cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A formalism for assessing the situation awareness of pilots

The assessment of situation awareness is modeled within a set-theoretic formalism. This formalism explicitly requires the identification of a functional relationship between particular sets of knowledge and specific performance criteria. The framework is exercised in an experiment, demonstrating the utility of the formalism.
Stabilizing pipelines for streaming applications

In this paper, we study a compositional approach to designing a class of stabilizing distributed systems. We show that the linear pipelined composition of a number of stabilizing modules is inherently stabilizing, and is a useful method of constructing scalable stabilizing solutions for streaming applications that are on the rise in peer-to-peer and sensor networks. We present the correctness proof and complexity analysis of the composition for a linear pipeline. Subsequently, we generalize the pipelined composition to alternative, concurrent, and repetitive versions, investigate the stabilization properties of these versions, and present a set of conditions under which these extended constructions retain their stabilization properties.
Probabilistic Multi-State Split-Merge Algorithm for Coupling Parameter Estimates.

A new approach to finding good local maxima of the likelihood function based on synthesizing information from two local maxima is presented. We investigate the coupled EM algorithm (CoEM) for coupling local maxima solutions from two separate EM runs for the multinomial mixture model. The CoEM algorithm probabilistically splits and merges multiple latent states based on conditional independence assumptions and is numerically shown to significantly improve on uncoupled EM or deterministic annealing (DAEM) parameter estimates.
Analysis of gateroad stability at two longwall mines based on field monitoring results and numerical model analysis

Abstract Coal mine longwall gateroads are subject to changing loading conditions induced by the advancing longwall face. The ground response and support requirements are closely related to the magnitude and orientation of the stress changes, as well as the local geology. This paper presents the monitoring results of gateroad response and support performance at two longwall mines at a 180-m and 600-m depth of cover. At the first mine, a three-entry gateroad layout was used. The second mine used a four-entry, yield-abutment-yield gateroad pillar system. Local ground deformation and support response were monitored at both sites. The monitoring period started during the development stage and continued during first panel retreat and up to second panel retreat. The two data sets were used to compare the response of the entries in two very different geotechnical settings and different gateroad layouts. The monitoring results were used to validate numerical models that simulate the loading conditions and entry response for these widely differing conditions. The validated models were used to compare the load path and ground response at the two mines. This paper demonstrates the potential for numerical models to assist mine engineers in optimizing longwall layouts and gateroad support systems.
Managing Off-Nominal Events in Shared Teleoperation with Learned Task Compliance

This article studies imitation learning policies that encode task compliance to provide teleoperation assistance for remote manufacturing. The central challenge is how to handle off-nominal situations, such as out-of-sequence work or unplanned obstacles, since the assistance has not been trained to handle such scenarios. In such cases, there is potential for the assistance to degrade-rather than improve-operator performance. This work proposes a method that exploits the learned task compliance to classify persistent human actions as off-nominal, and attenuate assistance in these regions. Applied to a hole-cleaning task with $n$ = 11 subjects, the proposed method shows up to 17% reduction in task completion time and up to 68% reduction in forces in off-nominal situations as compared to assistance without the method. Additionally, the method retains the performance improvements of assistance in nominal operating regimes.
Anaplasma ovis as the suspected cause of mortality in a neonatal elk calf

Anaplasma ovis infection is known to occur in elk experimentally, but without clinical signs or significant clinicopathologic changes. An elk farm in southern Indiana experienced the death of 3 neonates. Gross findings suggested hemolytic anemia as the cause of death. Splenic impression smears revealed numerous intra-erythrocytic parasites compatible with Anaplasma spp. Products of a semi-nested PCR targeting the msp4 gene of A. ovis were sequenced and had 100% identity with published A. ovis sequences. Given the clinical presentation, vertical transmission of A. ovis was suspected. Pathologic and molecular findings confirmed that natural A. ovis infection occurred in an elk calf.
Intelligent Labeling Based on Fisher Information for Medical Image Segmentation Using Deep Learning

Deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) have recently achieved superior performance at the task of medical image segmentation compared to classic models. However, training a generalizable CNN requires a large amount of training data, which is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to obtain in medical settings. Active Learning (AL) algorithms can facilitate training CNN models by proposing a small number of the most informative data samples to be annotated to achieve a rapid increase in performance. We proposed a new active learning method based on Fisher information (FI) for CNNs for the first time. Using efficient backpropagation methods for computing gradients together with a novel low-dimensional approximation of FI enabled us to compute FI for CNNs with a large number of parameters. We evaluated the proposed method for brain extraction with a patch-wise segmentation CNN model in two different learning scenarios: universal active learning and active semi-automatic segmentation. In both scenarios, an initial model was obtained using labeled training subjects of a source data set and the goal was to annotate a small subset of new samples to build a model that performs well on the target subject(s). The target data sets included images that differed from the source data by either age group (e.g. newborns with different image contrast) or underlying pathology that was not available in the source data. In comparison to several recently proposed AL methods and brain extraction baselines, the results showed that FI-based AL outperformed the competing methods in improving the performance of the model after labeling a very small portion of target data set (<0.25%).
A protoplast generation and transformation method for soybean sudden death syndrome causal agents Fusarium virguliforme and F. brasiliense.

Soybean production around the globe faces significant annual yield losses due to pests and diseases. One of the most significant causes of soybean yield loss annually in the U.S. is sudden death syndrome (SDS), caused by soil-borne fungi in the Fusarium solani species complex. Two of these species, F. virguliforme and F. brasiliense, have been discovered in the U.S. The genetic mechanisms that these pathogens employ to induce root rot and SDS are largely unknown. Previous methods describing F. virguliforme protoplast generation and transformation have been used to study gene function, but these methods lack important details and controls. In addition, no reports of protoplast generation and genetic transformation have been made for F. brasiliense. We developed a new protocol for developing fungal protoplasts in these Fusarium species and test the protoplasts for the ability to take up foreign DNA. We show that wild-type strains of F. virguliforme and F. brasiliense are sensitive to the antibiotics hygromycin and nourseothricin, but strains transformed with resistance genes displayed resistance to these antibiotics. In addition, integration of fluorescent protein reporter genes demonstrates that the foreign DNA is expressed and results in a functional protein, providing fluorescence to both pathogens. This protocol provides significant details for reproducibly producing protoplasts and transforming F. virguliforme and F. brasiliense. The protocol can be used to develop high quality protoplasts for further investigations into genetic mechanisms of growth and pathogenicity of F. virguliforme and F. brasiliense. Fluorescent strains developed in this study can be used to investigate temporal colonization and potential host preferences of these species.
Investigating Nonlinearity in a Bolted Structure Using Force Appropriation Techniques

Understanding the dynamic response of a structure is critical to design. This is of extreme importance in high-consequence systems on which human life can depend. Historically, these structures have been modeled as linear, where response scales proportionally with excitation amplitude. However, most structures are nonlinear to the extent that linear models are no longer sufficient to adequately capture important dynamics. Sources of nonlinearity include, but are not limited to: large deflections (so called geometric nonlinearities), complex materials, and frictional interfaces/joints in assemblies between subcomponents. Joint nonlinearities usually cause the natural frequency to decrease and the effective damping ratio to increase with response amplitude due to microslip effects. These characteristics can drastically alter the dynamics of a structure and, if not well understood, could lead to unforeseen failure or unnecessarily over-designed features.
Dynamic structural percolation model of loss distribution for cyber risk of small and medium-sized enterprises for tree-based LAN topology

Abstract Cyber risk due to breach can be seen as a risk of a financial loss due to breach of an institution’s IT infrastructure by unauthorized parties and exploiting, taking possession of, or disclosing data assets, thus creating financial and/or reputation damage. In this paper, as a primary contribution to the existing body of actuarial literature, we propose a structural model of aggregate loss distribution for cyber risk of small and medium-sized enterprises under the assumption of a tree-based LAN topology. Up to our knowledge, there exist no theoretical models of an aggregate loss distribution for cyber risk in this setting. To achieve our goal, we contextualize the problem in the probabilistic graph-theoretical framework using percolation models. We assume that the IT network topology is represented by a random graph allowing for heterogeneous loss topology and providing instructive numerical examples.
CRT-600.05 Does the Severity of LVOT Calcification Impact the Hemodynamic Indices of the Latest-Generation CoreValve Evolut PRO Self-Expanding Transcatheter Aortic Valve?

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the supra-annular self-expanding CoreValve Evolut R has been shown to offer superior valve hemodynamics compared with surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the degree of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) affects the
Economic burden of patients with hepatitis E and influencing factors in Yantai

戊型肝炎(戊肝)主要以散发为主,也可能出现大流行,据估计世界人口大约三分之一曾感染过戊肝病毒(HEV).烟台市戊肝抗体水平监测表明,25.10%的人曾感染过HEV.本研究调查烟台地区因患戊肝造成的经济损失。
A Model to Predict Vaginal Delivery and Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity in Low-Risk Nulliparous Patients at Term.

Objective This study aimed to develop and validate a model to predict the probability of vaginal delivery (VD) in low-risk term nulliparous patients, and to determine whether it can predict the risk of severe maternal and neonatal morbidity. Methods Secondary analysis of an obstetric cohort of patients and their neonates born in 25 hospitals across the United States (n = 115,502). Trained and certified research personnel abstracted the maternal and neonatal records. Nulliparous patients with singleton, nonanomalous vertex fetuses, admitted with an intent for VD ≥ 37 weeks were included in this analysis. Patients in active labor (cervical exam > 5 cm), those with prior cesarean and other comorbidities were excluded. Eligible patients were randomly divided into a training and test sets. Based on the training set, and using factors available at the time of admission for delivery, we developed and validated a logistic regression model to predict the probability of VD, and then estimated the prevalences of severe morbidity according to the predicted probability of VD. Results A total of 19,611 patients were included. Based on the training set (n = 9,739), a logistic regression model was developed that included maternal age, body mass index (BMI), cervical dilatation, and gestational age on admission. The model was internally validated on the test set (n = 9,872 patients) and yielded a receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve (ROC-AUC) of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70–0.72). Based on a subset of 18,803 patients with calculated predicted probabilities, we demonstrated that the prevalences of severe morbidity decreased as the predicted probability of VD increased (p Conclusion In a large cohort of low-risk nulliparous patients in early labor or undergoing induction of labor, at term with singleton gestations, we developed and validated a model to calculate the probability of VD, and maternal and neonatal morbidity. If externally validated, this calculator may be clinically useful in helping to direct level of care, staffing, and adjustment for case-mix among various systems. Key Points
Follicular Unit Extraction Technique

Grafting techniques have evolved over the years from the early use of large, 4-mm round punch grafts to the nearly exclusive use of follicular unit (FU) grafts, which is currently the preferred method for most surgical restorations. More recently, follicular unit extraction (FUE) has become the fastest-growing procedure in hair restoration. FUE is a highly refined modification of traditional punch-graft harvesting that uses small circular punches to remove individual FUs from the donor area. It was developed primarily to avoid the linear scar that accompanies elliptical strip harvesting. For patients who have decreased scalp laxity from prior strip harvesting procedures, follicular unit extraction may be performed to obtain additional grafts (assuming that there is a sufficient donor hair supply). In contrast to strip scars, FU extraction sites heal with small, diffusely scattered circular scars that are often easier to camouflage for patients who prefer short hair lengths. The patient also benefits from less postoperative donor-site pain compared with strip harvesting and from the ability to harvest hairs from other areas of the body. There are three major categories of FUE punches: sharp, dull, and flat. Recent advances in FUE punch development have led to decreased follicular transection rates and improved results.
190 Timing of steroid doses and response rates to immune-checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic cancer

Background Corticosteroids (CS) are the mainstay of immune-related adverse effect (irAE) management, as well as for other indications in cancer treatment. Previous studies evaluating whether CS affect immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) efficacy compared patients receiving steroids vs. no steroids.1 This comparison may be confounded by different rates of irAEs, which are known to be associated with higher response rates to CPIs. Preclinically CS have been shown to diminish naive T-cell proliferation and differentiation,2 though there is a paucity of clinical data evaluating how the timing of concomitant CS affects CPI efficacy. Methods We retrospectively collected data from patients treated with CPIs alone, who received CS during their CPI treatment at a single institution. Patients were allocated into two cohorts based on timing of initiation of CS (> 2 months vs. Results We identified 247 patients with metastatic cancer who received CS concurrently with CPIs alone. The majority of patients had non-small cell lung cancer (n=98), followed by renal cell carcinoma (n=43), and melanoma (n=30). 242 patients were on PD-1 inhibitor monotherapy, while 45 patients received CPI in combination with anti-CTLA-4 ipilimumab (table 1). The median time on steroids for all patients was 1.8 months. After adjusting for differences in rates of treatment type, tumor type, brain metastases and irAEs, patients who were treated with CS > 2 months after starting CPI had a statistically significant longer progression free survival (PFS) [HR of 0.33, p≤0.0001], and overall survival (OS) [HR of 0.36, p≤0.0001] than those who received steroids 2 months was 39.8%, vs. ORR for patients Conclusions After adjusting for possible confounding factors such as rates of irAEs, our results suggest that early use of steroids during CPI treatment significantly hinders CPI efficacy. These data need to be validated prospectively. Future studies should focus on the immune mechanisms by which CS affect T-cell function early in CPI treatment course. References Garant A, Guilbault C, Ekmekjian T, Greenwald Z, Murgoi P, & Vuong T. ( 2017). Concomitant use of corticosteroids and immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with hematologic or solid neoplasms: a systematic review. Critical reviews in oncology/hematology120, 86–92. Giles AJ, Hutchinson MKN, Sonnemann HM, Jung J, Fecci PE, Ratnam NM,. .. & Reid CM. Dexamethasone-induced immunosuppression: mechanisms and implications for immunotherapy. Journal for immunotherapy of cancer 2018;6(1):1–13.
Field Potential Reflects the Balance of Synaptic Excitation and Inhibition

Neural circuits sit in a dynamic balance between excitation (E) and inhibition (I). Fluctuations in this E:I balance have been shown to influence neural computation, working memory, and information processing. While more drastic shifts and aberrant E:I patterns are implicated in numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders, current methods for measuring E:I dynamics require invasive procedures that are difficult to perform in behaving animals, and nearly impossible in humans. This has limited the ability to examine the full impact that E:I shifts have in neural computation and disease. In this study, we develop a computational model to show that E:I ratio can be estimated from the power law exponent (slope) of the electrophysiological power spectrum, and validate this relationship using previously published datasets from two species (rat local field potential and macaque electrocorticography). This simple method--one that can be applied retrospectively to existing data--removes a major hurdle in understanding a currently difficult to measure, yet fundamental, aspect of neural computation.
E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury and state-level cannabis policies.

Multiple cases of e-cigarette or vaping product use–associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported in the USA, which have been attributed to informally obtained cannabis oil vaping devices. This report estimated whether cumulative incidence of EVALI differed according to state-level cannabis policy. Publicly available information was used to estimate the cumulative incidence of EVALI. Odds of incident EVALI were calculated according to policy status (active, legal adult-use recreational policy vs. no legal access). Figures were statistically compared using chi-square tests. Estimated cumulative incidence of EVALI was 5.19 per 100,000 cannabis users across all states with recreational cannabis policies (95% CI 4.70–5.72), and 15.89 per 100,000 cannabis users across all states with no legal access to cannabis (95% CI 14.88–16.96). Odds of EVALI were 3.06 times higher (95% CI 2.71–3.45) among users living in states with no legal access to cannabis compared to users in states with active recreational policies, with significant differences detected according to policy exposure (χ2 = 385.57, p < 0.0001). Estimates suggest there may have been a protective effect of state-level, recreational adult-use cannabis policies on incident EVALI. Effects of specific state-level regulations (e.g., laboratory testing, product quality standards, tracking systems) should be considered alongside additional geographic indices in future assessments of EVALI causes.
Association of plasma acylcarnitines with insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and prediabetes in a biracial cohort:

The ability to predict prediabetes, which affects ∼90 million adults in the US and ∼400 million adults worldwide, would be valuable to public health. Acylcarnitines, fatty acid metabolites, have be...
Automatic Generation of Translators for Packet-Based and Emerging Protocols

A recent trend in open source hardware and chipletbased IP reuse faces a key obstacle: protocol standardization. Hardware interfaces lack flexibility and require designers to follow a strict behavior when implementing IP. The rigid nature of hardware interfaces prevents IP reuse, a critical challenge in integrating a plethora of emerging open source IP. To mitigate these challenges, we propose a tool to automatically synthesize translators between arbitrary IP blocks. Using a protocol description language (PDL), we model protocols such that they can be interpreted as finite state machines (FSM). Next, we design algorithms to map and schedule transactions between these protocols, generating a single integrated state machine which serves as a translator between the two protocols. Lastly, we convert our integrated state machine into readable RTL (Verilog) and perform functional verification. Our flow has been implemented, tested, and proven on 12 protocol pairs with unique behavior.
A vaccine for glioma

Despite substantial advances in understanding of the molecular features of gliomas, the therapeutic options for these aggressive tumors remain scarce. Rich, Mitchell and colleagues provide their views about a phase 1 clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of vaccines against cancer expressing mutant metabolic enzyme IDH1 in patients with high-grade glioma.
Building an Information-Centric and LoRa-Based Sensing Platform for IoT

LoRaWAN is a long-range, low-power wireless transmission medium, typically used in Internet of Things(IoT) deployments for long range transmission of sensor data and commands for actuator devices. Named Data Networking (NDN) is an emerging information-centric networking architecture with a design suited for handling communication in wireless environments. This work leverages both technologies to create an ad hoc wireless network by creating an application that is able to send and receive NDN packets between LoRaWAN devices without using any IP address. Experimental results gathered in a real environment show that this newly created ad hoc network is capable of transmitting data over distances of at least one kilometer per hop, using NDN features for handling routing and security of data packets. This ad hoc network is suitable for fetching IoT sensor data, sending commands to IoT devices, and for sending small messages between distant nodes in a low-resource, wireless IoT environment with minimal network infrastructure. Furthermore, this system has been used and evaluated while developing an NDN-based IoT sensing platform with built-in security features, such as data signature verification and certificate deployment.
Developmental Timing of Trauma in Women Predicts Unique Extracellular Vesicle Proteome Signatures

Abstract Background Exposure to traumatic events is a risk factor for negative physical and mental health outcomes. However, the underlying biological mechanisms that perpetuate these lasting effects are not known. Methods We investigated the impact and timing of sexual trauma, a specific type of interpersonal violence, experienced during key developmental windows of childhood, adolescence, or adulthood on adult health outcomes and associated biomarkers, including circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA levels and extracellular vesicles (EVs), in a predominantly Black cohort of women (N = 101). Results Significant changes in both biomarkers examined, circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA levels and EV proteome, were specific to developmental timing of sexual trauma. Specifically, we identified a large number of keratin-related proteins from EVs unique to the adolescent sexual trauma group. Remarkably, the majority of these keratin proteins belong to a 17q21 gene cluster, which suggests a potential local epigenetic regulatory mechanism altered by adolescent trauma to impact keratinocyte EV secretion or its protein cargo. These results, along with changes in fear-potentiated startle and skin conductance detected in these women, suggest that sexual violence experienced during the specific developmental window of adolescence may involve unique programming of the skin, the body’s largest stress organ. Conclusions Together, these descriptive studies provide novel insight into distinct biological processes altered by trauma experienced during specific developmental windows. Future studies will be required to mechanistically link these biological processes to health outcomes.
Once upon a spine: setting striatal dopamine.

The prefrontal cortex is known to influence dopamine release in the striatum–but how? New data in mice suggest that cortical spine density affects striatal dopamine release via monosynaptic control of dopamine neurons, tracing a chain of events from spine loss to antipsychotic-responsive psychomotor agitation.
Increased capacity for glycogen turnover in the rat ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) following hypoglycemia (LB449)

Recurrent hypoglycemia impairs the ability of the VMH to initiate a counterregulatory response and contributes to hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure (HAAF). We hypothesize that mobilization ...
How much resuscitation is enough resuscitation

One of the problems facing all of us when we perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on children is deciding when enough is enough, and when it is perhaps too much. We want to give any child experiencing a sudden, unexpected catastrophe with cardiopulmonary arrest the fullest benefit of our skills and techniques, but if we persist too long, we risk resuscitating the heart but not the brain and creating a fate worse than death: the neurologically devastated or persistently vegetative state. I am as guilty as others of losing track of time and have found myself trying to resuscitate a patient for more than an hour.
The Electoral Connection and Participation on House Roll Call Votes, 1819 -1921*

It is commonly understood by students of Congress that representatives use their roll call votes as a signal to constituents. The vote choice – whether on a single bill or motion as a position taking device (Mayhew 1974) or as a string of votes (Fenno 1978) – offers the constituent a metric for congruence on policy matters on the congressional agenda. The act of voting itself can also be a signal to constituents the degree to which the member fulfills his or her professional responsibilities; whereas committee work and constituency service do not have a clear metric, roll call voting does. But the act of casting a roll call vote, like a vote cast at the ballot box, is not costless. Attendance in Washington may come at the expense of private business or electioneering at home. Especially in the early House, travel was difficult and conditions in the Capitol inhospitable. In the 19th century Congress as in the 21st, a great deal of the Washington work by a representative occurred outside floor voting – introducing resolutions, responding to constituent inquiries, meeting in committee – and whose time commitments may compete with roll calls. Moreover, abstaining might at times be a dominant strategy, especially when exercised by a sizable minority attempting to prevent a quorum for business. Certainly a great deal of nonvoting in the 19th century House is due to idiosyncratic and nonpolitical factors like illness, drunkenness and apathy. Even so, we argue in this paper that the calculus of roll call participation is shaped and influenced by changes in legislative and electoral institutions and practices, and that this is observable in the variation in the rates of nonvoting across representatives and over time. More specifically, we consider how changes in the role of parties, elections and quorum rules altered the incentives for members to cast roll call votes. The paper proceeds as follows. First, we consider institutional changes in the 19th century House of Representatives which may have affected the calculus of voting for members. The list is not exhaustive, but does suggest three broad eras for considering their participation choices. Second, an overview of the contours of House roll call participation from 1819 to 1921 is offered. Third, we model roll call participation rates at the member level across the century in order to understand the magnitude of the systematic component of nonvoting. Together the results suggest that members were responsive to institutional change, but that the standard markers of modernizing House institutions – in particular the adoption of the Reed Rules and the spread of the Australian ballot – resulted only in modest shifts in the roll call participation of representatives.
Abstract 4163: Chemokine and cytokine levels among lung cancer cases responsive to HPV antigen stimulation

Purpose: Human papillomavirus (HPV), the causative agent for anogenital and certain head and neck cancers, has been detected in lung tumors, but its role as an etiologic agent for lung cancer remains controversial. The lung is often subjected to exogenous inflammatory insults, and patients with chronic lung inflammation have an increased risk for cancer. In addition to the genomic instability that can be caused by HPV oncoproteins, the immunomodulatory impacts of HPV infection may foster a pro-inflammatory state that increases lung cancer risk. We sought to identify such immunomodulatory effects by examining the differences in lymphocyte and cytokine/chemokine profiles between lung cancer cases and HPV-vaccinated healthy controls. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 22 newly diagnosed lung cancer cases and 11 healthy controls who had prior exposure to HPV antigens (immunized with Gardasil). Cells were enumerated via a hemacytometer, and were exposed to media alone or to 3 doses of Gardasil for 20 hours as an HPV challenge. Interleukin (IL-) 4, IFN-γ, and IL-17A secreting cells were then quantified using enzyme linked immunocell spot (ELISpot) analysis. Individuals were categorized as HPV-responsive if the HPV challenge resulted in an increase in at least 2 types of secreting cells, compared to media-exposed cells. The Milliplex human cytokine detection kit was used to assess circulating levels of 38 key cytokines in the plasma of cases and controls. Cytokine levels among HPV-responsive and HPV-non-responsive cases were compared. Survival analysis was also conducted. Results: All 11 HPV-vaccinated controls demonstrated an increase in cells secreting IFN-γ and IL-4. Of the 22 cases, 13 (59%) were classified as HPV-responsive, with 2 cases displaying an increase in IFN-γ and IL-4 secreting cells upon HPV challenge. Levels of TGF-α, IL-10, IL-3, IL-5, and IL-7 were significantly higher among HPV-responsive compared to non-responsive cases. Significant survival differences were also observed by HPV-responsiveness and cytokine levels. Conclusions: HPV clearly has substantial effects on the host9s systemic immune response. Our study may explain whether and how the pathogenic process differs between HPV-infected and -uninfected lung tumors. Citation Format: Michael E. Scheurer, E Susan Amirian, Paul Porter, David B. Corry. Chemokine and cytokine levels among lung cancer cases responsive to HPV antigen stimulation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4163. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4163
Some aspects of fetal life in utero and the changes at birth

Abstract The various circulatory and metabolic adjustments of the fetus to intrauterine life and the instantaneous changes that occur at birth have been reviewed. In the fetal state, the right heart predominates over the left in terms of pressure, output, and work mainly because of the high pulmonary vascular resistance. This predominance subsides in favor of the left heart after birth. The fetus has a high cardiac output per unit of body weight; this compensates for the low oxygen content of the fetal blood. The ductus arteriosus and its circulation is a major contributing factor to the high fetal cardiac output and to its fall after birth. Fetal circulatory dynamics as well as fetal oxygenation and acid-base status are designed for the fetal organism and are not to be compared to adult standards and values. When a given function is altered, a series of fetal adjustments occur to compensate for the altered function and, hence, protect the integrity of fetal life. These compensatory mechanisms should be taken into consideration when one monitors and attempts to interpret an altered circulatory or metabolic parameter.
Role of NGF and neurogenic inflammation in the pathogenesis of psoriasis

A contributing role of neurogenic inflammation has provided a new dimension in understanding the pathogenesis of various cutaneous and systemic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis, urticaria, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and bronchial asthma. Several critical observations, such as (i) psoriasis resolves at sites of anaesthesia, (ii) neuropeptides are upregulated, and (iii) there is a marked proliferation of terminal cutaneous nerves in psoriatic plaques, encouraged us to search for a mechanism of neural influence in inflammation and inflammatory diseases. In immunohistochemical studies, we found that keratinocytes in lesional and nonlesional psoriatic tissue express high levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and that there is a marked upregulation of NGF receptors, p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and tyrosine kinase A (TrkA), in the terminal cutaneous nerves of psoriatic lesions. As keratinocytes of psoriatic plaques express increased levels of NGF, it is likely that murine nerves will promptly proliferate into the transplanted plaques on a severe combined immunodeficient mouse. Indeed, we have noted marked proliferation of nerve fibers in transplanted psoriatic plaques compared with the few nerves in transplanted normal human skin. By double label immunofluorescence staining, we have further demonstrated that in these terminal cutaneous nerves there is a marked upregulation of neuropeptides, such as substance P and calcitonin gene-related protein. These observations, as well as recent findings about NGF-induced chemokine expression in keratinocytes, further substantiate a role of the NGF-p75NTR-TrkA system in the inflammatory process of psoriasis. Currently, we are evaluating antagonists to selected neuropeptides and NGF/receptors, with the expectation of identifying pharmacological agents to counter neurogenic inflammation in psoriasis.
The isolation and characterization of melanin-deficient mutants ofMonilinia fructicola

Abstract Monilinia fructicola(Wint.) Honey, the causal agent of brown rot of stone fruit, has melanin associated with the cell walls of the conidia and in the outer rind of its stroma (fruit mummy). The importance of melanin for the survival of the conidia and the integrity of the stroma was assessed by isolating and characterizing melanin-deficient mutants. These mutants produced conidia which were more readily killed by high temperature, desiccation, freezing, u.v. irradiation, and digestion with hydrolytic enzymes. Mutant stroma were shown to have reduced tensile strength. InM. fructicola, melanin functions to provide the conidia with resistance to a variety of environmental stresses.
Quantitative Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation: How Best to Do It

Decisions regarding surgery for mitral regurgitation (MR) are predicated on the accurate quantification of MR severity. Quantitative parameters, including vena contracta width, regurgitant volume and fraction, and effective regurgitant orifice area have prognostic significance and are recommended to be obtained from patients with more than mild MR. New tools for MR quantification have been provided by 3-dimensional echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and cardiac computed tomography, but limited guidance on appropriate image acquisition and post-processing techniques has hindered their clinical application and reproducibility. This review describes optimal image acquisition and post-processing methods for quantification of MR.
A boundedness theoretical analysis for GrADP design: A case study on maze navigation

A new theoretical analysis towards the goal representation adaptive dynamic programming (GrADP) design proposed in [1], [2] is investigated in this paper. Unlike the proofs of convergence for adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) in literature, here we provide a new insight for the error bound between the estimated value function and the expected value function. Then we employ the critic network in GrADP approach to approximate the Q value function, and use the action network to provide the control policy. The goal network is adopted to provide the internal reinforcement signal for the critic network over time. Finally, we illustrate that the estimated Q value function is close to the expected value function in an arbitrary small bound on the maze navigation example.
Managing Media: Segmenting Media Through Consumer Expectancies

It has long been understood that consumers are motivated to media differently. However, given the lack of comparative model analysis, this assumption is without empirical validation, and thus, the orientation of segmentation from a media management perspective is without motivational grounds. Thus, evolving the literature on media consumption, the current study develops and compares models of media segmentation within the context of use. From this study, six models of media expectancies were constructed so that motivational differences between media (i.e., local and national newspapers, network and cable television, radio, and Internet) could be observed. Utilizing higher order statistical analyses the data indicates differences across a model comparison approach for media motivations. Furthermore, these differences vary across numerous demographic factors. Results afford theoretical advancement within the literature of consumer media consumption as well as provide media planners’ insight into consumer choices.
Safety of megavitamin therapy.

Carbon compounds that are needed in small amounts in the diet because they are not made in the body of vertebrates are defined as vitamins. Excluded from this definition are vitamins D, K, and niacin which can be synthesized by the organism or, as in the case of vitamin K, by the hosts intestinal bacteria. Lack of such vitamins can result in characteristic deficiency diseases. The therapeutic use of such compounds (megavitamin intake) is based on the spectacular effect of vitamins on deficiency diseases; however, evidence that the ingestion of large amounts of vitamins beyond the “Recommended Daily Allowances” (RDA) is beneficial is not within the basic concept of nutrition. Vitamins, like many substances, may be toxic when taken in large quantities, especially the fat-soluble vitamins, and the concept of “more is better” is a common misconception. Vitamin supplements can be suggested only in the unusual cases of patients having inadequate intake, disturbed absorption (genetic or otherwise), or increased tissue requirements. A well-balanced diet that includes a wide variety of foods from each of the four food groups is adequate for the supply of vitamins, as well as other nutrients, in healthy people. This paper will review some of the recent findings regarding vitamin toxicity and the mechanisms of toxicity.
Asymptotic analysis of three‐dimensional pressure interference tests: A point source solution

[1] Well test analyses conducted in steady state and transient flow regimes have complementary strengths and drawbacks. While steady state analyses are easy to interpret, they are useful only on a late-time portion of the data collected during pressure interference tests and do not provide estimates of porosity. Transient type curve and numerical inverse approaches overcome these shortcomings but are harder to analyze, and their reliability can be affected by changing external forcings. We develop a new approach to estimate permeability and porosity from well tests, which is based on an asymptotic analysis of pressure transients during three-dimensional pressure interference tests. Our approach results in a straight line data fitting, rendering the data interpretation straightforward. It also allows one to use intermediate-to-late time pressure data. To illustrate the advantages of the proposed technique, we use it to analyze data from several cross-hole pneumatic injection tests conducted in unsaturated fractured tuff. We demonstrate that the equivalent permeabilities and porosities obtained from our analysis compare well with their counterparts inferred from more complicated approaches, such as type curve and numerical inverse analyses as well as from a steady state analysis.
The Medical Home and Care Coordination in Disaster Recovery: Hypothesis for Interventions and Research

In postdisaster settings, health care providers encounter secondary surges of unmet primary care and mental health needs that evolve throughout disaster recovery phases. Whatever a community's predisaster adequacy of health care, postdisaster gaps are similar to those of any underserved region. We hypothesize that existing practice and evidence supporting medical homes and care coordination in primary care for the underserved provide a favorable model for improving health in disrupted communities. Elements of medical home services can be offered by local or temporary providers from outside the region, working out of mobile clinics early in disaster recovery. As repairs and reconstruction proceed, local services are restored over weeks or years. Throughout recovery, major tasks include identifying high-risk patients relative to the disaster and underlying health conditions, assisting displaced families as they transition through housing locations, and tracking their evolving access to health care and community services as they are restored. Postdisaster sources of financial assistance for the disaster-exposed population are often temporary and evolving, requiring up-to-date information to cover costs of care until stable services and insurance coverage are restored. Evidence to support disaster recovery health care improvement will require research funding and metrics on structures, processes, and outcomes of the disaster recovery medical home and care coordination, based on adaptation of standard validated methods to crisis environments.
Is John zizioulas an existentialist in disguise? Response to Lucian Turcescu

This essay responds to Lucian Turcescu's article, “ ‘Person’ versus ‘Individual’, and Other Modern Misreadings of Gregory of Nyssa”, Modern Theology Vol. 18 no. 4 (October, 2002) in which he argues that John Zizioulas's relational ontology of trinitarian personhood is indebted more to modern personalism and existentialism than to the Cappadocian Fathers. Turcescu's focus on Gregory of Nyssa does not warrant the claim that a relational ontology of personhood cannot be found within the thought of the Cappadocian Fathers. More substantively, Turcescu never addresses Zizioulas's interpretation of the Cappadocian affirmation of the monarchy of the Father, which, I argue, is central to Zizioulas's relational ontology insofar as such an ontology attempts to express the realism of divine-human communion.
THE RADIATION-INDUCED COPOLYMERIZATION OF TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE AND 3,3,3- TRIFLUOROPROPENE UNDER PRESSURE.

A study was made of the gamma-ray-induced copolymerization of tetrafluoroethylene and 3,3,3-trifluoropropene. Copolymerizations were carried out at 100°C. and 5000 atm. pressure and at 21°C. and various pressures up to 8000 atm. The reactivity ratios calculated from the composition data indicate that the propagation rate constants favor addition of trifluoropropylene by a factor of 3–7; individual values depended little on the polymerization pressure and temperature. Polymerization rates changed little with monomer composition between 0 and 75% tetrafluoroethylene; between 75 and 95% tetrafluoroethylene they increased by a factor of 10. As many as 850,000 molecules were polymerized per 100 e.v. absorbed. The copolymers are soluble in hexafluorobenzene at 29.6°C. if they contain less than 70% tetrafluoroethylene. Intrinsic viscosities range from 0.1 to about 10 dl./g. From various considerations it appears likely that the degree of polymerization is about equal to the kinetic chain length in high-pressure polymerizations at 21°C.; at autogenous pressure or at 5000 atm and 100°C., monomer transfer reduces the value considerably.
Fitness Landscape Analysis of Evolved Image Transforms for Defense Applications

In recent years, there has been increased interest in the use of evolutionary algorithms (EAs) in the design of robust image transforms for use in defense and security applications. An EA replaces the defining filter coefficients of a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to provide improved image quality within bandwidth-limited image processing applications, such as the transmission of surveillance data by swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over shared communication channels. The evolvability of image transform filters depends upon the properties of the underlying fitness landscape traversed by the evolutionary algorithm. The landscape topography determines the ease with which an optimization algorithm may identify highly-fit filters. The properties of a fitness landscape depend upon a chosen evaluation function defined over the space of possible solutions. Evaluation functions appropriate for image filter evolution include mean squared error (MSE), the universal image quality index (UQI), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and average absolute pixel error (AAPE). We conduct a theoretical comparison of these image quality measures using random walks through fitness landscapes defined over each evaluation function. This analysis allows us to compare the relative evolvability of the various potential image quality measures by examining fitness topology for each measure in terms of ruggedness and deceptiveness. A theoretical understanding of the topology of fitness landscapes aids in the design of evolutionary algorithms capable of identifying near-optimal image transforms suitable for deployment in defense and security applications of image processing.
Points South: Ambrose Bierce, Jorge Luis Borges, and the Fantastic

The debt of Borges's "A Secret Miracle" to Ambrose Bierce's "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" both in theme and technique has been noted in recent criticism. However, a careful study of the two works reveals striking differences, particularly with respect to the treatment of time. Based on Todorov's study of the fantastic, this article attempts to show how Bierce's influence on Borges parallels the general development of psychological realism and its transformation into surrealism. While it is true that the allusive qualities of Borges' work recall thematic and technical aspects of Bierce, nonetheless the American Hispanophile is a precursor of the Argentine Anglophile in only a limited sense. This article is available in Studies in 20th Century Literature: http://newprairiepress.org/sttcl/vol1/iss2/5 POINTS SOUTH: AMBROSE BIERCE, JORGE LUIS BORGES, AND THE FANTASTIC*