cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tumor markers in cancer prevention and detection.

Tumor markers are a major part of the secondary prevention (detection) efforts. There are major logistic and economic constraints which could be overcome if a simple laboratory test could be devised that would (based on a sample of blood or urine) indicate the presence of cancer—with a high degree of specificity and sensitivity—before there are metastases. Hence, it could serve as an acceptable screening test for initiating definitive diagnostic proedures with a goal of making an “early diagnosis:” that is, a diagnosis before metastasis has occurred, and when simple removal of the tumor would result in normal survival characteristics for a population of patients. No such test exists, although extensive efforts have been made and a number of tumor markers have been described and tested. To date, no combination of markers has been found that meets the criteria set. Tumor markers have principally been used to monitor therapy, i.e., predict outcome or signal a recurrcence. Most of the markers described fall into the classes of oncofetal antigens (CEA), (alpha-fetoprotein)—hormonal products (HCG, ACTH), enzymes, and the polyamines. There are several recent books devoted to tumor markers. The major features will be reviewed.
Infrared Spectra of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Labeled with Oxygen-18

Fourier transform infrared spectrum of atactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is compared with that of atactic PMMA labeled with 18O in the ester groups. The results obtained define the assignment of the bands associated with vibrations of the ester groups of PMMA. Furthermore, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy provides a simple method for obtaining the spectra of "pure" derivatives containing 18O.
Behavioral Effects of Family-Selective Inhibitors of Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases

The effects of family selective inhibitors of phosphodiesterase (PDEI, PDE2, PDE3, PDE4, and PDE5) on the behavior of rats under either a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) 72-s schedule or a variable-interval (VI) 30-s schedule were determined; previous work has shown that antidepressant drugs increase reinforcement rate under long DRL schedules. The PDE4-selective inhibitor rolipram (0.03-0.1 mg/kg) reduced response rate and increased reinforcement rate under the DRL schedule in a dose-dependent manner; similar effects were observed with the tricyclic antidepressant drug desipramine (3-10 mg/kg). Both of these drugs produced biphasic effects on behavior maintained under the VI schedule, increasing response rate at the lower doses tested (rolipram: 0.003 mg/kg; desipramine: 0.03 mg/kg) and decreasing response rate at higher doses (rolipram: 0.1 mg/kg; desipramine: 0.3-18 mg/kg). Of the other PDE inhibitors tested, only the PDE5-selective inhibitor zaprinast (10 mg/kg) produced an antidepressant-like effect on DRL behavior. However, in contrast to the biphasic effects of rolipram and desipramine on VI behavior, zaprinast produced monotonic decreases in response rate (10-30 mg/kg). The PDE2-selective inhibitor trequinsin produced biphasic effects on response rate under the VI schedule, increasing rates at low doses (3-5.6 mg/kg) and decreasing rates at higher doses (18-30 mg/kg). Trequinsin also reduced response rate under the DRL schedule (30 mg/kg); however, the reduction in response rate was not accompanied by increased reinforcement rate. The PDE3-selective inhibitor milrinone (1-10 mg/kg) tended to increase response rates under both schedules while the PDE1-selective inhibitor vinpocetine did not affect behavior at the dose range tested (1-30 mg/kg). These findings suggest that inhibition of PDE4 results in a rather unique pattern of behavioral effects, most notably an antidepressant-like effect on DRL behavior. It remains to be determined if a similar effect produced by zaprinast also implicates PDE5 in the mediation of antidepressant activity or represents an effect of this drug on PDE4 activity at high doses.
Cognitive processes and mechanisms in language comprehension : the structure building framework

Publisher Summary This chapter explores that language is viewed as a specialized skill involving language-specific processes and language-specific mechanisms. Another position views the processing of language-be it comprehension or production-as drawing on many general cognitive processes and mechanisms. Such processes and mechanisms might also underlie nonlinguistic tasks as well. It describes few of cognitive processes and mechanisms, using a simple framework, the structure building framework, as a guide. According to the structure building framework, the goal of comprehension is to build a coherent, mental representation, or structure of the information being comprehended. Several component processes are involved. If the incoming information is less coherent or related, comprehenders employ a different process: They shift and initiate a new substructure. Thus, most representations comprise several branching substructures. The chapter also discusses the three subprocesses involved in the structure building process: laying a foundation, mapping coherent or relevant information onto that foundation, and shifting to initiate a new substructure. It also discusses the two mechanisms that control the structure building processes: enhancement, which increases activation, and suppression, which dampens it.
A prospective test of the stress-buffering model of depression in adolescent girls: no support once again.

The stress-buffering model posits that social support mitigates the relation between negative life events and onset of depression, but prospective studies have provided little support for this assertion. The authors sought to provide a more sensitive test of this model by addressing certain methodological and statistical limitations of past studies with prospective data from 496 adolescent girls. Deficits in peer support predicted increases in depressive symptoms, and negative life events predicted onset of depressive pathology. However, none of the 14 prospective tests provided support for the stress-buffering model despite sufficient power. Results provide scant support for the stress-buffering model and suggest that it might be time to shift attention to alternative multivariate models concerning these risk factors. Major depression is one of the most common psychiatric conditions to afflict adolescents and is characterized by a recurrent course and elevated comorbid psychopathology (Lewinsohn, Hops, Roberts, Seeley, & Andrews, 1993; Newman et al., 1996; Stice, Presnell, & Bearman, 2001). Diagnostic and subdiagnostic depression increase the risk for future onset of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, academic failure, suicide attempts, legal problems, and social impairment (Gotlib, Lewinsohn, & Seeley, 1995). Research has focused on identifying factors that increase the risk for the onset of depression in an effort to (a) elucidate the etiologic processes that give rise to this pernicious disorder, (b) inform the content of prevention interventions, and (c) identify risk factors for selecting high-risk populations for targeted prevention programs.
Anger expression and adaptation to childhood sexual abuse: The role of disclosure.

Previous research on anger and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is largely cross-sectional and retrospective. In this study, we prospectively examined the consequences of expressing anger among sexually abused women in contexts of either voluntarily disclosing or not disclosing a previous abuse episode (n 94). All CSA survivors in the study had documented histories of CSA. These participants and a matched, nonabused sample were asked to describe their most distressing experience while being videotaped to allow coding of anger expression. Approximately two thirds of the CSA survivors voluntarily disclosed a previous abuse experience. Participants completed measures of internalizing symptoms and externalizing symptoms at the time of disclosure and again two years later. The expression of anger was associated with better long-term adjustment (decreased internalizing and externalizing symptoms), but only among CSA survivors who had expressed anger while not disclosing an abuse experience. For CSA survivors who disclosed an abuse experience and for nonabused women, anger expression was unrelated to long-term outcome. These findings suggest that the benefits of anger expression for CSA survivors may be context specific.
The association of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphisms with sleep apnea and hypertension.

Study Objectives: To identify the role of polymorphisms in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene in modulating susceptibility to hypertension in sleep apnea. Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Participants: Nine hundred seventy-two participants of the Cleveland Family Study who underwent home sleep studies, blood pressure assessments, and genotyping. Results: After controlling for age, sex, race, and obesity, hypertension risk was reduced in participants who possess the ACE deletion (D) polymorphism with an odds ratio = 0.63 (95% confidence interval: 0.41-0.96) comparing those with 2 versus no D alleles. In analyses stratified by apnea severity, the protective effect of the D allele was most evident in those with severe apnea. Among subjects with severe apnea, the odds ratios for hypertension were 0.47 (0.22-1.00) for 1 D allele and 0.57 (0.26-1.24) for 2 D alleles. Conclusions: The ACE deletion allele may protect against hypertension in the setting of obstructive sleep apnea. Further research into the potential role of angiotensin in modulating the hypertensive effect of sleep apnea is needed.
Routing on a curve

Relentless progress in hardware sensor technology, and wireless networking have made it feasible to deploy large scale, dense ad-hoc networks. These networks, together with sensor technology can be considered as the enablers of emerging models of computing such as embedded computing, ubiquitous computing, or pervasive computing. A new position centric paradigm, called trajectory based forwarding (or TBF), is a generalization of source based routing and Cartesian forwarding. We argue that TBF is an ideal technique for routing in dense ad-hoc networks. Trajectories are a natural namespace for describing route paths when the topology of the network matches the topography of the physical surroundings in which it is deployed which by very definition is embedded computing. Simple trajectories can be used to implement important networking protocols such as flooding, discovery, and network management. TBF is very effective in implementing many networking functions in a quick and approximate way, as it needs very few support services. We discuss several research challenges in the design of network protocols that use specific trajectories for forwarding packets.
A CMOS parallel Gouraud shading VLSI architecture

The authors examine the various hardware methodologies used to accelerate image rendering. An architecture capable of being implemented on a VLSI chip to effectively carry out this objective is presented. The architecture uses inherent parallelism in the rendering algorithm and processes multiple scan lines simultaneously. The architecture is scalable with multiple copies of the chip and a set up processor being used to enhance output. Use of memory interlacing and banks avoids the possibility of memory bandwidth posing a bottleneck. The Gouraud shading algorithm was chosen for implementation. The simulation of the architecture is discussed. >
Two Enzymes, Both of Which Process Recombination Intermediates, Have Opposite Effects on Adaptive Mutation in Escherichia coli

Reversion of a lac(-) frameshift allele carried on an F' episome in Escherichia coli occurs at a high rate when the cells are placed under lactose selection. Unlike Lac(+) mutations that arise during nonselective growth, the production of these adaptive mutations requires the RecA-RecBCD pathway for recombination. In this report, we show that enzymes that process recombination intermediates are involved in the mutagenic process. RuvAB and RecG, E. coli's two enzymes for translocating Holliday junctions, have opposite effects: RuvAB is required for RecA-dependent adaptive mutations, whereas RecG inhibits them.
Temporal and spatial patterns in recruitment and succession of a temperate marine fouling assemblage: A comparison of static panels and boat hulls during the boating season

Protection against biofouling is essential for efficient operation of boats and ships. Restrictions on the use of traditional, toxic antifouling coatings call for new less toxic methods. Future antifouling strategies will likely be based on more specific action against dominant foulers and will require more detailed information about spatial and temporal differences in fouling communities on artificial substrates. In this study, the recruitment and succession of fouling organisms was examined on artificial (PMMA) panels exposed to natural flow speeds on the Skagerrak coast (Sweden). The recruitment of foulers on static panels was then compared to fouling allowed to develop on boat hulls in surveys of new nontoxic coatings. The temporal and spatial variation in recruitment was examined on a monthly interval within the boating season, from May-September. Furthermore, the succession of the fouling community was examined during the same interval. A total of 12 sessile invertebrate species was recorded on the static panels with dominant foulers being the barnacle Balanus improvisus (July-September) and the mussel Mytilus edulis (June-August). The mean abundance during peak settlement on panels after 1 month's deployment was 370 +/- 134 individuals dm-2 for B. improvisus and 340 +/- 415 individuals dm-2 for M. edulis. The succession of foulers on the panels led to a dominance of M. edulis (maximum of 7470 +/- 2830 individuals dm-2) over B. improvisus (maximum of 2295 +/- 680 individuals dm-2). This was in contrast to the fouling development on boat hulls, examined after 4 months exposure in 3 successive years, where B. improvisus was the dominant species (mean abundance 222 +/- 104 and maximum 713 +/- 527 individuals dm-2). Some boats were covered to an extent of almost 100% by B. improvisus with only a few M. edulis (mean abundance 20 +/- 16). The biomass of fouling on boat hulls varied from average dry weights of 1.3 +/- 1 to 13 +/- 5 g dm-2. These results show that extrapolation from static panels (common in evaluation of antifouling performance) to fouling on boat hulls may be problematic.
Cluster-Based Key Predistribution Using Deployment Knowledge

We present a novel key predistribution scheme that uses deployment knowledge to divide deployment regions into overlapping clusters, each of which has its own distinct key space. Through careful construction of these clusters, network resilience is improved, without compromising connectivity or communications overhead. Experimental results show significant improvement in performance over existing schemes based on deployment knowledge.
The BAG-1 isoform BAG-1M regulates keratin-associated Hsp70 chaperoning of aPKC in intestinal cells during activation of inflammatory signaling

Atypical PKC (ι/λ and ζ; hereafter referred to as aPKC) is a key player in the acquisition of epithelial polarity and participates in other signaling cascades including the control of NF-κB signaling. This kinase is post-translationally regulated through Hsp70-mediated refolding. Previous work has shown that such a chaperoning activity is specifically localized to keratin intermediate filaments. Our work was performed with the goal of identifying the molecule(s) that block Hsp70 activity on keratin filaments during inflammation. A transcriptional screen allowed us to focus on BAG-1, a multi-functional protein that assists Hsp70 in nucleotide exchange but also blocks its activity at higher concentrations. We found the BAG-1 isoform BAG-1M upregulated threefold in human Caco-2 cells following stimulation with tumor necrosis factor receptor α (TNFα) to induce a pro-inflammatory response, and up to sixfold in mouse enterocytes following treatment with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to induce colitis. BAG-1M, but no other isoform, was found to co-purify with intermediate filaments and block Hsp70 activity in the keratin fraction but not in the soluble fraction within the range of concentrations found in epithelial cells cultured under control and inflammation conditions. Constitutive expression of BAG-1M decreased levels of phosphorylated aPKC. By contrast, knockdown of BAG-1, blocked the TNFα-induced decrease of phosphorylated aPKC. We conclude that BAG-1M mediates Hsp70 inhibition downstream of NF-κB.
An invited article: Syntactic performance of hearing impaired and normal hearing individuals

The article describes two research programs on the syntactic abilities of hearing impaired and normal hearing individuals. The first program was concerned with describing some of the syntactic problems of deaf students in acquiring English structure; the second involved the construction of the Test of Syntactic Abilities and its application to deaf, hard of hearing, and normal hearing students in the United States, Canada, and Australia. This report has four objectives: (1) to summarize and integrate the findings of the two research programs, (2) to relate the findings to the literature on other populations, (3) to discuss strategies used by the research populations in handling English syntax, and (4) to discuss some applications of the findings to language development.
Effects and interactions of dietary levels of vitamins A and E and cholecalciferol in broiler chickens

Abstract Four experiments were conducted to determine the effects and interactions of feeding different levels of vitamins A, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), and E on broiler chicks. In Experiment 1, chicks were fed marginal vitamin D3 (500 IU/kg) and increasing dietary levels of vitamin A (5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 40,000, 80,000, and 160,000 IU/kg). Bone ash was reduced by 10,000 IU/kg of vitamin A in the diet and at vitamin A levels above 20,000 IU/kg of diet body weight was reduced. In Experiment 2, two levels of vitamin A (1,500 and 15,000 IU/kg) and six levels of vitamin E (10, 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, and 10,000 IU/kg) were added to the basal diet. High levels of vitamins A and E significantly (P
The Multiple Menu Model: A Successful Marriage for Integrating Content and Process

The curriculum-writing experiences of teachers have not always been positive. Without a comprehensive framework for curriculum develop ment the hours of toil often result in a hybrid conglomeration of activi ties that does little to enhance the teaching and learning process in any meaningful way. Here is a brief overview of a model that invites teach ers who want to write curriculum into the process of curriculum design.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia exposure improves left ventricular contractility in transgenic mice with heart failure

We previously reported the unexpected finding that 4 wk of exposure to intermittent hypoxia (IH), which simulates the hypoxic stress of obstructive sleep apnea, improved LV cardiac function in heal...
Physician strategies to reduce patients' out-of-pocket prescription costs.

Background Physicians often do not communicate with patients about out-of-pocket costs, although research indicates that physicians and patients value such discussion. Methods Cross-sectional national random sample mail survey of 1400 cardiologists and general internists to quantify barriers to communication about out-of-pocket costs and strategies used to assist patients in order of likelihood (from 5 [extremely likely] to 1 [not at all likely]). Results Overall, 519 (39.1%) of 1328 eligible physicians responded to the survey. The most common barriers were lack of habit, insufficient time, and concern over patient discomfort. The most common strategies used to assist patients were switching to a generic drug (mean, 4.34; SD, 0.86), using office samples (mean, 4.16; SD, 1.22), and discontinuing nonessential medicines (mean, 4.03; SD, 0.99). There were no statistically significant differences between cardiologists and general internists in barriers or strategies examined (P Conclusions Our findings suggest that patient-physician communication about out-of-pocket costs is a problem affecting specialists and generalists nationwide. Despite barriers, physicians use multiple strategies that may vary in efficacy to assist patients burdened by these costs.
Surface second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation using a noncollinear excitation geometry

Resonantly enhanced surface second-harmonic generation and sum-frequency generation have been demonstrated on Rhodamine 6G-coated glass substrates using a noncollinear excitation geometry. This geometry yields an output beam that is spatially separated from the input beams. The relative efficiency of nonlinear generation as a function of the angular dependence and spatial overlap of the input beams is calculated and compared with experiment.
Pathologic quiz case. Retroperitoneal soft tissue mass presenting with acute renal failure.

79-year-old, previously healthy man presented with left lower quadrant abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and fatigue that had been present for 2 weeks. He had no history of prior surgeries, took no medications, and denied fever or weight loss. He was treated empirically with a 7-day course of oral antibiotics for presumed diverticulitis. His symptoms failed to improve, and routine laboratory tests were ordered; laboratory values indicated acute renal failure with a serum creatinine level of 857 mmol/L (9.7 mg/dL) and mild normocytic/normochromic anemia. A renal ultrasound was performed, showing bilateral hydronephrosis. Ureteral stents were placed, followed by an abdominal computed tomographic scan to investigate the cause of his urinary obstruction. The computed tomographic scan (Figure 1) showed a large retroperitoneal soft tissue mass encasing both ureters and lymphadenopathy. The needle positioned in the mass obtained the diagnostic biopsy material. Figure 2 shows a low-power field of the core biopsy, featuring
The prevalence and persistence of sigma virus, a biparentally transmitted parasite of Drosophila melanogaster.

Question: How do vertically transmitted parasites persist? Organisms: Drosophila melanogaster (host) and sigma virus (parasite). Field site: Peach stands in northern Georgia, USA, on a transect between Macon and Athens. Empirical methods: We estimated prevalence in the field. We also estimated male and female transmission in the laboratory, using field-collected animals as parents. We further quantified patrilineal (father to son) transmission in the laboratory, and estimated cost of infection (virulence) by quantifying decreased egg production of infected flies. Mathematical methods: Discrete-time, deterministic models for prevalence; analysis of stability of disease-free and endemic equilibria; numerical computation of equilibria based on empirical estimates. Key assumptions: Random mating, discrete generations, cost of infection to females only. Predictions and conclusions: The model allows persistence under parameter estimates obtained for this population. Uncertainty in parameters leads to wide confidence intervals on the predicted prevalence, which may be systematically underestimated due to Jensen’s inequality. Male transmission is required for persistence, and multiple generations of strictly patrilineal transmission are possible in the laboratory, albeit with decreasing transmission efficiency.
Autoantigen-Specific TGFβ-Induced Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Prevent Autoimmunity by Inhibiting Dendritic Cells from Activating Autoreactive T Cells

Several strategies are being designed to test the therapeutic potential of Ag-specific regulatory T cells to prevent or treat autoimmune diseases. In this study, we demonstrate that naive CD4+ Foxp3- T cells specific for a naturally expressed autoantigen (H+/K+ ATPase) can be converted to Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) when stimulated in presence of TGFbeta. TGFbeta-induced Tregs (iTregs) have all the characteristics of naturally generated regulatory T cells in vitro, and more importantly, are effective at preventing organ-specific autoimmunity in a murine model of autoimmune gastritis. H+/K+ ATPase specific iTregs were able to inhibit the initial priming and proliferation of autoreactive T cells, and appear to do so by acting on H+/K+ ATPase presenting dendritic cells (DC). DC exposed to iTregs in vivo were reduced in their ability to stimulate proliferation and cytokine production by H+/K+ ATPase specific T cells. iTregs specifically reduced CD80 and CD86 expression on the surface of H+/K+ ATPase presenting DC in vitro. These studies reveal the therapeutic potential of Ag specific iTregs to prevent autoimmunity, and provide a mechanism by which this population of regulatory T cells, and perhaps others, mediate their suppressive effects in vivo.
Random Walks and Martingales

Let {Xi; i ≥ 1} be a sequence of IID random variables, and let Sn=X1+X2+...+Xn. The integer time stochastic process {Sn;n≥1} is called arandom walk.For any given n, S, is just a sum of IID random variables, but here, we are more interested in the behavior of the random walkprocess, {Sn;n≥1}, and thus in such questions as finding the first n for which Snexceeds some threshold a, or the probability that Snexceeds a for any value of n. Since Sndrifts downward with increasing n for \(E[X] = \bar{X} 0\), the results to be obtained depend critically on whether \(\bar{X} 0\) or \(\bar{X} = 0\). Since results for \(\bar{X} 0\) by considering {−Sn;n≥0}, we will focus on the case \(\bar{X} < 0\). As one might expect, both the results and the techniques have a very different flavor when \(\bar{X} = 0\), since here the random walk does not drift but typically wanders around in a rather aimless fashion. We first give several representative examples of random walks and then treat the problem of threshold crossings. We then introduce a rather general type of stochastic process called a Martingale. The topic of Martingales is both a subject of interest in its own right and also a tool that provides additional insight into random walks, laws of large numbers, and other basic topics in probability and stochastic processes.
Understanding the Pine Dilute Acid Pretreatment System for Enhanced Enzymatic Hydrolysis

In the United States, loblolly pine is touted as a potential feedstock for biobased product manufacturing, as it is fast growing and abundant in the southeast. To release the sugar content from pine biomass, pretreatment must occur. Dilute acid pretreatment is, among others, a pretreatment method that can be used. Unfortunately, this pretreatment results in the production of inhibitory byproducts, which need to be removed prior to enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation; the main inhibitors include organic acids predominantly formic and acetic. Rinsing dilute acid pretreated biomass is a way to remove inhibitory byproducts. Buffering capacity of the enzymatic hydrolysis reaction mixture alleviates inhibition due to organic acids, while maintaining a pH environment that is conducive to enzymatic activity. However, the use of buffer salts at commonly prepared concentrations, such as 50 mM, may not be economically viable at production scale and could hinder fermentation due to their chelating capacity. In this...
Yoga for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials

A growing body of evidence suggests yogic practices may benefit adults with type 2 diabetes (DM2). In this systematic review, we evaluate available evidence from prospective controlled trials regarding the effects of yoga-based programs on specific health outcomes pertinent to DM2 management. To identify qualifying studies, we searched nine databases and scanned bibliographies of relevant review papers and all identified articles. Controlled trials that did not target adults with diabetes, included only adults with type 1 diabetes, were under two-week duration, or did not include quantitative outcome data were excluded. Study quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale. Thirty-three papers reporting findings from 25 controlled trials (13 nonrandomized, 12 randomized) met our inclusion criteria (N = 2170 participants). Collectively, findings suggest that yogic practices may promote significant improvements in several indices of importance in DM2 management, including glycemic control, lipid levels, and body composition. More limited data suggest that yoga may also lower oxidative stress and blood pressure; enhance pulmonary and autonomic function, mood, sleep, and quality of life; and reduce medication use in adults with DM2. However, given the methodological limitations of existing studies, additional high-quality investigations are required to confirm and further elucidate the potential benefits of yoga programs in populations with DM2.
Host Plants of Three Coreine Tribes (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae)

Members of the 3 unrelated coreine tribes Mictini, Acanthocerini, and Nematopodini prefer members of the Leguminosae to those of other plant families. The insects feed on the parts of the plant richest in concentrated nutrients.
The process of prehospital airway management: challenges and solutions during paramedic endotracheal intubation.

Objectives:Endotracheal intubation success rates in the prehospital setting are variable. Our objective was to describe the challenges encountered and corrective actions taken during the process of endotracheal intubation by paramedics.Design:Analysis of prehospital airway management using a prospec
Taxonomy of the Scaphytopius (Cloanthanus) acutus Complex (Homoptera : Cicadellidae)

The Nearctic Scaphytopius (Cloanthanus) acutus (Say) complex was found to consist of 4 leafhopper subspecies: S. acutus acutus (Say) (=filamentus DeLong, new synonym) from eastern North America; acutus tennis (DeLong) (new status) from central North America; acuttis delongi Young (new status) from California, and acutus cirrus (new subspecies) from the Pacific Northwest and the Great Basin. Males of all 4 subspecies can be distinguished by internal genitalic features involving the aedeagus and paraphyses. Females usually can be identified only to a group of species that includes the acutus complex. Each subspecies is characterized morphologically and geographically. Structural variations among and within subspecies involve adult body size, color patterns on the head, crown length and intensity of pigmentation. Inter- and infrapopulation variation among adult males includes the width of the aedeagus and the number of times the paraphyses cross inside the genital capsule.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of universal noninvasive testing for post-treatment confirmation of Helicobacter pylori eradication and the impact of patient adherence.

2rTi health solutions, research Triangle Park, nc, UsA Background: The treatment failure rate for Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy is ~20% due to poor patient compliance and increased antibiotic resistance. This analysis assessed the cost-effectiveness of universal post-treatment testing to confirm eradication of H. pylori infection in adults. Methods: Decision-analytic models evaluated the cost-effectiveness of universal post-treatment testing (urea breath test [UBT] or monoclonal fecal antigen test [mFAT]) vs no testing (Model 1), and UBT vs mFAT after adjusting for patient adherence to testing (Model 2) in adults who previously received first-line antimicrobial therapy. Patients testing positive received secondline quadruple therapy; no further action was taken for those testing negative or with no testing (Model 1) or for those nonadherent to testing (Model 2). In addition to testing costs, excess lifetime costs and reduced quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) due to continuing H. pylori infection were considered in the model. Results: Expected total costs per patient were higher for post-treatment testing (UBT: US$325.76; mFAT: US$242.12) vs no testing (US$182.41) in Model 1 and for UBT (US$336.75) vs mFAT (US$326.24) in Model 2. Expected QALYs gained per patient were 0.71 and 0.72 for UBT and mFAT, respectively, vs no testing (Model 1), and the same was 0.37 for UBT vs mFAT (Model 2). The estimated incremental costs per QALY gained for post-treatment testing vs no testing were US$82.90–US$202.45 and, after adjusting for adherence, US$28.13 for UBT vs mFAT. Conclusion: Universal post-treatment testing was found to be cost-effective for confirming eradication of H. pylori infection following first-line therapy. Better adherence to UBT relative to mFAT was the key to its cost-effectiveness.
A taste of Europe: Eating/reading between the lines of the German–Italian failed love story

ABSTRACTThis essay examines the topicality of intra-European intercultural tensions, focusing on German–Italian relations. Grounded in Burke’s interpretation of literature as “equipment for living,” this project uses Marisa Fenoglio’s Never without a woman—a novel about an Italian Gastarbeiter in Germany—as a case study and suggests a critical cultural analysis of German–Italian food-related rhetoric as reflective and constructive of German–Italian interculturality. This essay invites a nuanced understanding of the rhetoric of European foodways as representative of the contemporary European culture and intercultural communication because we are what we eat.
Angiogenesis and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the two most common types of cutaneous neoplasms [1]. The worldwide incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has increased by 3–8% every year, and the incidence in the US may increase by 50% by the year 2030 [2–4]. In order to treat these tumors, especially in their aggressive forms not amenable to surgery, an understanding of their pathogenesis is integral. A multitude of factors interact with one another to promote tumorigenesis and tumor survival. This chapter will discuss the pathogenesis of BCC and SCC, with particular emphasis on how aberrant angiogenesis promotes tumor progression, and will elucidate nonsurgical treatment modalities, both old and new, that directly or indirectly target angiogenesis in their anti-proliferative actions.
Solving for Best Responses and Equilibria in Extensive-Form Games with Reinforcement Learning Methods

We present a framework to solve for best responses and equilibria in extensive-form games (EFGs) of imperfect information by transforming a game together with an other-agent policy into a set of Markov decision processes (MDPs), one per player, and then applying simulation-based reinforcement learning (RL) to the ensuing MDPs. More specifically, we first transform a turn-taking partially observable Markov game (TT-POMG) into a set of partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs), and we then transform that set of POMDPs into a corresponding set of Markov decision processes (MDPs). Next, we observe that EFGs are a special case of TT-POMGs, and hence can be transformed as described. Furthermore, because each transformation preserves the strategically-relevant information of the model to which it is applied, an optimal policy in one of the ensuing MDPs corresponds to a best response to the given other-agent policy in the original EFG. We then go on to prove that our RL algorithm finds a near-optimal policy (and therefore a near-best response in the original EFG) in finite time, although the sample complexity is lower bounded by a function with an exponential dependence on the horizon. Nonetheless, we apply this algorithm iteratively to search for equilibria in an EFG. When the iterative procedure converges, the resulting MDP policies comprise an approximate weak perfect Bayesian equilibrium. Although this procedure is not guaranteed to converge, it frequently did in numerical experiments with sequential auctio.
From a Framework to a Lens: Learning to Notice Student Mathematical Thinking

Teaching is a complex endeavor that necessarily requires teachers to attend to some activities and ignore others. This case study focuses on prospective teachers’ learning to notice student mathematical thinking. We frame our view of noticing with the professional noticing framework (Jacobs, Lamb, & Philipp, in Journal for Research in Mathematics Education 41:169–202, 2010), and our view of student mathematical thinking with the MOST analytical framework (Leatham, Peterson, Stockero, & Van Zoest, in Journal for Research in Mathematics Education 46:88–124, 2015). We share evidence that a research experience that focused prospective teachers in a sustained, intense experience focused on articulating student mathematical thinking through focused video analysis influenced their ability to notice in-the-moment student mathematical thinking during their student teaching experience.
β-Cyclodextrin Polymer Network Sequesters Perfluorooctanoic Acid at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations

Per- and poly fluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs), notably perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), contaminate many ground and surface waters and are environmentally persistent. The performance limitations of existing remediation methods motivate efforts to develop effective adsorbents. Here we report a β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-based polymer network with higher affinity for PFOA compared to powdered activated carbon, along with comparable capacity and kinetics. The β-CD polymer reduces PFOA concentrations from 1 μg L–1 to <10 ng L–1, at least 7 times lower than the 2016 U.S. EPA advisory level (70 ng L–1), and was regenerated and reused multiple times by washing with MeOH. The performance of the polymer is unaffected by humic acid, a component of natural organic matter that fouls activated carbons. These results are promising for treating PFOA-contaminated water and demonstrate the versatility of β-CD-based adsorbents.
Deduction Modulo Real Algebra and Computer Algebra

We show how deductive, real algebraic, and computer algebraic methods can be combined for verifying hybrid systems in an automated theorem proving approach. In particular, we highlight the interaction of deductive and algebraic reasoning that is used for handling the joint discrete and continuous behaviour of hybrid systems. Systematically, we derive a canonical tableau procedure modulo from the calculus of differential dynamic logic. We delineate the nondeterminisms in the tableau procedure carefully and analyse their practical impact in the presence of computationally expensive handling of real algebraic constraints. Based on experience with larger case studies, we analyse proof strategies for dealing with the practical challenges for integrated algebraic and deductive verification of hybrid systems. To overcome the complexity pitfalls of integrating real arithmetic, we propose the iterative background closure and iterative inflation order strategies, with which we achieve substantial computational improvements.
From Computer Time to Legal Civil Time: IANA tz, IETF tzdist, etc.

The internal time scale in computing and telecommunication systems is often based on UTC, but users of systems expect to see the local civil or legal time in their jurisdiction. Currently there are about 40–80 different time zones in active use. Historically there have been around 200 sets of rules needed to compute the differences between UT and local time. These rule sets have been painstakingly maintained by international agencies and corporations, and they are typically distributed to machines via updates to operating systems. Unfortunately, jurisdictions have changed their rules with little or no notice, and some machines do not get operating system updates in a timely fashion or ever. These lacunae are motivations for ongoing efforts among international standard organizations and corporations.
Improving BLE Distance Estimation and Classification Using TX Power and Machine Learning: A Comparative Analysis

Distance estimation and proximity classification techniques are essential for numerous IoT applications and in providing efficient services in smart cities. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is designed for IoT devices, and its received signal strength indicator (RSSI) has been used in distance and proximity estimation, though they are noisy and unreliable. In this study, we leverage the BLE TX power level in BLE models.We adopt a comparative analysis framework that utilizes our extensive data library of measurements. It considers commonly used state-of-the-art model, in addition to our data-driven proposed approach. The RSSI and TX power are integrated into several parametric models such as log shadowing and Android Beacon library models, and machine learning models such as linear regression, decision trees, random forests and neural networks. Specific mobile apps are developed for the study experiment. We have collected more than 1.8 millions of BLE records between encounters with various distances that range from 0.5 to 22 meters in an indoor environment. Interestingly, considering TX power when estimating the distance reduced the mean errors by up to 46% in parametric models and by up to 35% in machine learning models. Also, the proximity classification accuracy increased by up to 103% and 70% in parametric and machine learning models, respectively. This work is one of the first studies (if not the first) that analyze in depth the TX power variations in improving the distance estimation and classification.
Mechanisms and Predictability of Pacific Decadal Variability

This paper reviews recent progress in the understanding and prediction of pacific decadal variability (PDV). The PDV is now recognized to consist of multiple ocean-atmosphere modes and to be caused by multiple processes. At the leading order, PDV can be viewed as the reddening process of stochastic atmospheric variability on the extratropical ocean. However, PDV is also strongly tied to teleconnection dynamics interacting with the tropics, primarily the interactions between meridional modes in the extra-tropics and ENSO, and between the ENSO teleconnections and the dominant modes of atmospheric variability in the mid-latitude. Extratropical oceanic Rossby waves are found to be crucial for determining the decadal time scales of the PDV and provide potentially an important source of predictability of PDV. Preliminary experiments with GCMs and empirical linear inverse models have shown some skill for the prediction of PDV in ocean surface temperatures. While the climate predictions in the first few years depend significantly on the oceanic initial condition, predictions of near decadal time scales are contributed mostly by the global warming trend. In addition, recent studies explored the role of ocean subsurface dynamics for multi-decadal predictability in the Pacific and suggest that subsurface dynamics may lead to important sources of decadal predictability in regional upwelling systems, namely the eastern boundary and polar gyre. Overall, the predictability of PDV and the related surface and subsurface signals remain to be much studied. Recent studies also start to explore the relation between PDV and global warming. It has been suggested that PDV can slow down or accelerate the global warming trend significantly. The influence of the anthropogenic climate change on PDV, however, has remained unclear.
A novel approach to reducing admissions for children with sickle cell disease in pain crisis through individualization and standardization in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is frequent in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) creating significant burden on patients, families, and emergency departments (ED). The objective of the project was to reduce the admission rate for children with SCD presenting to our ED with VOC by >20% within 6 months of initiating individualized pain plans (IPP). METHODS A multi-disciplinary quality improvement team was assembled. A Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) format was employed. The IPP document was created in a unique folder within the electronic medical record. IPPs were created through retrospective chart review for our 80 highest resource users. Pediatric residents, ED residents, and ED attending physicians were instructed on use of the IPPs. Our study measured the presence of an IPP, adherence to the IPP, and time to opiate administration. Our primary outcome was admission rate. Length of stay and 72-hr return to the ED were assessed as balancing measures. RESULTS Overall, admission rate decreased by 24% following implementation compared with the previous 5 years (P = 0.046). IPPs were created for 78% of patients and followed by ED staff in 86% of visits. Admission rate was significantly lower for patients receiving a second opiate dose within 45 min of the first dose (P < 0.01). There was no difference in readmission rate or 72-hr return rate to ED. CONCLUSIONS This study presents an effective strategy to reduce admission rate for children with SCD presenting with VOC. Shorter time to second opiate dosing was also associated with reduced risk of admission.
The Power of Serious Games in Education and Why We Are at a Critical Crossroads in Distance Education

Serious Games, a term coined by Ben Sawyer, has been defined as games used for training, education, and learning. In this chapter we discuss the power of these types of games, who is using them, and why higher education should be thinking more about how to integrate them into the curriculum. It will further set the stage for why and how we have used 3-dimensional virtual learning environments for distance courses at North Carolina State University.
Locally decodable codes via the point removal method

This chapter contains a detailed exposition of the point removal method for constructing locally decodable codes. The method can be broken into two parts. The first part is a reduction that shows how the existence of subsets of finite fields that simultaneously exhibit “nice” properties of two different kinds yields families of locally decodable codes with good parameters. The second part is a construction of “nice” subsets of finite fields.
SOTL: Teaching Hidden History: Teaching Inquiry and Respecting the Process

Note: This talk is part of a single SoTL session that runs from 1-2:30pm in JC Room B and includes a series of "lightning talks" that are ~5 minutes each followed by a roundtable discussion about the projects and SoTL in general. This is a great session for those interested in learning the outcomes of SoTL efforts, those interested in how to start their own SoTL project, and for experienced researchers who are interested in learning about other approaches and methodologies. BRIEF SESSION DESCRIPTION: While the topic of inquiry-based learning has received a lot of attention, how instructors can best support and scaffold the process of meaningful inquiry is not as well understood. In a course developed by the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media (RR-CHNM) called Teaching Hidden History, graduate students created their own online learning modules on topics of their own choosing. The modules' format was based on modules that were part of teacher professional development courses previously developed at RR-CHNM. In my lightning talk I will talk about how this combination of student directed research and pre-determined project format facilitated a scaffolded process of inquiry. Students in post course interviews expressed both the motivation associated with self-directed inquiry while also noting the benefits of extensive scaffolding throughout the course.
Social Force Based Microscopic Modeling of Vehicle-Crowd Interaction

Pedestrian safety is of paramount importance for intelligent transportation systems. This study focuses on the scenarios where pedestrians appear as crowds and interact with moving vehicles in a relatively-free space. Based on social force model (SFM), a vehicle-crowd interaction (VCI) model is pro- posed to describe both the behavior of crowd pedestrians and vehicle. Specifically, a heuristic-based and effective modeling of vehicle influence on pedestrians is designed and incorporated into the crowd-only SFM. Qualitative analysis of systematic simulations of various VCI scenarios demonstrates the effective- ness of the proposed model. This model can effectively describe the VCI scenarios such as vehicle approaching from different directions, vehicle zigzagging, and vehicle sharply turning.