cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fetal Sex and Race Modify the Predictors of Fetal Growth

The objective of this study is unknown if fetal sex and race modify the impact of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and smoking on fetal growth. The authors studied markers of fetal growth in singleton offspring of 8,801 primiparous, normotensive women, enrolled in the Collaborative Perinatal Project. The authors tested for departures from additivity between sex/race and each predictor. The head-to-chest circumference ratio (HCC) decreased more, while birthweight and ponderal index (PI) increased more for each 1 kg/m2 increase in pre-pregnancy BMI among term females versus males (P = 0.07, P < 0.01 and P = 0.08, interaction respectively). For term offspring of White compared with Black women, smoking independent of “dose” was associated with larger reductions in growth (165 g vs. 68 g reduction in birthweight, P < 0.01, interaction), greater reduction in fetal placental ratio (P < 0.01, interaction), PI (P < 0.01, interaction), and greater increase in HCC (P = 0.02), respectively. The association of BMI and smoking with fetal size appeared to be reversed in term versus preterm infants. Our study provides evidence that the associations of pre-pregnancy BMI and smoking are not constant across sex and race. This finding may be relevant to sex and race differences in neonatal and long term health outcomes.
Prediction of Performer Attentiveness Based on Rehearsal Activity and Teacher Behavior

The purpose of this study was to examine videotaped teacher and performer behavior during several high school ensemble rehearsals to determine the predictability of a dependent variable, frequency ...
Constitutive Modeling of Porcine Liver in Indentation Using 3D Ultrasound Imaging

In this work we present an inverse finite-element modeling framework for constitutive modeling and parameter estimation of soft tissues using full-field volumetric deformation data obtained from 3D ultrasound. The finite-element model is coupled to full-field visual measurements by regularization springs attached at nodal locations. The free ends of the springs are displaced according to the locally estimated tissue motion, and the normalized potential energy stored in all springs serves as a measure of model-experiment agreement for material parameter optimization. We demonstrate good accuracy of estimated parameters and consistent convergence properties on synthetically generated data. We present constitutive model selection and parameter estimation for perfused porcine liver in indentation, and demonstrate that a quasilinear viscoelastic model with shear modulus relaxation offers good model-experiment agreement in terms of indenter displacement (0.19 mm RMS error) and tissue displacement field (0.97 mm RMS error).
Automatic Calibration Using Receiver Operating Characteristics Curves

Application-level filters, such as e-mail and VoIP spam filters, that analyze dynamic behavior changes are replacing static signature-recognition filters. These application-level filters learn behavior and use that knowledge to filter unwanted requests. Because behavior of a service request's participating entities changes rapidly, filters must adapt quickly by using end user's preferences about receiving that service request message. Many adaptive filters learn from the participating entities' behavior; however, none configure themselves automatically to an end user's changing tolerance levels. Also, filter administrators cannot manually change the threshold for each service request in real time. Traditional adaptive filters fail when administrators must optimize multiple filter thresholds manually and often. Thus, to improve a filter's learning, we must automate its threshold-update process. We propose an automatic threshold-calibration mechanism using Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves that updates the threshold based on an end user's feedback. To demonstrate the mechanism's real-time applicability, we integrated it in a Voice over IP (VoIP) spam filter that analyzes incoming Spam over IP Telephony (SPIT) calls. Using this mechanism, we observed good improvement in the VoIP spam filter's accuracy. Further, computing and updating the optimum threshold in realtime does not impede the filter's temporal performance because we update thresholds after each call's completion. Because we reach an optimum threshold for any initial setting, this mechanism works efficiently when we cannot predict end-user behavior. Furthermore, automatic calibration proves efficient when using multiple threshold values.
Nutritional Labeling and Consumer Choices

In 1994, nutritional facts panels became mandatory for processed foods to improve consumer access to nutritional information and to promote healthy food choices. Recent applied work is reviewed here in terms of how consumers value and respond to nutritional labels. We first summarize the health and nutritional links found in the literature and frame this discussion in terms of the obesity policy debate. Second, we discuss several approaches that have been used to empirically investigate consumer responses to nutritional labels: (a) surveys, (b) nonexperimental approaches utilizing revealed preferences, and (c) experiment-based approaches. We conclude with a discussion and suggest avenues of future research.
Influence of industry on renal guideline development commentary: keeping our eye on the ball and improving chronic kidney disease patient outcomes.

Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) are “systematically defined statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances” (1). CPG and other components of evidence-based medicine have been developed and promoted because of the wide variation in clinical practice throughout medicine. One only needs to review the most recent Annual Data Report of the US Renal Data System or the recently published Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services clinical performance measure project results to see that such variability is clearly present in nephrology. What should be a welcome tool for the practitioner, however, has been perverted by regulators, payers, and litigators into one that is viewed as setting standards of care and applying these standards to payment policy including the new rush to pay-for-performance. Because of these realities, it is even more important now to be certain that guideline development is scientifically rigorous and free of inappropriate bias from …
Resting habitat selection by fishers in California

We studied the resting habitat ecology of fishers (Martes pennanti) in 2 disjunct populations in California, USA: the northwestern coastal mountains (hereafter, Coastal) and the southern Sierra Nevada (hereafter, Sierra). We described resting structures and compared features surrounding resting structures (the resting site) with those at randomly selected sites that also were centered on a large structure. We developed Resource Selection Functions (RSFs) using logistic regression to model selection of resting sites within home ranges, and we evaluated alternative models using an information–theoretic approach. Forty-five fishers were radiomarked, resulting in 599 resting locations. Standing trees (live and dead) were the most common resting structures, with California black oak (Quercus kelloggii) and Douglas-fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii) the most frequent species in the Sierra and Coastal study areas, respectively. Resting structures were among the largest diameter trees available, averaging 117.3 ± 45.2 (mean ± SE) cm for live conifers, 119.8 ± 45.3 for conifer snags, and 69.0 ± 24.7 for hardwoods. Females used cavity structures more often than males, while males used platform structures significantly more than females. The diversity of types and sizes of rest structures used by males suggested that males were less selective than females. In the Sierra study area, where surface water was less common, we found almost twice as many resting sites as random points within 100 m of water. Multivariate regression analysis resulted in the selection of RSFs for 4 subsets of the data: all individuals, Sierra only, Coastal only, and females only. The top model for the combined analysis indicated that fishers in California select sites for resting with a combination of dense canopies, large maximum tree sizes, and steep slopes. In the Sierra study area, the presence of nearby water and the contribution of hardwoods were more important model parameters than in the Coastal area, where the presence of large conifer snags was an important predictor. Based on our results, managers can maintain resting habitat for fishers by favoring the retention of large trees and the recruitment of trees that achieve the largest sizes. Maintaining dense canopy in the vicinity of large trees, especially if structural diversity is increased, will improve the attractiveness of these large trees to fishers.
Abstract CS1-1: Clinical implications of contralateral prohylactic mastectomy

Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) refers to the removal of the opposite uninvolved breast in women with unilateral breast cancer, and rates are increasing worldwide. Several factors may explain this trend. Greater use of genetic testing in women with unilateral breast cancer may result in the identification of women at increased risk for contralateral breast cancer, and prompt CPM. However, most women who undergo CPM appear to be at low to moderate risk for developing contralateral breast cancer, so the wider use of genetic testing can only partly account for the trend towards greater utilization of CPM. Wider use of pre-operative breast MRI, although not shown to be beneficial, has also been associated with increased use of CPM. Moreover, some women with unilateral breast cancer may overestimate their risk of contralateral breast cancer, experience considerable anxiety over this issue, and request CPM. In this regard, it is somewhat ironic that CPM rates are increasing during a period when contralateral breast cancer rates are decreasing due to better adjuvant systemic therapies. Finally, several observational studies have demonstrated associations between CPM and reductions in breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality, and these reports may influence treatment decisions. Yet, the results of such observational studies may reflect the selection of a healthier cohort of women for CPM (selection bias). Thus, there is no clinical justification for the wider use of CPM in the management of patients with unilateral breast cancer, and a better understanding of factors contributing to this trend is necessary. Citation Format: Ismail Jatoi. Clinical implications of contralateral prohylactic mastectomy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr CS1-1.
Characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients >=80 years treated with chemotherapy at a comprehensive cancer center

8548 Background: The percentage of cancer patients ≥ 80 years old is expected to rise in the United States. However data are limited on use of chemotherapy in this group of patients. Methods: Retro...
Avian osteopetrotic bone. A correlation of its chemical composition with its roentgenographic and histological appearance.

The chemical composition of avian osteopetrotic bone correlated with the roentgenographic and histological appearance suggests that osteopetrosis is an instance of hyperostosis rather than hypermineralization. The avian disease is characterized by proliferative growth of immature bone that fails to become fully mineralized even after the proliferation of new bone subsides and a new phase of osteogenesis becomes evident.
Despite Oliver Ruling to Allow Legal Counsel for Student Athletes More Reform at NCAA Needed

This article discusses how the Oliver opinion is a major victory for student athletes who find the process of testing the market increasingly difficult without jeopardizing their amateur status.
Overview of current technology in clinical hybrid SPECT/CT

1033 Learning Objectives 1. Introduce current hybrid SPECT/CT technologies (non-diagnostic CT, diagnostic CT and flat panel x-ray imager) that offer unique quantitative opportunities. 2. Review clinical cases that demonstrate the improvements in detection and localization of disease due to today9s hybrid SPECT/CT technology. 3. Describe quantitative approaches and challenges associated with SPECT/CT. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) opened the door to cross-sectional imaging in nuclear medicine. However, increased utilization of SPECT has been limited by a lack of attenuation correction and direct correlation with other cross-sectional imaging modalities which has limited the capabilities for quantification. Such limitations are being addressed through the evolution into a hybrid SPECT/CT modality that has accelerated within the last few years. While PET hybrid imaging has matured into a robust device in molecular imaging largely due to CT attenuation correction, SPECT hybrid imaging is still in its infancy. The success of PET/CT illustrates the potential for hybrid SPECT/CT and the critical need for advancement when considering the overwhelming number of SPECT/CT cases that are performed annually relative to PET/CT. An inherent advantage for SPECT is the availability of a vast portfolio of technetium labeled agents and other readily available mid to high energy isotopes. This equates to more opportunities to enable and widely utilize SPECT/CT imaging, and moreover, quantitative hybrid SPECT quantification. The aim of this exhibit is to introduce and review current developments and applications for today’s available SPECT/CT hybrid systems where varying SPECT/CT system configurations offer unique opportunities for patient management. These advances will ultimately lead to better patient care along with improved quantification
Abstract A4: Protection against radiation-induced carcinogenesis

The rationale of this study stems from the concern of radiation-induced second malignancies after a course of definitive radiation therapy or the possibility of a terrorist-mediated nuclear attack resulting in large populations of people exposed to non-lethal radiation doses, which would substantially increase the risk for cancer induction post-exposure. Currently, there are no safe and effective interventions to reduce this risk to humans. Previous studies have shown that chronic administration of Tempol (nitroxide antioxidant) in the diet of mice results in decreased weight and spontaneous tumorigenesis, and increased tumor latency (Mitchell JB, et al., Free Radic Biol Med 34:93-102, 2003). In the current study we tested the hypothesis that Tempol (TP) administered in the diet of mice would reduce radiation-induced cancer when given after the radiation exposure. Total body radiation (3 Gy) was administered to female C3H and CBA mice. Along with various control groups, immediately after radiation one group of animals from each strain was placed on a TP diet. Food consumption and animal weights were monitored throughout the study. Animals were followed for their entire lifespan (>1300 mice). The endpoint for the study was tumor formation or until the animal reached a humane endpoint at which time the animal was euthanized and evaluated for the presence of tumor (pathology evaluated on all animals). TP food supplementation after radiation: a) did not alter food consumption compared to animals on a control food diet, b) compared to animals on control food diet, the TP diet resulted in decreased weights in both mouse strains (40% for C3H and 20% for CBA), and c) TP food supplementation post-radiation significantly enhanced the survival of both mouse stains. Median survival values for 0 Gy, 3 Gy, 0 Gy TP, and 3 Gy TP for C3H mice was 706, 434, 764, and 670 days, respectively. For CBA mice median survival values for 0 Gy, 3 Gy, 0 Gy TP, and 3 Gy TP for C3H mice was 901, 660, 939, and 782 days, respectively. The incidence of hematopoietic neoplasms (predominantly lymphomas) was significantly reduced in both mouse strains by TP treatment and both the onset and incidence of solid neoplasms was significantly reduced in CBA mice treated with TP. These results encourage more research on nitroxide-based antioxidants in the chemoprevention of cancer to elucidate the mechanism(s) involved. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):A4.
Chaotic Systems as Simple (But Complex) Compositional Algorithms

Chaos is the generic term used to describe the output, under certain conditions, of nonlinear dynamical systems. It is generally believed that what we call chaos is a behavioral characteristic found in a vast number of real-world phenomena. Chaos, in other words, describes important aspects of the way things in the real world move and change with time. As such, chaos is of potential interest to composers who work with computers, because it offers a means of endowing computer-generated music with certain natural qualities not attainable by other means. Several composers and researchers in the computer music community have recently described their work using chaos and its mathematical cousin, fractal geometry. Applications of chaotic dissipative maps to sound synthesis have been explored by Truax (1990) and Waschka and Kurepa (1989). The use of chaotic systems as generators of higher level events, such as note sequences, has been described by Pressing (1988), Di Scipio (1990), and Gogins (1991). This article is concerned exclusively with the use of chaotic systems as generators of note events. In such a context, chaos is employed as an algorithm for making choices having to do with note parameters such as pitch, dynamic level, rhythm, and instrumentation. Rather than viewing the output of chaotic systems as music in its own right, however, it is probably best to consider such output as raw material of a certain inherent and potentially useful musicality. Clearly there will be as many ways to apply chaos to musical decision-making as there are composers interested in doing so. In light of this, the discussion below emphasizes a breadth of behaviors that may be elicited from nonlinear dynamical systems, while making use of fairly neutral mappings of chaotic sequences into a generic musical space. One hopes that these examples will be sufficiently compelling in their own right to inspire other composers to develop their own more extensive and idiosyncratic manipulations of the output of the systems.
Aphagia and adipsia following lesions of the amygdala

Lesions of the medial nucleus of the amygdaloid complex in rats produces aphagia and adipsia.
Cutaneous T-cell immunoblastic sarcoma.

We describe a rare malignant neoplasm, cutaneous T-cell immunoblastic sarcoma (IBS-T). Clinical examination revealed multiple 3-6 mm salmon-pink papules. On biopsy, these papules contained perivascular dermal infiltrates with atypical mononuclear cells, characterized by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy as T lymphocytes with phenotype T3+, T11+, Ia+ and B1-, κ-, λ-, which exhibited focal epidermotropism.
Oscillator Phase Noise: A 50-Year Review

Fifty years ago emerging requirements in oscillator applications led to the 1964 IEEE-NASA Symposium on Short-term Frequency Stability. Following that, IEEE Technical Committee 14.7 was established to unify time- and frequency-domain definitions of frequency stability. I had the good fortune to participate and contribute as a member of the symposium program committee and the IEEE committee. This paper is a personal retrospective of events that are said to have shaped our field: the 1964 Symposium, the 1966 Proc. IEEE special issue on frequency stability we edited (with comments on my oscillator-model paper), and our 1971 paper, “Characterization of Frequency Stability,” written as a basis for IEEE STD 1139.
Study on Work Fixtur of Test Front Cover Positions and Clamping Adjustment Targeting Front Cover

The location of the vehicle front-wheel cover,decided to front-wheel position.In the process of welding the body of the vehicle through seizure of the design of the front cover clamping positioning equipment to be adjusted before the body welding and assembly in the correct location of the front cover or not to carry out examinations and found a simple,easy to operate,With the level of the instrument,so that the front cover and reliable position measurement accuracy.
Preparation of Waterborne Intumescent Fire-retardant Coatings

A waterborne intumescent fire-retardant coating was prepared using organosiloxane emulsion,self cross-linking acrylic emulsion and water-soluble melamine formaldehyde resin as film forming agent,P—C—N as intumescent flame retardant system,ammonium polyphosphate(APP) as a dehydration catalyst,dipentaerythritol(DPER) as charring agent and the melamine(MEL) as blowing agent.The flame retardancy and the mechanical properties of the waterborne intumescent fire retardant coating were introduced.
Response of Seed Germination of Ligustrum obtusifolium to Shading Treatments of Different Light Gradients

Under different light intensities(55.44% natural sunlight(NS),21.12% NS,3.47% NS and 0.86% NS) in shade house,the characteristics of seed germination of Ligustrum.obtusifolium were studied.The results showed that the final germination percentage under four shade treatments of different light intensities were 68.9%、82.2%、44.4% and 42.2% respectively.The course of germination was delayed with the decrease of light intensity,while both the germination index and vigor index peaked at the shade treatment of 21.12% NS and were higher significantly than those of two shade treatments of relatively lower intensity(3.47% NS and 0.86% NS).The effects of light and other fators on the seed germination of Ligustrum.obtusifolium were discussed.
A Collective Communication Layer for the Software Stack of Big Data Analytics

The landscape of distributed computing is rapidly evolving, with computers exhibiting increasing processing capabilities with many-core architectures. Almost every field of science is now data driven and requires analysis of massive datasets. The algorithms for analytics such as machine learning can be used to discover properties of a given dataset and make predictions based on it. However, there is still a lack of simple and unified programming frameworks for these data intensive applications, and many existing efforts are designed with specialized means to speed up individual algorithms. In this thesis research, a distributed programming model, MapCollective, is defined so that it can be easily applied to many machine learning algorithms. Specifically, algorithms that fit the iterative computation model can be easily parallelized with a unique collective communication layer for efficient synchronization. In contrast to traditional parallelization strategies that focus on handling high volume input data, a lesser known challenge is that the shared model data between parallel workers, is equally high volume in multidimensions and required to be communicated continually during the entire execution. This extends the understanding of data aspects in computation from in-memory caching of input data (e.g. iterative MapReduce model) to fine-grained synchronization on model data (e.g. MapCollective model). A library called Harp is developed as a Hadoop plugin to demonstrate that sophisticated machine learning algorithms can be simply abstracted with the MapCollective model and conveniently developed on top of the MapReduce framework. K-means and Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS) are tested over 4096 threads on the IU Big Red II Supercomputer. The results show linear speedup with an increasing number of parallel units.
Reconstructive Transitions from Rotations of Rigid Heteroanionic Polyhedra

Phase transitions are ubiquitous in structurally complex transition metal compounds composed of homoanionic polyhedra, including nitrides, oxides, and fluorides. The symmetry breaking that occurs across polymorphic transitions is often achieved by small atomic displacements, rendering these displacive transitions reversible. In contrast, elemental crystals, alloys, and simple minerals will exhibit reconstructive “bond-breaking” transitions. Here we show that a reconstructive transition occurs in the heteroanionic compound KNaNbOF5, owing to reorientations of the [NbOF5]2– units that trigger a reconfiguration of the cation lattice. Using a combination of synchrotron-based measurements, empirical dynamic simulations, and ab initio calculations, we report structure changes across the transition and formulate an atomistic minimum energy transition path to explain its irreversible nature. Our results indicate that multianionic compounds are likely to host reconstructive transitions that are frequently difficul...
A finer look at a fine cellular meshwork

Students learning about the eukaryotic cell are taught that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, the nucleus is the information storehouse, and lysosomes are the garbage disposal. Summing up the role of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is more problematic, even for professional cell biologists. Classically, the ER is where membrane proteins, secreted proteins, and most lipids are synthesized. It is also the site of calcium regulation. More recent work shows that it is the site of antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, and the location of the unfolded protein response, now thought to be central to several major diseases. A new frontier is its relationships with other organelles ( 1 ). On page 433 of this issue, Nixon-Abell et al. ( 2 ) describe how an armamentarium of superresolution imaging techniques reveals new aspects of the ER's very heterogeneous morphology. Indeed, the “form follows function” adage may help to make sense of this organelle's functional issues.
Pink Is for Girls: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice—A Case of Single-Sex Education

Leaders must know how to use evidence to inform district decisions, particularly as decisions related to learning become standard practice, and provide professional development that builds the organizational capacity needed to support continuous and sustainable district improvement. Collaboration and implementation of a shared vision and mission facilitates the change process. In this case, the curriculum director, Mr. Cooper has developed a plan for curriculum changes in which boys and girls would be separated by classroom, and participate in distinct curriculums based on the premise that innate differences between boys and girls should drive educational models and instructional strategies designed to address the needs and strengths of each sex. This case examines the importance of fostering collaboration, passion for achievement, commitment, and trust.
The development of autism spectrum disorders: variability and causal complexity

The autism spectrum is highly variable, both behaviorally and neurodevelopmentally. Broadly speaking, four related factors contribute to this variability: (1) genetic processes, (2) environmental events, (3) gene × environment interactions, and (4) developmental factors. Given the complexity of the relevant processes, it appears unlikely that autism spectrum atypicalities can be attributed to any one causal mechanism. Rather, the development of neural atypicality reflects an interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors. As the individual grows, changes in neural atypicality, consequent variation in behavior, and environmental response to that behavior may become linked in a positive feedback loop that amplifies deviations from the typical developmental pattern. WIREs Cogn Sci 2017, 8:e1426. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1426 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Glutamine PET to Predict Response to Dual Pharmacological Inhibition of BRAFV600E and PI3K/mTOR Pathway Activity in vivo.

447 Objectives In addition to predilection for glycolysis, cancer cells may possess other unique metabolic characteristics, such as increased consumption of glutamine. Given this, quantitative measures of glutaminolysis may reflect critical processes in oncology. The goal of this study was to elucidate the feasibility of using [18F]-4F-GLN PET to predict response to targeted therapy within the context of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods All animal studies were conducted in accordance with federal and institutional guidelines. COLO-205 and HCT-116 cell line xenografts were generated in athymic nude mice. Upon detection of palpable tumors, therapeutic agents PLX-4720, a mutant BRAF inhibitor, and BEZ-235, a PI3K inhibitor, were administered once daily. For combination treatments, agents were administered as separate doses with administration of BEZ-235 followed by PLX-4720 seven to eight hours later. Imaging was collected at day 4 of treatment. [18F]-4F-GLN images in xenograft bearing mice were acquired as 20 min static scans following a 40 min uptake period. [18F]-FDG PET images were collected as 10 min static scans following a 50 min uptake period. Tumor volume changes were measured via ultrasound to determine response at day 10. To further validate observations derived from PET imaging, xenograft tissues were harvested for histology immediately following imaging conclusion. Results BRAFV600E-expressing COLO-205 cells showed activation of cell death pathways with exposure to PLX-4720 and BEZ-235/PLX-4720 combination-therapy but not in the case of exposure to single agent BEZ-235. Mutant PI3K and wild type BRAF HCT-116 cells were resistant to PLX-4720 and combination BEZ-235/PLX-4720 treatment. [18F]-4-F-GLN tumor uptake was significantly decreased in COLO-205 tumors treated with a mutant BRAF inhibitor (PLX-4720) and combination treatment (p = 0.0185 and 0.0025 respectively). [18F]-4F-GLN tumor uptake was not significantly reduced in HCT-116 xenografts. [18F]-FDG uptake was significantly reduced in all cases. Day 4 [18F]-4F-GLN PET, but not FDG PET predicted tumor volume size at day 10. Protein levels assayed by MRM mass spectrometry and IHC suggested the primary mechanism of decreased GLN PET was down regulation of the glutamine transporter ASCT2. Conclusions [18F]4F-GLN PET was found to predict response to single-agent BRAFV600E targeted therapy and combined therapy with BRAF-PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibitors. Similar predictions were not observed for [18F]FDG PET . These findings suggest notable utility for using [18F]4F-GLN PET in oncology clinical trials involving molecularly targeted therapy that may not be captured with FDG PET.
Optimal stopping in the NBA: Sequential search and the shot clock

Abstract We study how experienced agents solve a sequential search problem. In professional basketball teams must shoot within 24 s of the start of a “possession.” The decision of when to shoot requires weighing the current shooting opportunity against the continuation value of a possession. At each second of the “shot clock,” optimal play requires that a lineup's reservation shot value equals the continuation value. We empirically test this prediction with a structural stopping model. Most lineups adopt a reservation threshold that matches the continuation value closely. Overall, the lineups we study capture 84% of the gains of a dynamic vs. an optimal fixed threshold. Lineups with more shared playing experience performed better on average. Observed mistakes lean towards “impatience” – the adopted threshold is either in too low or has excess steepness – meanings too many shots are taken early in the possession.
Machine learning: novel bioinformatics approaches for combating antimicrobial resistance.

Purpose of reviewAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a threat to global health and new approaches to combating AMR are needed. Use of machine learning in addressing AMR is in its infancy but has made promising steps. We reviewed the current literature on the use of machine learning for studying bacter
Beam cleaning of an incoherent laser via plasma Raman amplification

We show that backward Raman amplification in plasma can efficiently compress a temporally incoherent pump laser into an intense coherent amplified seed pulse, provided that the correlation time of the pump is longer than the inverse plasma frequency. An analytical theory for Raman amplification using pump beams with different correlation functions is developed and compared to numerical calculations and particle-in-cell simulations. Since incoherence on scales shorter than the instability growth time suppresses spontaneous noise amplification, we point out a broad regime where quasi-coherent sources may be used as efficient low-noise Raman amplification pumps. As the amplified seed is coherent, Raman amplification additionally provides a beam-cleaning mechanism for removing incoherence. At near-infrared wavelengths, finite coherence times as short as 50 fs allow amplification with only minor losses in efficiency.
Orientation Tuning of Correlated Activity in the Developing Lateral Geniculate Nucleus.

Neural circuits and the cells that comprise them undergo developmental changes in the spatial organization of their connections and in their temporal response properties. Within the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the dorsal thalamus, these changes have pronounced effects on the spatiotemporal receptive fields (STRFs) of neurons. An open and unresolved question is how STRF maturation affects stimulus-evoked correlated activity between pairs of LGN neurons during development. This is an important question to answer because stimulus-evoked correlated activity likely plays a role in establishing the specificity of thalamocortical connectivity and the receptive fields (RFs) of postsynaptic cortical neurons. Using multielectrode recording methods and white noise stimuli, we recorded neural activity from ensembles of LGN neurons in cats across early development. As expected, there was a progressive maturation of the spatial and temporal properties of visual responses. Using drifting bar stimuli and cross-correlation analysis, we also determined the orientation-tuning bandwidth of correlated activity between pairs of LGN neurons at different stages of development (Sillito and Jones, 2002; Andolina et al., 2007; Stanley et al., 2012; Kelly et al., 2014). Despite the larger RFs and slower responses of immature LGN neurons compared with mature neurons, our results show that correlated activity in the LGN was as tightly tuned for orientation early in development as it was in the adult. Closer examination revealed this age-invariant orientation tuning of correlated activity likely involves cellular mechanisms related to spike fatigue in young animals and a progressive decrease in response latency with development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Orientation tuning is a fundamental property of neurons in primary visual cortex. An important and unresolved question is how orientation tuning emerges during brain development. This study explores a potential mechanism for the establishment of orientation tuning based on correlated activity patterns among ensembles of maturing neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) of the thalamus. Results show that correlated activity between pairs of LGN neurons is more tightly tuned than predictions based simply on receptive field size, indicating that correlated activity has the properties needed to play an important role in the development of geniculocortical circuits and the emergence of cortical orientation tuning.
Safety Culture’s Influence on Hospital Performance: The Moderating Role of EHR

Patient safety and safety culture have recently received a lot of attention from agencies such as the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality and The Institute of Medicine. Safety culture is formed by the fundamental values, attitudes, and underlying beliefs and perceptions of the organization. It is a unique resource and a strength that can be used as a source of competitive advantage. The objective of this study is to develop and test a model based on Resource Based View, which examines the association between safety culture and hospital quality and financial performance with EHR being the moderator. In terms of quality performance, which was measured by readmission rates, findings suggest that in most cases safety culture may not have a direct association with reducing readmission rates. However, having at least basic EHR functionalities can enhance this relationship. As far as financial performance, findings suggest that safety culture does have a direct positive relationship with performance, both ...
Hospice and Palliative Care in Managed Care Organizations

Managed health care has changed the way health services are provided and paid for. It is still evolving. Many pharmacists have already felt the impact of these changes. This continuing feature illuminates the many facets of managed care with special emphasis placed on how these changes may affect pharmacists working in health systems. The expertise provided by pharmacists will be needed to fulfill the potential of affordable, comprehensive, and quality health care as promised by managed care. Pharmacists must understand what is happening, why it is happening, and what is likely to happen in the future. To be an active and effective player, you must understand what is happening on the field.
Preliminary refractivity from clutter (RFC) evaporation duct inversion results from CASPER west experiment

This paper describes how a low cost; marine surveillance radar can be modified for remote sensing of the non-standard lower atmospheric EM propagation conditions. The radar uses the Refractivity-from-Clutter (RFC) technique to estimate atmospheric refractivity profile from sea clutter measurements. For this purpose, a commercial Koden MDS-63R marine radar architecture is converted to a software-defined radar with a vertically polarized 48 dB gain 10 ft. diameter prime focus satellite dish. High speed sampling of the IF data allows all processing to be performed in software. The radar has a 25 kW peak transmit power, uses a long pulse with large range bins, increased clutter power at each bin, and smoother clutter fluctuations due to its design, allowing for better RFC inversions. The radar was deployed in Southern California at Pt. Mugu from September-October 2017 as part of the Coupled Air-Sea Processes and EM Ducting Research (CASPER) West Campaign. Initial results provided demonstrate the radar capability of performing RFC to obtain environmental conditions. The RFC algorithm works by obtaining the environment in which the simulated clutter pattern matches the measured radar data. The environments are simulated by a parabolic wave equation (PWE) algorithm.
Autonomous Parvovirus DNA Structure and Replication

The genomes of the autonomous parvoviruses are linear, single-strand DNA molecules of about 5100 base pairs (bp) and of minus polarity (complementary to mRNA). There are only minor length differences between parvovirus genomes of various mammalian species including those from mouse, hamster, rat, pig, and man. As will be discussed, genome similarity also extends to secondary structure, replicative intermediates, and, in a more limited sense, to the primary nucleotide sequence. Closely related parvoviruses of rodents additionally exhibit the ability to complement each other for several replicative processes (McMaster et al.,1981; Rhode, 1982), suggesting considerable functional conservation for both cis and trans acting elements. Bearing in mind that species variations do exist, it has been found thus far that all autonomous parvoviruses appear to share a common strategy for replicating their genomes. Therefore, although experimental data for a given structure or replicative process may exist for only one or two parvoviruses, they will be treated as characteristic of the entire virus subgroup.
Sexuality in the mentally retarded patient.

The literature regarding sexuality among the mentally retarded raises complex questions that must be addressed by physicians who provide health care to this population. Although it is clear that mental retardation does not preclude sexual feelings or an interest in sexual experimentation many health care providers lack the knowledge and comfort to discuss sexuality contraception and marriage with retarded patients. Since the psychosexual development of mentally impaired adolescents is slower than that of their peers sex education needs to consist of basic information about the body parts and functions followed by explanations of the physical differences between the sexes and finally sexual intercourse and conception. Since mentally retarded persons may show poor judgment and not think about the consequences of their behavior education about contraception is especially important. 1 study found that 43% of mentally impaired adolescents become pregnant. Birth control choices must be individualized for patients who are retarded just as they must be for those of normal intelligence. Sterilization is often considered an option but the question of valid consent is primary. Longitudinal studies of deinstitutionalized mentally retarded adults who subsequently married have indicated stable strong complementary relationships that provide considerable satisfaction. Fertility is decreased in this population and men with Downs syndrome are sterile.
The Merchants of Oran: a Jewish port at the dawn of empire

Joshua Schreier in The Merchants of Oran traces the history of a Mediterranean port city through the story of Moroccan-born Jewish merchant Jacob Lasry (1793–1869) and his contemporaries to shed li...
Device processing and junction formation needs for ultra-high power Ga2O3 electronics

A review is given of the future device processing needs for Ga203 power electronics. The two main devices employed in power converters and wireless charging systems will be vertical rectifiers and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). The rectifiers involve thick epitaxial layers on conducting substrates and require stable Schottky contacts, edge termination methods to reduce electric field crowding, dry etch patterning in the case of trench structures, and low resistance Ohmic contacts in which ion implantation or low bandgap inter-facial oxides are used to minimize the specific contact resistance. The MOSFETs also require spatially localized doping enhancement for low source/drain contact resistance, stable gate insulators with acceptable band offsets relative to the Ga203 to ensure adequate carrier confinement, and enhancement mode capability. Attempts are being made to mitigate the absence of p-type doping capability for Ga203 by developing p-type oxide heterojunctions with n-type Ga203. Success in this area would lead to minority carrier devices with better on-state performance and a much-improved range of functionality, such as p-i-n diodes, Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors, and thyristors.
Family-based approach to the child welfare system: an integration of Bowen family theory concepts

The purpose of this article is to apply Bowen family systems theory to work with families involved in the child welfare system. An overview of family systems theory is provided, and then specific t...
Observation Versus Immediate Reinduction for Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients With Indeterminate Day 14 Bone Marrow Results.

Abstract Introduction The benefit of immediate reinduction chemotherapy for patients with indeterminate day 14 bone marrow results (≤ 20% cellularity and 5%-20% blasts) remains unclear. We report our experience with patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with indeterminate day 14 bone marrow biopsy results treated with reinduction chemotherapy versus observation alone. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective study to assess the outcomes of adult patients with newly diagnosed AML treated with or without reinduction chemotherapy for indeterminate day 14 bone marrow results. Results We identified 50 patients with indeterminate day 14 bone marrow results. Of the 50 patients, 25 (50%) had received reinduction therapy and 25 (50%) had not. Of the 50 patients, 24 (48%) had poor risk disease, 12 in the reinduction arm (10 with an abnormal karyotype and 2 with a normal karyotype with molecular abnormalities) and 12 in the observation arm (6 with an abnormal karyotype and 6 with a normal karyotype with molecular abnormalities). The overall response rate (complete remission plus complete remission with incomplete count recovery) was similar in both treatment arms (80% vs. 80%). No statistically significant difference was found in the median overall survival (13 months vs. 21 months; P = .88) or relapse-free survival (13 months vs. 33 months; P = .53) between the 2 treatment arms. Conclusion Our study did not find a statistically significant difference in the overall response rates or survival outcome measures for patients with AML and indeterminate day 14 bone marrow in the 2 treatment groups. Our findings question the utility of immediate reinduction chemotherapy and raise concern regarding overtreatment in this patient population. Larger studies investigating similar outcomes are warranted to validate our clinical findings.
Searching for a better way to concentrate light

String theory was developed to cope with problems not otherwise amenable to conventional methods. It was found that making certain correspondences enabled a solution, one well known correspondence is the ADS/CFT that enables the problem of one representation that can be carried out in another. In optics, certain problems such as reaching the concentration limit allowed by thermodynamics was not amenable to conventional optics techniques, one has to change the paradigm to use the language of radiative heat transfer to find the solution.
Cardiovascular Evaluation and Considerations for Women of Advanced Maternal Age Desiring Pregnancy

Pregnancy in women of advanced maternal age (AMA) is increasingly common. Women of AMA have higher pregnancy risks, including higher risk of cardiovascular complications such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. This review highlights recent data comparing pregnancy risks in both younger women and women of AMA, as well as how these risks are influenced using assisted reproductive therapies (ART). It highlights long-term cardiovascular risks in women of AMA and suggestions on how to perform cardiovascular evaluations both preconception and during pregnancy in this group of women. It also highlights the importance of comprehensive cardio-obstetrics care in providing optimal preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum care for women of AMA. Though data on evaluating pregnancy risk in women of AMA are limited, what data are available suggest higher rates of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and multiple other cardiovascular complications. The absolute risk however remains low. These risks are amplified by ART use. Increasing attention is being paid to optimizing preconception health, especially preconception obesity and hypertension. More work is required to better characterize the risks of AMA in pregnancy and how to optimally care for these patients. What research is available emphasizes the importance of optimizing prepregnancy health. A multidisciplinary cardio-obstetrics may play an especially integral part in optimizing the safety of pregnancy in women of AMA.