cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of preclinical efficacy of everolimus and pasireotide in thyroid cancer cell lines and xenograft models

Background Signaling through mTOR and somatostatin pathway is implicated in thyroid cancer development. Method We evaluated everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor and pasireotide, a multi receptor somatostatin analogue as potential therapy of thyroid cancer focusing on the in vitro and in vivo efficacy, as well as possible mechanism to explain any observed interaction. Results Both everolimus and pasireotide inhibit the growth of thyroid cancer cell lines in vitro with varied efficacy that correlates with tumor origin and somatostatin receptor (SSTR) expression profile of the cell lines. In vitro activity of everolimus show positive correlation with the expression of SSTR types 1, 4 and 5 (CC: 0.9; 0.85, 0.87) while pasireotide activity show negative correlation with SSTR2 (CC: -0.87). Although there is greater modulation of pS6 when pasireotide is combined with everolimus, there is no significant abrogation of the expected feedback upregulation of AKT induced by everolimus. Also, the combination is not significantly better than each agent alone in short and long term in vitro assays. Continuous administration of everolimus at a low dose as opposed to high intermittent dosing schedule has greater antitumor efficacy against thyroid cancer xenografts in vivo. Pasireotide LAR has modest in vivo efficacy and the combination of everolimus and pasireotide LAR achieve greater tumor growth inhibition than each agent alone in TPC-1 xenograft model of thyroid cancer (p = 0.048). Conclusion Our findings provide support for the clinical evaluation of everolimus and pasireotide in thyroid cancer and other neuroendocrine tumors.
Abstract 270: Long term Caloric Restriction and Myocardial Aging in Non Human Primates

Caloric restriction (CR) has been shown to decrease aging and increase the lifespan of several model organisms. However, in two on-going independent, long-term CR studies in non-human primates (NHP...
Complications associated with staged versus simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty: An analysis of 7747 patients.

Abstract Background Benefits of simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement (TKR) include lower costs, decreased hospital stay, and shorter rehabilitation. This study evaluated complications associated with simultaneous versus staged bilateral TKR within 12 months. We hypothesized that after controlling for comorbidities, the simultaneous group would have the highest rate of complications. Methods This retrospective study analyzed the Humana subset of the PearlDiver Patient Records Database. CPT 27447 and associated modifiers were used to identify patients who underwent simultaneous or staged bilateral primary TKRs. Staged bilateral TKRs were performed within 12 months and were stratified by the time between procedures. Primary outcomes were the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' publicly reported complications. Risks of complications were compared using multivariate logistic regression controlling for age, gender, and comorbidities. Results Seven thousand seven hundred forty-seven patients underwent simultaneous or staged bilateral TKRs between January 2007 and April 2015. There were lower odds of transfusion and all-cause 90-day readmission but higher odds of mechanical complications and infection for all staged groups compared to the simultaneous. Patients whose staged surgeries were ≪ 3 months apart had significantly higher odds of undergoing manipulation under anesthesia (MUA). Conclusions Higher rates of blood transfusion and readmission were associated with simultaneous bilateral TKR, while higher rates of mechanical complications and infection were associated with staged bilateral TKR. MUA risk was highest in patients staged ≪ 3 months apart. While there are inherent risks to simultaneous bilateral TKR, surgeons and patients should also be aware of risks associated with staging the procedures. Level of evidence III
Basilisk: Bayesian hierarchical inference of the galaxy-halo connection using satellite kinematics - I. Method and validation

We present a Bayesian hierarchical inference formalism (Basilisk) to constrain the galaxy-halo connection using satellite kinematics. Unlike traditional methods, Basilisk does not resort to stacking the kinematics of satellite galaxies in bins of central luminosity, and does not make use of summary statistics, such as satellite velocity dispersion. Rather, Basilisk leaves the data in its raw form and computes the corresponding likelihood. In addition, Basilisk can be applied to flux-limited, rather than volume-limited samples, greatly enhancing the quantity and dynamic range of the data. And finally, Basilisk is the only available method that simultaneously solves for halo mass and orbital anisotropy of the satellite galaxies, while properly accounting for scatter in the galaxy-halo connection. Basilisk uses the conditional luminosity function to model halo occupation statistics, and assumes that satellite galaxies are a relaxed tracer population of the host halo's potential with kinematics that obey the spherical Jeans equation. We test and validate Basilisk using mocks of varying complexity, and demonstrate that it yields unbiased constraints on the galaxy-halo connection and at a precision that rivals galaxy-galaxy lensing. In particular, Basilisk accurately recovers the full PDF of the relation between halo mass and central galaxy luminosity, and simultaneously constrains the orbital anisotropy of the satellite galaxies. Basilisk's inference is not affected by potential velocity bias of the central galaxies, or by slight errors in the inferred, radial profile of satellite galaxies that arise as a consequence of interlopers and sample impurity.
Learning generative models for rendering specular microgeometry

Rendering specular material appearance is a core problem of computer graphics. While smooth analytical material models are widely used, the high-frequency structure of real specular highlights requires considering discrete, finite microgeometry. Instead of explicit modeling and simulation of the surface microstructure (which was explored in previous work), we propose a novel direction: learning the high-frequency directional patterns from synthetic or measured examples, by training a generative adversarial network (GAN). A key challenge in applying GAN synthesis to spatially varying BRDFs is evaluating the reflectance for a single location and direction without the cost of evaluating the whole hemisphere. We resolve this using a novel method for partial evaluation of the generator network. We are also able to control large-scale spatial texture using a conditional GAN approach. The benefits of our approach include the ability to synthesize spatially large results without repetition, support for learning from measured data, and evaluation performance independent of the complexity of the dataset synthesis or measurement.
Convergence of the Frozen Gaussian Approximation for High Frequency Elastic Waves

The frozen Gaussian approximation (FGA) is an effective tool for modeling high frequency wave propagation. In previous works, the convergence of the FGA has established for strict hyperbolic systems. In this work, we derive the frozen Gaussian approximation for the elastic wave equation, which can be cast as a hyperbolic system with repeated eigenvalues. In the derivation, the strong form for the evolution equation is introduced. A diabatic coupling is observed for the amplitude of the evolution equations between the SH, SV waves. Using previous results with new energy estimates we establish the convergence for the first order FGA for the elastic wave equation.
Network Attack Detection using an Unsupervised Machine Learning Algorithm

Article co-authored by William Glisson that was published in the Proceedings of the 53rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences in 2020.
Recognition of illuminated coloured markers that designate primary and secondary mine escapeways

It is critical for the safety of miners to be able to escape, unaided, during a mine emergency. Self-escape is challenging in the presence of smoke that can occur during a mine emergency. To assist...
Females compensate for moult‐associated male nest desertion in Hooded Warblers

Uniparental offspring desertion occurs in a wide variety of avian taxa and usually reflects sexual conflict over parental care. In many species, desertion yields immediate reproductive benefits for deserters if they can re‐mate and breed again during the same nesting season; in such cases desertion may be selectively advantageous even if it significantly reduces the fitness of the current brood. However, in many other species, parents desert late‐season offspring when opportunities to re‐nest are absent. In these cases, any reproductive benefits of desertion are delayed, and desertion is unlikely to be advantageous unless the deserted parent can compensate for the loss of its partner and minimize costs to the current brood. We tested this parental compensation hypothesis in Hooded Warblers Setophaga citrina, a species in which males regularly desert late‐season nestlings and fledglings during moult. Females from deserted nests effectively doubled their provisioning efforts, and nestlings from deserted nests received just as much food, gained mass at the same rate, and were no more likely to die from either complete nest predation or brood reduction as young from biparental nests. The female provisioning response, however, was significantly related to nestling age; females undercompensated for male desertion when the nestlings were young, but overcompensated as nestlings approached fledging age, probably because of time constraints that brooding imposed on females with young nestlings. Overall, our results indicate that female Hooded Warblers completely compensate for male moult‐associated nest desertion, and that deserting males pay no reproductive cost for desertion, at least up to the point of fledging. Along with other studies, our findings support the general conclusion that late‐season offspring desertion is likely to evolve only when parental compensation by the deserted partner can minimize costs to the current brood.
Early impact of COVID-19 on solid organ transplantation in the United States

BACKGROUND: The regional impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on solid organ transplantation in the United States has not been fully evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of month-to-month trends on waitlist additions, waitlist deaths, and transplant surgeries between all United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) regions was performed. A linear regression model trained on historical data was used to estimate anticipated transplantation volume. RESULTS: All UNOS regions reported a decrease in total waitlist additions and transplant surgeries. The largest decreases in total transplants were identified in regions 1, 2, 6, and 9, with regions 2, 7, 8, and 9 noting the largest decrease in waitlist additions. Six of the 11 regions noted increases in waitlist deaths, with UNOS regions 9, 1, and 2, all located within the Northeast, noting the highest percent increase in waitlist deaths at 170%, 89%, and 54%, respectively. The largest reductions in solid organ transplantation and waitlist deaths were seen in kidney and lung transplantation. Current transplantation volume is significantly lower than the low range of the 95% confidence interval derived from the linear regression model (2182 versus 3110; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Significant decreases in total waitlist additions and transplant surgeries with increases in waitlist deaths were noted in the majority of US transplant domains. The impact was especially prevalent in areas with high burden of coronavirus disease 2019 infection. National and regional strategies aimed at minimizing disruptions in transplantation are needed.
Computational Models Provide Insight into In Vivo Studies and Reveal the Complex Role of Fibrosis in mdx Muscle Regeneration

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a pro-fibrotic, muscle wasting disease. Reducing fibrosis is a potential therapeutic target; however, its effect on muscle regeneration is not fully understood. This study (1) used an agent-based model to predict the effect of increased fibrosis in mdx muscle on regeneration from injury, and (2) experimentally tested the resulting model-derived hypothesis. The model predicted that increasing the area fraction of fibrosis decreased regeneration 28 days post injury due to limited growth factor diffusion and impaired cell migration. WT, mdx, and TGFβ-treated mdx mice were used to test this experimentally. TGFβ injections increased the extracellular matrix (ECM) area fraction; however, the passive stiffness of the treated muscle, which was assumed to correlate with ECM protein density, decreased following injections, suggesting that ECM protein density was lower. Further, there was no cross-sectional area (CSA) difference during recovery between the groups. Additional simulations revealed that decreasing the ECM protein density resulted in no difference in CSA, similar to the experiment. These results suggest that increases in ECM area fraction alone are not sufficient to reduce the regenerative capacity of mdx muscle, and that fibrosis is a complex pathological condition requiring further understanding.
Comparison of actions taken by Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam for COVID-19 prevention and control

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered zoonotic virus SARS-CoV-2. This disease presents the worst public health crisis the world has faced since the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918. It is the biggest global public health challenge of our lifetimes. COVID-19 situation in each country and sometimes even within countries is different and evolving. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of actions taken by the governments and individual behaviour on the coronavirus epidemic in a country. Methods: Three countries were selected. COVID-19 daily news reported cases and deaths in Pakistan, Vietnam and UAE data between 21 January to 30 April 2020, was extracted from COVID-19 dashboard. Articles, TV channels and newspapers were searched. These three countries were visited during 12 to 21 March 2020 and public’s behaviour was observed. Results: In Vietnam, during the first stage of outbreak, the main strategy was to impose international travel restrictions to prevent imported cases from COVID-19 highly effected countries, and to delay the spread and reduce the magnitude of prevailing epidemic. Furthermore, combination of preventive measures and national level readiness to respond to coronavirus disease aided to contain the further spread of virus. Government of Vietnam took swift preventive measures as compared to Pakistan and UAE, to limit imported COVID-19 cases and to contain the local transmission of the coronavirus. Delayed in decision making regarding travel restrictions and imposing lockdown by Pakistan and UAE may have resulted in rapid spread of the disease. Conclusion: In developing countries, the decision regarding travel and complete lockdown is challenging due to prevalent socio-economic circumstances and maintenance of supply of food and essential goods. The response of an individual to advice issued by the government on preventive measures and Government communication strategies to inform the public to respond positively against this disease are important factors.
Characterizing the immune cell population in the human fetal membrane.

PROBLEM This study localized CD45+ immune cells and compared changes in their numbers between term, not in labor (TNIL) and term, labor (TL) human fetal membranes. METHOD OF STUDY Fetal membranes (amniochorion) from normal TNIL and TL subjects were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), and flow cytometry for evidence of total (CD45+ ) immune cells as well as innate immune cells (neutrophils, macrophages and NK cells) using specific markers. Fetal origin of immune cells was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SRY gene in Y chromosome. RESULTS CD45+ cells were localized in human fetal membranes for both TNIL and TL. A threefold increase in CD45+ cells was seen in TL fetal membranes of (7.73% ± 2.35) compared to TNIL (2.36% ± 0.78). This increase is primarily contributed by neutrophils. Macrophages and NK cells did not change in the membranes between TNIL and TL. Leukocytes of fetal origin are present in the fetal membranes. CONCLUSION The fetal membranes without decidua contain a small proportion of immune cells. Some of these immune cells in the fetal membrane are fetal in origin. There is a moderate increase of immune cells in the fetal membranes at term labor; however, it is unclear whether this is a cause or consequence of labor. Further functional studies are needed to determine their contribution to membrane inflammation associated with parturition.
Severe Adult Asthmas: Integrating Clinical Features, Biology, and Therapeutics to Improve Outcomes

Evaluation and effective management of asthma, and in particular severe asthma, remains at the core of pulmonary practice. Over the last 20-30 years, there has been increasing appreciation that "severe asthma" encompasses multiple different subgroups or phenotypes, each with differing presentations. Using clinical phenotyping, in combination with rapidly advancing molecular tools and targeted monoclonal antibodies (human knockouts), the understanding of these phenotypes, and our ability to treat them, have greatly advanced. Type-2 (T2)-high and -low severe asthmas are now easily identified. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide and blood eosinophil counts can be routinely employed in clinical settings to identify these phenotypes and predict responses to specific therapies, meeting the initial goals of precision medicine. Integration of molecular signals, biomarkers, and clinical responses to targeted therapies has enabled identification of critical molecular pathways and, in certain phenotypes, advanced them to near-endotype status. Despite these advances, little guidance is available to determine which class of biologic is appropriate for a given patient, and current "breakthrough" therapies remain expensive and even inaccessible to many patients. Many of the most severe asthmas, with and without T2-biomarker elevations, remain poorly understood and treated. Nevertheless, conceptual understanding of "the severe asthmas" has evolved dramatically in a mere 25 years, leading to dramatic improvements in the lives of many.
Prognostic Value of the 13 C-Methacetin Breath Test in Adults with Acute Liver Failure and Non-acetaminophen Acute Liver Injury.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The 13 C-methacetin breath test (MBT) is a noninvasive, quantitative hepatic metabolic function test. The aim of this prospective, multicenter study was to determine the utility of initial and serial 13 C-MBT in predicting 21-day outcomes in adults with acute liver failure (ALF) and non-acetaminophen acute liver injury (ALI). APPROACH AND RESULTS The 13 C-MBT BreathID device (Exalenz Biosciences, Ltd.) provided the percent dose recovery (PDR) for a duration of 60 minutes after administration of 13 C-methacetin solution as the change in exhaled 13 CO2 /12 CO2 compared with pre-ingestion ratio on study days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. Results were correlated with 21-day transplant-free survival and other prognostic indices. A total of 280 subjects were screened for enrollment between May 2016 and August 2019. Median age of the 62 enrolled patients with adequate data was 43 years, 79% were Caucasian, 76% had ALF with the remaining 24% having ALI. The mean PDR peak on day 1 or day 2 was significantly lower in nonsurvivors compared with transplant-free survivors (2.3%/hour vs. 9.1%/hour; P < 0.0001). In addition, serial PDR peaks were consistently lower in nonsurvivors versus survivors (P < 0.0001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the 13 C-MBT in the combined cohort was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.79-0.97) and higher than that provided by King's College (AUROC = 0.70) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (AUROC = 0.83). The 13 C-MBT was well tolerated with only two gastrointestinal adverse events reported. CONCLUSIONS The 13 C-MBT is a promising tool to estimate the likelihood of hepatic recovery in patients with ALF and ALI. Use of the PDR peak data from the 13 C-MBT point-of-care test may assist with medical decision making and help avoid unnecessary transplantation in critically ill patients with ALF and ALI.
The Effect Of Buprenorphine On HIV Viral Suppression.

BACKGROUND Opioid use is prevalent among people with HIV and adversely affects HIV outcomes. We assessed the effect of buprenorphine (BUP) initiation on subsequent HIV viral loads. METHODS We identified people with HIV (PWH) from the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort who initiated BUP between 2002-2017. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to estimate the prevalence of viral suppression (<200 copies/mL) before and after BUP initiation. We then matched individuals who initiated BUP with controls based upon viral load measurement dates and used prior event rate ratio (PERR) methods to estimate the effect of initiation of BUP on viral suppression. PERR methods account for unmeasured confounders. RESULTS We identified 279 PWH who initiated BUP. After BUP initiation, PWH were more likely to be virally suppressed (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.19, 95% CI [1.03, 1.37],). After matching PWH initiating BUP to 2422 PWH controls and accounting for measured and unmeasured confounders, BUP initiation increased viral suppression for both those on ART at baseline (PERR PR: 1.08 [1.00, 1.18]) and those not on ART at baseline (PR: 1.31 [1.10, 1.61]). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the initiation of BUP results in an increase in the probability of being virally suppressed after accounting for both measured and unmeasured confounders. Persons with opioid use disorder should initiate buprenorphine to not only treat substance use but also increase the chances of ART use for treatment as prevention.
Pharmacokinetics of Single Domain Antibodies and Conjugated Nanoparticles Using a Hybrid near Infrared Method.

Iron oxide nanoparticles and single domain antibodies from camelids (VHHs) have been increasingly recognized for their potential uses for medical diagnosis and treatment. However, there have been relatively few detailed characterizations of their pharmacokinetics (PK). The aim of this study was to develop imaging methods and pharmacokinetic models to aid the future development of a novel family of brain MRI molecular contrast agents. An efficient near-infrared (NIR) imaging method was established to monitor VHH and VHH conjugated nanoparticle kinetics in mice using a hybrid approach: kinetics in blood were assessed by direct sampling, and kinetics in kidney, liver, and brain were assessed by serial in vivo NIR imaging. These studies were performed under “basal” circumstances in which the VHH constructs and VHH-conjugated nanoparticles do not substantially interact with targets nor cross the blood brain barrier. Using this approach, we constructed a five-compartment PK model that fits the data well for single VHHs, engineered VHH trimers, and iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated to VHH trimers. The establishment of the feasibility of these methods lays a foundation for future PK studies of candidate brain MRI molecular contrast agents.
Capital Felony Merger

Capital felony murder statutes continue to enable states to sentence criminal defendants to death. These are often individuals who possessed no intent to kill and, in some cases, did not kill. These statutes remain constitutionally dubious under the basic principles of the Eighth Amendment, but the United States Supreme Court’s evolving standards of decency doctrine has proved an ineffective tool to remedy these injustices. This Article proposes a novel doctrinal approach by which the Court could promote more consistent sentencing outcomes in felony murder cases. Specifically, the Article argues for the adoption of a constitutional felony merger doctrine that “merges” the crimes of felony murder and first-degree murder in capital cases. Just as felony murder cannot serve as a tool by which prosecutors can convert second-degree assault killings into first-degree murders, felony murder should also not serve as a tool to convert noncapital crimes into capital ones. In Part I, the Article describes the use of capital felony murder and explains its constitutional infirmities under the Eighth Amendment. Part II explains the Supreme Court’s failed attempts to apply the Eighth Amendment to capital felony murder cases and why the Court’s doctrine remains an ineffective tool to remedy these injustices. In Part III, the Article proposes a new constitutional merger doctrine for capital felony murder cases. Finally, in Part IV, the Article makes the case for adopting a capital felony merger doctrine and explores its consequences.
Objection to Iceberg Theory Continued

No marine polar currents flow south in the northern hemisphere, unless enclosed in deep valleys trending in that direction—Description of an iceberg—Hugh Miller’s description of the battered brow of a hill near the town of Wick, Scotland—His opinion of the cause of the abruptness, an erroneous one—Reasons for so thinking—All the hills of Maine abrupt on the south—The manner in which this result occurred—The ledges of Maine show no evidence of drift ice—Floe ice inadequate to score them—The diluvial theory—Objection to it—Its influence in keeping the attention of geologists to the great facts of superficial geology.
Kinetics of phenol biodegradation by an immobilized methanogenic consortium.

A phenol-degrading methanogenic enrichment was successfully immobilized in agar as shown by the stoichiometric conversion of phenol to CH/sub 4/ and CO/sub 2/. The enrichment contained members of three physiological groups necessary for the syntrophic mineralization of phenol: a phenol-oxidizing bacterium, a Methanothrix-like bacterium, and an H/sub 2/-utilizing methanogen. The immobilization technique resulted in the cells being embedded in a long, thin agar strans (1 mm in diameter by 2 to 50 cm in length) that resembled spaghetti. Immobilization had three effects as shown by a comparative kinetic analysis of phenol degradation by free versus immobilized cells. (1) The maximum rate of degradation was reduced from 14.8 to 10.0 ..mu..g of phenol per h; (2) the apparent K/sub m/ for the overall reaction was reduced from 90 to 46 ..mu..g of phenol per ml. probably because of the retention of acetate, H/sub 2/ and CO/sub 2/ in the proximity of immobilized methanogens; and (3) the cells were protected from substrate inhibition caused by high concentrations of phenol, which increased the apparent K/sub i/ value from 900 to 1725 ..mu..g of phenol per ml. Estimates for the kinetic parameters K/sub m/, K/sub i/, and V/sub max/ were used in a modifiedmore » substrate inhibition model that simulated rates of phenol degradation for given phenol concentrations. The simulated rates were in close agreement with experimentally derived rates for both stimulatory and inhibitory concentrations of phenol.« less
Machine Learning of Inductive Bias

1 Introduction.- 1.1 Machine Learning.- 1.2 Learning Concepts from Examples.- 1.3 Role of Bias in Concept Learning.- 1.4 Kinds of Bias.- 1.5 Origin of Bias.- 1.6 Learning to Learn.- 1.7 The New-Term Problem.- 1.8 Guide to Remaining Chapters.- 2 Related Work.- 2.1 Learning Programs that use a Static Bias.- 2.1.1 Vere's Thoth without Counterfactuals.- 2.1.2 Vere's Thoth with Counterfactuals.- 2.1.3 Mitchell's Candidate Elimination.- 2.1.4 Michalski's STAR Algorithm.- 2.2 Learning Programs that use a Dynamic Bias.- 2.2.1 Waterman's Poker Player.- 2.2.2 Lenat's EURISKO.- 3 Searching for a Better Bias.- 3.1 Simplifications.- 3.1.1 Original Bias.- 3.1.2 Representation of Bias.- 3.1.3 Formalism for Description Language.- 3.1.4 Strength of Bias.- 3.1.5 When to Shift to a Weaker Bias.- 3.2 The RTA Method for Shifting Bias.- 3.2.1 Recommending New Descriptions for a Weaker Bias.- 3.2.2 Translating Recommendations into New Concept Descriptions.- 3.2.3 Assimilating New Concepts into the Hypothesis Space.- 4 LEX and STABB.- 4.1 LEX: A Program that Learns from Experimentation.- 4.1.1 Problem Solver.- 4.1.2 Critic.- 4.1.3 Generalizer.- 4.1.4 Problem Generator.- 4.1.5 Description Language.- 4.1.6 Matching Two Descriptions.- 4.1.7 Operator Language.- 4.2 STABB: a Program that Shifts Bias.- 5 Least Disjunction.- 5.1 Procedure.- 5.1.1 Recommend.- 5.1.2 Translate.- 5.1.3 Assimilate.- 5.2 Requirements.- 5.3 Experiments.- 5.3.1 Experiment #1.- 5.3.2 Experiment #2.- 5.4 Example Trace.- 5.5 Discussion.- 5.5.1 Language Shift and Version Spaces.- 5.5.2 Obsolete Descriptions: Strengthening Bias.- 5.5.3 Choosing Among Syntactic Methods.- 6 Constraint Back-Propagation.- 6.1 Procedure.- 6.1.1 Recommend.- 6.1.2 Translate.- 6.1.3 Assimilate.- 6.2 Requirements.- 6.3 Experiments.- 6.3.1 Experiment #1.- 6.3.2 Experiment #2.- 6.3.3 Experiment #3.- 6.4 Example Trace.- 6.5 Discussion.- 6.5.1 Knowledge Based Assimilation.- 6.5.2 Knowledge Based Set Equivalence.- 6.5.3 Bias in Formalism of Description Language.- 6.5.4 Interaction of Operator Language and Description Language.- 6.5.5 A Method for Computing a Strong and Correct Bias.- 6.5.6 Regressing Sub-Goals.- 7 Conclusion.- 7.1 Summary.- 7.2 Results.- 7.3 Issues.- 7.3.1 Role of Bias.- 7.3.2 Sources of Bias.- 7.3.3 When to Shift.- 7.3.4 Strength of Bias.- 7.3.5 How to Shift Bias.- 7.3.6 Recommending New Descriptions.- 7.3.7 Translating Recommendations.- 7.3.8 Assimilating New Descriptions.- 7.3.9 Side Effects.- 7.3.10 Multiple Uses of Concept Description Language.- 7.4 Further Work.- Appendix A: Lisp Code.- A.1 STABB.- A.2 Grammar.- A.3 Intersection.- A.4 Match.- A.5 Operators.- A.6 Utilities.
Finite element simulation of microindentation on aluminum

Vickers indentation of 6061-T6 aluminum was modeled using a three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) program. Two different work hardening behaviors were assumed. The results were compared with actual indentations using both a static microindenter and a load and depth recording microindenter. The hardness and plastic flow behavior showed excellent agreement, validating the FEA model, and implying that the work hardening of the aluminum decreases past a compressive strain of 0.09. The unloading results were analyzed using Sneddon's solution for the indentation of an elastic half-space by a rigid axisymmetric indenter. The results confirm the validity of applying Sneddon's solution in this case, implying that Bolshakov and Pharr's corrections of Sneddon's solution (which were determined for a conical indenter) are not directly applicable tothe Vickers indenter.
The Rise of Quasi-Common Carriers and Conduit Convergence

The technologies that deliver content to consumers have begun to converge into a single Internet-driven conduit. Such convergence supports a consolidation of previously stand alone markets as evidenced by the ability of ventures to offer a “triple-play” bundle of Internet-delivered video, data and telephone service. Converging technologies and markets eliminate a sharp and identifiable distinction between the service classifications created by Congress and applied by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). The Commission faces a regulatory quandary in maintaining a clear regulatory dichotomy between carriers operating as private conduits versus carriers subject to government oversight. The former can deliver content, software and services largely free of government regulation while some in the latter category operate as common carriers bearing public utility obligations, while others incur FCC-mandates to carry video content and place it on particular channel locations. This paper will examine whether and how converging technologies and markets provide an opportunity for the FCC to impose more forms of quasi-common carrier duties on ventures that otherwise would qualify for limited or no regulation. The paper will examine a recent court affirmance of the FCC’s requirement that all cellphone companies provide subscribers of other carriers “roaming” access to data services, despite the classification of Internet access as a largely unregulated information service. The paper also will examine previous instances where courts have affirmed FCC decisions to impose quasi-common carrier duties, such as the mandatory carriage of local broadcast television signals. The paper shows how the FCC has found ways to impose quasi-common carrier duties on ventures providing convergent services even though these ventures appear to qualify for little, if any, regulation. The FCC may have devised ways to respond to changed circumstances and the rigidness of congressionally crafted service definitions. However such flexibility generates regulatory uncertainty and the potential for the Commission to exceed its statutory authority. The paper concludes that the FCC will consider applying quasi-common carrier duties on private carriers without certainty about the permissible reach of this option.
Overview of methods in economic analyses of behavioral interventions to promote oral health

Background: Broad adoption of interventions that prove effective in randomized clinical trials or comparative effectiveness research may depend to a great extent on their costs and cost-effectiveness (CE). Many studies of behavioral health interventions for oral health promotion and disease prevention lack robust economic assessments of costs and CE. Objective: To describe methodologies employed to assess intervention costs, potential savings, net costs, CE, and the financial sustainability of behavioral health interventions to promote oral health. Methods: We provide an overview of terminology and strategies for conducting economic evaluations of behavioral interventions to improve oral health based on the recommendations of the Panel of Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine. To illustrate these approaches, we summarize methodologies and findings from a limited number of published studies. The strategies include methods for assessing intervention costs, potential savings, net costs, CE, and financial sustainability from various perspectives (e.g., health-care provider, health system, health payer, employer, society). Statistical methods for estimating short-term and long-term economic outcomes and for examining the sensitivity of economic outcomes to cost parameters are described. Discussion: Through the use of established protocols for evaluating costs and savings, it is possible to assess and compare intervention costs, net costs, CE, and financial sustainability. The addition of economic outcomes to outcomes reflecting effectiveness, appropriateness, acceptability, and organizational sustainability strengthens evaluations of oral health interventions and increases the potential that those found to be successful in research settings will be disseminated more broadly.
Dual antiplatelet therapy for TIA reduces subsequent disability: A CHANCE to improve outcomes?

In this issue of Neurology ®, Wang et al.1 report the results of a subanalysis of the Clopidogrel in High-risk Patients with Acute Non-disabling Cerebrovascular Events (CHANCE) trial of dual antiplatelet agents administered within 24 hours of onset of high-risk TIA (defined as ABCD2 score ≥4) or minor stroke (defined as NIH Stroke Scale score ≤3). In this study, they explored the outcomes of functional disability, as measured by the modified Rankin Scale, and quality of life, as measured by the EuroQol-5 Dimension. The published CHANCE trial results demonstrated that the combination of clopidogrel and aspirin (for 21 days, followed by clopidogrel alone until 90 days) was superior to aspirin plus placebo for 90 days in preventing recurrent stroke after TIA or minor stroke.2 The current study demonstrates the superiority of dual antiplatelet therapy compared to aspirin in improving the 90-day functional outcome. The analysis suggests that this is mediated via a reduction in the occurrence of disabling stroke. The finding has importance to patients, clinicians, and policymakers, because disability from stroke has personal, economic, and societal implications.
Team‐Based Learning for Students with High‐Incidence Disabilities in High School Social Studies Classrooms

We examined the effectiveness of implementing team-based learning (TBL) practices on content acquisition for 11th grade students with high-incidence disabilities enrolled in general education social studies courses. TBL components focus on collaborative discourse within heterogeneous teams. TBL, which requires critical thinking and the application of content knowledge for problem-solving, was implemented for three units of instruction. Results indicated no statistically significant differences between groups on a measure of content knowledge, although a moderate effect size was noted (ES = 0.50). Significant and large effects (ES = 1.01) favoring the TBL treatment were noted for items related to content-area vocabulary. There were no significant differences on items measuring comprehension of historical events, facts, and issues (ES = 0.38). Practical implications for content-area instruction are discussed.
Relationship of Tightness of Pectoral Muscles to round Shoulders in College Women

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of relationship between round shoulders and tightness of the pectoral muscles. Tests to evaluate shoulder position and to determine pectoral tightness were administered to 124 college women. There was no correlation found to exist between round shoulders and tightness of the pectoral muscles in college women.
Dendritic cell and T cell responses in children with food allergy.

Summary Background Food allergy (FA) and eosinophilic oesophagitis (EE) are increasingly common clinical problems. Dendritic cells (DCs) are key regulators of the sensitization and effector phases of allergic immune responses, but their role in these diseases is largely unknown. Objective To evaluate for alterations in the phenotype and function of DCs in children with IgE-mediated milk allergy or EE compared with their non-affected siblings. Methods Plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and myeloid DCs (mDCs) were prepared from peripheral blood of children with milk allergy (FA), EE, and non-affected siblings (CON). Purified pDCs and mDCs were cultured alone or with autologous CD4+ lymphocytes. Cytokine levels in plasma, or culture supernatants following stimulation, were measured using multiplex array immunoassay. Cell-surface molecule expression was determined by flow cytometry. Results DCs from FA subjects produced greater levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), granulocyte macrophage-colony forming factor, and mDC-derived IL-10 compared with controls following allergen exposure. TH2 but not TH1 cytokines were spontaneously produced in DC-CD4+ T cell co-cultures from children with FA and were not significantly increased after stimulation with milk extract, suggesting an ongoing activation in vivo. This hypothesis was further supported by evidence for elevated IL-5 and IL-13 protein in the plasma of children with both FA and EE. The only significant DC phenotypic differences were: (1) reduced levels of CD80 in EE subjects and (2) FcɛRI expression that correlated with serum IgE levels in both groups of subjects. Conclusion This study suggests that DCs from children with FA and EE produce more pro-inflammatory cytokines, and that their CD4+ T cells are spontaneously activated to produce TH2 cytokines in the presence of FcɛRI-bearing DCs. Cite this as: P. A. Frischmeyer-Guerrerio, A. L. Guerrerio, K. L. Chichester, A. P. Bieneman, R. A. Hamilton, R. A. Wood and J. T. Schroeder, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 61–71.
Administration of Raw Onion Inhibits Platelet-Mediated Thrombosis in Dogs

A number of studies suggest that dietary intake of onions is of benefit to cardiovascular health. Onion juice inhibits in vitro human platelet aggregation. To study the in vivo effect of onion on platelet aggregation, 11 dogs were prepared with mechanically damaged and stenosed coronary arteries. Periodic platelet-mediated thrombus formation followed by embolization produced cyclic flow reductions (CFR). In five dogs, 0.09 +/- 0.01 mL/kg onion juice administered intravenously abolished CFR within 20 min. This was followed by a 60 +/- 14% (P = 0.002) reduction in collagen-induced ex vivo whole-blood platelet aggregation. Six dogs were given 2.0 g/kg raw onion homogenate intragastrically. CFR were eliminated within 2.5-3 h in five of the dogs. This was accompanied by a 44 +/- 24% (P = 0.04) reduction in ex vivo aggregation. These findings suggest that the consumption of raw onion may help prevent platelet-mediated cardiovascular disorders. However, in vitro incubations of onion juice demonstrated that the platelet inhibitory response was significantly greater in dog blood than in human blood.
Solubility and Dissolution of Triamcinolone Acetonide

Available data on the solubility of triamcinolone acetonide in aqueous media are neither complete nor in agreement. Solubility of the steroid in distilled water and in potassium chloride solutions of varying ionic strength was determined at 28, 37, and 50°. Dissolution rates of the steroid in the aqueous media were determined at 28° via a rotating‐disk method. Triamcinolone acetonide solubility in distilled water ranged from 21 mcg. ml.−1 at 28° to 33.6 mcg. ml.−1 at 50°. The differential heat of solution was 4207 cal.mole−1. The intrinsic dissolution rate constant at the maximum agitation intensity employed was 4.51 × 10−3 hr.−1 cm.−2. Solubilities and dissolution rates were markedly lower in potassium chloride solutions. „Salting‐out” coefficients were calculated, for the effect of potassium chloride on triamcinolone acetonide solubility, using the empirical Setschenow equation.
Enhancement of goldthioglucose toxicity and obesity by concurrent glucose administration.

Abstract The concurrent administration of glucose increased both acute mortality and the incidence of obesity following goldthioglucose. A similar increase in mortality was produced by goldthiomalate, although obesity did not result. A slight enhancement of the toxicity of goldthiosulfate and of mercuric chloride by concurrent administration of glucose was found in mice of the CBA strain, but not in mice of the AKR strain.
Substantive Religious Representation in the U.S. Senate: Voting Alignment with the Family Research Council

Studies of representation are widespread in the congressional literature, with recent work focusing on both descriptive and substantive representation of various minority groups. The authors focus on religious representation in Congress, examining the extent to which senators’ own religious affiliation and the relative size of their religious constituencies affect substantive representation of Religious Right interests. The authors find that Christian senators (evangelical Protestants, conservative Catholics, and Mormons alike) provide better representation of the Religious Right, as do senators from states with larger Christian constituencies. The findings demonstrate that substantive representation is the product of characteristics of both the representatives and the represented.
A new species of Microsphecodes from Peru, with notes on the classification of the genus (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

A new species of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Microsphecodes Eickwort & Stage (Halictinae: Halictini) is described and figured from Amazonian Peru. Microsphecodes stenochorus Engel, new species, is closest to M . kathleenae (Eickwort) and M . russeiclypeatus (Sakagami & Moure) but may be distinguished by coloration and propodeal sculpturing. Microsphecodes consists of two groups of divergent morphologies and these are newly considered as distinct subgenera: Microsphecodes s.str . and Baeosphecodes Engel, new subgenus. Provisional keys to species of Microsphecodes are provided.
Effect of yeast culture and Aspergillus oryzae extract on milk yield in a commercial dairy herd

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of an Aspergillus oryzae extract in combination with a yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on milk yield and composition, rectal temperatures, and rumen parameters in a commercial dairy herd. Pluriparous Holstein cows (n = 521) in early lactation were assigned to a 130-d trial from May to September 1992. Treatments were control (no additive) and yeast culture (56 g/d) plus A. oryzae (3 g/d). Both groups were fed a TMR composed of alfalfa silage, alfalfa hay, corn silage, rolled barley, rolled corn, grass screenings, whole cottonseed, wet citrus pulp, molasses supplement, protein pellet, and minerals. No differences were detected in actual milk, 3.5% FCM, or percentages of milk fat or protein. Percentages of lactose and SNF were lower for the group fed yeast culture plus A. oryzae. Rectal temperatures were lower for cows fed yeast culture plus A. oryzae for 7 of 17 readings made during the summer. The greatest difference occurred during hotter months.
Right side of TeV scale spontaneous R -parity violation

We study a simple extension of the minimal supersymmetric standard model in which the Abelian sector of the theory consists of $B\ensuremath{-}L$ and right-handed isospin. In the minimal model this Abelian gauge structure is broken to the standard model hypercharge gauge group by nonvanishing vacuum expectation values of the right-handed sneutrinos, resulting in spontaneous $R$-parity violation. This theory can emerge as a low energy effective theory of a left-right symmetric theory realized at a high scale. We determine the mass spectrum of the theory, and discuss the generation of neutrino masses and $R$-parity violating interactions. The possibility of distinguishing between $R$-parity violating models with a gauged $U(1{)}_{B\ensuremath{-}L}$ broken at the TeV scale at the Large Hadron Collider is discussed.
The supernova trigger for formation of the solar system

It is suggested that the explosion of a Type II supernova triggered the collapse of a nearby interstellar cloud and led to the formation of the solar system. Estimates of the abundances resulting from nuclear processing of the supernova ejecta are presented. It appears promising that nucleosynthesis in this single supernova event can account for most isotopic anomalies and traces of extinct radioactivities in solar-system material.
The role of the logic state analyzer in the design of microprocessor systems

Abstract With the advent of microprocessors new methods of observing dynamic logic states and data flow have become necessary. The basic requirements are: the ability to operate with different logic families; a frequency or clock rate of up to 20 MHz; a display for a presentation of highs and lows in binary format; the ability to trigger on a unique 16 or 32 bit word; and to be able to examine events happening before or after a trigger word. An analogue mapping where the programme flow of the microprocessor is displayed is also useful. The logic state analyzer meets these requirements and this description shows how it can complement the oscilloscope when used on microprocessor systems.
Efficiency in the crude oil futures market

Abstract This paper addresses the issue of “simple efficiency,” which states that the futures price is an unbiased predictor of the spot price, in the case of trading in crude oil futures at NYMEX. This issue received considerable attention in the literature using cointegration analysis. This paper, however, explicitly deals with the crash in 1986, which is built into the analysis as a structural break following Perron (1989), and, more importantly, analyzes the trivariate system of spot-futures-posted prices in addition to bivariate spot-futures and spot-posted systems. The results indicate that the futures price of light sweet crude oil traded at NYMEX plays a significant role in price discovery. This observation is also supported by the widespread use of the futures price as a benchmark all over the world as well as by the decision of the U.S. Minerals Management Service to switch to the futures price from the posted price as the standard for calculating royalties.