cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Virtual reality physical therapy: a telerehabilitation tool for hand and finger movement exercise monitoring and motor skills analysis

Virtual Reality (VR) provides useful rehabilitation applications, motivation, and feedback, for chronic stroke patients who might benefit from intensive massed therapies. Extensive therapy is required to take advantage of brain plasticity to modify neural organization and improve motor skills during the chronic phase after a stroke. Existing measurements used in a clinical setting are expensive, offer gross scales, and are subjective making it difficult to measure improvement or to detect refractory symptoms. Robotics applications are constrained to specific movements. New methods and tools are needed that use an inexpensive architecture, objective analysis techniques, and that offer hope for assessing motor skills more frequently or in a telerehabilitation environment. Management of motor disorders would benefit from practical automated objective techniques to monitor activities, measure and track kinetics and kinematics of complex motor skills associated with activities of daily living (ADL's) during exercise sessions and throughout the course of a patient's treatment process. We developed and tested a VR system using an unconstrained low-cost data glove and motivational games; patients can partake in intensive therapies while a data gathering application tracks hand and finger movements including x, y, z, yaw, pitch, and roll, finger flexion, speed, and session duration. These monitoring capabilities facilitate innovative telerehabilitation, compliance, and disease management models for people who have hand dysfunction as a result of neurological impairment. Specific movement routines may also be used for periodic objective assessment of the patient's performance.
RNA degradation drives stem cell differentiation

The mechanisms by which multi‐potent stem cells switch their program to become functional differentiated cells have intrigued biologists for decades. Most focus has been on transcriptional pathways, but whether they have sufficient dynamic range to cause discrete shifts in cell state is not clear. Because the steady‐state level of RNAs is also dictated by their decay rate, an attractive possibility is that specific RNA decay mechanisms also have a role in promoting differentiation mechanisms. In this issue of The EMBO Journal , Li et al (2015) obtained evidence that a highly conserved RNA degradation pathway called nonsense‐mediated RNA decay (NMD) is critical for the differentiation of embryonic stem (ES) cells.
Differentiation and characterization of rat mammary fibroadenomas and 4T1 mouse carcinomas using quantitative ultrasound imaging

Scatterer properties like the average effective scatterer diameter and acoustic concentration were determined in vivo using a quantitative ultrasound (QUS) technique from two tumor phenotypes grown in animal models. These tumor models included spontaneously occurring mammary fibroadenomas in rats and transplanted 4T1 mammary carcinomas in mice. The scatterer properties of average scatterer diameter and acoustic concentration were estimated using a Gaussian form factor from the backscattered ultrasound measured from both types of tumors. QUS images of the tumors were constructed utilizing estimated scatterer properties from regions in the tumors. The QUS images showed a clear distinction between the two types of tumors and a statistically significant difference existed between their estimated scatterer properties. The average scatterer diameter and acoustic concentration for the mammary fibroadenomas were estimated to be 105/spl plusmn/25 /spl mu/m and -15.6/spl plusmn/5 dB (mm/sup -3/), respectively. The average scatterer diameter and acoustic concentration for the carcinomas was estimated to be 28/spl plusmn/4.6 /spl mu/m and 10.6/spl plusmn/6.9 dB (mm/sup -3/), respectively. The distinctions in the scattering properties are clearly seen in the QUS images of the tumors and indicate that QUS imaging can be useful in differentiating between different types of mammary tumors.
Gravimetric geoid in the Northwest Pacific Ocean

A total of 3708 1 x 1 deg free-air gravity anomaly averages have been used to construct a new 1 x 1 deg gravimetric geoid of the Northwest Pacific Ocean. The 1 x 1 deg averages are based on a compilation of 147,000 surface ship and pendulum gravity measurements. Difference geoid undulations range from a maximum of +19 m over the Hawaiian ridge to a minimum of -31 m over the junction of the Kuril and Aleutian trenches. The Hawaiian swell is associated with a geoidal high of up to +15 m with wavelengths of about 2200 km and the topographic rises seaward of deep-sea trenches are associated with geoidal highs of up to 4 m with wavelengths of about 220-900 km. The agreement between the gravimetric geoid and Skylab-4 and Geos-3 altimeter data is close for wavelengths greater than about 300 km but poor for shorter wavelengths.
Exact scattering by isorefractive bodies

The scattering by penetrable bodies whose refractive index equals the refractive index of the surrounding medium is considered. Exact solutions are obtained for scattering by penetrable isorefractive elliptic and parabolic cylinders. Extensions to other bodies are discussed.
Regeneration and division in Stentor coeruleus: the effects of microinjected and externally applied actinomycin D and puromycin.

Abstract Conditions for inhibition of oral regeneration in Stentor coeruleus by actinomycin D and puromycin have been established. A solution of actinomycin, 50 μg/ml, applied externally for 48 hours blocked regeneration, the effect being reversible in pond water after 72 hours. When injected prior to stage 4, inhibition of actinomycin was immediate and irreversible, but regeneration was independent of the action of the drug after stage 4, although subsequent regeneration sequences were blocked. Puromycin at 150 μg/ml blocks regeneration when applied externally before stage 6, the drug reaching inhibitory concentrations within 2 hours. Similarly, reversal of inhibition took 2 hours. Puromycin injected between stages 1 and 5 retarded or reversed regeneration, but later stages were insensitive. This inhibition is also reversible. Actinomycin (50 μg/ml), puromycin (150 μg/ml), and chloramphenicol (500 μg/ml) blocked division in stentors. The effects of actinomycin and puromycin were irreversible, but animals treated with chloramphenicol and then returned to pond water divided at a higher rate than the controls. In view of the established mechanisms of action of the antimetabolites, these results indicate that removal of oral structures initiates actinomycin-sensitive DNA-templated RNA synthesis required during the early stages of regeneration for primordium development. New protein, the synthesis of which is inhibited by puromycin, is required during intermediate stages of regeneration, but not during the latter part of the process.
Discovery of a Nonclassical Siderophore, Legiobactin, Produced by Strains of Legionella pneumophila

The mechanisms by which Legionella pneumophila, a facultative intracellular parasite and the agent of Legionnaires' disease, acquires iron are largely unexplained. Several earlier studies indicated that L. pneumophila does not elaborate siderophores. However, we now present evidence that supernatants from L. pneumophila cultures can contain a nonproteinaceous, high-affinity iron chelator. More specifically, when aerobically grown in a low-iron, chemically defined medium (CDM), L. pneumophila secretes a substance that is reactive in the chrome azurol S (CAS) assay. Importantly, the siderophore-like activity was only observed when the CDM cultures were inoculated to relatively high density with bacteria that had been grown overnight to log or early stationary phase in CDM or buffered yeast extract. Inocula derived from late-stationary-phase cultures, despite ultimately growing, consistently failed to result in the elaboration of siderophore-like activity. The Legionella CAS reactivity was detected in the culture supernatants of the serogroup 1 strains 130b and Philadelphia-1, as well as those from representatives of other serogroups and other Legionella species. The CAS-reactive substance was resistant to boiling and protease treatment and was associated with the <1-kDa supernatant fraction. As would also be expected for a siderophore, the addition of 0.5 or 2.0 μM iron to the cultures repressed the expression of the CAS-reactive substance. Interestingly, the supernatants were negative in the Arnow, Csaky, and Rioux assays, indicating that the Legionella siderophore was not a classic catecholate or hydroxamate and, hence, might have a novel structure. We have designated the L. pneumophila siderophore legiobactin.
Rapid Nuclear Responses to Target-Derived Neurotrophins Require Retrograde Transport of Ligand–Receptor Complex

Target-derived neurotrophins initiate signals that begin at nerve terminals and cross long distances to reach the cell bodies and regulate gene expression. Neurotrophin receptors, Trks, themselves serve as retrograde signal carriers. However, it is not yet known whether the retrograde propagation of Trk activation reflects movement of Trk receptors from neurites to cell bodies or reflects serial activation of stationary Trk molecules. Here, we show that neurotrophins selectively applied to distal neurites of sensory neurons rapidly induce phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and also cause a slower increase in Fos protein expression. Both nuclear responses require activation of neurotrophin receptors (Trks) at distal nerve endings and retrograde propagation of Trk activation to the nerve cell bodies. Using photobleach and recovery techniques to follow biologically active, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged BDNF receptors (TrkB-GFP) in live cells during retrograde signaling, we show that TrkB-GFP moves rapidly from neurites to the cell bodies. This rapid movement requires ligand binding, Trk kinase activity, and intact axonal microtubules. When they reach the cell bodies, the activated TrkB receptors are in a complex with ligand. Thus, the retrograde propagation of activated TrkB from neurites to cell bodies, although rapid, reflects microtubule-dependent transport of phosphorylated Trk-ligand complexes. Moreover, the relocation of activated Trk receptors from nerve endings to cell bodies is required for nuclear signaling responses. Together, these data support a model of retrograde signaling whereby rapid vesicular transport of ligand-receptor complex from the neurites to the cell bodies mediates the nuclear responses.
NUMERICAL MODELING OF SOLIDIFICATION OF METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES WITH NATURAL CONVECTION

In this paper, a numerical simulation of the solidification of metal matrix composite (MMC) is presented. The liquid metal used in the MMC is Al 4.5%Cu. The simulation is based on an a xi symmetric model with enthalpy formulation of the energy equation coupled with the momentum equations. The simulation has taken natural convection into account during the freezing process. The calculations are done by using the finite volume analysis wit h SIMPLER algorithm for pressure correction. Different processing parameters affecting the rate of solidification are analyzed in this paper.
Learning in 3-D multiuser virtual environments: Exploring the use of unique 3-D attributes for online problem-based learning.

The purpose of this article is to present the results of a study conducted to investigate how the attributes of 3-D technology such as avatars, 3-D space, and comic style bubble dialogue boxes affect participants’ social, cognitive, and teaching presences in a blended problem-based learning environment. The community of inquiry model was adopted to analyse and interpret data collected from transcripts and group interviews. The results indicated that although the attributes of 3-D technology promoted participants’ social presence, this positive online social experience did not completely contribute to participants’ cognitive presence due to inherent technology attributes. Additionally, critical technical and instructional features of the 3-D environment were required in order to further enhance teaching presence and overall learning experience.
A comparison of pilot navigation performance using conventional instrumentation, head-down, and head-up highway-in-the-sky primary flight displays

A study was conducted to compare pilot eye movements and flight performance attainable using highway-in-the-sky (HITS) format displays in both head-up display (HUD) and head-down display (HDD) configurations and conformal (with outside world) and compressed forms within the HUD, with a baseline conventional-instruments condition. Results were mixed, and the HUD was not clearly superior to the equivalent HDD when comparing flight technical error. Workload appeared to be comparable for the HITS formats but slightly elevated for specific tasks in a baseline condition using conventional instrumentation. The need for a conformal HUD for general aviation operations was not supported for most flight operations, and pilots preferred the HUD over the HDD and the compressed HITS format over the conformal HITS or conventional instruments. Language: en
Thermochemical study of trivalent-doped ceria systems: CeO2?MO1.5 (M = La, Gd, and Y)

The formation enthalpies from the oxide end-members (ΔHf,ox) of the CeO2–MO1.5 (M = La, Gd, and Y) systems were determined by high temperature oxide melt drop solution calorimetry. In each system, ΔHf,ox is slightly positive over the investigated composition range with a maximum at a certain doping level. Above that concentration, ΔHf,ox decreases rapidly and stays almost constant. Such behavior is strikingly different from the strongly negative ΔHf,ox of the ZrO2–YO1.5 and HfO2–YO1.5 systems. The absence of substantial energetic stabilization in the CeO2–MO1.5 systems may be attributed to the large size of Ce4+, which has no preference for 7-coordination like the smaller Zr4+ or Hf4+ ions. The primary defect associates in CeO2–MO1.5 are proposed to be neutral trimers with oxygen vacancies nearest neighbor to the dopant cations. It is also suggested that the maximum ΔHf,ox (destabilization) of CeO2–MO1.5 is determined by the local site distortion rather than the global lattice deformation. The relatively stable region after the maximum ΔHf,ox may be attributed to the somewhat stabilizing long-range defect–defect interactions, which become effective above a certain doping level.
Study of Mixing Enhancement From a 12-Lobe Convoluted Mixer

Lobed mixers have been used in a variety of engineering applications, such as jet noise reduction, infrared suppression and improvement of propulsive efficiency for turbine engines. More recently, they have emerged as an attractive method to enhance mixing between fuel and air in advanced low-emission gas turbine combustors. The objectives of the present work were to assess the effectiveness of these devices for use inside the combustor and provide experimental data to validate CFD predictions. The mixing enhancements due to streamwise vortices generated from a 12-lobe convoluted mixer were characterized using Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) measurements, while 2-D PIV measurements established the underlying velocity field. The geometrical set-up of the mixing system is pertinent to many combustion systems using advanced lean premixed concepts with gaseous fuels. In addition to the benchmark case with no mixer, two different lobe geometries were considered, a semi-circle (or round) lobe and a square lobe. In this paper the experimental results are presented and discussed. Numerical predictions were performed for the semi-circle lobe geometry using a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) code and the results are compared with experimental measurements.© 2003 ASME
Flow regulation in microchannels via electrical alteration of surface properties

Abstract The development of microfluidic (lab-on-a-chip) technology requires local control of fluid flow in the microchannels. Conventional microvalve approaches involve moving parts and/or complicated fabrication techniques, which makes them unreliable and prevents inexpensive integration in microanalytical systems. We have developed a simple low cost method for regulating fluid flow in microchannels that is compatible with existing microfabrication techniques and eliminates the need for moving parts. We use an electrical signal to stimulate silver deposition on a thin solid electrolyte layer in a small region of a microchannel. Since fluid flow is dominated by the nature of the channel surface, the electrodeposited silver changes the fluid–surface interaction and the effect can be used to control the movement of the fluid. Increases in the contact angles of both water and methanol, by 20 ∘ and 27 ∘ respectively, have been demonstrated. Such changes in hydrophobicity are sufficient to retard or stop capillary or external pressure-driven fluid flow in typical microchannels.
Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 Are Required for Production of Infectious Pseudorabies Virus

We have recently shown that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) transcription is markedly induced after herpes simplex virus type 1 and pseudorabies virus (PRV) infections of rat embryonic fibroblast (REF) cells (N. Ray and L. W. Enquist, J. Virol. 78:3489-3501, 2004). For this study, we investigated the role of cyclooxygenase induction in the replication and growth of PRV. We demonstrate here a concordant increase in COX-2 mRNA and protein levels after the infection of REF cells. Inhibitors blocking the activity of cyclooxygenases caused a dramatic reduction in PRV growth. Viral growth could be restored if prostaglandin E(2), the final product of COX-2 activity, was added simultaneously with the COX inhibitors. Immediate-early protein IE180, major capsid protein VP5, and glycoprotein expression were slightly reduced in the presence of COX-2 inhibitors, but expression of the early protein EP0 was not affected by COX inhibition. Viral DNA replication was marginally reduced in the presence of a COX-1/2 inhibitor, but there was no defect in viral DNA cleavage. Electron microscopy analysis revealed an increased number of unusual empty capsid structures in the nuclei of cells infected with PRV in the presence of a COX-1/2 inhibitor. These capsid structures shared some characteristics with procapsids but had a novel appearance by negative staining. Our data establish a role for COX-1 and COX-2 in facilitating the efficient growth and replication of PRV in primary cells.
Uterine Cervical Glandular Lesions: Differentiation Using Immunohistochemistry of Mucins

Mucins are the major glycoprotein components of mucus. These large, filamentous glycoproteins are present in the cytoplasm of the epithelium that produces them and the surrounding extracellular milieu. Mucins are produced by a variety of cells including the epithelia of the gastrointestinal, respi-ratory, and reproductive tracts. Mucins have many different functions including protec-ting the epithelium, providing a transport material for cells, aiding in epithelial renewal, differentiation, and integrity. They can also play a role in carcinogenesis.
Using Document Summarization Techniques for Speech Data Subset Selection

In this paper we leverage methods from submodular function optimization developed for document summarization and apply them to the problem of subselecting acoustic data. We evaluate our results on data subset selection for a phone recognition task. Our framework shows significant improvements over random selection and previously proposed methods using a similar amount of resources.
The influence of using antibiotic-coated peripherally inserted central catheters on decreasing the risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections

The use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has increased over the past few years due to their less serious insertion complications. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether patients receiving PICCs impregnated with minocycline and rifampin had a lower rate of CLABSI compared with a concurrent control group of patients receiving uncoated PICCs.
Random Network Models

According to Linton Freeman (2004), modern social network analysis has four main characteristics:
Mechanical Stimulation Improves Muscle-Derived Stem Cell Transplantation for Cardiac Repair

Muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) have been successfully transplanted into both skeletal (1) and cardiac muscle (2) of dystrophin-deficient (mdx) mice, and show potential for improving cardiac and skeletal dysfunction in diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Our previous study explored the regeneration of dystrophin-expressing myocytes following MDSC transplantation into environments with distinct blood flow and chemical/mechanical stimulation attributes. After MDSC transplantation within left ventricular myocardium and gastrocnemius (GN) muscles of the same mdx mice, significantly more dystrophin-positive fibers were found within the myocardium than in the GN. We hypothesized that the differences in mechanical loading of the two environments influenced the transplantation and explored whether using MDSCs exposed to mechanical stimulation prior to transplantation could improve transplantation. Our study shows increased engraftment into the heart and GN muscle for cells pretreated with mechanical stretch for 24 hours. This increase was significant for transplantation into the heart. These studies have implications in a variety of applications including mechanotransduction, stem cell biology, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Comparison of three web-scale discovery services for health sciences research.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative effectiveness of three web-scale discovery (WSD) tools in answering health sciences search queries. Methods: Simple keyword searches, based on topics from six health sciences disciplines, were run at multiple real-world implementations of EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS), Ex Libris’s Primo, and ProQuest’s Summon. Each WSD tool was evaluated in its ability to retrieve relevant results and in its coverage of MEDLINE content. Results: All WSD tools returned between 50%–60% relevant results. Primo returned a higher number of duplicate results than the other 2WSD products. Summon results were more relevant when search terms were automatically mapped to controlled vocabulary. EDS indexed the largest number of MEDLINE citations, followed closely by Summon. Additionally, keyword searches in all 3 WSD tools retrieved relevant material that was not found with precision (Medical Subject Headings) searches in MEDLINE. Conclusions: None of the 3 WSD products studied was overwhelmingly more effective in returning relevant results. While difficult to place the figure of 50%–60% relevance in context, it implies a strong likelihood that the average user would be able to find satisfactory sources on the first page of search results using a rudimentary keyword search. The discovery of additional relevant material beyond that retrieved from MEDLINE indicates WSD tools’ value as a supplement to traditional resources for health sciences researchers.
Praxis-oriented whiteness research

ABSTRACTThis review essay outlines the current trends of contemporary whiteness research. The author pays attention to the last two decades and to key publications in the field of communication studies. This essay reviews and moves through the ontology, epistemology, and axiology of the contemporary whiteness research, in other words, the ‘what,’ ‘how,' and ‘why' of whiteness theorizing. Whiteness research ontologically conceptualizes whiteness as a social paradox, epistemologically engages complex analysis of whiteness, and axiologically commits itself to racial justice. In addition to reviewing, this essay rearticulates and promotes praxis-oriented whiteness research that centralizes the ‘who' of whiteness theorizing.
It Ain’t Easy: Fictionalism, Deflationism, and Easy Arguments in Ontology

Fictionalism and deflationism are two moderate meta-ontological positions that occupy a middle ground between the extremes of heavy-duty realism and hard-line eliminativism. Deflationists believe that the existence of certain entities (e.g. numbers) can be established by means of ‘easy’ arguments — arguments that, supposedly, rely solely on uncontroversial premises and trivial inferences. Fictionalists, however, find easy arguments unconvincing. Amie Thomasson has recently argued that the fictionalist’s objections to easy arguments beg the question against deflationism and that the fictionalist’s alternative interpretation of easy arguments is untenable. In this paper, I argue that both charges are unsubstantiated. Properly understood, the fictionalist’s objection to ‘easy’ arguments takes the form of a dilemma — either the premises of ‘easy’ arguments are not truly uncontroversial or the inferences on which they rely are not truly trivial. Moreover, I argue not only that the fictionalist’s interpretation of easy arguments is tenable (contrary to what Thomasson claims) but also that the fictionalist might, in fact, have a better explanation of the seemingly trivial nature of the inferences involved in easy arguments than the explanation offered by the deflationist.
Reduction of Eddy-Current Losses in Fractional-Slot Concentrated-Winding Synchronous PM Machines

This paper presents the results of an investigation focused on the rotor eddy-current losses of a permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machine that is equipped with fractional-slot concentrated windings (FSCWs). Major spatial harmonics that induce the most significant rotor eddy-current losses are identified and evaluated. Time-stepped finite-element analysis results are presented to compare the predicted losses in the proposed FSCW-PM machine designs. It is shown that the lowest total eddy-current losses in the rotor core and magnets are achieved by introducing flux barriers into the rotor back iron along the $d$ -axis.
Hydrothermal Carbonization of Autoclaved Municipal Solid Waste Pulp and Anaerobically Treated Pulp Digestate

In this study, the autoclaved organic fraction of municipal solid waste pulp (OFMSW) and the digestate from OFMSW pulp after anaerobic digestion (AD) were processed by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) at 200, 250, and 300 °C for 30 min and 2 h. The focus of this work was to evaluate the potential for producing an energy-dense solid hydrochar from either OFMSW or digestate by HTC. The fate of inorganics, especially the heavy metals in hydrochar is discussed. In addition, the aqueous products were analyzed to identify the chemicals produced and the chemical changes during HTC. A carbon balance was performed from the solid and liquid phase analyses. Moreover, two conceptual MSW treatments consisting of autoclaving with or without AD, but including HTC, were proposed and mass and energy balances were performed. From the proximate, ultimate, FTIR, and fiber analyses, the hydrochar becomes increasingly energy and inorganic dense with the increase of HTC temperature.
Journey-based characterization of multi-modal public transportation networks

Planners must understand how public transportation systems are used in order to make strategic decisions. Smart card transaction data provides vast, detailed records of network usage. Combined with other automatically collected data sources, established inference methodologies can convert smart card transactions into complete linked journeys made by individuals within the public transport network. However, for large, multi-modal public transport networks it can be challenging to summarize the journey records meaningfully. This paper develops a method for categorizing origin–destination (OD) pairs by public transport mode or combination of used modes. By aggregating across OD pairs, this categorization scheme summarizes the multi-modal aspects of public transport network usage. The methodology can also be applied to subsets of data filtered by time of day or geography. The categorization results can inform performance analysis of OD pairs, allowing planners to make comparisons between pairs served by different combinations of modes. London Oyster card data is analyzed to illustrate how the OD pair categorization can characterize a network, allowing planners to quickly assess the roles of different modes, and perform OD pair analysis in a multi-modal public transport network.
Gift Tax Completion and Retained Powers

Completion is the sine qua non of gift taxation. A grantor's retained control over transferred property (intentionally or unintentionally) may cause a gift to be incomplete for gift tax purposes. This is true even if the grantor has no beneficial interest in transferred property. Powers that typically cause completion problems are discretionary powers over income or principal, and the ability to add or delete trust beneficiaries. Completion problems can be avoided, however, if the grantor’s power is limited by an ascertainable standard or if the power is subject to the consent of another party having a substantial and adverse interest in the transferred property.
Surface Chemistry of Carbonaceous Species

The interactions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide with metal surfaces leads to the deposition of various carbonaceous species. The structure and composition of these species can be ascertained using modern spectroscopic techniques. Insights into the thermochemistry of forming carbonceous species on metals can be obtained through an application of the bond-order-conservation/Morse-potential approach.
A Simulation-Based Mastery Learning Approach to Ventricular Assist Device Self-Management: The SimVAD Study

Background Care of ventricular assist devices (VADs) requires meticulous self-management skills by patients and caregivers to enhance competence and prevent adverse events. Simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) is a clinical educational model that uses mannequins to train healthcare providers to a high standard and has been shown to reduce patient complications. SBML has not been used to train patients or caregivers to mastery on required skills. This abstract describes the multidisciplinary development of an innovative patient-centered, VAD self-management SBML curriculum. Methods We completed multidisciplinary, semi-structured interviews with 11 physicians, 7 VAD coordinators, 16 patients and 12 caregivers to identify important factors in VAD self-management. From these responses, we created a device-specific SBML training curriculum. SBML curricula include pretests followed by deliberate practice (repetitive, focused skills practice with expert feedback) on a mannequin. After practice, participants must meet or exceed a minimum passing standard (MPS) on posttests. To set MPSs on posttests for our SBML curriculum, we convened an expert panel of 6 physicians, 6 VAD coordinators, 6 patients and 6 caregivers and used the Mastery Angoff standard setting method. Results Interviews identified critical factors for inclusion in the curriculum: critical learning content (e.g., medications, controller and dressing changes) and training modalities such as wearable simulators, educational videos, emergency checklists and refresher training sessions. We created educational videos on controller changes, dressing changes, and abnormal driveline sites. Emergency checklists were created to help reinforce knowledge of alarms and VAD-related items needed for travel. We created checklists for controller and dressing changes, and changing power sources for scoring pre and post skills exams. We also developed a post training written exam which included key knowledge components. The MPS, per expert panel, for the skills exams ranged from 94–99% items correct while the written exam was 96% items correct. One, three, and 12-month follow-up skills assessments were subsequently created. Conclusions This is the first patient-centered VAD self-management curriculum to be created utilizing a powerful educational modality (SBML) and multidisciplinary feedback. We are currently engaged in a pilot trial (SimVAD) of the SBML curriculum to assess knowledge, skills acquisition and health related outcomes. Download : Download high-res image (90KB) Download : Download full-size image
GOMC: GPU Optimized Monte Carlo for the simulation of phase equilibria and physical properties of complex fluids

Abstract GPU Optimized Monte Carlo (GOMC) is open-source software for simulating molecular systems using the Metropolis Monte Carlo algorithm. It supports simulations in a variety of ensembles, which include canonical, isothermal–isobaric, grand canonical, and Gibbs ensemble. GOMC can be used to study vapor–liquid equilibria, adsorption in porous materials, surfactant self-assembly, and condensed phase structure for complex molecules. GOMC supports a variety of all-atom, united atom, and coarse grained force fields such as OPLS, TraPPE, Mie, and Martini. The software has been written in object oriented C++, and uses OpenMP and NVIDIA CUDA to allow for execution on multi-core CPU and GPU architectures.
Spanish Colonial Art History and the Work of Empire

During my first year as a PhD student at the University of New Mexico in 2007, I learned that the Mexican government was trying to eliminate colonial history from state-published educational books. Since the year 2000 the Secretaria de Educacion Publica (SEP), aided by right-wing sectors of the
Continuous Indirect Calorimetry in Critically Injured Patients Reveals Significant Daily Variability and Delayed, Sustained Hypermetabolism

Background Previous studies have used using Indirect Calorimetry (IC) with solitary or sparse measurements of resting energy expenditure (REE). This "snapshot" may not capture the dynamic nature of metabolic requirements. Using continuous IC, we describe the variation of REE during the first days in the intensive care unit. Methods Injured adults (≥18 years) requiring mechanical ventilation from March 2018 to September 2018 were enrolled. IC was initiated within 4 days of admission and continuous REE recorded until 14 days, extubation, or death. Multiple 10-minute periods collected during steady state were used to calculate daily REE maximum, minimum, average, and variability [(REEmax - REEmin/2)/average REE]. Results We included 55 patients. Median age was 38 [27-58] years, 38 (69%) were male, body mass index was 28 [25-33] kg/m2 , and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II was 17 [14-24]. Mechanism of injury was: blunt (n = 38, 69%), penetrating (n = 9, 16%), and burn (n = 8, 15%). Average REE increased gradually from 1,663 kcal [1,435-2,143] to a maximum of 2,080 [1,701-2,336] on day 7, a relative 25% increase, which was sustained through day 14. REE variability ranged 8%-13% and was not reliably predicted by fever, tachycardia, elevated intracranial pressures, hypertension, or hypotension. Conclusion In critically injured patients, steady-state REE measurements display fluctuations over a 24-hour period and demonstrate a gradual rise over the first few days after injury. Continuous REE, if available, is recommended for more precise matching of energy delivery to metabolic requirements.
The Four Horsemen of Machine Learning in Finance

Machine Learning has been used in the financial services industry for over 40 years, yet it is only in recent years that it has become more pervasive across investment management and trading. Machine learning provides a more general framework for financial modeling than its linear parametric predecessors, generalizing archetypal modeling approaches, such as factor modeling, derivative pricing, portfolio construction, optimal hedging with model-free, data-driven approaches which are more robust to model risk and capture outliers. Yet despite their demonstrated potential, barriers to adoption have emerged – most of them artifacts of the sociology of this inter-disciplinary field. Based on discussions with several industry experts and the authors' multi-decadal experience using machine learning and traditional quantitative finance at investment banks, asset management and securities trading firms, this position article identifies the major red flags and sets out guidelines and solutions to avoid them. Examples using supervised learning and reinforcement in investment management & trading are provided to illustrate best practices.
Partial analytical validation of the VetScan cPL rapid test.

Background Serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) concentrations have become the standard laboratory test used to diagnose canine pancreatitis. Recently, a new point-of-care assay for cPLI, the VetScan cPL rapid test (VetScan cPL), has become available, but analytical validation data have not yet been published. Objective This study aimed to perform a partial analytical validation of the VetScan cPL. Methods Leftover serum samples from a diagnostic laboratory were used. Adherence to the manufacturer's guidelines, linearity, repeatability, and reproducibility were evaluated. Results of the VetScan cPL were correlated with the Spec cPL results. Results Observed-to-expected ratios for dilutional parallelism ranged from 77.4% to 162.9% (mean 119.3%). Intra-assay and inter-assay variabilities ranged from 16.9% to 36.7% (mean 25.1%) and from 14.1% to 51.2% (mean 31.8%), respectively. Adherence to the manufacturer's specification regarding results within ± 60 µg/L of the Spec cPL result was only achieved for 39% of the measurements. The VetScan cPL and Spec cPL correlation showed a Spearman's r of .758 for 29 data pairs. Conclusions Under the conditions of this study, the VetScan cPL did not adhere to the manufacturer's specifications for most measurements. Also, the VetScan cPL showed suboptimal linearity and was not precise. In conclusion, the VetScan cPL failed basic analytical validation.
Cell cycle and apoptosis regulatory protein (CARP)-1 expression in neuroblastoma.

9578 Background: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extra-cranial solid tumor in children. The prognosis for patients with high risk NB is still poor. Study of additional prognostic factors will...
Flux Balance Analysis for Media Optimization and Genetic Targets to Improve Heterologous Siderophore Production.

Summary Siderophores are small molecule metal chelators secreted in sparse quantities by their native microbial hosts but can be engineered for enhanced production from heterologous hosts like Escherichia coli. These molecules have been proved to be capable of binding heavy metals of commercial and/or environmental interest. In this work, we incorporated, as needed, the appropriate pathways required to produce several siderophores (anguibactin, vibriobactin, bacillibactin, pyoverdine, and enterobactin) into the base E. coli K-12 MG1655 metabolic network model to computationally predict, via flux balance analysis methodologies, gene knockout targets, gene over-expression targets, and media modifications capable of improving siderophore reaction flux. E. coli metabolism proved supportive for the underlying production mechanisms of various siderophores. Within such a framework, the gene deletion and over-expression targets identified, coupled with complementary insights from medium optimization predictions, portend experimental implementation to both enable and improve heterologous siderophore production. Successful production of siderophores would then spur novel metal-binding applications.
Inspiratory Capacity and NT-pro BNP Predict Key Cardiopulmonary Exercise Results but not Six-Minute Walk Test distance in Older Patients with Heart Failure

Introduction Heart failure (HF) affects more than five million people, half of whom are at least 75 years old. Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), Ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2 slope) and the Six-Minute Walk test (6MWT) are powerful prognostic indicators and are useful for monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of symptom and disease management. Cardiopulmonary Exercise testing (CPX) and/or the 6MWT are often not performed as a part of symptom assessment and management in older adults with HF, presumably due to cost, comorbidities and/or potential frailty. NT-pro BNP, NYHA classification, and inspiratory capacity are all easily obtainable in an office setting and may correlate with VO2peak, the VE/VCO2 slope, Peak cardiac output (Qpeak) and/or 6MWT. Hypothesis NT-pro BNP, NYHA classification, and/or inspiratory capacity predict VO2peak, the VE/VCO2 slope, Qpeak, and/or 6MWT. Methods Twenty-three patients (73.6 + 4.5 years old) with HF underwent assessment and determination of NYHA classification status, venipuncture, inspiratory capacity measurement, and performed the 6MWT and CPX per standardized protocol, (Qpeak measured via acetylene washin method). VO2peak, VE/VCO2 slope and Qpeak were recorded during the CPX. Results The strongest relationships were between inspiratory capacity and Qpeak, and between NT-pro BNP and the VE/VCO2 slope. There was a moderate relationship between inspiratory capacity and VO2peak and between NT-pro BNP and VO2peak. Inspiratory capacity and NT-pro BNP combined explained 42% of the variance in VO2peak (adjusted R2 = 0.42, F (2, 20) = 8.82, p Conclusion NT-pro BNP and inspiratory capacity can, either alone or combined, explain between 42% and 59% of variance in key exercise measurements. Both measurements are obtainable in the office setting for monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of symptom and disease management. Moreover, inspiratory capacity has the potential to be measured by older adults in their home.
Student Debt and Default: The Role of For-Profit Colleges

For-profit providers have become an important fixture of U.S. higher education markets. Students who attend for-profit institutions take on more educational debt and are more likely to default on their student loans than those attending similarly selective public schools. Because for-profits tend to serve students from more disadvantaged backgrounds, it is important to isolate the causal effect of for-profit enrollment on student debt and repayment outcomes as well as the educational and labor market mechanisms that drive any such effects. We approach this problem using a novel instrument combined with comprehensive institution-level data on student debt, default, educational attainment, and labor market outcomes. Our instrument leverages the interaction between changes in the demand for college due to labor demand shocks and the baseline supply of for-profit schools. We compare how enrollment and subsequent outcomes change across areas that experience similar labor demand shocks but that have different latent supply of for-profit institutions. The first-stage estimates show that students are much more likely to enroll in a for-profit institution for a given labor demand change when there is a higher supply of such schools in the base period. Among four-year students, for-profit enrollment leads to more loans, higher loan amounts, an increased likelihood of borrowing, and an increased risk of default. Two-year for-profit students also take out more loans, originate more student debt, and have higher default rates. We present evidence that these debt and default outcomes are driven by higher for-profit tuition and a negative effect of for-profit enrollment on labor market outcomes. Our results point to high costs and low returns to for-profit enrollment that generate worse student debt and repayment outcomes. These findings have important implications for public investments in higher education as well as how students make postsecondary choices.
Simpler Than Possible: Insurance Mandates for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

* Abbreviations: ABA — : applied behavioral analysis ASD — : autism spectrum disorder BCBA — : board-certified behavior analyst The diagnosis and management of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and co-occurring medical and behavioral health conditions strain both health and educational resources in the United States. State mandates for insurance coverage for ASD-related health care were intended to improve access to indicated services, with inclusion of board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) as a newly licensed group of professionals to provide one approach to evidence-based intervention. McBain et al1 examined the association of the state by state passage of legislation on one indicator of access to services: number of providers who serve this population. Mandated insurance coverage, especially more-generous coverage, was associated with a greater growth in the workforce of BCBAs, a small increase in the number of child psychiatrists, and no change in the number of pediatricians. The authors acknowledged the associational nature of their study and their inability to explore use or distribution of services. However, when interpreting the impact of insurance mandates that focus primarily on reimbursement for applied behavioral analysis (ABA) as an intervention, there are additional implications that must … Address correspondence to Susan L. Hyman, MD, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Golisano Children’s Hospital, Box 671, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642. E-mail: susan_hyman{at}urmc.rochester.edu
Potential conflict extent between two invasive alien pests, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Paysandisia archon, and the native populations of the Mediterranean fan palm

Abstract The introduction of alien species is one of the main threat to native biodiversity worldwide. The spreading of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus and Paysandisia archon across the Mediterranean basin caused enormous damages to cultivated palms, representing a paradigmatic case of uncontrolled diffusion of invasive alien pests. The infestation of natural populations of Chamaerops humilis, which has a particular conservation relevance being the only native palm species in Western Europe, by the two pests can be a serious threat. Nevertheless, no clear evaluation of this risk is available. I provided a first estimation of the potential geographic extent of this threat, comparing the specific climatic niches of the three species and identifying high-conflict areas and potential refuges for C. humilis through a spatial explicit approach based on niche modeling. I evidenced that the climatic niche of the palm is similar to those of the two pests. This produces frequent co-occurrence of host and pests causing potential high levels of pressure on palm populations. More specifically, R. ferrugineus represents a very widespread threat to palms, with conflict areas in most of the coasts and islands included in the C. humilis distribution. On the contrary, P. archon represents a threat only in the northeastern part of the palm range, and large potential refuges occur in southwestern Iberia, North Africa, and several islands. However, the threat by P. archon can be locally stronger than by R. ferrugineus. Programs of assessment, monitoring, and containment in host-pest conflict areas and measures of protection, prevention, and monitoring in refuge areas could mitigate the threat to C. humilis, avoiding the impact that the same pests have on cultivated palms across Europe.
Allododecaploid yeasts: synthetic hybrids of six species

Polyploidy generates diversity by increasing the number of copies of each chromosome. Many plants, animals, fungi, and other eukaryotes are ancient or recent polyploids, including some of the best-known evolutionary radiations, crops, and industrial organisms. Polyploidy facilitates differentiation and adaptation to new environments, but the tools to test its limits are lacking. Here we develop an iterative Hybrid Production (iHyPr) method to produce allododecaploid yeast strains with a base ploidy of 12n. Chromosomal instability increased dramatically as additional copies of the genome were added. These six-species hybrids rapidly improved their fitness during adaptive laboratory evolution. This new method for making synthetic hybrids will enable basic research on polyploidy, cancer, and chromosome biology, as well as more applied research on biofuels, bioproducts, and synthetic biology.