cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estradiol promotes pentose phosphate pathway addiction and cell survival via reactivation of Akt in mTORC1 hyperactive cells

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a female-predominant interstitial lung disease that can lead to respiratory failure. LAM cells typically have inactivating TSC2 mutations, leading to mTORC1 activation. The gender specificity of LAM suggests that estradiol contributes to disease development, yet the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are not completely understood. Using metabolomic profiling, we identified an estradiol-enhanced pentose phosphate pathway signature in Tsc2-deficient cells. Estradiol increased levels of cellular NADPH, decreased levels of reactive oxygen species, and enhanced cell survival under oxidative stress. Mechanistically, estradiol reactivated Akt in TSC2-deficient cells in vitro and in vivo, induced membrane translocation of glucose transporters (GLUT1 or GLUT4), and increased glucose uptake in an Akt-dependent manner. 18 F-FDGPET imaging demonstrated enhanced glucose uptake in xenograft tumors of Tsc2-deficient cells from estradiol-treated mice. Expression array study identified estradiol-enhanced transcript levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the ratelimiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway. Consistent with this, G6PD was abundant in xenograft tumors and lung metastatic lesions of Tsc2-deficient cells from estradiol-treated mice. Molecular depletion of G6PD attenuated estradiolenhanced survival in vitro, and treatment with 6-aminonicotinamide, a competitive inhibitor of G6PD, reduced lung colonization of Tsc2-deficient cells. Collectively, these data indicate that estradiol promotes glucose metabolism in mTORC1 hyperactive cells through the pentose phosphate pathway via Akt reactivation and G6PD upregulation, thereby enhancing cell survival under oxidative stress. Interestingly, a strong correlation between estrogen exposure and G6PD was also found in breast cancer cells. Targeting the pentose phosphate pathway may have therapeutic benefit for LAM and possibly other hormonally dependent neoplasms.
Adaptive boundary-following algorithm guided by artificial potential field for robot navigation

We propose a novel boundary-following algorithm that works in conjunction with any potential function that is guaranteed to take the robot to the target. The potential field must not have any local minima but is not required to avoid moving too closely to the boundary. The proposed method has several advantages: a) The calculation of the C-space is avoided, which can be costly especially if the robot has the ability of rotation; b) the safety distance, which is the distance from the robot to the closest obstacles boundary, is controllable and adaptive; c) the resulting path is quasi-optimal in the sense that it is approximates the shortest path, given the safety distance constraints. The proposed boundary following algorithm is guided by the potential field at critical handoff points where the robot switches from one mode of navigation (e.g., following a wall) to another (e.g., following the potential field). The method adjusts its behavior according to the degree of clutter, i.e. the number of interacting boundaries. The proposed method was simulated extensively for different safety distances, and different starting points.
Intermittent Pneumatic Pedal Compression and Edema Resolution After Acute Ankle Fracture: A Prospective, Randomized Study

Thirty patients with an acute Weber B or C ankle fracture were enrolled after signing an informed consent. Fifteen patients were randomized to a control group where they received a posterior splint, ice, and elevation before surgery. Fifteen patients were randomized to a pneumatic pedal compression group where they received the same treatment plus a pneumatic pedal compression device which was used full-time before surgery. Baseline volumetric measurements of the injured foot were obtained, followed by measurements at 24-hour increments until surgery. On average, the patients in the pneumatic pedal compression group had an 88 mL decrease in volume in the first 24 hours versus a 33 mL increase in the control group (P < 0.03) and a 31 mL decrease in the first 48 hours of treatment versus a 32 mL increase for the control group (P <0.05). The pneumatic pedal compression was well tolerated by the majority of patients (only one did not tolerate its use because of pain) and, we believe, serves as a useful adjunc...
Simultaneous Measurement of Antibodies to Epstein-Barr Virus, Human Herpesvirus 6, Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2, and 14 Enteroviruses in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Is There Evidence of Activation of a Nonspecific Polyclonal Immune Response?

As a test of the hypothesis that elevated titers of viral antibodies in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are due to a nonspecific polyclonal immune response, antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), and 14 enteroviruses in 20 patients with CFS and 20 age- and gender-matched controls were simultaneously measured. Similarly, titers of IgG to herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 were measured in 18 of these cases and in the respective controls. IgG to EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) was present at titers > or = 1:320 in 55% of cases vs. 15% of controls (P = .02). The geometric mean titers of early antigen antibody to EBV, HHV-6 IgG, and HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG were not significantly different among cases and controls. Of the 14 enteroviral antibodies tested for, only those to coxsackieviruses B1 and B4 were present at significant titers (> or = 1:8) in cases vs. controls (P = .02 and P = .001, respectively). Of the cases, 19 (95%) had either an EBV VCA IgG titer > or = 1:320 or a coxsackievirus B1 or B4 antibody titer > or = 1:8, a percentage significantly higher than that of controls (40%; P = .0004). Titers of EBV VCA IgG and coxsackievirus B1 and B4 antibodies were simultaneously elevated in only 20% of cases. There was no correlation between elevated titers of EBV VCA IgG and IgG to HHV-6, HSV-1, and HSV-2 or antibody to coxsackieviruses B1 and B4 in the cases. The prevalence of reported allergies to medications or other substances was identical in both groups (60%). These findings suggest that in the majority of cases of CFS, elevation of viral antibody titers is not due to a nonspecific polyclonal immune response.
A NIR Technique for Rapid Determination of Soil Mineral Nitrogen

The objective of this investigation is to determine the possibility of rapidly sensing soil mineral-N content using near infrared (NIR) reflectance. Simulation studies were conducted to determine the ability of Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Principal Components Regression (PCR) techniques to relate NIR spectral data to soil nitrate content in the presence of interfering effects and experimental noise. The simulation studies revealed that both PLS and PCR techniques were quite robust in predicting soil nitrate content provided the calibration set included the same interfering effects. These techniques failed completely if the prediction set contained interfering effects which were not included in the calibration set. This implies that a site-specific calibration is necessary for this technique to work successfully. Laboratory tests using Yolo loam and Capay clay soil samples as well as verification tests using field soils (Yolo loam and Capay clay) mixed with nitrogen fertilizer indicated that soil mineral-N content can be determined using the NIR technique provided site-specific calibration is used.
Teaching binary tree algorithms through visual programming

Shows how visual programming can be used to teach the subject of binary tree algorithms. In our approach, the student implements a binary tree algorithm by manipulating abstract tree fragments (not necessarily just single nodes) in a visual way. This paper contributes to visual programming research by combining elements of animation, programming and proof to produce an educational visual programming tool. In addition, we describe our experiences with Opsis, a system we built to demonstrate the ideas in this paper (Opsis is a Java applet and can be accessed at http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/amir/Opsis.html). Finally, we make the claim that visual programming is an ideal way to teach data structure algorithms.
Method to adjust Institute of Transportation Engineers vehicle trip-generation estimates in smart-growth areas

This paper describes a practical method of adjusting existing Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) estimates to produce more accurate estimates of motor-vehicle trip-generation at developments in smart-growth areas. Two linear regression equations, one for an A.M. peak-hour adjustment and one for a P.M. peak-hour adjustment, were developed using vehicle trip counts and easily measured site and surrounding area context variables from a sample of 50 smart-growth sites in California. Many of the contextual variables that were associated with lower vehicle trip generation at the smart-growth study sites were correlated. Therefore, variables representing characteristics such as residential population density, employment density, transit service, metered on-street parking, and building setback distance from the sidewalk were combined into a single “smart-growth factor” that was used in the linear regression equations. The A.M. peak-hour and P.M. peak-hour adjustment equations are only appropriate for planning-level analysis at sites in smart-growth areas. In addition, the method is only appropriate for single land uses in several common categories, such as office, mid- to high-density residential, restaurant, and coffee/donut shop. The method uses data from California, but the methodological approach could provide a framework for adjusting ITE trip-generation estimates in smart-growth areas throughout the United States.
Sex Recognition via Chemical Cues in the Sex‐Role‐Reversed Gulf Pipefish (Syngnathus scovelli)

Sexual selection theory predicts that members of the choosy sex, usually females, should employ multiple sensory systems to obtain information about potential mates. Such predictions should also apply to systems in which sexual selection acts most strongly on females (i.e. sex-role-reversed species), and males of these taxa should be the individuals employing multiple cues to assess female attractiveness. Very little work has been directed toward mate choice involving multiple sensory systems in sex-role-reversed taxa, but fishes of the family Syngnathidae (pipefishes, seahorses, and sea dragons) provide an excellent opportunity to contribute to this research enterprise. While much is known about visual communication in pipefish, the role of chemical communication has not been investigated. Using dichotomous choice tests, we found that male, but not female, Gulf pipefish attended to chemical cues of opposite sex conspecifics. Given that males distinguished sex on the basis of chemical cues, we also tested whether males could assess female body size, an important trait with respect to mate choice in pipefish, on the basis of chemical cues alone. When given the choice between chemical cues produced by large vs. small females, males exhibited no preference. Our results suggest that male pipefish can use chemical cues to distinguish between males and females but not to differentiate females of different body size.
Influence of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism on disease.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) is a naturally occurring competitive inhibitor of interleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced proinflammatory activity. The IL-1RA gene is polymorphic, resulting in quantitative differences in both IL-1RA and IL-1β production. Persons homozygous for allele 2 of the IL-1RA gene (IL1RN * 2) have a more prolonged and more severe proinflammatory immune response than persons with other IL-1RA genotypes. Thus, being IL1RN * 2 homozygous might be beneficial when combating infectious agents or malignantly transformed cells, but it might be detrimental for those with chronic inflammatory conditions or who are pregnant. The IL1RN * 2 phenotype is associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, lupus erythematosus, vulvar vestibulitis, and possibly with osteoporosis and coronary artery disease. IL1RN * 2 homozygosity may also be associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and severity of preeclampsia. Conversely, there are negative associations between IL1RN * 2 homozygosity and vaginal colonization with mycoplasmas, infection with human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus proliferation, and the occurrence of ovarian cancer.
Book Review: Green Care: For Human Therapy, Social Innovation, Rural Economy and Education

Editor: Christos Gallis Reviewer: Naomi Rombaoa Tanaka, M.S. Publisher: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. New York, NY, 2013 Hardcover: ISBN: 978-1-62417-479-7 Cost: $175, 356 pages
Managing the Commonplace: Small Water Emergencies in Libraries

When libraries undertake emergency planning, it is likely that the risks such planning attempts to address are at the catastrophic level. In the case of water-related emergencies, the literature about disaster planning focuses on 100-year floods or hurricanes rather than the more common events of burst pipes or leaky roofs. This article uses two case studies to examine the impact of small water incursions on the libraries concerned, how those libraries managed the emergencies, and what lessons were learned which will inform their planning for future incidents. The case studies show that while both incidents were water-related, they are quite different in terms of source, size, impact, recovery time, and frequency. Libraries should be planning for the small emergencies first, and then scaling up their preparation to account for the larger, less frequent events, rather than the reverse. More libraries may be persuaded to do such planning if they are preparing for a probable scenario rather than one which may only be a possibility.
The Mechanism of Toxin Production by Clostridium Botulinum

In previous papers 1 we have shown that the toxin production of Cl. botulinum varied according to the medium employed. In a casein medium, the toxin titer and proteolytic changes reached a maximum in about 10 days, whereas in a peptone egg white medium a maximum titer was obtained after 48 hours (active proteolytic changes, however, continued over a much longer period). In both cases the growth curve reached a peak in about 48 hours. A further study of the problem of toxin production and destruction has been made with reference to the mechanism involved. The cells
Challenges With Research Contract Negotiations in Community-Based Cancer Research

Purpose:Community-based research programs face many barriers to participation in clinical trials. Although the majority of people with cancer are diagnosed and treated in the community setting, only roughly 3% are enrolled onto clinical trials. Research contract and budget negotiations have been consistently identified as time consuming and a barrier to participation in clinical trials. ASCO’s Community Research Forum conducted a survey about specific challenges of research contract and budget negotiation processes in community-based research settings. The goal was to ultimately identify potential solutions to these barriers.Methods:A survey was distributed to 780 community-based physician investigators and research staff. The survey included questions to provide insight into contract and budget negotiation processes and perceptions about related barriers.Results:A total of 77% of the 150 respondents acknowledged barriers in the process. Respondents most frequently identified budget-related issues (n = 13...
A More Democratic Bearing Reenvisioning the Sensibility and Script of the Middle Class

Rather than think about citizenship in minimal terms (voting, obeying the law), I argue for a more aspirational “bearing” of the public self, one appropriate for the challenges of globalizing, late-modern political life. For left democratic theory this is hardly an abstract issue, given how successful groups like the Tea Party have been in articulating a right-leaning aspirational portrait. What might a counter-portrait look like that was comparably scripted for the middle classes in affluent liberal democracies? An answer is not immediately clear, given that left democratic theory’s attention has been traditionally focused on an overly simple, two-entity social ontology: elites and demos. The question I consider is what script might be articulated for middle segments of society in relation to how they should bear themselves toward less advantaged segments of society? This does not replace thinking about the demos, but rather supplements it with reflection on the complex alignments of contemporary politic...
High alveolar surface tension increases clearance of technetium 99m diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid

The effect of high alveolar surface tension on alveolar epithelial permeability was studied in anesthetized closed-chest mongrel dogs. Alveolar surface tension was elevated by displacement of pulmonary surfactant from the alveolar hypophase by the aerosolized detergent dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (OT). After measurement of baseline hemodynamics, arterial blood gases, and airway pressure, the dogs were separated into groups: Group I inhaled a 1% solution of OT (15 mg/kg) in a vehicle of equal parts saline and ethanol; group II inhaled the same volume of vehicle without OT. The pulmonary clearance of technetium 99m diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) (half-time in minutes) was studied immediately after aerosol (OT and vehicle) delivery and compared with that of historical control values. No change was seen in arterial blood gases and airway pressure after vehicle inhalation, whereas OT caused a marked fall in arterial oxygen tension and increase in airway pressure. Vehicle inhalation effected only a slight increase in DTPA clearance, whereas OT significantly reduced half-time over control and group II. These data suggest that high alveolar surface tension increases alveolar epithelial permeability.
Role of Alveolar Bone in Mediating Orthodontic Tooth Movement and Relapse

In this chapter, we present a unique perspective on biological tooth movement, one that describes the adaptive nature of the alveolar bone in response to mechanical loading. We provide a new foundation to the classical “pressure-tension” theory of orthodontic tooth movement. The chapter describes the individual roles of the cell types of bone (osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes, osteoprogenitor cells, and bone lining cells) in response to tooth movement, largely focusing on the mechanosensing osteocytes. Also discussed are methods that possibly increase the rate of orthodontic tooth movement as well as the plausible role that osteocytes may have in mediating relapse. Finally, we conclude with an “overall model of tooth movement and relapse.” This chapter attempts to present an upstream mechanism to the traditional “pressure-tension” theory based on the most recent evidence.
Eschatological ultimacy and the best possible hereafter

Cet article traite de la difficile question de l'eschatologie, qu'il aborde d'apres le critere du Sens et de la Realite Ultimes (Ultimate Reality and Meaning ; URAM). Ce principe lui permet d'etablir une typologie des differentes conception eschatologiques, pour conclure que la conception eschatologique des existentialistes chretiens et juifs (Kierkegaard, Berdaiec, Tillich, Rahner, Buber...) offre les meilleures perspectives.
The Author’s House: Abbotsford and Wayside

Architectural historians have traditionally criticised nineteenth-century architecture for its ‘literary’ quality, arguing that its significance results from an abject subordination to historical and literary association rather than, as it supposedly should, from pure form. In The Architecture of Humanism (1914), for example, Geoffrey Scott identified a ‘literary fallacy’ in romantic architecture, which he claimed ‘neglects the fact that in literature, meaning, or fixed association, is the universal term; while in architecture the universal term is the sensuous experience of substance and form.’1 Or, as Robert Furneaux Jordan puts it: ‘Mere form or structure — the first of which has been dominant in the eighteenth century and the second of which was to be dominant in the twentieth century — were altogether subordinate to this passionate embracement of the Imagination.’2 The practice of literary tourism, which emerges at precisely the same time that literature supposedly killed architecture, suggests that objects’ and buildings’ associative qualities might enhance, rather than subordinate, their material qualities.3 Association can open up the very thing Geoffrey Scott suggests it destroys, ‘the sensuous experience of substance and form.’ I will explore this claim through considering two building projects: Sir Walter Scott’s building of his house Abbotsford in the Borders, and the renovations to The Wayside in Concord, Massachusetts carried out by its owner, the American author (and visitor to Abbotsford) Nathaniel Hawthorne. These two house building projects demonstrate two very different reactions to the practice of literary tourism, a revelling in its architectural possibilities in Scott’s case and a retreat from them in Hawthorne’s, but both reveal a commitment to association’s possibility to awaken architectural and material form.
A method to estimate the mean lifetime survival increase of statin therapy.

Aim: To propose a method for estimating the lifetime advantage of statins. Methods: Kaplan–Meier survival curves from published 4S and LIPID studies with 5.8- and 6.1-year follow-up were digitized. Gompertz distributions were fit up to the end of the trials, and then extrapolated out to the end of the patients’ predicted lifetimes for each study. Results: The method results in a 9.9 (95% CI: 8.7–11.9) and 2.8 (95% CI: 2.3–3.3) years’ increases for the statin groups for 4S and LIPID studies, respectively. Conclusion: Previous analysis of the same data was limited by the trials’ relatively short run time. As such, we propose a method for correctly estimating the true effect of statin therapy in terms of total lifetime extension.
Sparse Coding Based Skin Lesion Segmentation Using Dynamic Rule-Based Refinement

This paper proposes an unsupervised skin lesion segmentation method for dermoscopy images by exploiting the contextual information of skin image at the superpixel level. In particular, a Laplacian sparse coding is presented to evaluate the probabilities of the skin image pixels to delineate lesion border. Moreover, a new rule-based smoothing strategy is proposed as the lesion segmentation refinement procedure. Finally, a multi-scale superpixel segmentation of the skin image is provided to handle size variation of the lesion in order to improve the accuracy of the detected border. Experiments conducted on two datasets show the superiority of our proposed method over several state-of-the-art skin segmentation methods.
Characterization of endogenous promoters for control of recombinant gene expression in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

A. ferrooxidans is an important iron- and sulfur-oxidizing acidophilic chemolithoautotroph that is used extensively in metal extraction and refining, and more recently in the bioproduction of chemicals. However, a lack of genetic tools has limited the further development of this organism for industrial bioprocesses. Using prior microarray studies that identified genes which may express differentially in response to the availability of iron and sulfur, the cycA1 and tusA promoter sequences have been characterized for their ability to drive green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression. The promoters exhibited opposite control behavior, where the cycA1 sequence was repressed and the tusA promoter was induced by the presence of sulfur in the growth medium. Sulfur was found to be the dominant signal. The sulfur IC50 for cycA1 was 0.56 mM (18 mg/L) while the sulfur EC50 of tusA was 2.5 mM (80 mg/L). Together these sequences provide two new tools to selectively induce or repress gene expression in A. ferrooxidans. A. ferrooxidans is an important industrial organism; however, genetic tools for control of gene expression do not exist. Here we report the identification of promoter sequences that allow for the development of control of gene expression for engineering this organism. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Homemade zipline and playground track ride injuries in children.

Abstract Background/Purpose Playground track ride and homemade zipline-related injuries are increasingly common in the emergency department, with serious injuries and even deaths reported. Methods Retrospective review of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database (2009–2015), followed by review of our academic pediatric trauma center's prospectively-maintained database (2005–2013). We included children ages 0–17years of age with zipline-related injuries. We recorded annual incidence of zipline-related injury, zipline type (homemade or playground), injuries and mechanism. Results In the NEISS database, 9397 (95%CI 6728–12,065) total zipline-related injuries were reported (45.9% homemade, 54.1% playground). Homemade but not playground injuries increased over time. Common injuries were fracture (49.8%), contusion/laceration (21.2%) and head injury (12.7%). Fall was predominant mechanism (83%). Age 5–9 was most frequently affected (59%). Our center database (n=35, 40% homemade, 1 fatality) revealed characteristics concordant with NEISS data. Head injury was related to fall height>5ft and impact with another structure. Conclusions Homemade zipline injuries are increasing. Children ages 5–9 are at particular risk and should be carefully supervised. Despite protective surfaces, playground ziplines cause significant head injury, extremity fracture and high rates of hospital admission. Playground surface standards should be reviewed and revised as needed. Level of evidence Prognosis Study, Level III.
Sediments, soils, and the expansion of farmers into a forager's world: A geoarchaeological study of the mid-to-late Holocene in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Abstract The transition from foraging to food production in interior southern Africa is still not well understood, despite being central to hypothesized migration and diffusion routes connecting the earliest agropastoralist sites in central Africa with the southern African subcontinent. Hwange National Park (14,650 sq. km), Zimbabwe is located along these proposed routes and has both Late Stone Age and Early Iron Age sites that can address this transition. To better understand this change in lifeways and any environmental and/or topographic factors that influenced it, geoarchaeological investigations characterized the soils, sediments, and landforms in six different areas of the park. Forty-eight stratigraphic sections varying from two to four m thick were described, six of which are detailed here. These stratigraphic sections include dated material that allows correlation between basins of different substrates and comparisons of carbon isotopic signatures to reveal whether conditions were locally favorable to grasses (hot/dry) or woodlands (cool/wet) through time. Examined river cuts and augered samples show that some river basins have sediment textures, soil types, and topographic relief that should have been attractive to farmers. However, radiocarbon ages reveal variable potential for finding remains of any early farmers from basin-to-basin, with some bedrock-constrained valleys having no preserved deposits of appropriate age. The repeated scouring of these river basins testifies to sometimes volatile conditions that would have challenged sustained food production. In fact, in the study area landscape instability and variable environmental conditions were commonplace during the past three millennia. Drought between ca. 2.8 and 2.6 ka may have lessened the risk of disease vectors for the earliest agropastoralists that arrived during more mesic conditions between 1.9 and 1.65 ka. At this time basins began to accumulate fill and soil development suggests landscape stability even in headland basins. Changes in soil carbon isotope values imply relatively hot/dry conditions prevailed around 0.73 ka and 0.41 ka and cool/wet conditions around 0.53 ka, but much information has been lost due to the numerous erosional events that wiped away swaths of sediments during intervening droughts. The landscape in Hwange National Park continues to change rapidly as reflected by several meters of river downcutting in response to recent man-made disturbance and/or drought. This downcutting both reveals and endangers the few remaining archaeological sites that are critical to understanding the first food producers in the region.
Sexual Behavior Among Persons With Cognitive Impairments

Although the cognitively impaired are frequently included in heterogeneous studies of problematic sexual behavior, the epidemiology, etiology, and approach to assessment and treatment of persons with dementia and intellectual disability are distinct from those of the general population. The incidence of inappropriate sexual behavior among the intellectually disabled is 15-33%; however, the nature tends to be more socially inappropriate than with violative intent. Limited sociosexual education is a large contributor, and better addressing this area offers a target for prevention and treatment. A thorough clinical assessment of problematic sexual behaviors in the cognitively impaired requires understanding the patient's internal experience, which can be challenging. Assessment tools validated for the general population have not been validated for this population. Very few studies have assessed treatment approaches specifically among the cognitively impaired; however, research does suggest utility in habilitative, psychotherapeutic, and pharmacologic approaches which have been validated among the general population.
The Probative Value of Forensic Science Evidence

When a match is found between forensic science material recovered from a crime scene (e.g., a fingerprint, a strand of hair, a shoe print, etc.) and a reference sample provided by a suspect, the match is widely regarded as powerful evidence that the suspect is the source of the recovered material. However, the probative value of this evidence can vary widely depending on the way in which the evidence is characterized and the hypothesis of interest. This paper uses a likelihood ratio approach to probativity, and describes an experiment that tests whether mock jurors appreciate that the probative value of a reported match offered in support of one hypothesis may differ from the value of that same match when offered in support of another hypothesis.
Visual Self-localization via Inferring View-to-Map Correspondences

This paper poses self-localization of a moving camera as a view-to-map correspondence problem, utilizing a large set of ground-view maps rendered by existing mapping tool, like Google Earth. To address the viewpoint and appearance differences between the rendered maps and camera views, we present a unified solution that comprises of three components. Firstly, we represent each rendered map with a set of view-dependent feature patches and discriminatively train an appearance model for each patch. With these models we cast the view-to-map correspondence task as a ranking task. Secondly, we introduce a programming based method to discover feature correspondences over consecutive frames which are used to estimate visual odometry of camera. The programming formula is regularized with both flow type constraints and spatial smoothness constraints to account for scene noises. Thirdly, we present a joint probabilistic formula to integrate both visual odometry and view-to-map correspondences for reasoning with uncertainties. Evaluations with comparisons over challenging monocular videos demonstrated that our method clearly outperforms the alternative methods. In particular, our method is capable of localizing a moving camera with sub-meter accuracies in the scenario of about 13,000 square meters.
Lissa and the Graphic Novel Form: An Appreciation

Lissa: A Story about Medical Promise, Friendship, and Revolution tells a tale in graphic novel form of two (fictional) girls, one American and one Egyptian, who each faces different medical dilemma...
High-Dose Chemotherapy with Early Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Compared to Standard Dose Chemotherapy or Delayed Transplantation in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ABSTRACT Autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) is the standard of care for all transplantation-eligible patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM). Various studies have compared clinical outcomes with frontline SCT ("early SCT") versus standard-dose therapy (SDT) alone, with or without salvage SCT ("SDT/late SCT"). In this meta-analysis, we compare overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes between these 2 treatment approaches. Twelve studies were identified, including a total of 3633 patients, of whom 1811 received early SCT and 1822 received SDT/late SCT. In our analysis of all 12 studies, OS was not significantly different between the 2 groups (hazard ratio [HR], .86; 95% confidence interval [CI], .70 to 1.04), but PFS was better with early SCT (HR, .67; 95% CI, .54 to .82). In a subgroup analysis of 3 studies in which novel agents were used for induction, OS again was similar in the 2 groups, and PFS was favorable with early SCT (HR, .50; 95% CI, .36 to .70). This analysis shows that over the years, early SCT has been associated with prolonged PFS, but this did not consequently translate into prolonged OS in patients with newly diagnosed MM. The benefit of early SCT in terms of OS is less clear in the era of novel agents, given the limited follow-up of these studies.
Cryptosporidium diagnosed on endoscopic biopsy in a paediatric patient with inflammatory bowel disease

Cryptosporidium, a parasitic infection commonly associated with diarrhoea, may be difficult to differentiate from a flare in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and can lead to unnecessary therapy and increase in morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a paediatric patient who had substantial stool output requiring significant fluid resuscitation and who was later diagnosed with cryptosporidium on endoscopic biopsy. Diagnostic work up for cryptosporidium should be strongly considered when a patient presents with a flare involving massive stool output.
The effect of different thickness alumina capping layers on the final morphology of dewet thin Ni films

Nanoparticles on a substrate have numerous applications in nanotechnology, from enhancements to solar cell efficiency to improvements in carbon nanotube growth. Producing nanoparticles in a cost effective fashion with control over size and spacing is desired, but difficult to do. This work presents a scalable method for altering the radius and pitch distributions of nickel nanoparticles. The introduction of alumina capping layers to thin nickel films during a pulsed laser-induced dewetting process has yielded reductions in the mean and standard deviation of radii and pitch for dewet nanoparticles with no noticeable difference in final morphology with increased capping layer thickness. The differences in carbon nanotube mats grown, on the uncapped sample and one of the capped samples, is also presented here, with a more dense mat being present for the capped case.
Educating unaccompanied immigrant children in Chicago, Illinois: A case study

Abstract Very little is known about how unaccompanied immigrant children (UIC) are faring and integrating into US communities, or about the services they utilize and their outstanding needs. This is true for both UICs that have been released from Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) detention centers to live with sponsors and non-apprehended unaccompanied immigrant youth. From October 2014 to August 2017, 1818 apprehended UICs detained in ORR facilities have been released to live with their sponsors/families in Illinois, of those, 866 were released to Cook County, the county housing the city of Chicago. The number of non-apprehended unaccompanied immigrant children that reside in Illinois, the state with the 6th largest concentration of undocumented residents, is not known. Although these two UIC groups differ in their involvement with the U.S. government, they both have the right to a free and equitable education and an obligation to either attend school or receive homeschooling until, a minimum, of age 16. The current study considers the educational experiences of UIC in the Chicago metropolitan area from the perspective of diverse education, human service, and legal professionals that work with this population in ORR facilities, post-release, and community contexts. An overview of the population and education system factors that should be considered in the provision of educational services for UIC is identified. Implications for education and human service providers are presented.
High Temperature Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and Creep-Ratcheting Behavior of Alloy 617

Nickel based Alloy 617 is one of the leading candidate materials for intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) of the next generation nuclear plant (NGNP). The IHX is anticipated to operate at temperatures between 800 °C and 950 °C, which is in the creep regime. In addition, system start-ups and shut-downs will induce low cycle fatigue (LCF) damages in the IHX components. Hence, designing IHX using Alloy 617 for NGNP construction will require a detailed understanding of the creep-fatigue and ratcheting responses. In this study, a broad set of multiaxial creep-fatigue and ratcheting experiments are performed and the results are critically evaluated. Experiments are conducted by prescribing multiaxial loading histories in axial and shear, stress and strain space at 850 °C and 950 °C with different strain rates and strain amplitudes. Experimental results revealed that the axial strain ratcheting and cyclic hardening/softening responses of Alloy 617 vary significantly with temperature levels, strain rates and strain amplitudes indicating the dependence of creep-fatigue and ratcheting responses on these parameters. A unified constitutive model (UCM) based on the Chaboche framework is developed and validated against the multiaxial experimental responses. UCM simulated responses are compared against the experimental responses for determining the current state of material modeling and if modeling improvement are needed for IHX design applications.
A Rejoinder to Stanley B. Messer and Meir Winokur

No doubt, from the perspective of many psychoanalytic therapists an integration with behavior therapy implies a “compromise” as Messer and Winokur suggest. And their description, in the last paragraph of their commentary, of the modal views and preferences of psychoanalytic and behavioral therapists is largely an accurate one. But the issue I have been addressing is not whether one can reconcile the beliefs, attitudes, or visions of the particular individuals who are presently psychoanalytic or behavioral therapists. Such a reconciliation is necessarily limited by the habits, group identifications, personalities, and vested interests of the people involved. As the physicist Max Planck put it, a new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.
Psychological Culture, Physical Health, and Subjective Well-being

This article investigates the role of psychological culture in influencing health by examining the relationship between cultural discrepancies and physical health and subjective well-being. Participants completed a large battery of tests assessing their individual, psychological culture; perceptions of the larger, ecological culture; coping strategies; emotion and mood states; physical health and subjective well-being. Cultural discrepancies were operationalized as the difference between ratings of psychological and ecological culture. Regression analyses indicated that cultural discrepancies were associated with greater coping strategy usage which, in turn, was associated with anxiety and depression. These emotions were then predictive of both physical health and psychological well-being. These findings suggest that this approach is promising, and may open the door to other studies that operationalize culture on the individual level, forcing us to consider psychological culture and cultural discrepancies in our theoretical models of culture and health.
The utility of upper urinary tract urine cytology before and after application of the Paris system.

Background The Paris System (TPS) introduced diagnostic criteria for urine cytology to improve reproducibility among pathologists. Thus far, most cytology studies have investigated application of TPS on lower urinary tract specimens. Also, it is unclear which cytologic features are most predictive of malignancy, particularly in the upper urinary tract. We evaluate concordance rates of preoperative upper urinary tract cytology specimens before and after application of TPS criteria with surgical resections and assess cytologic features associated with malignancy. Design 54 resections with high- and low-grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC, LGUC) from 2000-2016 with available preoperative cytology (n = 61) were identified. Cytology was re-reviewed to evaluate cytologic features and provide diagnoses before and after TPS implementation. Results The most common cytologic features associated with HGUC were N:C ratios ≥0.7 (88%), hyperchromasia (83%), coarse chromatin distribution (67%), and nuclear pleomorphism in cell clusters (65%). Application of TPS criteria resulted in 10 diagnostic downgrades and 6 diagnostic upgrades. After TPS criteria were applied, the sensitivity of a positive diagnosis decreased from 29% to 19%. The morphologic feature most consistently associated with a downgrade from positive to suspicious was a lack of marked nuclear contour irregularities in atypical urothelial cells. Conclusion Using strict TPS criteria in upper urinary tract cytology specimens may decrease the frequency of positive diagnoses with a concurrent increase in suspicious diagnoses. These findings may indicate that different morphologic features, particularly markedly irregular nuclear contours, may have different predictive values for HGUC in upper urinary tract cytology specimens compared with those from the lower urinary tract.
A geometric perspective on time-of-flight camera design (Conference Presentation)

The depth resolution achieved by a continuous wave time-of-flight (C-ToF) imaging system is determined by the coding (modulation and demodulation) functions that it uses. We present a mathematical framework for exploring and characterizing the space of C-ToF coding functions in a geometrically intuitive space. Using this framework, we design families of novel coding functions that are based on Hamiltonian cycles on hypercube graphs. The proposed Hamiltonian coding functions achieve up to an order of magnitude higher resolution as compared to the current state-of-the-art. Using simulations and a hardware prototype, we demonstrate the performance advantages of Hamiltonian coding in a wide range of imaging settings.
SWISH: Shifting Weight-based Interfaces for Simulated Hydrodynamics in Mixed-Reality Fluid Vessels

Mixed-reality haptic devices introduce a gateway to otherwise intangible virtual content, creating a life-like immersive experience. Congruent haptic sensation requires faithful integration of visual stimuli and perceived tactile sensation. Unfortunately, current commercial mixed-reality systems are unable to reproduce the physical sensation of fluid vessels, due to the shifting nature of fluid motion. To this end, we introduce SWISH, a novel type of ungrounded mixed-reality system, capable of affording the users a realistic haptic sensation of fluid behavior. We also present solutions to prominent challenges of rendering haptic fluid behavior, especially in coordinate translation and virtual adaptation to physical limitation. Our virtual-to-physical coupling uses Nvidia Flex's Unreal Engine integration, wirelessly controlling a motorized mechanical actuation system housed in a plastic "vessel''. In this paper we discuss the current state of SWISH and present results from our preliminary user study, followed by a description of our future planned phases.
Tests of Conditional Predictive Ability: Some Simulation Evidence

In this note we provide simulation evidence on the size and power of tests of predictive ability described in Giacomini and White (2006). Our goals are modest but non-trivial. First, we establish that there exist data generating processes that satisfy the null hypotheses of equal finite-sample (un)conditional predictive ability. We then consider various parameterizations of these DGPs as a means of evaluating the size and power properties of the proposed tests. While some of our results reinforce those in Giacomini and White (2006), others do not. We recommend against using the fixed scheme when conducting these tests and provide evidence that very large bandwidths are sometimes required when estimating long-run variances.
Evaluation of Neuromuscular Blockade Reversal on Postoperative Mechanical Ventilation Time in a Cardiovascular Surgery Population.

Abstract Objective : To report on postoperative outcomes related to the administration of neostigmine for reversal of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents in cardiovascular surgery patients, with a specific focus on the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation as the primary endpoint. Design : A retrospective cohort study design was followed to achieve the study objectives. Setting : This was a single center chart review study conducted at a large academic medical center of adult patients post cardiovascular surgery. Participants : Patients were included if they had received a bolus dose of perioperative nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent and underwent one of the targeted cardiovascular surgeries. Interventions : Final analysis consisted of 175 patients: 95 received neostigmine and 80 did not receive neostigmine. Measurements and Main Results : The primary endpoint was the duration of post-operative mechanical ventilation. When controlling for all covariates, neostigmine use was associated with a 0.34-hour reduction (∼20.4 minutes) in duration of mechanical ventilation (parameter estimate: 0.66, 95% CI 0.49-0.89, p=0.0071). More patients who received neostigmine met the early extubation benchmark of less than six hours (55 vs 34 patients, p=0.04). Finally, neostigmine use was also not found to be associated with increased risk of respiratory complications or postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. Conclusions : The use of neostigmine was found to have a protective effect on the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation without increasing the risk for adverse complications.
Development of a Robust and Highly-Selective Ru(II)-Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution Used to Manufacture AMG 232

We describe herein the development of a scalable Noyori reductive dynamic kinetic resolution to manufacture DLAC, a Δ-lactone precursor to the active pharmaceutical ingredient AMG 232. Central to t...