cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low Cord Blood Type 14 Pneumococcal IgG1 but Not IgG2 Antibody Predicts Early Infant Otitis Media

Otitis media (OM) is a common illness in young children, with the highest prevalence among children !2 years old. Children who develop OM within the first 6 months of life (early OM) are more likely to develop recurrent OM and chronic OM with effusion [1]. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the middle ear bacterial pathogen involved most frequently in acute OM (AOM) [2], and IgG antibodies to the capsular polysaccharides of S. pneumoniae are known to be protective of the middle ear [3]. However, recently reported clinical trials show that administration of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to infants is not likely to reduce appreciably the overall burden of early OM [4, 5]. Administration of pneumococcal vaccine during pregnancy is a possible method of protecting infants from early OM. In another study, we reported that infants with cord blood concentrations of type-specific pneumococcal polysaccharide IgG antibody in the lowest distribution quartile had significantly earlier episodes of OM than did infants with higher concentrations of antibody [6]. In this study, we tested cord blood from our prior study for IgG1 and IgG2 subclass antibodies to types 14 and 19F polysaccharide, to better understand the role of transplacental antibody subclass on the risk of developing early OM. Correlation of the anti‐polysaccharide IgG cord blood subclasses with early OM risk could influence the selection of a maternal pneumococcal vaccine.
Face recognition with occlusions in the training and testing sets

Partial occlusions in face images pose a great problem for most face recognition algorithms. Several solutions to this problem have been proposed over the years - ranging from dividing the face image into a set of local regions to sophisticated statistical methods. In the present paper, we pose the problem as a reconstruction one. In this approach, each test image is described as a linear combination of the training samples in each class. The class samples providing the best reconstruction determine the class label. Here, ldquobest reconstructionrdquo means that reconstruction providing the smallest matching error when using an appropriate metric to compare the reconstructed and test images. A key point in our formulation is to base this reconstruction solely on the visible data in the training and testing sets. This allows to have partial occlusions in both the training and testing samples, while previous methods only dealt with occlusions in the testing set. We show extensive experimental results using a large variety of comparative studies, demonstrating the superiority of the proposed approach over the state of the art.
A standardized design for quagga mussel monitoring in Lake Mead, Nevada-Arizona.

The discovery of quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) in Lake Mead, Nevada-Arizona, on January 6, 2007 is the first known occurrence of dreissenid species in the western United States. This study developed elements of a cost-effective and standardized quagga mussel-monitoring program for Lake Mead using preliminary data to arrive at statistically based numbers of sampling sites. To represent the abundance of adult/juvenile quagga mussels in Lake Mead's heterogeneous floor with 95% confidence, a stratified simple random sampling design revealed a requirement of 41 samples from hard substrates (i.e., rocky areas) and 97 samples from soft substrates (i.e., sandy and muddy areas). A simple random sampling design demonstrated that 42 samples from the lake's water column are necessary to represent veliger abundance with 95% confidence. Other important elements of the sampling program, such as standardization of protocols and processes and suggested data analyses, are discussed. The monitoring program, which is based on reconnaissance data, is intended to be optimized with data from its first year's samples. The sample number-selection approach and the other elements of this plan can be easily implemented by lake managers and can also be adapted to other locations where dreissenid mussel monitoring is needed.
Investigation of Mechanical Integrity and its effect on Polishing for Novel Polyurethane Polishing Pad

There is a widespread interest in development and characterization of CMP consumables due to an existing and potential market, as the CMP process becomes widely accepted in the field of microelectronics fabrication. A non-destructive Ultra Sound Testing (UST) technique developed at the University of South Florida has been successfully used in the past to map the variation of specific gravity over the entire volume of the pad. To gage the impact of the variation in specific gravity with in the body of the polishing pad, the results of UST of pads need to be correlated with actual polishing performance of the pad. In this research, UST was performed on IC 1000 Suba IV/ A4 polishing pad, and novel polyurethane pads, Pad A (with sub pad) and Pad B (without sub pad). The novel pads have been specifically developed for Interlayer Dielectric (ILD) polishing. 6 inch coupons from polishing pad regions of interest (high and low ultra sound transmission) determined after the ultrasound map were punched out and further evaluated. The mechanical properties of the pad material from the coupons were evaluated using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and tribological properties were evaluated by performing CMP on 6 inch coupons in the CETR CMP tester.
Retinoid quantification by HPLC/MS(n).

Retinoic acid (RA) mediates most of the biological effects of vitamin A that are essential for vertebrate survival. It acts through binding to receptors that belong to the nuclear receptor transcription factor superfamily (Mangelsdorf et al. 1994). It is also a highly potent vertebrate teratogen. To determine the function and effects of endogenous and exogenous RA, it is important to have a highly specific, sensitive, accurate, and precise analytical procedure. Current analyses of RA and other retinoids are labor intensive, of poor sensitivity, have limited specificity, or require compatibility with RA reporter cell lines (Chen et al. 1995. BIOCHEM: Pharmacol. 50: 1257-1264; Creech Kraft et al. 1994. BIOCHEM: J. 301: 111-119; Lanvers et al. 1996. J. Chromatogr. B Biomed. Appl. 685: 233-240; Maden et al. 1998. DEVELOPMENT: 125: 4133-4144; Wagner et al. 1992. DEVELOPMENT: 116: 55-66). This paper describes an HPLC/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry product ion scan (HPLC/MS(n)) procedure for the analysis of retinoids that employs atmospheric pressure chemical ionization MS. The retinoids are separated by normal-phase column chromatography with a linear hexane-isopropanol-dioxane gradient. Each retinoid is detected by a unique series of MS(n) functions set at optimal collision-induced dissociation energy (30% to 32%) for all MS(n) steps. The scan events are divided into three segments, based on HPLC elution order, to maximize the mass spectrometer duty cycle. The all-trans, 9-cis, and 13-cis RA isomers are separated, if desired, by an isocratic hexane-dioxane-isopropanol mobile phase. This paper describes an HPLC/MS(n) procedure possessing high sensitivity and specificity for retinoids.
Sex differences in jealousy: a meta-analytic examination

The theory of evolved sex differences in jealousy predicts sex differences in responses to sexual infidelities and emotional infidelities. Critics have argued that such differences are absent in studies that use continuous measures to assess responses to hypothetical infidelities or in studies that assess responses to real infidelities. These criticisms were tested in two random-effects meta-analyses of 40 published and unpublished papers (providing 209 effect sizes from 47 independent samples) that measured sex differences in jealousy using continuous measures. A significant, theory-supportive sex difference emerged across 45 independent samples using continuous measures of responses to hypothetical infidelities, g*=0.258, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.188, 0.328], pb.00001. Measured emotion significantly moderated effect size. Effects were strongest when measures assessed distress/upset (g*=0.337) and jealousy (g*=0.309). Other commonly measured negative emotions yielded weaker effects, including hurt (g*=0.161), anger (g*=0.074), and disgust (g*=0.012). Across the 45 independent samples, six significant moderators emerged: random sampling, population type (student vs. nonstudent samples), age, inclusion of a forced-choice question, number of points in the response scale, and year of publication. A significant, theory-supportive effect also emerged across seven studies assessing reactions to actual infidelities, g*=0.234, 95% CI [0.020, 0.448], p=.03. Results demonstrate that the sex difference in jealousy neither is an artifact of response format nor is limited to responses to hypothetical infidelities.
Determining relative magma and host rock xenolith rheology during magmatic fabric formation in plutons: Examples from the middle and upper crust

Field observations, structural analysis, and analytical calculations are utilized to evaluate the strength of intermediate magmas during crystallization in a regional strain field. Two plutons are examined, the subvolcanic 98 Ma old Jackass Lakes pluton, central Sierra Nevada, California, and the voluminous middle crustal 442 Ma old Andalshatten pluton, central Norway. The Andalshatten example contains millimeter- to kilometer-scale xenoliths that display evidence for synmagmatic deformation, including fold reactivation and boudinage, after being isolated in the magma. Fabrics within the pluton adjacent to the xenoliths are usually magmatic, with only local, discontinuous zones of crystal-plastic deformation <1 m from the xenolith contact. Examination of particularly well exposed mafic metavolcanic xenoliths in the Jackass Lakes pluton indicates that all were strained prior to incorporation and then separated from the remaining host rock by brittle cracking. Once isolated from the host rocks, some of these xenoliths were intruded by veins fed by the in situ draining of melt and magma from the surrounding crystal mush zone. The xenoliths continued to deform ductilely at presumably fast strain rates. Axial-planar magmatic foliations within folded granodioritic dikes within xenoliths are parallel to magmatic foliations throughout the Jackass Lakes pluton and metamorphic foliations within the host rocks, indicating that the xenolith deformation occurred within the regional 98 Ma old strain field that affected the pluton. The behavior of these xenoliths suggests that late in the crystallization history, magmas in both middle crustal and subvolcanic settings behaved as a high-strength crystal-melt mush capable of transmitting deviatoric stresses, which drove both elastic and plastic deformation in the enclosed xenoliths. Simultaneously, intercrystalline melt, and in some cases magma, was drained from the host intrusions into the xenoliths. Rheological modeling based on geochemical data yields an effective viscosity of a crystal-free melt of ~104 Pa s and increased to ~107 Pa s as cooling proceeded to 758 °C and crystal content approached 40% for the Jackass Lakes pluton. Such viscosities are too low to impart or transmit deformation into the xenoliths. The preservation of xenoliths in both plutons is compatible with higher crystallinities and/or magma yield strengths as an explanation to arrest the xenoliths in their final position and allow deformation. Estimated effective viscosities considering magma yield strength and measured density variables (melt and solid) are ~1013 Pa s.
COIL-GLOBULE TRANSITION OF A SEMIFLEXIBLE POLYMER DRIVEN BY THE ADDITION OF SPHERICAL PARTICLES

The phase behaviour of a single large semiflexible polymer immersed in a suspension of spherical particles is studied. All interactions are simple excluded volume interactions and the diameter of the spherical particles is an order of magnitude larger than the diameter of the polymer. The spherical particles induce a quite long ranged depletion attraction between the segments of the polymer and this induces a continuous coil-globule transition in the polymer. This behaviour gives an indication of the condensing effect of macromolecular crowding on DNA.
The design of an ITS-based business simulation: a new epistemology for learning

This article discusses the design and use of an intelligent tutoring system (ITS)for computerized business simulations. It is argued that intelligent tutoring systems are a natural complement to computerized business simulations and could significantly enhance their pedagogical effectiveness. The use of ITS as an instructional technology and its success are reviewed. Afundamental modelforan ITS-based business simulation ispresented. The user interface and the linkbetween the ITS and the simulation are examined. It is recommended that the ITS consist of three distinct modules: expert consultant, diagnostic testing, andpedagogical support. The integration of ITS with business simulations offers a new epistemologyfor learning, the significance of which has yet to be fully understood.
High Level of Circulating Human Tissue Kallikrein Induces Hypotension in a Transgenic Mouse Model

We established a unique transgenic mouse model with liver-targeted expression of human tissue kallikrein using a mouse albumin enhancer and promoter. Northern blot analysis and ELISA showed that human tissue kallikrein was predominantly expressed in the liver of transgenic mice and secreted into the circulation at a high level. The transcript was also detected in the kidney, pancreas, salivary gland and heart at a low level by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction followed by Southern blot analysis. Systolic blood pressures were measured by the tail-cuff method, all three inde endent transgenic 83.1f0.8 mmHg, n = 13, P < 0.01) compared with the control mice (100. 9kO. 9 mmHg, n = 17). Administration of aprotinin, a potent tissue kallikrein inhibitor or Hoe 140, a bradykinin receptor antagonist, restored the blood pressure of transgenic mice but had no significant effect on control littermates. These studies show that over-production of tissue kallikrein in the circulation plays a role in blood p...
Hardware/software deadlock avoidance for multiprocessor multiresource system-on-a-chip

This thesis describes fast and deterministic deadlock avoidance methods that are easily applicable to real-time Multiprocessor System-on-a-Chip (MPSoC) design. This thesis first describes the proofs of the correctness of Parallel Deadlock Detection Algorithm (PDDA) and the run-time complexity of its hardware implementation in the Deadlock Detection Unit (DDU), proposed previously. The DDU has a worst-case run-time of O(min(m,n)) where m and n are the numbers of resources and processes, respectively. This thesis also provides detailed explanation and mathematical analysis of PDDA and the DDU along with examples, as well as extensive performance comparisons among PDDA in software, the DDU and an O(m x n) deadlock detection algorithm. The DDU is 100x or more faster than software implementations of deadlock detection algorithms. This thesis secondly proposes a novel deadlock avoidance algorithm and its hardware implementation in the Deadlock Avoidance Unit (DAU) that provides very fast and automatic deadlock avoidance in an MPSoC with multiple single-instance resources. The DAU avoids deadlock by not allowing any grant or request that leads to a deadlock. In case of livelock in an attempt to avoid deadlock, the DAU asks one of the processes involved in the livelock to release resource(s) so that such a livelock can also be resolved. We simulated two synthetic applications that can benefit from the DAU and demonstrated that the DAU avoids deadlock approximately 300X faster than its software implementation does. This thesis also proposes a novel Parallel Banker's Algorithm (PBA), a parallelized version of the Banker's Algorithm, and its hardware implementation in PBA Unit (PBAU) that provides fast, automatic deadlock avoidance for multiple-instance resource systems. The run-time complexity of the PBA is O(n) with the best case of O(1). The PBAU is about 1000x faster than the Banker's Algorithm in software and achieves in a particular example a 19% speed-up of application execution time. We believe that our approaches initiate a paradigm shift in the context of deadlock solutions for MPSoC from sole software to hardware/software partitioned solutions that enable a distribution of part of the burden imposed on processors to a low cost, fast hardware IP core exploiting full parallelism.
Reduced placental amino acid transport in response to maternal nutrient restriction in the baboon

Intrauterine growth restriction increases the risk of perinatal complications and predisposes the infant to diabetes and cardiovascular disease in later life. Mechanisms by which maternal nutrient restriction (MNR) reduces fetal growth are poorly understood. We hypothesized that MNR decreases placental amino acid (AA) transporter activity, leading to reduced transplacental transfer of AAs. Pregnant baboons were fed either a control (ad libitum, n = 7), or MNR diet (70% of control diet, n = 7) from gestational day (GD) 30. At GD 165 (0.9 gestation), placentas (n = 7 in each group) were collected, and microvillous plasma membrane vesicles (MVM) isolated. MVM system A and system L AA transport was determined in vitro using radiolabeled substrates and rapid filtration techniques. In vivo transplacental AA transport was assessed by infusing nine (13)C- or (2)H-labeled essential AA as a bolus into the maternal circulation (n = 5 control, n = 4 MNR) at cesarean section. A fetal vein-to-maternal artery mole percent excess ratio for each essential AA was calculated. Fetal and placental weights were significantly reduced in the MNR group compared with controls (P < 0.01). The activity of system A and system L was markedly reduced by 73 and 84%, respectively, in MVM isolated from baboon placentas at GD 165 following MNR (P < 0.01). In vivo, the fetal vein-to-maternal artery mole percent excess ratio was significantly reduced for leucine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, and tryptophan in MNR baboons (P < 0.05). This is the first study to investigate placental AA transport in a nonhuman primate model of MNR. We demonstrate that the downregulation of system A and system L activity in syncytiotrophoblast MVM in MNR leads to decreased transplacental AA transport and, consequently, reduced circulating fetal AA concentrations, a potential mechanism linking maternal undernutrition to reduced fetal growth.
Playing Neoliberal Politics: Post-Racial and Post-Racist Strategies in “Same Love”

ABSTRACTThis essay argues that marriage equality discourses have successfully been used not only to advance GLBTQ rights but as a vehicle for re-securing neoliberalism after the 2008 Great Recession. Specifically, this essay analyzes how Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's “Same Love” (featuring Mary Lambert) supports neoliberalism by forwarding antiblackness and circumscribed political subjectivities while urging support for marriage equality. Through appeals to minimization, multiracialism, and inverting oppression, “Same Love” demonstrates how avowedly progressive texts can simultaneously impede the freer and fairer world the text supposedly promotes.
Self-Service Business Intelligence Resulting in Disruptive Technology

Self-Service Business Intelligence (BI) requires a much greater consideration of the knowledge workers or reporting and analytics users' point of view than in traditional reporting. In order to meet the reporting and analytics users' needs, much greater interaction with the BI users was required because the awareness that those doing the development frequently did not share the reporting and analytics users' perspective or even understand it. The purpose of this Self-Service Business Intelligence effort was to provide customers with a window into available business data, so they can easily manipulate their data to answer business questions. This effort explores some of the disruptive technology available to empower a significantly more information-capable customer. In providing Self-Service Business Intelligence, a significant amount of cost savings can be achieved through better communication between business and information technology (IT) individuals, reducing the required development staff in IT, and ...
Rhabdomysarcoma in Children: A Clinicopathologic Study of 35 Patients

Thirty-five patients with rhabdomyosarcoma were treated at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center from 1953 to 1973. Factors important in diagnosis and prognosis included age, sex, site, stage of tumor, and specific pathologic type. Effects that surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy had on survivals were also analyzed. Survivals ranged from 2 to 20 years.The rates were 86% for Stage I disease; 40% for Stage II disease, and 0 for the more advanced lesions. A useful prognostic indicator was found in pathologic subgroupings. Survivals for the myxoid spindle-cell variant were 80% for all stages. For the partial maturation series with moderately well-differentiated rhabdomyoblasts, survival was 10% for all stages. For a combination of the above two types, survival was 40% for all stages. The alveolar types had no survivors, although these patients seemed to live longer with their disease.
Visual Technique for Determining Presence and Stage of Zoophthora phytonomi in Dead Alfalfa Weevil Larvae

A visual technique accurately and rapidly determines the incidence of a fungus Zoophthora Phytonomi (Arthur) Batko in dead larvae of Hypera postica (Gyllenhal). The technique is based on the presence and color of a precipitate which forms when dead larvae are placed in 3% KOH. The accuracy of this technique was confirmed by standard diagnostic procedures.
Abstract 3182: Decreased expression of PTEN enhances CXCR4-mediated proliferation and tumorigenesis in prostate cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The progression of human prostate cancer is a result of metastasis from the primary tumor to vital organs. Metastasis is a complex process that involves invasion, intravasation, extravasation, and metastatic colonization. To date, the biology underlying the various mechanisms of metastasis has not been fully elucidated. Chemokines are pro-inflammatory molecules that bind to chemokine receptors, which are members of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family. The interaction between chemokines and their receptors results in a diverse array of biological and biochemical functions, such as chemotaxis, hematopoiesis and angiogenesis. Likewise, neoplastic cells employ chemokines and their receptors to promote metastasis, and encourage cell survival. It has been observed that the CXCR4 chemokine receptor is overexpressed on the cell surface of prostate cancer cells, which directed metastatic cells to tissues where its CXCL12 ligand is overexpressed, such as the bones and lungs. The Phosphate and Tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is the second most mutated tumor suppressor in human cancer, and has been shown to be mutated in metastatic prostate cancer cells. Gao et al demonstrated that reconstituted PTEN in lymphocytes down-regulated CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis towards its ligand, CXCL12. Additionally, progenitor PTEN-deficient smooth muscle cells (SMC) increased migration towards CXCL12-producing SMC, suggesting that an alteration in PTEN expression negatively regulated CXCR4-mediated events. We analyzed prostate cancer cells for the expression of CXCR4 by flow cytometry, and observed that CXCR4 was expressed in human metastatic prostate cancer cell lines, PC3 and LnCaP. We analyzed for the expression of PTEN, and observed no expression of PTEN in PC3 and LnCaP cells at the protein level by western blot, nor at the mRNA level in PC3 cells by PCR. Furthermore, when reconstituted with PTEN, PC3 cells demonstrated a mesenchymal to epithelial-like phenotypic change in morphology. Additionally, we observed that reconstituted PTEN inhibited CXCR4-meditated proliferation via an MTT assay. Therefore, we hypothesize that the absence of PTEN expression correlates with an up-regulation of CXCR4-mediated proliferation and tumorigenesis in prostate cancer cells. In summary, our results showed that PTEN induced an epithelial-like morphological change, and inhibited CXCR4-mediated proliferation in metastatic prostate cancer cell lines. In future studies, we will investigate if the reconstituted expression of functional PTEN regulates CXCR4-mediated metastatic events in prostate cancer cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3182.
Evaluation of the durability of 3D printed keys produced by computational processing of image data

Possession of a working 3D printed key can, for most practical purposes, convince observers that an illicit attempt to gain premises access is authorized. This paper seeks to assess three things. First, work has been performed to determine how easily the data for making models of keys can be obtained through manual measurement. It then presents work done to create a model of the key and determine how easy key modeling could be (particularly after a first key of a given key ‘blank’ has been made). Finally, it seeks to assess the durability of the keys produced using 3D printing.
Application of Orthodox Jewish Law to Reproductive Medicine

The evaluation and management of fertility problems in Jewish Orthodox patients who strictly follow the Biblical teachings post special problems to the physician. Understanding of the religious, social, and cultural background is of paramount importance in the management of these patients. In this paper some of these problems are discussed.
Internet Resources: Theater and performance studies

Cet article presente une selection de ressources Internet concernant le theatre et des interpretations. Cette selection inclut des sites centres sur le theâtre et les interpretations tant par les disciplines universitaires que par les domaines de pratique. La plupart des sites proposes ont des liens avec d'autres sites ce qui permet d'elargir l'exploration
Finding Fortune: How Do Institutional Investors Pick Asset Managers?

This paper studies how professional asset allocators such as endowments, fund-of-funds, or pension funds select fund managers for investments. We develop a simple model of their due-diligence process to motivate predictions about the timing of investment decisions. We then test these predictions using a unique dataset with detailed information on the interactions between a large institutional investor and 1,093 hedge funds over the course of 8 years. Soft information conveyed during the meetings with fund managers strongly influences the decisions. A one standard deviation increase in our proxy for positive soft information doubles the probability of fund selection and reduces the due-diligence time by 20%. Contrary to prior research, we find no evidence that relying on these subjective judgements is wasteful. Instead, in a matched sample, conditioned on the fund characteristics and past performance, the 12-month average peer-adjusted returns are 1.5% higher for the selected funds.
Monte-Carlo Simulations in Adiabatic Ensembles

We discuss simulations using a recently derived Monte Carlo method which can be modified for use with any of the adiabatic ensembles. As a concrete example we present the first results from simulations using the new Monte Carlo method to generate the HtN ensemble, where H is the enthalpy, and t the thermodynamic tension. This method is the Monte Carlo counterpart of the Parrinello-Rahman form of molecular dynamics. In particular we discuss HtN Monte Carlo calculations of the elastic constants and other related thermodynamic properties of a system from fluctuation formulas specific to the HtN ensemble. The agreement of the results with earlier calculations using other ensembles supports the inference that our Monte Carlo procedure generates the HtN ensemble.
Posttreatment Prostate-Specific Antigen 6 Months After Radiation With Androgen Deprivation Therapy Predicts for Distant Metastasis–Free Survival and Prostate Cancer–Specific Mortality

Objectives/Background To determine whether a 6-month posttreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) treated with concurrent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) serves as an early predictor for biochemical relapse free survival (bRFS), distant metastasis–free survival (DMFS), and prostate cancer–specific mortality (PCSM). Methods A retrospective review of intermediate-risk and high-risk PCa patients treated with EBRT and concurrent ADT at a single institution between 1996 and 2012. All patients received high-dose radiation with either 78 Gy in 39 fractions or 70 Gy in 28 fractions. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate bRFS and DMFS, and cumulative incidence was used to estimate PCSM. Results 532 patients were identified. The median follow-up time was 7.5 years (range, 1-16.25 years). The median initial PSA (iPSA) was 13.0 ng/mL (range, 0.37-255 ng/mL), and the median duration of ADT was 6 months (range, 1-78 months). The median PSA 6 months after EBRT was 0.1 ng/mL (range, 0-19 ng/mL), and 310 patients (58.3%) had a 6-month PSA ≤0.1 ng/mL. Multivariable analysis (MVA) demonstrated that a 6-month post-EBRT PSA of >0.1 ng/mL was an independent predictor of worse bRFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.518; P P P P 6 months) was not predictive of any clinical endpoint. Conclusions A 6-month posttreatment PSA >0.1 ng/mL in intermediate-risk and high-risk PCa patients treated with concurrent high-dose EBRT and ADT is associated with worse bRFS, DMFS, and PCSM. The duration of ADT was not predictive of any clinical endpoint. A 6-month PSA after definitive EBRT and ADT helps identify patients at higher risk of disease progression and may serve as a predictive tool to select patients for early salvage therapy on future clinical trials.
Evaluating alternative resource allocation in an emergency department using discrete event simulation

Reducing emergency department ED overcrowding in the hope of improving the ED's operational efficiency and healthcare delivery is an important objective for healthcare providers. This research analyzes resource allocation with the objective of reducing patient length-of-stay LOS and time to be seen by a physician or physician assistant TBSPPA while leveling resource utilization. Different levels of resources physicians, physician assistants, and nurses were changed in controlled experiments in order to analyze patients' LOS and TBSPPA, as well as resource utilization. The experiments were performed using a simulation model based on data from an ED at a local hospital. The simulation model accounts for patients with different severity levels as well as different rates for patient arrivals. Based on the severity, patients are treated by combinations of multiple resources, often with interspersed waiting time. Results indicate that the simulation model can be used as a tool to help decision makers in the ED with the allocation of resources. The experiments show an average reduction of 14% in the average patients' LOS, 16% in the average patients' TBSPPA, and leveled resource utilization between 70% and 80% when allowing a restructure of the ED resource capacities.
Real-time, low-latency image processing with high throughput on a multi-core SoC

Real-time, low-latency, image processing with high throughput is vital for many time-critical applications in fields such as medical imaging, robotics, and wearable computers. Traditionally, FPGAs have often been employed to meet these requirements. However, due to the productivity challenges, using FPGAs may not be viable in some cases. Alternatively, the typical approach of processing an image on a CPU device at a frame level increases the processing latency of the computer-vision system. In this paper, we explore the feasibility of processing an input image at a sub-frame level on a multi-core SoC device, the 66AK2H12 from TI. Using sub-frame processing, we optimize and evaluate the performance of four kernels commonly used in image-processing pipelines. Our results show, for all four kernels in our study, that real-time, low-latency image processing with high throughput for HD-resolution images can be achieved using the multiple DSP cores available in the 66AK2H12 device.
Comparison of two double red cell collection settings on Fenwal Alyx apheresis instrument

The Fenwal Alyx for collecting double red cell products has two red cell volume collection settings: fixed collection target of 360 ml (180 ml/unit) and a variable target of collecting either 400 or 360 ml (200 or 180 ml/unit), where the machine aims for the higher possible collection target. We retrospectively compared the two collection targets for the RBC content, donor time, technician time, and collection efficiency. We compared 18 fixed (F) target collections to 40 variable (V) target collections. All collections were performed as per the manufacturer's recommendations on Alyx and donors met the manufacturer's eligibility criteria. There was no significant difference in average whole blood processed (F: 963 ml, V: 1,000 ml); donor time (F: 43 min, V: 45 min) or technician time (F: 64 min, V: 64 min). There was a significant difference in unit volume (F: 283 ml, V: 300 ml); grams Hb/unit (F: 53 g, V: 57 g); ml RBC/unit (F: 157 ml, V: 167 ml); and RBC recovery (F: 87.8%, V: 88.9%). The fixed target had a significantly lower frequency of products with ≥51 g Hb (80.6%) than variable target (96.3%) and ≥153 ml RBC/unit (F: 55.6%, V: 96.3%). In conclusion, the variable target efficiently allows collections of products with higher red cell volume and hemoglobin without a significant increase in collection and processing time.
Progression of Elevated Temperatures in Municipal Solid Waste Landfills

AbstractElevated temperatures in municipal solid waste landfills can pose health, environmental, and safety risks because they can generate excessive gases, liquids, pressures, and heat that can da...
Quantifying Hydrogen-Bond Populations in Dimethyl Sulfoxide/Water Mixtures

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) disrupts the hydrogen-bond networks in water. The widespread use of DMSO as a cosolvent, along with its unusual attributes, have inspired numerous studies. Herein, infrared absorption spectroscopy of the S=O stretching mode combined with molecular dynamics and quantum chemistry models were used to directly quantify DMSO/water hydrogen-bond populations in binary mixtures. Singly H-bonded species are dominant at 10 mol %, due to strong DMSO-water interactions. We found an unexpected increase in non-hydrogen-bonded DMSO near the eutectic point (ca. 35 mol %) which also correlates with several abnormalities in the bulk solution properties. We find evidence for three distinct regimes: 1) strong DMSO-water interactions ( 90 mol %). We propose a "step in" mechanism, which involves hydrogen bonding between water and the DMSO aggregate species.
Development of an Immunohistochemical Assay for the Detection of Babesiosis in Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Samples

The hemoparasite Babesia can cause life-threatening infections to neonates, elderly and immunocompromised people, and people who have undergone splenectomy. By using pooled hamster serum samples collected 21 days after infection with Babesia microti, we developed an immunohistochemical assay for formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPET) samples and blood smears. By use of the immunohistochemical assay, parasites were detected inside erythrocytes present in the heart, spleen, and liver of experimentally and naturally infected animals. FFPET samples from 2 fatal and 1 nonfatal human cases demonstrated immunohistochemical assay-positive parasites in circulating erythrocytes in various organs, including lymph nodes and spleen. In addition, air-dried blood smears from 4 patients showed positive immunohistochemical staining inside the erythrocytes. The immunohistochemical assay showed cross-reactivity against the Babesia WA-1 strain but did not react against Babesia bigemina or Plasmodium falciparum. The immunohistochemical assay for Babesia microti successfully detected parasites in human and animal FFPET samples and blood smears. This technique will be useful for the diagnosis of clinically suspected cases and for differentiating Babesia microti infection from malaria. Application of this technique to animal models will better define pathogenic mechanisms, including the possible recognition of exoerythrocytic tissue stages.
On the quantification and efficient propagation of imprecise probabilities resulting from small datasets

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of uncertainty quantification and propagation when data for characterizing probability distributions are scarce. We propose a methodology wherein the full uncertainty associated with probability model form and parameter estimation are retained and efficiently propagated. This is achieved by applying the information-theoretic multimodel inference method to identify plausible candidate probability densities and associated probabilities that each method is the best model in the Kullback-Leibler sense. The joint parameter densities for each plausible model are then estimated using Bayes’ rule. We then propagate this full set of probability models by estimating an optimal importance sampling density that is representative of all plausible models, propagating this density, and reweighting the samples according to each of the candidate probability models. This is in contrast with conventional methods that try to identify a single probability model that encapsulates the full uncertainty caused by lack of data and consequently underestimate uncertainty. The result is a complete probabilistic description of both aleatory and epistemic uncertainty achieved with several orders of magnitude reduction in computational cost. It is shown how the model can be updated to adaptively accommodate added data and added candidate probability models. The method is applied for uncertainty analysis of plate buckling strength where it is demonstrated how dataset size affects the confidence (or lack thereof) we can place in statistical estimates of response when data are lacking.
Abstract 143B: Association between Insurance Type and Long Term Outcomes in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Background: Health insurance coverage has been recently expanded to millions of Americans with the goal of improving access and quality of care. We evaluated long-term outcomes for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with different insurance types. Methods: From 2004 to 2010, 970 consecutive STEMI patients who presented to 29 hospitals in Minnesota, Iowa or Wisconsin were treated according to the Mayo STEMI protocol. Demographic, clinical, procedural, and long-term follow up data were prospectively collected. 953 patients were categorized into groups by insurance type - private insurance (PI, n=430), Medicare (MC, n=420), Medicaid (MD, n=68), and uninsured (UN, n=35). Results: Median duration of follow-up was 32 months, and mean ages (years) were 55±8 for PI, 75±10 for MC, 49±10 for MD, and 52±9 for UN (p Conclusion: Timeliness of reperfusion was similar across all insurance groups. After adjustment for baseline clinical variables, there was no significant difference in long-term survival according to insurance type.
Enhancing Outcomes for Outpatient Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES A quality improvement project was conducted to create a sustainable continuum of care for increased volumes of outpatients receiving percutaneous coronary interventions. Dramatic growth exposed system vulnerabilities and left staff overwhelmed. Four postinterventional project objectives included reducing preprocedural preparation times, reducing bleeding complications, reducing hospital length of stay, and collectively increasing patient satisfaction. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT Amidst creating a specialized postintervention coronary recovery area and acquiring and training existing preregistration and recovery nurses, a fragmented system of care was united. The clinical nurse specialist-led project used a systematic and evidence-based implementation process to harmoniously acclimate perioperative staff. An evaluation process further defined new opportunities to support a growing service line. OUTCOMES Postimplementation data were collected over a 3-month period. An overall improvement was found in all targeted objectives, despite an upsurge in case volumes. A moderately significant correlation (r [105] = 0.424, P < .001) was found between bleeding occurrences and hospital length of stay. CONCLUSION The synergy between interdepartmental collaboration and strategic staffing reallocation was shown to be invaluable to alleviate procedural areas of service, such as the cardiac catheterization laboratory. As a project champion, the clinical nurse specialist is an essential catalyst to identify and creatively surmount system-level challenges.
Development of an AlphaLISA high throughput technique to screen for small molecule inhibitors targeting protein arginine methyltransferases

The protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) family of enzymes comprises nine family members in mammals. They catalyze arginine methylation, either monomethylation or symmetric/asymmetric dimethylation of histone and non-histone proteins. PRMT methylation of its substrate proteins modulates cellular processes such as signal transduction, transcription, and mRNA splicing. Recent studies have linked overexpression of PRMT5, a member of the PRMT superfamily, to oncogenesis, making it a potential target for cancer therapy. In this study, we developed a highly sensitive (Z′ score = 0.7) robotic high throughput screening (HTS) platform to discover small molecule inhibitors of PRMT5 by adapting the AlphaLISA™ technology. Using biotinylated histone H4 as a substrate, and S-adenosyl-L-methionine as a methyl donor, PRMT5 symmetrically dimethylated H4 at arginine (R) 3. Highly specific acceptor beads for symmetrically dimethylated H4R3 and streptavidin-coated donor beads bound the substrate, emitting a signal that is proportional to the methyltransferase activity. Using this powerful approach, we identified specific PRMT5 inhibitors P1608K04 and P1618J22, and further validated their efficacy and specificity for inhibiting PRMT5. Importantly, these two compounds exhibited much more potent efficacy than the commercial PRMT5 inhibitor EPZ015666 in both pancreatic and colorectal cancer cells. Overall, our work highlights a novel, powerful, and sensitive approach to identify specific PRMT5 inhibitors. The general principle of this HTS screening method can not only be applied to PRMT5 and the PRMT superfamily, but may also be extended to other epigenetic targets. This approach allows us to identify compounds that inhibit the activity of their respective targets, and screening hits like P1608K04 and P1618J22 may serve as the basis for novel drug development to treat cancer and/or other diseases.
Abstract IA16: Systematic mapping and modeling of genetic interaction networks in cancer cells

We have developed a systematic approach to map human genetic networks by combinatorial CRISPR-Cas9 perturbation coupled to robust analysis of growth kinetics. To demonstrate this approach, we targeted all gene pairs among a set of 73 known cancer genes with multiplexed guide RNAs in two cell lines, testing 23,652 combinations. Numerous therapeutically relevant interactions are identified, most private to one cell line. In parallel, we are developing bioinformatic approaches that analyze genetic interactions to construct hierarchical models of cancer pathways. I will discuss means by which these hierarchical models can be used to aggregate and interpret tumor mutations. Citation Format: Trey Ideker. Systematic mapping and modeling of genetic interaction networks in cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Opportunities and Challenges of Exploiting Synthetic Lethality in Cancer; Jan 4-7, 2017; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2017;16(10 Suppl):Abstract nr IA16.
Boosters, brokers, bureaucrats and businessmen: assembling Chinese capital with Brazilian agribusiness

My purpose in this paper is to deepen the literature on Chinese foreign investments (particularly in Brazilian agribusiness), and the formation of a transnational capitalist class, by utilizing pra...
EMPIRICAL BAYES SLIPPAGE TESTS

Introductionand Summary The empirical Bayes approach to statistical decision theory is applicable when one is confronted repeatedly and independently with the same decision problem. In such instances it is reasonable to formulate the component problems in the sequence as Bayes decision problems with respect to a completely unknown prior distribution on the parameter space and then use the accumulated observations to improve the decision rule at each stage. This approach is due to H. Robbins [4] and is best presented in his paper [5]. We assume familiarity with [5].
A Numerical Simulation and Statistical Modeling of High Intensity Radiated Fields Experiment Data

Tests are conducted on a quad-redundant fault tolerant flight control computer to establish upset characteristics of an avionics system in an electromagnetic field. A numerical simulation and statistical model are described in this work to analyze the open loop experiment data collected in the reverberation chamber at NASA LaRC as a part of an effort to examine the effects of electromagnetic interference on fly-by-wire aircraft control systems. By comparing thousands of simulation and model outputs, the models that best describe the data are first identified and then a systematic statistical analysis is performed on the data. All of these efforts are combined which culminate in an extrapolation of values that are in turn used to support previous efforts used in evaluating the data.
Drug dosing in acute kidney injury and during renal replacement therapy

Drug dosing in patients with acute kidney injury and those receiving renal replacement therapies is a challenging task since unpredictable and highly variable changes may occur to a drug’s pharmacokinetics. To complicate matters, glomerular filtration rate is constantly changing, making it difficult to accurately estimate a patient’s residual renal function. Drug disposition is further affected by the use of renal replacement therapy. the type of renal replacement therapy employed and the operating characteristics all influence drug-dosing regimens. Published references may be consulted for an initial dosing recommendation; however, published recommendations are designed for the most part for patients with chronic kidney disease and not acute kidney injury. Thus, it is important to have a working knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles as well as solute removal characteristics of renal replacement therapies. As acute kidney injury is a dynamic disease process, vigilant reassessment of drug doses is essential for optimal patient outcomes.
Lexicographic Tuning of a Fuzzy Controller

A fuzzy control system typically requires “tuning,” or adjustment of the parameters defining its linguistic variables. Automating this process amounts to applying a second “metacontrol” layer to drive the controller and plant to desired performance levels. Current methods of automated tuning rely on a single crisp numeric functional to evaluate control system performance. A generalization of Box’s complex algorithm allows more realistic tuning based on lexicographic aggregation of multiple ordinal scales of performance, such as effectiveness and efficiency. The method is presented and illustrated using a simple inverted pendulum control system.