cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neuropeptide S and Its Receptor: A Newly Deorphanized G Protein–Coupled Receptor System

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a recently discovered bioactive peptide that has shed new light on the neurobiology of sleep/wakefulness regulation and anxiety-like behavior. NPS can potently promote arousal and suppress all stages of sleep. This effect might be modulated by NPS receptors expressed in thalamic centers that are relays for transmitting arousing stimuli originating from the brainstem to the cortex. The peptide precursor is expressed most prominently in a novel nucleus located directly adjacent to the nora-drenergic locus coeruleus, a brain structure with well-defined functions in arousal, stress, and anxiety. NPS was also found to induce anxiolytic-like behavior in a battery of four different tests of innate responses to stress. This unique pharmacological profile of NPS offers significant potential for developing new drugs for the treatment of sleep and/or anxiety disorders.
Fetal Cardiology Simplified: A Practical Manual

Synopsis: Fetal Cardiology Simplified: A Practical Manual represents an exceptionally well-written, bedside guide for students and clinicians involved with the sonographic evaluation of the fetal heart. Combining profound clinical expertise and insight with a wealth of normal and abnormal fetal cardiac images, and organized strategically for the busy practitioner, this manual of fetal cardiology promises to be an invaluable reference for students and experienced clinicians seeking to improve their expertise with interpreting fetal cardiac images obtained in actual practice.
Global versus Local Regulatory Roles for Lrp-Related Proteins: Haemophilus influenzae as a Case Study

Lrp (leucine-responsive regulatory protein) plays a global regulatory role in Escherichia coli, affecting expression of dozens of operons. Numerous lrp-related genes have been identified in different bacteria and archaea, including asnC, an E. coli gene that was the first reported member of this family. Pairwise comparisons of amino acid sequences of the corresponding proteins shows an average sequence identity of only 29% for the vast majority of comparisons. By contrast, Lrp-related proteins from enteric bacteria show more than 97% amino acid identity. Is the global regulatory role associated with E. coli Lrp limited to enteric bacteria? To probe this question we investigated LrfB, an Lrp-related protein from Haemophilus influenzae that shares 75% sequence identity with E. coli Lrp (highest sequence identity among 42 sequences compared). A strain of H. influenzae having an lrfB null allele grew at the wild-type growth rate but with a filamentous morphology. A comparison of two-dimensional (2D) electrophoretic patterns of proteins from parent and mutant strains showed only two differences (comparable studies with lrp(+) and lrp E. coli strains by others showed 20 differences). The abundance of LrfB in H. influenzae, estimated by Western blotting experiments, was about 130 dimers per cell (compared to 3,000 dimers per E. coli cell). LrfB expressed in E. coli replaced Lrp as a repressor of the lrp gene but acted only to a limited extent as an activator of the ilvIH operon. Thus, although LrfB resembles Lrp sufficiently to perform some of its functions, its low abundance is consonant with a more local role in regulating but a few genes, a view consistent with the results of the 2D electrophoretic analysis. We speculate that an Lrp having a global regulatory role evolved to help enteric bacteria adapt to their ecological niches and that it is unlikely that Lrp-related proteins in other organisms have a broad regulatory function.
Optimistic bias in the assessment of high dimensional classifiers with a limited dataset

It is commonly recognized that using the same dataset for training and testing the classifier introduces optimistic bias in estimating classifier performance. However, bias of the same kind may still exist even when independent datasets are used for training and testing a classifier. This problem is especially important in the setting of high dimensional feature space and limited data. Bioinformatics data is typically characterized by a tremendous amount of data per patient but from a limited number of patients. Often the entire data set is utilized in a “pre-training” stage during which the feature set is winnowed to a manageable number, and the parameters of the training algorithm are established. Subsequently the data is bifurcated into training and test sets; however, bias has already been introduced into the classifier development process. We investigate the significance of this bias by performing simulated gene expression experiments. We find that, for data with moderate intrinsic separability and modest sample size, any observed separation is due to selection bias introduced in the aforementioned pre-training process. For greater intrinsic separability, correct data hygiene, i.e., complete separation of development and validation data yields a positive result, but one far less impressive than that mistakenly obtained using incomplete data separation.
QUANTIFICATION OF MENISCAL VOLUME BY SEGMENTATION OF 3T MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES

Abstract Meniscal injuries place the knee at risk for early osteoarthritis (OA) because they disrupt their load-bearing capabilities. Partial resection is routinely performed to alleviate symptomatic meniscal tears. While the removal of meniscal tissue may not be the only factor associated with partial meniscectomy outcome, the amount removed certainly contributes to functional loss. It is unknown, however, whether there is a critical amount of meniscal tissue that can be removed without diminishing the structure's chondroprotective role. In order to examine the existence of such a threshold, it is necessary to accurately quantify meniscal volume both before and after partial meniscectomy to determine the amount of meniscal tissue removed. Therefore, our goal was to develop and validate an MR-based method for assessing meniscal volume. The specific aims were: (1) to evaluate the feasibility of the MR-based segmentation method; (2) to determine the method's reliability for repeated measurements; and (3) to validate its accuracy in situ. MR images were obtained on a 3 T magnet, and each scan was segmented using a biplanar approach. The MR-based volumes for each specimen were compared to those measured by water displacement. The results indicate that the biplanar approach of measuring meniscal volumes is accurate and reliable. The calculated volumes of the menisci were within 5% of the true values, the coefficients of variation were 4%, and the intraclass correlation coefficients were greater than 0.96. These data demonstrate that this method could be used to measure the amount of meniscal tissue excised during partial meniscectomy to within 125.7 mm3.
Hypothalamus and amygdala response to acupuncture stimuli in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Brain processing of acupuncture stimuli in chronic neuropathic pain patients may underlie its beneficial effects. We used fMRI to evaluate verum and sham acupuncture stimulation at acupoint LI-4 in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) patients and healthy controls (HC). CTS patients were retested after 5 weeks of acupuncture therapy. Thus, we investigated both the short-term brain response to acupuncture stimulation, as well as the influence of longer-term acupuncture therapy effects on this short-term response. CTS patients responded to verum acupuncture with greater activation in the hypothalamus and deactivation in the amygdala as compared to HC, controlling for the non-specific effects of sham acupuncture. A similar difference was found between CTS patients at baseline and after acupuncture therapy. For baseline CTS patients responding to verum acupuncture, functional connectivity was found between the hypothalamus and amygdala – the less deactivation in the amygdala, the greater the activation in the hypothalamus, and vice versa. Furthermore, hypothalamic response correlated positively with the degree of maladaptive cortical plasticity in CTS patients (inter-digit separation distance). This is the first evidence suggesting that chronic pain patients respond to acupuncture differently than HC, through a coordinated limbic network including the hypothalamus and amygdala.
Hymenoptera collections of Boyer de Fonscolombe, with an account of his work and a description of the natural features of his estate

An account is given of existing material of Hymenoptera collected by Boyer de Fonscolombe and located in Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, in the University Museum, Oxford, and in Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Geneva. It includes designations of 15 lectotypes and 16 neotypes, also 17 new synonyms and 6 new combinations. Much new Hymenoptera material, including about 550 species of Chalcidoidea, has been collected by the author on the Fonscolombe estate. An outline description of the features of the estate and its fauna and flora, is included, together with biographical notes on Boyer de Fonscolombe and remarks about the localities where he collected.
Categorizing Biomarkers of the Human Exposome and Developing Metrics for Assessing Environmental Sustainability

The concept of maintaining environmental sustainability broadly encompasses all human activities that impact the global environment, including the production of energy, use and management of finite resources such as petrochemicals, metals, food production (farmland, fresh and ocean waters), and potable water sources (rivers, lakes, aquifers), as well as preserving the diversity of the surrounding ecosystems. The ultimate concern is how one can manage Spaceship Earth in the long term to sustain the life, health, and welfare of the human species and the planet's flora and fauna. On a more intimate scale, one needs to consider the human interaction with the environment as expressed in the form of the exposome, which is defined as all exogenous and endogenous exposures from conception onward, including exposures from diet, lifestyle, and internal biology, as a quantity of critical interest to disease etiology. Current status and subsequent changes in the measurable components of the exposome, the human biomarkers, could thus conceivably be used to assess the sustainability of the environmental conditions with respect to human health. The basic theory is that a shift away from sustainability will be reflected in outlier measurements of human biomarkers. In this review, the philosophy of long-term environmental sustainability is explored in the context of human biomarker measurements and how empirical data can be collected and interpreted to assess if solutions to existing environmental problems might have unintended consequences. The first part discusses four conventions in the literature for categorizing environmental biomarkers and how different types of biomarker measurements might fit into the various grouping schemes. The second part lays out a sequence of data management strategies to establish statistics and patterns within the exposome that reflect human homeostasis and how changes or perturbations might be interpreted in light of external environmental stressors. The underlying concept is to identify probative outliers from the "unremarkable exposome" in individuals or subpopulations that could be used for discerning deviations from the healthy environment, much like current diagnostic medicine uses batteries of blood and urine tests to screen for preclinical disease conditions. Such empirically derived human in vivo data could subsequently be integrated into high-throughput in vitro and in silico testing of environmental and manufactured chemicals to support real-world toxicity evaluations.
A Right Atrial Mass in a Patient With Metastatic Melanoma and Prostate Cancer

o m c A65-YEAR-OLD MAN with coronary artery disease (70% in-stent restenosis of the left anterior descending artery) nd aortic valve stenosis (mean gradient 34 mmHg, valve area .8 cm2) presented for coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve replacement. His medical history was notable for prostate cancer treated with pelvic irradiation and metastatic melanoma of unknown primary site diagnosed on excisional biopsy of a neck mass. After anesthetic induction, a pulmonary artery catheter was inserted without difficulty through the right internal jugular vein. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) confirmed the aortic valve stenosis and unexpectedly revealed a mobile, spherical, pedunculated, homogenously echogenic mass in the inferior-posterior aspect of the right atrium. The intracardiac mass was best seen in midesophageal 4-chamber and right ventricular inflow-outflow TEE views (Figs 1 and 2, ideo 1 [supplementary video is available online]). This mass ad not been seen during preoperative transthoracic echocardi-
A Real Options Logic for Initiating Technology Positioning Investments

In this article I extend real options theory to technology positioning projects and specify how the relationship between boundary conditions and uncertainty influences the value of a technology option, as well as the appropriate timing of its exercise. I also take a strategic perspective on uncertainty itself, concluding that option value can be amplified by investments to shift boundaries, ideally in ways that are idiosyncratic to the firm.
ALTERNATE SUBSTRUCTURE SYSTEMS FOR STANDARD HIGHWAY BRIDGES

This paper focuses on improving bridge substructures by developing attractive and rapidly constructed substructure systems for short- and moderate-span bridges. The importance of improved substructure design is discussed. A review of current cast-in-place and precast concrete substructure systems is presented. A specific proposal for a precast segmental substructure system is described including methods of fabrication and erection. The goal of this system is to improve aesthetics and reduce construction time for standard bridges. Reduced construction time leads to important safety and economic advantages when traffic disruption or rerouting is necessary. Precasting would result in an increased use of high performance concrete and will bring improved substructure durability. Recommendations are made for standardization of precast substructure systems.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF INTRAUTERINE PRESSURE MEASUREMENT

In 1861 the development of obstetrical forceps to measure the degree of uterine expulsive forces gave impetus to investigations of uterine physiology. Although many methods were devised, the intrauterine balloon, used in the first successful attempt to evaluate activity of the gravid uterus in 1872, remained the standard by which other methods were judged. Alternate methods (such as the open catheter technique, hysterosalpingography, electrouterography, and external hysterography) were limited by cumbersome equipment, inaccurate gauges, difficulty in construction, excessive uterine irritation, and restriction of patient movement. A century of technological improvements in the intrauterine balloon and transducers made possible pioneering work in understanding the activity of the nongravid uterus, the concept of the rhythm method of birth control, carbon dioxide in the determination of tubal patency, and hormonal effects on reproduction and ovulation. Finally, understanding uterine contractile malfunction has given rise to the rational treatment of patients with dysmenorrhea.
Incidental Testicular Lesions Found During Infertility Evaluation are Usually Benign and May be Managed Conservatively

Purpose: Hypoechoic lesions on scrotal ultrasonography are often considered germ cell tumors and radical orchiectomy is recommended. We retrospectively reviewed the findings at 1 center in men with ultrasonographically detected testicular lesions found during evaluation of severe male infertility.Materials and Methods: A total of 145 men with nonobstructive azoospermia at 1 center underwent ultrasonographic analysis before diagnostic or therapeutic testicular biopsy. Mean age was 34 ± 0.6 years (range 21 to 63). All men were azoospermic. Mean serum follicle-stimulating hormone was 25 IU/l. Of the men 26% had a history of cryptorchidism and 3 patients had a history of testis tumor. No other risk factors for testis cancer were identified for any patient. All sonographic lesions were followed with serial ultrasound examinations or were biopsied/excised. All men had tumor markers tested and the results were negative.Results: Of 145 men referred for azoospermia who underwent ultrasonographic analysis before bi...
A Comparison of Internal Conjunctive Cohesion in the English Essay Writing of Cantonese Speakers and Native Speakers of English

A comparative analysis is made of organizational cohesive devices in the English essays of Form 6 writers from a native speaker group and three groups of Cantonese speakers. The analysis is based o...
Patterns of plant invasions: a case example in native species hotspots and rare habitats

Land managers require landscape-scale information on where exotic plant species have successfully established, to better guide research, control, and restoration efforts. We evaluated the vulnerability of various habitats to invasion by exotic plant species in a 100,000 ha area in the southeast corner of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah. For the 97 0.1-ha plots in 11 vegetation types, exotic species richness (log10) was strongly negatively correlated to the cover of cryptobiotic soil crusts (r =− 0.47, P< 0.001), and positively correlated to native species richness (r = 0.22, P< 0.03), native species cover (r = 0.23, P< 0.05), and total nitrogen in the soil (r = 0.40, P< 0.001). Exotic species cover was strongly positively correlated to exotic species richness (r = 0.68, P< 0.001). Only 6 of 97 plots did not contain at least one exotic species. Exotic species richness was particularly high in locally rare, mesic vegetation types and nitrogen rich soils. Dry, upland plots (n = 51) had less than half of the exotic species richness and cover compared to plots (n = 45) in washes and lowland depressions that collect water intermittently. Plots dominated by trees had significantly greater native and exotic species richness compared to plots dominated by shrubs. For the 97 plots combined, 33% of the variance in exotic species richness could be explained by a positive relationship with total plant cover, and negative relationships with the cover of cryptobiotic crusts and bare ground. There are several reasons for concern: (1) Exotic plant species are invading hot spots of native plant diversity and rare/unique habitats. (2) The foliar cover of exotic species was greatest in habitats that had been invaded by several exotic species. (3) Continued disturbance of fragile cryptobiotic crusts by livestock, people, and vehicles may facilitate the further invasion of exotic plant species.
Strategic Interactions Between Fishermen And A Coastal Nation

Coastal nations can impose conditions of use on foreign fishermen that operate in their Exclusive Economic Zone. We develop a game-theoretical model in which a fishery owner maximizes the revenue that it collects from fishermen that operate in its EEZ by charging them a fishing fee. We find that if the number of fishermen is exogenous the owner selects a fee that is higher than socially optimal. On the other hand, if the owner can choose the number of fishermen, it does not restrict entry to the EEZ and selects a fee that maximizes net return. Alternatively, the owner can use a two-tier tariff to extract all the net return from the fishery.
A Model of Local Binary Pattern Feature Descriptor for Valence Facial Expression Classification

Recognition of spontaneous emotion would significantly influence human-computer interaction and emotion-related studies in many related fields. This paper endeavors to explore a holistic method for detecting emotional facial expressions by examining local features. In recent years, examining local features has gained traction for nuanced expression detection. The local binary pattern is one such technique. Using the modified LBP adds a discriminating factor to the examined feature via the addition of an edge detector. Hence, the edge based local binary pattern for the extraction of features in the human face. Using this method, the extracted feature is classified into its valence classes (positive and negative) using an SVM classifier.
Motion of Single Particles in Alluvial Channels

Movements of single sand-size radioactive particles were followed in a laboratory alluvial channel. Two sizes of bed material were used with experimental conditions limited to the ripple and dune bed forms of the lower flow regime. It was found that the frequency distribution of the particle step lengths was represented very well by the gamma distribution, and the frequency distribution of the particle rest period was represented adequately by the exponential distribution. The mean step lengths related well to the stream power of the flow; however, the relation cannot be considered general because observations were limited to a single depth of flow. The mean rest period related well to the celerity of the bed forms. Tests of a one-dimensional stochastic model for sediment dispersion showed that the model predicted the mean distance traveled by the tracer particles but did not predict the rate of spreading of the tracer concentration distribution.
Effects of Pre-Transplant Depression and Anxiety Symptoms on Morbidity and Mortality Post-Heart Transplant: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Purpose: This retrospective cohort study was designed to evaluate the effect of depression and anxiety on all-cause mortality after heart transplant. Methods: 130 patients with heart transplants enrolled at Kaiser Permanente, a large, integrated health care delivery system in Northern California, between June 2005 and December 2013 were included in a retrospective electronic chart review. Baseline variables included depression, anxiety, and cardiac risk factors in the year before heart transplant. Depression and anxiety were determined by diagnosis, psychotropic medication, and/or self-report instruments when available. Statistical tests included chi-square, t-tests and a KaplanMeier survival analysis. Results: For all patients, post-heart transplant overall one-year survival was 93.1%. The one-year survival for 50 patients without depression and anxiety was 100%, for 13 patients with anxiety only was 92.3% (p= 0.05), for 22 patients with depression only were 90.9% (p= 0.03), and for 45 patients with both depression and anxiety was 86.7% (p= 0.008). After adjustment, the presence of both depression and anxiety symptoms pre-heart transplant was shown as a significant predictor of mortality. The risk of all-cause mortality in heart transplant patients with preoperative depression and anxiety symptoms was highest within the two years (HR (95% CI)= 4.2 (1.1, 15.0), p= 0.03) followed by three years (HR (95% CI)= 3.7 (1.2, 11.9), p= 0.04) but not significant within five years post-heart transplant (HR (95% CI)= 2.0 (0.8, 5.3), p= 0.14) compared with patients without preoperative depression and anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: These findings suggest that depression and anxiety symptoms before heart transplant are associated with survival in the first year post heart transplant. A thorough psychosocial assessment and mental health treatment before heart transplant are recommended.
Recurrent Severe Infections in a Child With Abnormal Leukocyte Function: Possible Relationship to Increased Microtubule Assembly

Abstract A 7-yr-old girl with a complex disorder of mesenchymal tissues characterized by recurrent life-threatening infections, growth retardation, difficulty in healing, hemangiomata, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and severe leukocyte dysfunction was studied. Detailed studies of her leukocytes revealed previously undescribed ultrastructural and metabolic adnormalities. Centriole-associated microtubule counts in granulocytes prepared under conditions of directed migration were markedly increased (over 300%). Basal mononuclear cell cyclic GMP levels were 400% greater than those observed in cells from age-matched controls. These abnormalities were associated with multiple defects of leukocyte function. Neutrophils were unable to orient in response to a gradient of chemotactic factor. In neutrophils and monocytes both random and directed locomotion of the cells were markedly abnormal when assessed by a 51Cr radioassay or by morphologic filter techniques. Furthermore, leukocytes showed diminished adherence to nylon wool, delayed bactericidal activity for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus viridans, and subnormal secretion of the granule-associated enzyme lysozyme in response to A23187, phorbol myristate acetate, or adherence to nylon wool surfaces. In addition, both humoral and cellular immune functions of lymphocytes were abnormal. The abnormalities in this patient’s leukocytes may have been related to increased microtubule assembly and elevated cGMP. The possibility of a common defect of mesenchymal cells is intriguing but confirmation must await additional studies in other patients with a similar disease.
Use of gamma-ray spectroscopy for direct detection of thermal neutrons

A neutron detector based on detection of the prompt gamma-radiation emitted as a result of neutron interaction with a suitable neutron absorber is described. Boron-10 loaded polyethylene is used as the neutron converter. Neutrons are thermalized in the polyethylene and are subsequently absorbed by 10B. The result of the neutron absorption is production of 7Li, in the excited state (7Li*) and an alpha-particle. This occurs for 94% of the absorbed neutrons. The 7Li* (T1/2 = 10-13 s) emits a 477.6 keV gamma-ray ("prompt" gamma-ray) after it is formed and may be detected in a gamma-ray spectroscopy system. Since the "prompt" gamma-ray peak is Doppler broadened – the recoiled 7Li* emits the gamma-ray on "fly" – it is easily distinguishable from other non-capture gamma-ray peaks. The neutron converter, 10B loaded into a polyethylene end cap placed on the standard gamma-ray spectroscopy detector, adds the neutron detection capability without impeding the system's gamma-ray spectroscopy characteristics. Results for detection of neutrons from a moderated 252Cf source are presented.
64Cu-labeled CB-TE2A and Sar conjugated RGD peptide analogs for targeting angiogenesis: Comparison of their biological activity

233 Objectives: The αvβ3 integrin is a cell adhesion molecule known to be involved in stages of angiogenesis and metastasis. In this study, the chelators CB-TE2A and Sarcophagine (Sar) were conjugated to RGD peptide analogs cyclic RGDyK and RGDfD and the biological properties of 64Cu labeled peptides were compared. Methods: CB-TE2A-c(RGDyK) and Sar-c(RGDfD) were labeled with 64Cu in 0.1 M NH4OAc (pH = 8) at 95 °C and 25 °C, respectively, for 1 h. PET and biodistribution studies were carried out on M21 (αvβ3-positive) and M21L (αv-negative) melanoma-bearing mice at 1, 2, 4 and 24h post injection (p.i.). Binding affinity of the Cu-chelator-RGD peptides to αvβ3 integrins was determined by a competitive binding affinity assay. Results: Biological studies showed higher tumor uptake of the 64Cu labeled peptides in M21 tumor compared to M21L tumor (e.g. at 4h p.i., 64Cu-CB-TE2A-c(RGDyK): 1.66±0.8 (M21) vs. 0.84±0.41 %ID/g (M21L), p=0.04). Tumor uptakes of 64Cu-CB-TE2A-c(RGDyK) are higher than those of 64Cu-Sar-c(RGDfD)(e.g., at 1h p.i., 64Cu-CB-TE2A-c(RGDyK): 2.98±0.90 vs. 64Cu-Sar-c(RGDfD): 1.51±0.53 %ID/g, p=0.01). These differences are not due to differing binding affinities, since similar values were obtained for the agents from the binding assays (IC50: Cu-CB-TE2A-c(RGDyK): 6.0 nM vs. Cu-Sar-c(RGDfD): 4.8 nM vs. c(RGDyK): 3.7 nM). Compared to Cu-CB-TE2A-c(RGDyK), which has a longer lysine linker, Cu-Sar-c(RGDfD) is closer to the binding site of the peptide, potentially causing partial demetallation of the Cu complex. The slower liver clearance of 64Cu-Sar-c(RGDfD) (2.63±0.53 (2h p.i.) vs. 2.24±0.41 %ID/g (24h p.i.), p=NS) compared to 64Cu-CB-TE2A-c(RGDyK) (2.53±0.89 (2h p.i.) vs. 0.84±0.17 %ID/g (24h p.i.), p=0.05) is further evidence of demetallation. Administration of c(RGDyK) as a block significantly reduced the tumor uptake indicating a receptor-specific accumulation. Conclusions: Both 64Cu-CB-TE2A-c(RGDyK) and 64Cu-Sar-c(RGDfD) are potential candidates for imaging tumor angiogenesis. For Sar-c(RGDfD), a linker may be needed between the Cu-chelate moiety and the RGD peptide to achieve optimal in vivo tumor uptake. Research Support (if any): NCI grants R24 CA86307 and R01 CA93375
Efficient and effective schemes for streaming media delivery

The rapid expansion of the Internet and the increasingly wide deployment of wireless networks provide opportunities to deliver streaming media content to users at anywhere, anytime. To ensure good user experience, it is important to battle adversary effects, such as delay, loss and jitter. In this thesis, we first study efficient loss recovery schemes, which require pure XOR operations. In particular, we propose a novel scheme capable of recovering up to 3 packet losses, and it has the lowest complexity among all known schemes. We also propose an efficient algorithm for array codes decoding, which achieves significant throughput gain and energy savings over conventional codes. We believe these schemes are applicable to streaming applications, especially in wireless environments. We then study quality adaptation schemes for client buffer management. Our control-theoretic approach results in an efficient online rate control algorithm with analytically tractable performance. Extensive experimental results show that three goals are achieved: fast startup, continuous playback in the face of severe congestion, and maximal quality and smoothness over the entire streaming session. The scheme is later extended to streaming with limited quality levels, which is then directly applicable to existing systems.
A multi-institutional comparison of outcomes of immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients treated with surgery and radiation therapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Background Patients who are chronically immunosuppressed have higher rates of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cSCC-HN). This is the largest multi-institutional study to date investigating the effect of immune status on disease outcomes in patients with cSCC-HN who underwent surgery and received postoperative radiation therapy (RT). Methods Patients from 3 institutions who underwent surgery and also received postoperative RT for primary or recurrent, stage I through IV cSCC-HN between 1995 and 2015 were included in this institutional review board-approved study. Patients categorized as immunosuppressed had chronic hematologic malignancy, human immunodeficiency/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or had received immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplantation ≥6 months before diagnosis. Overall survival, locoregional recurrence-free survival, and progression-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional-hazards regression. Results Of 205 patients, 138 (67.3%) were immunocompetent, and 67 (32.7%) were immunosuppressed. Locoregional recurrence-free survival (47.3% vs 86.1%; P Conclusions Immunosuppressed patients with cSCC-HN had dramatically lower outcomes compared with immunocompetent patients, despite receiving bimodality therapy. Immune status is a strong prognostic factor that should be accounted for in prognostic systems, treatment algorithms, and clinical trial design. Cancer 2017;123:2054-2060. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Hume (and Hacking) on Induction

Several years ago, Ian Hacking wrote a fascinating book called The Emergence of Probability (1975). It deals with several important issues in the history of epistemology and breaks new ground in its treatment of most of them. But in one crucial respect, Hacking’s analysis restates a certain pervasive philosophical myth. More than restating the myth, Hacking gives it as forceful an expression as one finds in the literature. That myth, closely related to the purist model I described in Chapter 2, concerns David Hume and the so-called problem of induction.
THE PROFILE OF TEACHER’S UNDERSTANDING ON STUDENT’S MATHEMATICS ABILITY BASED ON TEACHER’S TEACHING EXPERIENCE AT SMPN 1 GANTARANGKEKE

The objectives of the research were discover the profile of the teachers understanding by revealing the depth of students’ knowledge based on misconception and precondition knowledge in solving the questions. The research was descriptive with qualitative approach. The researcher was the main instrument guided by mathematics ability diagnostic test, format of teachers written analysis result, and interview guidance which were valid. The data of the research was collected through test; then, the test was analyzed by the teachers in writing and verified through interview. The subjects of the research were teachers and student, namely one student of class IXB at SMPN 1 Gantarangkeke and two teachers with qualification of one novice teacher and one senior teacher. The results of the research showed that: (1) in identifying the student’s misconception, the novice teacher’s perspective and senior teacher’s perspective were similar. They thought that procedure mistake was also the student’s misconception, the teachers did not differentiate the student’s mistake whether its procedural or misconception; (2) the understanding of novice teacher and senior teacher on the students precondition knowledge of the subject understood that the mistake done by the student did not remember precondition material in solving the problem; (3) the understanding of senior teacher on the students precondition knowledge was the subject understood that the mistake done by the student was due to the student did not remember precondition material in solving the problem; the follow up plan for novice teacher referred to instrumental or procedural understanding, the divergent learning was centered in one way, the PCK component of novice teacher did not develop equally between the students knowledge identification and follow up plan; (5) the follow up plan for senior teacher did not only notice the student’s conceptual knowledge, but also how to build the student’s skill in solving the question based on the right procedure, able to demonstrate the connection in learning between the knowledge on student and pedagogic knowledge
Single photon detection of 1.5 THz radiation with the quantum capacitance detector

Far-infrared spectroscopy can reveal secrets of galaxy evolution and heavy-element enrichment throughout cosmic time, prompting astronomers worldwide to design cryogenic space telescopes for far-infrared spectroscopy. The most challenging aspect is a far-infrared detector that is both exquisitely sensitive (limited by the zodiacal-light noise in a narrow wavelength band, λ/Δλ ~1,000) and array-able to tens of thousands of pixels. We present the quantum capacitance detector, a superconducting device adapted from quantum computing applications in which photon-produced free electrons in a superconductor tunnel into a small capacitive island embedded in a resonant circuit. The quantum capacitance detector has an optically measured noise equivalent power below 10−20 W Hz−1/2 at 1.5 THz, making it the most sensitive far-infrared detector ever demonstrated. We further demonstrate individual far-infrared photon counting, confirming the excellent sensitivity and suitability for cryogenic space astrophysics. The authors present a photon detector suitable for terahertz astronomy, with very high sensitivity, low power consumption and the ability to be configured into arrays. This device is demonstrably able to count individual far-infrared photons.
Passive underwater acoustic markers using Bragg backscattering.

This letter demonstrates the feasibility of a passive underwater acoustic marker technology (or “AcoustiCode”) for use in underwater navigation. An AcoustiCode tag is a planar surface with machined periodic patterns capable of producing Bragg backscattering beampatterns with engineered spatial and frequency variations, thus having a unique three-dimensional acoustic signature over a selected frequency band. Hence, these AcoustiCodes enable three-dimensional navigation and information signaling in a totally passive manner for existing high-frequency SONAR systems (potentially mounted on autonomous underwater vehicles), which naturally operate in a narrow frequency band and can also be used over significantly longer ranges compared to optically-based systems.
Instability, vortex shedding, and numerical convergence

For flow past a cylinder, under the assumption that a numerical method has a phase portrait which is similar to that of the actual flow, we have concluded that a convergence study of this flow with the natural initial condition of an impulsive start is very likely to lead to an unsatisfactory result—convergence to an non-physical solution—for Reynolds numbers above critical. At a fixed level of resolution, on the other hand, calculations which run for long enough time could approach physically meaningful solutions, because of numerical noise. If one intentionally induces fixed a priori perturbations, however, one should be able to obtain solutions, to any desired degree of precision, which have physical counterparts. Of course, different flow evolutions will result from different perturbations, and not all artificial pertubations correspond to realistic physical noise.
AXIAL FLOW PUMP-ENERGIZED ARTIFICIAL HEART

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a new type artificial heart pump that uses a unidirectional rotating impeller and variable pitch blades that will eventually be driven by two D.C. brushless motors. The system will be powered by an external electrical coil that energizes an implantable secondary coil. Pumping action should be as gentle as gas-energized pumping systems. Control will be dependent upon the blood volume/pressure returns to each atria. A unidirectional, variable pitch turbine type axial flow pump is a feasible approach. The shifting mechanism is positive, and the centrifugal inertia of the impellor is not reversed. As the hydraulic fluid is not reversed by the use of valves, a high density packaged unit is possible. Most of the problems encountered to date have been because of the prototype model's orientation toward a bench setup rather than an implantable design. Progressive problem-solving steps have necessitated fabricating and testing two bench prototype pumps, neither of which bear little resemblance to the ultimate implantable artificial heart design.
Management of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in the Setting of Coexistent Renal and Splanchnic Disease

By definition, an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is located in the distal portion of the abdominal aorta, inferior to the renal arteries. The segment of aorta between the renal arteries and an infrarenal aneurysm is commonly referred to as the “neck” of the aneurysm. The anatomic character istics of this area are of critical importance when considering therapeutic strat egies for both open and endoluminal interventions. Prior to the endovascular era, optimal management of coexistent aortic aneurysmal disease and visceral pathology was somewhat controversial. While some centers advocated open endarterectomy for stenotic ostial lesions of the renal and visceral vessels at time of aneurysm repair, others preferred reimplantation or bypass for similar lesions. The choice of intervention was often individualized and based some what upon surgeon preference.
Proceedings of the 36th annual ACM SIGPLAN-SIGACT symposium on Principles of programming languages

Welcome to the Thirty-Sixth Symposium on Principles of Programming Languages, held Wednesday, January 21st, through Friday, January 23rd, 2009, in Savannah, Georgia. This proceedings contains 36 papers, selected from 160 submissions. Like POPL 2008, the slots for contributed talks at this year's POPL will all be twenty minutes long, a bit shorter than in previous years. Last year's experience showed that, besides allowing a larger number of papers to be presented without exhausting the audience, shorter slots actually improve the quality of most talks by encouraging speakers to highlight their main points and give their presentations a little extra polish. The program committee and external reviewers attacked their task with tremendous thoughtfulness and energy, writing over 1000 pages of reviews in all. These were made available to the authors, who had a three-day period in which to submit a written response to be considered by the PC, together with the original reviews, in a week-long email discussion and an intensive two-day meeting in Victoria, Canada, following ICFP. Submissions from program committee members were permitted, subject to the usual proviso that they would be held to a higher standard than other submissions. Two PC submissions were received; neither was accepted. Many in the POPL community look forward to the invited talks as one of the main highlights of the meeting. This year we are lucky to be hearing from Tim Harris (Microsoft Research, UK), Chris Barker (NYU), and Alex Simpson (University of Edinburgh).
Deductive Question Answering, Problem Solving, and Program Synthesis

This chapter discusses how theorem proving can be applied to answer questions, solve problems, and synthesize programs. Green and Raphael made a breakthrough in the field of question answering by pointing out that mechanical theorem-proving techniques, such as the resolution principle, can be applied to design question-answering and problem-solving systems. The essential concept of Green and Raphael is that the set of facts necessary for question answering or problem solving can be viewed as axioms of a theorem, and the question or the problem can be viewed as the conclusion of the theorem. There are two kinds of question-answering systems—the general-purpose systems and the special-purpose systems. For a special-purpose question-answering system, the data are usually concerned with a special subject and the range of questions that one is allowed to ask is quite limited. Typical special-purpose question-answering systems are the Baseball system, which answers questions about baseball in the United States, and Lindsay's system, which is concerned with family relationships.
Differential relationships of guilt and shame on posttraumatic stress disorder among veterans.

OBJECTIVE Despite important conceptual differences between shame and guilt, literature distinguishing these emotions in relation to posttrauma functioning for veterans has been largely theoretical. This is the first study to concurrently examine trauma-related guilt and internalized shame in relation to PTSD severity as the dependent variable. Our primary aim was to examine guilt and shame on PTSD symptom severity within the same model. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether trauma-related guilt can occur independent of shame. METHOD Participants were 144 veterans seeking PTSD treatment. Regression analysis was used for our primary aim. Chi-square was used for our secondary aim to examine the percentage of participants categorized one standard deviation above (high) and below (low) the mean for shame and guilt. RESULTS Entered together, internalized shame (β = .44, p < .001) and guilt-related distress (β = .32, p < .001) were related to PTSD severity. Guilt cognitions and global guilt were unrelated to PTSD. Analyses showed significant differences in participants categorized as low/high shame and low/high global guilt (χ² = 14.22, p < .001), guilt-related distress (χ² = 15.09, p < .001), and guilt cognitions (χ² = 13.16, p < .001). Across guilt subscales, "shame-free" trauma-related guilt did not exist (0%). Conclusions Internalized shame and guilt distress were both related to PTSD severity; however, shame added variance not already accounted for by guilt. Tangney, Stuewig, and Mashek (2007) stipulate that guilt becomes maladaptive when fused with shame; however, our results indicate trauma-related guilt is possibly always fused with shame. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
Is the Gender Climate in Chemistry Still Chilly? Changes in the Last Decade and the Long-Term Impact of COACh-Sponsored Workshops

The representation of women among recipients of chemistry Ph.D. degrees has increased in recent years, but their representation among the faculty in academic departments is still below what would be expected given the proportion of degrees received. Articles published in the Journal of Chemical Education in 2010 documented a hostile gender-related climate in academic chemistry and the way in which COACh had helped women deal with this hostile environment. This paper replicates and extends the 2010 analyses. Findings from surveys of over 400 women indicate that the negative gender-related climate within chemistry changed very little from 2006 to 2016. Women who had participated in COACh continued to report that they often used skills learned in COACh workshops and that these skills helped them in their careers. Discussion of the findings emphasizes the extent to which commitment and actions by administrators and the profession as a whole are needed to promote the full inclusion of women within the field.
Heterogeneous Acceleration of HAR Applications

Human action recognition (HAR) is an important field of research that intercepts with areas such as image processing, computer vision, and the design of fast algorithms, among others. HAR has several important applications including healthcare monitoring, security and surveillance, assisted living, smart homes, and video search and indexing. Despite recent developments in the field, major challenges remain. For instance, HAR is computationally expensive. Tasks such as video preprocessing, feature extraction, feature quantization, and feature classification require the execution of millions of arithmetic operations for a video sequence lasting a few seconds. To address these problems, we propose a heterogeneous approach that is based on an extensive algorithmic and experimental analysis of the histogram of gradients application. We divide the application into four stages and evaluate each on the CPU, GPU, and FPGA platforms. Our heterogeneous design combines the strengths of both the FPGA and GPU platforms, and achieves a $1.3X$ speedup compared with a state-of-the-art GPU while being $1.5X$ more energy efficient than other homogeneous solutions, including FPGA-based designs. Moreover, our heterogeneous HAR design using fixed-point arithmetic has comparable accuracy to those of HAR algorithms using single precision floating point arithmetic.
Credible Commitments? Explaining IGO Suspensions to Sanction Political Backsliding

Why do intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) that espouse democratic commitments suspend the membership of some states that backslide on those commitments, while leaving that of others intact? We argue that a combination of geopolitical factors and institutional rules help explain this inconsistent pattern. Remaining member states insulate geopolitically important states—particularly those with large endowments of oil resources—from suspension. Institutional factors, such as voting rules and the size of the IGO, create veto points that reduce suspensions. Using an original global data set of IGO suspensions and charter commitments from 1980 to 2010, we find strong support for our argument. We test a key assumption of existing scholarship that claims IGOs serve as credible-commitment devices for political reform and democratization. We show that once a state becomes an IGO member, it can often remain in the IGO even after violating its democratic commitments.