cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A dialog generation and management system for conflict analysis

The concern here is with cognitive and perceptive abilities and, in particular, methods whereby qualitative reasoning in decision support systems may be enhanced and used, together with quantitative reasoning efforts, through appropriate dialog generation and management system (DGMS) design. In all uses of a decision support system (DSS), it is the DGMS that the user interacts with. The conflict analysis software used is especially appropriate for incorporation into the model base management system (MBMS) of a DSS. It is a formal-reasoning-based, highly quantitative analysis tool. The author discusses those features of dialog generation, dialog management, and user interfaces that are most relevant to cognitive information processing issues for potential use of the conflict analysis MBMS software. >
Cancers in DNA mismatch repair mutation carriers: results from a hospital based Lynch syndrome registry

Background The spectrum of cancers seen in a hospital based Lynch syndrome registry was examined to compare the incidence of colorectal versus extracolonic cancers by sex, race, mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutation, age at diagnosis and index cancer. We also examined rare extracolonic cancers that are not considered to be part of Lynch syndrome. Method There were a total of 463 cancers recorded in 239 patients from 150 families enrolled in the Lynch syndrome registry at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Each of these patients had a confirmed germline MMR mutation. Overall there were 218 (47.1%) colorectal and 245 (52.9%) extracolonic cancers. There was no difference in the total number of colorectal and extracolonic cancers in MLH1 mutation carriers (50.3% vs 49.7%) whereas for MSH2 and MLH6 mutation carriers there
Surface polyethylene glycol enhances substrate-mediated gene delivery by nonspecifically immobilized complexes

Substrate-mediated gene delivery describes the immobilization of gene therapy vectors to a biomaterial, which enhances gene transfer by exposing adhered cells to elevated DNA concentrations within the local microenvironment. Surface chemistry has been shown to affect transfection by nonspecifically immobilized complexes using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols on gold. In this report, SAMs were again used to provide a controlled surface to investigate whether the presence of oligo(ethylene glycol) (EG) groups in a SAM could affect complex morphology and enhance transfection. EG groups were included at percentages that did not affect cell adhesion. Nonspecific complex immobilization to SAMs containing combinations of EG- and carboxylic acid-terminated alkanethiols resulted in substantially greater transfection than surfaces containing no EG groups or SAMs composed of EG groups combined with other functional groups. Enhancement in transfection levels could not be attributed to complex binding densities or release profiles. Atomic force microscopy imaging of immobilized complexes revealed that EG groups within SAMs affected complex size and appearance and could indicate the ability of these surfaces to preserve complex morphology upon binding. The ability to control the morphology of the immobilized complexes and influence transfection levels through surface chemistry could be translated to scaffolds for gene delivery in tissue engineering and diagnostic applications.
Novel Technique to Produce Strongly Adherent Diamond Films on FE- and Ni-Base Alloys

An evaluation of the use of intermediate layers for promoting adhesion between diamond and Fe and Ni base alloys is presented. The lack of adhesion between diamond and such alloys has prevented its use as a protective coating in applications at intermediate temperatures. In this study we use a combination of plasma assisted deposition techniques together with controlled bias of the substrate in order to deposit intermediate layers, and simultaneously achieve a thorough intermixing of the elements at the interface, in order to increase the adhesion between the layers. We have compared the performance of different carbide forming metals, as well as other materials. Properties considered in the selection of the appropriate intermediate layers are: chemical affinity with carbon, thermal expansion coefficient, mechanical properties, and adhesion to diamond and to the base metal as well. In the case of multiple layers, adhesion strength was measured after every new layer was deposited, in order to identify any weak links of the composite structure. Transmission electron microscopy was used to determine the microstructure and phases. An analysis is provided of the resulting performance on the basis of the microstructure.
A new technique for identification of eighteen flutter derivatives using a three-degree-of-freedom section model

The prediction of flutter instability is of major concern for design of flexible structures. This necessitates the identification of aeroelastic parameters, known as flutter derivatives from wind tunnel experiments. The extraction of flutter derivatives becomes more challenging when the number of degrees of freedom (DOF) increases from two to three. Since the work in the field of identifying all 18 flutter derivatives has been limited, it has motivated the development of a new system identification method (iterative least squares method or ILS method) to efficiently extract the flutter derivatives using a section model suspended by a three-DOF elastic suspension system. The accuracy of a particular flutter derivative was determined by comparing the results obtained from all possible DOF combinations.
Microstructures of FeTaN films in the neck region of magnetic recording heads

We found that the columns at the neck region of a magnetic recording inductive head slider composed of FeTaN and NiFe are tilted from the surface normal when the pole materials are sputtered at a low substrate bias power. The electron diffraction patterns show that [110] texture has not strongly developed in the FeTaN film. We have not observed noticeable voids throughout the film on the slider, which suggests the absence of microshape anisotropy. This observation is consistent with our previous study of FeTaN blanket films. We confirmed lattice distortion in the FeTaN due to Ta and N incorporation into a Fe matrix. No significant difference in microstructure between the film on the head slider and the blanket film is found. Based on all the information we have gathered, such as X-ray spectra, pole figures, and high-resolution electron micrographs, we established the crystallographic relationship between [110] orientation, columnar direction, and incident atomic flux in the case of oblique-incident deposition of FeTaN films.
Correlation of Actin Crosslinker and Capper Expression Levels with Stereocilia Growth Phases

During development of the chick cochlea, actin crosslinkers and barbed-end cappers presumably influence growth and remodeling of the actin paracrystal of hair cell stereocilia. We used mass spectrometry to identify and quantify major actin-associated proteins of the cochlear sensory epithelium from E14 to E21, when stereocilia widen and lengthen. Tight actin crosslinkers (i.e. fascins, plastins, and espin) are expressed dynamically during cochlear epithelium development between E7 and E21, with FSCN2 replacing FSCN1 and plastins remaining low in abundance. Capping protein, a barbed-end actin capper, is located at stereocilia tips; it is abundant during growth phase II, when stereocilia have ceased elongating and are increasing in diameter. Capping protein levels then decline during growth phase III, when stereocilia reinitiate barbed-end elongation. Although actin crosslinkers are readily detected by electron microscopy in developing chick cochlea stereocilia, quantitative mass spectrometry of stereocilia isolated from E21 chick cochlea indicated that tight crosslinkers are present there in stoichiometric ratios relative to actin that are much lower than their ratios for vestibular stereocilia. These results demonstrate the value of quantitation of global protein expression in chick cochlea during stereocilia development.
Catastrophe-Concept-Based Cumulus Parameterization: Correction of Systematic Errors in the Precipitation Diurnal Cycle over Land in a GCM

AbstractThe onset of cumulus convection in a grid column is a catastrophe, also known as a subcritical instability. Accordingly, in designing a cumulus parameterization scheme the onset of cumulus convection requires that a parameter crosses a critical value and the termination of cumulus convection requires that the same or a different parameter crosses a different critical value. Once begun, cumulus convection continues to exist, regardless of whether the onset criterion is still met, until the termination criterion is met. Also, the intensity of cumulus precipitation is related to how far the state is from the termination, not the onset, criterion.The cumulus parameterization schemes currently in use in GCMs, however, treat the onset of cumulus convection as a supercritical instability; namely, convection is turned on when a parameter exceeds a critical value and is turned off when the same parameter falls below the same critical value. Also, the intensity of cumulus precipitation is related to how far...
Cotton Color Measurements by an Imaging Colorimeter

Color grade is one of the major components of the current cotton classing system. This paper presents the application of an imaging colorimeter to color measurements of the USDA standards for U.S. Upland cotton and cotton samples with a wide range of colors. Tests on the reproducibility and spatial uniformity of the color imeter's data are reported, and the results are directly compared with results from other colorimeters and human classers. Methods for creating new color grade dia grams in the CIE L*a*b* system are explained. A new concept suggests using primary and secondary color grades for cotton samples. These two grades can be determined from the L*∼b* and L*∼a* diagrams created by the imaging color imeter. The secondary grade, using the red-green attribute, can help reduce the uncertainty of color grading when the color measurements are near a boundary between two grades in one color diagram.
Condensation Coefficient Measurement for Water in the UMR Cloud Simulation Chamber

Abstract A systematic series of condensation coefficient measurements of water have been made using the University of Missouri—Rolla cooled-wall expansion chamber which simulates the thermodynamics of cloud. This coefficient is seen to decrease from a value near unity, at the outset of simulation, to a value in the neighborhood of 0.01 toward the end of a simulation. Final values of this coefficient are sufficiently low as to contribute significantly to the broadening of the drop-size distribution in cloud.
On the central charge extension of the $ \mathcal{N}=4 $ SYM spin chain

In this paper it is argued that the central charge extension of the Coulomb branch of $$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$ SYM theory appears as a limit of Beisert’s central charge extension of the planar $$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$ spin chain in the presence of boundaries. These boundaries are interpreted as D-branes that source the central charge and are realized as giant gravitons and dual giant gravitons in the AdS dual. The BPS states that correspond to short representations of the centrally extended algebra on the spin chain can stop from existing when they cross walls of stability that depend on the position of the branes. These walls can be understood easily at weak coupling in the SU(2) sector.
Comparison of ACO and GA techniques to generate Neural Network based Bezier-PARSEC parameterized airfoil

This research uses Neural Networks to determine two dimensional airfoil geometry using Bezier-PARSEC parameterization. Earlier, Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) techniques have been used to solve combinatorial optimization problems like TSP. This work extends ACO method from TSP problem to design parameters for estimating unknown Bezier-PARSEC parameters that define upper and lower curves of the airfoil. The efficiency and the performance of ACO technique was compared to that of GA. The work established that ACO exhibited improved performance than the GA in terms of optimization time and level of precision achieved. In the next phase, Neural Network is implemented using Cp as input in terms of Cl, Cd and Cm for learning and targeting the corresponding Bezier-PARSEC parameters. Neural Networks including Feed-forward back propagation, Generalized Regression and Radial Basis were implemented and were compared to evaluate their performance. Similar to earlier work with GA and Neural Nets, this work also established Feed-forward back propagation Neural Network as a preferred method for determining the design of airfoil since the technique presented better approximation results than other neural nets.
Radiologic Knowledge and Ordering Habits of Clinical Residents: ACR Appropriateness Criteria Awareness and Perceptions.

anefforttoinformorderingphysicians on various imaging studies and their indications according to the ACR Appropriateness Criteria, we developed a short presentation that highlights some of the most commonly used studies. We also used a questionnairetodetermine the importance of imaging studies in these residents’ practice of medicine, their levels of comfort with ordering these studies, their perceptions of the amount of education they receive in radiology during their training, and their perceived need for more education to help them adequately select radiologic studies for their patients. WHAT WAS DONE A radiology resident at a large, urban, medical school-affiliated hospital devised a 45-min educational session preceded and followed by a short questionnaire (see Additional Resources) to assess participants’ knowledge of imaging tests and their indications to test the effectiveness of the intervention. The course was presented to 83 residents in the departments of internal medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, and emergency medicine. Figure 1 shows residents’ postgraduate years. The pretest consisted of three sections. The first part addressed the participants’ awareness of the ACR Appropriateness Criteria and their usefulness in clinical practice. The second part of the pretest assessed clinicians’ knowledge of basic radiology, including correct indications and contraindications of select imaging studies and contrast agent selection. The final portion of the pretest addressed participants’ opinions about the importance of radiology in their clinical practice, their comfort levels when ordering imaging studies, their perceptions of the amount of education they receive during their training, and their thoughts on integrating more radiology education. The posttest was administered afterthesessionandaskedparticipantsif they were now more likely to consult
Global buckling load of a nonlinearly elastic bar

The nonlinear buckling of an elastic bar with softening characteristic is studied. It is found that, under large disturbances, the bar may buckle under loads well below the linear buckling load.
INCOME INSTABILITY AND THE RESPONSE OF THE SAFETY NET

This paper examines the response of safety net transfer and tax programs to earnings and income shocks across recessions since the early 1980s. Safety net programs in the United States are designed to dampen economic instability and maintain basic needs for families. Such programs, including TANF, SNAP (food stamps), and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), have been tested during and between recessions of the past 30 years, including the recent 2007–2009 Great Recession. I use matched data in the March Current Population Survey (CPS) from 1980 to 2012 to estimate pre- and post-transfer income instability over the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, as well as across recessions. The results are disaggregated by family structure, race, income, and education. Transfer programs are associated with lowered instability levels and flatter trend growth from 1980 to 2012 among socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroups, while the tax system reduces income instability for families in the top 40th percentile of the income distribution. Although the largest instability reductions occur among the poor, since 1980 the safety net appears less responsive to instability for the bottom income quintile, female-headed families, and black families. (JEL I38, J63)
A modern, lean deployment of EHR systems: Two lessons from meaningful use in the United States

Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems dominate healthcare industries in many countries. In the United States, the Obama administration promotes EHR through a significant incentive program, so-called Meaningful Use. This paper shares two important lessons that the majority of stakeholders should have learned as of now, i.e. toward its last phase: (1) significant administrative overhead, and (2) understatement of open source technologies, and proposes a modern, lean deployment of EHR systems with a positive use of open source technologies as a better alternative. We believe that this lean deployment should resolve currently confronting financial and administrative issues while sustaining quality healthcare with its suppressed (or lower) cost.
Pharmacologic Modulation of STAT1 and Wnt Signaling in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

BACKGROUND: The STAT and Wnt signaling pathways play critical roles in early lymphocyte development and function, with considerable cross-talk between them. STAT1 has been reported to be constitutively phosphorylated at SER727, and often at TYR701, in CLL patients. STAT1 activation can regulate the function of the IRF8 transcription factor. Polymorphisms of the IRF8 gene have been associated with both familial and sporadic CLL, and can influence Wnt signaling. Hence, both STAT1 and Wnt are potential pharmacologic targets for CLL therapy, particularly in patients that are resistant to, or intolerant of BTK and PI3K inhibitors. We previously reported that the electrophilic drug dimethylfumarate (DMF, Tecfidera, Fumaderm) could inhibit Wnt signaling in CLL. Here we have investigated its effects on constitutive and inducible STAT1 signaling, and on IRF8 expression, in primary CLL cells. METHODS: Primary leukemia cells from patients with CLL were cultured with DMF at pharmacologically relevant doses (3 uM to 30 uM) for 4 hours prior to analysis of STAT1 phosphorylation and IRF8 expression. We assessed the effect of DMF with and without pre-stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Wnt3a, or a TLR7 agonist. To further evaluate the effect on CLL cells in a microenvironment that stimulates these pathways, we utilized a murine CLL xenograft model. We implanted primary leukemic cells from patients with CLL into the peritoneum of Rag2 deficient immune-compromised mice. Groups of mice were then treated with DMF at a dose of 10 mg/kg by oral gavage. CLL cells were retrieved 4 to 5 hours later by peritoneal lavage and analyzed. RESULTS: We confirmed that both SER727 and TYR701 are phosphorylated in the majority of primary CLL cells from both VH mutated (high risk) and unmutated (low risk) clones, but not in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). A 4 hours exposure of CLL cells to DMF inhibited TYR701 phosphorylation, but had no effect on SER727 phosphorylation nor on total STAT1 levels. We also confirmed that IRF8 levels are 6-8 fold elevated in CLL cells, compared to normal PBMC. IRF8 expression was inhibited by DMF treatment in 7 out of 11 CLL patients. Similar effects were observed in vivo. Wnt or LPS stimulation increased IRF8 levels in normal PBMC, but did not alter the already elevated IRF8 levels in CLL cells. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of the STAT1/IRF8 pathway, like the Wnt pathway, is highly characteristic of CLL. DMF treatment of CLL cells can interrupt these signaling cascades, interfering with leukemia cell survival. Disclosures Choi: AbbVie: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Gilead: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board, Speakers Bureau.
Paclitaxel (T) plus ifosfamide (I) followed by high-dose carboplatin (C) and etoposide (E) with autologous stem cell support for patients (pts) with previously treated germ cell tumors (GCT): TI-CE results and prognostic factor analysis in 107 pts

5027 Background: Pts with incomplete response (IR) to first-line chemotherapy or relapsed primary mediastinal non-seminomatous GCT (NSGCT) have <10% 3-year (yr) survival with conventional-dose salv...
Case 2: Neck Pain, Neck Swelling, and Chest Pain in a 17-year-old Boy

1. Onyekachukwu Osakwe, MD* 2. Bahareh Keith, DO* 1. *Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL A 17-year-old, previously healthy boy presents to the pediatric emergency department (ED) with shortness of breath, neck pain, neck swelling, and dysphagia, which started earlier that morning when he woke up from sleep. There is no history of fever, cough, choking, vomiting, or trauma. He reports that he had vigorously cheered while watching the Super Bowl football game the preceding day. He is a track runner but had not engaged in any strenuous activities for 3 days before the onset of his symptoms. He does not smoke or use any other drugs. Despite the neck pain and swelling in the morning, he went to school. The neck swelling, however, worsened with fits of laughter at school, and he developed some shortness of breath during track practice, prompting a visit to the pediatric ED. His vital signs on admission are as follows: respiratory rate, 21 breaths/min; heart rate, 68 beats/min; blood pressure, 127/73 mm Hg; oxygen saturation, 100% on room air; and temperature, 97.9°F (36.6°C). On physical examination, he has a marfanoid habitus (tall and thin), with a BMI of 16, but there is no ectopia lentis or abnormal curves in the spine that would suggest Marfan syndrome. There is palpable crepitus on the neck above the clavicles on both sides, extending downward on the anterior chest, over the sternum, to the level of the fourth rib. Breath sounds are normally heard. Pleural rub is heard over both lungs. Heart sounds are normally heard, along with a crunching sound synchronous with each heartbeat. Imaging studies confirm the diagnosis. Chest radiograph showed evidence of pneumomediastinum, with air tracking along …
Evaluation of students' perceptions of the Socrative application versus a traditional student response system and its impact on classroom engagement.

Abstract Background and purpose Student response systems (SRSs) or “clickers” are common tools that lecturers can implement into didactic lectures. Socrative is a convenient and free SRS application that can be downloaded on personal handheld devices and used by faculty and students. It is unknown if students prefer using this application and what advantages or disadvantages can be seen with Socrative's use. Purpose To measure student preference of standard SRS methods compared to Socrative as well as the impact of Socrative use on student engagement during delivery of clinical pharmacy instruction Educational activity and setting Standard SRS and Socrative incorporated lectures were presented to students during an infectious disease module. Students were given a survey at the end of the semester to determine the primary endpoint of preference for each application. The survey used a Likert scale of 1–5, with 1 = strongly disagree and 5= strongly agree. Secondary endpoints included assessing the number of questions asked, participation, and classroom time utilized. Findings A total of 114 surveys were completed and six were excluded due to discrepancies or reporting bias. A higher mean scoring for classroom facilitation of active learning (4.48 vs. 3.99, p Summary In comparison with traditional SRS methods, students felt Socrative helped them to more actively participate in class and facilitated a better environment for asking and receiving answers to classroom questions.
Construction of an Extreme Ultravioltet Polarimeter Based on High-Order Harmonic Generation

We report on a ‘work-horse’ application of laser-generated high-order harmonics to measure polarization- dependent reflectances for optical surfaces in the extreme ultraviolet.
Impact of Governance Structures on IPO Performance in Emerging Markets: Evidence from Bangladesh

This study examines the effects of governance and ownership structures on the IPO performance in emerging markets. We develop a framework for the IPO performance in emerging markets building on the...
A series-AC-link ISOP AC-AC converter with two power cells

Power converters used in shipboard power systems and industrial motor drives typically need to handle voltages and/or currents beyond the voltage/current ratings of the commercially available switches. A common solution is to employ multilevel converters. Most of the existing multilevel topologies are based on dc-link converters, and require a large number of switches and capacitors with high capacitances. This paper proposes a new three-phase ac-ac converter, the power cells of which are derived from a new class of highly reliable three-phase series-ac-link ac-ac converters. Using three-phase series-ac-link ac-ac converters as power cells minimizes the number of required components. A diode is placed between the two power cells to realize the series connection of power cells to accomplish the voltage sharing at the input side. Moreover, each power cell in the proposed configuration requires only a small film capacitor for transferring the power. This eliminates the need for electrolytic capacitors, which have high failure rates. The proposed ac-ac converter is evaluated in this paper, and the simulation results verify its promising features.
Transmethylation to α-glycerol phosphate; A possible precursor in the formation of 6-O-methyl-D-glucose in Mycobacterium, tuberculosis

Abstract The occurrence in mycobacteria of a number of related polysaccharides containing 6-O-methyl-D-glucose is the subject of several recent studies.1–3 6-O-methyl-D-glucose is a likely precursor to the polysaccharides containing 6-O-methyl glucose as well as other methylated sugars.4 In this report we show that cell-free extracts of the H37Ra strain of Mycobacterium , tuberculosis contain an enzyme which catalyzes the transfer of the methyl group of S-adenosyl methionine to α-glycerol phosphate forming 3-methoxy 1, 2 propanediol (α-glyceryl methyl ether, α-GME). The methyl group is thus introduced at the triose level for incorporation into hexoses and other sugars.
Double-Label Quantitative Autoradiographic Studies of Anaerobic Glucose Metabolism in Limbic Seizures

Sokoloff’s (1) radiolabeled 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) method for calculating the local cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (LCMR) has been employed to determine those structures most involved in a variety of experimental and clinical paradigms. It has proven particularly valuable in identifying the structures most involved in a number of human and animal seizure states (2).
Mercury Rising: The Omnibus Autism Proceeding and What Families Should Know before Rushing out of Vaccine Court

Introduction 460 I. Background 467 A. A Short History of Vaccines: Past, Present, and Future...467 B. Sore Spots: Side Effects, Lawsuits, and Falling National Stockpiles 468 C. The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Compensation Act 470 1. Jurisdiction and preemption of state law 471 2. Filing a claim 472 3. The required “supporting documentation” 473 4. The time-frame for adjudicating Vaccine Act claims..474 5. Proving causation: Table vs. off-table claims 474 6. Compensation and Vaccine Act funding 476 7. Judgments and appeals 477 D. The Vaccine-Autism Controversy 478 E. The Vaccine-Autism Controversy and the Vaccine Court 482 II. The Early Stages of the Omnibus Autism Proceeding 484 A. The Vaccine Court Concludes it has Jurisdiction over Thimerosal 484 B. The Decision to Utilize Short-Form Petitions 486
A method to estimate transmission profiles of bow-tie filters using rotating tube measurements.

Purpose The purpose of this paper was to present a method of determining the dose profile of the beam bow-tie filter (BTF) without the need for fixing the x ray tube in a position or using special instruments or dosimeters other than the ordinary types of ion chambers used for CT dosimetry (e.g., Farmer chamber). Methods The idea behind this method is to try to invert the integral of exposures from axial measurements by decomposing it into fractions per degree of tube rotation. Measurements of the CT tube output were taken with a full tube rotation while the chamber was fixed in air. Starting with isocenter the output measurements were performed at 1-cm interval above the isocenter. Measurements were repeated for three sizes of BTFs; small, medium, and large. Maximum fan angle per chamber position was computed and an effective fan angle was defined to account for the new angular range encountered per chamber position. Variation due to inverse-square law was isolated from each measurement and contribution from the effective fan angle was computed. Resulted profiles from this method were then compared to profiles obtained with direct measurements, when the tube was in a fixed position. Effects of over and under 360° rotation per scan on results accuracy were also investigated. Results Using the direct measurements as the gold standard, results from this method were accurate to 4% for most of the BTFs angular ranges. The average relative error in the small BTF was 1.5%. In the medium BTF, the average relative error was Conclusion The presented method is relatively easy to perform and provides BTFs profiles with reasonably good accuracy. Associated errors of >10% only appear in high angles of large and medium BTFs.
Cross-language generalisation in bilingual aphasia: what are we missing when we do not analyse discourse?

ABSTRACTBackground: Cross-language generalisation has been reported in about half of all published cases of bilingual aphasia treatment. However, many of those studies report data from only single-...
Semi-Quantum Key Distribution with Limited Measurement Capabilities

A semi-quantum key distribution (SQKD) protocol allows a quantum user and a limited "classical" user to establish a shared secret key secure against an all-powerful adversary. In this work, we present a new SQKD protocol where the quantum user is also limited in her measurement capabilities. We describe the protocol, perform an information theoretic analysis of its security, and show its noise tolerance is as high as "fully quantum" QKD protocols.
Brief report: Relationship between performance testing and parent report of attention and executive functioning profiles in children following perinatal arterial ischemic stroke

ABSTRACTChildren with perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS) have increased rates of attention and executive functioning (EF) weaknesses. Research in other pediatric disorders has documented poo...
34. PROCEDURAL COMPETENCY: CONFIDENCE, COMPETENCE AND PREPAREDNESS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL

In response to trends on the annual ACGME Resident Survey and a recent Area for Improvement noted on our program's 2017 ACGME Site Visit, we explored procedural competency with our recent program graduates to better provide a framework for and inform program quality improvement regarding skill-based and simulation curricula. Recent graduates (2017 and 2018, n=22, 79% response rate) were asked via our annual Recent Graduate Survey how the words “confidence,” “competence,” and “preparedness” might differ, and also asked Likert Scale questions regarding procedural confidence, procedural competence and procedural preparedness for many of the most common and also cited procedures of concern. Our Graduate Survey results show that procedural confidence, competence and preparedness are defined and interpreted in very different ways. When comparing this data to ACGME survey and site visit results, it calls into question whether the nuance among these terms leads to confusion on interpretation of the ACGME residency evaluation questions. Our graduates interpret confidence, competence and preparedness as three linked, but very different, ideas as they relate to procedural skills. It is difficult to both translate these differences to trainees and to interpret ACGME surveys with regards to this nuance. Using our PEC, which includes both core faculty and resident advisors, as a driving force for change, we are examining simulation and skill-based learning opportunities. Our goal is to provide a contextual framework for addressing the ACGME survey and site visit concerns and determine if procedure volume, re-evaluation of minimum targets and education regarding competency, confidence and preparedness impacts our outcomes. Educating our residents in the subtle, yet important, differences in competence, confidence and preparedness throughout residency will clarify true programmatic deficiencies in procedural based skills and simulation curricula, so that we may better prepare our future workforce. Anecdotally, our recent graduates feel competent, but it is unclear why this transition is not captured in our trainee data.
US Trends in Hospitalizations for Dialysis-Requiring Acute Kidney Injury in People With Versus Without Diabetes

Rationale & Objective Dialysis-requiring acute kidney injury (AKI-D) has increased substantially in the United States. We examined trends in and comorbid conditions associated with hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality in the setting of AKI-D among people with versus without diabetes. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Setting & Participants Nationally representative data from the National Inpatient Sample and National Health Interview Survey were used to generate 16 cross-sectional samples of US adults (aged ≥18 years) between 2000 and 2015. Exposure Diabetes, defined using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes. Outcome AKI-D, defined using ICD-9-CM diagnosis and procedure codes. Analytical Approach Annual age-standardized rates of AKI-D and AKI-D mortality were calculated for adults with and without diabetes, by age and sex. Data were weighted to be representative of the US noninstitutionalized population. Trends were assessed using join point regression with annual percent change (Δ/y) reported. Results In adults with diabetes, AKI-D increased between 2000 and 2015 (from 26.4 to 41.1 per 100,000 persons; Δ/y, 3.3%; P Limitations Lack of laboratory data to corroborate AKI diagnosis; National Inpatient Sample data are hospital-level rather than person-level data; no data for type of diabetes; residual unmeasured confounding. Conclusions Hospitalization rates for AKI-D have increased considerably while mortality has decreased in adults with and without diabetes. Hospitalization rates for AKI-D remain substantially higher in adults with diabetes. Greater AKI risk-factor mitigation is needed, especially in young adults with diabetes.
Traumatic brain injury and α-synuclein: Proceed with caution.

Observational studies strongly suggest that environmental factors contribute to the development of Parkinson disease (PD).1 These investigations have broadened our understanding of PD pathophysiology, helped guide therapeutic development, and highlighted a road map for prevention.2 In this context, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a particularly important risk factor to investigate due to its frequency in the population (estimated at 2.87 million annually) and the potential for reduction through public policy interventions. Results from numerous studies are suggestive but inconsistent, though meta-analyses find significant association of TBI and subsequent development of PD.3 Far fewer studies have assessed associations with other α-synucleinopathies.
9 – Detecting correlations among data

Detecting Correlations among Data, develops techniques for quantifying correlations within data sets, and especially within and among time series. Several different manifestations of correlation are explored and linked together: from probability theory, covariance; from time series analysis, cross-correlation; and from spectral analysis, coherence. The effect of smoothing and band-pass filtering on the statistical properties of the data and their spectra is also discussed.
Macrophage roles in peripheral nervous system injury and pathology: Allies in neuromuscular junction recovery

Peripheral nerve injuries remain challenging to treat despite extensive research on reparative processes at the injury site. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of immune cells, particularly macrophages, in recovery from nerve injury. Macrophage plasticity enables numerous functions at the injury site. At early time points, macrophages perform inflammatory functions, but at later time points, they adopt pro-regenerative phenotypes to support nerve regeneration. Research has largely been limited, however, to the injury site. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the synapse between the nerve terminal and end target muscle, has received comparatively less attention, despite the importance of NMJ reinnervation for motor recovery. Macrophages are present at the NMJ following nerve injury. Moreover, in denervating diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), macrophages may also play beneficial roles at the NMJ. Evidence of positive macrophages roles at the injury site after peripheral nerve injury and at the NMJ in denervating pathologies suggest that macrophages may promote NMJ reinnervation. In this review, we discuss the intersection of nerve injury and immunity, with a focus on macrophages.
Use of Octreotide for the Management of Chyle Fistula Following Neck Dissection.

Importance Chyle fistula is an uncommon complication of neck surgery. A variety of management strategies have been described, including diet restriction, parenteral nutrition, use of pressure dressings, and revision surgery. Octreotide has been used with success in patients with neck and thoracic chyle fistulas, but data regarding efficacy in neck chyle fistulas are lacking. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of octreotide for use in patients with postoperative chyle fistulas. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review of 12 patients who received octreotide for neck chylous fistula after neck dissection was performed during the period 2004 through 2014 at 2 tertiary care academic hospitals. Exposures Patients with postoperative neck chyle fistulas were given a restricted diet and subcutaneous octreotide. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was fistula closure rate, defined as fistula resolution without surgical intervention. Secondary outcomes of fistula duration (days from detection until resolution), length of hospital stay (surgery to discharge), and treatment complications were also examined. Results All 12 patients had resolution of their neck chyle fistula with octreotide therapy without need for revision surgery. Mean (SD) hospital stay was 8.7 (4.76) days, with a range of 3 to 18 days. The chyle fistula resolved after a mean (range) 5.5 (2-11) days. Self-resolving nausea was encountered in 1 patient from octreotide use, and 1 patient developed a salivary fistula as a result of the chylous fistula. Conclusions and Relevance In these patients, octreotide was safe and effective in resolving neck chylous fistulas. Octreotide therapy appears superior to traditional conservative measures of diet restriction and pressure dressings when compared with literature rates. A prospective study is needed to confirm results, but octreotide therapy should be considered as first-line conservative management for neck chyle fistulas that occur after neck surgery.
Biosynthesis of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol lipids in Trypanosoma brucei: involvement of mannosyl-phosphoryldolichol as the mannose donor.

Abstract Trypanosome variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs) exemplify a class of eukaryotic cell-surface glycoproteins that rely on a covalently attached lipid, glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol, for membrane attachment. The glycolipid anchor is acquired soon after translation of the polypeptide, apparently by replacement of a short sequence of carboxyl-terminal amino acids with a precursor glycolipid. A candidate glycolipid precursor (P2) and a related glycolipid (P3) have been identified in polar lipid extracts from trypanosomes. Both lipids are glycosylphosphatidylinositol species containing a Man3GlcN core glycan indistinguishable from the backbone sequence of the VSG glycolipid anchor. We and others have recently described the cell-free synthesis of P2, P3, and a spectrum of putative biosynthetic lipid intermediates using crude preparations of trypanosome membranes. In this paper we use these preparations to show that all three mannose residues in the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol glycan are derived from dolichol-P-mannose.
Selected current aspects of cardiac pacing. Electrocardiographic patterns.

Abstract Permanent pervenous pacing is now feasible with fixed rate and blocking or QRS synchronous demand pacers. Pervenous synchronous pacers still present problems that prevent their widespread use. Several considerations have led us to prefer QRS synchronous demand pacers to other varieties of permanent pervenous pacers at this time. The QRS synchronous demand pacer (the Ektocor) is readily available at this hospital and soon will be generally available commercially. Several electrocardiographic patterns associated with the use of demand pacers are illustrated.
Systematic review of large neutral amino acids for treatment of phenylketonuria

Individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU) have defective enzyme activity, leading to toxic accumulation of phenylalanine (Phe) in blood and tissues. Adherence to a Phe-restricted diet can mitigate poor outcomes; however, dietary restriction is difficult. Large neutral amino acids (LNAAs), which putatively decrease brain Phe concentration, have been suggested as a potential supplementary treatment in addition to a Phe-restricted diet. To systematically review evidence regarding LNAA usage in individuals with PKU, we searched 5 databases including Medline up to August 2011 and the reference lists of included articles. Two reviewers independently assessed studies against predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted data regarding participant and intervention characteristics and outcomes; using their extracted data, they assigned overall quality and strength of evidence ratings based on predetermined criteria. Three small studies (two randomized controlled trials and one uncontrolled open label trial) of fair to poor quality investigated LNAAs. The studies included a total of 47 participants with severe PKU between 11 and 45 years of age receiving LNAAs for 1 to 8 weeks. In all three studies, blood Phe decreased after one week of treatment, but remained above clinically acceptable levels. The one trial measuring correlation between blood and brain Phe found no association. Research on adjuvant therapy in PKU to complement dietary restriction is early in its development and substantially more work is needed. The three very small studies of LNAAs to date cannot be considered as more than proof of concept.
Replication of nondefective parvoviruses: lack of a virion-associated DNA polymerase.

Abstract We have examined four of the nondefective parvoviruses for an associated DNA polymerase. Virions were purified from neuraminidase-treated infected-cell lysates by isopycnic centrifugation in CsCl or from infected cell material by CaCl2 precipitation and centrifugation through sucrose into CsCl. Preparations of bovine parvovirus or Kilham rat virus obtained by the former procedure contained DNA polymerase activity but were not free of contaminating cellular proteins. The latter method produced viral preparations free of contaminating cellular proteins, and no DNA polymerase activity was detected in light infectious particles of H-1, LuIII, bovine parvovirus, or Kilham rat virus. Examination of levels of each cellular DNA polymerase in these preparations from each step of both purification procedures revealed that DNA polymerase β had a greater tendency to copurify with bovine parvovirus and Kilham rat virus than did DNA polymerases α or γ. Disruption of infectious virions obtained by the second purification method with detergents and sonic treatment did not result in the detection of a DNA polymerase activity. The biological activity and purity of each of the four different viruses obtained by the latter procedure were determined by hemagglutination and infectivity assays, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and electron microscopy. In each case, the virions banding at a density of 1.39 to 1.41 g/cm2 in CsCl were infectious and contained only the virion structural proteins. DNA polymerase activity was not detected in any of these preparations, and we have concluded that a virion-associated DNA polymerase is not required for productive infection with the nondefective parvoviruses.
HIV-1 rebound after anti-retroviral therapy.

In patients with human immunodeficiency virus 1, a comparison of the genotype of rebounding virus to that in the latent reservoir after highly active anti-retroviral therapy is discontinued indicates that the latent reservoir is not the cause of viral rebound in most cases. However, the precise anatomic location of the source of viral rebound is still undefined (pages 757–761 ).
The Godfather is Dead: A Hybrid Model of Organized Crime

A decades-long debate has raged globally among academics about how to define and classify organized crime, its activities, members, and organizing structures. This debate has inspired such interest because organized crime is an intangible concept with a wide range of activities and criminal capabilities, a diversity of participants, and different kinds of organizing structures. Law enforcement, however, has been largely absent from this discussion and is generally reluctant to participate in the construction of conceptual frameworks intended to strengthen our understanding of organized crime. Twenty two years ago, Grant Wardlaw (1989: 10) noted that conceptual frameworks are rudimentary in organized crime research. While our critical understanding of organized crime has evolved significantly, limited progress has been made in the development of formal models of organized crime and Wardlaw’s observation remains sadly current.This article seeks to contribute to the literature of conceptual models of organized crime through a critique of past theories and the introduction of a hybrid model. The first part critiques the pluralist-ethnic and bureaucratic-hierarchical models that have traditionally shaped law enforcement’s conception of organized crime. The second part outlines the network, market, and enterprise models and then offers a new hybrid conceptual model. It then explores how this hybrid model can form a theoretical framework for a risk assessment methodology on organized crime.
Site(s) and mechanism of changes in arterial chemo-sensitivity after carotid (CBD) and/or aortic (AOD) denervation

Through injections of NaCN at various locations in awake piglets and rats, we gained insight into the plasticity of arterial chemosensitivity. Less than 8 day old piglets exhibited both carotid and aortic chemosensitivity. The aortic chemosensitivity persisted after 8 days only if CBD had been performed, but CBD after 8 days of age resulted in restoration of aortic chemosensitivity. At the site of aortic chemosensitivity, there was greater serotonin (5-HT) immunoreactivity in CBD than in carotid intact piglets and this increase was dependent upon intact aortic innervation. Intravenous injections of the 5-HT5a receptor antagonist, methiotepin, prior to the NaCN injection eliminated aortic chemosensitivity. Western blots indicated the expression of the 5-HT5a receptors at this aortic site and the protein existed equally in CBD and carotid intact piglets. AOD+CBD resulted in chemosensitivity in the left ventricle which was attenuated by prior injection of the 5-HT5a receptor antagonist. Neonatal and adult rats also developed aortic chemosensitivity after CBD. These data indicate there are multiple sites for plasticity in arterial chemosensitivity, which appears to involve upregulation of serotonin acting at the 5-HT5a receptors.