cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glioblastoma multiforme in Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome: a case report

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) is a rare syndrome in which patients usually present with cutaneous hemangiomas, venous varicosities, and bone and soft tissue hypertrophy of the affected limb. Intracranial lesions in patients with KTWS are extremely rare, and are generally reported as single cases in the literature. We describe a rare case, where a patient with KTWS was found with a hemorrhagic grade IV astrocytoma. Although central nervous system abnormalities such as intracranial aneurysms and cerebral and spinal cord cavernomas have been described in patients with KTWS, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between glioblastoma multiforme (grade IV astrocytoma) and KTWS in the English-language medical literature. A 61-year-old white Caucasian man with a history of KTWS presented with seizures. Left upper and lower extremity hypertrophy, left foot, leg and ear gigantism and left-sided abdominal capillary hemangiomas were noted in the physical examination. Cranial computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were obtained, showing a heterogeneous lesion in the cingulate gyrus, with peripheral and central areas of T1 hyperintensity and layering T2 hypointensity consistent with a hemorrhage. A right parasagittal frontal craniotomy was performed with an interhemispheric approach. We had difficulty controlling the bleeding with bipolar electrocautery during surgery and finally were able to stop the bleeding using surgicel and gelfoam. Postoperative cranial CT and MRI scans showed intraparenchymal hemorrhage centered within the medial right frontal lobe. There was no increase in hematoma size in consecutive CT scans. Co-occurrence of vascular abnormalities with KWTS should be taken into consideration to avoid perilous preoperative and postoperative complications.
Examining approaches to HR evaluation: The strengths and weaknesses of popular measurement methods

HR evaluation is often not conducted simply because of its inherent difficulties. But without measurement, HR will struggle to shake off its administrative image. This article considers the reasons for conducting evaluation, the pros and cons of six popular approaches, and suggests a workable means of conducting acceptable evaluations.
Self-Consistent Calculation of the Mass and Width of the J=1, T=1, ππ Resonance

It is our purpose here to apply the bootstrap mechanism in a very simple-minded and trivial calculation, which yields quantitative values for the p mass and coupling constant. The approximation is the following: a ρ meson, of mass mρ and coupled to the pion with a coupling constant γρππ, is exchanged between two pions as shown in Fig. 1.
Functional genomics platform for pooled screening and generation of mammalian genetic interaction maps

Systematic genetic interaction maps in microorganisms are powerful tools for identifying functional relationships between genes and for defining the function of uncharacterized genes. We have recently implemented this strategy in mammalian cells as a two-stage approach. First, genes of interest are robustly identified in a pooled genome-wide screen using complex shRNA libraries. Second, phenotypes for all pairwise combinations of 'hit' genes are measured in a double-shRNA screen and used to construct a genetic interaction map. Our protocol allows for rapid pooled screening under various conditions without a requirement for robotics, in contrast to arrayed approaches. Each round of screening can be implemented in ∼2 weeks, with additional time for analysis and generation of reagents. We discuss considerations for screen design, and we present complete experimental procedures, as well as a full computational analysis suite for the identification of hits in pooled screens and generation of genetic interaction maps. Although the protocol outlined here was developed for our original shRNA-based approach, it can be applied more generally, including to CRISPR-based approaches.
In vitro pesticide inhibition of muscle esterases of the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis.

Abstract 1. The in vitro inhibition of Gambusia affinis muscle esterases by various pesticides was investigated. 2. The oxygen analogs of several organophosphates were found to be potent inhibitors of muscle esterases. 3. Analytically pure malathion did not inhibit esterases unless preincubated with muscle extracts prior to electrophoresis. 4. It is suggested that extracts of muscle have some capability of malathion degradation.
Momentum-space Argonne V18 interaction

This paper gives a momentum-space representation of the Argonne V18 potential as an expansion in products of spin-isospin operators with scalar coefficient functions of the momentum transfer. Two representations of the scalar coefficient functions for the strong part of the interaction are given. One is as an expansion in an orthonormal basis of rational functions and the other as an expansion in Chebyshev polynomials on different intervals. Both provide practical and efficient representations for computing the momentum-space potential that do not require integration or interpolation. Programs based on both expansions are available as supplementary material. Analytic expressions are given for the scalar coefficient functions of the Fourier transform of the electromagnetic part of the Argonne V18. A simple method for computing the partial-wave projections of these interactions from the operator expressions is also given.
A biological assessment of fish and benthic populations inhabiting a kraft mill effluent channel

Abstract Various aspects of the benthos and fish populations living within a kraft pulp mill effluent channel were monitored from June, 1974 to September, 1975. Chironomid larvae dominated the benthos, and were distributed within the channel in relation to bottom type and current characteristics. Yearly abundance of chironomid larvae was correlated with measured flow through the channel. A total of 25 species of fish were taken from the channel. Many of these were collected seasonally and did not appear to be permanent residents of the channel. Food habits for warmouth, Lepomis gulosus , revealed chironomid larvae and mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis to be major food items, occurring in 50 and 40% of the stomachs respectively. A gradual feeding shift from chironomid larvae to mosquitofish and coleopterans occurred as warmouth increased in length. Mosquitofish appeared to be utilized more heavily in the winter months. White catfish, Ictalurus catus , and brown bullhead, Ictalurus nebulosus , had similar feeding habits, with chironomid larvae occurring in 96 and 95% of stomachs respectively. All fish examined for food habits utilized other aquatic insects to a greater extent in the summer, as they became more abundant with vegetational increases in the channel. The growth of warmouth and white catfish in the channel appears to equal or possibly surpass some natural waters.
Canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling promotes breast cancer tumor-initiating cells

Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are a sub-population of cells that exhibit a robust ability to self-renew and contribute to the formation of primary tumors, the relapse of previously treated tumors and the development of metastases. TICs have been identified in various tumors including those of the breast, and are particularly enriched in the basal-like and claudin-low subtypes of breast cancer. The signaling pathways that contribute to the function and maintenance of TICs are under intense study. We explored the potential involvement of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) family of transcription factors in TICs in cell lines that are representative of basal-like and claudin-low breast cancer. NF-κB was found to be activated in breast cancer cells that form tumorspheres efficiently. Moreover, both canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling is required for these cells to self-renew in vitro and to form xenograft tumors efficiently in vivo using limiting dilutions of cells. Consistent with this fact, canonical and non-canonical NF-κB signaling is activated in TICs isolated from breast cancer cell lines. Experimental results indicate that NF-κB promotes the function of TICs by stimulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and by upregulating the expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β and interleukin-6. The results suggest the use of NF-κB inhibitors for clinical therapy of certain breast cancers.
Swept period grating stimuli applied to cutaneous receptors.

Abstract Grating stimuli with successively larger intergrate periods (also known as “swept period”) are described and characterized. Since the swept period gratings are used to study the temporal frequency response functions of cutaneous receptors, a stimulator that can be used to draw these stimuli over the surface of the skin with precisely controlled motion is also described. The use of a swept period grating stimulus is illustrated for the specific case of stimulating a cat, hairy skin, slowly adapting Type I mechanoreceptor.
Exploring Spatial Effects on Urban Housing Duration

The decision to buy or sell a dwelling is complex. As such, researchers have considered models of housing price, location choice, and other dimensions of the problem. However, one potentially overlooked aspect of the decision to buy or sell a home concerns the spatial characteristics associated with the property itself. To this end, the authors utilize the Cox proportional hazards approach to model housing duration as a function of spatial and property-specific variables. They incorporate exogenous spatial variables into their model by using GIS-based spatial modeling. They find that spatial factors, such as commuting time zones, as well as aspatial characteristics, such as equity constraints, are important for explaining housing turnover. Moreover, the applicability of the Cox proportional hazard model to the spatial analysis of housing duration is demonstrated.
Fluorescence-enhanced optical imaging of large phantoms using single and simultaneous dual point illumination geometries.

Fluorescence-enhanced optical tomography is typically performed using single point illumination and multiple point collection measurement geometry. Single point illumination is often insufficient to illuminate greater volumes of large phantoms and results in an inadequate fluorescent signal to noise ratio ~SNR! for the majority of measurements. In this work, the use of simultaneous multiple point illumination geometry is proposed for acquiring a large number of fluorescent measurements with a sufficiently high SNR. As a feasibility study, dual point excitation sources, which are in-phase, were used in order to acquire surface measurements and perform three-dimensional reconstructions on phantoms of large volume and/or significant penetration depth. Measurements were acquired in the frequency‐domain using a modulated intensified CCD imaging system under different experimental conditions of target depth ~1.4 ‐2.8 cm deep! with a perfect uptake optical contrast. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the fluorescence absorption from the dual point illumination geometry compare well with the reconstructions from the single point illumination geometry. Targets located up to 2 cm deep were located successfully, establishing the feasibility of reconstructions from simultaneous multiple point excitation sources. With improved excitation light rejection, multiple point illumination geometry may prove useful in reconstructing more challenging domains containing deeply embedded targets. Image quality assessment tools are required to determine the optimal measurement geometry for the largest set off imaging tasks. © 2004 American Association of Physicists in Medicine. @DOI: 10.1118/1.1639321#
Retrieval-Based Learning: A Perspective for Enhancing Meaningful Learning

Learning is often identified with the acquisition, encoding, or construction of new knowledge, while retrieval is often considered only a means of assessing knowledge, not a process that contributes to learning. Here, we make the case that retrieval is the key process for understanding and for promoting learning. We provide an overview of recent research showing that active retrieval enhances learning, and we highlight ways researchers have sought to extend research on active retrieval to meaningful learning—the learning of complex educational materials as assessed on measures of inference making and knowledge application. However, many students lack metacognitive awareness of the benefits of practicing active retrieval. We describe two approaches to addressing this problem: classroom quizzing and a computer-based learning program that guides students to practice retrieval. Retrieval processes must be considered in any analysis of learning, and incorporating retrieval into educational activities represents a powerful way to enhance learning.
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Platinum Clusters on Hop-Graphite

We report on recent studies of small platinum clusters supported on highly-oriented pyrolytic graphite, using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). The clusters are generated by vapor deposition of single atoms with subsequent diffusion and growth processes occurring on large, flat and ordered substrates. Single adatoms, small clusters and larger islands are imaged with atomic resolution and their atomic structures are determined by direct observation. We find different isomeric structures for clusters of one size. Taking the substrate lattice as reference we determine bond lengths and angles for the clusters. We investigate the effect of the substrate on the adsorbed particles.
Providing all global energy with wind, water, and solar power, Part I: Technologies, energy resources, quantities and areas of infrastructure, and materials

Climate change, pollution, and energy insecurity are among the greatest problems of our time. Addressing them requires major changes in our energy infrastructure. Here, we analyze the feasibility of providing worldwide energy for all purposes (electric power, transportation, heating/cooling, etc.) from wind, water, and sunlight (WWS). In Part I, we discuss WWS energy system characteristics, current and future energy demand, availability of WWS resources, numbers of WWS devices, and area and material requirements. In Part II, we address variability, economics, and policy of WWS energy. We estimate that � 3,800,000 5 MW wind turbines, � 49,000 300 MW concentrated solar plants, � 40,000 300 MW solar PV power plants, � 1.7 billion 3 kW rooftop PV systems, � 5350 100 MW geothermal power plants, � 270 new 1300 MW hydroelectric power plants, � 720,000 0.75 MW wave devices, and � 490,000 1 MW tidal turbines can power a 2030 WWS world that uses electricity and electrolytic hydrogen for all purposes. Such a WWS infrastructure reduces world power demand by 30% and requires only � 0.41% and � 0.59% more of the world’s land for footprint and spacing, respectively. We suggest producing all new energy with WWS by 2030 and replacing the pre-existing energy by 2050. Barriers to the plan are primarily social and political, not technological or economic. The energy cost in a WWS world should be similar to that today.
Rapid determination of wax in sunflower seed oil

A rapid turbidimetric method for determining wax content in sunflower seed oil is described. Oil is heated to 130 C, filtered, and after cooling, added to an equal volume of acetone. The mixture is then reheated under tap water to dissolve waxes which may have crystallized and is placed in an ice bath for 5 min. Turbidity is then measured and ppm wax is read from a previously prepared calibration curve. The amount of wax as determined by the turbidimetric method is in good agreement with the gas liquid chromatographic values.
Parotid manifestations of HIV infection

A lump in the parotid region is generally a salivary tumor unless proved otherwise. Recently with an epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC), a large number of pathologies are noticed in the parotid region. These conditions generally involve the intraparotid and periparotid lymph nodes. Hyperplastic lymphadenopathy and the benign lymphoepithelial lesions are the most common variants. Our knowledge regarding these new conditions is just evolving. There remains a therapeutic dilemma starting from observation only to local excision and superficial or total parotidectomy. These lesions must be kept in mind when we evaluate a patient with risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Mental simulation and sexual prejudice reduction: the debiasing role of counterfactual thinking

Reducing prejudice is a critical research agenda, and never before has counterfactual priming been evaluated as a potential prejudice-reduction strategy. In the present experiment, participants were randomly assigned to imagine a pleasant interaction with a homosexual man and then think counterfactually about how an incident of sexual discrimination against him might not have occurred (experimental condition) or to imagine a nature scene (control condition). Results demonstrated a significant reduction in sexual prejudice from baseline levels in the counterfactual simulation group. Importantly, whereas intergroup anxiety and motivation to control prejudice were not predictive factors, number of counterfactual thoughts generated independently predicted variance in prejudice reduction. Mechanisms for, and implications of, prejudice-reduction strategies including counterfactual thinking are discussed.
Improving open source software patch contribution process: methods and tools

The patch contribution process (PCP) is very important to the sustainability of OSS projects. Nevertheless, there are several issues on patch contribution in mature OSS projects, which include time consuming process, lost and ignored patches, slow review process. These issues are recognized by researchers and OSS projects, but have not been addressed. In this dissertation, I apply Kanban method to guide process improvement and tools development to reduce PCP cycle time.
Reassortment Networks for Investigating the Evolution of Segmented Viruses

Many viruses of interest, such as influenza A, have distinct segments in their genome. The evolution of these viruses involves mutation and reassortment, where segments are interchanged between viruses that coinfect a host. Phylogenetic trees can be constructed to investigate the mutation-driven evolution of individual viral segments. However, reassortment events among viral genomes are not well depicted in such bifurcating trees. We propose the concept of reassortment networks to analyze the evolution of segmented viruses. These are layered graphs in which the layers represent evolutionary stages such as a temporal series of seasons in which influenza viruses are isolated. Nodes represent viral isolates and reassortment events between pairs of isolates. Edges represent evolutionary steps, while weights on edges represent edit costs of reassortment and mutation events. Paths represent possible transformation series among viruses. The length of each path is the sum edit cost of the events required to transform one virus into another. In order to analyze \tau stages of evolution of n viruses with segments of maximum length m, we first compute the pairwise distances between all corresponding segments of all viruses in {\cal O}(m^{2}n^{2}) time using dynamic programming. The reassortment network, with {\cal O}(\tau n^{2}) nodes, is then constructed using these distances. The ancestors and descendents of a specific virus can be traced via shortest paths in this network, which can be found in {\cal O}(\tau n^{3}) time.
Efficient Modeling and Simulation of Bacteria-Based Nanonetworks with BNSim

Bacteria-based networks are formed using native or engineered bacteria that communicate at nano-scale. This definition includes the micro-scale molecular transportation system which uses chemotactic bacteria for targeted cargo delivery, as well as genetic circuits for intercellular interactions like quorum sensing or light communication. To characterize the dynamics of bacterial networks accurately, we introduce BNSim, an open-source, parallel, stochastic, and multiscale modeling platform which integrates various simulation algorithms, together with genetic circuits and chemotactic pathway models in a complex 3D environment. Moreover, we show how this platform can be used to model synthetic bacterial consortia which implement a XOR function and aggregate nearby bacteria using light communication. Consequently, the results demonstrate how BNSim can predict various properties of realistic bacterial networks and provide guidance for their actual wet-lab implementations.
A Disequilibrium Multi-Country Macroeconomic Model with Agent-Based Portfolio Investors

How does a business cycle in one country impact another country when they are linked through international trade and finance? Does fluctuation in exchange rates effectively wall off the ripple effect of a change in price or aggregate demand in one country to other countries? Will providing international liquidity benefit the key currency country? Do trans-national security investments by fund managers stabilize or destabilize global economy? To answer these questions, we constructed a disequilibrium dynamic macroeconomic model of multiple countries that engage in international trade and portfolio investments.The novelty of the paper is that countries are asymmetric; only one country serves as a provider of international liquidity to settle payments for international transactions. Interest rates, price, wage rates but also exchange rates are macro founded. All the variables are endogenously determined and the model is completely closed in terms of balance sheet. Moreover, there are multiple agent-based fund managers that operate trans-nationally. They invest their funds in bonds across national boundaries. The fund managers have their own models to determine the international portfolio composition of their funds. They acquire main economic indicators of all countries and observe other managers performances, according to which they update the allocations rules, which in turn influence the exchange rates.Each country has a large number of identical price-taking firms and households. It also has a banking sector, represented by a single commercial bank that provides investment funds to the demand-constrained firms, thus providing money supply endogenously. In each country, there are commodity, labor, bond, money, and foreign exchange (to the key currency) markets. Output price, wage rate, interest rate adjust gradually to demand and supply in the respective markets. Firms located in different countries produce horizontally differentiated commodities so that households in each country purchase consumer goods that are produced domestically or by foreign producers. The price competitiveness is mainly determined by labor cost denominated in the same currency, hence influenced by a change in exchange rate.The tentative results we obtained are that the key currency country has no clear advantage over the other countries. The difference in price levels among countries is largely offset by a fluctuation in exchange rates. Nonetheless, countries are tightly synchronized with each other even under the influence of fluctuations in exchange rates. Further, the simulation result suggests that a less restricted flow of funds across the national boundaries would enhance the stability of the economies.
Design methodologies for high density domain wall memory

Domain wall memory (DWM) has emerged as a possible candidate for embedded cache application. The fundamental advantage of DWM is its MLC (multi-level cell) capability allowing it to store multiple bits/cell in order to break the density barrier. Additionally, it provides low standby power, fast access time, good endurance and good retention. In this paper, we address design challenges associated with DWM for potential use in on-chip cache.
Surface Pigment Volume Concentration changes with pigment loading for particulate magnetic tape

The Surface Magnetic Pigment Concentration (SPVC) is measured by XPS analysis to a depth of 50A° and compared to the calculated bulk Pigment Volume Concentration (PVC) of particulate magnetic tape. To obtain the required resolution, a modified Van Cittert Algorithm is used to deconvolute the initial X-ray photoelectron spectra. The SPVC is obtained from the intensity of the O 1S ratio of the metal oxide to polymer oxygen, as well as from the ratio of intensity of the metal core electron peak to the polymeric C 1S peak. The two magnetic pigments studied are acicular ferro magnetic CrO 2 and acicular ferri magnetic ΓFe 2 O 3 in a polyester-urethane binder. All particulate tape surfaces analyzed were calendered.
Genomic structure and promoter characterization of the human Sprouty4 gene, a novel regulator of lung morphogenesis.

The expression of Sprouty4 (Spry4), an intracellular FGF receptor antagonist, shows a temporally and spatially restricted pattern in embryonic lung and is induced by ERK signaling. To clarify the m...
Antigen Report: HLA-B44

Antigen HLA-B12 was recognized by the WHO Nomenclature Committee in 1971 [1], and its subdivision B44 in 1975 [2]. B44 occurs with a phenotype frequency of 13%-22% among Orientals, Negroes, and Caucasoids; and its association with Bw4 and allelic segregation as a B locus allele have been shown by family studies [3, 4].
Response Time and Utility

Response time is the time an agent needs to make a decision. One fundamental finding in psychology and neuroscience is that, in a binary choice, there is a monotonic relationship between the response time and the difference between the utilities of the two options. We consider situations in which utilities are not observed, but rather inferred from revealed preferences: meaning they are inferred from subjects’ choices. Given data on subjects’ choices, and the time to make those choices, we give conditions on the data that characterize the property that response time is a monotonic function of utility differences.
Consultants and Coteachers Affecting Student Outcomes with Numbered Heads Together: Keeping All Engaged

ABSTRACTGeneral education teachers, special education teachers, social workers, psychologists, and a myriad of specialists are responsible for delivering content to all students within inclusive environments. These educational teams continue to search for strategies that can be recommended or used in an inclusive environment. Researchers have discovered that an instructional strategy such as Numbered Heads Together (NHT) increases both academic and behavioral outcomes for students with and without disabilities. This article provides consultants, Response to Intervention (RtI) team members, and coteaching teams with a specific strategy of NHT that can be used by two or more professionals to develop lessons or deliver instruction using a coteaching or consultant approach with both professionals (consultant and general education teacher) assessing learner outcomes after the completion of the activity.
Systemic Insecticides for Cotton Insect Control in 1965

Systemic insecticides were evaluated for effect on insect control, plant stand, and early fruiting of cotton in field tests at Stoneville, Mississippi, in 1965. A granular formulation of Union Carbide UC-21149 [2-mcthyl-2-(methylthio) propionaldehyde O-(methylcarbamoyl) oxime] applied with the seed at planting gave outstanding control of tobacco thrips. Frankliniclla fusca (Hinds), and was effective against the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois). Granular formulations of General Chemical GC-6506 [dimethyl p- (methylthio) phenyl phosphate] and Niagara NIA-I0242 (2,3-dihydro-2.2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate) applied with the seed at planting were not so effective as UC-21149. When NIA-10242 and UC-21149 were applied to the seed, they were less effective against thrips than when they were applied in a granular formulation with the seed at planting. Granular formulations of UC-21149 applied as a sidedressing gave good control of caged boil weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, and better suppression of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch), than the other materials tested. Granular formulations applied with the seed at planting did not adversely affect seed germination and emergence of plants, but the higher rates of treatment reduced stands later. Treatment of the seed did adversely affect germination and/or emergence. Control of thrips resulted in earlier fruiting of plants, but yields usuaily were not increased.
Abstract 608: Quinacrine and sorafenib as potential combination for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) comprises ∼2% of all thyroid cancers and its median survival rate remains poor. ATC is frequently resistant to conventional therapy and therefore it is essential to expand the number of treatment options for ATC. Proto-oncogenes RET, RAS and BRAF are some of the best targets described in thyroid cancer. Sorafenib is a small molecule multi-kinase inhibitor that inhibits RAF, MEK and ERK kinases among other targets and is therefore being evaluated in several phase II/III clinical trials in thyroid cancer. Quinacrine, a potent small molecule inhibitor of NFKB signaling, is currently being evaluated in phase II clinical trials. We have previously shown the effectiveness of quinacrine in combination with cytotoxic drugs in hepatocellular and colon carcinoma cells acts by inhibiting NFKB, Mcl-1, and angiogenesis in tumor cell lines that are deficient in p53. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of quinacrine in combination with sorafenib on a panel of human ATC cells. Quinacrine as a single agent effectively inhibits growth and promote apoptosis of ATC cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner as assessed by CellTiter-Glo and sub-G1 analysis respectively. Combinatorial dose-response modulation of quinacrine with sorafenib suggests a synergistic drug-drug interaction with respect to growth stasis of ATC cells in vitro, as defined by Chou-Talalay. Western blot analysis suggest that the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Mcl-1, over-expressed in a number of solid tumors, is efficiently down-regulated in the ATC cell line 8505C by the combination of quinacrine and sorafenib. We also observe that the active form of transcription factor Stat3 is down-regulated by both quinacrine and sorafenib. In contrast to chloroquine that inhibits autophagy, our previous results have not shown that quinacrine's anti-tumor efficacy involves alterations in autophagy. Furthermore, sorafenib and quinacrine significantly improve survival in a mouse thyroid orthotopic in vivo xenograft model of ATC. We are currently exploring the detailed molecular mechanism of the quinacrine and sorafenib drug synergy and associated anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we are exploring the possibility of performing in vivo assays of the therapy combination with clinical samples. Our findings suggest that quinacrine in combination with sorafenib may be a novel and potentially cost effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment ATC. Citation Format: Junaid Abdulghani, Jean-Nicolas Gallant, Tiffany Whitcomb, David Dicker, David Goldenberg, Charles D. Smith, Niklas Finnberg, Wafik S. El-Deiry. Quinacrine and sorafenib as potential combination for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 608. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-608
Predicting Peer Nominations Among Medical Students: A Social Network Approach

Purpose Minimal attention has been paid to what factors may predict peer nomination or how peer nominations might exhibit a clustering effect. Focusing on the homophily principle that "birds of a feather flock together," and using a social network analysis approach, the authors investigated how certain student- and/or school-based factors might predict the likelihood of peer nomination, and the clusters, if any, that occur among those nominations. Method In 2013, the Jefferson Longitudinal Study of Medical Education included a special instrument to evaluate peer nominations. A total of 211 (81%) of 260 graduating medical students from the Sidney Kimmel Medical College responded to the peer nomination question. Data were analyzed using a relational contingency table and an ANOVA density model. Results Although peer nominations did not cluster around gender, age, or class rank, those students within an accelerated program, as well as those entering certain specialties, were more likely to nominate each other. The authors suggest that clerkships in certain specialties, as well as the accelerated program, may provide structured opportunities for students to connect and integrate, and that these opportunities may have an impact on peer nomination. The findings suggest that social network analysis is a useful approach to examine various aspects of peer nomination processes. Conclusions The authors discuss implications regarding harnessing social cohesion within clinical clerkships, the possible development of siloed departmental identity and in-group favoritism, and future research possibilities.
Bit Grooming: statistically accurate precision-preserving quantization with compression, evaluated in the netCDF Operators (NCO, v4.4.8+)

Abstract. Geoscientific models and measurements generate false precision (scientifically meaningless data bits) that wastes storage space. False precision can mislead (by implying noise is signal) and be scientifically pointless, especially for measurements. By contrast, lossy compression can be both economical (save space) and heuristic (clarify data limitations) without compromising the scientific integrity of data. Data quantization can thus be appropriate regardless of whether space limitations are a concern. We introduce, implement, and characterize a new lossy compression scheme suitable for IEEE floating-point data. Our new Bit Grooming algorithm alternately shaves (to zero) and sets (to one) the least significant bits of consecutive values to preserve a desired precision. This is a symmetric, two-sided variant of an algorithm sometimes called Bit Shaving that quantizes values solely by zeroing bits. Our variation eliminates the artificial low bias produced by always zeroing bits, and makes Bit Grooming more suitable for arrays and multi-dimensional fields whose mean statistics are important. Bit Grooming relies on standard lossless compression to achieve the actual reduction in storage space, so we tested Bit Grooming by applying the DEFLATE compression algorithm to bit-groomed and full-precision climate data stored in netCDF3, netCDF4, HDF4, and HDF5 formats. Bit Grooming reduces the storage space required by initially uncompressed and compressed climate data by 25–80 and 5–65 %, respectively, for single-precision values (the most common case for climate data) quantized to retain 1–5 decimal digits of precision. The potential reduction is greater for double-precision datasets. When used aggressively (i.e., preserving only 1–2 digits), Bit Grooming produces storage reductions comparable to other quantization techniques such as Linear Packing. Unlike Linear Packing, whose guaranteed precision rapidly degrades within the relatively narrow dynamic range of values that it can compress, Bit Grooming guarantees the specified precision throughout the full floating-point range. Data quantization by Bit Grooming is irreversible (i.e., lossy) yet transparent, meaning that no extra processing is required by data users/readers. Hence Bit Grooming can easily reduce data storage volume without sacrificing scientific precision or imposing extra burdens on users.
Simultaneous determination of seven kinds of carbamate pesticide residues in edible fungi by gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detector

Objective:To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 7 kinds of carbamate pesticides in edible fungi by gas chromatography with nitrogen phosphorus detector(GC-NPD).Methods: The samples were extracted by acetonitrile and cleaned with solid phase extraction.Seven kinds of carbamate pesticides in edible fungi including Metolcarb,Isoprocarb,Fenobucarb,Propoxur,Carbofuran,Pirimicarb,Carbaryl were determined by gas chromatograph with NPD after complete separation with DB-1701 capillary column via temperature programming.Results: The method separation effect is good.The recovery and the relative standard deviation of the method were 72.7%~83.6% and 2.1%~6.6%,respectively.The detection limit was 0.01 mg/kg~0.04 mg/kg.Conclusion: The method is sensitive,rapid,accurate and suitable for the simultaneous determination of carbamate pesticide residues in edible fungi.
Towards a unified framework for efficient access methods and query operations in spatio-temporal databases

Spatio-temporal databases are required to efficiently support queries on large numbers of continuously moving objects. In this thesis we propose three techniques to address this challenge. We develop the STRIPES indexing method, which indexes predicted trajectories in a dual transformed space. Trajectories for objects in d-dimensional space are transformed into points in 2d-dimensional space and are indexed with a hierarchical grid decomposition structure. STRIPES can evaluate a range of queries including time-slice, window, and moving queries. Extensive experimental evaluation shows that STRIPES is significantly faster than leading existing predicted trajectory index (the TPR*-tree) for both updates and queries. The All Nearest Neighbor (ANN) operation is a commonly used primitive for analyzing large multi-dimensional datasets. Traditional R*-tree based methods use a pruning metric called MAXMAXDIST, which allows the algorithms to prune nodes in the index that need not be examined during the ANN computation. We introduce a new pruning metric called NXNDIST, and show that this metric is far more effective than MAXMAXDIST. We also propose the MBRQT index structure, and using extensive experimental evaluation show that MBRQT offers better speedup in ANN computation than the commonly used R*-tree index. In addition, we present the MBA algorithm using depth-first index traversal and bi-directional node expansion. Furthermore, we extend our method to evaluate the more general All-k-Nearest-Neighbor (AkNN) operation. Traditional spatial and traditional temporal joins have been widely studied in the past, but there is very little work on the more complex problem of trajectory joins. We present a general framework called JiST, that introduces a broad class of trajectory join operations and offers a set of algorithms to efficiently evaluate these operations. We then introduce the notion of Trajectory Privacy, and show the application of the JiST framework in the context of privacy preservation. Finally, we present detailed experimental results that demonstrate the efficiency and scalability of the JiST join algorithms. To the best of our knowledge, JiST is the first comprehensive framework for complex trajectory join operations and paves the foundation for building a complex querying platform for emerging trajectory based applications.
A research-inspired and computer-guided clinical interview for mathematics assessment: introduction, reliability and validity

Formative assessment involves the gathering of information that can guide the teaching of individual or groups of children. This approach requires a sound understanding of children’s thinking and learning, as well as an effective method for gaining the information. We propose that formative assessment should employ a version of clinical interviewing, a flexible method for gaining insight into children’s thinking, and should be based on contemporary research. This paper describes a computer-guided form of Piaget’s clinical interview method which we developed for the formative assessment of young children’s mathematics learning. The research-based interview examines key aspects of mathematical thinking, such as meaningful strategies and concepts. This paper examines the reliability and validity of the method for Kindergarten through Grade 3. Findings indicate that the clinical interview measures the same kinds of overall mathematics constructs as do standardized tests but, unlike standard tests, provides detailed information concerning mathematical thinking. The computer-guided format makes the method easy to administer and, we argue, is invaluable for education.
Endophthalmitis in Immunocompromised and Diabetic Patients

Endophthalmitis is a serious condition in immunocompromised patients. Exogenous endophthalmitis that develops in the setting of ocular surgery, trauma, and corneal infections also occurs in immunocompromised hosts, sometimes more frequently than in immunocompetent individuals. More importantly, immunocompromised patients are at increased risk of developing endogenous endophthalmitis due to their weakened immune defense and susceptibility to bacteremia and fungemia. Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis is of particular concern because fungemia has a high mortality in this patient population. The diagnosis of endogenous endophthalmitis is suspected clinically, and antibiotics are often started empirically as soon as blood cultures are drawn. Intravitreal antibiotics, systemic antibiotics, and vitrectomy are utilized in combination based on the infection severity and response to initial treatments. Prognosis is variable depending on the virulence of the organism and the severity of the intraocular inflammation. In patients with HIV/AIDS, endophthalmitis is relatively rare compared with other ocular diseases. Patients with HIV who are intravenous drug users are at increased risk of endogenous endophthalmitis, and in these cases, fungal pathogens such as Candida and Aspergillus are the most common etiologies. In transplant patients on immunosuppressive therapies, endophthalmitis is also most commonly fungal, and pathogens include Candida, Aspergillus, Scedosporium, and Fusarium. Patients with rheumatologic conditions receiving immunosuppressive medications and patients with hematologic malignancies or asplenia are also at increased risk for endophthalmitis, either bacterial or fungal.
Leukocytic Alkaline Phosphatase: Behavior During Prolonged Incubation and Infection in Normal and Leukemic Leukocytes

1. Evidence of a marked difference in alkaline phosphatase activity in the leukocytes of normal subjects and individuals with chronic myelogenous leukemia has been provided by observations on the behavior of the enzyme following prolonged incubation and during pyogenic infection. 2. Therapy with radiation and radiomimetic drugs in chronic myelogenous leukemia and myeloid metaplasia resulted in a marked fall in leukocyte count but no change was observed in the relative population of alkaline phosphatase positive and negative cells. 3. In our laboratory histochemical and biochemical values for leukocyte alkaline phosphatase have been similar to those reported in the literature for typical cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia and most leukemoid reactions. However, in certain cases parodoxical findings have been noted in which histochemical and biochemical studies were inconsistent with the pathologic diagnosis. 4. The inadequacies of purely morphologic criteria in these atypical cases were noted and the desirability of the further development of cytochemical methods has been pointed out.
Productivity of Deserts

This chapter provides a detailed overview on productivity of deserts. Desert ecosystems are typically characterized by extremes, having the lowest standing biomasses, lowest primary productivities, and lowest precipitation inputs. Precipitation is the principal driver regulating primary productivity rates. Even though rainfall patterns are usually seasonal, these rains come as intermittent pulses, causing desert ecosystems to shift between inactive and active states, depending on soil moisture availability. Primary productivity rates within a desert ecosystem tend to be less than other ecosystems, with the productivity rate within a specific location being linear with precipitation inputs. However, the year-to-year primary productivity of a desert ecosystem is challenging to predict, because of high inter-annual variation in precipitation amounts compounded with human impact (usually grazing related) in many regions. Remote-sensing approaches may be a valuable tool for quantifying productivity in some arid-land ecosystems, where vegetation cover is sufficient. Not all perennial plants utilize moisture from the same soil layers, leading to interseasonal differences in the responsiveness of vegetation to biseasonal precipitation inputs. Biological crusts may be a key nitrogen source in many arid regions, and disruption of these crusts by grazing is suggested to be a contributing factor to decreased productivity in disturbed arid-land ecosystems.
New Factory Women in Time and Space

My interviewees revealed multiple reasons for migration. Their stories also showed that most of them made their own decision to migrate. Women migrant workers in Sicheng were specifically sought after by managers because they are unmarried women from rural Subei. This chapter tries to sort out the following puzzles: 1. What does Sicheng managers’ recruitment of Subei unmarried women workers tell us about the gender division of labour in silk production? What does it tell us about the meaning of silk production? 2. What does these unmarried women’s entry into industrial work tell us about the interplay of gender, kinship and family relations?
Smart optimal control of DC-DC boost converter in PV systems

Proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers are usually used to control DC-DC boost converters in PV systems. However, they have to be tuned based on certain defined operating range using averaged mathematical models. Loading conditions have great effect on PI controllers; PI controllers are subjected to failure under dramatic load changes. This limits the PI controller's operating range. Moreover, transient and steady state response both get affected by changing the operating range. This paper presents a novel smart-PID controller for optimal control of DC-DC boost converter used as voltage controller in PV systems. This proposed controller maximizes the stable operating range by using genetic algorithms (GA) to tune the PID parameters ultimately at various loading conditions. Then, a fuzzy logic approach is used to add a factor of intelligence to the controller such that it can move among different values of proportional gain (Kp), derivative gain (Kd) and integral gain (Ki) based on the system conditions. This controller allows optimal control of boost converter at any loading condition with no need to retune parameters or possibility of failure. Moreover, the paper presents a novel technique to move between the PI and PID configurations of the controller such that the minimum overshoot and ripple are obtained, which makes the controller very applicable for PV systems supplying sensitive loads. The controlled boost converter is used as an interface between photovoltaic (PV) panels and the loads connected to them. It converts any input voltage within its operating range into a constant output voltage that is suitable for load feeding. The proposed smart controller adapts the duty cycle of the boost converter based on input voltage and loading conditions such that it outputs a constant output voltage. A prototype system has been developed to verify the applicability of the proposed controller. Moreover, simulation and experimental results both confirm its validity as an effective and reliable controller for boost converters in PV systems and the possibility to use it in different applications.