cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced In Vivo activation of Adoptively Transferred Genetically Targeted T Cells Following Cyclophosphamide Chemotherapy: Initial Results From a Phase I Clinical Trial Treating CLL Patients with Autologous CD19-Targeted T Cells.

Abstract 3436 Poster Board III-324 Patient T cells may be genetically modified to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeted to antigens expressed on tumor cells. We have initiated a clinical trial treating chemotherapy-refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients with autologous T cells modified to express the 19-28z CAR targeted to the CD19 antigen expressed on most B cell malignancies. In the first cohort of this trial, patients were infused with the lowest planned dose of modified T cells alone. All patients treated in this cohort experienced low-grade fevers following modified T cell infusion, and 2 of 3 treated patients exhibited subjective and laboratory evidence of transient reductions in tumor burden. The first patient treated on the second cohort of this study received prior cyclophophamide chemotherapy followed by the same dose of modified T cells administered to the first cohort of patients. This patient experienced persistent fevers, dyspnea, hypotension, renal failure, and died 44 hours following modified T cell infusion, likely secondary to sepsis. Modified T cells were not detectable in the peripheral blood of treated patients at 1 hour following completion of T cell infusion. However, post mortem analyses revealed a rapid infiltration of targeted T cells into anatomical sites of tumor involvement. Serum levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-5, IL-8, and GM-CSF, but not TNFα, markedly and rapidly increased following infusion of genetically targeted T cells in this patient, mirroring the in vitro cytokine secretion profile of this patient9s T cells, and consistent with marked in vivo activation of the modified T cells. Similar cytokine signatures were not found in patients from the first cohort. Significantly, serum cytokine analyses from the second cohort patient revealed a marked increase in the pro-proliferative cytokines IL-2, IL-7, IL-12, and IL-15 following cyclophosphamide therapy, in contrast to the baseline levels found in the first cohort. This report demonstrates the high efficiency trafficking of CD19-targeted T cells and in vivo activation of T cells encoding a second generation CD28/zeta chain-based chimeric antigen receptor. Furthermore, these data highlight mechanisms whereby cyclophosphamide may generate an in vivo milieu that enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of autologous tumor targeted T cells. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Surface waves in layered media

abstract A continuum model with micro-structures is introduced to replace the layered media which consist of alternating laminae of two materials in the analysis of their mechanical behaviors. The continuum theory is employed to study surface-wave propagations in layered media. Dispersion equations according to the continuum theory are obtained and dispersion curves are computed. For a relatively simple laminated medium, exact dispersion curves are also worked out for comparison. It is found that the continuum theory reduces substantially the computational work and yields good agreement with the exact analysis. Rayleigh-wave dispersion on a laminated half-space for which exact dispersion equation cannot be obtained is also discussed by employing the continuum theory.
Health Multimedia: Lifestyle Recommendations Based on Diverse Observations

Managing health lays the core foundation to enabling quality life experiences. Modern multimedia research has enhanced the quality of experiences in fields such as entertainment, social media, and advertising; yet lags in the health domain. We are developing an approach to leverage multimedia systems for human health. Health is primarily a product of our everyday lifestyle actions, yet we have minimal health guidance on making everyday choices. Recommendations are the key to modern content consumption and decisions. Cybernetic navigation principles that integrate health media sources can power dynamic recommendations to dramatically improve our health decisions. Cybernetic components give real-time feedback on health status, while the navigational approach plots health trajectory. These two principles coalesce data to enable personalized, predictive, and precise health knowledge that can contextually disseminate the right actions to keep individuals on a path to wellness.
Predictors of epinephrine dispensing and allergy follow-up after emergency department visit for anaphylaxis.

Abstract Background National guidelines recommend that patients with anaphylaxis be prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector (EAI) and referred to an allergy/immunology (A/I) specialist. Objective To evaluate guideline concordance and identify predictors of EAI dispensing and A/I follow-up in patients with anaphylaxis treated in the emergency department (ED). Methods We identified patients seen in the ED for anaphylaxis from 2010 through 2014 from an administrative claims database using an expanded International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code algorithm. Results Of 7,790 patients identified, 46.5% had an EAI dispensed and 28.8% had A/I follow-up within 1 year after discharge. On multivariable analysis, those 65 years or older (odds ratio [OR] 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30–0.41) and with a medication trigger (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.21–0.28) had a lower likelihood of EAI dispensing. Those younger than 5 years (OR 2.67, 95% CI 2.15–3.32) and with food (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.24–1.59) or venom (OR 4.48, 95% CI 3.51–5.72) triggers had a higher likelihood of EAI dispensing. Similarly, for A/I follow-up, the likelihood was lower for age 65 years or older (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.39–0.54) and medication trigger (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.56–0.78) and higher for age younger than 5 years (OR 3.15, 95% CI 2.63–3.77) and food trigger (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.22–1.58). Conclusion Overall, 46.5% of patients with anaphylaxis in the ED had EAI dispensing and 28.8% had A/I follow-up. Patient age and triggers were associated with likelihood of EAI dispensing and A/I follow-up. Post-ED visit anaphylaxis management can be improved, with the potential to decrease future morbidity and mortality risk.
Crop Fraction Layer (CFL) datasets derived through MODIS and LandSat for the continental US from year 2000–2016

With ever growing population and shrinkage of agricultural land, food security is an extremely important research topic. Besides human activates, natural disasters such as flood, drought also play adverse effect on food productivity. Understanding impact of these disaster on crop yield and making early estimation could help planning for any global food crisis. Among various available crop yield estimation methods, remote sensing platform provides numerous indices on crop monitoring. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) based vegetation indices are among the most extensively used parameter and can provide very high (250m) spatial resolution products with daily coverage which is ideal for crop growth monitoring, however it lacks crop type information. Depending on a single spectral pattern to identify the crop type is also not effective as it suffer from mix-pixel issue. To avoid the issue of mix-pixel, this research aims to provide pixel level crop percentage data, Crop Fraction Layer (CFL), derived by combining 250m MODIS dataset with higher spatial resolution LandSat land cover product. The annual CFL will be available between years 2000 to 2016 for 10 major crops in the continental US. Additionally these CFL datasets are made accessible to the end-user through web-based application.
The integration of superlattices and immersion nonlinear ultrasonics to enhance damage detection threshold

We demonstrate the enhancement of immersion nonlinear ultrasonic testing (NLUT) by exploiting superlattices (SLs). NLUT can detect sub-wavelength micro-structural changes in solids by measuring the fundamental and second harmonic frequencies. The amplitude of second harmonic frequency increases with the presence of defects or other heterogeneities. The immersion NLUT is beneficial as water provides a consistent coupling condition; however, water generates high non-linearity that can mask the weak non-linearity originated from the micro-structural features in solids. In this research, SLs are proposed to remove the non-linearity arisen from water and experimental instruments. The SLs made of a periodic arrangement of composite layers can provide a band gap to restrict the propagation of a specific range of frequencies between transmitter and receiver. The periodic arrangement of solid-fluid layers is numerically designed and experimentally adapted to the immersion NLUT. Our results imply that the periodic array of 100 μm thick glass and 100 μm thick water layers provides a band gap that blocks 4.5 MHz (the second harmonic frequency), while this periodic structure passes 2.25 MHz (the first harmonic frequency). The improvement in the sensitivity of the NLUT is demonstrated through detecting the micro-structural changes associated with plastic deformation in aluminum 1100 specimens. It is revealed that the proposed methodology enhances the damage detection sensitivity of immersion NLUT by an order of magnitude as compared to the current practice.
The Role of Other Bacteria, Fungi, and Viruses in Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis, a heterogeneous disease, is characterized by a vicious cycle of airway infection and inflammation that results in structural damage to the airways and the surrounding lung parenchyma [1]. Many microorganisms have been associated with bronchiectasis, both as a complication of the anatomic abnormalities and possibly as a cause of the structural disease as well [2, 3]. Diverse polymicrobial communities are present in the airways of patients with bronchiectasis [4]. Studies using standard microbiologic culture techniques have demonstrated the presence of bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens in the lungs of bronchiectasis patients both when the patient is clinically stable and when there is an exacerbation of disease [2, 5]. Newer molecular techniques have broadened our understanding of the microbiome in bronchiectasis patients [4, 6]. Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been repeatedly shown to be a problematic pathogen in patients with bronchiectasis and is associated with a worse prognosis [7, 8]. Multiple epidemiologic reports have shown that approximately 20–35% of patients worldwide with bronchiectasis are chronically infected with P. aeruginosa [2, 9, 10]. Several antibiotic trials have been published where the main target of therapy is Pseudomonas aeruginosa [11–17]. (See Chap. 11 for a full review of P. aeruginosa infections associated with bronchiectasis.) Another problematic group of pathogens, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), is a common infecting organism in bronchiectasis, particularly in the United States and in parts of Asia [2, 18]. NTM infection is fully discussed in Chap. 13. In this chapter, we will review the role of bacterial pathogens other than P. aeruginosa and the impact of fungal and viral infections in bronchiectasis patients. (See Table 13.1.)
Voices from Student Teachers in New York: The Persistence of a Subtractive Experience of the edTPA as a Licensure Exam for Initial Certification.

This article explores how candidates’ experiences in multiple initial certification programs within a single School of Education evolved over the first three semesters of New York’s implementation of edTPA as a requirement for initial licensure. The data reviewed included primarily surveys and interviews of teaching candidates, framed by critical perspectives on accountability, teacher performativity, and constructivist theories on learning to teach. Results suggest candidates’ perceptions of program alignment and edTPA benefits improved while several challenges persisted. These included the lack of mentor teacher knowledge about the edTPA as well as disconnects between candidates’ edTPA scores and local program evaluations. Additionally, student teachers’ perceptions of a subtractive experience of the edTPA continued in spite of improved perceptions about the benefits of the exam and across all scoring levels, programs, and semesters. A discussion of these results considers the implication of policies that reify quality, compel performance management, and contribute to values conflict for candidates in the particularly unique developmental moment of learning to teach. These voices of student teachers, often underrepresented in the research on edTPA, urge a reconsideration of the policy on teacher performance assessments in terms of how such policies impact the experiences of those learning to teach.
Reply to Comment on 'Invasive and noninvasive means of measuring intracranial pressure: a review'.

In their comments, Drs De Bernardo and Rosa stated that our paper was missing several references related to optic nerve sheath diameter ONSD assessments. Specifically, they state that we neglected to mention that ultrasound has been used since the 1970s, that we did not emphasize the role of standardized A-scans, and they reference some of their publications in which they emphasize the importance of these scans in diagnosing optic nerve lesions and benign intracranial hypertension.
Facilitando 'The Cloud': La Regulación De La Protección De Datos Como Motor De La Competitividad Nacional En América Latina (Facilitating the Cloud: The Regulation of Data Protection as an Engine to the National Competitiveness in Latin America)

Spanish Abstract: El computo en la nube constituye una promesa excepcional para los gobiernos y las comunidades de los paises de America Latina, como posibilidad de incrementar su competitividad nacional y su nivel de vida e inclusion social. En este articulo, escrito por dos directivos de Microsoft, se describen las oportunidades que el computo en la nube ofrece con ejemplos tomados de muchos paises en la region. Los autores recomiendan un marco de politicas publicas que permitan maximizar dichas oportunidades, a la vez que resaltan como la nube fortalece las economias al generar empleo, reducir costos, incrementar la agilidad y mejorar la capacidad de los gobiernos para entregar servicios a sus ciudadanos. Asimismo, se enfatiza en que el computo en la nube no solo incrementa la eficiencia, sino que tambien aumenta la equidad. El articulo muestra la importancia de lograr que la nube brinde la confianza que los usuarios requieren, y explica que los gobiernos y el sector privado tienen la posibilidad de fomentar tal confianza para que nuestras sociedades aprovechen los beneficios de esta innovadora tecnologia. English Abstract: Cloud computing holds exceptional promise for governments and communities in Latin America to increase their national competitiveness, standards of living, and social inclusion. In this article written by two Microsoft executives, the authors describe the opportunities that cloud computing offers, with examples from many countries in the region. They recommend a public policy framework that would allow the maximization of those opportunities while highlighting how cloud computing can uplift economies by creating jobs, reducing costs, increasing agility, and enriching the capacity of governments to provide services to its citizens. Importantly, the authors highlight how cloud computing not only increases efficiency; it also increases equality. The article concludes with a vision that asserts the importance of achieving the confidence in the cloud that users require and how governments and the IT sector have the possibility to promote such trust so our societies can take advantage of the benefits of this innovative technology.
Using openGL in Java with JOGL

With the current shift towards Java in the undergraduate curriculum, many colleges may be considering Java for the introductory computer graphics course. Over the past several years a number of packages that combine OpenGL with Java have emerged, with varying degrees of success. These include the commercial package Magician (no longer available), the open-source GL4Java (no longer under active development), the Lightweight Java Game Library (LWJGL) and JOGL. A standout among these is JOGL. JOGL is an open source project released under the BSD license, and is one of the core projects of the java games community at the Sun-sponsored community web site: java.net. The project is under active development and some of the core developers are employed at Sun Microsystems.
Understanding Changes in Community Sentiment About Drug Use During Pregnancy Using a Repeated Measures Design

The first purpose of this study was to examine community sentiment (i.e., participants’ emotional reactions and support for legal responses) regarding drug use during pregnancy—a controversial topic that requires balancing the rights of mothers and unborn children. Specifically, the study measured whether community sentiment is affected by (1) drug type, (2) severity of the baby’s injury, or (3) whether the woman quit drugs during pregnancy. Support for sentences (e.g., prison) and emotional reactions were higher if the baby suffered severe injuries or the mother did not quit using. Generally, participants were most supportive of sentences for methamphetamine users and least supportive of sentences for cigarette and marijuana users. Finally, there was strong community support for requiring doctors to drug test pregnant women and report positive tests to police. The second purpose of this chapter was to demonstrate how community sentiment can be context specific and thus can change based on the specific question asked. Using a repeated measures design, the study is able to capture complex community sentiment.
Phagocytosis of microspheres containing an anticancer agent by tumor cells in vitro

Abstract The uptake of suspended human albumin microspheres containing 6-mercaptopurine-8- 14 C by several tumor cell lines has been followed in cell culture. In a preliminary study, HeLa, KB, and human glioblastoma cells have all been shown to phagocytize the drug-containing spheres. We suggest that if studies now in progress confirm the ability of the ingested anticancer agent to survive lysosomal digestion of the albumin spheres, phagocytosis of such spheres may prove to be a method of delivering drug to malignant cells while preventing these agents from producing toxic effects in nonphagocytic tissues.
The classical complement pathway: activation and regulation of the first complement component.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the activation and regulation of the first complement component. . The chapter outlines the history of the classical pathway of the complement system. Clq and C1 are bound and activated by immune complexes or aggregates containing IgG or IgM but not by those containing IgA, IgD, or IgE . Among IgG subclasses, IgG3 is most reactive followed by IgG1, and IgG2; intact IgG4 is minimally reactive, although its Fc region binds C1. C1-In does not efficiently regulate C1 activation induced by immune complexes. It, thus, appears that immune complex dependent activation is not under positive host regulation. This is apparently largely true. However, C1 activation by small immune complexes or complexes formed with nonavid antibody or with ratios of antigen to antibody far from equivalence, all of which are poor C1 activators, may well be regulated by C1-In.
Hardware Co-simulation of Voltage Sensorless Current Control Based on Internal Model Principle

Designing intelligent control structures sensitive to any possible failure of measuring sensors is an engineering challenge to increase the reliability of the power generation systems and keep the converters in their operation range. This paper presents a new control method based on internal model principle (IMC), in sensorless scheme, to improve the dynamic response of the voltage source converters in a vulnerable condition caused by the absence or failure of voltage sensing tools. The simple yet efficient method used in this methodology is quite straightforward in comparison to more intricate control architectures and prompts more fault tolerance and robustness to the system. The proposed control structure has been implemented in hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) framework and the real-time co-simulation has been utilized to validate the functionality of the architecture.
OP0295-PARE ‘kweek begrip’: the launch of our creative campaign across the netherlands on world arthritis day aims to increase awareness about rmds in general and people living with rmds in particular

Background With two million patients, RMDs are one of the most common chronic diseases in the Netherlands. A 2016 Nivel survey showed that 50% of all RMD patients deal with people who know too little about RMDs in order to understand their situation. RMDs are not always visible, and symptoms may vary from day to day. This often leads to friends, colleagues, neighbours and even relatives showing incomprehension. For RMD patients this can lead to loneliness, insecurity and a sense of not being accepted. Understanding RMDs and being able to show compassion starts with knowing about RMDs. Objectives By launching a national creative campaign about incomprehension, the Dutch Arthritis Foundation aims to raise general awareness of RMDs to promote understanding of people with a RMD and to reduce their sense of loneliness. Methods The Dutch Arthritis Foundation started its campaign on World Arthritis Day: ‘Grow awareness, plant a bulb!’. To ‘grow understanding’, we created two special tulip bulb fields, one online and one offline, for participants to plant the special ‘Anita Witzier’ tulip bulb. Anita Witzier is a well-known Dutch television host who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. She has been ambassador for the Dutch Arthritis Foundation since 2001. With the help from 70% of all local RMD patient organisations and a number of garden centres, we handed out a total of 15 000 bags of tulip bulbs across the Netherlands. The campaign kick-off was on World Arthritis Day. The event, held on a tulip breeder’s field, hosted presentations about incomprehension, and served to share real-life stories. We also developed a website where people could plant bulbs digitally. Every week, participants receive a video, cartoon, update or article with information about RMDs. The campaign will run until 21 May 2018 when the (real-life) tulips will bloom in our RMD field. All participants can then visit the field to pick a bunch of flowers. Results The campaign received a great deal of national media attention on WorldArthritisDay, and featured on television programmes, in newspapers and on online platforms. 8000 people have since signed up for the online tulip field, sharing the information with others in their network. The campaign site drew 68 000 visitors between 12Oc and 31Oc tober. The campaign also resonated with people on Facebook. In October, our campaign posts reached 1,869,000 visitors, with more than 65 000 interactions (respond, share, like, watch video, conversion to campaign site). Conclusions Raising awareness for incomprehension can be difficult. A creative approach can help to kickstart a public debate. Responses generally show that people with RMDs appreciate this complicated subject being put on the map. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Probiotic Supplements: Are They Alive?

Over the past twenty years the industry of probiotics has grown as consumers have become more interested in the health benefits of “good” bacteria. These good bacteria have been shown clinically th...
There is No Ambiguity in the Radiatively Induced Gravitational Chern-Simons Term

Quantum corrections to Lorentz- and $CPT$-violating QED in flat spacetime produce unusual radiative corrections, which can be finite but of undetermined magnitude. The corresponding radiative corrections in a gravitational theory are even stranger, since the term in the fermion action involving a preferred axial vector ${b}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ would give rise to a gravitational Chern-Simons term that is proportional ${b}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}$, yet which actually does not break Lorentz invariance. Initially, the coefficient of this gravitational Chern-Simons term appears to have the same ambiguity as the coefficient for the analogous term in QED. However, this puzzle is resolved by the fact that the gravitational theory has more stringent gauge invariance requirements. Lorentz symmetry in a metric theory of gravity can only be broken spontaneously, and when the vector ${b}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ arises from spontaneous symmetry breaking, these specific radiative corrections are no longer ambiguous but instead must vanish identically.
Asymptomatic "breakthrough" thrombosis and anticoagulant "failure": Keep calm and carry on

Despite therapeutic anticoagulation, patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) not uncommonly present with findings of progressive thrombosis, sometimes within the first several weeks of treatment. While the prevailing strategy in these scenarios is to assume the current anticoagulant is ineffective and to switch to a different drug class, this practice may be unnecessary. Numerous trials of heparins and vitamin K antagonists for VTE have demonstrated that asymptomatic thrombus propagation despite therapeutic anticoagulation is common. While similar, serial imaging studies after initial VTE have not been replicated in trials of the direct oral anticoagulants, we reason that asymptomatic thrombus propagation detected within the first month of VTE diagnosis can be managed with continuation of the current anticoagulant strategy and close follow-up for worsening or recurrent symptoms.
Abstract 1825: Epithelial adherens junctions suppress the pro-tumorigenic MIR17HG lncRNA by recruiting RISC

The adherens junctions (AJs) are essential architectural elements of epithelial tissues. Compromised junctional integrity is a common precursor to colon cancer. Recently, we identified a novel mechanism whereby the AJs of non-transformed colon cells recruit the microprocessor and RISC, core elements of the RNAi machinery, as well as miRNAs, to suppress oncogenic mRNAs. Knockdown of the AJ component PLEKHA7, disrupts this RNAi-mediated signaling program, leading to pro-tumorigenic cell transformation. Interestingly, PLEKHA7 RNA-CLIP and subsequent RNA-Seq analysis identified association with numerous long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). While a number of lncRNAs have been associated with tumorigenesis, the underlying mechanisms of their regulation during tumor progression are still unclear. As lncRNAs can interact with the RNAi machinery, we hypothesize that the AJs regulate lncRNAs via this localized RNAi mechanism. Examination of PLEKHA7-depleted cells by RNA-seq revealed differential expression of 49 junction-associated lncRNAs. From this set, the top upregulated lncRNA is MIR17HG, an oncogenic polycistronic host transcript of the miR-17-92 cluster. Junctional localization of MIR17HG was confirmed by RNA-FISH. Adherens junctions destabilization by E-cadherin knockdown also led to the upregulation of MIR17HG, demonstrating the role of junctional integrity in MIR17HG suppression. Data from Ago2 knockdown, anti-miR, and miRNA mimic experiments show that PLEKHA7 suppresses the levels of the MIR17HG transcript through the junction-associated RISC and two miRNAs, miR-203a and miR-372. PLEKHA7 depletion also results in increased levels of a subset of MIR17HG hosted miRNAs, including miR-19a and miR-19b, both known cancer promoters. Ectopic expression of PLEKHA7 in the aggressive HCT116 colon cancer cells that lack endogenous PLEKHA7 expression, suppressed anchorage independent growth, as well as MIR17HG levels, which are elevated in these cells. We are currently examining the role of MIR17HG as a functional intermediate of PLEKHA7’s loss on colon cell transformation. In summary, our data point towards a novel mechanism of lncRNA regulation that tethers epithelial architecture with cell behavior. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Mary C. Bridges, Joyce Nair-Menon, Antonis Kourtidis. Epithelial adherens junctions suppress the pro-tumorigenic MIR17HG lncRNA by recruiting RISC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1825.
Cloud fragmentation cascades and feedback: on reconciling an unfettered inertial range with a low star formation rate

Molecular cloud complexes exhibit both (i) an unfettered Larson-type spectrum over much of their dynamic range, whilst (ii) still producing a much lower star-formation rate than were this cascade to remain unfettered all the way down to star-forming scales. Here we explain the compatibility of these attributes with minimalist considerations of a mass-conserving fragmentation cascade, combined with estimates of stellar feedback. Of importance is that the amount of feedback needed to abate fragmentation and truncate the complex decreases with decreasing scale. The scale at which the feedback momentum matches the free-fall momentum marks a transition scale below most of the cascade is truncated and the molecular cloud complex dissipated. For a $10^6M_\odot$ GMC complex starting with radius of $\sim 50$pc, the combined feedback from young stellar objects, supernovae, radiation, and stellar winds for a GMC cloud complex can truncate the cascade within an outer free-fall time but only after the cascade reaches parsec scales.
VASE: A Twitter-Based Vulnerability Analysis and Score Engine

When a new vulnerability is discovered, a Common Vulnerability and Exposure (CVE) number is publicly assigned to it. The vulnerability is then analyzed by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) whose Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) evaluates a severity score that ranges from 0 to 10 for the vulnerability. On average, NIST takes 132.7 days for this — but early knowledge of the CVSS score is critical for enterprise security managers to take defensive actions (e.g. patch prioritization). We present VASE (Vulnerability Analysis and Scoring Engine) that uses Twitter discussions about CVEs to predict CVSS scores before the official assessments from NIST. In order to leverage the intrinsic correlations between different vulnerabilities, VASE adopts a graph convolutional network (GCN) model in which nodes correspond to CVEs. In addition, we propose a novel attention-based input embedding method to extract useful latent features for each CVE node. We show on real-world data that VASE obtains a mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.255 for predicting the CVSS score using only three days of Twitter discussion data after the date a vulnerability is first mentioned on Twitter. VASE can provide predictions for the CVSS scores for 37.85% of the CVEs at least one week earlier than the official assessments by NIST.
Simple Formulas for a Two-Tier Strategy to Flatten the Curve

Some basic facts that enable or constrain efforts to "flatten the curve" by non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) are summarized and placed in the current context of the COVID-19 epidemic. Analytical formulas are presented for a simple two-tier NPI strategy that places different social distancing targets for high- and low-risk groups. The results aim to facilitate rapid what-if analysis rather than replace detailed simulation, which remains indispensable for informed decision making. The appearance of the oft neglected Lambert function in the resulting formulas is noted.
Value-dense indexes and the escalation of a Muslim–Christian conflict

This article discusses an episode of open antagonism and violence that erupted between Orthodox Christians and Muslims in Gondar Ethiopia in 2009. In Gondar, a perceived symbolic attack on the Ark,...
Decolonizing aid in Black Panther

International aid often functions as a neocolonial extension of colonial power structures. Aid to Africa is particularly problematic because of ideologies casting the continent as backward and devo...
Prostate Cancer Biomarker Development: National Cancer Institute's Early Detection Research Network Prostate Cancer Collaborative Group Review

Prostate cancer remains the most common non-skin cancer and second leading cause of death among men in the United States. Although progress has been made in diagnosis and risk assessment, many clinical questions remain regarding early identification of prostate cancer and management. The early detection of aggressive disease continues to provide high curative rates if diagnosed in a localized state. Unfortunately, prostate cancer displays significant heterogeneity within the prostate organ and between individual patients making detection and treatment strategies complex. Although prostate cancer is common among men, the majority will not die from prostate cancer, introducing the issue of overtreatment as a major concern in clinical management of the disease. The focus of the future is to identify those at highest risk for aggressive prostate cancer and to develop prevention and screening strategies, as well as discerning the difference in malignant potential of diagnosed tumors. The Prostate Cancer Research Group of the National Cancer Institute9s Early Detection Research Network has contributed to the progress in addressing these concerns. This summary is an overview of the activities of the group. See all articles in this CEBP Focus section, “NCI Early Detection Research Network: Making Cancer Detection Possible.”
Statewide Emergency Medical Services Protocols for Status Epilepticus Management.

Although seizures are common in prehospital settings, standardized emergency medical services (EMS) treatment algorithms do not exist nationally. We examined nationwide variability in status epilepticus treatment by analyzing 33 publicly available statewide EMS protocols. All adult protocols recommend intravenous benzodiazepines (midazolam, n = 33; lorazepam, n = 23; diazepam, n = 24), 30 recommend intramuscular benzodiazepines (midazolam, n = 30; lorazepam, n = 8; diazepam, n = 3), and 27 recommend intranasal benzodiazepines (midazolam, n = 27; lorazepam, n = 3); pediatric protocols also frequently recommend rectal diazepam (n = 14). Recommended dosages vary widely, and first- and second-line agents are designated in only 18 and 2 states, respectively. Given this degree of variability, standardized national EMS guidelines are needed. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:604-609.
Breaking Murphy's Law: How Optimists Get What They Want from Life - and Pessimists Can Too

According to psychologist Suzanne Segerstrom, rose-colored glasses may look silly, but they're actually quite practical. In "Breaking Murphy's Law", she surveys the scientific data on optimism (including her own award-winning research) to reveal that it's not what you believe about the future that matters, but what you do about it. While pessimists debate whether their goals are attainable, optimists are out there trying to achieve them. Without insisting that readers learn to "think positive," "Breaking Murphy's Law" teaches them practical ways to appropriate the habits and skills that optimists use to get what they want from life. Segerstrom - who reluctantly admits her research on the topic has transformed her into an optimist - imparts the lesson with a mix of humor and intelligence that will convince even the most cynical readers that a brighter tomorrow might be just around the corner.
Uncoupling of the β2-Adrenoceptor Effect on Ca2+ Regulation and cAMP in Cardiac Cells

Studies in rat ventricular myocytes demonstrate that while both β1-adrenergic receptor stimulation (β1ARS) and β2AR stimulation (β2ARS) increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) to a similar extent, the effects of β2ARS on cytosolic Ca2+ (Cai) transient and contraction are largely dissociated from the cAMP increase. In canine ventricular myocytes, β2ARS augments the amplitude of ICa, Cai transient, and contraction without increasing cell cAMP. In rat cells, β2ARS by zinterol (ZINT) or by isoproterenol in the presence of the selective β1AR antagonist CGP 20712A increases contraction amplitude to about the same extent as β1ARS by norepinephrine (NE). While β1ARS has a potent effect to abbreviate the durations of the contraction and Cai transient, β2ARS has only a minor relaxation effect in rat cells. β2ARS does not result in phospholamban phosphorylation to the same extent in either rat or canine cells as does β1ARS. In addition, β1ARS, but not β2ARS, increases the diastolic Ca2+ level and evokes spontaneous Cai oscillations. β2ARS prolongs the action potential to a greater extent than does β1ARS. β1ARS and β2ARS also differ in their effects on ICa: whereas both increase the peak ICa amplitude to a similar extent, only β2ARS markedly prolongs the ICa inactivation time. A peptide inhibitor of protein kinase A abolishes β1ARS, but only partially affects β2ARS-induced increase in ICa in canine cells; the β2AR effect to increase ICa is abolished by a G protein inhibitor, GDPβS. Additionally, the Gs-coupled β2AR activates a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive G protein pathway that leads to inhibition of its effects. This provides a mechanism to protect the heart from Ca2+ overload and arrhythmias during the response in stress.
Avulsion fracture of the tibial tuberosity with articular extension in an adult: a novel method of fixation

We report a rare avulsion fracture of the tibial tuberosity with a large sagittal plane anterior tibia fracture with articular extension in an adult. Avulsion fractures of the tibial tuberosity are uncommon fractures and are seen most frequently in adolescents with the disruption of the physeal plate. We report a variant of an Ogden type 3a fracture in an adult and describe a novel method of fixation.
Congress, Litigants, and Judicial Review of Bureaucracy: A Competing Risks Model of Administrative Case Terminations

Many positive political theorists have asserted that the structures and processes of administrative decision-making further congressional interests by stacking the deck in favor of preferred constituent groups. Other research finds that Congress devises judicial review provisions in administrative statutes to further legislative aims. Through strategic use of standing, jurisdiction, legal presumptions, and burden of proof, Congress allegedly empowers favored groups to bring agency misbehavior to the attention of courts. Following McCubbins and Schwartz's (1984) "fire alarm" metaphor, this has been dubbed "fire extinguisher" oversight (Shepsle and Bonchek 1997). In this project, I attempt to test the effectiveness of fire extinguisher oversight by looking at the behavior of potential litigants in agency proceedings. Specifically, if Congress uses the courts to constrain bureaucratic activity, the decisions of potential litigants to bring suits against the agency should be responsive to changes in congressional preferences. Using an original dataset of administrative legal proceedings conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and event history techniques, I analyze the duration of agency adjudications subject to potential court challenge, termination, or dismissal as a function of congressional amendment to authorizing statutes over time, agency behavior, party characteristics, and changes within the judicial branch.
Automatic Analyses of Cohesion and Coherence in Human Tutorial Dialogues During Hypermedia: A Comparison among Mental Model Jumpers

We analyzed cohesion and coherence in tutorial dialogues from 66 think-aloud transcripts collected from a human tutorial dialogue study which investigated the effect of tutoring on middle and high school students' learning about the circulatory system with hypermedia [1]. Our findings showed that there were significant differences in the tutorial dialogues of Jumpers (i.e., those who showed significant pretest-posttest mental model shifts about the science topic) versus No-jumpers (i.e., those who showed no significant shifts) in the semantic/conceptual similarity, readability scores, incidence scores of causal verbs and causal connectives, and turn length. We argue that the semantic/conceptual similarity of the discourse, causal verbs/causal connectives, and longer turns primarily facilitated the improvement in Jumpers' mental models and deep learning.
SEPIA: Secure-PIN-Authentication-as-a-Service for ATM Using Mobile and Wearable Devices

Credit card fraud is a common problem in today's world. Financial institutions have registered major loses till today due to users being exposed of their credit card information. Shoulder-surfing or observation attacks, including card skimming and video recording with hidden cameras while users perform PIN-based authentication at ATM terminals is one of the common threats for common users. Researchers have struggled to come up with secure solutions for secure PIN authentication. However, modern day ubiquitous wearable devices, such as the Google Glass have presented us with newer opportunities in this research area. In this paper, we propose Secure-PIN-Authentication-as-a-Service (SEPIA), a secure obfuscated PIN authentication protocol for ATM and other point-of-service terminals using cloud-connected personal mobile and wearable devices. Our approach protects the user from shoulder-surfers and partial observation attacks, and is also resistant to relay, replay, and intermediate transaction attacks. A SEPIA user utilizes a Google Glass or a mobile device for scanning a QR code on the terminal screen to prove co-location to the cloud-based server and obtain a secure PIN template for point-of-service authentication. SEPIA ensures minimal task overhead on the user's device with maximal computation offloaded to the cloud. We have implemented a proof-of-concept prototype to perform experimental analysis and a usability study for the SEPIA architecture.
Policing Masculinity and Dance Reality Television: What Gender Nonconformity Can Teach Us in the Classroom

This article examines the phenomenon of reality television and how So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD), in particular, promulgates gender norms about masculinity. The proliferation of reality television and its attraction of millions of viewers, however, carry specific risks where dance in popular culture primarily serves as a vehicle for entertaining, and not necessarily as a platform for educating audiences. Using the first episode of the premiere season of SYTYCD (2005), the article focuses on the executive producer and head judge Nigel Lythgoe's critique of the contestant Anthony Bryant for not dancing “masculine.” Both Lythgoe and Bryant's resultant heated exchange, and the language used, reveal a contestation over masculine representation that exposes the policing of the male dancing body. This case illustrates the tension between hegemonic and subordinated masculinities as well as the disavowal of gender nonconformity. As a result, it provides an exemplary pedagogical tool for dance educators.
Of duty hour violations and shift work: changing the educational paradigm.

Abstract Background Successful surgical education balances learning opportunities with Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) duty hour requirements. We instituted a night shift system and hypothesized that implementation would decrease duty hour violations while maintaining quality education. Methods A system of alternating teams working 12-hour shifts was instituted and was assessed via an electronic survey distributed at 2, 6, and 12 months after implementation. Resident duty hour violations and resident case volume were evaluated for 1 year before and 2 years after implementation of the night shift system. Results Survey data revealed a decrease in the perception that residents had problems meeting duty hour restrictions from 44% to 14% at 12 months ( P = .012). Total violations increased 26% in the 1st year, subsequently decreasing by 62%, with shift length violations decreasing by 90%. Resident availability for didactics was improved, and average operative cases per academic year increased by 65%. Conclusions Night shift systems are feasible and help meet duty hour requirements. Our program decreased violations while increasing operative volume and didactic time.
Optimized Merger of Ocean Chlorophyll Algorithms of MODIS-Aqua and VIIRS

Standard ocean chlorophyll-a (Chla) products from currently operational satellite sensors Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua and Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) underestimate medium and high in situ Chla concentrations and have approximately 9% bias between each other in the California Current. By using the regional optimization approach of Kahru et al. , we minimized the differences between satellite estimates and in situ match-ups as well as between estimates of the two satellite sensors and created improved empirical algorithms for both sensors. The regionally optimized Chla estimates from MODIS-Aqua and VIIRS have no bias between each other, have improved retrievals at medium to high in situ Chla, and can be merged to improve temporal frequency and spatial coverage and to extend the merged time series.
Compartmental Transport Model of Microbicide Delivery by an Intravaginal Ring

Topical antimicrobials, or microbicides, are being developed to prevent HIV transmission through local, mucosal delivery of antiviral compounds. While hydrogel vehicles deliver the majority of current microbicide products, intravaginal rings (IVRs) are an alternative microbicide modality in preclinical development. IVRs provide a long-term dosing alternative to hydrogel use, and might provide improved user adherence. IVR efficacy requires sustained delivery of antiviral compounds to the entire vaginal compartment. A two-dimensional, compartmental vaginal drug transport model was created to evaluate the delivery of drugs from an intravaginal ring. The model utilized MRI-derived ring geometry and location, experimentally defined ring fluxes and vaginal fluid velocities, and biophysically relevant transport theory. Model outputs indicated the presence of potentially inhibitory concentrations of antiviral compounds along the entire vaginal canal within 24 h following IVR insertion. Distributions of inhibitory concentrations of antiviral compounds were substantially influenced by vaginal fluid flow and production, while showing little change due to changes in diffusion coefficients or ring fluxes. Additionally, model results were predictive of in vivo concentrations obtained in clinical trials. Overall, this analysis initiates a mechanistic computational framework, heretofore missing, to understand and evaluate the potential of IVRs for effective delivery of antiviral compounds.
Effects of altrenogest on total scrotal width, seminal characteristics, concentrations of LH and testosterone and sexual behavior of stallions.

Abstract Twenty stallions (3 to 18 yr old) were used in a study between June 1993 and March 1994. The stallions were divided into 5 groups of 4 each, and, within groups, were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) untreated controls; 2) once-a-day oral altrenogest (0.088 mg/kg BW) treatment for 150 d; 3) daily altrenogest treatment at the same dose for 240 d; and 4) daily oral altrenogest treatment for 240 d plus subcutaneous GnRH (80 μg) every 4 h from Days 151 to 240. Total scrotal width (TSW) was recorded and semen was collected and evaluated for gel free volume, concentration, sperm motility and sperm morphology. Sexual behavior (libido) was measured as times to first erection and ejaculation. Serum LH and testosterone (T) were measured at various periods throughout the study. Altrenogest decreased serum concentrations of LH and T, TSW, daily spermatozoa output (DSO), the percentage of normal spermatozoa and libido. There was a significant decrease in sperm motility in the Alt-240 and Alt-240+GnRH group, but not the ALT-150 group. The suppression appeared to be partially reversible because DSO, TSW and serum concentrations of LH increased after cessation of progestin treatment. Administration of GnRH during altrenogest treatment resulted in increased (P