cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computer simulation and circuit analysis

A teaching approach applied to the introductory circuit analysis course in electrical engineering is discussed. A primary feature is that all attempts to constrain student usage of simulators are rejected. The approach is implemented as a learning sequence: a presimulation thought process, then a simulation followed by a post-simulation thought process. The laboratory notebook illustrates the thought-to-paper conversion process inherent within the presimulation learning experience. Notebook scribblings, characterized by the student as a thinking schematic, are decoded by the instructor for the purpose of developing teaching materials, including new problems that cannot be immediately submitted to a simulator. The printed data produced by the simulation is processed during the post-simulation learning experience for the purpose of interpreting network behavior. >
Performance Improvement in International Environments: Designing Individual Performance Interventions to fit National Cultures

This article examines how internationalization might affect the design of individual performance improvement approaches in organizations. It begins by examining knowledge that has been learned principally from the North American context of what improves an individual’s performance. Then we discuss motivators attitudes and behaviors of workers and how they may vary among workers in different national cultural contexts. In short we examine individual performance improvement for its cross-border effectiveness using various models of national cultural differences. By doing this we hope to provide an understanding of how performance improvement systems might require modification to fit with non-North American work environments. (authors)
Model reference adaptive control with constraints for postoperative blood pressure management

An approach for adaptive control of blood pressure using sodium nitroprusside is presented. A modified stochastic model reference adaptive control algorithm with a time-varying reference model is developed and used for this purpose. An automatic adjustment of the reference model is proposed in order to optimize the performance of the closed-loop system while meeting clinical constraints imposed on the infusion rate and the mean arterial pressure. Extensive computer simulations show the robustness of the proposed controller in the presence of relatively high noise levels, over the full range of plant parameters and for large parameter variations. >
Radar pulse train parameter estimation and tracking using neural networks

The post-deinterleaving radar pulse train problem requires estimation of the parameters and tracking of the individual pulse trains. A simple recurrent backpropagation neural network is used based on a simple state space time series formulation of the radar problem. The network incorporates a novel heuristic adaptive error threshold that allows simultaneously good tracking and parameter estimating abilities. Two simple but revealing examples are presented to show how the network is robust to missing and spurious pulses, as well as multiple level staggers with discontinuous mode changes.
Computational methods for semiclassical and quantum transport in semiconductor devices

The progressive miniaturization of semiconductor devices, and the use of bulk materials other than silicon, necessitates the use of a wide variety of models in semiconductor device simulation. These include classical and semiclassical models, such as the Boltzmann equation and the hydrodynamic system, as well as quantum transport models such as the quantum Boltzmann equation and the quantum hydrodynamic system. This paper gives an overview of recently developed numerical methods for these systems. The focus is on Galerkin methods for the semiclassical and quantum kinetic systems and on difference methods for the classical and quantum hydrodynamic systems. The stability and convergence properties of these methods and their relation to the analytical properties of the continuous systems are discussed.
Eight drugs in one day chemotherapy in children with brain tumors: a critical toxicity appraisal.

The toxicity of a new chemotherapeutic regimen for CNS tumors using eight anticancer agents administered in a 12-hour period was evaluated in 34 children with newly diagnosed and recurrent tumors treated at the Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle. The chemotherapy included methylprednisolone, vincristine, lomustine (CCNU), procarbazine, hydroxyurea, cisplatin (CDDP), and either cyclophosphamide or imidazole carboximide (DTIC). The first five patients additionally received high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX), but because of excessive toxicity this was replaced by cytarabine. Of 125 courses administered without HDMTX, red cell transfusions were required in 15% of the courses and platelet transfusions were required in 8%. Hospitalization for empiric treatment of fever associated with neutropenia occurred in 6% of courses. Three episodes of documented sepsis occurred. Virtually all hematologic toxicity occurred in patients with recurrent disease. Renal toxicity occurred in 14% of patient courses. One...
foundations, foibles and discovery: internationalising a campus through short-term trips abroad

This article examines how the political science department of a small, regional university (Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania) has tried to develop activities that will help internationalise the student body and the campus. The article examines, in an attempt to prepare and internationalise students, the departments’ short-term study abroad opportunities. In particular, the article evaluates one course as a case study and proposes a new method aimed at trying to assess its efficacy. In doing so, this article will review the literature on the impact of study abroad, focusing on short-term study (or faculty-led) experiences and discuss the pedagogical motivations of such courses. Finally, the article will propose, and preliminarily test, a new method of assessing short-term study about courses. The conclusion of this article speculates on the final results and details the substantial barriers to replication and augmentation of these programmes.
Finding a Pot of Gold at the End of an Internet Rainbow: Further Examination of Fraudulent Email Solicitation

The amount of Internet spam has grown exponentially over the last decade. While much of this unsolicited email is harmless advertising, a growing proportion of it is insidious in nature and fraudulent in intent. The current research assesses the nature of this type of criminal approach. Two email accounts captured a total of 476 unsolicited emails identified as suspect in intent over a three month period. The researchers analyzed the nature of the solicitation, the nature of the solicitor, and the information asked of the target. Initial findings suggest relationship-building social engineering methods are preferred over direct inquiry of sensitive information. A descriptive analysis is provided and policy implications are discussed.
Framework for modeling high-impact, low-frequency power grid events to support risk-informed decisions

Abstract Natural and man-made hazardous events resulting in loss of grid infrastructure assets challenge the security and resilience of the electric power grid. However, the planning and allocation of appropriate contingency resources for such events requires an understanding of their likelihood and the extent of their potential impact. Where these events are of low likelihood, a risk-informed perspective on planning can be difficult, as the statistical basis needed to directly estimate the probabilities and consequences of their occurrence does not exist. Because risk-informed decisions rely on such knowledge, a basis for modeling the risk associated with high-impact, low-frequency events (HILFs) is essential. Insights from such a model indicate where resources are most rationally and effectively expended. A risk-informed realization of designing and maintaining a grid resilient to HILFs will demand consideration of a spectrum of hazards/threats to infrastructure integrity, an understanding of their likelihoods of occurrence, treatment of the fragilities of critical assets to the stressors induced by such events, and through modeling grid network topology, the extent of damage associated with these scenarios. The model resulting from integration of these elements will allow sensitivity assessments based on optional risk management strategies, such as alternative pooling, staging and logistic strategies, and emergency contingency planning. This study is focused on the development of an end-to-end HILF risk-assessment framework. Such a framework is intended to provide the conceptual and overarching technical basis for the development of HILF risk models that can inform decision-makers across numerous stakeholder groups in directing resources optimally towards the management of risks to operational continuity.
Precipitates of Al(III), Sc(III), and La(III) at the muscovite-water interface.

The interaction of Al(III), Sc(III), and La(III) with muscovite–water interfaces was studied at pH 4 and 10 mM NaCl using second harmonic generation (SHG) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). SHG data for Sc(III) and La(III) suggest complete and/or partial irreversible adsorption that is attributed by XPS to the growth of Sc(III) and La(III) hydroxides/oxides on the muscovite surface. Al(III) adsorption appears to coincide with the growth of gibbsite (Al(OH)3) deposits on the muscovite surface, as indicated by the magnitude of the interfacial potential computed from the SHG data. This interpretation of the data is consistent with previous studies reporting the epitaxial growth of gibbsite on the muscovite surface under similar conditions. The implication of our findings is that the surface charge density of mica may change (and in the case of Al(III), even flip sign from negative (mica) to positive (gibbsite)) when Al(III), Sc(III), or La(III) is present in aqueous phases in contact with heterogene...
Computed Tomography Support For Materials Science Experiments

Computed Tomography (CT) is a convenient method to measure density in both liquids and solids. With a substantially monoenergetic flux there is a direct correlation between absorption and density and accurate measurements can be made even when the sample itself is enclosed within a furnace and a safety required cartridge. Knowledge of density as a material changes from liquid to solid is vitally needed for modeling purposes, and for the design of containment ampoules that allow for shrinkage and other volume changes that may occur during processing. A furnace installed on the CT system at Kennedy Space Center has been used to examine materials without needing visible access. Uniformity can readily be obtained, and the system can be controlled to ramp up, hold, and ramp down while collecting data over a wide range of temperatures. Results on low melting point elements such as gallium and indium will be presented. High melting point elements and compounds are planned. In another application accurate density values are converted directly to composition. This has been successful in previous missions to estimate alloy compositions, and will be a major thrust during ISS campaigns. Examples of previous data obtained will be shown.
Six-year mortality in a street-recruited cohort of homeless youth in San Francisco, California

Objectives. The mortality rate of a street-recruited homeless youth cohort in the United States has not yet been reported. We examined the six-year mortality rate for a cohort of street youth recruited from San Francisco street venues in 2004. Methods. Using data collected from a longitudinal, venue-based sample of street youth 15-24 years of age, we calculated age, race, and gender-adjusted mortality rates. Results. Of a sample of 218 participants, 11 died from enrollment in 2004 to December 31, 2010. The majority of deaths were due to suicide and/or substance abuse. The death rate was 9.6 deaths per hundred thousand person-years. The age, race and gender-adjusted standardized mortality ratio was 10.6 (95% CI [5.3-18.9]). Gender specific SMRs were 16.1 (95% CI [3.3-47.1]) for females and 9.4 (95% CI [4.0-18.4]) for males. Conclusions. Street-recruited homeless youth in San Francisco experience a mortality rate in excess of ten times that of the state's general youth population. Services and programs, particularly housing, mental health and substance abuse interventions, are urgently needed to prevent premature mortality in this vulnerable population.
Application of cloud computing in power dispatching systems

Based on the analysis of cloud computing concepts,the key features of cloud computing are summarized from the user and service provider's point of view respectively.With analysis of cloud computing key technologies and demand of power dispatching system's development,a comprehensive discussion on potential application of cloud computing in power dispatching system is performed.Both the pros and cons of the application are analyzed.The usability of mainstream cloud computing technologies is also evaluated.Combined with model,data,searching,planning,calculation,and standby for each other applications,a schematic design of cloud computing application in power dispatching systems is also provided on four layers,namely,infrastructure layer,resource management layer,cloud services layer and application layer.
A survey of psychology practice in critical-care settings.

Purpose/objective The aims of this survey study were to (a) examine the frequency of health-service psychology involvement in intensive and critical-care settings; (b) characterize the distinguishing features of these providers; and (c) examine unique or distinguishing features of the hospital setting in which these providers are offering services. Research method/design χ2 analyses were conducted for group comparisons of health-service psychologists: (a) providing services in critical care versus those with no or limited critical care activity and (b) involved in both critical care and rehabilitation versus those only involved in critical care. Results A total of 175 surveys met inclusion criteria and were included in the analyses. Psychologists who worked in critical-care settings at least monthly were more likely to be at a Level-1, χ2(1, N = 157) = 9.654, p = .002, or pediatric, χ2(1, N = 158) = 7.081, p = .008, trauma center. Psychologists involved with critical care were more likely to provide services on general medical-surgical units, χ2(1, N = 167) = 45.679, p = .000. A higher proportion of rehabilitation-oriented providers provided intensive care, critical care, and neurointensive care services relative to nonrehabilitation providers. Conclusion/implications The findings indicate that health-service psychologists are involved in critical-care settings and in various roles. A more broad-based survey of hospitals across the United States would be required to identify how frequently health-service psychologists are consulted and what specific services are most effective, valued, or desired in critical-care settings. (PsycINFO Database Record
Oncologic Emergencies: The Anesthesiologist's Perspective

Abstract Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. During the course of treatment, a cancer patient may present emergently to the hospital because of either the cancer itself or a manifestation of cancer therapy. Rarely, patients with cancer can present to the operating room with several emergent conditions that require the services of an anesthesiologist. The main oncologic emergencies affecting anesthesiologists relate to airway obstruction and cardiac-, neurologic-, gastrointestinal-, and endocrine-related conditions. Mismanagement of these crises can increase morbidity and mortality. This article addresses emergencies in patients with cancer and how they relate to anesthetic care.
Investigating the Pleasures of Sin: The Contingent Role of Arousal-Seeking Disposition in Consumers' Evaluations of Vice and Virtue Product Offerings

Mixed bundles of vice and virtue are an increasingly important product category. However, many mixed bundles fail in the marketplace, and so it is important to examine how consumers evaluate such mixed bundles. This paper examines consumers' affective responses and consequent purchase evaluations for a mixed vice-virtue bundle versus a pure vice product. Results of Study 1 show that purchase intentions are higher for a pure vice product versus a mixed product; also, increased purchase intentions are mediated by differences in arousal. Given that consumers differ in their arousal-seeking dispositions, results of Studies 2 and 3 show that individual differences in arousal-seeking moderate the relationship between product type (pure vice product vs. mixed product) and purchase intentions, with arousal-seeking consumers preferring pure vice bundles, and arousal-avoidant consumers preferring mixed bundles. This paper contributes to theory on mixed vice-virtue bundles, and also provides pointers on how to better market mixed bundles.
Benign Renal Epithelial and Mesenchymal Neoplasms and Their Mimics

This chronic inflammatory process is an unusual variant of chronic pyelonephritis, associated with renal calculi and commonly found in middle-aged women. The clinical history of recurrent urinary tract infections with flank pain, fever, malaise, anorexia, and weight loss correlates with the discovery of a unilateral renal mass. The “mass” grossly shows marked scarring, pyelocaliceal ectasia, and corticomedullary distortion (Fig. 3.1). These circumstances overlap with true renal malignancy providing a logical clinical basis for FNA and NCB. Morphologically, XPN is an exuberant inflammatory response with an intense mononuclear infiltrate, especially macrophages. The FNA and biopsy will reflect a heterogeneous composition with necrosis, chronic inflammatory cells including numerous macrophages, calcifications, and granulation tissue. Although the foamy, lipid-containing macrophages simulate the clear cells of a renal cell carcinoma, the background of inflammatory cells, necrosis, and calcifications are indicative of a reactive process (Fig. 3.2). The bland, bean-shaped macrophage nuclei are distinguishable from the round nuclei of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. On individual cytologic grounds, this distinction is more difficult for low-grade malignancies. Tumors of higher Fuhrman grade are more easily discerned, since the advancing nuclear pleomorphism also exhibits more vesicular chromatin and nucleolar prominence is more apparent. The acquisition of a core biopsy at the time of FNA will facilitate immunohistochemistry demonstrating the macrophages to be cytokeratin-negative and CD68-positive (Fig. 3.3).
A longitudinal study of user queries and browsing requests in a case-based reasoning retrieval system

This article reports on a longitudinal analysis of query logs of a web-based case library system during an 8-year period from 2005 to 2012. The analysis studies 3 different information-seeking approaches: keyword searching, browsing, and case-based reasoning CBR searching provided by the system by examining the query logs that stretch over 8 years. The longitudinal dimension of this study offers unique possibilities to see how users used the 3 different approaches over time. Various user information-seeking patterns and trends are identified through the query usage pattern analysis and session analysis. The study identified different user groups and found that a majority of the users tend to stick to their favorite information-seeking approach to meet their immediate information needs and do not seem to care whether alternative search options will offer greater benefits. The study also found that return users used CBR searching much more frequently than 1-time users and tend to use more query terms to look for information than 1-time users.
Learning to Learn Programs from Examples: Going Beyond Program Structure.

Programming-by-example technologies let end users construct and run new programs by providing examples of the intended program behavior. But, the few provided examples seldom uniquely determine the intended program. Previous approaches to picking a program used a bias toward shorter or more naturally structured programs. Our work here gives a machine learning approach for learning to learn programs that departs from previous work by relying upon features that are independent of the program structure, instead relying upon a learned bias over program behaviors, and more generally over program execution traces. Our approach leverages abundant unlabeled data for semi-supervised learning, and incorporates simple kinds of world knowledge for common-sense reasoning during program induction. These techniques are evaluated in two programming-by-example domains, improving the accuracy of program learners.
Modulated model predictive control of three level flying capacitor buck converter

In this paper a new control method for a three level flying capacitor buck converter has been developed using a modulated model predictive control. The proposed method takes into account all the possible switching configurations of the converter and selects two switching configurations to be applied to the converter in the next sampling time, using a cost function. The cost function has been defined such the two selected consecutive switching configurations minimize the error of output voltage and the flying capacitor voltage simultaneously. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been evaluated using the experimental results.
A Class-G Voltage-Mode Doherty Power Amplifier

This paper presents the combination of two back-off efficiency enhancement techniques, the voltage-mode Doherty and the class-G switched-capacitor power amplifier (PA), to achieve efficiency peaking at both 6 and 12 dB back off without introducing the mode-switching glitches present in previous architectures. The proposed technique enables transmission of high peak-to-average-power ratio (PAPR) signals with high efficiency while maintaining excellent linearity. The PA is fabricated in 45-nm CMOS SOI with integrated balun for power combining and matching. At 3.5 GHz a saturated output power of 25.3 dBm is measured with 30.4%/25.3%/17.4% power added efficiency (PAE) at 0/6/12 dB back off. With memoryless, non-adaptive linearization, the PA achieves 19.2% PAE with −35.8 dB error vector magnitude (EVM) while transmitting a 40 MHz 256-QAM 10.1 dB PAPR 802.11ac modulation. Significant efficiency improvement compared to class-B and EVM better than −34 dB is maintained over more than 1 GHz bandwidth.
Metabolic dysregulation and cancer mortality in a national cohort of blacks and whites.

We examined the association between metabolic dysregulation and cancer mortality in a prospective cohort of Black and White adults. A total of 25,038 Black and White adults were included in the analysis. Metabolic dysregulation was defined in two ways: 1) using the joint harmonized criteria for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and 2) based on factor analysis of 15 variables characterizing metabolic dysregulation. We estimated hazards ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of MetS and metabolic dysregulation with cancer mortality during follow-up using Cox proportional hazards models. About 46% of Black and 39% of White participants met the criteria for MetS. Overall, participants with MetS (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.03–1.45) were at increased risk of cancer-related death. In race-stratified analysis, Black participants with MetS had significantly increased risk of cancer mortality compared with those without MetS (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.01–1.72), increasing to more than a 2-fold risk of cancer mortality among those with five metabolic syndrome components (HR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.01–5.51). There are marked racial differences in the prevalence of metabolic dysregulation defined as MetS based on the harmonized criteria. The strong positive associations between MetS and cancer mortality suggests that efforts to improve cancer outcomes in general, and racial disparities in cancer outcomes specifically, may benefit from prevention and management of MetS and its components.
A Terrestrial Reference Frame realised on the observation level using a GPS-LEO satellite constellation

Applying a one-step integrated process, i.e. by simultaneously processing all data and determining all satellite orbits involved, a Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF) consisting of a geometric as well as a dynamic part has been determined at the observation level using the EPOS-OC software of Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum. The satellite systems involved comprise the Global Positioning System (GPS) as well as the twin GRACE spacecrafts. Applying a novel approach, the inherent datum defect has been overcome empirically. In order not to rely on theoretical assumptions this is done by carrying out the TRF estimation based on simulated observations and using the associated satellite orbits as background truth. The datum defect is identified here as the total of all three translations as well as the rotation about the z-axis of the ground station network leading to a rank-deficient estimation problem. To rectify this singularity, datum constraints comprising no-net translation (NNT) conditions in x, y, and z as well as a no-net rotation (NNR) condition about the z-axis are imposed. Thus minimally constrained, the TRF solution covers a time span of roughly a year with daily resolution. For the geometric part the focus is put on Helmert transformations between the a priori and the estimated sets of ground station positions, and the dynamic part is represented by gravity field coefficients of degree one and two. The results of a reference solution reveal the TRF parameters to be estimated reliably with high precision. Moreover, carrying out a comparable two-step approach using the same data and models leads to parameters and observational residuals of worse quality. A validation w.r.t. external sources shows the dynamic origin to coincide at a level of 5 mm or better in x and y, and mostly better than 15 mm in z. Comparing the derived GPS orbits to IGS final orbits as well as analysing the SLR residuals for the GRACE satellites reveals an orbit quality on the few cm level. Additional TRF test solutions demonstrate that K-Band Range-Rate observations between both GRACE spacecrafts are crucial for accurately estimating the dynamic frame’s orientation, and reveal the importance of the NNT- and NNR-conditions imposed for estimating the components of the dynamic geocenter.
Psoas Muscle Size Predicts Risk-Adjusted Outcomes After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background Frailty is an important predictor of outcomes after cardiac surgery, but utility is limited by difficult assessment and quantification. We hypothesize that sarcopenia defined as psoas muscle cross-sectional area is a useful predictor of surgical aortic valve replacement outcomes in moderate to high-risk patients. Methods Moderate to high risk patients (predicted risk of mortality greater than 3%) who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement with or without coronary artery bypass were extracted from an institutional database (2009 to 2016). Psoas index was calculated as the cross-sectional area of the psoas muscle at the L4 vertebral level normalized to body surface area. Patients were stratified by sarcopenia status, defined as less than 25th sex-specific percentile. Multivariable regression analysis identified risk-adjusted associations with psoas index using The Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk scores. Results Of the 240 patients included, the median predicted risk of mortality was 6%, median age 80 years, and 40% were female. Patients with (33.3%) and without (66.7%) sarcopenia had equivalent baseline risk (median predicted risk of mortality 5.7% versus 6.0%, p = 0.29). Patients with sarcopenia had higher 1-year mortality (31.9% versus 16.9% p = 0.03). Psoas index significantly predicted risk-adjusted 1-year mortality (odds ratio 0.84, p = 0.02) and long-term mortality (hazard ratio 0.92, p = 0.04), as well as risk-adjusted major morbidity, prolonged ventilation, length of stay, discharge to a facility, and hospital cost. Finally, psoas index measurements were highly reproducible (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.944). Conclusions Psoas index is an easily obtained and reproducible measure of frailty that predicts risk-adjusted resource utilization, morbidity, and long-term mortality. Psoas index may improve procedural selection and risk adjustment in high-risk patients with aortic valve disease.
A Pedagogical Approach toward Teaching an Information Systems Student How to Conduct a Web Usability Study for an Honors Project: A Case Study.

The purpose of this paper is to provide educators with a course model and pedagogy to teach a computer information systems usability course. This paper offers a case study based on an honors student project titled “Web Usability: Phases of Developing an Interactive Event Database.” Each individual phase—creating a prototype along with usability testing, defining a technical structure, and designing a usable interface—is equally valuable to the entire process of interactive web development. A distinct significance is present within each phase, which emphasizes the importance of completing every step in the development process. Unlike businesses that suffered when the Dot-com bubble burst, businesses that acknowledge the diverse levels of understanding and recognize that implementation of each phase directly affects the success of the business will prosper in this age of technology. This paper focuses primarily on the prototype and usability testing phase. With that in mind, an extensive background and explanation of phase one in developing an interactive event database is presented for the reader; the honors student paper did, however, present an allencompassing understanding of web technologies. Additionally, this paper provides a method for developing the requirements to conduct and evaluate an honors project. Finally, this paper concludes by considering the study’s limitations and suggestions for further research.
Listener sensitivity to probabilistic conditioning of sociolinguistic variables: The case of (ING)

Abstract This paper investigates the extent to which listeners are cued into the systematicity of variability in speech, particularly the grammatical conditioning constraints of the English sociolinguistic variable (ING) (e.g., talking vs. talkin). Listeners’ sensitivity to the realization of (ING) words embedded in sentences was tested under various conditions. Comprehenders demonstrated expectations about the grammatical category constraints conditioning the realization of (ING) even though such knowledge may not be very informative about word recognition (Experiment 1). As more reliable phonetic information was available, listeners weighted grammatical expectations less, favoring other cues in the signal (Experiments 2 and 3). Bridging a gap between psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic accounts of probabilistic conditioning, these results suggest that factors beyond utility for word recognition may contribute to the probabilistic monitoring of a variable, and underscore the opportunistic nature of the speech comprehension system, where listeners make use of whatever information they have to process the signal.
Validation of a Long-Read PCR Assay for Sensitive Detection and Sizing of C9orf72 Hexanucleotide Repeat Expansions.

A hexanucleotide GGGGCC repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal degeneration. Accurate determination and quantitation of the repeat length is critical in both clinical and research settings. However, because of the complexity of the C9orf72 expansion with high GC content, large size of repeats, and high rate of insertions/deletions (indels) and sequence variations in the flanking regions, molecular genetic analysis of the locus is challenging. To improve the performance characteristics for clinical testing, we evaluated a commercially available long-read C9orf72 PCR assay for research use only, AmplideX PCR/CE C9orf72 assay (AmplideX-C9), and compared its performance with our existing laboratory-developed C9orf72 expansion procedure. Overall, in comparison to the laboratory-developed C9orf72 expansion procedure, AmplideX-C9 demonstrated a more efficient workflow, greater PCR efficiency for sizing of repeat expansions, and improved peak amplitude with lower DNA input and higher analytic sensitivity. This, in turn, permitted detection of indels in the 3′ downstream of the repeat expansion region in expanded alleles, showed a higher success rate with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens, and facilitated the assessment of repeat mosaicism. In summary, AmplideX-C9 will not only help to improve clinical testing for C9orf72-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal degeneration but will also be a valuable research tool to better characterize the complexity of expansions and study the effects of indels/sequence variations in the flanking region.
Abstract 102: G-Protein Coupled Protein Kinase 4 Variants Differentially Modulate Response of Breast Cancer Cells to Dopamine 1 Receptor Agonist

Breast cancer incidence is higher in hypertensive women yet no biochemical basis has been reported for this link. Dopaminergic D1-like receptor (D1R) regulates renal sodium excretion and blood pres...
Mathematical Aspects of Logic Programming Semantics

Order and Logic Ordered Sets and Fixed-Point Theorems First-Order Predicate Logic Ordered Spaces of Valuations The Semantics of Logic Programs Logic Programs and Their Models Supported Models Stable Models Fitting Models Perfect Models Well-Founded Models Topology and Logic Programming Convergence Spaces and Convergence Classes The Scott Topology on Spaces of Valuations The Cantor Topology on Spaces of Valuations Operators on Spaces of Valuations Revisited Fixed-Point Theory for Generalized Metric Spaces Distance Functions in General Metrics and Their Generalizations Generalized Ultrametrics Dislocated Metrics Dislocated Generalized Ultrametrics Quasimetrics A Hierarchy of Fixed-Point Theorems Relationships between the Various Spaces Fixed-Point Theory for Multivalued Mappings Partial Orders and Multivalued Mappings Metrics and Multivalued Mappings Generalized Ultrametrics and Multivalued Mappings Quasimetrics and Multivalued Mappings An Alternative to Multivalued Mappings Supported Model Semantics Two-Valued Supported Models Three-Valued Supported Models A Hierarchy of Logic Programs Consequence Operators and Fitting-Style Operators Measurability Considerations Stable and Perfect Model Semantics The Fixpoint Completion Stable Model Semantics Perfect Model Semantics Logic Programming and Artificial Neural Networks Introduction Basics of Artificial Neural Networks The Core Method as a General Approach to Integration Propositional Programs First-Order Programs Some Extensions - The Propositional Case Some Extensions - The First-Order Case Final Thoughts Foundations of Programming Semantics Quantitative Domain Theory Fixed-Point Theorems for Generalized Metric Spaces The Foundations of Knowledge Representation and Reasoning Clarifying Logic Programming Semantics Symbolic and Subsymbolic Representations Neural-Symbolic Integration Topology, Programming, and Artificial Intelligence Appendix: Transfinite Induction and General Topology The Principle of Transfinite Induction Basic Concepts from General Topology Convergence Separation Properties and Compactness Subspaces and Products The Scott Topology Bibliography Index
Abstract 780: High expression of miR-155 promotes prostate cancer aggressiveness in African-Americans compared to Caucasians

Background: African-Americans have higher risk for developing prostate cancer and when diagnosed, the cancer is more aggressive and African-Americans are more than twice as likely to die of the disease compared to Caucasians. To clarify the mechanisms involved in this disparity, we analyzed the role of miR-155 in African-American and Caucasian prostate cancer tissues and cell lines. Materials and Methods: Human tissue samples from African-Americans and Caucasians clinical FFPE (Formaldehyde Fixed Paraffin Embedded) were used to analyzed miR-155 expression by Real Time PCR. We selected prostate cancer cell lines from Caucasians (DU-145, LNCaP, PC3), African-American (E006AA-hT) and normal epithelial cell line (PWR-1E) which express different levels of miR-155, to mimic the tissue samples and help identify the mechanisms related to racial disparity. We knocked down miR-155 in cells lines and performed cell viability assays using a CellTiter - Glo luminescent assay. For migration analysis, miR-155 knockdown cells were seeded in chambers and we measured the capacity of cell motility towards a chemo-attractant. To identify miR-155 mediated downstream regulators, three target prediction algorithms (miRDB, Targetscan and miRecords) were used. Results : We found miR-155 expression to be higher in African-American prostate cancer tissues compared to Caucasian patients with localized disease. Also, expression of miR-155 in African-American cell line, E006AA-hT, was significantly higher compared to Caucasian cell lines, DU-145, LNCaP and PC3. To determine the role of miR-155 in the differences between African-Americans and Caucasians, miR-155 was knocked down in E006AA-hT and DU-145 cells. miR-155 knockdown in E006AA-hT cells caused a decrease in cell viability compared with negative control, while there was no difference in DU-145 cells. We observed inhibition of migration E006AA-hT miR-155 knockdown cells but not on DU-145 miR-155 knockdown cells, suggesting that miR-155 knockdown have the more potent effect on African-American cell line. We analyzed three target prediction algorithms and found that four genes overlapped, SPI1, JARID2, ETS1 and CEBPB that may play a pivotal role in the treatment of aggressive African-American prostate cancers. Conclusion: We conclude that high levels of miR-155 is associated with prostate cancer aggressiveness in African-Americans. Citation Format: Marisa Shiina, Yutaka Hashimoto, Priyanka Kulkarni, Pritha Dasgupta, Varahram Shahryari, Guoren Deng, Divya Bhagirath, Laura Tabatabai, Sharanjot Saini, Shahana Majid, Soichiro Yamamura, Yuichiro Tanaka, Rajvir Dahiya. High expression of miR-155 promotes prostate cancer aggressiveness in African-Americans compared to Caucasians [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 780.
The impact of data entry structures on perceptions of individuals with chronic mental disorders and physical diseases towards health information sharing.

Abstract Background and objective Collecting, integrating, and sharing mental and physical health information can enhance the care process of patients and improve the completeness of patient databases in the health information exchange (HIE) networks. There is a need to encourage patients with physical and mental disorders to share their health information with providers. Data entry interfaces are suggested as an important factor affecting the quality of information. However, little is known about whether individuals with different diseases (mental and physical) care for the data entry structure in sharing personal health information (PHI). Materials and methods We conduct four experiments to examine the impact of different health problems (mental vs. physical) and types of data entry interfaces (structured vs. unstructured) on individuals' perceptions of information quality and their willingness to share their health information. Results Findings demonstrate that the type of disease and degree of data entry structure significantly influence individuals' perceptions of usefulness, accessibility, concise presentation, understandability, psychological risk, privacy concern, stigma, and willingness to share health information. Discussion People with mental disorders prefer structured data interfaces as they perceive that a high degree of data entry structure can protect their privacy and mitigate stigma and psychological risk more than unstructured interfaces. Individuals with physical illnesses favor structured interfaces for their format, which is brief, comprehensive, accessible, useful, and understandable. People suffering from physical diseases are more likely to share their information when a highly-structured data entry interface is used. Moreover, individuals with mental disorders are less likely to disclose their information when providers collect health records using an unstructured data entry interface. Conclusions This study suggests that the best level of structure for data entry interfaces could be designed at the point of care consistent with patients' health status and their type of diseases to improve the success of HIE networks.
Transposing F to C s : expressivity of parametric polymorphism in an object-oriented language: Research Articles

We present a type-preserving translation of System F (the polymorphic lambda calculus) into a forthcoming revision of the Cs programming language supporting parameterized classes and polymorphic methods. The forthcoming revision of Java in JDK 1.5 also makes a suitable target. We formalize the translation using a subset of Cs similar to Featherweight Java. We prove that the translation is fully type-preserving and that it preserves behaviour via the novel use of environment-style semantics for System F.We observe that whilst parameterized classes alone are sufficient to encode the parameterized datatypes and let-polymorphism of languages such as ML and Haskell, it is the presence of dynamic dispatch for polymorphic methods that supports the encoding of the ‘first-class polymorphism’ found in System F and recent extensions to ML and Haskell. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Strategy for Undergraduate Medical Education in Urology During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE To provide a framework for a virtual curriculum during the COVID-19 pandemic for medical student educators that introduces and teaches clinical concepts important in urology and surgical specialties in general. METHODS We created a 1-week virtual urology course utilizing interactive lectures, case-based exercises, and faculty-proctored surgical video reviews. Students were assigned self-study modules and participated in case-based discussions and presentations on a topic of their choice. Students’ perceptions of urology as a specialty and the utility of the course was evaluated through pre- and postcourse surveys. Understanding of urologic content was evaluated with a multiple-choice exam. RESULTS A total of nine students were enrolled in the course. All students reported increased understanding of the common urologic diagnoses and of urology as a specialty by an average of 2.5 points on a 10-point Likert scale (Cohen's measure of effect size: 3.2). Additionally, 56% of students reported increased interest, 22% reported no change and 22% reported a decreased interest in pursuing urology as a specialty following the course. Students self-reported increased knowledge of a variety of urologic topics on a 10-point Likert scale. The average exam score on the multiple-choice exam improved from 50% before the course to 89% after the course. CONCLUSIONS Various teaching techniques can be employed through a virtual platform to introduce medical students to the specialty of urology and increase clinical knowledge surrounding common urologic conditions. As the longevity of the COVID-19 pandemic becomes increasingly apparent and virtual teaching is normalized, these techniques can have far-reaching utility within the traditional medical student surgical curriculum.
A High-Throughput Pruning-Based Pair-Hidden-Markov-Model Hardware Accelerator for Next-Generation DNA Sequencing

We present the first ASIC accelerator for a pair-hidden-Markov-model (Pair-HMM) in DNA variant calling, which conventionally requires ~250T FLOPs per sequenced human genome. Using a hardware-algorithm co-design, we opportunistically replace floating point (FP) multiplication with 20-b log-domain addition while employing bound checks to maintain (provable) correct results in downstream processing. FP computation is reduced by $43{\times }$ on real human genome data. Implemented in a 40-nm CMOS, the 5.67 mm2 accelerator demonstrates 17.3G cell updates per second (CUPS) throughput, marking a $6.6{\times }$ improvement over our baseline ASIC implementation and $355{\times }$ GCUPS/mm2 improvement over an FPGA implementation [2] .
Inflammatory Markers in Severity of Intracerebral Hemorrhage II: A Follow Up Study.

Introduction Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) results in significant morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of brain injury after ICH is thought to be due to mechanical damage followed by ischemic, cytotoxic, and inflammatory changes in the underlying and surrounding tissue. Various inflammatory and non-inflammatory biomarkers have been studied as predictors and potential therapeutic targets for intracerebral hemorrhage. Our prior study showed an association with low vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and increased mortality. This current study looks to expand on our prior results and will look at the relationship between tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), C-reactive protein (CRP), VEGF, Homocysteine (Hcy), and CRP to albumin ratio (CAR) in predicting outcomes and severity in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage with TNFα, CRP, VEGF, Hcy levels drawn on admission. Albumin and CRP levels on admission were used to calculate CAR. Ninety-nine patients were included in the study. Primary outcomes included death, early neurologic decline (END), and hemorrhage size. Secondary outcomes included late neurologic decline (LND), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on admission, GCS on discharge, ICH score, change in hemorrhage size, need for surgical intervention, and length of ICU stay. Results A total of 99 patients were included in this study, with 42% requiring surgical intervention and an overall mortality of 16%. Basal ganglia hemorrhage was seen in 41% of patients. Hcy and CAR were significantly correlated with ICH size in basal ganglia patients (r-=0.36, p=0.03; r=0.43, p=0.03, respectively). CAR was significantly correlated with ICH score (r=0.33, p=0.007874). Admission VEGF levels less than 45 pg/ml had 8.4-fold increase in mortality (odds ratio [OR] 8.4545, p=0.0488). Patients with TNFα levels greater than 1.40 pg/ml had a 4.1-fold increase in mortality (OR 4.1, p=0.04) Conclusion Our study demonstrated that low levels (<45 pg/ml) of VEGF were associated with an 8.4-fold increase in mortality, supporting the neuroprotective effect of this protein. Elevated Hcy and CAR levels were associated with an increase in hemorrhage size in patients with basal ganglia hemorrhages. TNFα levels greater than 1.40 pg/ml were associated with a 4.1-fold increase in mortality, and this together with CAR being correlated with increased hemorrhage size and ICH score further demonstrate the inflammatory consequences after intracerebral hemorrhage. Future studies directed at lowering CRP, TNFα, and Hcy and/or increasing VEGF in intracerebral hemorrhage patients are needed and may be beneficial.