribution spectroscopy (2D-COS and 2D-CDS) analyses of planar spectral image data

Abstract Application of 2D correlation and codistribution analyses to spectral image data is explored. While traditional 2D correlation or codistribution analysis based on one perturbation variable may be applied for a simple line scan sampling of the image data along a single curve, 2D correlation analysis for a planar image data with two independent spatial coordinates becomes more complicated. Synchronous spectrum not affected by the sampling order may be obtained for planar spectral image data, but asynchronous spectrum involving the Hilbert transformation along a perturbation direction cannot be unambiguously defined for planar data. Instead, disrelation spectrum derived from synchronous spectrum may be used to identify characteristic bands of different species contributing to the spectral image. While horizontal or vertical unfolding of image data can convert the planar data into a concatenated dataset with a linear structure for asynchronous analysis, some ambiguity remains about the mixed directional information caused by the concatenation order dependence of the Hilbert transformation. Vertical or horizontal bundling or averaging operations remove such ambiguity to generate directionally sensitive asynchronous correlation or codistribution spectra.
Enhancing Weather-Related Power Outage Prediction by Event Severity Classification

The accuracy of machine learning-based power outage prediction models (OPMs) is sensitive to how well event severity is represented in their training datasets. Unbalanced or overly dispersed event severity can result in random errors in outage predictions and underestimation in severe events or overestimation in weak ones. To improve accuracy in the prediction of storm-caused power outages, we introduce a novel method called “Conditioned OPM” that divides an OPM training dataset into subsets of events representative of the predicted event's severity by calculating the quantile weight distance (QWD) between severe weather-related events in the dataset and the predicted event. Based on 102 storm events (including two hurricanes, Irene and Sandy), that have occurred since 2005 over Eversource Energy's Connecticut service territory, we quantified the weather differences among predicted events, which we classified into three groups of severity: low, moderate, and high. The Conditioned OPM creates a subset of the historical events based on their classified severity group and uses that subset as the training dataset to predict the power outages. The study shows that the accuracy of event severity classification was 0.76, and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) decreased by about 30%; this method was also tested on forecast events and exhibited a low (20%) MAPE.
An assay for DNA polymerase β lyase inhibitors that engage the catalytic nucleophile for binding.

DNA polymerase β (Pol β) repairs cellular DNA damage. When such damage is inflicted upon the DNA in tumor cells treated with DNA targeted antitumor agents, Pol β thus diminishes their efficacy. Accordingly, this enzyme has long been a target for antitumor therapy. Although numerous inhibitors of the lyase activity of the enzyme have been reported, none has yet proven adequate for development as a therapeutic agent. In the present study, we developed a new strategy to identify lyase inhibitors that critically engage the lyase active site primary nucleophile Lys72 as part of the binding interface. This involves a parallel evaluation of the effect of the inhibitors on the wild-type DNA polymerase β (Pol β) and Pol β modified with a lysine analogue at position 72. A model panel of five structurally diverse lyase inhibitors identified in our previous studies (only one of which has been published) with unknown modes of binding were used for testing, and one compound, cis-9,10-epoxyoctadecanoic acid, was found to have the desired characteristics. This finding was further corroborated by in silico docking, demonstrating that the predominant mode of binding of the inhibitor involves an important electrostatic interaction between the oxygen atom of the epoxy group and Ne of the main catalytic nucleophile, Lys72. The strategy, which is designed to identify compounds that engage certain structural elements of the target enzyme, could find broader application for identification of ligands with predetermined sites of binding.
True UV color vision in a butterfly with two UV opsins

True color vision in animals is achieved when wavelength discrimination occurs based on chromatic content of the stimuli, regardless of intensity. In order to successfully discriminate between multiple wavelengths, animals must use at least two photoreceptor types with different spectral sensitivity peaks. Heliconius butterflies have duplicate UV opsin genes, which encode two kinds of photoreceptors with peak sensitivities in the ultraviolet and violet, respectively. In H. erato, the ultraviolet photoreceptor is only expressed in females. Evidence from intracellular recordings suggests female H. erato may be able to discriminate between UV wavelengths, however, this has yet to be tested experimentally. Using an arena with a controlled light setting, we tested the ability of H. erato, and two species lacking the violet receptor, H. melpomene and outgroup Eueides isabella, to discriminate between two ultraviolet wavelengths, 380 and 390 nm, as well as two blue wavelengths, 400 and 436 nm, after being trained to associate each stimulus with a food reward. Wavelength stimuli were presented in varying intensities to rule out brightness as a cue. We found that H. erato females were the only butterflies capable of color vision in the UV range; the other butterflies had an intensity-dependent preference for UV stimuli. Across species, both sexes showed color vision in the blue-range. Models of H. erato color vision suggest that females have an advantage over males in discriminating the inner UV-yellow corolla of Psiguria pollen flowers from the surrounding outer orange petals, while previous models (McCulloch et al. 2017) suggested that H. erato males have an advantage over females in discriminating Heliconius 3-hyroxykynurenine (3-OHK) yellow wing coloration from non-3-OHK yellow wing coloration found in mimics. These results provide some of the first behavioral evidence for UV color discrimination in Heliconius females in the context of foraging, lending support to the hypothesis (Briscoe et al. 2010) that the duplicated UV opsin genes function together in UV color vision. Taken together, the sexually dimorphic visual system of H. erato appears to have been shaped by both sexual selection and sex-specific natural selection.
Role of endothelial cells in normal tissue radiation injury

Abstract The use of ionizing radiation in cancer therapy is effective in inducing cancer cell kill and reducing tumor growth. However, exposure of normal (noncancerous) tissues to radiation during therapy can lead to side effects. In addition, accidental exposure to ionizing radiation can cause short- and long-term normal tissue injuries. Radiation-induced changes in the endothelium and the vasculature have long been thought to play a central role in the process of radiation-induced adverse remodeling and function loss of normal tissues. This chapter describes current knowledge on how radiation alters endothelial cell phenotype and function, insights into biological mechanisms by which radiation-induced changes in endothelial cells contribute to normal tissue radiation injury, and studies that make use of this insight into design new intervention strategies that may reduce normal tissue radiation injury. Lastly, a brief discussion addresses suggested future directions for this field of research.
Divergent morphological responses to millennia of climate change in two species of bats from Hall's Cave, Texas, USA.

How species will respond to ongoing and future climate change is one of the most important questions facing biodiversity scientists today. The fossil record provides unparalleled insight into past ecological and evolutionary responses to climate change, but the resource remains virtually untapped for many organisms. We use geometric morphometrics and a 25,000 year fossil record to quantify changes in body size and mandible shape through time and across climate regimes for two bat species present in Quaternary paleontological deposits of central Texas: Myotis velifer, a bat distributed throughout the Southwestern US and Mexico that is still found in central Texas today, and Eptesicus fuscus, a bat widely distributed throughout North America that has been extirpated in central Texas. Because of ecogeographic rules like Bergmann's rule, which posits that endotherms are larger in colder environments, we hypothesized that both species were larger during cooler time intervals. Additionally, we hypothesized that both species would show variation in dental morphology across the studied sequence as a response to climate change. While we found a decrease in centroid size-a proxy for --body size-through time for both species, we could not establish a clear relationship between centroid size and temperature alone. However, we did find that specimens from drier environments were significantly larger than those from wetter ones. Furthermore, we found significant dental shape variation between environments reflecting different temperature levels for both species. Yet only M. velifer exhibited significant variation between environments of varying precipitation levels. This result was surprising because present-day populations of E. fuscus are highly variable across both temperature and precipitation gradients. We determined that the morphological change experienced by M. velifer through time, and between warmer and cooler temperatures, was associated with the coronoid process, condylar process, and the mandibular symphysis. These parts play a pivotal role in bite force, so changes in these features might relate to changes in diet. We show that long-term datasets derived from fossil material provide invaluable insight not only into the validity of ecogeographic rules, but also into the adaptive capacities of extant taxa when faced with environmental changes. Our results highlight diverging responses to a variety of climate factors that are relevant to consider in biodiversity research given ongoing global change.
Keeping Up with the (Zh)oneses: Language Immersion and School Choice:

Dual language immersion programs are growing in popularity across America. This article examines the explanations middle-class parents of various racial/ethnic backgrounds give for enrolling their ...
Does Industry Affiliation Influence Wages? Evidence from Indonesia and the Asian Financial Crisis

Summary We exploit panel data and large, abrupt, and unusual dislocations of Indonesian workers in the wake of the Asian Financial Crisis to investigate the robustness and persistence of inter-industry wage differentials (IWDs). Unobserved worker characteristics explain 36% of IWDs. IWDs persist through the post-crisis decade, although, consistent with a rent-sharing explanation, they shift alongside sectors’ terms of trade in the wake of the crisis. Agriculture pays a wage penalty, and manufacturing offers a statistically significant but small premium. Most IWDs do not seem to be driven by minimum wage laws, worker monitoring costs, the disagreeability of the work, job-specific skills, industry-specific human capital, nonwage benefits, or contracting terms.
Acoustic multiple scattering using recursive algorithms

Acoustic multiple scattering by a cluster of cylinders in an acoustic medium is considered. A fast recursive technique is described which takes advantage of the multilevel Block Toeplitz structure of the linear system. A parallelization technique is described that enables efficient application of the proposed recursive algorithm for solving multilevel Block Toeplitz systems on high performance computer clusters. Numerical comparisons of CPU time and total elapsed time taken to solve the linear system using the direct LAPACK and TOEPLITZ libraries on Intel FORTRAN, show the advantage of the TOEPLITZ solver. Computations are optimized by multi-threading which displays improved efficiency of the TOEPLITZ solver with the increase of the number of scatterers and frequency.
Autoregressive narrowband interference rejection performance in spread spectrum communications using locally optimum detection

The problem of designing a locally optimum (LO) detector to remove narrowband interference from spread spectrum signal is considered here. The interference is modeled as pth order autoregressive (AR(p)) process. A new exact expression is derived for the AR(l) model signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) whereas for the general AR(p) case, an approximate expression for the SIR is presented. Simulation results are presented to prove the validity of the model
Impact of pass/fail grading on medical students' well-being and academic outcomes

Medical Education 2011:45: 867–877 OBJECTIVES Many medical schools are currently undergoing curriculum reform. When considering the means by which students will be evaluated in a revised curriculum, the need to reduce the prevalences of depression and anxiety associated with academic stress must be weighed against the importance of academic outcomes. Pass/fail evaluation, as compared with tiered grading, is commonly presented as a means to adequately assess student performance while minimising stress and anxiety. The purpose of this literature review was to determine the impact of pass/fail grading on medical student well-being and academic outcomes. METHODS A systematic search was performed of the available literature published between January 1980 and August 2010, using the PubMed, Ovid Medline, Ovid PsycINFO and ERIC databases. Eligible papers assessed the impact of pass/fail grading on medical student well-being, academic outcomes or both. Academic outcomes included but were not limited to objective measures, such as performance on the US Medical Licensing Examination, and subjective measures, such as student desirability by residency programmes. Reference lists in identified papers were searched and all identified papers were run through a citation index. RESULTS Four papers met the inclusion criteria for both well-being and academic outcomes. An additional five papers met the inclusion criteria for academic outcomes only. The four papers that focused on well-being reported improvement in specified areas. No significant difference was identified in any of the five papers examining objective academic outcomes or in those papers that examined the quality of residency programmes attained. Results from two studies suggested that some programme directors believe pass/fail grading creates disadvantages for students in attaining a residency, whereas a third study yielded mixed results about its impact on residency attainment. CONCLUSIONS Student well-being is enhanced and objective academic performance is not adversely affected by a pass/fail evaluation system, but students’ ability to obtain a desired residency programme may be hindered by individual programme directors’ preferences for tiered grading systems. There is an overall paucity of literature on this topic and additional study is needed.
On modelling the retina using neural networks

The authors studied the retinal architecture and used it to build a system that would model and simulate the information processing that is being done in the retina. The architecture of the model is inspired by, and closely approximates, the actual neural architecture of the retina. The basic premise is that the neural architectures have evolved and fine tuned themselves for the particular tasks that they perform. Any attempt to duplicate them with an artificial neural system would then perform optimally if it were to use the same, or at least a similar, architecture. The model was trained using the backpropagation rule. The model was able to clearly replicate most of the important retinal functions. The simulations showed that, starting from small random initial values for weights, the network developed connections which were close analogs of the biological systems. The result of this development is an optimal or near optimal set of connections to perform the task. >
Large-deviation joint statistics of the finite-time Lyapunov spectrum in isotropic turbulence

One of the hallmarks of turbulent flows is the chaotic behavior of fluid particle paths with exponentially growing separation among them while their distance does not exceed the viscous range. The maximal (positive) Lyapunov exponent represents the average strength of the exponential growth rate, while fluctuations in the rate of growth are characterized by the finite-time Lyapunov exponents (FTLEs). In the last decade or so, the notion of Lagrangian coherent structures (which are often computed using FTLEs) has gained attention as a tool for visualizing coherent trajectory patterns in a flow and distinguishing regions of the flow with different mixing properties. A quantitative statistical characterization of FTLEs can be accomplished using the statistical theory of large deviations, based on the so-called Cramer function. To obtain the Cramer function from data, we use both the method based on measuring moments and measuring histograms and introduce a finite-size correction to the histogram-based method...