cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patent ductus arteriosus; diagnosis and indications for operation.

Summary. A short general survey is given on diagnosis and indications for operation in patent ductus Botalli. Until now Crafoord has operated on 38 cases with good results (2 deaths, one of them was a case of endocarditis in her ductus). The symptom which gives the diagnosis is the continuous murmur with its maximal intensity over the pulmonary orfice. The author has the opinion that all cases of isolated patent ductus arteriosus should be operated upon. In cases where the condition is combined with other malformations every case should be judged individually.
The design of tasks in support of teachers’ development of coherent mathematical meanings

We examine the role of tasks that have the intended effect of teachers re-conceiving the mathematics they teach as comprising a coherent body of meaningful ideas. We ground our discussion in ideas of trigonometry and modular functions and draw from a professional development research project to illustrate our approach. In this project, many teachers experienced dissonance that was rooted in their commitments to their curricular knowledge of trigonometry. Teachers who built new meanings into a coherent whole were those who coordinated them at a micro level. Teachers who saw implications of their own reasoning for student learning were also successful at expressing that reasoning in natural language. We saw a similar pattern in the case of teachers' creation of meanings for action and process conceptions of mod(f(x),g(x)). Teachers who gained insight into implications of their own activities for student learning were the teachers who reasoned at a micro level in regard to the meaning of mod, who coordinated that meaning with a covariational perspective on the behavior of functions, and who expressed that coordination in natural language. We conclude that a primary feature of tasks that promote teachers' construction of coherent mathematical meanings is that they support an overall effort to have teachers engage in the coordination of meanings in the context of explaining significant ideas and relationships.
An Actor/Critic Algorithm that is Equivalent to Q-Learning

We prove the convergence of an actor/critic algorithm that is equivalent to Q-learning by construction. Its equivalence is achieved by encoding Q-values within the policy and value function of the actor and critic. The resultant actor/critic algorithm is novel in two ways: it updates the critic only when the most probable action is executed from any given state, and it rewards the actor using criteria that depend on the relative probability of the action that was executed.
QUASI-STEADY CONFIGURATIONS OF CONDUCTIVE INTRACLUSTER MEDIA

The radial distributions of temperature, density, and gas entropy among cool-core clusters tend to be quite similar, suggesting that they have entered a quasi-steady state. If that state is regulated by a combination of thermal conduction and feedback from a central active galactic nucleus (AGN), then the characteristics of those radial profiles ought to contain information about the spatial distribution of AGN heat input and the relative importance of thermal conduction. This paper addresses those topics by deriving steady-state solutions for clusters in which radiative cooling, electron thermal conduction, and thermal feedback fueled by accretion are all present, with the aim of interpreting the configurations of cool-core clusters in terms of steady-state models. It finds that the core configurations of many cool-core clusters have entropy levels just below those of conductively balanced solutions in which magnetic fields have suppressed electron thermal conduction to ~1/3 of the full Spitzer value, suggesting that AGN feedback is triggered when conduction can no longer compensate for radiative cooling. And even when feedback is necessary to heat the central ~30 kpc, conduction may still be the most important heating mechanism within a cluster's central ~100 kpc.
Comparative investigations of manual action representations: evidence that chimpanzees represent the costs of potential future actions involving tools

The ability to adjust one's ongoing actions in the anticipation of forthcoming task demands is considered as strong evidence for the existence of internal action representations. Studies of action selection in tool use reveal that the behaviours that we choose in the present moment differ depending on what we intend to do next. Further, they point to a specialized role for mechanisms within the human cerebellum and dominant left cerebral hemisphere in representing the likely sensory costs of intended future actions. Recently, the question of whether similar mechanisms exist in other primates has received growing, but still limited, attention. Here, we present data that bear on this issue from a species that is a natural user of tools, our nearest living relative, the chimpanzee. In experiment 1, a subset of chimpanzees showed a non-significant tendency for their grip preferences to be affected by anticipation of the demands associated with bringing a tool's baited end to their mouths. In experiment 2, chimpanzees' initial grip preferences were consistently affected by anticipation of the forthcoming movements in a task that involves using a tool to extract a food reward. The partial discrepancy between the results of these two studies is attributed to the ability to accurately represent differences between the motor costs associated with executing the two response alternatives available within each task. These findings suggest that chimpanzees are capable of accurately representing the costs of intended future actions, and using those predictions to select movements in the present even in the context of externally directed tool use.
Thyrotropin inhibits while insulin, epidermal growth factor and tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate stimulate insulin-like growth factor binding protein secretion from sheep thyroid cells.

AbstractSix insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP) have been identified in the conditioned medium from sheep thyroid cells cultured under serum-free conditions. IGFBPs of 32, 28, 23 and 19 kDa were secreted by cells cultured for 14 days in serum-free and hormone-free medium. The constitutive secretion of IGFBP was inhibited by thyrotropin (TSH, 0.3 mU per mL). The effect was most marked on the secretion of the 28 kDa BP. High insulin concentrations stimulated the secretion of this IGFBP. The stimulatory effects of insulin were inhibited by TSH. Growth hormone treatment decreased the secretion of the 28 kDa protein. Tetradecanoylphorbol-13 acetate (TPA) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) both of which stimulate thyroid cell growth but inhibit differentiated function, markedly stimulated IGFBP secretion and induced the appearance of a 46 and a 150 kDa IGFBP. The effects of EGF and TPA were not identical. A rat IGFBP-2 cDNA reacted with sheep thyroid RNA of approximate size 1.6 kb. TPA treatment ...
Genetic and biophysical basis of sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (SUNDS), a disease allelic to Brugada syndrome

Sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome (SUNDS), a disorder found in southeast Asia, is characterized by an abnormal electrocardiogram with ST-segment elevation in leads V1–V3 and sudden death due to ventricular fibrillation, identical to that seen in Brugada syndrome. We screened patients with SUNDS for mutations in SCN5A, the gene known to cause Brugada syndrome, as well as genes encoding ion channels associated with the long-QT syndrome. Ten families were enrolled, and screened for mutations using single-strand DNA conformation polymorphism analysis, denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and DNA sequencing. Mutations were identified in SCN5A in three families. One mutation, R367H, lies in the first P segment of the pore-lining region between the DIS5 and DIS6 transmembrane segments of SCN5A. A second mutation, A735V, lies in the first transmembrane segment of domain II (DIIS1) close to the first extracellular loop between DIIS1 and DIIS2, whereas the third mutation, R1192Q, lies in domain III. Analysis of these mutations in Xenopus oocytes showed that the R367H mutant channel did not express any current and the likely effect of this mutation is to depress peak current due to the loss of one functional allele. The A735V mutant expressed currents with steady state activation voltage shifted to more positive potentials. The R1192Q mutation accelerated the inactivation of the sodium channel current. Both mutations resulted in reduced sodium channel current (INa) at a time corresponding to the end of phase 1 of the action potential, as described previously in the Brugada syndrome. Based upon these observations we suggest that SUNDS and Brugada syndrome are phenotypically, genetically and functionally the same disorder.
Dynamic file migration in distributed computer systems

The importance of file migration is increasing because of its potential to improve the performance of distributed office, manufacturing and hospital information systems. To encourage research in the file migration problem, the authors summarize accomplishments of researchers of the problem, provide a detailed comparison of file migration and dynamic file allocation problems, and identify important areas of research to support the development of effective file migration policies.
Is It Really Religion? Comparing the Main and Stress-buffering Effects of Religious and Secular Civic Engagement on Psychological Distress:

Using a random sample of adult residents from the state of Texas, we examine how religious participation and secular civic engagement buffer the effects of perceived financial strain and neighborho...
Directional stability of a straight truck equipped with a self-steering axle

This paper presents the findings of an experimental and theoretical study on the influence that a self–steering axle has on the directional stability of a straight truck. The truck was instrumented for stability and control tests by NRC's Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory. The field tests were aimed at generating steady–state handling diagrams to evaluate the directional behaviour under different operating conditions. The handling diagrams obtained from the field tests are supplemented by a second set which were generated by combining the tilt–table test results with the analytical steady–state handling equation of the vehicle. Self–steering axles can be seen as providing an additional degree of freedom which significantly extends the outer bounds of possible handling characteristics. The study makes recommendations to minimise the deteriorating effect of self–steering axles.
A multiscale modeling approach to investigate molecular mechanisms of pseudokinase activation and drug resistance in the HER3/ErbB3 receptor tyrosine kinase signaling network.

Multiscale modeling provides a powerful and quantitative platform for investigating the complexity inherent in intracellular signaling pathways and rationalizing the effects of molecular perturbations on downstream signaling events and ultimately, on the cell phenotype. Here we describe the application of a multiscale modeling scheme to the HER3/ErbB3 receptortyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling network, which regulates critical cellular processes including proliferation, migration and differentiation. The HER3 kinase is a topic of current interest and investigation, as it has been implicated in mechanisms of resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibition (TKI) of EGFR and HER2 in the treatment of many human malignancies. Moreover, the commonly regarded status of HER3 as a catalytically inactive ‘pseudokinase’ has recently been challenged by our previous study, which demonstrated robust residual kinase activity for HER3. Through our multiscale model, we investigate the most significant molecular interactions that contribute to potential mechanisms of HER3 activity and the physiological relevance of this activity to mechanisms of drug resistance in an ErbB-driven tumor cellin silico. The results of our molecular-scale simulations support the characterization of HER3 as a weakly active kinase that, in contrast to its fully-active ErbB family members, depends upon a unique hydrophobic interface to coordinate the alignment of specific catalytic residues required for its activity. Translating our molecular simulation results of the uniquely active behavior of the HER3 kinase into a physiologically relevant environment, our HER3 signaling model demonstrates that even a weak level of HER3 activity may be sufficient to induce AKT signaling and TKI resistance in the context of an ErbB signaling-dependent tumor cell, and therefore therapeutic targeting of HER3 may represent a superior treatment strategy for specific ErbB-driven cancers.
A tool for designing Java programs with UML

This project intends to develop a simple UML (Unified Modeling Language) tool in Java to be used by students learning object-oriented design and Java programming. Each student will be able to design a Java program by filling in forms (use cases, CRC cards) and making diagrams (use case diagrams, class diagrams and sequence diagrams) in a number of views. When the student enters information for any one of the views the tool will update the equivalent information for the other views. The tool will generate Java skeleton code from information supplied by the student.
Automatic selection of mask and arterial phase images for temporally resolved MR digital subtraction angiography

For time-resolved background-subtracted contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography, the bright and sparse arterial signal allows unique identification of contrast bolus arrival in the arteries. This article presents an automatic filtering algorithm using such arterial characterization for selecting arterial phase images and mask images to generate an optimal summary arteriogram. A paired double-blinded comparison demonstrated that this automatic algorithm is as effective as the manual process.
Overcoming immune tolerance against multiple myeloma with lentiviral calnexin-engineered dendritic cells.

The key to successful cancer immunotherapy is to induce an effective anticancer immunity that will overcome the acquired cancer-specific immune tolerance. In this study, we found that dendritic cells (DCs) from multiple myeloma (MM) patients suppressed rather than induced a cancer cell-specific immune response. We demonstrated that CD4+CD25high T cells from MM patients suppressed the proliferation of activated peripheral blood lymphocytes. Further analysis illustrated that MM cell lysates or MM-specific idiotype immunoglobulins (MM Id-Ig) specifically induced the expansion of peripheral CD4+CD25highFoxP3high T regulatory (Treg) cells in vitro. Supraphysiological expression of calnexin (CNX) using lentiviral (LV) vectors in DCs of MM patients overcame the immune suppression and enhanced MM-specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses. However, overexpression of CNX did not affect the peripheral expansion of Treg cells stimulated by MM antigens. Thus, the immune suppression effect of Treg cells in cancer patients may be overcome by improving antigen processing in DCs, which in turn may lower the activation threshold of the immune effector cells. This concept of modulating anticancer immunity by genetically engineering cancer patients' DCs may improve immunotherapeutic regimens in cancer treatment.
Reproducibility of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Measurements in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background and objectives: As part of a recent study, cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) were used to evaluate and follow up patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). These patients were more impaired than those in other published series evaluating CPET reproducibility. We used these patient tests to assess patient performance variability and evaluate reading variability. To achieve this end, six independent evaluators graded key CPET measurements in patients with PAH who underwent duplicate CPETs within 3 days of each other. Setting and patients: Over a 15-month period at two tertiary-care teaching hospitals, 42 patients with PAH underwent repeated, paired CPETs using cycle ergometry. Interventions and measurements: Each patient underwent one to six pairs of cycle ergometry tests to maximal tolerance. Each pair of tests was separated by 3 months, with each test in the pair separated by 1 to 3 days. Specific guidelines were given to the independent evaluators for the key measurements assessed from each CPET study: peak O 2 uptake ( o 2 ), peak heart rate, peak O 2 pulse, anaerobic threshold (AT), and end-tidal P o 2 , end-tidal P co 2 , and the ventilatory equivalent for CO 2 at the AT ( e / co 2 @AT). Results: There were no fatalities or complications occurring among the 242 tests performed on 42 patients. The mean peak o 2 was 722 mL/min or 41% of predicted; 34 patients were Weber class C or D. Using the specific guidelines to measure the variability of measurements made by the six independent evaluators, the coefficients of variation were o 2 , peak heart rate, peak O 2 pulse, end-tidal values at the AT, and e / co 2 @AT, while for the AT, it was 8.5%. There were no significant differences in these measurements between the first and second tests of any pair or between the earlier and later sets of pairs. Conclusions: Using specific guidelines, key CPET measurements can be safely, reliably, and reproducibly assessed even in patients with severe exercise intolerance.
Students’ Task Interpretation and Conceptual Understanding in an Electronics Laboratory

Task interpretation is a critical first step for students in the process of self-regulated learning, and a key determinant when they set goals in their learning and select strategies in assigned work. This paper focuses on the explicit and implicit aspects of task interpretation based on Hadwin’s model. Laboratory activities improve students’ conceptual understanding, as they utilize cognitive ability to integrate the new experiences these provide. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how students’ interpretation of a task assigned during laboratory work may change during the task process, and how this relates to their conceptual understanding. A total of 143 students enrolled in an electronics course participated in this paper. Instruments to measure task interpretation and conceptual understanding were created, piloted, and applied before and after selected laboratory activities over the semester. Findings suggest that while students’ task interpretation changes during the task process, increasing after the completion of the laboratory activity levels of task interpretation are low. Previous research findings—that students generally have an incomplete understanding of the assigned tasks and struggle to establish a connection between laboratory activities and the theory—were confirmed. Lastly, this paper reports a significant relationship between students’ task interpretation and their conceptual understanding in laboratory work. Further investigation is necessary to unveil other factors related to these constructs in order to engage students in laboratory work.
Refined transactional lock elision

Transactional lock elision (TLE) is a well-known technique that exploits hardware transactional memory (HTM) to introduce concurrency into lock-based software. It achieves that by attempting to execute a critical section protected by a lock in an atomic hardware transaction, reverting to the lock if these attempts fail. One significant drawback of TLE is that it disables hardware speculation once there is a thread running under lock. In this paper we present two algorithms that rely on existing compiler support for transactional programs and allow threads to speculate concurrently on HTM along with a thread holding the lock. We demonstrate the benefit of our algorithms over TLE and other related approaches with an in-depth analysis of a number of benchmarks and a wide range of workloads, including an AVL tree-based micro-benchmark and ccTSA, a real sequence assembler application.
A cloned porcine renal calcitonin receptor couples to adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C.

The signal transduction pathways of the recently cloned porcine kidney calcitonin (CT) receptor were evaluated. This receptor, when stably transfected into MC-3T3 cells, avidly bound salmon CT (SCT...
2-Aryl-3-methyloctahydrophenanthrene-2,3,7-triols as potent dissociated glucocorticoid receptor agonists.

A significant improvement in agonist activity of the previously described 2-aryloctahydrophenanthrene-2,3,7-triol series of dissociated glucocorticoid receptor agonists (DAGRs) was achieved by modifying the substitution at C3 from (S)-3-hydroxy to (R)-3-hydroxy-3-methyl. The IC50 of the prototype 13 in the efficacy assay measuring repression of IL-1 induced MMP-13 expression was 3.5 nM, exhibiting 87% of the maximal effect of dexamethasone (DEX). It displayed a dissociated profile by exhibiting 42% of the maximal effect of DEX in a mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) luciferase reporter transactivation assay. Compound 13 and analogues containing heterocyclic replacements for the C2 phenyl and modified B rings showed high repression of TNFα production in human whole blood, with IC50 values (43–167 nM) approaching the level of DEX (21 nM). On the basis of X-ray structures and force field calculations, the overall potency of this series was attributed to a favorable conformation of the C2α phenyl, induced by th...
A Device Fob Extracting the Square Root of Certain Surd Quantities

(1897). A Device Fob Extracting the Square Root of Certain Surd Quantities. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 4, No. 8-9, pp. 204-206.
DNS of Detonation Wave and Isotropic Turbulence

A direct numerical simulation of detonation wave with compressible homogeneous isotropic turbulence is carried out with three different detonation Mach numbers to study the effect of detonation wave on turbulence and vice versa. The analysis is based on the integration of the three dimensional chemically reactive Navier–Stokes equations using a Runge–Kutta scheme and a fifth-order WENO spatial discretization. The interaction of the detonation wave and turbulence resulted in higher amplification of the turbulent statistical parameters (such as, turbulent kinetic energy, Taylor length scale and Kolmogorov length scale, rms of the velocity, pressure and thermodynamic parameters) than those observed in the shockturbulence interaction case. The study also revealed that the amplification of turbulence statistics is proportional to the heat release and activation energy.
Guanethidine and methyldopa as therapeutic agents in hypertension. A comparative review.

Methyldopa controls hypertension smoothly and without many of the side effects associated with guanethidine. The agent is not as potent, however, and response is not as predictable as it is with guanethidine.
Contemporary Management of Achalasia by Pediatric Surgeons: A Survey of the International Pediatric Endosurgical Group

Abstract Introduction: Achalasia is a rare neurodegenerative disorder of the esophagus. Surgical repair consists of esophagomyotomy, often in conjunction with an antireflux procedure. We sought to determine practice patterns in surgical treatment of pediatric achalasia. Methods: Data regarding preferences were collected as part of a comprehensive online-based survey sent to members of the International Pediatric Endosurgery Group (IPEG) completed by 191 surgeons of which 141 performed esophagomyotomies for achalasia. Results: Procedures performed per surgeon were 1–2 (n = 21, 15%); 3–5 (n = 49, 34%); 6–10 (n = 39, 28%); 11–20 (n = 21, 15%); >20 (n = 11, 8%). Most approached the operation laparoscopically (n = 127, 90%). Workup before esophageal myotomy consisted of a diagnostic esophagram (n = 133, 94%) or manometry (n = 102, 73%). Only 60% of surgeons (n = 84) required an EGD. No preference observed in division location of the phrenoesophageal ligament for mobilization of the esophagus. There was a predo...
Teacher Clarity in the Middle School Classroom: A Functional Review of Research

AbstractDuring the past 15 years, numerous research studies have been conducted that examine teacher clarity as an effective classroom behavior. These studies suggest a positive correlation between effective teacher clarity behaviors and positive gains both in student achievement and student perception. In addition, various low-inference variables related to clarity have been identified that can be successfully employed in middle school settings. This chapter briefly discusses why teachers should be clear and provides a number of practical guidelines for enhancing clear teacher explanations.
Heterogenized Iridium Water-Oxidation Catalyst from a Silatrane Precursor

A pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) iridium water-oxidation precatalyst was modified to include a silatrane functional group for covalent attachment to metal oxide semiconductor surfaces. The heterogenized catalyst was found to perform electrochemically driven water oxidation at an overpotential of 462 mV with a turnover number of 304 and turnover frequency of 0.035 s–1 in a 0.1 M KNO3 electrolyte at pH 5.8. Computational modeling of the experimental IR spectra suggests that the catalyst retains its Cp* group during the first hour of catalysis and likely remains monomeric.
Evidence, not ideology, should guide the use of psychotherapy

Prosser and colleagues[1][1] argue that any distinction between pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is a fallacy, as both treatment modalities ultimately target underlying disturbances in neural circuitry. However, the justification of psychotherapy on the basis of its ability to deliver
Patient-centered communication in the era of electronic health records: What does the evidence say?

Abstract Objective Patient-physician communication is essential for patient-centered health care. Physicians are concerned that electronic health records (EHRs) negatively affect communication with patients. This study identified a framework for understanding communication functions that influence patient outcomes. We then conducted a systematic review of the literature and organized it within the framework to better understand what is known. Method A comprehensive search of three databases (CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO) yielded 41 articles for analysis. Results Results indicated that EHR use improves capture and sharing of certain biomedical information. However, it may interfere with collection of psychosocial and emotional information, and therefore may interfere with development of supportive, healing relationships. Patient access to the EHR and messaging functions may improve communication, patient empowerment, engagement, and self-management. Conclusion More rigorous examination of EHR impacts on communication functions and their influences on patient outcomes is imperative for achieving patient-centered care. By focusing on the role of communication functions on patient outcomes, future EHRs can be developed to facilitate care. Practice implications Training alone is likely to be insufficient to address disruptions to communication processes. Processes must be improved, and EHRs must be developed to capture useful data without interfering with physicians’ and patients’ abilities to effectively communicate.
Characterization of novel RNA, protein and chimera nanoconjugate composites and their potential pre-clinical applications

O group has been studying the binding, stabilization and delivery of designed therapeutic RNA molecules together with engineered nanomaterials and composites. Given the huge effort in the synthesis of nanomaterials from virtually every element in the periodic chart, the effect that these have on protein and nucleic acid structure-function is perhaps one of the most important questions in modern molecular cell biology. Initially we focused on nanomaterial derived of bio-elements such as zinc and manganese most well-known to mediate protein:nucleic acid interaction in cells and tissues, and have since expanded to composite nanomaterials derived of these and other important bio-elements. It was first necessary to develop synthetic methods in order to control the size and morphology of these nanomaterials which we did and have now found that both this and the nanomaterials’ chemical composition greatly impacts their interaction with biomolecules. To study biomolecular nanoconjugate formation, we have employed a variety of characterization techniques including; light scatter, UV, fluorescence and CD spectroscopy, nanosight, electron and atomic force microscopy. Functional effect of the nanomaterials on the biochemical activity of 3 model enzymes (luciferase, beta-galactosidease, reverse transcriptase) has been studied revealing exquisite and specific activation, stabilization, and inhibition. Nanoconjugate bio-activity was examined in several human cell lines for the delivery of siRNA, poly I:C, splice switching oligomer (SSO) and chimeric RNA-DNA aptamer in combination with various nanomaterial and composites revealing potent and specific effects on gene expression and cancer-killing. Finally we are beginning to progress several promising composite nanoconjugates into pre-clinical animal models. Robert K. De Long, J Nanomed Nanotechnol 2013, 4:6 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2157-7439.S1.013
A Contemplative Tool: An Exposé of the Performance of Self

Contemplative education courses and academic programs emerging in universities across the United States and internationally have a unique opportunity to help students gain both self-awareness and an awareness of how the self is situated in a larger context. Research utilizing meditation in higher education shows promise in strengthening stress resilience, interpersonal skills, and the cognitive capabilities of attentional control and the processing of information. Pragmatic, reflective pedagogical assignments that successfully cultivate personal and social awareness need to be shared. This article details an educative experience for students in a higher education contemplative education course. The course utilizes guided mindfulness meditation and reflective writing to help students reflect upon their “performance of self” to increase awareness and potentially help sculpt their personal and professional lives. This pedagogy demonstrates an innovative and creative application of the theory of contemplative...
Advances in Ejecta Diagnostics at LLNL

Renewed interest in ejecta experiments at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has motivated reinvestigation and refinement of historical ejecta diagnostics as well as development of new diagnostics. Two diagnostics are discussed here: Asay foils and the multi-wavelength extinction diagnostic. Both are capable, in theory, of measuring ejecta mass or density as a function of time, but they work in fundamentally different ways and rely upon different assumptions. Significant changes have been made in the design of historical Asay foil assemblies. Associated experiments and modeling efforts are described. Ultimately, a miniaturized assembly has been made and tested that works in any orientation and produces data matching larger, historical designs. The ongoing development of the multi-wavelength extinction diagnostic is also described. The goal of this diagnostic is not just to measure ejecta mass but also the temporal evolution of the ejecta particle size distribution. Preliminary modeling and experiments are encouraging.
A robust cognitive architecture for learning from surprises

Abstract Learning from surprises is a cornerstone for building bio-inspired cognitive architectures that can autonomously learn from interactions with their environments. However, distinguishing true surprises – from which useful information can be extracted to improve an agent’s world model – from environmental noise is a fundamental challenge. This paper proposes a new and robust approach for actively learning a predictive model of discrete, stochastic, partially-observable environments based on a concept called the Stochastic Distinguishing Experiment (SDE). SDEs are conditional probability distributions over the next observation given a variable-length sequence of ordered actions and expected observations up to the present that partition the space of possible agent histories, thus forming an approximate predictive representation of state. We derive this SDE-based learning algorithm and present theoretical proofs of its convergence and computational complexity. Theoretical and experimental results in small environments with important theoretical properties demonstrate the algorithm’s ability to build an accurate predictive model from one continuous interaction with its environment without requiring any prior knowledge of the underlying state space, the number of SDEs to use, or even a bound on SDE length.
Comprehensive genomic profiling in routine clinical practice leads to a low rate of benefit from genotype-directed therapy

Describe a single-center real-world experience with comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) to identify genotype directed therapy (GDT) options for patients with malignancies refractory to standard treatment options. Patients who had CGP by a CLIA-certified laboratory between November 2012 and December 2015 were included. The medical records were analyzed retrospectively after Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. The treating oncologist made the decision to obtain the assay to provide potential therapeutic options. The objectives of this study were to determine the proportion of patients who benefited from GDT, and to identify barriers to receiving GDT. A total of 125 pediatric and adult patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of malignancy were included. Among these, 106 samples were from adult patients, and 19 samples were from pediatric patients. The median age was 54 years for adults. The majority had stage IV malignancy (53%) and were pretreated with 2–3 lines of therapy (45%). The median age was 8 years for pediatric patients. The majority had brain tumors (47%) and had received none or 1 line of therapy (58%) when the profiling was requested. A total of 111 (92%) patients had genomic alterations and were candidates for GDT either via on/off-label use or a clinical trial (phase 1 through 3). Fifteen patients (12%) received GDT based on these results including two patients who were referred for genomically matched phase 1 clinical trials. Three patients (2%) derived benefit from their GDT that ranged from 2 to 6 months of stable disease. CGP revealed potential treatment options in the majority of patients profiled. However, multiple barriers to therapy were identified, and only a small minority of the patients derived benefit from GDT.
A scale-free structure for real world networks

The field of High Performance Computing (HPC) is defined by application in physics and engineering. These problems drove the development of libraries such as LAPACK, which cast their performance in terms of more specialized building block such as the BLAS. Now that we see a rise in simulation and computational analysis in fields such as biology and the social sciences, how do we leverage existing HPC approaches to these domains. The GraphBLAS project reconciles graph analytics with the machinery of linear algebra libraries. Like their Dense Linear Algebra (DLA) counterpart, the GraphBLAS expresses complex operations in terms of smaller primitives. This paper focuses on efficiently storing real world networks, such that for these graph primitives we can obtain the level of performance seen in DLA. We provide a hierarchical data structured called GERMV, which is an extension of our previous Recursive Matrix Vector (RMV). If the network in question exhibits a scale-free structure, namely hierarchical communities, then our data structure enables high performance. We demonstrate high performance for Sparse Matrix Vector (spMV) and PageRank on real world web graphs.
Barriers to Growth: How High Performing African American Owned Businesses Overcome Them

Even high performing African-American businesses are confronted with barriers to business growth. It is important to our communities, labor force and the economy that African American owned busines...
A heuristic attack detection approach using the “least weighted” attributes for cyber security data

The continuous advance in recent cloud-based computer networks has generated a number of security challenges associated with intrusions in network systems. With the exponential increase in the volume of network traffic data, involvement of humans in such detection systems is time consuming and a non-trivial problem. Secondly, network traffic data tends to be highly dimensional, comprising of numerous features and attributes, making classification challenging and thus susceptible to the curse of dimensionality problem. Given such scenarios, the need arises for dimensional reduction, feature selection, combined with machine-learning techniques in the classification of such data. Therefore, as a contribution, this paper seeks to employ data mining techniques in a cloud-based environment, by selecting appropriate attributes and features with the least importance in terms of weight for the classification. Often the standard is to select features with better weights while ignoring those with least weights. In this study, we seek to find out if we can make prediction using those features with least weights. The motivation is that adversaries use stealth to hide their activities from the obvious. The question then is, can we predict any stealth activity of an adversary using the least observed attributes? In this particular study, we employ information gain to select attributes with the lowest weights and then apply machine learning to classify if a combination, in this case, of both source and destination ports are attacked or not. The motivation of this investigation is if attributes that are of least importance can be used to predict if an attack could occur. Our preliminary results show that even when the source and destination port attributes are used in combination with features with the least weights, it is possible to classify such network traffic data and predict if an attack will occur or not.
Usefulness of Assessment of Stool Form by the Modified Bristol Stool Form Scale in Primary Care Pediatrics

Purpose Rome criteria are considered the gold standard for diagnosing functional constipation. The modified Bristol stool form scale (m-BSFS) was validated to measure stool form in children. However, neither the potential use of the m-BSFS as a tool to facilitate the diagnosis of potential constipation, nor the agreement between m-BSFS and stool consistency by Rome has been studied. Our objective is to determine if m-BSFS is a reliable tool to facilitat detection of constipation; and the agreement between stool form by m-BSFS and hard stool criteria in Rome. Methods A survey tool with the Rome III criteria and the m-BSFS was developed. A Likert-scale addressed frequency of each stool form on the m-BSFS. Responses to Rome III and m-BSFS were compared. Results The sensitivity and specificity of the m-BSFS was 79.2% and 66.0% respectively; and in children <4 years. improved to 81.2% and 75.0% respectively. There was poor agreement between hard stools by m-BSFS and the painful or hard bowel movement question of Rome Criteria. Conclusion The potential utility of m-BSFS as a reasonably good tool to facilitate the diagnosis of potential constipation in children is shown. The poor agreement between painful or hard stool question in Rome III, and ratings for hard stool on the m-BSFS illustrates that one's perception may differ between a question and a picture. A useful pictorial tool to appraise stool form may, thus, be a favorable complement in the process of enquiry about bowel habits in well-child care.
Autoimmune Hepatitis During Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis with Alemtuzumab (P5.350)

Objective: To report the first case of autoimmune hepatitis during treatment with alemtuzumab. Background: Alemtuzumab is an anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. A number of secondary autoimmune disease have been associated with this therapy. The most common secondary autoimmune diseases include thyroiditis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and anti-glomerular basement membrane disease. To our knowledge, no cases of autoimmune hepatitis have been previously reported. Design/Methods: Pertinent clinical data was extracted and reviewed. Literature searches through PubMed and Web of Knowledge revealed no prior documented cases of autoimmune hepatitis associated with alemtuzumab therapy. Results: The patient is a 33-year-old female who first received alemtuzumab in September 2015. Her only prior disease-modifying therapy was fingolimod. Her course was complicated by the early development of Graves’ disease 6 months after her first series of infusions. Seven months after her second series and 19 months from her initial exposure to alemtuzumab, she developed a precipitous increase in her liver function tests, peaking at AST 467 and ALT 606 in August 2017. A comprehensive work-up was performed, and no infectious, metabolic, or toxic cause was found. There were no symptoms of acalculous cholecystitis and ultrasound of the gallbladder demonstrated cholelithiasis without evidence of inflammation. Liver biopsy was completed demonstrating portal and central inflammatory infiltrates that included lymphocytes, plasma cells, and eosinophils, most suggestive of autoimmune hepatitis. The patient was treated with a course of prednisone with improvement in liver function tests. Conclusions: Secondary autoimmune disease is a recognized complication of alemtuzumab that peaks in the third year of therapy. While autoimmune thyroiditis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and anti-glomerular basement membrane disease are well known manifestations, other organ involvement can occur, including now a first case of probable treatment-associated autoimmune hepatitis. Disclosure: Dr. Carlson has nothing to disclose. Dr Bozinov has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kipp has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dunn has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Genentech; Sanofi Genzyme; Biogen; Novartis. Dr. Lock has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Biogen; Sanofi Genzyme.
Brief Report: The Effects of a Weighted Blanket on Engagement for a Student With ASD:

The effectiveness of a weighted blanket intervention and structured work boxes for improving engagement for a child with autism during math circle time in a general education kindergarten classroom...
The influence of ethnicity and geography on human gut microbiome composition

The taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome associates with patient ethnicity and geographic location. This association impacts the development of microbiome-based applications for personalized medicine.
Kerma area product (KAP) and scatter measurements for intraoral X-ray machines using three different types of round collimation compared with rectangular beam limiter.

Objectives:The objective of the study was to determine the radiation dose reduction achieved when rectangular collimation was used on various round collimators. In addition, we evaluated the tissue...
Transformation Through Unbundling: Visualizing the Global FinTech Ecosystem

The infusion of digital technology into financial services, also known as FinTech, is creating a massive disruption of the entire financial sector. Services traditionally offered by incumbents are ...
Simple theory of viscosity in liquids

A simplistic model of atomic dynamics in liquid, based on the concept of dynamic fluctuations in local atomic connectivity, is proposed to elucidate the temperature variation of the viscosity of a material in its liquid phase. Within the simplifications and hypothesis made to define the model, it is possible to explain the crossover from a simple liquid to a cooperative liquid and covariance of viscosity near the glass transition temperature. The model is a mechanical analog of the Drude model for the electric transport in metal.
Advances in understanding the long-term population decline of monarch butterflies

Monarch butterflies are an icon of nature: spectacular in form, known for their unfathomable annual migration, and frequent visitors in our backyards (Fig. 1). It is no wonder they are a darling among invertebrates. And what has now captured our attention is the striking and precipitous decline of monarch populations over the past two decades. So much of the decline in biodiversity, part of the current mass extinction, seems abstract to us—the polar bear floating on an iceberg in the arctic, or the slash and burn of tropical rain forests. But the decline of monarch butterflies has been observed like a “silent spring,” with biologists and casual observers alike noticing the missing butterflies from so many of our recent summers, especially in the northeastern and midwestern United States. Two new studies published in PNAS add fresh analyses, considerably new data, and novel approaches to tackle the monarch mystery (1, 2). Fig. 1. ( Top ) The annual migratory cycle of eastern North American monarch butterflies. Generation 1 occurs in the US Gulf Coast states centered on Texas (March–April), and generations 2 to 4 occur in the Northeast and Midwest (May–September). The fourth migratory generation lives for 8 mo, including overwintering in Mexico and returning to the Gulf Coast states, and does not rely on milkweed between September and February. ( Bottom ) The population decline of monarch butterflies in the highlands of Central Mexico (generation 4, estimated during overwintering) (data collected by World Wildlife Fund Mexico). The circled years are those investigated by Saunders et al. (1). Although concerns about monarch conservation have been voiced at least since 1977 (a year after their overwintering grounds were discovered by citizen scientists, in collaboration with Canadian biologists Fred and Nora Urquhart), two key moments in the monarch’s rise to public prominence came in 1999 and … [↵][1]1Email: agrawal{at}cornell.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Aortic-vertebral interaction in ankylosing spondylitis: syndesmophyte development at the juxta-aortic vertebral rim

Objectives The aorta inhibits paravertebral ossification in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. We investigated if syndesmophytes in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) occurred less often at the vertebral rim near the aorta. Methods We performed thoracolumbar CT scans in 60 subjects in this cross-sectional study. The mid-thoracic spine was also scanned in 22 subjects. We divided the rim of each intervertebral disc space (IDS) into 72 angular sectors, each of 5°. We computed syndesmophyte height in each sector, and the distance from the sector to the aorta. We evaluated if syndesmophyte size or frequency in a sector was associated with its distance from the aorta. Results In the 180° region of the vertebral rim centered on the sector closest to the aorta, syndesmophyte height and/or frequency varied with the distance of the sector to the aorta, with the lowest frequency and smallest mean syndesmophyte height at the sector along the rim nearest the aorta. Additionally, syndesmophytes were less common in subjects and at IDSs where the aorta was anatomically closer to the vertebra. No syndesmophytes were present in the sector closest to the aorta in subjects whose aorta-vertebral distance was less than 2 mm, but syndesmophytes were progressively more common among subjects whose aortas lay further from the rim. Conclusions Syndesmophytes occurred less commonly and were smaller at the thoracolumbar vertebral rim near the aorta. These findings suggest that mechanical factors extrinsic to the spine and not solely vertebral inflammation, influence syndesmophyte development in AS.