Predicting Network Hardware Faults through Layered Treatment of Alarms Logs.

Maintaining and managing ever more complex telecommunication networks is an increasingly difficult task, which often challenges the capabilities of human experts. There is a consensus both in academia and in the industry on the need to enhance human capabilities with sophisticated algorithmic tools for decision-making, with the aim of transitioning towards more autonomous, self-optimizing networks. We aimed to contribute to this larger project. We tackled the problem of detecting and predicting the occurrence of faults in hardware components in a radio access network, leveraging the alarm logs produced by the network elements. We defined an end-to-end method for data collection, preparation, labelling, and fault prediction. We proposed a layered approach to fault prediction: we first detected the base station that is going to be faulty and at a second stage, and using a different algorithm, we detected the component of the base station that is going to be faulty. We designed a range of algorithmic solutions and tested them on real data collected from a major telecommunication operator. We concluded that we are able to predict the failure of a network component with satisfying precision and recall.

TMS is Superior to Residual CHCl3 for Use as the Internal Reference for Routine 1H NMR Spectra Recorded in CDCl3.

Tetramethylsilane was recommended for use as an internal reference compound in proton NMR spectroscopy over 60 years ago. However, it is a common practice that researchers reference the analyte chemical shifts to the residual proton resonance in the deuterated solvent in which the spectrum is recorded. Because CDCl3 is the most commonly used NMR solvent for routine analysis of organic compounds, the effect of various functional groups on the CHCl3 resonance is important. Described here are results that show why referencing spectra to TMS rather than CHCl3 in CDCl3 results in more accurate chemical shifts and should be the recommended practice. Simultaneous measurement of separate compartments of unperturbed CDCl3/TMS vis-à-vis CDCl3/TMS/solute solutions using a concentric tube arrangement was key. This study is reported in this venue because the audience/readership is quite appropriate and is, hopefully, both receptive to and appreciative of the guidance provided.

Rhapso: Automatic Stitching of Mass Segments from Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectra.

Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS) provides the resolution and mass accuracy needed to analyze complex mixtures such as crude oil. When mixtures contain many different components, a competitive effect within the ICR cell takes place that hampers the detection of a potentially large fraction of the components. Recently, a new data collection technique, which consists of acquiring several spectra of small mass ranges and assembling a complete spectrum afterward, enabled the observation of a record number of peaks with greater accuracy compared to broadband methods. There is a need for statistical methods to combine and preprocess segmented acquisition data. A particular challenge of quadrupole isolation is that near the window edges there is a drop in intensity, hampering the stitching of consecutive windows. We developed an algorithm called Rhapso to stitch peak lists corresponding to multiple different m/z regions from crude oil samples. Rhapso corrects potential edge effects to enable the use of smaller windows and reduce the required overlap between windows, corrects mass shifts between windows, and generates a single peak list for the full spectrum. Relative to a stitching performed manually, Rhapso increased the data processing speed and avoided potential human errors, simplifying the subsequent chemical analysis of the sample. Relative to a broadband spectrum, the stitched output showed an over 2-fold increase in assigned peaks and reduced mass error by a factor of 2. Rhapso is expected to enable routine use of this spectral stitching method for ultracomplex samples, giving a more detailed characterization of existing samples and enabling the characterization of samples that were previously too complex to analyze.

2:1 Adducts Arising from Reactions between Benzynes and 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles.

2:1 adducts arise from the reaction of 2,5-diaryl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles and benzynes generated from the hexadehydro-Diels-Alder (HDDA) reaction. Density functional theory computations support a mechanistic manifold that includes a concerted SNAr process. Additionally, the benzyne trapping reaction of 2,5-dimethyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole affords an unusual acylimine-containing 2:1 adduct, which is the first case in which a dearomatized product has arisen from a HDDA reaction.

Proposed methodology for designing and developing MOOCs for the deaf community.

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have become important resources in educational environments worldwide because they have a positive impact on teaching and learning processes. Nevertheless, the way they are designed is crucial to properly address the requirements of special needs people in educational processes. Thus, this paper proposes a methodology for designing and developing MOOCs for Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals. This exploratory and descriptive study adopted an inclusive education approach based on a literature review and expert consultation. The results highlight the importance of four aspects in MOOC development for these special needs individuals: (i) designing and incorporating elements that meet the needs of Deaf or hard-of-hearing people so that they can use MOOCs effectively; (ii) combining different methodologies and resources; (iii) properly planning and sequencing the design stages; and (iv) using appropriate tools, contents, and times for the process. The findings show that MOOCs should be adequately designed to address the demands of the Deaf community by considering their characteristics and requirements and incorporating current tools, practices, and resources.

Water, environment, and socioeconomic justice in California: A multi-benefit cropland repurposing framework.

Low-income, rural frontline communities of California's Central Valley experience environmental and socioeconomic injustice, water insecurity, extremely poor air quality, and lack of fundamental infrastructure (sewage, green areas, health services), which makes them less resilient. Many communities depend financially on agriculture, while water scarcity and associated policy may trigger farmland retirement further hindering socioeconomic opportunities. Here we propose a multi-benefit framework to repurpose cropland in buffers inside and around (400-m and 1600-m buffers) 154 rural disadvantaged communities of the Central Valley to promote socioeconomic opportunities, environmental benefits, and business diversification. We estimate the potential for (1) reductions in water and pesticide use, nitrogen leaching, and nitrogen gas emissions, (2) managed aquifer recharge, and (3) economic and employment impacts associated with clean industries and solar energy. Retiring cropland within 1600-m buffers can result in reductions in water use of 2.18 km3/year, nitrate leaching into local aquifers of 105,500 t/year, greenhouse gas emissions of 2,232,000 t CO2-equivalent/year, and 5388 t pesticides/year, with accompanying losses in agricultural revenue of US$4213 million/year and employment of 25,682 positions. Buffer repurposing investments of US$27 million/year per community for ten years show potential to generate US$101 million/year per community (total US$15,578 million/year) for 30 years and 407 new jobs/year (total 62,697 jobs/year) paying 67 % more than prior farmworker jobs. In the San Joaquin Valley (southern Central Valley), where groundwater overdraft averages 2.3 km3/year, potential water use reduction is 1.8 km3/year. We have identified 99 communities with surficial soils adequate for aquifer recharge and canals/rivers within 1600 m. This demonstrates the potential of managed aquifer recharge in buffered zones to substantially reduce overdraft. The buffers framework shows that well-planned land repurposing near disadvantaged communities can create multiple benefits for farmers and industry stakeholders, while improving quality of life in disadvantaged communities and producing positive externalities for society.

Start low, go fast? Antipsychotic titration patterns at an inpatient psychiatric hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Antipsychotics are commonly used to treat psychotic symptoms and severe mental illnesses. Treatment guidelines recommend antipsychotics be titrated quickly to therapeutic effect in the acute setting but acknowledge that determining the optimal dose is complicated by a delay between treatment initiation and therapeutic response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate antipsychotic titration patterns in an inpatient psychiatric hospital. METHODS: This study is a retrospective chart review of adult patients admitted to a teaching hospital and initiated on an antipsychotic for treatment of psychosis between January and December 2018. Patients were excluded if they had substance-induced psychosis, delirium, were prescribed >1 antipsychotic, or had no antipsychotic dose changes. The primary outcome was the average titration rate of the newly initiated antipsychotic. Secondary outcomes included differences in titration rate between involuntary and voluntary admissions and other antipsychotic characteristics. RESULTS: Of 149 patients included, the majority had a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia. Antipsychotics were titrated on average every 2 days regardless of admission type. Eighteen percent of patients were titrated to guideline-recommended maximum doses, and it took, on average, 3 days for patients to reach their final dose during hospitalization. Average length of stay was 9 days, and 43.6% of patients were readmitted within 1 year. DISCUSSION: Antipsychotics are titrated rapidly in the inpatient setting despite a lack of evidence regarding the impact of titration rate on clinical outcomes. Further studies comparing slow versus rapid titration strategies are needed to elucidate the impact of this on patient outcomes.

Pushing the analytical limits: new insights into complex mixtures using mass spectra segments of constant ultrahigh resolving power.

A new strategy has been developed for characterization of the most challenging complex mixtures to date, using a combination of custom-designed experiments and a new data pre-processing algorithm. In contrast to traditional methods, the approach enables operation of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) with constant ultrahigh resolution at hitherto inaccessible levels (approximately 3 million FWHM, independent of m/z). The approach, referred to as OCULAR, makes it possible to analyze samples that were previously too complex, even for high field FT-ICR MS instrumentation. Previous FT-ICR MS studies have typically spanned a broad mass range with decreasing resolving power (inversely proportional to m/z) or have used a single, very narrow m/z range to produce data of enhanced resolving power; both methods are of limited effectiveness for complex mixtures spanning a broad mass range, however. To illustrate the enhanced performance due to OCULAR, we show how a record number of unique molecular formulae (244 779 elemental compositions) can be assigned in a single, non-distillable petroleum fraction without the aid of chromatography or dissociation (MS/MS) experiments. The method is equally applicable to other areas of research, can be used with both high field and low field FT-ICR MS instruments to enhance their performance, and represents a step-change in the ability to analyze highly complex samples.

Topics and methods in economics, finance, and business journals: A content analysis enquiry.

This study analyzes the abstracts and titles of 33,454 business finance, economics, management, and business articles published in ISI (frequently cited) journals during 2013-14. The sample represents 46.4 percent of all papers published in ISI journals in those years, and 52.7 percent of the articles published in the selected categories. The journals were ranked in four Q categories according to their impact factors. The analysis revealed that some topics persisted in all Q groups, but others gained frequency by Q, which suggests that Q1 journals (those with higher impact factors) create trends that are followed by other publications. All Q groups have a methodological approach that is predominantly empirical rather than theoretical. In addition, while the business and management categories privileged case studies, economics studies emphasized panel data analyses. Finally, our study confirms the relevance of the English language in academia.

Vision Recovery and Connectivity by Fetal Retinal Sheet Transplantation in an Immunodeficient Retinal Degenerate Rat Model.

Purpose: To characterize a recently developed model, the retinal degenerate immunodeficient S334ter line-3 rat (SD-Foxn1 Tg(S334ter)3Lav) (RD nude rat), and to test whether transplanted rat fetal retinal sheets can elicit lost responses to light. Methods: National Institutes of Health nude rats (SD-Foxn1 Tg) with normal retina were compared to RD nude rats with and without transplant for morphology and visual function. Retinal sheets from transgenic rats expressing human placental alkaline phosphatase (hPAP) were transplanted into the subretinal space of RD nude rats between postnatal day (P) 26 and P38. Transplant morphology was examined in vivo using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Visual function was assessed by optokinetic (OKN) testing, electroretinogram (ERG), and superior colliculus (SC) electrophysiology. Cryostat sections were analyzed for various retinal/synaptic markers and for the expression of donor hPAP. Results: Optical coherence tomography scans showed the placement and laminar development of retinal sheet transplants in the subretinal space. Optokinetic testing demonstrated a deficit in visual acuity in RD nude rats that was improved after retinal sheet transplantation. No ERG responses were detected in the RD nude rats with or without transplantation. Superior colliculus responses were absent in age-matched control and sham surgery RD nude rats; however, robust light-evoked responses were observed in a specific location in the SC of transplanted RD nude rats. Responsive regions corresponded to the area of transplant placement in the eye. The quality of visual responses correlated with transplant organization and placement. Conclusions: The data suggest that retinal sheet transplants integrate into the host retina of RD nude rats and recover significant visual function.