cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient coding of natural images with a population of noisy Linear-Nonlinear neurons

Efficient coding provides a powerful principle for explaining early sensory coding. Most attempts to test this principle have been limited to linear, noiseless models, and when applied to natural images, have yielded oriented filters consistent with responses in primary visual cortex. Here we show that an efficient coding model that incorporates biologically realistic ingredients – input and output noise, nonlinear response functions, and a metabolic cost on the firing rate – predicts receptive fields and response nonlinearities similar to those observed in the retina. Specifically, we develop numerical methods for simultaneously learning the linear filters and response nonlinearities of a population of model neurons, so as to maximize information transmission subject to metabolic costs. When applied to an ensemble of natural images, the method yields filters that are center-surround and nonlinearities that are rectifying. The filters are organized into two populations, with On- and Off-centers, which independently tile the visual space. As observed in the primate retina, the Off-center neurons are more numerous and have filters with smaller spatial extent. In the absence of noise, our method reduces to a generalized version of independent components analysis, with an adapted nonlinear "contrast" function; in this case, the optimal filters are localized and oriented.
A coordinated investigation of the gravity wave breaking and the associated dynamical instability by a Na lidar and an Advanced Mesosphere Temperature Mapper over Logan, UT (41.7°N, 111.8°W)

The impacts of gravity wave (GW) on the thermal and dynamic characteristics within the mesosphere/lower thermosphere, especially on the atmospheric instabilities, are still not fully understood. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive and detailed investigation on one GW breaking event during a collaborative campaign between the Utah State University Na lidar and the Advanced Mesospheric Temperature Mapper (AMTM) on 9 September 2012. The AMTM provides direct evidence of the GW breaking as well as the horizontal parameters of the GWs involved, while the Na lidar's full diurnal cycle observations are utilized to uncover the roles of tide and GWs in generating a dynamical instability layer. By studying the changes of the OH layer peak altitude, we located the wave breaking altitude as well as the significance of a 2 h wave that are essential to this instability formation. By reconstructing the mean fields, tidal and GW variations during the wave breaking event, we find that the large-amplitude GWs significantly changed the Brunt–Vaisala frequency square and the horizontal wind shear when superimposed on the tidal wind, producing a transient dynamic unstable region between 84 km and 87 km around 11:00 UT that caused a subsequent small-scale GW breaking.
Assessing Coping Strategies: A Theoretically Based Approach

We developed a multidimensional coping inventory to assess the different ways in which people respond to stress. Five scales (of four items each) measure conceptually distinct aspects of problem-focused coping (active coping, planning, suppression of competing activities, restraint coping, seeking of instrumental social support); five scales measure aspects of what might be viewed as emotional-focused coping (seeking of emotional social support, positive reinterpretation, acceptance, denial, turning to religion); and three scales measure coping responses that arguably are less useful (focus on and venting of emotions, behavioral disengagement, mental disengagement). Study 1 reports the development of scale items. Study 2 reports correlations between the various coping scales and several theoretically relevant personality measures in an effort to provide preliminary information about the inventory's convergent and discriminant validity. Study 3 uses the inventory to assess coping responses among a group of undergraduates who were attempting to cope with a specific stressful episode. This study also allowed an initial examination of associations between dispositional and situational coping tendencies.
Inhibition of desmosome formation in chick cell aggregates

Desmosomes (macula adherens) have been associated with the function of adhesion. Their possible role in aggregation and sorting of chick and mouse epithelial cells has been investigated. Treatment of aggregates with 2-5 microgram/ml of actinomycin D which inhibited RNA synthesis also inhibited both desmosome formation and aggregation if administered at the beginning of the aggregation process. In contrast, if the drug was administered at six hours, when the cells had recovered from the process of dissociation, then aggregation over the following six hours appeared normal from observation of living samples. Such aggregates incorporated leucine-3H at roughly 85% of the control level. A quantitative comparison was made of desmosome formation in aggregates treated with actinomycin D for hours 6-12 and those cultured in normal medium. Desmosome formation was inhibited by the drug, although aggregation could proceed. Combinations of chick corneal and mouse skin cells sorted out in the presence of actinomycin D to the same extent as controls. Thus desmosome formation, which normally occurs during aggregation of the epithelial cells studied here, is not coupled with the aggregation or cell sorting process in these cells of stratified epithelia. When cells were treated with cycloheximide (100 muM) both desmosome formation and the progressive rounding up of aggregates was inhibited.
Transfer standard for the spectral density of relative intensity noise of optical fiber sources near 1550 nm

We have developed a transfer standard for the spectral density of relative intensity noise (RIN) of optical fiber sources near 1550 nm. Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), when it is optically filtered over a narrow band (<5 nm), yields a stable RIN spectrum that is practically constant to several tens of gigahertz. The RIN is calculated from the power spectral density as measured with a calibrated optical spectrum analyzer. For a typical device it is -110 dB/Hz, with uncertainty ⩽0.12 dB/Hz. The invariance of the RIN under attenuation yields a considerable dynamic range with respect to rf noise levels. Results are compared with those from a second method that uses a distributed-feedback laser (DFB) that has a Poisson-limited RIN. Application of each method to the same RIN measurement system yields frequency-dependent calibration functions that, when they are averaged, differ by ⩽0.2 dB.
Keeping tabs : Are redundant marking systems needed for rodents?

We use survival analysis to compare failure of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and loss of metal ear tags in 2,277 southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans), 124 house mice (Mus musculus), 112 hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus), and 374 deer (Peromyscus maniculatus) and cotton mice (P. gossypinus). With the exception of cotton rats, failure rates between ear and PIT tags differed by species. Flying squirrels exhibited the highest proportional loss of both tag types and lost ear tags more readily than PIT tags failed. The opposite was true for cotton rats and deer and cotton mice. Most PIT tags appeared to fail shortly after implantation (≤3 days), except for flying squirrels and, to a lesser extent, cotton rats. Ear tags exhibited a consistent rate of loss in flying squirrels. Body mass did not influence failure of PIT tags; however, flying squirrel body mass was associated with increased loss of ear tags. For flying squirrels PIT tag failure increased with the number of times an individual had already received a PIT tag that failed. We provide recommendations for using PIT and ear tags in marking rodents based on species-specific patterns and suggest the combined use of external and internal markers to obtain the most reliable estimates of population parameters.
Chv\'{a}tal-type results for degree sequence Ramsey numbers

A sequence of nonnegative integers = (d1;d2;:::;dn) is graphic if there is a (simple) graph G of order n having degree sequence . In this case, G is said to realize or be a realization of . Given a graph H, a graphic sequence is potentially H-graphic if there is some realization of that contains H as a subgraph. In this paper, we consider a degree sequence analogue to classical graph Ramsey numbers. For graphs H1 and H2, the potential-Ramsey number rpot(H1;H2) is the minimum integerN such that for anyN-term graphic sequence , either is potentially H1-graphic or the complementary sequence = (N 1 dN;:::;N 1 d1) is potentially H2-graphic. We prove that if s 2 is an integer and Tt is a tree of order t 9(s 2), then
Self-rated poor health and loneliness in late adulthood: Testing the moderating role of familial ties

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate whether the relationship between self-rated poor health and loneliness in late adulthood is moderated by strong and supportive familial ties. Using cross-sectional data from a sample of 2000 individuals 60 years of age and older who reside in Arizona and Florida, moderation tests were conducted to determine whether two types of familial ties – spouse and children – diminish the effect of poor health on loneliness. The results indicated that participants who reported poor health were less likely to experience loneliness when they have a strong attachment to their spouse. Similar attachments to children did not condition the relationship, neither did the mere presence of familial ties (alternative measures that did not take into account the quality of such ties). The findings lend support the argument that it is not familial ties per se that are beneficial, but rather the quality of such ties that matters.
Evaluation of the Tellabs 1150 GPON multiservice access platform

For over two years, Sandia National Laboratories has been using a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) access layer for selected networks. The GPON equipment includes the Tellabs 1150 Multiservice Access Platform (MSAP) Optical Line Terminal (OLT), the Tellabs ONT709 and ONT709GP Optical Network Terminals (ONTs), and the Panorama PON Network Manager. In late 2013, the Tellabs equipment was updated to Software Release FP27.1_015130. Because a new software release has the potential to affect performance and functionality, it needed to be thoroughly tested. This report documents that testing. It also provides a comparison between the current release and the previous Software Release FP25.5.1_013274 that was being used.
How the Public Views Black Presidential Candidates

An analysis of opinion data from the 1970s to present, this study will examine attitudes toward Black presidential candidates with three areas of focus in mind: 1) the level of support (or lack thereof) for Black presidential candidates, 2) race-based stereotypes people hold about Black presidential candidates, and 3) emotional attachments that stoke the desire to participate in the presidential selection process. Until 2008, the question “If your party nominated a Black for president, would you vote for him if he were qualified for the job?” was hypothetical, for until then there was no viable Black contender for the U.S. presidency. Whereas a trait stereotype indicates policy preference or issue competency based on a demographic characteristic, which is often made readily available via the press - for example, Jackson’s designation as a “Black presidential candidate,” it can also serve to reinforce the impression among White voters, especially conservatives, that a Black candidate such as Jackson is not the best candidate to represent their views in office. Given that newer scholarship is moving toward an account of stereotypes, and emotions that heighten the value of intrinsic rewards associated with voting and participating in other ways, research of this type is both ambitious and pioneering. Given that the study will gauge emotions when an African American campaigns for presidential office and comparatively so across election cycles, it lays the groundwork for an emerging field: African American political psychology. In as much as emotional responses might vary across racial, ethnic, and gender groups, the study also has implications for intersectionality-type research. Whereas past researchers have analyzed trends in opinion data based exclusively on a Black/White (or racial divide), the present study will account for and rigorously examine differences between and within groups based on race, ethnicity, and gender using survey data and quantitative methods.
A Multidisciplinary Study of Stimulation Designs in the Three Forks Formation, ND

The Three Forks Formation in the state of North Dakota is one of the main plays with the record of one million barrels a day of hydrocarbon production, recently, combined with the Bakken. Three Forks formation is highly heterogeneous due to the presence of interbedded shale layers. The reservoir properties vary significantly within the basin, which makes the stimulation designs challenging. It’s well understood that to maintain the production, well completion and stimulation designs should be applied in a given field in Williston Basin; in this paper we combined several data sources in a multidisciplinary manner and compared completion design parameters such as: amount of proppant injected and type, fracturing fluid type, using acid, etc. with the goal of improving well productivity. The main objective of this study is to investigate how different fracturing components can impact the production. The production history data was limited to the days after the stimulation. Our investigation is based on proprietary and public data of the Three Forks Formation. We also included the name of each operator active in a single field to make an assessment of how different companies are performing completion and fracturing design compared to production. Introduction In the last decade, the Bakken shale has emerged as a major oil play in North America. Lately, however, more effort has been spent on Three Forks Formation. From across the country, oil companies have been flocking to the Williston Basin to get their shares. These companies have brought along their unique knowledge and experiences. They are constantly testing and refining their methods in order to have the most production out of the Bakken and Three Forks formations. As a result, there is a variety in the way these companies stimulate their wells. Each different approach had produced different result. Some approaches will result in higher production comparing to others. In this study, the focus will be on the Three Forks since it is the “next” formation. The Three Forks Formation was deposited during the late Devonian, in a very shallow and extensive epeiric platform. It is a mud dominated system composed of dolomitic siltstone, claystone and mudstone (Gutierrez et al., 2013). Even though Three Forks is an unconventional play, there are many subsurface structures involved in it, such as dome and anticlines, which form conventional traps throughout the basin. As such, production from these structures should be higher since they benefit from the conventional trap. For a major part, this study devotes to answer two questions: • What are the correlations between different fracing parameters and its corresponding production result? • Does it require higher pressure to open fracture on top of an anticline vs. away from an anticline? URTeC 2015 Page 1941
General Features of Mitotic Chromosomes

Chromosomes are most often studied at mitotic metaphase, when the chromosomes are shortest and thickest, or most condensed. To obtain suitable metaphases, cells are grown in culture, treated with colcemid to destroy the highly viscous spindle (preventing anaphase), and treated with a hypotonic saline solution to swell the cells. The cell suspension is fixed with methanol-acetic acid, air-dried on a glass microscope slide to achieve optimal spreading and flattening of the chromosomes, and stained with a dye that binds to DNA. At metaphase the duplicated chromosomes each consist of two sister chromatids, which become daughter chromosomes after their separation at anaphase (Chapter 2). Each chromatid has two arms separated by a primary constriction, or unstained gap (Fig. 4.1). This marks the location of the centromere, the site of spindle microtubule attachment, which is essential for the normal movements of the chromosomes during mitotic and meiotic cell divisions. A chromosome without a centromere is acentric and either is lost or drifts passively towards a pole of the spindle. Some chromosomes have a secondary constriction, called a nucleolus organizer. A segment of variable size, a cytological satellite, is sometimes visible distal to a secondary constriction.
Experimental Study of MSW Pyrolysis in a Fixed Bed Reactor

Municipal solid waste (MSW) is a potential feedstock for producing transportation fuels because it is readily available using an existing collection/transportation infrastructure and fees are provided by the suppliers or government agencies to treat MSW. The dynamic chemical and physical changes of three organic MSW components of paper, wood, and textile residue during pyrolysis in a fixed bed reactor were characterized. The yields of bio-oil collected at the pyrolysis temperature of 300 °C were 12.0 wt% (wet basis) for textile, 16.3 wt% for paper, and 19.7 wt% for wood. The maximum yields of bio-oil were 52.5 wt% for textile obtained at 700 °C, 57.4 wt% for paper obtained at 600 °C and 64.9 wt% for wood obtained at temperature of 500 °C. The char yields generally decreased with increasing temperature because increased quantities of volatiles from the samples were converted to oil and non-condensable gases. For the pyrolysis temperature from 300 ° to 800 °C, the char yields were between 72.2 and 21.8 wt% (wet basis) for wood, 68.2 and 23.3 wt% for paper and 74.2 % and 22.6 wt% for textile, respectively. The heating values of biochar obtained for all MSW components increased steadily with temperature. The HHVs were from 17.7 MJ/kg at 100 °C to 31.2 MJ/kg at 800 °C for wood, 15.2 MJ/kg at 100 °C to 21.3 MJ/kg at 800 °C for paper and 15.8 MJ/kg at 300 °C to 27.2 MJ/kg at 800°C for textile. Biochar generated from MSW components generally showed an increase in carbon and nitrogen contents with the increase in pyrolysis temperature while oxygen and hydrogen decreased with the temperature.
ECHOCARDIOGRAM INTERPRETATION VIA GOOGLE GLASS

We evaluated the use of Google Glass for remote transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) video capture and interpretation. Google Glass was used to record 17 TTE studies with 25 key findings. Ten physicians (3 faculty and 7 fellow cardiologists) interpreted recordings on a) desktop, b) iPhone, c) iPad
Simulation of Islands Morphologies Transition of Thin Film Growth in Initial Stage

In the thesis,the island morphotogies of the thin film growth in initial stage on(001)substrate are simulated by Kinetic Monte Carlo(KMC)method.The model takes into account the processes of deposition,adsorp- tion,diffusion and movements around islands of atoms with different deposition rates,substrate temperatures and the range of L-J potential.On the base of the model,the relationship between island morphologies and the movement abili- ty of semi-stable atoms is investigated systematically.It is found that island morphologies are decided upon the move- ment ability of semi-stable atoms,and island morphologies tend to be dense with the increase of the movement ability of semi-stable atoms.The dense island morphologies tend to be dendritic with the increasing temperatures at the same a- round-island ability.
An Aggressive Approach to Prostatic Cancer

AbstractDuring the last 47 years an aggressive approach to the treatment of prostatic malignancies has been maintained at the Duke University Medical Center. Radical prostatectomy, usually by the perineal route and, more recently, by the retropubic technique in conjunction with pelvic lyraphad-enectomy, has been vigorously applied in patients with diffuse stages A, B and even C diseases. A 5-year survival rate of 80 per cent has been documented. Hormonal therapy has been equally vigorous, most often embracing orchiectomy at the time of diagnosis with immediate initiation of estrogen therapy. Patients so treated exhibited a 5-year survival rate of 49 per cent, far greater than the average survival rates usually quoted. Radiation therapy had been used primarily in conjunction with other treatment measures, and multiple drug chemotherapy is now being used in patients who demonstrate disseminated and progressive disease, refractory to other measures previously instituted. By maintaining flexible combinations ...
Managing the Primary Tumor with Unresectable Synchronous Colorectal Metastases

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and the second most common in women. Approximately 20 % of patients with colorectal cancer are found to have metastatic disease (stage IV) at the time of diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach provides the best chance for a potentially curative option in selected patients with metastases, but in most patients, the metastases are unresectable. The treatment strategy for this entity is not fully established, especially regarding whether and when the primary tumor should be resected. In this manuscript, we review current evidence regarding approaches to the primary tumor in patients with unresectable synchronous metastases from colorectal cancer.
Enlarging mass on the back.

Photo Quiz presents readers with a clinical challange based on a photograph or other image.
Predicting fiscal distress in special district governments

This paper uses survival analysis to investigate fiscal distress in special district governments. We hypothesize that fiscal distress is positively correlated with revenue concentration and debt usage, and negatively correlated with organizational slack and entity resources. Our model addresses differences in district functions, financing and legislation. Our regression model predicts the likelihood of fiscal distress and correctly classifies 93.4 percent of the districts as fiscally distressed or not. The results show that the most important indicator of fiscal distress is a low level of capital expenditures relative to total revenues and bond proceeds. The information needed to predict fiscal distress is publicly available, making our model useful in the prevention, detection, and mitigation of fiscal distress in U.S. districts.
Proof without Words: Squares Modulo 3.

Using the fact that the sum of the first n odd numbers is n2, we show visually that n2 ≣ 0 (mod 3) when n ≣ 0 (mod 3), and n2 ≣ 1 (mod 3) when n ≣ ±1 (mod 3).
False feedback and beliefs influence name recall in younger and older adults

Feedback is an important self-regulatory process that affects task effort and subsequent performance. Benefits of positive feedback for list recall have been explored in research on goals and feedback, but the effect of negative feedback on memory has rarely been studied. The current research extends knowledge of memory and feedback effects by investigating face-name association memory and by examining the potential mediation of feedback effects, in younger and older adults, through self-evaluative beliefs. Beliefs were assessed before and after name recognition and name recall testing. Repeated presentation of false positive feedback was compared to false negative feedback and a no feedback condition. Results showed that memory self-efficacy declined over time for participants in the negative and no feedback conditions but was sustained for those receiving positive feedback. Furthermore, participants who received negative feedback felt older after testing than before testing. For name recall, the positive feedback group outperformed the negative feedback and no feedback groups combined, with no age interactions. The observed feedback-related effects on memory were fully mediated by changes in memory self-efficacy. These findings advance our understanding of how beliefs are related to feedback in memory and inform future studies examining the importance of self-regulation in memory.
Moonlighting in the nightlife: From indentured to precarious labor in Los Angeles Koreatown’s hostess industry:

This article explores the emergence of precarious work within the hostess industry of Los Angeles Koreatown, an ethnic enclave cited as a hotbed of sex trafficking. Hostesses provide companionship,...
Update on the diagnosis and management of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Once suspected, the diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is straightforward when flow cytometric analysis of the peripheral blood reveals a population of glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor protein-deficient cells. But PNH is clinically heterogeneous, with some patients having a disease process characterized by florid intravascular, complement-mediated hemolysis, whereas in others, bone marrow failure dominates the clinical picture with modest or even no evidence of hemolysis observed. The clinical heterogeneity is due to the close, though incompletely understood, relationship between PNH and immune-mediated bone marrow failure, and that PNH is an acquired, nonmalignant clonal disease of the hematopoietic stem cells. Bone marrow failure complicates management of PNH because compromised erythropoiesis contributes, to a greater or lesser degree, to the anemia; in addition, the extent to which the mutant stem cell clone expands in an individual patient determines the magnitude of the hemolytic component of the disease. An understanding of the unique pathobiology of PNH in relationship both to complement physiology and immune-mediated bone marrow failure provides the basis for a systematic approach to management.
The University of Washington Health Sciences Library BioCommons: an evolving Northwest biomedical research information support infrastructure.

Setting: The University of Washington Health Sciences Libraries and Information Center BioCommons serves the bioinformatics needs of researchers at the university and in the vibrant for-profit and not-for-profit biomedical research sector in the Washington area and region. Program Components: The BioCommons comprises services addressing internal University of Washington, not-for-profit, for-profit, and regional and global clientele. The BioCommons is maintained and administered by the BioResearcher Liaison Team. The BioCommons architecture provides a highly flexible structure for adapting to rapidly changing resources and needs. Evaluation Mechanisms: BioCommons uses Web-based pre- and post-course evaluations and periodic user surveys to assess service effectiveness. Recent surveys indicate substantial usage of BioCommons services and a high level of effectiveness and user satisfaction. Next Steps/Future Directions: BioCommons is developing novel collaborative Web resources to distribute bioinformatics tools and is experimenting with Web-based competency training in bioinformation resource use.
Abstract A37: Outcomes of a Randomized Community Trial to Increase Pap Testing among Pacific Islanders in Southern California

Background: Pap tests comprise an essential cervical cancer prevention and detection method for women in the U.S. Unfortunately, the Pap test remains significantly underutilized among many ethnic/racial groups, particularly Pacific Islanders (PIs) who have low rates of Pap testing and high rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality. Methods: A randomized community trial tested the efficacy of a social support-informed culturally developed intervention on increasing Pap testing among Chamorro, Samoan and Tongan women in Southern California. Using community-based participatory research (CBPR), Pacific Islander women and their husbands/partners were recruited from social organizations (churches and clans) that had been randomly assigned to receive the intervention or control education. Three waves (pretest, posttest and 6-month follow-up) of data collection included demographics, cervical cancer beliefs, social support between women and their husbands/partners, and Pap test attitudes and behaviors. Results: CBPR recruitment resulted in a total of 81 social organizations recruited that included n=575 Pacific Islander women and n=461 husbands/partners. Significant differences between groups at baseline included acculturation and health insurance coverage. Six month follow-up found that all women from baseline significantly increased knowledge and decreased fatalistic attitudes towards Pap testing. Women who were not adherent to Pap test guidelines in the intervention group had significantly higher rates of Pap testing compared to controls at six month follow-up. No differences were found in either women9s perceived social support nor men9s provision of social support for Pap testing. Conclusion: CBPR-informed behavioral interventions can increase cervical cancer screening in Pacific Islander women. Although social support did not mediate the relationship between women9s knowledge and behavior, it did inform the development of a culturally tailored intervention for Chamorro, Samoan and Tongan women. Future studies can build upon these results by addressing other early detection (e.g., mammograms, colorectal exams, etc) and prevention (e.g., HPV vaccination) in these and other disparity populations. Citation Format: Sora Park Tanjasiri, Jie W. Weiss, Michele Mouttapa, Lola Sablan Santos. Outcomes of a Randomized Community Trial to Increase Pap Testing among Pacific Islanders in Southern California. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A37.
Use of single polymorphism arrays (SNP-A) to modify prognostic scoring systems for myelodysplastic syndromes.

6521 Background: MDS are hematologic neoplasms characterized by dysplasia and cytopenias. Two commonly used risk stratifications, IPSS (Greenberg et al Blood 1997) and IPSS-R are based on clinical ...
CANCER AND ARTERIAL THROMBOSIS RISK: INSIGHTS FROM THE 2012 NATIONAL INPATIENT SAMPLE

Background: Patients with cancer have increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the risk of arterial thrombosis in patients with types of cancer at high risk for VTE has not been described. The goal of this study is to determine the rate of arterial thrombosis in patients with
Cost-effectiveness analysis of pharmacokinetic-guided (PK) 5-fluorouracil (5FU) when combined with leucovorin and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

6527 Background: Dosing chemotherapy based on body surface area (BSA) results in marked variability in inter-individual drug exposure. An immunoassay for 5FU has been developed that assists in PK-guided dose adjustments. A randomized trial showed increased overall survival (OS) and decreased toxicity with PK 5FU/Leucovorin compared to BSA 5FU/Leucovorin in patients with mCRC. Similar results were achieved in a non-randomized trial comparing PK FOLFOX with BSA FOLFOX. The objective of this study is to compare the cost effectiveness of PK FOLFOX with BSA FOLFOX in patients with mCRC. Methods: We developed a Markov model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of PK FOLFOX compared with BSA FOLFOX. Published progression-free survival (PFS) and OS curves were fitted with Weibull models. Progression risks and cause-specific mortality were extrapolated from the fitted survival models. Costs for administration and management of adverse events were estimated based on Medicare reimbursement rates for hospital and physi...
The neurochemical consequences of methamphetamine self-administration in male and female rats.

Background Methamphetamine (METH) is an addictive substance that is used in both males and females. Few preclinical studies have focused on understanding sex-differences in the neurochemical consequences of contingent METH. The purpose of the current study was to investigate potential sex-differences in the neurochemical consequences of METH self-administration.
5.6 Atomic Force Microscopy and Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins

This chapter presents methods to study the structure and function of membrane proteins that are integrated in the lipid bilayer. Regular arrays of solubilized native or heterologously expressed membrane proteins are reconstituted in the presence of lipids, and assessed by electron crystallography and atomic force microscopy. Native, densely packed membranes are mainly studied by atomic force microscopy, as this method provides sufficient signal-to-noise ratio and resolution to visualize submolecular details of single molecules. Reconstituted and native membranes are amenable to single molecule force spectroscopy for determining inter- and intra-molecular interactions. Examples including aquaporins, bacteriorhodopsin, porin OmpF, and rhodopsin are discussed.
Guideline: Experts recommend a single dose of oral steroids for pain relief in acute sore throat.

Source Citation Aertgeerts B, Agoritsas T, Siemieniuk RA, et al. Corticosteroids for sore throat: a clinical practice guideline. BMJ. 2017;358:j4090. 28931507
Optimizing the Geometry of Flexure System Topologies Using the Boundary Learning Optimization Tool

We introduce a new computational tool called the Boundary Learning Optimization Tool (BLOT) that identifies the boundaries of the performance capabilities achieved by general flexure system topologies if their geometric parameters are allowed to vary from their smallest allowable feature sizes to their largest geometrically compatible feature sizes for given constituent materials. The boundaries generated by the BLOT fully define the design spaces of flexure systems and allow designers to visually identify which geometric versions of their synthesized topologies best achieve desired combinations of performance capabilities. The BLOT was created as a complementary tool to the freedom and constraint topologies (FACT) synthesis approach in that the BLOT is intended to optimize the geometry of the flexure topologies synthesized using the FACT approach. The BLOT trains artificial neural networks to create models of parameterized flexure topologies using numerically generated performance solutions from different design instantiations of those topologies. These models are then used by an optimization algorithm to plot the desired topology’s performance boundary. The model-training and boundary-plotting processes iterate using additional numerically generated solutions from each updated boundary generated until the final boundary is guaranteed to be accurate within any average error set by the user. A FACT-synthesized flexure topology is optimized using the BLOT as a simple case study.
Hemoglobin A1c Accurately Predicts Continuous Glucose Monitoring-Derived Average Glucose in Youth and Young Adults With Cystic Fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE In cystic fibrosis (CF), hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) is thought to underestimate glycemia. However, few studies have directly assessed the relationship between HbA 1c and average glucose in CF. We determined the relationships among glycemic markers—HbA 1c , fructosamine (FA), glycated albumin (%GA), and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG)—and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in CF, hypothesizing that alternate markers would better predict average sensor glucose (ASG) than HbA 1c . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS CF participants and a group of healthy control subjects (HCs), ages 6–25 years, wore CGM for up to 7 days. Pearson correlations assessed the relationships between CGM variables and HbA 1c , FA, %GA, and 1,5-AG. The regression line between HbA 1c and ASG was compared in CF versus HC. Linear regressions determined whether alternate markers predicted ASG after adjustment for HbA 1c . RESULTS CF ( n = 93) and HC ( n = 29) groups wore CGM for 5.2 ± 1 days. CF participants were 14 ± 3 years of age and 47% were male, with a BMI z score −0.1 ± 0.8 and no different from HCs in age, sex, or BMI. Mean HbA 1c in CF was 5.7 ± 0.8% (39 ± 9 mmol/mol) vs. HC 5.1 ± 0.2% (32 ± 2 mmol/mol) ( P P ≤ 0.01): HbA 1c ( r = 0.86), FA ( r = 0.69), %GA ( r = 0.83), and 1,5-AG ( r = −0.26). The regression line between ASG and HbA 1c did not differ in CF versus HC ( P = 0.44). After adjustment for HbA 1c , %GA continued to predict ASG ( P = 0.0009) in CF. CONCLUSIONS HbA 1c does not underestimate ASG in CF as previously assumed. No alternate glycemic marker correlated more strongly with ASG than HbA 1c . %GA shows strong correlation with ASG and added to the prediction of ASG beyond HbA 1c . However, we are not advocating use of HbA 1c for diabetes screening in CF based on these results. Further study will determine whether glycemic measures other than ASG differ among different types of diabetes for a given HbA 1c .
Disorders of the Umbilical Cord

The umbilical cord, a vital conduit between the placenta and the fetus, loses much of its significance after birth. However, newborns can often present with various abnormalities of the umbilicus, such as benign granulomas or more serious lesions due to persistent remnants, many of which can change the normal course of cord separation and may be associated with significant morbidities if left unrecognized and uncorrected. Although not uncommon, sanguineous drainage from the umbilical stump can be quite alarming to new parents. Parental counseling regarding normal umbilical cord changes, as well as abnormal findings, such as discharge and skin changes, are important for the recognition and timely treatment of potentially significant umbilical cord disorders.
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in biomedical research

Abstract: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a form of scanning probe microscopy that achieves sub-nanometer imaging resolution, far exceeding the optical diffraction limit. AFM images, which cannot be achieved with conventional microscopy techniques, reveal aspects of the underlying biophysics that provide new insights for the fields of cell and molecular biology. This chapter presents the basic concepts of AFM and discusses a variety of imaging modes and their application to biological systems. Specialized AFM techniques are also discussed that expand the reach of this method in biomedical imaging.
The Origins of the Royal Society

Trevor-Roper’s introduction to Miss Purver’s work1 sums up the book adequately. There are two stories about the antecedents of the foundation of the Royal Society of London, overlapping yet different. Sprat’s History of the Royal Society of 1667 declares the Oxford group to be its antecedent, whereas most other writers assume the London group to be the one. The prejudice against Sprat, namely that he was himself prejudiced in favour of Oxford, is dispelled by showing that his History was the semi-official one. The question, however, is ideological. The Royal Society was Baconian. So were both the Oxford and the London groups. But whereas the London group held vulgar Baconianism, the Oxford group and its successor the Royal Society were purist Baconian. Thus, the true predecessor is the Oxford group as Sprat has claimed, not the London group as his successors have claimed.
Some Assumptions of Psychoanalytic Communication: Implications of Subliminal Research for Psychoanalytic Method and Technique

Communication in psychoanalysis is of a very special nature. Although two people talk to each other, it is not merely conversation. Although words are spoken, it does not altogether depend on language. Although the main intent of both parties is to be understood, it is the difficulties in communication which are at the heart of the matter. Finally, although much is said, it is mainly what remains unspoken that is important. Communication meeting these requirements is not ordinary; it is constrained by a method, requiring that one person reveal his thoughts unsparingly to the other person who is listening carefully enough to identify gaps, confusions, inconsistencies, and contradictions in the communication, as well as the tenor of expressed and intimated feelings. The psychoanalyst’s third ear is glued to a psychic stethoscope which magnifies the otherwise unheard stirrings in the unconscious that point to underlying disorder. Further, a special relationship quickly develops between the people involved in this enterprise. Once we recognize that psychoanalytic communication is not ordinary conversation, nor simply one person giving an account of himself to another, but constitutes a highly specialized and uniquely constrained form of dialogue, then we can appreciate how important it is to arrive at some clear idea as to what this method is and what its assumptions are. Further, it is important to know how this method is related to: (1) a body of confirmatory or supportive evidence, and (2) particular applications in a given case (technique).
Calibration strategies for use of the nanoDot OSLD in CT applications.

Aluminum oxide based optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLD) have been recognized as a useful dosimeter for measuring CT dose, particularly for patient dose measurements. Despite the increasing use of this dosimeter, appropriate dosimeter calibration techniques have not been established in the literature; while the manufacturer offers a calibration procedure, it is known to have relatively large uncertainties. The purpose of this work was to evaluate two clinical approaches for calibrating these dosimeters for CT applications, and to determine the uncertainty associated with measurements using these techniques. Three unique calibration procedures were used to calculate dose for a range of CT conditions using a commercially available OSLD and reader. The three calibration procedures included calibration (a) using the vendor-provided method, (b) relative to a 120 kVp CT spectrum in air, and (c) relative to a megavoltage beam (implemented with 60 Co). The dose measured using each of these approaches was compared to dose measured using a calibrated farmer-type ion chamber. Finally, the uncertainty in the dose measured using each approach was determined. For the CT and megavoltage calibration methods, the dose measured using the OSLD nanoDot was within 5% of the dose measured using an ion chamber for a wide range of different CT scan parameters (80-140 kVp, and with measurements at a range of positions). When calibrated using the vendor-recommended protocol, the OSLD measured doses were on average 15.5% lower than ion chamber doses. Two clinical calibration techniques have been evaluated and are presented in this work as alternatives to the vendor-provided calibration approach. These techniques provide high precision for OSLD-based measurements in a CT environment.
Nitrate sorption to biochar following chemical oxidation.

Biochar amendments can reduce nitrate (NO3) leaching in agricultural soil. It has been hypothesized that functional groups on the biochar surface from oxidation can increase NO3 sorption. This study evaluates the effect of chemical oxidation of biochar on NO3 sorption characteristics. Eight biochars, made from wood and corn cobs, underwent sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidation and then assessed for NO3 sorption capacity using batch isotherm methods. The unoxidized and oxidized biochar produced at low temperatures (400 °C) had no significant NO3 sorption. Oxidized biochars produced at higher temperatures (600 °C and 700 °C) had calculated maximum NO3 sorption capacities (Smax) ranging from 0.50 to 3.97 mg NO3-N g-1. Biochar oxidations with 50 mmol NaClO g-1 (N50) in combination with an acid wash (AW) had the largest estimated sorption capacities of 3.68, 3.97, and 1.46 mg NO3-N g-1 for CTN50,AW, BW3N50,AW, and CC3N50,AW, respectively. Sorption capacity of wood-based biochars was higher than corn cob biochars due to increased oxidation as measured by total acid group content (TAGC). Wood biochar Smax values were correlated with ΔTAGC (R2 = 0.86), with a slope of 1.2 μmol NO3-N μmol TAGC-1 suggesting that cationic bridging of NO3 to oxidized sites is the primary mechanism for NO3 sorption.
The Relationship Between Haplotype-Based FST and Haplotype Length

The population-genetic statistic [Formula: see text] is used widely to describe allele frequency distributions in subdivided populations. The increasing availability of DNA sequence data has recently enabled computations of [Formula: see text] from sequence-based "haplotype loci." At the same time, theoretical work has revealed that [Formula: see text] has a strong dependence on the underlying genetic diversity of a locus from which it is computed, with high diversity constraining values of [Formula: see text] to be low. In the case of haplotype loci, for which two haplotypes that are distinct over a specified length along a chromosome are treated as distinct alleles, genetic diversity is influenced by haplotype length: longer haplotype loci have the potential for greater genetic diversity. Here, we study the dependence of [Formula: see text] on haplotype length. Using a model in which a haplotype locus is sequentially incremented by one biallelic locus at a time, we show that increasing the length of the haplotype locus can either increase or decrease the value of [Formula: see text], and usually decreases it. We compute [Formula: see text] on haplotype loci in human populations, finding a close correspondence between the observed values and our theoretical predictions. We conclude that effects of haplotype length are valuable to consider when interpreting [Formula: see text] calculated on haplotypic data.
Oblique-plane single-molecule localization microscopy for tissues and small intact animals.

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), while well established for cultured cells, is not yet fully compatible with tissue-scale samples. We introduce single-molecule oblique-plane microscopy (obSTORM), which by directly imaging oblique sections of samples with oblique light-sheet illumination offers a deep and volumetric SMLM platform that is convenient for standard tissue samples and small intact animals. We demonstrate super-resolution imaging at depths of up to 66 µm for cells, Caenorhabditis elegans gonads, Drosophila melanogaster larval brain, mouse retina and brain sections, and whole stickleback fish. Single-molecule oblique-plane microscopy (obSTORM) enables deep volumetric super-resolution imaging in a light-sheet microscopy platform that is convenient for standard tissues and small intact animals.
The Other Student Debt Crisis: How Borrowing to Pay for a Child’s College Education Relates to Parents’ Mental Health at Midlife

Objectives More parents are borrowing to help their children pay for college. These loans may be a source of financial stress and worry, which could influence parents' mental health. We determine whether child-related educational debt is associated with worse mental health among parents and if fathers are more sensitive to this debt than mothers, given potential gender differences in financial decision-making and relationships with adult children. Method Data come from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, a nationally representative sample of persons born between 1957 and 1964. We used the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Short Form-12 Mental Health Component Score to assess mental health. We restricted our sample to parents who had at least one biological child attend college and who were interviewed at age 50, when mental health was assessed (n = 3,545). Results Among fathers, having any child-related educational debt versus none was associated with fewer depressive symptoms, but having greater amounts of child-related educational debt was associated with more depressive symptoms and worse mental health. No relationship was found for mothers. Discussion Our findings indicate that the student debt crisis may also have mental health implications for aging parents, particularly for fathers.