cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automatic modeling and usage of contextualized human behavior models

Modeling human behavior is a complex task, as it might include unpredictability, sub-conscious knowledge and intuition. This paper presents some initial results from a novel algorithm that creates human behavior models automatically by observing humans performing. Furthermore, the paper uses conclusions from the No Free Lunch Theorems to signify the scalability of the modeling algorithm. These implications from the No Free Lunch Theorems, is universal and might be applicable to many related areas of modeling.
Data compression

The applications of digital data compression and the major components of compression systems are described. Data modeling is discussed, and the role of entropy and data statistics is examined. Gray-scale image modeling is used to illustrate some of these mechanisms. The coding mechanisms are examined, and prefix codes are explained. Arithmetic coding is considered. >
NOVEL ORAL ANTICOAGULANT AVAILABILITY INCREASES APPROPRIATE USE OF ANTICOAGULANTS FOR NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Registry data suggest that anticoagulation (AC) is underused in AF patients (pts). Compared to warfarin, novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have predictable pharmacokinetics, minimal food/drug interactions and do not require INR monitoring. We examined the impact of NOAC availability on the
Study on Birth Seasons, Weight, Height and Sex by Homogeneity Analysis

Objective] To Analyze the relationship of four variables(birth seasons , weight, height and sex) by geometrical plot with two/three axes(dimensions). [Methods] The data of 8463 babies normally delivered from a comprehensive hospital in Fuzhou were collected and analyzed by homogeneityanalysis (HOMALS) in SPSS 8.0 for Windows. [Results] (1) The Chi-square test of general contingency table sometimes may be difficult for analyzing the relationshipof variables between rows and columns; (2) The baby delivered at spring tends tobe male, higher body in height and heavier body in weight; On contrary, at autumn,female , lower and lighter. [Conclusions] The HOMALS can examine the relationshipamong 3 nominal variables or more graphically in a plot with two/three axes(dimensions); But the Chi-square test of R × C cross-tabulation and the correspondence analysis (ANACOR) may be difficult to do so.
North Carolina developmental disability services and supports: steps to system improvement.

to construct a system that assures safety, high quality service access, consistency, and equitable distribution of resources to address these needs in a way that is congruent with the shared philosophy, values, and mission of the disability group as well as being consistent with best practices. North Carolina has a history of providing both a strong and robust system of services for persons with I/DD and a cadre of well-trained and experienced developmental disability professionals. These individuals have acted in partnership with recipients of services and their families, service providers, advocates, sister agencies, and other stakeholders to establish a solid infrastructure. That infrastructure should meet the goals of safety, physical and mental health, independence, productivity, authentic community participation, and a self-determined life for all citizens with developmental disabilities in our state. The state is also fortunate to have a broad array of dedicated providers of service, an exceptional Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, an independent protection and advocacy agency, a strong self-advocacy movement, and active
Photocross-Linked Second Order Nonlinear Optical Polymers

We report a novel method to obtain stable second order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties in polymeric thin films. Photocross-linking between the NLO active molecules and a photoreactive polymer is achieved by UV irradiation subsequent to poling. The thin film exhibits a nonlinear coefficient d 33 of 16.5 pm/V at a doping level of 20% by weight of NLO active molecules and possesses quite stable second order nonlinear optical properties
Electrophysiological Investigations of Toxic Neuropathies

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on electrophysiological investigations of toxic neuropathies and reviews routine nerve conduction studies (NCS), special nerve conduction analysis techniques, and quantitative needle electromyography (EMG) including single fiber and macro EMG. Sensitive and adequately controlled neurophysiological investigations are needed to document the existence of peripheral nerve involvement in toxic and occupational neuropathies. These techniques allow early detection of abnormalities, document the extent, define the type, and shed some light on the prognosis of the peripheral nervous system lesions. They do so by statistical analysis or by studying the distribution of conduction velocities of different size axons within a nerve. The mean related values technique (MRVT) statistically analyzes normal values, determines how they are collected, and decides whether or not they are Gaussian distributed before using them for the interpretation of results. The purpose of this evaluation is to assure that the proper descriptive and comparative statistics are used during analysis. The single fiber EMG is performed with a special needle electrode. By measuring the variability between timelocked potentials, the jitter, one can measure the variability in neuromuscular transmission.
“Snoopy is the hero in Vietnam:” ambivalence, empathy, and Peanuts’ Vietnam war

AbstractThis article reconsiders the work of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz within the political context of the Vietnam War era. During the late Sixties, Peanuts became the most widely read comic strip in American history. Many assumed the strip was popular because it was inoffensive and avoided controversial topics. Far from apolitical or escapist, however, the strip subtly – and, at times, explicitly – engaged with serious national debates about such topics as the Vietnam War and the draft. Snoopy’s daydreams of warfare as the Flying Ace became the vehicle for many of Schulz’s musings on war and society. Schulz’s personal experience as a drafted soldier in World War II led him to empathize with American troops in Vietnam, oppose the draft, and, yet, reluctantly support a war he increasingly hated. While he used Snoopy and the Peanuts gang to express his personal feelings about Vietnam, readers, commentators, and Vietnam soldiers appropriated the image of the Flying Ace to communicate their own feelings ab...
El rumbo de las reformas. Hacia una nueva agenda para América Latina

En el articulo se esboza una nueva agenda para las reformas, que se concentra en lo que los paises latinoamericanos pueden hacer en el regimen internacional actual, y se identifican las deficiencias de la agenda anterior: i) las reformas aumentaron la exposicion de los paises al riesgo, sin acrecentar su capacidad de enfrentarlo; ii) las reformas macroeconomicas no han sido equilibradas; iii) las reformas impulsaron la privatizacion y el fortalecimiento del sector privado, pero dieron escasa importancia al mejoramiento del sector publico. Ademas, se argumenta a favor de formular un conjunto de politicas economicas que reflejen un mayor equilibrio entre los mercados y el Estado; que superen el excesivo enfasis en la inflacion para atender mas a la creacion de empleos; que no se concentren tanto en la privatizacion de empresas existentes como en crear empresas nuevas; y que se alejen de la creencia en el goteo del crecimiento y centren la atencion en la reduccion de la pobreza, de manera que la agenda economica de reforma se ubique dentro del contexto mas amplio de la transformacion de la sociedad.
Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma is usually associated with hair follicles, not acantholytic actinic keratosis, and is not “high risk”: Diagnosis, management, and clinical outcomes in a series of 115 cases

Background Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma (aSCC) is regarded as a high-risk variant of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Acantholytic actinic keratosis (aAK) has been regarded as a precursor risk factor for aSCC. However, supporting evidence is limited. Objective We sought to document clinical features, histologic features, management, and outcomes in a series of aSCC cases. Methods Definitions of aSCC, aAK, and aSCC arising in association with aAK were applied to a consecutive series of aSCC cases. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were obtained from electronic medical records. Results Of 115 aSCC cases (103 patients, mean age 71.8 years), actinic keratosis was present in 23% (27/115) but only 7.8% (9/115) exhibited associated aAK. Ten cases (10/115, 9%) fulfilled strict histologic criteria for follicular SCC as previously defined, but 50 of 115 (43%) of our aSCC cases exhibited predominant involvement of follicular epithelium rather than epidermis. Clinical outcome (median follow-up, 36 months) was available in 106 of 115 (92%). One patient experienced regional extension (parotid), and 1 patient experienced a local recurrence (nose). No disease-related metastases or deaths were documented. Limitations This was a single-institution retrospective study from the United States. Conclusions The presence of acantholysis in cutaneous SCC does not specifically confer aggressive behavior, a finding that may inform clinical practice guidelines.
Design guidelines to improve reliability of seamless redundancy in Wi-Fi networks

Seamless redundancy has been recently proven to increase the quality of wireless links communication noticeably. As such, it can be exploited to improve Wi-Fi reliability and make it suitable for industrial environments. Higher benefits can be achieved when phenomena affecting transmissions on the two channels of a redundant link are independent. In this paper, a number of aspects that may lead to a reduction of the effectiveness of seamless redundancy are analyzed. In particular, the quality of communication has been experimentally evaluated in a real testbed made up of conventional Wi-Fi devices. Guidelines are then provided, which are aimed at preventing joint interference through a careful system design.
Chapter 40 – Thiamin (B1) and Riboflavin (B2)

Abstract: Thiamin diphosphate is used to facilitate oxidative decarboxylation and transketolase reactions. Thiamin deficiency, which limits aerobic metabolism, can be fatal. Thiamin is activated to its coenzyme form in brain and liver tissue. Several foods exhibit thiamin antagonist activity. Riboflavin is used to produce FMN and FAD, and stored forms of this vitamin tend to decompose in the presence of light. FAD and FMN are coenzymes containing iron or molybdenum. FAD and FMN production is enhanced by thyroid hormones. Riboflavin, like bile acids, exhibits an enterohepatic circulation (EHC). Erythrocytes can be used to assess both thiamin and riboflavin deficiency.
Opportunities for personalization in modeling students as Bayesian learners

The following paper is a proof-of-concept demonstration of a novel Bayesian framework for making inferences about individual students and the context in which they are learning. It has implications for both efforts to automate personalized instruction and to probabilistically model educational context. By modelling students as Bayesian learners, individuals who weigh their prior belief against current circumstantial data to reach conclusions, it becomes possible to both generate estimates of performance and the impact of the educational environment in probabilistic terms. This framework is tested through a Bayesian algorithm that can be used to characterize student prior knowledge in course material and predict student performance. This is demonstrated using both simulated data. The algorithm generates estimates that behave qualitatively as expected on simulated data and predict student performance substantially better than chance. A discussion of the results and the conceptual benefits of the framework follow.
Habitual exercise is associated with cognitive control and cognitive reappraisal success.

Habitual exercise is associated with enhanced domain-general cognitive control, such as inhibitory control, selective attention, and working memory, all of which rely on the frontal cortex. However, whether regular exercise is associated with more specific aspects of cognitive control, such as the cognitive control of emotion, remains relatively unexplored. The present study employed a correlational design to determine whether level of habitual exercise was related to performance on the Stroop test measuring selective attention and response inhibition, the cognitive reappraisal task measuring cognitive reappraisal success, and associated changes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenation using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. 74 individuals (24 men, 50 women, age 18–32 years) participated. Higher habitual physical activity was associated with lower Stroop interference (indicating greater inhibitory control) and enhanced cognitive reappraisal success. Higher habitual exercise was also associated with lower oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) in the PFC in response to emotional information. However, NIRS data indicated that exercise was not associated with cognitive control-associated O2Hb in the PFC. Behaviorally, the findings support and extend the previous findings that habitual exercise relates to more successful cognitive control of neutral information and cognitive reappraisal of emotional information. Future research should explore whether habitual exercise exerts causal benefits to cognitive control and PFC oxygenation, as well as isolate specific cognitive control processes sensitive to change through habitual exercise.
Libraries and Natural Disasters

ABSTRACTThe backdrop for this column was a spate of natural disasters around the world. The column examines the impact of disasters on libraries through multiple lenses: preparedness, recovery, and lessons learned. While the immediate and obvious emphasis may be on facilities and collections, libraries often face additional demands and take on additional roles in aiding their communities, employees, and partner institutions.
Leisure and alcohol expectancies.

This paper presents the results of a study investigating the ways in which individuals expect drinking to affect their leisure experiences, and the relationship of these expectancies to alcohol con...
A segmentation-based stereovision approach for assisting visually impaired people

An accurate 3D map, automatically generated in real-time from a camera-based stereovision system, is able to assist blind or visually impaired people to obtain correct perception and recognition of the surrounding objects and environment so that they can move safely. In this paper, a segmentation-based stereovision approach is proposed to rapidly obtain accurate 3D estimations of man-made scenes, both indoor and outdoor, with largely textureless areas and sharp depth changes. The new approach takes advantage of the fact that many man-made objects in an urban environment consist of planar surfaces. The final outcome of the system is not just an array of individual 3D points. Instead, the 3D model is built in a geometric representation of plane parameters, with geometric relations among different planar surfaces. Based on this 3D model, algorithms can be developed for traversable path planning, obstacle detection and object recognition for assisting the blind in urban navigation.
Graft Rejection and the Regulation of Length in Hydra viridis

At a recent meeting of comparative immunologists an argument took place about how to conduct research on evolutionary questions. The speaker had said that to trace the origins of the immune system the essential question was, “What characteristics of the primitive organism could give rise to the immune system?” not, “What characteristics of the immune system are found in primitive organisms?” The former question acknowledges the ambiguous antecedents of immunity while the latter question predetermines the answer and limits the potential for research. The moderator reproachfully argued that proceeding without the classical definitions of immunity justifies any sort of research as immunology. He was urged to work on primitive organisms to break down his vertebrate- bound immunologic chauvinism.
Synthesis and Biological Activity of Scyllatoxin-Based BH3 Domain Mimetics Containing Two Disulfide Linkages

The B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) proteins are a family of evolutionarily related proteins that act as positive or negative regulators of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. Overexpression of anti-apoptotic BCL2 proteins in cells is associated with apoptotic resistance, which can result in cancerous phenotypes and pathogenic cell survival. Consequently, anti-apoptotic BCL2 proteins have attracted considerable interest as therapeutic targets. We recently reported the development of a novel class of synthetic protein based on scyllatoxin (ScTx) designed to mimic the helical BH3 interaction domain of the pro-apoptotic BCL2 protein Bax. These studies showed that the number and position of native disulfide linkages contained within the ScTx-Bax structure significantly influences the ability for these constructs to target anti-apoptotic BCL2 proteins in vitro. The goal of the present study is to investigate the contribution of two disulfide linkages in the folding and biological activity of ScTx-Bax proteins. Here, we report the full chemical synthesis of three ScTx-Bax sequence variants, each presenting two native disulfide linkages at different positions within the folded structure. It was observed that two disulfide linkages were sufficient to fold ScTx-Bax proteins into native-like architectures reminiscent of wild-type ScTx. Furthermore, we show that select (bis)disulfide ScTx-Bax variants can target Bcl-2 (proper) in vitro and that the position of the disulfide bonds significantly influences binding affinity. Despite exhibiting only modest binding to Bcl-2, the successful synthesis of ScTx-Bax proteins containing two disulfide linkages represents a viable route to ScTx-based BH3 domain mimetics that preserve native-like conformations. Finally, structural models of ScTx-Bax proteins in complex with Bcl-2 indicate that these helical mimetics bind in similar configurations as wild-type Bax BH3 domains. Taken together, these results suggest that ScTx-Bax proteins may serve as potent lead compounds that expand the repertoire of “druggable” protein–protein interactions.
Kinetic Monte Carlo Model of Scintillation Mechanisms in Organic Scintillator Radiation Detectors

Although organic scintillator materials are widely used as radiation detectors, an understanding of the light production mechanisms remains incomplete. No quantitative tool exists for simulating the dynamics of the molecular excitations produced by radiation interactions that are responsible for light emission. To build such a tool, the first stages of construction were begun to implement a kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) technique for modeling the scintillation mechanisms in organic scintillators in response to radiation interactions. This toy study serves as a preliminary investigation to illustrate that the kinetic Monte Carlo technique contains the mathematical principles required for capturing the complexities of these systems. Work remains to incorporate correct time constants and a monoclinic crystal structure to make the model represent real materials such as anthracene or stilbene.
Beyond Open vs. Closed: Balancing Individual Privacy and Public Accountability in Data Sharing

Data too sensitive to be "open" for analysis and re-purposing typically remains "closed" as proprietary information. This dichotomy undermines efforts to make algorithmic systems more fair, transparent, and accountable. Access to proprietary data in particular is needed by government agencies to enforce policy, researchers to evaluate methods, and the public to hold agencies accountable; all of these needs must be met while preserving individual privacy and firm competitiveness. In this paper, we describe an integrated legal-technical approach provided by a third-party public-private data trust designed to balance these competing interests. Basic membership allows firms and agencies to enable low-risk access to data for compliance reporting and core methods research, while modular data sharing agreements support a wide array of projects and use cases. Unless specifically stated otherwise in an agreement, all data access is initially provided to end users through customized synthetic datasets that offer a) strong privacy guarantees, b) removal of signals that could expose competitive advantage, and c) removal of biases that could reinforce discriminatory policies, all while maintaining fidelity to the original data. We find that using synthetic data in conjunction with strong legal protections over raw data strikes a balance between transparency, proprietorship, privacy, and research objectives. This legal-technical framework can form the basis for data trusts in a variety of contexts.
Epidemiology of Hand and Wrist Injuries in NCAA Men's Football: 2009-2010 to 2013-2014.

Background:Participation in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football is at an all-time high. This population of athletes experiences a substantial injury burden, with many injuries ...
Race, Educational Attainment, and E-Cigarette Use

Background: Although higher educational attainment lowers high-risk behaviors such as substance use, according to the Minorities’ Diminished Returns theory, the effect of educational attainment may be smaller for Blacks than Whites. Aims: To explore the racial differences in the link between educational attainment and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Methods: We used the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) data. This national survey was conducted in 2017 and included 2,277 American adults composed of 1,868 White and 409 Black individuals. Educational attainment was the independent variable. E-cigarette use (lifetime) was the dependent variables. Age and gender were the covariates. Race was the effect modifier. Results: In the overall sample, a higher level of education attainment was linked to lower odds of e-cigarette use (OR = 0.76, 95% CI =0.61-0.95). Race showed a significant interaction with educational attainment on the outcome (OR = 1.63, 95% CI =1.04-2.56), suggesting a weaker negative association between high educational attainment and e-cigarette use for Blacks than Whites. In race-stratified logistic regression models, high educational attainment was inversely associated with risk of e-cigarette use for Whites but not Blacks. Conclusion: Educational attainment shows a stronger effect on e-cigarette use in White than Black Americans.
Managing authentication and authorization in distributed science gateway middleware

Abstract Establishing users’ identities and determining their permissions before they access research infrastructure resources are key features of science gateways. With many science gateways now relying on general purpose gateway platform services, the challenges of managing identity-derived features have expanded to include network-based authentication and authorization scenarios that connect science gateway tenants, science gateway platform middleware, and third party identity provider services, including campus identity management systems. This paper examines both architectural and implementation considerations for integrating these services. We provide a summary case study that further shows how end-to-end authentication and authorization can be provided between gateways, campus authentication systems, science gateway middleware, and campus computing resources. We conclude with observations on lifecycle management of third party components in science gateway platform services, which is an important consideration for both selection of new technologies and transitioning from older systems.
Robot-assisted versus manual navigated stereoelectroencephalography in adult medically-refractory epilepsy patients.

Abstract Objective Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) has experienced a recent growth in adoption for epileptogenic zone (EZ) localization. Advances in robotics have the potential to improve the efficiency and safety of this intracranial seizure monitoring method. We present our institutional experience employing robot-assisted SEEG and compare its operative efficiency, seizure reduction outcomes, and direct hospital costs with SEEG performed without robotic assistance using navigated stereotaxy. Methods We retrospectively identified 50 consecutive adult SEEG cases at our institution in this IRB-approved study, of which 25 were navigated with image guidance (hereafter referred to as “navigated”) (02/2014-10/2016) and 25 were robot-assisted (09/2016-12/2017). A thorough review of medical/surgical history and operative records with imaging and trajectory plans was done for each patient. Direct inpatient costs related to each technique were compared. Results Most common seizure etiologies for patients undergoing navigated and robot-assisted SEEG included non-lesional and benign temporal lesions. Despite having a higher mean number of leads-per-patient (10.2 ± 3.5 versus 7.2 ± 2.6, P = 0.002), robot-assisted cases had a significantly shorter mean operative time than navigated cases (125.5±48.5 versus 173.4±84.3 min, P = 0.02). Comparison of robot-assisted cases over the study interval revealed no significant difference in mean operative time (136.4±51.4 min for the first ten cases versus 109.9±75.8 min for the last ten cases, P = 0.25) and estimated operative time-per-lead (13.4±6.0 min for the first ten cases versus 12.9±7.7 min for the last ten cases, P = 0.86). The mean depth, radial, target, and entry point errors for robot-assisted cases were 2.12±1.89, 1.66±1.58, 3.05±2.02 mm, and 1.39 ± 0.75 mm, respectively. The two techniques resulted in equivalent EZ localization rate (navigated 88 %, robot-assisted 96 %, P = 0.30). Common types of epilepsy surgery performed consisted of implantation of responsive neurostimulation (RNS) device (56 %), resection (19.1 %), and laser ablation (23.8 %) for navigated SEEG. For robot-assisted SEEG, either RNS implantation (68.2 %) or laser ablation (22.7 %) were performed or offered. A majority of navigated and robot-assisted patients who underwent epilepsy surgery achieved either Engel Class I (navigated 36.8 %, robot-assisted 31.6 %) or II (navigated 36.8 %, robot-assisted 15.8 %) outcome with no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.14). Direct hospital cost for robot-assisted SEEG was 10 % higher than non-robotic cases. Conclusion This single-institutional study suggests that robotic assistance can enhance efficiency of SEEG without compromising safety or precision when compared to image guidance only. Adoption of this technique with uniform safety and efficacy over a short period of time is feasible with favorable epilepsy outcomes.
Temporal Luminescence of Broadband Light-Emitting Diodes and Their Use for Generating Customizable White Light

ABSTRACTBroadband visible light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are now being used for applications where high-quality tunable light is needed. These LEDs are based on phosphors with wide emission bands (fu...
Hyperopic Search: Organizations Learning About Managers Learning About Strategies

Early-stage experiments are central to the design-thinking approach to organizational innovation, and they are also a core practice in evidence-based management. Organizations use experiments to te...
Ascorbic Acid Inhibition of N-Nitroso Compound Formation in Chemical, Food, and Biological Systems

Cameron et al. (1979) have reviewed the effect of ascorbic acid (ASC) on tumor growth and progression and on carcinogenesis in general. Five years ago (Mirvish, 1975a), I reviewed the subject of this chapter, and the present review covers reports up to the middle of 1979.
The correlation between microstructure and nanoindentation property of neutron-irradiated austenitic alloy D9

Abstract The microstructure and nanomechanical properties of three samples of the modified stainless steel (referred as the alloy D9) were systematically characterized after neutron irradiation in the Advanced Test Reactor. The samples were irradiated to 5.0, 8.2, and 9.2 displacements per atom at 448, 430, and 683°C, respectively. The evolutions of dislocation loops, cavities, and radiation-induced precipitates were quantitatively studied to reveal their dose and temperature dependencies. Nanohardness and nanoindentation creep tests were conducted at room temperature on the irradiated samples. Unexpected radiation hardening was observed in the highest-temperature-irradiated sample due to the formation of an unknown type of Ni- and Si-rich precipitates whose contributions to the radiation and mechanical performances of the alloy were discussed. We provide the radiation-microstructure-property correlations of alloy D9 with new insights, which can benefit the development and optimization of advanced austenitic alloys for future nuclear applications.
The Trump Administration’s Attacks on Regulatory Benefits

For the last four decades, benefit-cost analysis has been a mainstay of the U.S. federal regulatory process and, under Executive Orders in effect since 1981, such analysis must generally be used to justify significant federal regulations. While administrations of different parties have occasionally differed on the methodologies used to assess costs or benefits, these disagreements operated within the bounds of approaches that are supported by the economic and scientific literatures. In contrast, the Trump administration has been operating outside such bounds. In particular, as I discuss in this article, it has sought to justify important deregulatory measures by focusing on cost savings, but ignoring the resulting foregone benefits; placing substantial roadblocks in the way of regulatory agencies’ ability to rely on epidemiological studies; promoting discredited threshold models, under which significant air pollutants are assumed to have no adverse effects below a certain level; calling co-benefits into question; downplaying climate change damages; and counting transfer payments in inappropriate ways. I argue that these moves significantly threaten the health and safety of Americans.
A flexible communication abstraction for nonshared memory parallel computing

It is shown how a communication abstraction called the port ensemble can simplify the handling of boundary conditions and the efficient porting of programs. A port ensemble provides an explicit interface between computation and communication descriptions, thus separating the communication structure from the details of local computation and from the compiler. Port ensembles structure ports, symbolic names to and from which process can write and read values. To simplify the expression of boundary conditions, ports can be bound not only to ports on other processors, but also to nonexistent neighbors (along the edge of the computation) using special objects that represent and implement constants, variables, and arbitrary functions. Port ensembles also provide direct access to the communication structure, which simplifies changing the structure to one appropriate for a new target architecture.
A Panel of Glycopeptides as Candidate Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of NASH Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using a Stepped HCD Method and PRM Evaluation

Changes in N-glycosylation on specific peptide sites of serum proteins have been investigated as potential markers for diagnosis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related HCC. To accomplish this work, a novel workflow involving broad-scale marker discovery in serum followed by targeted marker evaluation of these glycopeptides were combined. The workflow involved an LC-Stepped HCD-DDA-MS/MS method coupled with offline peptide fractionation for large-scale identification of N-glycopeptides directly from pooled serum samples (each n = 10) as well as differential determination of N-glycosylation changes between disease states. We then evaluated several potentially diagnostic N-glycopeptides among 78 individual patient samples (40 cirrhosis, 28 early stage NASH HCC, and 10 late-stage NASH HCC) by LC-Stepped HCD-PRM-MS/MS to quantitatively analyze 65 targeted glycopeptides from 7 glycoproteins. Of these targets, we found site-specific N-glycopeptides n169GSLFAFR_HexNAc(4)Hex(5)NeuAc(2) and n242ISDGFDGIPDNVDAALALPAHSYSGR_HexNAc(5)Hex(6)Fuc(1)NeuAc(3) from VTNC were significantly increased comparing samples from patients with NASH cirrhosis and NASH HCC (p < 0.05). When combining results of these 2 glycopeptides with AFP, the ROC curve analysis demonstrated the AUC value increased to 0.834 (95% CI, 0.748-0.921) and 0.847 (95% CI, 0.766-0.932), respectively, as compared to that of AFP alone (AUC = 0.791, 95% CI, 0.690-0.892). These 2 glycopeptides may serve as potential biomarkers for early HCC diagnosis in patients with NASH related cirrhosis.
Examining the Public's Most Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines Using Search Engine Analytics in the United States: Observational Study

Background: The emergency authorization of COVID-19 vaccines has offered the first means of long-term protection against COVID-19–related illness since the pandemic began. It is important for health care professionals to understand commonly held COVID-19 vaccine concerns and to be equipped with quality information that can be used to assist in medical decision-making. Objective: Using Google’s RankBrain machine learning algorithm, we sought to characterize the content of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 vaccines evidenced by internet searches. Secondarily, we sought to examine the information transparency and quality of sources used by Google to answer FAQs on COVID-19 vaccines. Methods: We searched COVID-19 vaccine terms on Google and used the “People also ask” box to obtain FAQs generated by Google’s machine learning algorithms. FAQs are assigned an “answer” source by Google. We extracted FAQs and answer sources related to COVID-19 vaccines. We used the Rothwell Classification of Questions to categorize questions on the basis of content. We classified answer sources as either academic, commercial, government, media outlet, or medical practice. We used the Journal of the American Medical Association’s (JAMA’s) benchmark criteria to assess information transparency and Brief DISCERN to assess information quality for answer sources. FAQ and answer source type frequencies were calculated. Chi-square tests were used to determine associations between information transparency by source type. One-way analysis of variance was used to assess differences in mean Brief DISCERN scores by source type. Results: Our search yielded 28 unique FAQs about COVID-19 vaccines. Most COVID-19 vaccine–related FAQs were seeking factual information (22/28, 78.6%), specifically about safety and efficacy (9/22, 40.9%). The most common source type was media outlets (12/28, 42.9%), followed by government sources (11/28, 39.3%). Nineteen sources met 3 or more JAMA benchmark criteria with government sources as the majority (10/19, 52.6%). JAMA benchmark criteria performance did not significantly differ among source types (χ24=7.40; P=.12). One-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in mean Brief DISCERN scores by source type (F4,23=10.27; P<.001). Conclusions: The most frequently asked COVID-19 vaccine–related questions pertained to vaccine safety and efficacy. We found that government sources provided the most transparent and highest-quality web-based COVID-19 vaccine–related information. Recognizing common questions and concerns about COVID-19 vaccines may assist in improving vaccination efforts.
Identification and characterization of a human CD40 agonist antibody with efficacy against human tumors in SCID mice.

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 SS02-01 CD40, a member of TNF receptor superfamily, is expressed on antigen-presenting cells, including B cells and dendritic cells, as well many tumors. Its role in the generation of an effective immune response has been suggested by several studies which have demonstrated that stimulation of this receptor with its ligand and/or agonist antibodies leads to the upregulation of several co-stimulatory molecules, including B7.1 and B7.2 on antigen presenting cells, whereas blockade of this receptor inhibits the generation of an effective T cell response. These studies suggest that a CD40 agonist might have therapeutic potential to enhance immune responses. In support of this concept, in vivo studies have shown that CD40 agonist antibodies have the ability to break immune tolerance, bypass the need for T-cell helper cytokines, and upregulate cell surface markers on CD40pos tumors potentially making them more immunogenic. CD40 agonist antibodies have also shown therapeutic activity in several murine tumor models. These data prompted the identification of the fully human CD40 agonist antibody, CP-870,893. CP-870,893 was identified as a CD40 agonist antibody by screening lead molecules generated through the Abgenix Xenomouse® platform. It binds human CD40 at a site distinct from its natural ligand at low nM potency, increases costimulatory molecule expression on antigen-presenting cells, and primes dendritic cells to release IL-12. Using SCID mice repopulated with human cells, CP-870,893 also demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy against several CD40pos and CD40neg human tumors. These studies demonstrate the immune enhancing activity of CP-870,893 and suggest its potential utility for the therapy of cancer. CP-870,893 is currently in early clinical trials in cancer patients.
A Semiotics View of Modeling Method Complexity - The Case of UML

Unified Modeling Language (UML) is the standard modeling language for object oriented system development. Despite its status as a standard, UML’s formal specification is fuzzy and its theoretical foundation is weak. Semiotics, the study of signs, provides us good theoretical foundation for UML research as UML graphical notations are some kinds of signs. In this research, we use semiotics to study the graphical notations in UML. We hypothesized that using iconic signs as UML graphical notations leads to more accurate representation and arouses fewer connotations than using symbolic signs. Since symbolic signs involve more learning efforts, we assume that expert users of UML will perform better with symbolic signs than novice users. We created an open-ended survey to test these hypotheses. The qualitative analysis of the survey process can help us gain in-depth understanding of the complexity of modeling language graphical notations. In addition, the introduction of semiotics in this research helps build a solid theoretical foundation of IS modeling method research.
Evolution of a Sexually Dimorphic Trait In a Broadly Distributed Topminnow ( Fundulus olivaceus )

Understanding the interaction between sexual and natural selection within variable environments is crucial to our understanding of evolutionary processes. The handicap principle predicts females will prefer males with exaggerated traits provided those traits are indicators of male quality to ensure direct or indirect female benefits. Spatial variability in ecological factors is expected to alter the balance between sexual and natural selection that defines the evolution of such traits. Male and female blackspotted topminnows (Fundulidae: Fundulus olivaceus) display prominent black dorsolateral spots that are variable in number across its broad range. We investigated variability in spot phenotypes at 117 sites across 13 river systems and asked if the trait was sexually dimorphic and positively correlated with measures of fitness (condition and gonadosomatic index [GSI]). Laboratory and mesocosm experiments assessed female mate choice and predation pressure on spot phenotypes. Environmental and community data collected at sampling locations were used to assess predictive models of spot density at the individual, site, and river system level. Greater number of spots was positively correlated with measures of fitness in males. Males with more spots were preferred by females and suffered greater mortality due to predation. Water clarity (turbidity) was the best predictor of spot density on the drainage scale, indicating that sexual and natural selection for the trait may be mediated by local light environments.
Assay of lecithin-retinol acyltransferase.

Publisher Summary Cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) and cellular retinol-binding protein, type II (CRBP II) are two of several binding proteins that carry retinol as an endogeneous ligand in vivo . Retinol complexed to CRBP and CRBP II are used as substrates for the in vitro esterifications described in this chapter. Both complexes are effective substrates for lecithin-retinol acyltransferase (LRAT). This chapter described the methods used to examine retinol esterification by LRAT. Two in vitro assays are routinely used by this laboratory to characterize LRAT. The procedures differ mainly in the method of analysis. When the individual retinyl esters synthesized in the assay are of interest, the products are analyzed by an HPLC system that separates the retinyl esters based on their acyl chain length and degree of saturation. If the total amount of retinyl ester synthesis is the only concern, then [ 3 H]retinol-CRBP II or [ 3 H]retinol-CRBP are used as substrates and the total [ 3 H]retinyl esters synthesized are determined after batch elution from columns of aluminum oxide.
DNA Arrays: Preparation and Application

DNA arrays, which may also be called DNA chips, biochips, genosensors, GeneChips®, microarrays, or other names, are considered by many researchers and entrepreneurs to be the most promising technology for economically determining whether a specific sequence of bases exists in an unknown DNA sample. The sequence of bases in DNA is the source of genetic information; consequently, DNA arrays can be used for a number of applications, including diagnosis of genetic diseases or mutations, detection of polymorphisms, and identification of microorganisms. In addition, DNA arrays can also establish the amount of one or more particular messenger RNA (mRNA) in a cell or tissue to reveal gene activity. DNA arrays take on many forms and there are exceptions to almost any statement describing them. However, a typical array will have multiple segments of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) attached to the surface of a substrate. These probes have a known sequence and, under the right conditions, an unknown DNA sequence will bind or “hybridize” to one or more of them only if the unknown DNA has sequence that is related to the probe's sequence. This selective hybridization allows DNA arrays to provide sequence information about the unknown DNA. This article describes some of the primary considerations in the design, construction, and implementation of DNA arrays. Items discussed are probe selection and design, selection of a suitable substrate, probe immobilization, array construction, hybridization, hybrid detection, how the application affects each of these factors, and how decisions made at one point of the process may affect other decisions.
Determinants of intrabolus pressure during esophageal peristaltic bolus transport

Previous manometric studies of esophageal fluid bolus transport in humans have generally ignored the hydrodynamic distinction between intrabolus pressure and pressure within the lumen-occluded, contracting esophageal segment. In this study we obtained concurrent esophageal videofluoroscopic and intraluminal manometric recordings in supine normal volunteers using different bolus volumes and viscosities and abdominal compression. Intrabolus pressure increased with bolus volume, viscosity, and abdominal compression. Esophageal diameter increased with larger bolus volumes, and this increase was correlated with increases in intrabolus pressure. Intrabolus pressure was highest in the bolus tail. Peak intraluminal pressures > 20 mmHg above basal intrabolus pressure almost invariably were associated with effective peristalsis, whereas values of this pressure differential < 20 mmHg frequently were associated with ineffective peristalsis and retrograde bolus escape. Intrabolus pressure can serve as an important indicator of the forces resisting peristaltic transport and the occurrence of ineffective bolus transport.
Energy density but not fat content of foods affected energy intake in lean and obese women

Background: Studies have shown that energy intake increases when both the fat content and energy density of the entire diet increases. When the fat content and energy density vary independently of one another, however, energy density, but not fat content, influences intake. Objective: The present study examined whether energy intake in lean and obese women is affected when either the energy density or the fat content of a portion of the diet is manipulated and palatability is held constant. Design: In a within-subjects design, 17 lean and 17 obese women consumed meals in the laboratory for four, 4-d test periods. In 3 of these test periods the energy density (4.4 and 6.7 kJ/g) or the fat content (16% and 36% of energy) of compulsory entrees representing 50% of each subject's usual energy intake was manipulated. Additional self-selected foods were consumed ad libitum at meals and as snacks. Results: There were no systematic differences in palatability of the manipulated foods across conditions. Obese and lean participants responded similarly to the dietary manipulations. Intake of self-selected foods at meals was reduced significantly by 16% for both lean and obese subjects in the low- compared with the high-energy-density condition. The fat content of the compulsory foods had no significant effect on energy intake. Ratings of hunger did not differ between diets. Conclusion: These results indicate that when a portion of the diet was manipulated, the energy density, but not the fat content, of the foods affected total energy intake at meals in both lean and obese women.
PAX3-FKHR Transformation Increases 26 S Proteasome-dependent Degradation of p27Kip1, a Potential Role for Elevated Skp2 Expression

PAX3-FKHR is an oncogenic form of the developmental regulator Pax3 transcription factor. PAX3-FKHR results from a t(2,13) chromosomal translocation, a unique genetic marker of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. In this study, we showed that ectopic expression of PAX3-FKHR, but not Pax3, in fibroblasts altered cell cycle control and accelerated G(0)/G(1) to S cell cycle transition. PAX3-FKHR-expressing cells had reduced expression of p27(Kip1) protein, a key cell cycle regulator. The reduction in p27(Kip1) levels by PAX3-FKHR resulted from destabilization of p27(Kip1) as shown by cycloheximide treatment and in vivo pulse-chase labeling experiments. The reduced p27(Kip1) protein level in PAX3-FKHR-expressing cells was restored to the level of control cells by treatment with chemical inhibitors that specifically blocked 26 S proteasome activity. Along with the reduction in p27(Kip1) protein, PAX3-FKHR-expressing cells exhibited elevated expression of F-box Skp2 protein, a substrate-specific component of SCF (Skp1-Cullin-F box protein) ligase involved in the cell cycle-dependent control of p27(Kip1) ubiquitination and 26 S proteasome dependent degradation. Finally, we showed that ectopic expression of p27(Kip1) in PAX3-FKHR-expressing cells significantly reduced the proliferation and colony-forming potential of these cells, implicating that down-regulation of p27(Kip1) protein played an active role in the PAX3-FKHR-directed cell transformation.