cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the application of uniform linear array bearing estimation techniques to uniform circular array

The problem of estimating the directions of arrivals of narrowband plane waves impinging on a uniform circular array with M identical sensors uniformly distributed around a circle is considered. It is shown that root MUSIC and other estimation algorithms which were designed to work with linear arrays can be applied to a circular array. Simulation experiments were conducted to compare the results of applying root MUSIC, MUSIC, and minimum norm to the transformed outputs of a 23-element circular array of radius 5 lambda /2 pi with those that are obtained by applying MUSIC and minimum norm to the array outputs directly. >
Recognition of Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Ten percent of the population abuses drugs or alcohol, and 20 percent of patients seen by family physicians have substance-abuse problems, excluding tobacco use. These patients can be identified by relying on regular screening or a high index of suspicion based on "red flags" that can be noted in various clinical situations. The modified CAGE questionnaire is an excellent screening instrument, but several alternatives are available. The best screening test is one that the physician will routinely use well. Laboratory indicators such as gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, mean corpuscular volume, and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin are nonspecific but can add to the evidence of alcohol abuse. If problem alcohol use is diagnosed, even brief physician advice can be helpful. If the problem has progressed to addiction, referral to an addiction specialist or treatment center is recommended. Special issues arise in dealing with substance abuse in adolescents, elderly patients, and patients with mental illness, but the family physician can play an important role in recognizing this common problem.
Rebound coagulopathy in patients with snakebite presenting with marked initial coagulopathy.

Objective An estimated 70% of patients with pit viper snakebites require antivenom to treat serious complications such as coagulopathy. Evidence-based guidance is limited for the appropriate administration of Crotalinae Polyvalent Immune Fab (FabAV) and the duration of laboratory follow-up. The objective of our study was to assess the incidence of marked and recurrent envenomation coagulopathy at our trauma center and identify practice patterns that may prevent serious complications. Methods A retrospective case review was conducted over a 3-year period on patients treated for symptomatic snakebite injury. Case records were reviewed for the inclusion criteria of international normalized ratio (INR) greater than 2.0. The exclusion criterion was limited to patients receiving anticoagulant therapy. Results In all, 61 patients were identified on retrospective chart review and 3 patients (4.9%) met inclusion criteria. Two of the 3 patients had marked rebound coagulopathy requiring readmission and additional treatment. In our small series, 2 patients presenting after crotaline envenomation with increased INR (>6.0), decreased fibrinogen ( Conclusions We recommend periodic monitoring of patients with increased INR, decreased fibrinogen, and decreased platelet count. Patients should be monitored for 10 to 14 days after envenomation to identify asymptomatic rebound coagulopathy. Prompt readministration of FabAV appears to correct the coagulopathy.
Coulombic free energy and salt ion association per phosphate of all-atom models of DNA oligomer: dependence on oligomer size

We investigate how the coulombic Gibbs free energy and salt ion association per phosphate charge of DNA oligomers vary with oligomer size (i.e. number of charged residues |ZD|) at 0.15 M univalent salt by non-linear Poisson Boltzmann (NLPB) analysis of all-atom DNA models. Calculations of these quantities (Gcoulu, ncoulu) are performed for short and long double-stranded (ds) and single-stranded (ss) DNA oligomers, ranging from 4 to 118 phosphates (ds) and from 2 to 59 phosphates (ss). Behaviors of Gcoulu and ncoulu as functions of |ZD| provide a measure of the range of the coulombic end effect and determine the size of an oligomer at which an interior region with the properties (per charge) of the infinite-length polyelectrolyte first appears. This size (10–11 phosphates at each end for ds DNA and 6–9 for ss DNA at 0.15 M salt) is in close agreement with values obtained previously by Monte Carlo and NLPB calculations for cylindrical models of polyions, and by analysis of binding of oligocations to DNA oligomers. Differences in Gcoulu and in ncoulu between ss and ds DNA are used to predict effects of oligomeric size and salt concentration on duplex stability in the vicinity of 0.15 M salt. Results of all-atom calculations are compared with results of less structurally detailed models and with experimental data.
On the radius of convergence of cascaded analytic nonlinear systems

A complete analysis is presented of the radius of convergence of the cascade connection of two analytic nonlinear input-output systems represented as Fliess operators. Such operators are described by convergent functional series, which are indexed by words over a noncommutative alphabet. Their generating series are therefore specified in terms of noncommutative formal power series. Given growth conditions on the coefficients of the generating series for the component systems, the radius of convergence of the cascaded system is computed.
The compositional variation of synthetic sodic amphiboles at high and ultra-high pressures

Sodic amphiboles in high pressure and ultra- high pressure (UHP) metamorphic rocks are complex solid solutions in the system Na2O-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2- H2O (NMASH) whose compositions vary with pressure and temperature. We conducted piston-cylinder experi- ments at 20-30 kbar and 700-800 ∞C to investigate the stability and compositional variations of sodic amphi- boles, based on the reaction glaucophanea 2jade- ite+talc, by using the starting assemblage of natural glaucophane, talc and quartz, with synthetic jadeite. A close approach to equilibrium was achieved by performing compositional reversals, by evaluating compositional changes with time, and by suppressing the formation of Na-phyllosilicates. STEM observations show that the abundance of wide-chain structures in the synthetic amphiboles is low. An important feature of sodic amphibole in the NMASH system is that the assemblage jadeite-talc a quartz does not fix its com- position at glaucophane. This is because other amphi- bole species such as cummingtonite (Cm), nyboite (Nyb), Al-Na-cummingtonite (Al-Na-Cm) and sodium anthophyllite (Na-Anth) are also buAered via the model reactions: 3cummingtonite + 4quartz + 4H2Oa 7talc, nyboite + 3quartza 3jadeite + talc, 3Al-Na-cumming- tonite + 11quartz + 2H2Oa 6jadeite + 5talc, and 3 sodium anthophyllite + 13quartz + 4H2Oa 3 jade- itea 7talc. We observed that at all pressures and tem- peratures investigated, the compositions of newly grown amphiboles deviate significantly from stoichiometric glaucophane due to varying substitutions of Al IV for Si, Mg on the M(4) site, and Na on the A-site. The deviation can be described chiefly by two compositional vectors: (Na A Al IV ) (h A Si) (edenite) toward nyboite, and (Na (M4) Al VI ) (Mg (M4) Mg VI ) toward cummington- ite. The extent of nyboite and cummingtonite substitu- tion increases with temperature and decreases with pressure in the experiments. Similar compositional vari- ations occur in sodic amphiboles from UHP rocks. The experimentally calibrated compositional changes therefore may prove useful for thermobarometric applications.
TR-08TARGETED COMBINATORIAL APPROACH FOR TREATMENT OF PEDIATRIC LOW GRADE GLIOMAS IN THE CONTEXT OF BRAFV600E AND KIAA1549:BRAF MUTATIONS

Pediatric low-grade gliomas (PLGG) constitute the most common group of central nervous system tumors in children. Viewed as a chronic disease, ideal therapy for PLGG should carry limited side effects that can be best achieved through selective, personalized therapy. Despite the known heterogeneity of PLGGs and characterized driver mutations most children are still treated with standard chemotherapy protocols as first line therapy. Alteration of the BRAF/MEK/MAPK pathway is the hallmark of PLGG and mTOR activation has been documented in the majority of these tumors. This study investigates combinations of MEK1/2, BRAFV600E and mTOR inhibition in PLGGs carrying specific genetic alterations of the MAPK pathway. We used human glioma cell lines containing BRAFV600E (AM38, DBTRG, BT40), or wild-type BRAF (SF188, SF9427, SF9402) and isogenic systems of KIAA1549:BRAF-expressing NIH3T3 cells and BRAFV600E-expressing murine brain tumors. Signaling inhibitors included everolimus (mTOR), PLX4720 (BRAFV600E), and AZD6244 (MEK1/2). Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were assessed using flow cytometry; proliferation was determined using an ATP-based assay (CellTiter-Glo). In vivo activity of these inhibitors was assessed in the BT40 PLGG xenograft mouse model. In BRAFV600E tumors, the combination of MEK inhibitor with either mTOR or BRAFV600E specific inhibitor is superior to monotherapy and to combination of BRAF and mTOR inhibitors in reducing cell viability reduction and arresting cell cycle progression. In BRAFWT pediatric gliomas, everolimus + AZD6244 is superior to either agent alone. KIAA1549:BRAF-expressing tumors display marked sensitivity to MEK1/2 inhibition alone. In vivo studies in the PLGG xenograft model BT40 showed the greatest survival advantage in mice treated with combination of AZD6244 + PLX4720 or AZD6244 + everolimus compared with respective monotherapies (p < 0.01).
Waveform and RF power amplifier interdependencies in battery-powered tactical radio applications

This paper will examine the subtle interdependencies of physical layer waveforms and RF power amplifiers when applied to a battery-powered tactical radio system. Traditional physical layer analysis usually compares the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) required to achieve a desired bit error rate (BER) but does not consider how the peak-power to average-power ratio (PAPR) of the waveform will affect the design and performance of the power amplifier. This paper will address both the BER performance of physical layer waveforms and the class/efficiency/power constraints of power amplifiers for use in a battery-powered tactical environment.
Universal Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV Infection: Should US Treatment Guidelines Be Applied to Resource-Limited Settings?

US treatment guidelines now recommend antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), regardless of CD4 count, both for the benefit of infected individuals and to prevent HIV transmission. In an effort to meet the critical goal of treating all HIV-infected persons worldwide, there is movement toward extrapolating these guidelines and the data supporting them to resource-limited settings. While economic and practical barriers to universal ART are widely recognized, there has been little discussion of the ethical considerations resulting from global disparities in the safety and efficacy of universal ART in these settings. We argue that the risk-benefit considerations for initiating ART are not the same worldwide due to limitations in the ART regimens used, laboratory monitoring, and consistent availability of ART, which raises ethical questions about universally applying US guidelines in resource-limited settings at the present time.
A framework for the design, synthesis and cycle-accurate simulation of multiprocessor networks

This paper introduces a framework for the design, synthesis and cycle-accurate simulation for parallel computing networks of 128+ processors. In order to accurately characterize the network, we present a bottom-up design methodology in which each of the components are designed using a hardware description language and synthesized to an FPGA for performance estimation of the final ASIC implementation. The components are then integrated to form a parallel computing network and simulated using a cycle-accurate simulator with network traffic described by command files. This enabled us to simulate various switching techniques, three of which are presented in this paper: wormhole switching, circuit switching and a newly introduced technique called predictive circuit switching. In our experiments, four different representational traffics are generated for our simulation and, to show the flexibility of this model, we vary the cable lengths and thus their latency for all four test cases. Our results show that this hardware design, synthesis and cycle-accurate simulation methodology provides a useful method for evaluating design tradeoffs in parallel networks. A non-blocking queue, with up to 128 internal queues, and a real-time bandwidth scheduler, for up to 128 ports, were designed in hardware with hardware synthesis results presented. From our network simulation results, we conclude that predictive circuit switching exceeds the performance of packet switching for highly predictable traffic, like collective communications, and for heavily loaded unpredictable traffic with small packet sizes. As expected, predictive circuit switching significantly underperforms both packet and circuit switching for unpredictable traffic.
Dimension expansion and customized spring potentials for sensor localization

The spring model algorithm is an important distributed algorithm for solving wireless sensor network (WSN) localization problems. This article proposes several improvements on the spring model algorithm for solving WSN localization problems with anchors. First, the two-dimensional (2D) localization problem is solved in a three-dimensional (3D) space. This “dimension expansion” technique can effectively prevent the spring model algorithm from falling into local minima, which is verified both theoretically and empirically. Second, the Hooke spring force, or quadratic potential function, is generalized into L p potential functions. The optimality of different values of p is considered under different noise environments. Third, a customized spring force function, which has larger strength when the estimated distance between two sensors is close to the true length of the spring, is proposed to increase the speed of convergence. These techniques can significantly improve the robustness and efficiency of the spring model algorithm, as demonstrated by multiple simulations. They are particularly effective in a scenario with anchor points of longer broadcasting radius than other sensors.
An Investigation of the Reaction of CH3S with CO

The reaction of CH3S with CO was studied by using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) to detect CH3S radicals that were produced through pulsed laser photolysis of CH3SSCH3. There was no increased loss of CH3S in the presence of CO. We place an upper limit of 1.4 × 10-16 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 on the rate coefficient, k1, for the reaction CH3S + CO → products (1), based on the precision in our measurements. This upper limit applies between 208 and 295 K. The addition of O2 did not enhance the rate coefficient for reaction 1. The reaction between CH3S and CO is therefore not expected to be a significant source of OCS or loss process for CH3S in the atmosphere. We also conclude that the reaction of CH3SOO with CO is not sufficiently rapid to be a significant loss process for CH3S in the atmosphere. The rate coefficients for the removal of electronically excited CH3S (CH3S(A)) at 295 K by CO, N2, and O2 were found to be (8.0 ± 0.2) × 10-11, (7.0 ± 1.6) × 10-12, and (4.8 ± 0.8) × 10-12 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 (±2σ precis...
Oligohydramnios and growth restriction do not portend worse prognosis in gastroschisis pregnancies.

AbstractObjectives: Gastroschisis is a common abdominal wall defect. While most neonates have an excellent prognosis, complications do occur. Several risk factors for adverse neonatal outcomes have been identified, however, the impact of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and oligohydramnios on neonatal morbidity and mortality has not been fully elucidated.Methods: In this retrospective cohort study of pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis at two tertiary-care centers during an eight-year period, maternal, fetal and neonatal data were analyzed to estimate the impact of IUGR and oligohydramnios upon neonatal outcomes. Adverse outcomes were defined as five-minute Apgar score <7, umbilical cord pH <7.12, neonatal sepsis, prolonged ventilator support, prolonged total parenteral nutrition, extended NICU stay, death and a composite of the above.Results: Among the 179 cases of gastroschisis, there were no differences in maternal demographics between cases with and without IUGR or oligohydramnios. Fetuses ...
Integrating The E In E-Marketing

The domain of e-marketing is much greater than pure play and enterprise level dot-coms. E-marketing concerns the deployment of information technology to render marketing strategy and process more effective and efficient. Technology and the Internet also changed the way marketing is conducted. For example, the fundamental idea of digitizing data has transformed media and software delivery methods as well as created a new transaction channel. Also, the Internet as information equalizer has shifted the balance of power from marketer to consumer. As developed nations enter what Gartner Group calls the slope of enlightenment on the way to dropping the “e” from e-business, successful marketers will grasp the risks and rewards of various levels of information technology commitment. Fortunately, marketers do not have to personally develop the technologies, but they need to know enough to understand technology, select appropriate suppliers, and direct technology professionals in order to harness its power. In this article we define e-marketing, then present a framework for a menu of business models along with best practices. The framework is designed to ease the navigation and integration of technology in marketing strategy to fully capitalize on Internet properties and reap advantages of its role in marketing and business strategy.
High-Altitude SyrphidÆ with Descriptions of New Species (Diptera).

Pingree Park is a beautiful mountain park which is situated about 50 miles west of Fort Collins, Colo. It has an altitude of 9,000 feet and lies near the base of the Mummy Range, a part of the Continental Divide.
Destructive Effects on Carcinoma of Colchicine Followed by Distilled Water.

SummaryFollowing administration of colchicine to their hosts 15 hours earlier, Flexner-Jobling carcinomas were found in a majority of 103 cases to be rapidly destroyed by distilled water injected directly into their substance.
The Systematic Sociology of Talcott Parsons

then use these factors and divisions as a theory to explain the stratification and the processes creating it, as to reason in a circle. Only with some such concepts of the order of those suggested here-the cultural orientations, and others of the kind whereby the situational, instrumental and integrative patterns of a social system and their interrelations can be distinguished-can we hope to go beyond description of structure to the treatment of social process.
Long-Term Spatio-Temporal Variation in Runoff Curve Number under Consistent Cover Conditions: a Southeastern US Case Study

Runoff, erosion and pollutant transport are influenced by spatial and temporal variation in soil hydraulic properties. Hydrologic models contain parameters that are related to these properties. Model parameters can be anticipated to exhibit similar variation which, when characterized, can improve runoff estimates. This study used plot-scale data from a 0.07 ha grassed study area in the southeastern US to characterize spatio-temporal variation in the NRCS curve number (CN) parameter. Based on over 200 rainfall-runoff data pairs collected over a 19-year period, CN exhibited highly variable (coefficient of variation up to 0.54) spatial behavior. Within-plot variation also demonstrated discernible spatial structure, with high variation associated with low CN. While preserving some similarities, spatial structure of CN and connectedness of regions of similar CN varied with runoff event date. Temporal trends were detected, with some regions demonstrating increasing trends and others decreasing. Rainfall-runoff plot characteristics and experimental protocols were consistent during the period of data collection; based on spatial distribution of CN values and trends as well as observation, traffic patterns and mammalian bioturbation are hypothesized as major sources of observed spatio-temporal CN variation.
Shape Memory Superelastic Poly(isocyanurate-urethane) Aerogels (PIR-PUR) for Deployable Panels and Biomimetic Applications

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) remember and return to an original shape when triggered by a suitable stimulus, typically a change in temperature. They are pursued as cost-effective, low-density, higher-strain-tolerant alternatives to shape memory alloys. Arguably, porous SMPs may offer the near-ultimate refinement in terms of density reduction. To that end, shape memory polymeric aerogels (SMPAs) may offer a viable approach. The necessary condition for SMPs is rubber-like superelasticity, which is introduced via cross-linking. Cross-linking is also a necessary condition for inducing phase separation during solution-phase polymerization of suitable monomers into 3D nanoparticle networks. Such networks form the skeletal frameworks of polymeric aerogels. Those principles were explored here with rigid trifunctional isocyanurate cross-linking nodes between flexible urethane tethers from four short oligomeric derivatives of ethylene glycol: H(OCH2CH2)nOH (1 ≤ n ≤ 4). Formation of self-supporting 3D particle netwo...
Zero Structure Assignment of Pencils via Static Diagonal Perturbations

Abstract The problem of zero assignment of Pencils via static diagonal perturbations is considered here. It has certain common features with the pole assignment of linear systems via diagonal controllers and thus can be tackled via the new powerfull tools that appeared recently in this area. When the pencil has zeroes at infinity we can generically apply the global linearisation technique [2] and construct a solution by improving a certain degenerate solution.
Current Patterns of Training in Personality Assessment During Internship

Objective Training in broad-based objective and projective personality assessments has been a mainstay of applied psychology. Stedman (2007) and Piotrowski (2015) have documented a decline in projective training during internship. This study investigated internship directors’ current expectations regarding graduate school training with objective and projective instruments, their ratings of the importance of that training, and current training patterns with objective and projective instruments during internship. Method Participants were 355 psychology internship programs, representing 46.1% of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers. Results Results indicated the following current internship training patterns: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (68% to 51%), Personality Assessment Inventory (59% to 25%), Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (51% to 34%), Rorschach (35 to 26%), story telling (41% to 19%), sentence completion (41% to 18%), and drawings (36% to 9%). Adult program directors reported higher percentages for objective tests; child program directors reported higher percentages for projective tests. Conclusion A decreased valuation of projective techniques is now typical of current internship training programs.
Using loops in decision-theoretic refinement planners

Classical AI planners use loops over subgoals to move a stack of blocks by repeatedly moving the top block. Probabilistic planners and reactive systems repeatedly try to pick up a block to increase the probability of success in an uncertain environment. These planners terminate a loop only when the goal is achieved or when the probability of success has reached some threshold. The tradeoff between the cost of repeating a loop and the expected benefit is ignored. Decision-theoretic refinement planners take this tradeoff into account, but to date, have been limited to considering only finite length plans. In this paper, we describe extensions to a decision-theoretic refinement planner, DRIPS, for handling loops. The extended planner terminates a loop when it can show that all plans with one or more additional iterations of the loop have lower utility. We give conditions under which optimal plans are finite and conditions under which the planner will find an optimal plan and terminate. With loops, a decision-theoretic refinement planner searches an infinite space of plans, making search control critical. We demonstrate how our sensitivity analysis-based search control technique provides effective search control without requiring the domain designer to hand-tune parameters, or otherwise provide search control information.
Lactose vs Non-Lactose Fermenting E. coli: Epidemiology, Clinical Outcomes, and Resistance

Background E. coli are facultative anaerobic, Gram-negative bacilli that will ferment lactose to produce hydrogen sulfide. Up to 10% of isolates have historically been reported to be slow or non-lactose fermenting, though clinical differences are unknown. The aim of our study was to determine whether differences exist between non-lactose (NLFEC) and lactose fermenting E. coli (LFEC) in regards to epidemiology, pathogenicity, clinical manifestations, and antibiotic resistance.
Challenging Linguistic Purism in Dual Language Bilingual Education: A Case Study of Hebrew in a New York City Public Middle School

Dual language bilingual education (DLBE) programs, in which students are taught language and academic content in English and a partner language, have dramatically grown in popularity in U.S. schools. Moving beyond the teaching of Spanish and Chinese, DLBE programs are now being offered in less commonly taught languages and attracting new student populations. Based on qualitative research conducted in a New York City public middle school that recently began a Hebrew DLBE program, we found that this program, in its inception and design, challenges traditional definitions of DLBE and offers new understandings about bilingual education for the 21st century. We argue that the policies and guidelines for the provision of DLBE and the scholarship upon which they are based are rooted in notions of linguistic purism that fail to consider or meet the needs of communities enrolling in bilingual education programs today.
Evaluation of the effect of d-amino acid incorporation into amyloid-reactive peptides

Systemic amyloidoses comprise diseases characterized by the deposition of proteinaceous material known as amyloid. Currently, without performing multiple biopsies, there is no way to ascertain the extent of amyloid deposition in patients—a critical piece of information that informs prognosis and therapeutic strategies. We have developed pan-amyloid-targeting peptides for imaging amyloid and recently have adapted these for use as pre-targeting agents in conjunction with immunotherapy. Incorporation of d-amino acids in these peptides may enhance serum half-life, which is an important characteristic of effective peptide therapeutics. Herein, we assess the effects of partial incorporation of d-amino acids into the amyloidophilic peptide p5 on in vivo amyloid reactivity. Peptides, referred to as AQAp5 (d) , aqap5, and AQAp5, were radiolabeled with iodine-125 and the tissue biodistribution (% injected dose/gram) measured in healthy mice at multiple time points post-injection. Microscopic distribution of the peptides was further visualized using microautoradiography (ARG). Peptides aqap5 and AQAp5 were injected into healthy and amyloid-laden mice and evaluated by using SPECT/CT imaging at 1, 4 and 24 h post injection. Biodistribution data and ARG revealed persistent retention of [125I]AQAp5 (d) in the liver and kidneys of healthy mice for at least 24 h. In contrast, peptides [125I]aqap5 and [125I]AQAp5 did not bind these organs and was significantly lower than [125I]AQAp5 (d) at 24 h post injection (p < 0.0001). SPECT/CT imaging of amyloid-laden mice revealed accumulation of both [125I]aqap5 and [125I]AQAp5 in amyloid-affected organs; whereas, in healthy mice, [125I]aqap5 was observed in the kidneys and liver at early time points, and free radioiodide liberated during catabolism of [125I]AQAp5 was seen in the stomach and thyroid. Autoradiography confirmed that both [125I]aqap5 and [125I]AQAp5 peptides specifically bound amyloid with no off-target binding to healthy organs. Incorporation of d-amino acids in amyloid-binding regions of amyloidophilic peptides resulted in off-target binding; however, N-terminus placement retained amyloid-specificity and evasion of deiodinases. Peptide aqap5, or similar reagents, may prove useful in novel immunotherapy strategies as well as for imaging renal, gastric and pancreatic amyloidosis.
Intraspecific aggression and the colony structure of the invasive ant Myrmica rubra

1. Patterns of aggression between ants from different nests influence colony and population structure. Several species of invasive ants lack colony boundaries over large expanses, forming ‘supercolonies’ with many nests among which workers can move without encountering aggression. 2. Bioassays of aggression were used to determine the colony structure of the invasive ant Myrmica rubra (L.) at eight sites in Massachusetts, the state where the species was first discovered in North America. To improve the ability to distinguish systematic patterns from background variability in aggressiveness, a repeated‐measures design was used and replicate assays for each pair of nests were conducted. 3. Aggressive responses showed that populations at all sites consisted of multiple distinct colonies. Patterns of aggression were repeatable and transitive, with few exceptions. Colonies were identified as clusters of nests whose workers showed little to no aggression towards one another but were aggressive towards conspecifics from more distant nests. 4. The degree of aggression varied considerably among different colony pairs but did not depend in any consistent way on the distance of separation or on whether colonies were neighbours. 5. Territories of neighbouring colonies abutted, indicating that they were restricted by intraspecific competition. Mapped territories ranged in size from 0.03 to 1.2 ha, but colonies at the study sites have not undergone the enormous expansions seen in introduced populations of some other species of invasive ants, and neighbouring colonies compete locally.
An object relations approach to cult membership.

Several pieces of literature suggest that most individuals who are successfully integrated into cults do not typically manifest symptoms of mental illness. However, the public is often taken aback ...
An Annotated Bibliography of Publications on the Day Treatment of Children with Emotional Disorders

The following listing and description of publications on the day treatment of emotionally disturbed preschool- and preadolescent-age children was meant to be as complete as possible. As a result, the many publications included represent a history of the place of this treatment modality in the United States as well as in several other countries. Thus, there was no attempt to critically evaluate papers for inclusion by a predetermined set of criteria other than the age of the children beine served.
Predicting Student Performance in Solving Parameterized Exercises

In this paper, we compare pioneer methods of educational data mining field with recommender systems techniques for predicting student performance. Additionally, we study the importance of including students’ attempt time sequences of parameterized exercises. The approaches we use are Bayesian Knowledge Tracing (BKT), Performance Factor Analysis (PFA), Bayesian Probabilistic Tensor Factorization (BPTF), and Bayesian Probabilistic Matrix Factorization (BPMF). The last two approaches are from the recommender system’s field. We approach the problem using question-level Knowledge Components (KCs) and test the methods using cross-validation. In this work, we focus on predicting students’ performance in parameterized exercises. Our experiments shows that advanced recommender system techniques are as accurate as the pioneer methods in predicting student performance. Also, our studies show the importance of considering time sequence of students’ attempts to achieve the desirable accuracy.
A Growth Mixture Theory for Cartilage

In this paper we present a model of growth for cartilaginous tissues in which there exists a saturated solid matrix composed of multiple constituents that may grow and remodel independently of each other. Klisch and Hoger recently developed a general theory of volumetric growth for a mixture of ν-1 growing elastic materials and an inviscid fluid, which included a treatment of two special types of internal constraints that are relevant to cartilage. Here, that theory is specialized to construct a cartilage growth model. This theory allows the constituents of the solid matrix to grow independently of each other, and can model the evolution of the constituent pre-stresses and the tissue’s mechanical properties during developmental growth and degeneration. A simple example is presented which illustrates these features of the theory.
Lobbyists, Groups, and the New‐New Politics of Medicare

Historically, a range of interest groups with a direct stake in Medicare spending have wielded substantial political influence over the policymaking process. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the healthcare industry alone has spent more than $3 billion on lobbying since 1998. However, research on Medicare politics is usually focused only one a few well‐known interest groups, e.g. senior citizens (AARP), physicians (AMA), and hospitals (AHA), without considering the broad and diverse universe of the interest group terrain. We hope to develop a framework for understanding the political effects of a broad range of economic and social trends on Medicare politics. The lobbying environment is dynamic: New interest groups – representing, for example, medical device industry firms – have emerged as Medicare financing and delivery has evolved. Finally, interest groups are interconnected. What is the structure of relations among lobbying groups active in the politics of Medicare? Which groups are more prominent in the politics of Medicare and why? By engaging in these issues using longitudinal lobbying data and social network methods, we present a complete picture of lobbying activity on Medicare politics including newly emergent – and increasingly active – interests such as technology service providers, consulting firms, and pharmacy benefit managers.
Abstract 2989: BET inhibitors induce Rac1-dependent MNK and eIF4E phosphorylation in cancer cells

Patients with recurrent differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) have poor prognosis and suffer from multiple complications from progressive symptomatic disease. Here we show that eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), an oncogene that is overexpressed in aggressive thyroid cancers, is required for growth of DTC cells in collagen microenvironment. We show that inhibitors targeting bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family of proteins also decrease growth of DTC cells in the collagen microenvironment. Unexpectedly, we have found that BET inhibitors induce MNK and eIF4E phosphorylation in cancer cells. Mechanistically, BET inhibitors induce Rac1-mediated cytoskeletal changes and targeting Rac1 blocks these changes as well as MNK and eIF4E phosphorylation. Functionally, we show that MNK inhibitors potentiate the effects of BET inhibitors at suppressing cancer cell proliferation and limiting sphere-forming ability. Together, these results demonstrate crosstalk between BET proteins and the MNK-eIF4E pathway, suggesting that combination therapy with BET and MNK inhibitors has the potential for synergistic inhibition of cancer cells. Citation Format: Thao Pham, Brian T. Decant, Krishan Kumar, Meng Shang, Maria Matsangou, Kazumi Ebine, Hidayatullah G. Munshi. BET inhibitors induce Rac1-dependent MNK and eIF4E phosphorylation in cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2989.
Propofol for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Pilot Study

Background We hypothesized that propofol, a unique general anesthetic that engages N-methyl-D-aspartate and gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors, has antidepressant properties. This open-label trial was designed to collect preliminary data regarding the feasibility, tolerability, and efficacy of deep propofol anesthesia for treatment-resistant depression. Methods Ten participants with moderate-to-severe medication-resistant depression (age 18-45 years and otherwise healthy) each received a series of 10 propofol infusions. Propofol was dosed to strongly suppress electroencephalographic activity for 15 minutes. The primary depression outcome was the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Self-rated depression scores were compared with a group of 20 patients who received electroconvulsive therapy. Results Propofol treatments were well tolerated by all subjects. No serious adverse events occurred. Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores remained stable. Hamilton scores decreased by a mean of 20 points (range 0-45 points), corresponding to a mean 58% improvement from baseline (range 0-100%). Six of the 10 subjects met the criteria for response (>50% improvement). Self-rated depression improved similarly in the propofol group and electroconvulsive therapy group. Five of the 6 propofol responders remained well for at least 3 months. In posthoc analyses, electroencephalographic measures predicted clinical response to propofol. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that high-dose propofol treatment is feasible and well tolerated by individuals with treatment-resistant depression who are otherwise healthy. Propofol may trigger rapid, durable antidepressant effects similar to electroconvulsive therapy but with fewer side effects. Controlled studies are warranted to further evaluate propofol's antidepressant efficacy and mechanisms of action. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02935647.
Rare-Earth Magnetocaloric Thin Films

Abstract Magnetocaloric materials exhibit first-order phase transition and also exhibit extreme property changes at the first-order magnetostructural phase transition including a giant magnetocaloric effect close to room temperature. These interesting properties have been broadly studied (Pecharsky and Gschneidner [1]; Pecharsky and Gschneidner [2]; Mudryk et al. [3]; Hadimani et al. [4–6]; Hadimania and Jiles [7,8]; Hadimani et al. [9–11]), yet all of the past research has been concerned with bulk materials. Thin films of these strain sensitive materials, if they can be prepared and protected from oxidation in ambient conditions, will open up new science ranging from strain-controlled magnetism to functionally graded materials. High-quality thin films that are protected from oxidation and are stable at ambient conditions will exhibit material properties in the vicinity of the unusual phase transitions. There have been several attempts to prepare stable rare-earth magnetocaloric thin films that exhibit giant magnetocaloric effect. Some have failed or others have not been able to show giant magnetocaloric effect exhibited by their bulk materials (Sambandam et al. [12]). Recent publication by Hadimani et al. showed that Gd5Si1.3Ge2.7 thin film retains the magnetostructural transition as observed in its bulk counterpart. It shows a broader magnetic response than the bulk target, exhibiting a lower entropy change but a higher FWHM and a large magnetic hysteretic losses reduction (Hadimani et al. [13]).
Enhanced magnetic moments in Mn-doped FeCo clusters owing to ferromagnetic surface Mn atoms

We provide an avenue to achieve optimized magnetic properties without relying on rare-earth elements. In particular, we focus on transition-metal nanoparticles with magnetic ordering that is rarely seen in bulk. By using first-principles real-space pseudopotential calculations, we show that Mn can exhibit ferromagnetic behavior similar to Fe when Mn is placed on the surface of a FeCo cluster. This ferromagnetic behavior of surface Mn is in sharp contrast with Mn bulk and Mn-based alloys, which are either antiferromagnetic or paramagnetic. The local magnetic moment carried by a surface Mn atom is larger than those of Fe and Co, leading to an increase of the total magnetic moment. We find that surface-Mn-induced magnetic enhancement is robust in ternary MnFeCo clusters with different sizes and various chemical compositions. Our theoretical findings provide a useful guide for designing new nanoparticles with a large magnetic moment.
Different Paths to the Same Target: Variation in Target Date Funds

Target date funds (TDFs) provide a simple way to obtain an asset allocation that matches the current and future needs of an average investor with a specific retirement date. This article examines the differences between TDFs with the same target date but from different fund providers and finds considerable differences in asset allocations, risk, performance, and other fund characteristics. These differences are partially predictable based on the information in fund prospectuses; however, TDFs often deviate from the planned asset allocations. Investors and advisors should be aware that TDFs with the same target date can vary dramatically, warranting additional research when selecting between TDFs and then monitoring chosen TDFs’ asset allocations in the future. Potential solutions to these concerns include increased guidance from regulators, greater discernment from employers in employer retirement plan investment options, and more descriptive fund names. TOPICS:Retirement, portfolio construction, performance measurement, legal/regulatory/public policy
R-MGSPLINE: retrospective multi-gradient search for multi-objective simulation optimization on integer lattices

We introduce the R-MGSPLINE (Retrospective Multi-Gradient Search with Piecewise Linear Interpolation and Neighborhood Enumeration) algorithm for finding a local efficient point when solving a multi-objective simulation optimization problem on an integer lattice. In this nonlinear optimization problem, each objective can only be observed with stochastic error and the decision variables are integer-valued. R-MGSPLINE uses a retrospective approximation (RA) framework to repeatedly call the MGSPLINE sample-path solver at a sequence of increasing sample sizes, using the solution from the previous RA iteration as a warm start for the current RA iteration. The MGSPLINE algorithm performs a line search along a common descent direction constructed from pseudo-gradients of each objective, followed by a neighborhood enumeration for certification. Numerical experiments demonstrate R-MGSPLINE’s empirical convergence to a local weakly efficient point.
Improving power analysis attack resistance using intrinsic noise in 3D ICs

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) integration is envisioned as a natural defense to thwart side-channel analysis (SCA) attacks on the hardware implementation of cryptographic algorithms. However, neither physical experiments nor quantitative analysis is available in existing works to study the impact of power distribution network (PDN) on the SCA attacks. Through quantitative analyses and experiments with realistic 3D models, this work demonstrates the impact of noise in PDN on the 3D chip's resilience against correlation power analysis (CPA) attack, which is one of SCA attacks. The characteristic of PDN noise is extracted from our experiments. To expand the natural defense originated from the 3D integration, this work proposes to exploit the PDN noise inherently existing in 3D chips to thwart CPA attacks. Instead of introducing external noise or flattening the power profile, the proposed method utilizes the spatially and temporally varied supply voltages from other 3D planes to blur the power correlation of the crypto unit. Both theoretical analysis and experimental validation prove that the proposed method can effectively enhance the resilience of a crypto unit embedded in the 3D chip against CPA attacks. Simulation results show the proposed method improves the average guessing entropy by 9× over the baseline. Emulation on an FPGA platform demonstrates that the proposed method successfully slows down the key retrieval speed of CPA attack, with significantly less power overhead than representable power equalization techniques. Test vector leakage assessment (TVLA) shows that the proposed method improves the confidence to accept null hypothesis 201× over the baseline.
The utility of PRAME immunohistochemistry in the evaluation of challenging melanocytic tumors

Background PRAME (PReferentially expressed Antigen in Melanoma) immunohistochemistry has demonstrated high specificity for unequivocal melanomas; however, its utility in ambiguous melanocytic neoplasms has yet to be fully elucidated. Methods Cases of challenging melanocytic neoplasms were subclassified into one of three categories: challenging, favor benign (FB), challenging, cannot be subclassified (CCS), or challenging, favor malignant (FM). Using a previously published system, whereby cases with diffuse staining (>75%) were considered positive, scoring of PRAME was performed. Additionally, tumors with hotspot staining were also considered positive. Results Sixteen out of 85 tumors showed positive staining representing 5% of FB tumors, 24% of CCS tumors, and 47% of FM. In FB and CCS tumors, positive staining was mainly encountered in atypical intraepidermal melanocytic proliferations and spitzoid neoplasms. The specificity of positive PRAME staining was 95% and its concordance with the final diagnostic interpretation was 75%. Conclusions PRAME positivity is more common in neoplasms favored to be malignant by histopathologic evaluation. Its clinical utility may include early diagnosis of incipient melanoma in situ. Rarely, benign melanocytic neoplasms could show diffuse expression of PRAME, and additional studies are needed to determine optimal utilization. Lastly, hotspot staining may increase its sensitivity without much compromise in specificity.
Phonon Kinetics at the Solid to Liquid Phase Transition

Terahertz time domain spectroscopy is used to measure the melting kinetics of fructose molecular crystals. Combining single crystal anisotropy measurements with density functional calculations we assign the phonon frequencies and interrogate how specific phonons behave with melting. While nearly all the low frequency phonons continuously red shift with heating and melting, the lowest energy phonon polarized along the c-axis blue shifts at the melting temperature, suggesting an initial structural change immediately before melting. We find that the kinetics follow a 3D growth model with large activation energies consistent with previous DSC measurements. The large activation energies indicate multiple H-bonds must break collectively for the transition. The results suggest THz TDS with sub picosecond resolution could be used to measure ultra-fast kinetics.
Emergent Morphology in Child Homesign: Evidence from Number Language

Human languages, signed and spoken, can be characterized by the structural patterns they use to associate communicative forms with meanings. One such pattern is paradigmatic morphology, where compl...
Design and recognition of cucurbituril-secured platinum-bound oligopeptides

Platinum terpyridyl complexes, stacked on top of one another and secured as dimers with cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) in aqueous medium, were functionalized quantitatively and in situ with a pair of pentapeptides Phe-(Gly)3-Cys by grafting their cysteine residues to the Pt centers. The resulting CB[8]·(Pt·peptide)2 assemblies were used to target secondary hosts CB[7] and CB[8] via their pair of phenylalanine residues, again in situ. A series of well-defined architectures, including a supramolecular “pendant necklace” with hybrid head-to-head and head-to-tail arrangements inside CB[8], were obtained during the self-sorting process after combining only 3 or 4 simple building units.