cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Indo-European Basic Colour Terms*

Berlin and Kay (1969) present strong evidence that “all languages share a universal system of basic colour categorization” and that “the basic color-term inventories of most languages expand through time by lexicalizing these categories in a highly constrained, universal order” (Kay and McDaniel 1978:610). The validity of these conclusions has also been demonstrated by Collier et al. (1976) and by Kay and McDaniel (1978). The evolutionary process identified by Berlin and Kay can be represented schematically as follows: where the arrow may be read ‘is encoded before’ (Kay and McDaniel 1978: 615). In other words, languages proceed through a series of stages in the development of their basic colour-term lexicon, with the most simplistic system containing only terms for white (light) and black (dark). Any expansion of this fundamental system will first result in the addition of a term for red and then in the addition of a term for green or yellow. If further expansion takes place, “yellow or green, whichever did not emerge at the previous stage, now emerges” (Berlin and Kay 1969:18), followed by terms for blue and brown. When a system develops beyond Stage VI, “there is a rapid expansion to the full roster of eleven basic color categories,” although no particular order of appearance among terms for purple, pink, orange, or gray has been ascertained (Berlin and Kay 1969:21-22).
Conductive silk–polypyrrole composite scaffolds with bioinspired nanotopographic cues for cardiac tissue engineering

We report on the development of bioinspired cardiac scaffolds made from electroconductive acid-modified silk fibroin-poly(pyrrole) (AMSF+PPy) substrates patterned with nanoscale ridges and grooves reminiscent of native myocardial extracellular matrix (ECM) topography to enhance the structural and functional properties of cultured human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes. Nanopattern fidelity was maintained throughout the fabrication and functionalization processes, and no loss in conductive behavior occurred due to the presence of the nanotopographical features. AMSF+PPy substrates were biocompatible and stable, maintaining high cell viability over a 21-day culture period while displaying no signs of PPy delamination. The presence of anisotropic topographical cues led to increased cellular organization and sarcomere development, and electroconductive cues promoted a significant improvement in the expression and polarization of connexin 43 (Cx43), a critical regulator of cell-cell electrical coupling. The combination of biomimetic topography and electroconductivity also increased the expression of genes that encode key proteins involved in regulating the contractile and electrophysiological function of mature human cardiac tissue.
Artificial General Intelligence and the Human Mental Model

When the first artificial general intelligences are built, they may improve themselves to far-above-human levels. Speculations about such future entities are already affected by anthropomorphic bias, which leads to erroneous analogies with human minds. In this chapter, we apply a goal-oriented understanding of intelligence to show that humanity occupies only a tiny portion of the design space of possible minds. This space is much larger than what we are familiar with from the human example; and the mental architectures and goals of future superintelligences need not have most of the properties of human minds. A new approach to cognitive science and philosophy of mind, one not centered on the human example, is needed to help us understand the challenges which we will face when a power greater than us emerges.
Zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) distribution: parameter estimation and applications to model data from natural calamities

This work deals with estimation of parameters of a zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) distribution as well as using it to model some natural calamities’ data. First, we compare the maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) and the method of moments estimators (MMEs) in terms of standardized bias (SBias) and standardized mean squared error (SMSE). We then proceed to show how datasets from some recent natural disasters can be modeled by the ZIP distribution.
Improving privacy preservation policy in the modern information age

Anonymization or de-identification techniques are methods for protecting the privacy of human subjects in sensitive data sets while preserving the utility of those data sets. In the case of health data, anonymization techniques may be used to remove or mask patient identities while allowing the health data content to be used by the medical and pharmaceutical research community. The efficacy of anonymization methods has come under repeated attacks and several researchers have shown that anonymized data can be re-identified to reveal the identity of the data subjects via approaches such as “linking.” Nevertheless, even given these deficiencies, many government privacy policies depend on anonymization techniques as the primary approach to preserving privacy. In this report, we survey the anonymization landscape and consider the range of anonymization approaches that can be used to de-identify data containing personally identifiable information. We then review several notable government privacy policies that leverage anonymization. In particular, we review the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and show that it takes a more goal-oriented approach to data privacy. It defines data privacy in terms of desired outcome (i.e., as a defense against risk of personal data disclosure), and is agnostic to the actual method of privacy preservation. And GDPR goes further to frame its privacy preservation regulations relative to the state of the art, the cost of implementation, the incurred risks, and the context of data processing. This has potential implications for the GDPR’s robustness to future technological innovations – very much in contrast to privacy regulations that depend explicitly on more definite technical specifications.
Helminthiasis Epidemiology and Control: Scoring Successes and Meeting the Remaining Challenges.

Abstract Parasitic helminth infections remain a significant challenge to global health. These are highly prevalent diseases, affecting over 1 billion persons worldwide. Their prevalence is closely linked to the presence of severe poverty and its associated sub-standard housing and sanitation. The last decade has seen a remarkable increase in our understanding of the true disease burden of helminth infections, and there has been increasing momentum on the part of national and non-governmental developmental organizations for prevention and control of these diseases. The expansion in mass treatment programmes for their control has yielded some significant successes. However, challenges remain in terms of ecological heterogeneity in transmission, incomplete drug uptake, and the likelihood of emerging drug resistance. The development of new, more-sensitive diagnostics is now broadening our knowledge of infection prevalence and of the risk of reinfection and has enhanced our knowledge of the prevalence of concurrent helminth infections. Adoption of these new diagnostic techniques for large-scale screening and surveillance will require adaptation of current mass treatment guidelines for control as programmes move from initial morbidity control objectives toward coordinated interventions aimed at local elimination.
MC1463: Avatar-directed chemotherapy in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

TPS5609Background: Response rates for 2nd line therapies in recurrent platinum resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) are low, and ex-vivo assays do not reliably predict individual response. To improve re...
Rheumatoid pulmonary nodules: clinical and imaging features compared with malignancy

The objective of this study was to identify clinical and imaging features that distinguish rheumatoid lung nodules from malignancy. We conducted a retrospective review of 73 rheumatoid patients with histologically-proven rheumatoid and malignant lung nodules encountered at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN (2001–2016). Medical records and imaging were reviewed including a retrospective blinded review of CT and PET/CT studies. The study cohort had a mean age of 67 ± 11 years (range 45–86) including 44 (60%) women, 82% with a smoking history, 38% with subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules, and 78% with rheumatoid factor seropositivity. Subjects with rheumatoid lung nodules compared to malignancy were younger (59 ± 12 vs 71 ± 9 years, p < 0.001), more likely to manifest subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules (73% vs 20%, p < 0.001) and rheumatoid factor seropositivity (93% vs 68%, p = 0.034) but a history of smoking was common in both groups (p = 0.36). CT features more commonly associated with rheumatoid lung nodules compared to malignancy included multiplicity, smooth border, cavitation, satellite nodules, pleural contact, and a subpleural rind of soft tissue. Optimal sensitivity (77%) and specificity (92%) (AUC 0.85, CI 0.75–0.94) for rheumatoid lung nodule were obtained with ≥ 3 CT findings (≥ 4 nodules, peripheral location, cavitation, satellite nodules, smooth border, and subpleural rind). Key 18FDG-PET/CT features included low-level metabolism (SUVmax 2.7 ± 2 vs 7.2 ± 4.8, p = 0.007) and lack of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid draining lymph nodes. Rheumatoid lung nodules have distinct CT and PET/CT features compared to malignancy. Patients with rheumatoid lung nodules are younger and more likely to manifest subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules and seropositivity. • Rheumatoid lung nodules have distinct clinical and imaging features compared to lung malignancy. • CT features of rheumatoid lung nodules include multiplicity, cavitation, satellite nodules, smooth border, peripheral location, and subpleural rind. • Key PET/CT features include low-level metabolism and lack of FDG-avid draining lymph nodes.
Sport Education and Physical Activity: Recommendations for Maximizing the Model

There is a need for physical education to address two important concerns affecting American youth: the worsening social decline of communities and schools, and the increase of childhood obesity and sedentary related illnesses. This article explores solutions to the dual challenge of increasing students' moral and social development, and increasing students physical activity levels in physical education while teaching within the Sport Education Model.
The interactive influence of temperature and salinity on larval and juvenile growth in the gastropod Crepidula fornicata (L.)

Abstract Sea surface temperatures have been rising and are predicted to continue rising in coming years because of global warming. In addition, salinity has been decreasing in high latitudes and is expected to continue decreasing due to altered precipitation patterns and glacial melting caused by climate change. Many marine organisms that are adapted to the present conditions may be drastically affected by these oceanic changes. Early life stages (larvae and juveniles) should be especially susceptible, since they do not yet have the fully developed morphological defenses of adults. This study investigated the effects of reduced salinity (20 compared to a control of 30) and altered temperature (15, 20, 25, and 29 °C) on the growth, percent inorganic content (representing shell calcification), and feeding rates of larvae and juveniles of the widespread coastal snail Crepidula fornicata. Both larval and juvenile growth rates were significantly depressed at low salinity and lower temperatures. In addition, the salinity that snails were exposed to as larvae significantly impacted their juvenile growth rates in 4 out of 6 treatments, an example of latent effects. The magnitude and direction of this effect were strongly impacted by temperature and parentage. Juvenile feeding rates were significantly depressed following a rapid change in salinity but then gradually recovered to near initial levels over 3 h. There was little difference in the percent inorganic content of juveniles but for larvae that had been reared at 20 °C, percent inorganic content was 27% lower for those reared at a salinity of 20 compared with those reared at 30. In conclusion, the early life stages of C. fornicata may experience more favorable conditions in a warmer future: growth rates will increase, probably making larvae and juveniles less vulnerable to size-specific predation. Conversely, in regions where salinity is decreasing, C. fornicata larvae and juveniles will likely grow more slowly, thereby increasing predation risk by forcing them to spend more time at more vulnerable smaller sizes. Thus, the future of C. fornicata and their potential to continue invading new habitats will depend greatly on the specific salinity and temperature conditions they will be exposed to throughout larval and juvenile development.
Depletion of In-Vivo Activated Regulatory T Cells Followed by Synchronized Specific In-Vitro Activation Allows the Rapid Isolation of Leukemia-Reactive T Cells for Immunotherapy.

By CD40 crosslinking in the presence of cytokines leukemic cells can be modified into good antigen presenting cells (APC) expressing costimulatory molecules CD40, CD80, CD86, and CD83. Previously, primary alloreactive T cell responses from HLA-matched donors have been generated using these leukemic-APC as stimulator cells against acute and chronic myeloid leukemia (AMLC 103: 2677) as read-out we were able to demonstrate 20–80% lysis of the primary leukemic blasts by the IFNg+ T cells at very low E/T ratios (3/1-0.3/1) in the majority of the responses, whereas the IFNg- fractions induced only 5–30% lysis. Single cell sorting of the IFNg producing T cells revealed that 15–30% of the T cell clones was capable of exerting minor antigen specific cytotoxic activity against the patient cells in an HLA-restricted fashion. However, in individual cases despite minor antigen disparities between donor and patient no specific anti-leukemia immune response could be detected. Prior to exposure to the leukemic-APC in-vivo activated T cells were observed in the responder T cell population of these donors that contained a high frequency of regulatory T cells defined as CD4+/CD25+, CD4+/CD152+, and CD8+/CD28−. We hypothesized that these regulatory T cells might actively inhibit the induction of an anti-leukemic T cell response. Therefore, in a donor/CLL patient pair, in which we were not able to induce a cytotoxic immune response against the CLL-APC we removed the in-vivo activated T cells from the responder material prior to the initial activation with the CLL-APC. Whereas no cytotoxic activity could be isolated from unmodified responder material (only 1/288 clones was cytotoxic), the IFNg+ T cells isolated from the response induced after depletion of the in-vivo activated T cells was capable of exerting massive cytotoxicity against both the primary CLL (55%) and the CLL-APC (70%). Single cell cloning of this response revealed that 35/129 T cell clones (>25%, 26 CD8+, 9 CD4+) exerted HLA-restricted CLL-specific cytotoxicity. From these results we conclude that the likelihood of generating a primary anti-leukemic immune response is not only determined by the frequency of precursor CTLs, but also by the frequency of inhibitory regulatory T cells at the onset of the immune response.
Precision and Accuracy: Knowledge Transformation through Conceptual Learning and Inquiry-Based Practices in Introductory and Advanced Chemistry Laboratories

Whereas extensive studies have examined the effectiveness of inquiry-based learning in chemistry education, few have tracked undergraduate performance throughout the college chemistry curricula. In this study, we describe an instructional model of conceptual learning and inquiry-based practices (CLIP) and assess students’ transformation of knowledge about precision and accuracy in the laboratory components of Introductory Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, and Physical Chemistry. Student performance in written laboratory reports reveals that repetition of concepts and specific feedback from instructors are essential in constructing knowledge about precision and accuracy. We observed a distinct gap between students’ perception of their understanding and their ability to determine precision and accuracy in data sets. This gap decreases as students move from introductory to advanced chemistry laboratories, but loss of student participants throughout the study increases the uncertainty in the significance. In contrast to traditional teaching, enhanced learning was observed in Introductory Chemistry I Laboratories thought CLIP, with the support of concept/skill training, specific feedback, and student-centered activities. This study benefits members of the community who are engaged in supporting students’ mastery of theory with practice.
Finite-difference simulation of coreflooding based on a reconstructed CT scan; modeling transient oscillating and pulse decay permeability experiment

Abstract Numerical simulation and experimental research of fluid flow in porous media enhance the practices of petroleum reservoirs' management. Experiments on acquired reservoir-rock samples are conducted for accurate characterization and realization of the insitu hydrocarbon reserves. Implementing precise numerical simulation of those experiments is crucial to acquire accurate conclusions from the obtained experimental results. Coreflooding experiments quantify reservoir rock's storage capacity, measure its transport connectivity, and evaluate recovery methods' effectiveness for that rock. In this paper, a reconstruction image-processing workflow of cores' CT scan is developed to build a finite difference numerical model for simulating coreflooding experiments. In a transient coreflooding experiment, a controlled pressure pulse with a known frequency and amplitude is transmitted to the rock sample. Rock permeability can be quantified by analytically solving the diffusivity flow equation for that experiment. Simulating the transient permeability experiment is very sensitive to the level of details of the pores' structure described in the numerical model. A transient permeability experiment with two different transient modes, sinusoidal oscillation, and pulse decay, was conducted on a standard Berea core sample. The Berea CT scan was image-processed to reconstruct the static porosity and permeability model in Petrel software using a 3D variogram geostatistical population. Injection and production sources were assigned to the finite gridblock, which correspond to flow nozzles of injection and production coreflooding setup's heads. Scheduled flow and controlled-pressure boundary-conditions were imposed on the dynamic model. Eclipse simulator was used to solve the dynamic model and calculate the pressure in each gridblock. The outlet pressure was calculated at each time step by three different realization approaches for porosity and permeability, i.e., from experiments, from statistical analysis for the CT scan, and by the proposed image processing workflow. The simulated outlet pressure from the prosed workflow matched ideally, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.98 and 0.99, the recorded one in the two experiments compared to underestimated or overestimated outlet pressure from the other two traditional realization approaches, i.e., statistical or experimental.
Professionalism and Parents: A New Frame for Color-Blind Racism in Schooling:

This study deconstructs the racial dimension of teacher resistance to parent authority within the shared social institution of education. More specifically, we examine how teachers responded to a t...
Effects of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Attentional Intervention on Threat-Related Perceptual Decision-Making.

Threat-related cues and contexts facilitate perceptual decision-making, yet it is unclear whether this threat-driven tuning of perceptual decision-making is modifiable by top-down attentional control. Since state and dispositional mindfulness are linked to improved attentional control, we examined whether these factors assist the use of prior knowledge to detect threatening stimuli. Participants were randomly assigned to a brief mindfulness-based intervention (N = 32) or a physics lecture audio recording (N = 31) and then asked to perform a task in which they used threatening and neutral cues to discriminate between threatening and neutral faces. Results showed that threatening cues led to faster and more sensitive perceptual decision-making, specifically for threatening faces. Furthermore, higher levels of dispositional mindfulness were associated with improved ability to use cues to discriminate between threatening and neutral stimuli in the group that underwent a brief mindfulness induction but not in the control group. Our findings highlight how top-down attention-related dispositions and strategies can influence our ability to detect threats in our environment.
Therapeutic implications of inflammasome in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains a persistent health problem with a global burden surging over 6.8 million cases currently. Clinical pathology of IBD is complicated; however, hyperactive inflammatory and immune responses in the gut is shown to be one of the persistent causes of the disease. Human gut inflammasome, the activator of innate immune system is believed to be a primary underlying cause for the pathology and is largely associated with the progression of IBD. To manage IBD, there is a need to fully understand the role of inflammasome activation in IBD. Since inflammasome potentially play a significant role in IBD, systemic modulation of inflammasome may provide an effective therapeutic and clinical approach to control IBD symptoms. In this review, we have focused on this association between IBD and gut inflammasome, and recent advances in the research and therapeutic strategies for IBD. We have discussed inflammasomes and their components, outcomes from the experimental animals and human studies, inflammasome inhibitors, and developments in the inflammasome-targeted therapies for IBD.
Surgical treatment of uterine neoplasia in 13 production size pigs with a comparison to pot-bellied pigs.

OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this study was to describe the clinical management and surgical treatment of production size pigs (PrdP) with uterine neoplasia. A secondary objective was to compare tumor diagnoses as well as short- and long-term survival between PrdP and a published report of pot-bellied pigs (PBP) following surgical intervention. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION Client-owned PrdP (n = 13) treated with exploratory celiotomy ±ovariohysterectomy for uterine neoplasia. METHODS Medical records from a university hospital were reviewed for historical treatment, presenting complaint, clinical signs, diagnostics, surgical intervention, pathology, and outcome. An online owner survey was performed for follow-up. The novel PrdP cohort was compared to a previously published PBP cohort for differences in tumor diagnoses, surgical complications, and survival. Descriptive statistics, Fischer's exact tests and odds ratios were reported. RESULTS PrdP were affected by uterine leiomyoma (4/11), leiomyosarcoma (2/11), adenoma (1/11), adenocarcinoma (3/11), and carcinosarcoma (1/11) with no difference in tumor types between PrdP and PBP. PrdP surviving to hospital discharge (6/13) survived at least 1 year postoperatively, with median follow-up of 16 months (14-60 months). PrdP were less likely than PBP to survive in the short-term despite similar frequencies of marked intraoperative hemorrhage. PrdP and PBP had comparable rates of long-term survival following hospital discharge. CONCLUSION PrdP are afflicted by similar uterine neoplasia diagnoses as PBP, but they have lower rates of short-term survival to hospital discharge with surgical treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE/IMPACT PrdP have a guarded prognosis for survival to hospital discharge when operated for uterine neoplasia.
Blind Image Restoration Enhances Digital Autoradiographic Imaging of Radiopharmaceutical Tissue Distribution.

Digital autoradiography (DAR) is a powerful tool to quantitatively determine the distribution of a radiopharmaceutical within a tissue section and is widely used in drug discovery and development. However, the low image resolution and significant background noise can result in poor correlation, even errors, between radiotracer distribution, anatomical structure, and molecular expression profiles. Differing from conventional optical systems, the point spread function (PSF) in DAR is determined by properties of radioisotope decay, phosphor and digitizer. Calibration of an experimental PSF a priori is difficult, prone to error, and impractical. We have developed a content-adaptive restoration algorithm to address these problems. Methods: We model the DAR imaging process using a mixed Poisson-Gaussian model, and blindly restore the image by a Penalized Maximum-Likelihood Expectation-Maximization algorithm (PG- PEM). PG-PEM implements a patch-based estimation algorithm with "Density-Based Spatial Clus- tering of Applications with Noise" to estimate noise parameters, and utilizes L2 and Hessian Frobenius (HF) norms as regularization functions to improve performance. Results: First, PG-PEM outperformed other restoration algorithms at the denoising task (p<0.01). Next, we implemented PG-PEM on pre-clinical DAR images (18F-FDG treated mice tumor and heart, 18F-NaF treated mice femur) and clinical DAR images (bone biopsy sections from 223RaCl2 treated castrate resistant prostate cancer patients). DAR images restored by PG-PEM of all samples achieved significantly higher effective resolution, contrast to noise ratio (CNR), and a lower standard deviation of background (STDB) (p<0.0001). Additionally, by comparing the registration results between the clinical DAR images and the segmented bone masks from the corresponding histological images, the radiopharmaceutical distribution was significantly improved (p<0.0001). Conclusion: PG-PEM is able to increase resolution and contrast while robustly accounting for DAR noise, and demonstrates the capacity to be widely implemented to improve pre- and clinical DAR imaging of radiopharmaceutical distribution.
The TT-TG Distance/Trochlear Dysplasia Index Quotient Is the Most Accurate Indicator for Determining Patellofemoral Instability Risk.

Purpose The primary aim of our study was to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of the tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance relative to associated quotients produced from trochlear width (TT-TG distance/TW) and trochlear dysplasia index (TT-TG distance/TDI) for detecting patellofemoral instability. Secondary aims included identifying thresholds for risk and comparing differences between cases and controls. Methods Consecutive sampling of electronic medical records produced 48 (21 males, 27 females) patellofemoral instability cases (19 ± 7 years old) and 79 (61 males, 18 females) controls (23 ± 4 years old) who had a history of isolated meniscal lesion, as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging. Standardized methods were employed with measurements executed in a blinded and randomized manner. A receiver operating characteristic curve assessed accuracy by area under the curve (AUC). The index of union (IU) was employed to identify a threshold for risk. Two-sample t-tests examined group differences. P Results The AUC values were .69 (.60, .79) for TT-TG distance, .81 (.73, .88) for TT-TG distance/TW, and .85 (.78, .91) for TT-TG distance/TDI. Thresholds were 14.7 mm for TT-TG distance, .36 for TT-TG distance/TW, and 1.88 for TT-TG distance/TDI. Cases demonstrated statistically significant (P Conclusion The TT-TG distance, TT-TG distance/TW, and TT-TG distance/TDI measures were 69%, 81%, and 85%, respectively, accurate for determining patellofemoral instability risk. Thresholds for risk were 14.7 mm for TT-TG distance, .36 for TT-TG distance/TW, and 1.88 for TT-TG distance/TDI. The thresholds reported in this study may help in advancing clinical decision-making. Level of Evidence Level III, diagnostic retrospective comparative observatory trial
Women, technology, and gender bias

Computers and technology are a large part of everyone's daily life. So why is there a concern about gender bias against women in technology? Since technology, especially in the form of computers, is such a large part of our everyday lives, women need to have experience with and knowledge of computers and other forms of technology. However, in our school systems, girls and young women are showing less and less interest in higher level computer classes, which leads to a decline in the number of computer-related degrees for women in college.The decline in the number of computer-related degrees obtained by women is not only caused by difficulties in the higher education system, but actually has its roots in the K-12 education system. Since the problems/issues start as early as the elementary level, focusing on encouraging young girls into technology-related areas in the elementary and secondary school systems is very important. However, many of the issues faced by the K-12 system are also present in the post secondary system. In this paper, the focus will be on the K-12 system and possible solutions for that system. Yet, many of the solutions presented for K-12, such as role models and mentors, can also be applied to the post secondary system.
Designing an Information Technology Curriculum: The Georgia Southern University Experience

The paper describes the curriculum offered at Georgia Southern University, and shows how the various courses in the curriculum contribute to the graduate’s acquisition of the relevant skills. It pays particular attention to the inclusion of so-called second disciplines, a feature that distinguishes Georgia Southern University’s curriculum from Information Technology curricula offered elsewhere. Second disciplines are 21 credit hour programs of study that give students an in-depth exposure to an IT application area and were included in response to the complaint made by many IT organizations that they have difficulty recruiting entry-level staff with both a good grounding in IT and in the particular application area of interest to the company in question. We believe that the process that Georgia Southern University used in the design of its IT baccalaureate curriculum in general and the inclusion of second disciplines in it, in particular, will lead to graduates who are more likely to meet the human resource demands of companies with a large IT workforce.
The effect of examinee and patient ethnicity in clinical-skills assessment with standardized patients.

Context: Ethnicity has been a continuing concern for the valid assessment of clinical performance with standardized patients (SPs). The concern is that examinee ethnicity and SP ethnicity might interact, such that examinees might score higher in encounters with SPs of the same ethnicity. Objective: To test for an interaction of examinee ethnicity and SP ethnicity on clinical performance in an SP examination. Main Outcome Measures: History-taking andphysical-examination scores and interpersonal-and communication-skills scores, both based on checklists completed by SPs. Poststation scores for answers to case-related questions concerning pathophysiology, diagnosis, test selection, and test interpretation. Setting And Participants: Two graduating classes of over 1,000 fourth-year medical students each in the New York City Consortium were tested on the SP assessment administered at The Morchand Centerof Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Design And Analysis: The primary analyses were two-way (2 × 2) analyses, to test the main and interaction effects of examinee ethnicity and SP ethnicity. Effect-size measures (standardized mean differences, d) were computed to provide a sharper picture of the effects. Results: Of the 24 interaction analyses, only three were statistically significant (notsignificantly more than expected by chance) and the results were mixed: one analysis showed better examinee performance in encounters with SPs of thesame ethnic background and the other two showed the opposite. For all 24 interactions, significant or not, the results showed weak effects and no consistent pattern. White examinees scored on average 0.12 standard deviations above black examinees in encounters with white SPs, and 0.11 standard deviations higher in encounters with black SPs. Conclusions: These initial results are encouraging and should dispel some of the concern about ethnicity in SP assessment, at least about the operation of an examinee-by-SP-ethnicity interaction that would pose a serious threat to the validity of the examination scores.
Impact of psychoeducational content delivered online to a positive psychology aware community

Happiness-increasing interventions demonstrate significant variation in outcomes, suggesting that the people who use them might be as important as the interventions themselves to determine efficacy. In light of this, instructive interventions might not be necessary to increase happiness given a population with knowledge of happiness-increasing strategies. We recruited 270 participants with knowledge of positive psychology to receive six weeks of online psychoeducation. We explored participants’ use of the website, reported use of happiness strategies, and changes in well-being. Those who spent more time on the website reported smaller changes in well-being than those who spent less time on the website. Conversely, those who reported employing more happiness strategies reported greater increases in well-being than those who used fewer strategies. This shows that for those already familiar with positive psychology, information, rather than instruction, might increase well-being. This has implications for st...
The Learning and Emergence of Mildly Context Sensitive Languages

This paper describes a framework for studies of the adaptive acquisition and evolution of language, with the following components: language learning begins by associating words with cognitively salient representations (“grounding”); the sentences of each language are determined by properties of lexical items, and so only these need to be transmitted by learning; the learnable languages allow multiple agreements, multiple crossing agreements, and reduplication, as mildly context sensitive and human languages do; infinitely many different languages are learnable; many of the learnable languages include infinitely many sentences; in each language, inferential processes can be defined over succinct representations of the derivations themselves; the languages can be extended by innovative responses to communicative demands. Preliminary analytic results and a robotic implementation are described.
SOME PROPERTIES OF AN UNIDENTIFIED CHICK GROWTH FACTOR FOUND IN CONDENSED FISH SOLUBLES

In previous papers (1,2) evidence was presented to show that condensed fish solubles produced a marked increase in the growth rate of chicks on diets containing an adequate level of vitamins and essential amino acids. Berry, Carrick, Roberts, and Hauge (3) found that a water extract of fish solubles was also active in stimulating the growth of chicks. Very little other information on the properties of the unidentified growth factor in fish solubles is available. The present investigation was undertaken to study some of the properties of the factor.
Blind identification of time-varying channels using second-order statistics

Novel linear algorithms are proposed in this paper for estimating symbol spaced, time-varying FIR communication channels, without resorting to higher-order statistics. The proposed methods are applicable to channels where each time-varying tap coefficient can be described (with respect to time) as a linear combination of a finite number of basis functions. Examples of such channels include periodically varying ones or channels locally modeled by a truncated Taylor series or wavelet expansion. It is shown that the estimation of the basis expansion parameters is equivalent to estimating the parameters of an FIR single-input-many-outputs (SIMO) system. By exploiting this equivalence, a number of different blind subspace methods are applicable, which have been originally developed in the context of SIMO systems. Identifiability issues are investigated and some illustrative simulations are presented.
Confidentiality of Texas Mediations: Ruminations on Some Thorny Problems

Earlier writings in the literature have explored aspects of the Texas ADR Act's confidentiality sections. This article, by way of contrast, will explore some of the issues developing in the emerging case law. In addition, this article will comment on the different approach taken to confidentiality in the draft Uniform Mediation Act. In particular, this article will examine problem areas such as disclosures of mediation communications outside of legal proceedings, the use of mediation communications as part of contractual defenses or claims, the seeking of disclosure of mediation communications in tangential criminal proceedings, the confidentiality aspects of settlement agreements, and disclosures relating to alleged bad faith by one of the parties at a mediation session. This article will address these topics by posing a series of hypothetical situations that are largely based on either reported case decisions or actual occurrences that have been related to the author.
The relationship between self-reported sleep disturbance and polysomnography in individuals with traumatic brain injury

AbstractPrimary objective: To characterize sleep architecture and self-reported sleep quality, fatigue and daytime sleepiness in individuals with TBI. Possible relationships between sleep architecture and self-reported sleep quality, fatigue and daytime sleepiness were examined.Methods: Forty-four community-dwelling adults with TBI completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). They underwent two nights of in-laboratory nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG). Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and hierarchical linear regression was used to analyse the data.Results: Based on the PSQI cut-off score of ≥ 10, 22 participants were characterized as poor sleepers. Twenty-seven participants met criteria for clinically significant fatigue as measured by the GFI of the MAF. Fourteen participants met criteria for excessive daytime sleepiness as measured by the ESS. Poor sleep quality was associated with poor sleep efficienc...
Growth and photosynthesis responses of two co-occurring marsh grasses to inundation and varied nutrients

For tidal marshes of the US Northeast, the late twentieth century decline of Spartina patens (Aiton) Muhl. has been attributed to increased flooding associated with accelerated sea level rise and nitrogen over-enrichment from cultural eutrophication. The objective of this study was to examine the impacts of inundation and nutrient availability on growth, photosynthesis, and interactions of S. patens and Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene, which co-occur and are common marsh species. Plants were grown in a factorial greenhouse experiment, where flow-through seawater was used to simulate semidiurnal tides. Field surveys were additionally conducted to relate plant distributions to environmental conditions. For S. patens grown in monoculture, nutrient additions did not enhance growth for the high inundation treatment. In addition, the combination of high nutrient availability and high inundation adversely affected S. patens tiller density, photosynthetic efficiency, and leaf CO2 uptake. For D. spicata, nutrient a...
Serum Iron Determination

1. A sensitive, reproducible method for serum iron determination has been developed employing extraction of serum acid hydrolysate with isoamyl alcohol and development of a highly colored ferrous complex of 4,7-diphenyl-1, 1O-phenanthroline for quantitative photometric measurement of iron. 2. The method gives good recoveries and also good agreement with the dry-ashing procedure. 3. A normal range of 120-200 µg./100 ml. (average 160) for the female and 125-238 µg./100 ml. (average 182) for the male for serum iron was obtained by the method.
Applications of Computer Produced Frequency Distribution Curves II. Evaluation of the Diagnostic Significance of Test Results by Multidimensional Analysis

A method is described for determining the diagnostic significance of test results. It is based upon the relation of a test value to a frequency distribution curve of patients with a particular disease, and to a curve of others without that disease. When the two curves overlap at the test value found, the results are evaluated in terms of the probability of the patient corresponding to either of the two curves. The evaluation of results in terms of probabilities is more descriptive than the classification of all answers as either "normal" or "abnormal" and permits the combination of probabilities obtained from a number of tests into a single, resultant probability. The most probable diagnosis of a given patient, based upon all the tests done, or the most discriminating combination of tests for the diagnosis of any disease can be determined. The method permits compensation for such factors as a patient9s age and sex, or the stage of a disease. It is nonparametric, and can be performed automatically with a data-processing system.
SU-E-J-243: Reproducibility of Radiomics Features Through Different Voxel Discretization Levels in F18-FDG PET Images of Cervical Cancer

Purpose: Site-specific investigations of the role of Radiomics in cancer diagnosis and therapy are needed. We report of the reproducibility of quantitative image features over different discrete voxel levels in PET/CT images of cervical cancer. Methods: Our dataset consisted of the pretreatment PET/CT scans from a cohort of 76 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer, FIGO stage IB-IVA, age range 31–76 years, treated with external beam radiation therapy to a dose range between 45–50.4 Gy (median dose: 45 Gy), concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy and MRI-based Brachytherapy to a dose of 20–30 Gy (median total dose: 28 Gy). Two board certified radiation oncologists delineated Metabolic Tumor volume (MTV) for each patient. Radiomics features were extracted based on 32, 64, 128 and 256 discretization levels (DL). The 64 level was chosen to be the reference DL. Features were calculated based on Co-occurrence (COM), Gray Level Size Zone (GLSZM) and Run-Length (RLM) matrices. Mean Percentage Differences (Δ) of features for discrete levels were determined. Normality distribution of Δ was tested using Kolomogorov - Smirnov test. Bland-Altman test was used to investigate differences between feature values measured on different DL. The mean, standard deviation and upper/lower value limits for each pair of DL were calculated. Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) analysis was performed to examine the reliability of repeated measures within the context of the test re-test format. Results: 3 global and 5 regional features out of 48 features showed distribution not significantly different from a normal one. The reproducible features passed the normality test. Only 5 reproducible results were reliable, ICC range 0.7 – 0.99. Conclusion: Most of the radiomics features tested showed sensitivity to voxel level discretization between (32 – 256). Only 4 GLSZM, 3 COM and 1 RLM showed insensitivity towards mentioned discrete levels.
SEASONAL DYNAMICS OF AQUATIC FAUNA AND HABITAT PARAMETERS IN A PERCHED UPPER MISSOURI RIVER WETLAND

The Missouri River floodplain historically contained numerous wetlands; however, alterations to the corridor have resulted in the loss of flood-pulse processes. The annual contributions of small wetlands ( 0.05; F 6.1; df=2,9) and collectively surpassed 3,200 organisms/L. These densities exceeded other regional means by as much as 900%. Twentyfour fish species were documented in the wetland; however, the black bullhead, Ameiurus melas Rafinesque, dominated the fish community. Wetland depth and surface area increased during the connection period and inundated terrestrial grasses and woody debris. Decay of submerged organic matter, combined with the lack of rooted macrophytes, loss of algal productivity to flushing, and higher turbidity, may have all contributed to reduced summer dissolved oxygen levels. Avian feeding activity suggested that fishes were using the upper water column when nearly anoxic lower water column conditions existed. Although the wetland habitat may be harsh, presence of juvenile fishes and dense zooplankton populations establishes the potential importance of these water bodies to the Missouri River ecosystem.
Single dose and cross tolerance studies of β-phenethylamine, d-amphetamine and LSD in the chronic spinal dog☆☆☆

Abstract The effects of β-phenethylamine (PEA), d-amphetamine and LSD were studied on spinal reflexes, autonomic signs, and behavior in the non-tolerant and LSD tolerant (30 μg/kg/day) chronic spinal dog. LSD (10 μg/kg) facilitated the flexor reflex, produced the stepping reflex, increased respiration, pulse rate and temperature, slightly dilated pupils and produced whining, tracking and restlessness. Direct tolerance developed to all of these effects except temperature. PEA (0.8 mg/kg/min infused for 12 min) and amphetamine (3.2 mg/kg) facilitated the flexor reflex, increased respiration, temperature and the skin twitch reflex latency, caused a marked mydriasis, retracted the nictitating membrane and produced restlessness and stereotypic head movements. PEA but not amphetamine elicited stepping, and only amphetamine consistently slowed heart rate. No cross tolerance to the physiologic or behavioral effects of amphetamine was observed. Partial tolerance developed only to the actions of PEA on the stepping reflex and the nictitating membrane. The single dose effects and the lack of cross tolerance to amphetamine and PEA suggest modes of action different from LSD. PEA has some actions which differ from those of amphetamine.
Editorial Report on Public Administration Review, 2006–2011: A Global Graduate Seminar, a Privilege, and a Challenge

In this final wrap-up, PAR’s editor in chief, Richard Stillman, and managing editor, Jos C. N. Raadschelders, summarize the last six years of the journal’s objectives, contents, and accomplishments. The authors broadly discuss their editorial activities, past and present, and candidly and succinctly outline the ongoing challenges facing PAR in the future as the leading global journal for interdisciplinary public administration.
Some observations of 31 spinal cord injury patients on whom the Bricker procedure was performed

Some observations of 31 spinal cord injury patients on whom the Bricker procedure was performed
Inhibition of the catalytic activity of human transaldolase by antibodies and site-directed mutagenesis.

Transaldolase is a key enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway. While antibody (Ab) 169, directed against the N-terminal 139 residues of human transaldolase (TAL-H), had no effect on enzyme activity, Ab 12484 raised against full length and functional recombinant TAL-H inhibited catalytic activity. This tentatively mapped the catalytic site to the C-terminal 140–336 amino acid portion of TAL-H. Dihydroxyacetone transfer reactions catalyzed by transaldolase depend on Schiff base formation by a lysine residue. Replacement of lysine-142 by glutamine using site-directed mutagenesis resulted in a complete loss of enzyme activity, suggesting that lysine-142 is essential for the catalytic activity of TAL-H.