cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Membrane bound guanylate cyclase in rat fat cell plasma membranes: influence of divalent cations on calcium activation.

Abstract Rat fat cell plasma membrane preparations were used to study the effect of Mn 2+ , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ on guanylate cyclase activity. Among these three cations, Mn 2+ was the most effective in activating the enzyme; Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ were 23% and 10% respectively as effective as Mn 2+ in activating the enzyme. Low concentrations of Ca 2+ (1 μM) increased the rate of cGMP formation at MgGTP concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 2 mM. This effect was less at higher concentrations of Ca 2+ and was independent of the presence of excess Mg 2+ . Ca 2+ (100 μM) had only a marginal stimulatory effect on the MnGTP-dependent enzyme.
Pemetrexed, a Novel Antifolate Therapeutic Alternative for Cancer Chemotherapy

Pemetrexed is a newly approved antifolate agent for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We performed a PubMed/MEDLINE database search to identify relevant literature from January 1966-April 2005. Bibliographies from identified references were searched as well, as were abstracts from the 2004 and 2005 proceedings of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. We discuss the pharmacology of pemetrexed, describing its mechanism of action and comparing it with methotrexate. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of pemetrexed are described to provide a better understanding of the properties of this drug. Therapeutic uses are assessed, beginning with the approved indications of MPM and NSCLC. However, pemetrexed has been studied in numerous phase II trials for other types of solid malignancies, and completed trials are reviewed. Data on adverse effects and drug interactions are also provided. Finally, dosing and administration are reviewed, including appropriate premedication. Premedication, including administration of steroids and vitamin supplements, has been shown to decrease the frequency and severity of pemetrexed toxicities. Pemetrexed should be used as a standard of care for unresectable MPM and recurrent metastatic NSCLC.
Sorting out the doctor's bag.

It is a p leasure to address this first scientific mee t ing of the Society for Clinical Trials. I congratulate Dr. Roth and the other m e m b e r s of the Board of Directors on hav ing founded , in so t imely a fashion, a new forum for discussion of impor t an t p rob lems . I r e m e m b e r our surpr ise at the popular i ty of the Nat ional Conference on Clinical Trials Methodo logy [1] held at NIH in 1977, and that, in his closing remarks at that meet ing , Dr. Roth emphasized the need for just such a society as this. The general re la t ionship of clinical trials to the organiza t ion of the doctor ' s bag is obv ious , and my title was chosen to allow me to sample a full range of ideas. First, t h o u g h a s I see so m a n y young faces in the aud ience 1 w o n d e r if e v e r y o n e knows what a doctor ' s bag is? In ancient t imes when doctors went on house calls, they carried black satchels conta in ing most of wha t was useful: d iagnost ic ins t ruments , bandages , and nos t rums. In m a n y cases, any th ing that could be done anywhere could be done in the home with the contents of the bag. Times have changed. The CAT scanner, the Anger camera, or the cardiac catheter izat ion labora tory cannot be c r a m m e d into a bag. Nor is there room for all the poten t drugs now useful in t reatment . The bag has become the medical center , replete with e q u i p m e n t tended by a corps of special ized technic ians . There are consu l tan t special is ts of eve ry type , shelves of medic ina l p repara t ions that dwind le into the dis tant dep ths of the pharmacy, and endless ancil lary services. The m o d e r n d o c t o r i n the u rban set t ing at l e a s t n o longer carries his bag. He moves a round inside it, and feels insecure w h e n ou t s ide its walls. It is no w o n d e r that house calls are becoming a rare recollection of ano ther age. Another consequence of the bu rgeon ing content of the doctor ' s bag is that medical costs are rising. They are r ising fast enough to have become a major focus of a t ten t ion in recent years. When it becomes technically poss ib le to do more for the pat ient , we feel compel led to do more, regardless
CsrA–FliW interaction governs flagellin homeostasis and a checkpoint on flagellar morphogenesis in Bacillus subtilis

Summary CsrA is a widely distributed RNA binding protein that regulates translation initiation and/or mRNA stability of target transcripts. CsrA activity is antagonized by sRNA(s) containing multiple CsrA binding sites in several Gram-negative bacterial species. Here we discover FliW, the first protein antagonist of CsrA activity that constitutes a partner switching mechanism to control flagellin synthesis in the Gram-positive organism Bacillus subtilis. Following the flagellar assembly checkpoint of hook completion, secretion of flagellin (Hag) releases FliW protein from a FliW-Hag complex. FliW then binds to CsrA and relieves CsrA-mediated translational repression of hag for flagellin synthesis concurrent with filament assembly. Thus, flagellin homeostatically restricts its own translation. Homeostatic autoregulation may be a general mechanism to precisely control structural subunits required at specific times and in finite amounts such as those involved in the assembly of flagella, type III secretion machines and pili. Finally, phylogenetic analysis suggests that CsrA, a highly pleiotropic virulence regulator in many bacterial pathogens, had an ancestral role in flagellar assembly and evolved to co-regulate various cellular processes with motility.
Selective toxicity of chlorpyrifos to several species of fish during an environmental exposure: Biochemical mechanisms

The organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos is frequently used for termite control. A small pond near a construction site was contaminated with chlorpyrifos via runoff resulting in the death of several species of fish including largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, and golden shiners, but not mosquitofish. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and aliesterases (AliE) was determined in the tissues of exposed fish and the presence of chlorpyrifos was confirmed in fish livers by analytical chemistry. Brain AChE was inhibited 87 to 93% in bass, bluegill, and shiners but only 73% in mosquitofish. Skeletal muscle AChE was inhibited 91 to 97% in bass, shiners, and mosquitofish but only 77% in bluegill. Liver AChE and AliE were inhibited greater than 90% in bass, shiners, and mosquitofish but in bluegill, the activities were inhibited only 86% and 77%, respectively. After 60 d, brain AChE activity in exposed mosquitofish was fully recovered, and liver AliE activity was recovered to about 50% of control values, but there was little recovery of skeletal muscle and liver AChE activities. The sensitivity of these enzymes to inhibition by chlorpyrifos-oxon was assessed by determination of 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50s). Mosquitofish brain and liver AChE and liver AliE were less sensitive to inhibition than the enzymes from the other species. In contrast, mosquitofish skeletal muscle AChE was more sensitive to inhibition compared to the other species. The lower inhibition of mosquitofish brain AChE and the lower in vitro sensitivity of mosquitofish brain AChE to inhibition by chlorpyrifos-oxon compared to the brain AChE of the other species suggest that the species difference in toxicity exhibited in this exposure resulted primarily from species differences in the sensitivity of brain AChE to inhibition by chlorpyrifos-oxon.
Low Basal Levels of Cortisol Distinguish Detoxified Alcoholics With Major Depressive Disorder from non‐MDDs

Basal plasma levels of cortisol and its suppression by dexamethasone were measured in 60 inpatient alcoholics 12-13 days after detoxification. Both hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal system parameters were essentially within normal limits in most patients--those who did not meet criteria for major depressive disorder (n = 43) as well as those who met criteria for MDD per their episode (n-17). Basal levels of cortisol below 7 micrograms/dl distinguished alcoholics without MDD from those who met criteria for MDD per current episodes.
Spatial scalable HDTV coding

In this paper, we discuss the coding strategy when a two-layer digital HDTV service is considered. We propose to use-three different strategies in performing compression to yield the best quality based on the respective requirements on bandwidth, picture quality and efficiency. These three modes are as follows. Strategy A: if the bandwidth for the enhancement layer is not sufficient to achieve high quality, the base layer encoder should perform the compression at a reduced spatial resolution using the combined bandwidth. The top layer video signal will be obtained from upsampling the base layer. Strategy B: if the bandwidth is sufficient to support quality requirements at both layers, the typical two-layer spatial scalable coding scheme is used. Strategy C: if the quality requirement at the top layer is critical, a single layer compression at a full spatial resolution is used. To receive the low resolution signal, certain bit stream scaling can be used to get a usable quality signal. A theoretical qualitative analysis gives an insight of our experimental results. Such a strategy is useful in designing future HDTV services for television sets with different capabilities, resolutions and complexities. The results are also applicable to the problem of HDTV/standard TV compatibility.
Invidious Comparisons: Imagining a Psychology of Race and Gender Beyond Differences

Within psychology there is a longstanding debate concerning whether large, fundamental differences between races and genders exist. Much of this research involves comparisons that are invidious (offensively discriminating) and supports a political ideology in which members of different groups are held to be fundamentally different, alien, and therefore destined to different spheres. In this paper, specific factors are identified that make research on group differences more likely to produce distorted and partial findings. In addition, studies are cited whose methodological strategies offer insight into the processes that create and maintain group differences. Such research may illuminate not only the differences between groups, but also the very meaning of group categories. The process of scholarly peer review should become sensitive to the features that make comparisons invidious, so as to incorporate them into the criteria used to evaluate research.
Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging of Cortical Gray and White Matter in Schizophrenia

Objective To apply in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging estimates of N -acetylaspartate (NAA), a neuronal marker, to clarify the relative contribution of neuronal and glial changes to the widespread volume deficit of cortical gray matter seen in patients with schizophrenia with magnetic resonance images. Methods Ten male veterans meeting criteria of the DSM-IV, for schizophrenia and 9 healthy age-matched men for comparison were scanned using spectroscopic, anatomical, and field-map sequences. Instrument and collection variables were standardized to allow an estimation of comparable values for NAA, choline, and creatine for all subjects. Metabolite values from each voxel on 3 upper cortical slices were regressed against the gray tissue proportion of that voxel to derive estimates of gray and white matter NAA, creatine, and choline concentrations. Results The volume of cortical gray matter was reduced in patients with schizophrenia, but NAA signal intensity from a comparable region was normal. In contrast, the volume of cortical white matter was normal in patients with schizophrenia, but NAA signal intensity from a comparable region was reduced. Conclusions The lack of reduction in gray matter NAA signal intensity suggests that the cortical gray matter deficit in these patients involved both neuronal and glial compartments rather than a neurodegenerative process in which there is a decrease in the neuronal relative to the glial compartment. Reduced white matter NAA signal intensity without a white matter volume deficit may reflect abnormal axonal connections.
The Hang-Over Effect in Information-Intensive Service Systems

The literature on the business value of enterprise information systems is replete with stories of dramatic successes and colossal failures. Often some applications of a software system deliver benefits while its other applications do not. It is therefore not clear how these complex systems deliver benefits beyond the general argument of labor to capital substitution and why their impacts are unpredictable. We discuss a newly discovered factor that partly explains this unpredictability - the "Hang-over" effect. We report the results of a long-term empirical study that looked at the implementation of a newly developed Radiology Information System (RIS) at a regional network of radiology clinics. We show that the hang-over effect explains why the same system produced a beneficial impact on one modality (mammography) and a negligible impact on another (MRI), and that it also explains why an information system does not produce similar benefits across modalities or across customer classes.
Strangers at home: comment on Dirkzwager, Bramsen, Adèr, and van der Ploeg (2005).

This comment summarizes the findings of the article by A. J. E. Dirkzwager, I. Bramsen, H. Ader, and H. M. van der Ploeg (2005; see record 2005-06518-006) and notes that it can serve as a reawakening about the immediate and long-term psychosocial consequences of war, not only for those troops who are deployed but also for the loved ones who await their return. The lessons learned once again--that the mental health of the returning peacekeeper parallels that of his or her partner, that partners of traumatized soldiers report more posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, somatic and sleep problems, negative social support, and low marital morale than partners of nontraumatized soldiers--are consistent with systemic traumatology theory. This comment traces the historical and theoretical foundations that underlie the concept of secondary trauma (i.e., compassion fatigue) and discusses the implications for family psychology practice in helping veterans and their families recover from their ordeals.
ELASTIC WEAK P-P ASYMMETRY AND SHORT RANGE INTERACTIONS

The energy dependence of the low-energy weak elastic proton-proton asymmetry in the Hybrid Quark Hadron model is opposite to that in conventional hadronic models. This can provide a test for quark cluster vs conventional models of short-range nuclear structure and reactions.
Learning domain-specific control knowledge from random walks

We describe and evaluate a system for learning domain-specific control knowledge. In particular, given a planning domain, the goal is to output a control policy that performs well on "long random walk" problem distributions. The system is based on viewing planning domains as very large Markov decision processes and then applying a recent variant of approximate policy iteration that is bootstrapped with a new technique based on random walks. We evaluate the system on the AIPS-2000 planning domains (among others) and show that often the learned policies perform well on problems drawn from the long–random-walk distribution. In addition, we show that these policies often perform well on the original problem distributions from the domains involved. Our evaluation also uncovers limitations of our current system that point to future challenges.
Duration of fungal culture incubation in an area endemic for Histoplasma capsulatum

To determine the optimum incubation period for recovery of fungi from clinical specimens in an area where Histoplasma capsulatum is endemic, we reviewed the results of 4259 consecutive fungal cultures. Of the total 1306 fungi isolated, 92.6% were detected by day 7, and 97.9% were detected by day 14. For the 1027 yeast isolates, only 1.4% were detected after day 7, none of which was considered clinically significant. Of the 281 mould isolates, 91.1% were detected by day 14; and of those detected after day 14, only isolates of H. capsulatum were considered clinically significant. An incubation protocol based on type of specimen is suggested.
Computers, systems theory, and the making of a wired hospital: A history of Technicon Medical Information System, 1964–1987

This paper investigates the controversy surrounding the systems approach in medicine, contributing to the body of literature on systems and information technology in civilian contexts. Specifically, the paper follows the design and implementation of a hospital information system at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, California, in the 1960s and 1970s. The case study suggests that while many considered “people problems” like healthcare too complex for the systems approach, in fact it could have positive results if system engineers could translate social concerns about medicine into business and organizational strategies. This paper identifies the ways systems designers approached an organization characterized by autonomy rather than collaboration, craft rather than science, and charity rather than business, and helped to redefine that organization as one that emphasized rationality, efficiency, and the coexistence of man and machine. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structure of the De‐O‐acetylated glucuronoxylomannan from Cryptococcus neoformans serotype D, as determined by 2D NMR spectroscopy

The primary structure of the de-O-acetylated glucuronoxylomannan isolated from Cryptococcus neoformans serotype D was characterized de novo by NMR spectroscopy. Assignment of the 1H and 13C spectra of the polysaccharide involved a combination of 2D NMR experiments including double-quantum-filtered {1H,1H} COSY, {1H,1H} TOCSY and 1H-detected {1H,13C} heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence spectroscopy. The sequence of the glycosyl residues, including the linkage positions, was deduced by {1H,1H} rotating-frame NOE (ROESY) spectroscopy. The serotype-D glucuronoxylomannan was found to be a branched polymer with a repeating pentasaccharide unit of the following structure: .
Consumer governance may harm health center financial performance.

Introduction: Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), which must be governed by a patient majority, have historically struggled to remain financially viable while caring for a disproportionately low-income and uninsured population. Consumer governance is credited with making FQHCs responsive to community needs, but to the extent that patient trustees resemble the typical low-income FQHC patient, patient trustees might lack the capacity to govern, harming financial performance as a result. Thus, this study sought to empirically evaluate the relationship between FQHC board composition and financial performance. Methods: Using data from years 2002-2007 of the Uniform Data System and the Area Resource File, and years 2003-2006 of FQHC grant applications, FQHC operating margin was modeled as a function of board and executive committee composition, the interaction between them, general time trends, other FQHC and county-level factors, and FQHC-level fixed effects. Trustees were classified as representative ...
Automatic network modeling, simulation and performance evaluation

Simulation tools improves the designer's understanding of the system beyond what intuition or analytical models alone can provide. We present, NAMS an automated approach for communication networks modeling, simulation, and performance evaluation to provide an easy-to-use, flexible simulation tool for rapidly constructing a variety of "complete" network models. NAMS receives the configuration of the network to be modeled or simulated in a specific format, uses the built-in models for the key hardware devices and protocols in a network simulation tool, puts these models together using programming interfaces to form a high level network model representing the received network configuration compiles the network model into an executable simulation generates the simulation environment, generates an appropriate performance evaluation methodology, executes the simulation, and reports the performance indices back to the system operator. NAMS is intended to be open ended to the extent that new technology/protocol options can be introduced into the system without significant effort.
Pounding a Final Stake in the Heart of the Invidiously Discriminatory 'Pervasively Sectarian' Test

This article traces the rise of the “pervasively sectarian” test in the U. S. Supreme Court from its inception in Lemon, through Hunt, Meek, Roemer, Wolman, Regan, Mueller, Aguilar, and School District of Grand Rapids v. Ball. The article then traces its descent in Witters, Bowen, Zobrest, Agostini, and Mitchell v. Helms. The article then examines the confusion in the post-Mitchell cases as to the continued vitality of the pervasively sectarian test, briefly analyzes the Executive Branch’s perspective on the test, and concludes by examining the Tenth Circuit’s solution in the Colorado Christian University case.
Abstract WP307: Administration of Tissue Plasminogen Activator to Patients with Spontaneous ICH Does Not Lead to an Increase in Perihematomal Edema

INTRODUCTION: In patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), blood toxicity leading to perihematomal edema (PHE) is a major concern. Some observations suggest the possibility that administering tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) increases neurotoxicity and therefore PHE. With reports linking PHE to clinical deterioration and death in hemorrhagic stroke patients, it is important to further investigate any relation between PHE and tPA. We hypothesized that treatment with tPA would show increased levels of edema when compared to surgical aspiration alone. Methods: Minimally Invasive Surgery plus Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Evacuation (MISTIE) is a multi-center, prospective, randomized trial testing the safety and efficacy of hematoma evacuation after spontaneous ICH compared to medical management. Study interventions were consistently applied in a protocol-based manner across all study sites. We conducted a semi-automated, computerized volumetric analysis on CT imaging to assess the effect of tPA toxicity on PHE. CT scans were assessed for ICH and PHE volumes at two time points: T1, pre-enrollment, and T2, end of treatment. Results: Out of 123 patients enrolled, 79 patients in the surgical arm were treated in two respects, 69 received surgical aspiration followed by administration of tPA (S+tPA), and 10 received surgical aspiration only (SO). There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in enrollment GCS, intraventricular involvement, time from symptom onset to T1 or T2, baseline ICH volume, or baseline PHE volume. A slight age difference was seen between the two groups: SO, 68.90±9.2; and S+tPA, 59.43±11.4 (p-value=0.01). Both treatment cohorts achieved similar blood clot reduction: S+tPA, 18.94±14.5 cc; and SO, 24.51±14.0 cc (p-value= 0.26). The mean amount of edema at T2 in patients treated with S+tPA was 28.15±13.8 cc while patients treated with SO was 24.38 ±8.6 cc, showing no exacerbation of edema in either group (p-value=0.41). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate perihematomal edema is not altered by tPA, making neurotoxicity of tPA unlikely when the drug is delivered to intracranial clot.
When Do American Judges Enforce Treaties

This paper advances a theory of judicial treaty interpretation and enforcement in the American legal system. Today, the doctrine of self-execution dominates the study of judicial enforcement of treaties in U.S. courts. This paper, based on an extensive study of the record of treaty practice in U.S. courts, suggests a different analysis. Treaty enforcement has in practice varied on who judges are asked to enforce a treaty against - the party alleged to be in breach - whether States, the Executive, or Congress. This paper shows this pattern thorough the history of U.S. treaty practice.
Computational studies of Lewis acidities of tris(fluorophenyl)-substituted boranes: an additive relationship between Lewis acidity and fluorine position.

Computational studies of the binding energies of all possible tris(fluoroaryl)boranes B(C6HxF5–x)3 to NMe3 and PMe3 show that they (and by extension, the Lewis acidities of the boranes) can be tuned to a sizable range of values through judicious placement of fluorines. This holds despite the fact that the B–X bond distance changes little regardless of substitution, save when the aryl ring is 2,6-disubstituted. Fluorine substitution appears to affect the binding energies additively. Least-squares regression finds substitution at the 2-position to increase the binding energy by ca. 13 kcal·mol–1, while substitution at the 3- and 5-positions increases it by ca. 3 kcal·mol–1. Substitution at the 4-position has little to no impact, while substitution at the 6-position decreases the binding energy by ca. 3–6 kcal·mol–1. The last observation arises from steric congestion because the 6-position can only be substituted in tandem with substitution at the 2-position. Models suggest that the pattern arises from polar...
A Decade of Change Roper v. Simmons, Defending Childhood, and Juvenile Justice Policy

In the last decade, juvenile justice has emerged with more compassion and child-focused policies. During this time, crime decreased, successful strategies for prevention and intervention were ident...
College student marijuana involvement: Perceptions, use, and consequences across 11 college campuses.

Abstract Background Marijuana is currently the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States, and with the movement toward legalization of recreational marijuana, the country faces numerous issues regarding policy, prevention, and treatment of marijuana use. The present study examines the prevalence of marijuana use and consequences and compares users and non-users on a wide range of other marijuana-related constructs among college students across 11 universities. Method Participants included 8141 college students recruited from the psychology department participant pools of 11 universities throughout the US, including four major regions of the US (West, South, Midwest, Northeast) and states with varying policies regarding the legality of marijuana use. Results We observed marijuana use rates similar to representative samples of young adults and college students (i.e., 53.3% lifetime marijuana users, 26.2% past month marijuana users). About 1 in 10 past month marijuana users experienced no consequences from their use, whereas nearly 1 in 10 experienced 19 or more consequences. Lifetime marijuana users had more positive perceptions of marijuana compared to non-users on a wide-range of marijuana-related constructs. Conclusions We report descriptive statistics on a wide range of marijuana-related variables. We hope that these data provide a useful baseline prior to increased legalization of recreational marijuana use. Multi-site studies like this one are needed to study the risky and protective factors for problematic marijuana use. These findings can inform interventions and public policy.
SEC and FRB Treatment of Options: An Experiment in Market Regulation

The Chicago Board Options Exchange (“CBOE”) provided the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) with an opportunity to exercise regulatory rules to protect the public and economy. The options market was an appropriate testing ground, as options presented complex and untested risks in the broader securities market. Before the CBOE attempted to add security and balance, options existed in an unorganized and underfinanced market. The market needed to expand. However, the SEC was faced with a few problems of its own making. Rule 9b-1 undermined the SEC’s regulatory intent by providing loopholes that would leave it powerless to intervene in any necessary or meaningful way if the regulatory scheme proved ineffective. Rule 9b-2, on the other hand, failed to guarantee that the required customer disclosure was sufficient. The SEC proposed regulations that would provide information to customers in a way that helped them make trade decisions. The disclosures required that investors be capable of evaluating the supplied information and understand the risks before the trade. In contrast, the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) has responded with rigid prohibitions. The FRB excluded the call from covering short trades and arbitrage maneuvers, although it has not rejected similar uses of warrants. The FRB should reconsider its ruling that calls are not securities so that the SEC may continue to develop a needed market injecting revenue into a depressed economy.
ε - WGX: Adaptive Edge Probing for Enhancing Incomplete Networks

No matter how meticulously constructed, network datasets are often partially observed and incomplete. For example, most of the publicly available data from online social networking services (such as Facebook and Twitter) are collected via apps, users who make their accounts public, and/or the resources available to the researcher/practitioner. Such incompleteness can lead to inaccurate findings. We introduce the Adaptive Edge Probing problem. Suppose that one has observed a networked phenomenon via some form of sampling and has a budget to enhance the incomplete network by asking for additional information about specific nodes, with the ultimate goal of obtaining the most valuable information about the network as a whole. Which nodes should be further explored? We present e-WGX, a network-based explore-exploit algorithm for identifying which nodes in the incomplete network to probe. Aggregated over multiple datasets and a wide range of probing budgets, we find that e-WGX outperforms other explore-exploit strategies and baseline probing strategies. For example, for the task of adding as many nodes as possible, over incomplete networks observed via four popular sampling methods, e-WGX outperforms the best comparison strategy by 12%-23% on average.
Bayesian specification learning for finding API usage errors

We present a Bayesian framework for learning probabilistic specifications from large, unstructured code corpora, and then using these specifications to statically detect anomalous, hence likely buggy, program behavior. Our key insight is to build a statistical model that correlates all specifications hidden inside a corpus with the syntax and observed behavior of programs that implement these specifications. During the analysis of a particular program, this model is conditioned into a posterior distribution that prioritizes specifications that are relevant to the program. The problem of finding anomalies is now framed quantitatively, as a problem of computing a distance between a "reference distribution" over program behaviors that our model expects from the program, and the distribution over behaviors that the program actually produces. We implement our ideas in a system, called Salento, for finding anomalous API usage in Android programs. Salento learns specifications using a combination of a topic model and a neural network model. Our encouraging experimental results show that the system can automatically discover subtle errors in Android applications in the wild, and has high precision and recall compared to competing probabilistic approaches.
The Evolution of the Evolutionary Idea

Who am I? Where am I? Who are you? Why are we here? These are some of the existential questions humans have asked since leaving the blissful state of undifferentiated subconsciousness of “oneness with nature” and “oneness with wholeness.” At the dawn of consciousness, Homo sapiens sapiens (HSS) took the first step into the world of self-reflection about the “I and thou,” “we and others,” and “we and nature.” This separation from nature and from “oneness with wholeness” marked the critical point of transcending “biological evolution” and entering the path of “cultural evolution.” After dozing in a faint dawn of preconsciousness for several million years, “we humans finally awakened into the stark sunlight of life and discovered that we are here—‘the flat fact’—of our existence.
Heuristic Processing in Organizational Judgments

Traditional information processing models (e.g., Greenwald, 1968) have often assumed that perceivers process information in an effortful, systematic fashion. Several authors (Chaiken, 1987; Fiske & Neuberg, 1990; Petty & Cacioppo, 1979) have suggested, however, that in many contexts (e.g., when individuals have low motivation or limited cognitive resources), people form judgments with a minimum of information processing. In these contexts, perceivers rely heavily on heuristics or social categories as a basis for judgments.
Clinical Variability of the Gouty Diathesis

Gouty arthritis with or without tophaceous deposits and uric acid nephrolithiasis are the clinical manifestations of hyperuricemia known collectively as the gouty diathesis. While the pathogenesis of hyperuricemia may involve either a primary (genetic) or secondary abnormality of uric acid metabolism, the incidence and severity of the clinical manifestations have been related to two other factors, the magnitude and the duration of hyperuricemia1 However, recent investigations into the pathogenesis of gouty arthritis have demonstrated that both soluble and cellular mediators of the inflammatory process are important in the pathogenesis of the articular inflammation associated with monosodium urate (MSU) crystals2. The relationship of these factors to those previously shown to be of importance in the pathogenesis of gouty arthritis has not been clarified. However, they introduce new variables which potentially are of significance in determining the eventual clinical manifestations of hyperuricemia. This report concerns an 83 year-old patient who noted the gradual appearance of multiple tophaceous deposits over a period of at least 20 years, yet had never experienced an attack of gouty arthritis.
The Effect of Equipment Bandwidth and Center Frequency Changes on Ultrasonic Inspection Reliability: Are Model Results too Conservative? (a)

Reliable detection and sizing of material defects, which have been found in nuclear reactor piping and pressure vessels, has been shown [1,2] to be greatly affected by changing components of ultrasonic inservice inspection (UT/ISI) systems. The work reported here, in conjunction with our previous work [3–5], focuses on: providing a more rigorous analysis of equipment interaction and establishing a technical basis for current standards [6] for equipment operating tolerances which, before this work, were based on engineering judgement.
Assessment and Evaluation of Visually Handicapped Students.

The assessment of behavior patterns and levels of functioning of visually handicapped students is essential for establishing effective educational programs. This article discusses the factors in fo...
The Sweet Taste of Acarbose and Maltotriose: Relative Detection and Underlying Mechanism

Although sweet-tasting saccharides possess similar molecular structures, their relative sweetness often varies to a considerable degree. Current understanding of saccharide structure/sweetness interrelationships is limited. Understanding how certain structural features of saccharides and/or saccharide analogs correlate to their relative sweetness can provide insight on the mechanisms underlying sweetness potency. Maltotriose is a short-chain glucose-based oligosaccharide, which we recently reported to elicit sweet taste. Acarbose, an α-glucosidase inhibitor, is a pseudo-saccharide that has an overall resemblance to a glucose-based oligosaccharide and thus may be viewed as a structural analog. During other studies, we recognized that acarbose can also elicit sweet taste. Here, we formally investigated the underlying taste detection mechanism of acarbose, while confirming our previous findings for maltotriose. We found that subjects could detect the sweet taste of acarbose and maltotriose in aqueous solutions but were not able to detect them in the presence of a sweet taste inhibitor lactisole. These findings support that both are ligands of the human sweet taste receptor, hT1R2/hT1R3. In a separate experiment, we measured the relative sweetness detection of acarbose, maltotriose, and other sweet-tasting mono- and disaccharides (glucose, fructose, maltose, and sucrose). Whereas maltotriose was found to have a similar discriminability profile to glucose and maltose, the discriminability of acarbose matched that of fructose at the concentrations tested (18, 32, and 56 mM). These findings are discussed in terms of how specific molecular features (e.g., degree of polymerization and monomer composition) may contribute to the relative sweetness of saccharides.
Pore-Scale Modeling and Simulation in Shale Gas Formations

Abstract Pore-scale modeling is essential for understanding the transport and storage mechanisms of hydrocarbons in shale formations, as well as the estimation of petrophysical properties, the prediction of long-term hydrocarbon production, and reserve estimation. It is well-known that organic-rich shale formations consist of numerous nanometer-sized pores ranging from 1 nm to several hundred nanometers. Transport, storage, and phase behavior of hydrocarbons in nanoscale shale pores behave significantly different to that in conventional rock pores due to the effects of extreme confinement and dynamic adsorption/desorption. To overcome the challenges in traditional laboratory experiments, pore-scale modeling and simulation have become an alternative and feasible way to characterize the petrophysical and fluid properties in shale. This chapter discusses the hydrocarbon transport and storage mechanisms in shale nanopores, pore-scale modeling approaches, and predicted properties based on simulation results. This chapter is not a detailed review of the pore-scale approaches in terms of model developments and simulation setups but aims to establish a basic overview of the applicability of a couple of commonly used pore-scale methods in shale formations. We focus on two microscopic-scale approaches, i.e., Monte Carlo simulation and Molecular Dynamics simulation approaches, and one mesoscopic approach, i.e., the lattice Boltzmann method, as well as their applications in shale nanopores.
Confronting ideologies: A discourse analysis of in-service teachers’ translanguaging stance through an ecological lens

This study considers the potential for translanguaging to disrupt monolingual ideologies through development of in-service teachers’ (ISTs) translanguaging stance. Using discourse analysis, we exam...
Shared dysregulation of long non-coding RNA and developmental gene networks in histone H3 K27M gliomas and PF-A ependymomas.

e21523Background: Diffuse pediatric gliomas harboring a Histone-H3 K27M mutation are more aggressive than H3-wild type gliomas and demonstrate global hypomethylation at the K27 residue1. As a resul...
Electromechanical Impedance Method for Applications in Boundary Condition Replication

One of the most challenging parts of modeling structural dynamics is realistically replicating boundary conditions from either a theoretical or experimental perspective. In a finite element model, the mechanical impedance of bolted joints in an assembly can be modeled, as a first step, as an equivalent spring-damper connection. For relatively simple systems, the parameters of such an approximation are updated such that the dynamic characteristics of the model match with the jointed structure. When the assembled structure is in an operational environment, joints are one of the first components of the assembly to change their dynamic characteristics. As a result, identifying a change in their dynamics and further keeping track of the changes is burdensome. Additionally, if a change is detected, it is equally difficult to modify the structure to its previous state without exhaustive testing.
Buckling of aboveground storage tanks subjected to storm surge and wave loads

Abstract This study investigates the buckling behavior of aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) subjected to storm surge and wave loads during hurricane events and explores the importance of dynamic effects on the buckling behavior. First, a computational fluid dynamics model is developed to estimate water pressures on ASTs subjected to wave loads. The modeling assumptions of this model are also validated with experimental data. Next, a methodology is presented to perform dynamic buckling analysis of ASTs subjected to surge and wave loads by adapting procedures commonly used for ASTs subjected to wind or seismic loads; the methodology is illustrated with a case study AST located in the Houston Ship Channel. For comparison, static buckling analyses are also performed to determine the significance of dynamic effects. Lastly, design of experiments principles and regression analyses are employed to investigate the effects of varying AST and loading parameters on the buckling behavior and the relative importance of dynamic effects. Results indicate that wave loads can significantly affect the buckling behavior of ASTs subjected to storm surge and need to be considered, while the dynamic effects induced by waves have a negligible influence on the buckling strength of ASTs. Simpler and computationally inexpensive static buckling analysis provides reasonable estimates for ASTs subjected to surge and waves. However, dynamic buckling analysis might still be required if the objective is to assess the post-buckling behavior of ASTs subjected to waves, rather than only to estimate the critical load.
Optimized-Eight-State CV-QKD Protocol Outperforming Gaussian Modulation Based Protocols

In this paper, an optimized-eight-state CV-QKD protocol is proposed significantly outperforming previously introduced discrete modulation (DM) protocols as well as the corresponding Gaussian modulation (GM)-based CV-QKD protocols for practical reconciliation efficiencies values in terms of both secret-key rate (SKR) and achievable distance. The proposed CV-QKD protocol also outperforms, in terms of SKR, the corresponding high-cost single-photon DV-QKD scheme, employing an array of multiplexed single-photon detectors, for several orders of magnitude. We also describe a generalized RF-assisted CV-QKD scheme with heterodyne detection applicable to arbitrary DM scheme, insensitive to the laser phase noise and frequency offset fluctuations.
Perspectives on spin hydrodynamics in ferromagnetic materials

Abstract The field of spin hydrodynamics aims to describe magnetization dynamics from a fluid perspective. For ferromagnetic materials, there is an exact mapping between the Landau-Lifshitz equation and a set of dispersive hydrodynamic equations. This analogy provides ample opportunities to explore novel magnetization dynamics and magnetization states that can lead to potential applications that rely entirely on magnetic materials, for example, long-distance transport of information. This article provides an overview of the theoretical foundations of spin hydrodynamics and their physical interpretation in the context of spin transport. We discuss other proposed applications for spin hydrodynamics as well as our view on challenges and future research directions.
Tacrolimus Levels after Direct Acting Anti-Viral Therapy in Hepatitis C Heart Transplantation

Purpose Hepatitis C (HCV) organs have been increasingly utilized in solid organ transplantation since the advent of curative direct acting anti-viral (DAA) therapy. Despite the adoption of this strategy, many unanswered questions remain regarding the management of immunosuppression. In two small case series of liver transplant recipients, tacrolimus concentrations have been shown to decrease with clearance of HCV viremia. We seek to describe our experience and clinical implications in our cardiac transplant population. Methods We adopted the strategy of HCV cardiac transplantation followed by curative treatment in February of 2018. We analyzed the change in tacrolimus levels after DAA therapy in those who developed viremic HCV after receiving an HCV organ. Immunosuppression regimens were not altered for these patients from standard of care, which includes no induction therapy, corticosteroid taper by 6 months, and tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil as tolerated. Drug levels of tacrolimus were collected, as were clinical outcomes inclusive of infection, rejection and death. Results Twenty of twenty six NAT+/HCV+ patients experienced a decrease in tacrolimus levels with treatment, from a mean of 11.6 to a mean of 6.5 after HCV treatment. This decrease occurred towards the end of treatment and did not correspond with changes in tacrolimus dosing or other immunosuppressive agents. When compared to the non-HCV transplant population (n=37), no change in outcomes were observed. Conclusion Treatment of HCV after transplantation may be correlated with increased metabolism, resulting in more rapid clearance of tacrolimus. Careful monitoring of drug levels and graft function is recommended as HCV organs are increasingly utilized. Further investigation into the clinical implications of these metabolic changes is warranted.
Short communication: Comparison of long-acting or conventional growth implants on growth performance in steers grazed for 180 days

Abstract Steers are often implanted with androgenic and/or estrogenic hormones to repartition nutrients to increase protein synthesis while increasing feed efficiency and profitability. Long-acting implants with 200 d of activity are available that may simplify multi-implant regimens and reduce labor costs and cattle handling. The purpose of this study was to determine if steers grazing wheat pasture for 180 d and implanted with a long-acting implant containing 150 mg trenbolone acetate and 21 mg estradiol benzoate in a novel, coated formulation (Synovex ONE Grass [SYN]) would increase growth performance compared to steers implanted with either Ralgro (RAL) or Revalor G (REV-G). Crossbred beef steers (n = 345; BW = 252 ± 1.9 kg) were stratified by BW and allocated randomly to 1 of 3 implant treatments (SYN, RAL, or REV-G) based on d -1 BW in a completely randomized design. On d 0, calves were administered the treatment implant according to label. Steers were grazed as a single group and rotated according to forage availability for 180 d on wheat pastures. Body weights were recorded on d -1, 0, 90, 180, and 181. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedures of SAS with calf serving as the experimental unit with significance declared at P ≤ 0.05. Final BW were not different (P = 0.26; SE = 2.7 kg) between treatments; however, BW were numerically greater in SYN (406 kg) steers compared to RAL (400 kg) and REV-G (401 kg) steers. Average daily gain from d 0 to 90 tended to be greater (P = 0.08) in RAL and REV-G steers compared to SYN. Synovex ONE Grass (1.14 kg/d) ADG from d 90 to 180 was greater (P
Experiences and Perceptions of Rural Alaskan General Educators: Implications for Preparation in Inclusive Practices:

Special Education policy provides for the involvement and progress of students with disabilities in general education programs. Inclusionary educational practices are impacted not only by the skill...
$p$-Adic Brownian Motion is a Scaling Limit

We prove that $p$-adic Brownian motion is a scaling limit of an unscaled discrete time random walk. Our proof extends the classical result in the real setting to any Brownian motion that has a Vladimirov operator as its infinitesimal generator.