cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computing strategies for achieving acceptability: A Monte Carlo approach

Abstract We consider a trader who wants to direct his or her portfolio towards a set of acceptable wealths given by a convex risk measure. We propose a Monte Carlo algorithm, whose inputs are the joint law of stock prices and the convex risk measure, and whose outputs are the numerical values of initial capital requirement and the functional form of a trading strategy for achieving acceptability. We also prove optimality of the capital obtained. Explicit theoretical evaluations of hedging strategies are extremely difficult, and we avoid the problem by resorting to such computational methods. The main idea is to utilize the finite Vapnik–C˘ervonenkis dimension of a class of possible strategies.
Transdermal oxybutynin: a new treatment for overactive bladder

Overactive bladder has been successfully treated with oral anticholinergic drugs such as oxybutynin chloride. Although oral oxybutynin has been effective in controlling urinary urge incontinence and in decreasing incontinence episodes, adverse events, particularly dry mouth, often cause patients to discontinue oral therapy and to endure incontinence. Transdermal oxybutynin (Oxytrol®, Watson Pharmaceuticals) is applied twice-weekly to maintain the efficacy of oral oxybutynin while significantly minimising side effects (e.g., dry mouth) that complicate therapy. By avoiding hepatic and gastrointestinal metabolism of oxybutynin, less N-desethyloxybutynin (N-DEO), the compound thought to be responsible for anticholinergic side effects, such as dry mouth, is produced. The new transdermal oxybutynin formulation offers patients with urinary incontinence an effective, safe and well-tolerated option for managing the symptoms of overactive bladder.
Application of a rank-based genetic association test to age-at-onset data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism study

Association studies of quantitative traits have often relied on methods in which a normal distribution of the trait is assumed. However, quantitative phenotypes from complex human diseases are often censored, highly skewed, or contaminated with outlying values. We recently developed a rank-based association method that takes into account censoring and makes no distributional assumptions about the trait. In this study, we applied our new method to age-at-onset data on ALDX1 and ALDX2. Both traits are highly skewed (skewness > 1.9) and often censored. We performed a whole genome association study of age at onset of the ALDX1 trait using Illumina single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Only slightly more than 5% of markers were significant. However, we identified two regions on chromosomes 14 and 15, which each have at least four significant markers clustering together. These two regions may harbor genes that regulate age at onset of ALDX1 and ALDX2. Future fine mapping of these two regions with densely spaced markers is warranted.
Lifestyle strategies for cardiovascular risk reduction

Daily lifestyle practices and habits profoundly affect the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Abundant research and multiple recent consensus documents support the role of regular physical activity, not smoking cigarettes, maintaining a healthy body weight, controlling cholesterol levels, and controlling blood pressure to lower the risk of CVD. These strategies also play important roles in avoiding ever developing risk factors. Despite overwhelming knowledge in this area, adherence to lifestyle strategies remains suboptimal. Challenges remain in helping the public to act upon the current knowledge in this area. Recent guidelines for managing cholesterol and blood pressure provide new guidance in these areas. Controversy, however, exists related to specific recommendations in both of these areas. Similar strategies that are applied to adults for improving lifestyle habits and practices to lower CVD risk also apply to children and adolescents. A clear consensus exists that lifestyle strategies play a critical role in preventing, managing, and reducing cardiovascular disease and its risk factors.
Therapy of Marfan Syndrome

Marfan syndrome is a common inherited disorder of connective tissue caused by deficiency of the matrix protein fibrillin-1. Effective surgical therapy for the most life-threatening manifestation, aortic root aneurysm, has led to a nearly normal lifespan for affected individuals who are appropriately recognized and treated. Traditional medical therapies, such as beta-adrenergic receptor blockade, are used to slow pathologic aortic growth and decrease the risk of aortic dissection by decreasing hemodynamic stress. New insights regarding the pathogenesis of Marfan syndrome have developed from investigation of murine models of this disorder. Fibrillin-1 deficiency is associated with excess signaling by transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta). TGFbeta antagonists have shown great success in improving or preventing several manifestations of Marfan syndrome in these mice, including aortic aneurysm. These results highlight the potential for development of targeted therapies based on discovery of disease genes and interrogation of pathogenesis in murine models.
Characterization of the effects of postextraction treatments on human dentin-resin interface by micro-Raman spectroscopy.

Raman microprobe spectroscopy was used to investigate the effects of post-extraction treatments of human dentin on the penetration of the 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitic acid (4-MET)/methyl methacrylate (MMA)/ tri-n-butyl borane (TBB) dentin adhesive. Human molar teeth, extracted and stored in distilled water or 70% ethanol solution for 7 or 28 days, were treated with the resin. Spatially resolved Raman microspectroscopy was used to measure penetration. The band intensity ratio 1612 cm -1 (resin): 962 cm -1 (dentin) was used as a diagnostic. Diffusion of the resin into dentin increased with the length of storage period. The results indicate that the effects of postextraction treatments on teeth must be considered when laboratory measurements of bonding strengths are employed to predict the clinical performance of dental cements. In addition, it is demonstrated that Raman microprobe spectroscopy is a feasible analytical tool to evaluate the effects of postextraction treatments on teeth.
Enhancing Electronic Communications between Team Members by Establishing Best Practices: A Communications Specialist's Perspective

Electronic media are becoming an integral part of the office environment at companies throughout the world. Electronic mail (e-mail), voice mail, and facsimile machines are readily available and provide an expedient and convenient means of keeping in touch with your company and colleagues from your office, home, or on the road. To fully realize their potential, companies need to agree on the most effective and efficient ways for exchanging information between team members and colleagues. Guidelines are presented.
The fate of assimilated nitrogen in streams: an in situ benthic chamber study

Summary 1. Nitrogen (N) processing in streams has been investigated using whole-stream 15N addition experiments that, in general, have found that a large proportion of added nitrate removed from the water column appears to be assimilated by the stream benthos. The long-term fate of this retained N is unknown, and of particular interest is the possibility that it becomes denitrified through coupled mineralisation–nitrification–denitrification processes (indirect denitrification). 2. We used in situ chambers to produce highly 15N-enriched benthic biofilms and removed the chambers to allow biofilms to interact with ambient stream conditions. Nitrogen assimilation and direct denitrification were estimated from the first chamber deployment. Chambers were periodically reinstalled over 4 weeks to measure tracer 15N in ammonium (), nitrate () and dinitrogen (N2), from which we estimated subsequent rates of biotic N transformations, including N mineralisation (ammonification), nitrification and indirect denitrification. We also estimated rates of depuration of 15N tracer from benthic biomass compartments. 3. Nitrate uptake was roughly equivalent in the sand and cobble habitats that dominated the stream. Direct denitrification (denitrification of from the water column) was an order of magnitude higher in cobble habitats than in sand habitats, accounting for c. 26 and 2% of total nitrate uptake in cobble and sand, respectively. 4. Mean residence times of actively cycling organic N in stream benthos (algae and microbes) were 16 days in cobble habitats and 9 days in sand habitats. The difference between habitat types was driven by the influence of N residence time in epilithic biofilms (18 days) on cobbles. 5. Release of enriched 15 was the primary flux of remineralised N, while release of enriched 15 was an order of magnitude less. We detected slight 15N enrichment in dissolved nitrogen gas (N2) in post-enrichment sampling, indicating that indirect denitrification was taking place. However, indirect denitrification accounted for <0.1% of the assimilated N. 6. These experiments agree with results of whole-stream 15N additions, in that most added N was assimilated rather than directly denitrified. Assimilation was primarily a short-term N retention mechanism in this stream, and indirect denitrification of assimilated N accounted for only a minor proportion of the observed 15N loss over time. 7. Remaining possible fates include export of N as particulate organic matter, which may lead to additional storage of assimilated N in downstream habitats, and consumption by grazers.
The Madagascar hissing cockroach as a novel surrogate host for Burkholderia pseudomallei, B. mallei and B. thailandensis

Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei are gram-negative pathogens responsible for the diseases melioidosis and glanders, respectively. Both species cause disease in humans and animals and have been designated as category B select agents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Burkholderia thailandensis is a closely related bacterium that is generally considered avirulent for humans. While it can cause disease in rodents, the B. thailandensis 50% lethal dose (LD50) is typically ≥ 104-fold higher than the B. pseudomallei and B. mallei LD50 in mammalian models of infection. Here we describe an alternative to mammalian hosts in the study of virulence and host-pathogen interactions of these Burkholderia species. Madagascar hissing cockroaches (MH cockroaches) possess a number of qualities that make them desirable for use as a surrogate host, including ease of breeding, ease of handling, a competent innate immune system, and the ability to survive at 37°C. MH cockroaches were highly susceptible to infection with B. pseudomallei, B. mallei and B. thailandensis and the LD50 was 105 cfu. B. pseudomallei, B. mallei, and B. thailandensis cluster 1 type VI secretion system (T6SS-1) mutants were all attenuated in MH cockroaches, which is consistent with previous virulence studies conducted in rodents. B. pseudomallei mutants deficient in the other five T6SS gene clusters, T6SS-2 through T6SS-6, were virulent in both MH cockroaches and hamsters. Hemocytes obtained from MH cockroaches infected with B. pseudomallei harbored numerous intracellular bacteria, suggesting that this facultative intracellular pathogen can survive and replicate inside of MH cockroach phagocytic cells. The hemolymph extracted from these MH cockroaches also contained multinuclear giant cells (MNGCs) with intracellular B. pseudomallei, which indicates that infected hemocytes can fuse while flowing through the insect’s open circulatory system in vivo. The results demonstrate that MH cockroaches are an attractive alternative to mammals to study host-pathogen interactions and may allow the identification of new Burkholderia virulence determinants. The importance of T6SS-1 as a virulence factor in MH cockroaches and rodents suggests that the primary role of this secretion system is to target evasion of the innate immune system.
A mechanism for human - robot interaction through informal voice commands

Interaction between humans and robots must, necessarily, be in a manner that is natural to humans, such as informal speech. While verbal command and control systems are fairly common, the human must know the exact phrases to issue in order for their robotic partner to respond appropriately. These systems define a few grammar rules that are used to match against incoming utterances. Here, we present a method of using these same grammar rules to expand the capabilities of command and control engines to include semantically similar utterances. Preliminary results from an experimental simulation are presented along with a detailed methodology of a recently completed study aimed at collecting human speech for a more rigorous analysis.
Dual renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition: boon or bust?

The discovery that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition (RAASI) with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin type 2 receptor blockers (ARB) reduced the progression of both diabetic and non-diabetic proteinuric chronic kidney disease (CKD) was a milestone in the renal community (1-4). However, the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remained unacceptably high. In retrospect, this was not surprising: in these landmark clinical trials, the medicines provided a statistically significant benefit compared with placebo, but the clinical benefit was modest. Approximately 20-50% of treated patients did not respond (1-4).
FraG is necessary for filament integrity and heterocyst maturation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120

Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 is a filamentous cyanobacterium that differentiates nitrogen-fixing heterocysts when fixed nitrogen becomes growth limiting in the medium. The gene alr2338 (designated fraG herein), located immediately upstream of the master regulator of differentiation hetR, was identified in a genetic screen for mutants unable to grow diazotrophically. Filaments with a mutation in fraG were unable to fix nitrogen or synthesize heterocyst-specific glycolipids, and they fragmented initially to approximately nine cells in length at 24 h after induction of heterocyst development and eventually became unicellular. The fragmentation phenotype could be duplicated in the presence of fixed nitrogen when differentiation of heterocysts was elicited by overexpression of hetR, suggesting that a defect in differentiation, and not a lack of fixed nitrogen in the medium, was the more direct cause of fragmentation. An intact fraG gene was necessary for differentiation of mature heterocysts, but was not required for proper pattern formation, as indicated by a normal pattern of expression of hetR in a fraG mutant. A transcriptional GFP reporter fusion indicated that the level of expression of fraG was low in vegetative cells in both nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-free media, and was induced in heterocysts. fraG appears to play a role in filament integrity and differentiation of proheterocysts into mature heterocysts.
How the fixation method stiffness and initial tension affect anterior load-displacement of the knee and tension in anterior cruciate ligament grafts: a study in cadaveric knees using a double-loop hamstrings graft.

There were two objectives to this study. The first was to investigate the relationship of graft fixation stiffness and graft initial tension on the anterior load–displacement behavior of knees reconstructed with a double-loop hamstrings tendon graft. The second was to determine the corresponding graft tensions at 225 N of anterior force applied to the knee. To satisfy these objectives, the anterior-load displacement curves were measured for seven cadaveric knees with the ACL intact at flexion angles ranging from 0� to 90� . The ACL was reconstructed in the same knees using a double-loop hamstrings graft. A/P load–displacement curves of the knee and graft tension were measured as the fixation method stiffness and the initial tension applied at full extension were varied (25–326 N/mm and 25–300 N). The 0 N posterior limit (unloaded position of tibia) and the anterior laxity (difference between the 0 N posterior limit and 225 N anterior limit) were computed to characterize the A/P load–displacement of the intact and reconstructed knees. The key results were that the 0 N posterior limit of the tibia was insensitive to changes in stiffness (p > 0:6503) but that increasing initial tension caused increasing posterior subluxation of the tibia with respect to the femur (p ¼ 0:0001). The tibia was subluxed posteriorly by 5–6 mm on average at high levels of initial tension. Both initial tension and stiffness significantly affected the anterior laxity (p ¼ 0:0001 for both factors). Anterior laxity was restored closely to normal (i.e. <1 mm difference) by relatively high initial tension of 200 N in combination with low stiffness of 25 N/mm and by low initial tension of 25 N in combination with higher stiffness ranging between 94 and 326 N/mm. When anterior laxity is restored to normal using a high initial tension–low stiffness combination however, the tibia undergoes a large posterior subluxation with respect to the femur in the unloaded state (approximately 5 mm) and a relatively high graft tension of 275 N is developed at 225 N of anterior force. Both the tibial subluxation and graft tension are reduced substantially with low initial tension–higher stiffness combinations because the amount of initial tension
Metformin—an Adjunct Antineoplastic Therapy—Divergently Modulates Tumor Metabolism and Proliferation, Interfering with Early Response Prediction by 18F-FDG PET Imaging

Over the last several years, epidemiologic data have suggested that the antidiabetes drug metformin (MET), an adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, improves progression-free survival of patients with multiple cancers; more than 30 clinical trials are under way to confirm this finding. We postulated that the role of AMPK as a central cellular energy sensor would result in opposite effects on glucose uptake and proliferation, suggesting different roles for 18F-FDG and 3′-deoxy-3′-18F-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) in assessing its effectiveness as an antineoplastic agent. Methods: Colon cancer cell lines HT29 (human) and MC26 (murine) were treated for 24 or 72 h with a range of MET concentrations (0–10 mM). Western blotting was used to study the activation of AMPK after MET treatment. Glucose uptake and cell proliferation were measured by cell retention studies with either 18F-FDG or 18F-FLT. EdU (ethynyl deoxyuridine, a thymidine analog) and annexin-propidium iodide flow cytometry was performed to determine cell cycle S-phase and apoptotic changes. In vivo 18F-FDG and 18F-FLT PET images were acquired before and 24 h after MET treatment of HT29 tumor–bearing mice. Results: After 24 h of MET incubation, phosphorylated AMPK levels increased severalfold in both cell lines, whereas total AMPK levels remained unchanged. In cell retention studies, 18F-FDG uptake increased but 18F-FLT retention decreased significantly in both cell lines. The numbers of HT29 and MC26 cells in the S phase decreased 36% and 33%, respectively, after MET therapy. Apoptosis increased 10.5-fold and 5.8-fold in HT29 and MC26 cells, respectively, after 72 h of incubation with MET. PET imaging revealed increased 18F-FDG uptake (mean ± SEM standardized uptake values were 0.71 ± 0.03 before and 1.29 ± 0.11 after MET therapy) (P
Multi-aspect target classification using hidden Markov models for data fusion

Tactical targets often exhibit a monostatic response that is a function of target-sensor orientation. In SAR image formation, this aspect dependence is lost through integration over the synthetic aperture. The aspect dependent response may be recovered through directional filtering of the focused image, yielding a sequence of subaperture images. The response of a target at an unknown orientation is subsequently modeled using the feature statistics of the subaperture image sequence in conjunction with a hidden Markov model (HMM), with the states of the HMM corresponding to target-sensor intervals over which the target response is relatively invariant. The features extracted from each observation are derived from two-dimensional matching pursuits. Performance is quantified against standard parametric detection architectures for measured data.
Hybrid Traitor Tracing

In this paper we study the traitor tracing problem, a technique to help combat piracy of copyrighted materials. When a pirated copy of the material is observed, a traitor tracing scheme allows one to identify at least one of the real users (traitors) who participate in the construction of the pirated copy. The authors have been involved in what we believe is the first large-scale deployment of the tracing traitors approach. In this paper we shall present a key management scheme that provides the system designer flexibility, in that he/she can choose to trace down to an individual user or only trace to a device's model. It helps effectively defend against class attack and evil manufacturer problem. It also provides a technology to protect consumers' privacy when needed. This flexibility is believed to be needed and has been adopted by content protection standard AACS for next generation DVDs.
Organic Chloroaluminate Ambient Temperature Molten Salts

Chemistry in a class of ambient temperature organic chloroaluminates is described. The emphasis is on electrochemical studies, and is concerned primarily with the systems N-(1-butyl)-pyridinium chloride or 1-methyl-3-ethylimidazolium chloride mixed with aluminum chloride. The equilibria existing in these solvents are described, and the definitions of acidic, basic and neutral melts are stressed. Examples indicating the variation of the electrochemistry with the acid-base character of the solvent are emphasized. Certain solutes show no change in the electrochemistry with acidity, others show profound changes, and these are interpreted in terms of interactions of the solutes with the solvent. Both inorganic and organic solutes are considered, and recent work on electroactive polymers in the molten salt systems is described.
Exploratory writing in student learning

Exploratory writing learning activities were developed to prepare for a final group presentation project in a course about social, psychological, and cultural aspects of dress in the fall of 2014, at a university in the southern United States. The purposes of this study were (1) to develop learning activities to incorporate exploratory writing on social, psychological, and cultural aspects of clothing class and (2) to analyse student learning based on the newly developed learning activities. Over a two-week span for the exploratory writing assignments, each individual student completed two short reading reflection assignments and two assignments that incorporated a short writing and a visual image. Groups of three or four students prepared 8-minute final group presentations. Utilising constant comparative analysis of students’ reflective essays regarding exploratory writing activities for their final group presentation project, this research analysed the student learning process when exploratory writings ...
Nanoholes microscopy

This paper presents a new structure of an imaging sensor to be used in the implementation of real time Optofluidic Microsopy (OFM). This imaging sensor combines an integrated nanohole patterned in the first metal layer within each pixel and it can be fabricated in any standard submicron CMOS process. This implementation will enable a microscopic on-chip real time imaging of biological samples flowing in microfluidic channels. We verified the operation of this new implementation by many numerical optical simulations based on the finite element method that are used to model the real time OFM device.
Collection of pluripotential hematopoietic stem cells by cytapheresis

Successful complete hematopoietic reconstitution (CHR) using nonleukemic peripheral stem cells (PSC) after marrow ablation has been reported in animals but not man. Previous studies of cytapheresis products from humans, as a prelude to use for CHR, have documented the presence of committed myeloid (CFU-GM) and erythroid (BFU-E) precursors. We have examined mononuclear cell (MNC) products collected on the Fenwal CS3000 Blood Cell Separator for these plus the more primitive mixed (granulo-, erythro-, mono-, and megakaryocytic) cell colony-forming units (CFU-GEMM) and for various lymphocytic subpopulations (LSP). One to two-hour products contained 36 +/- 7 CFU-GEMM/10(6) MNC (mean +/- SE, n = 8) or 490 +/- 131/ml product. This compared favorably with blood (23 +/- .4/10(6) MNC or 46 +/- 8/ml, n = 14) and bone marrow (146 +/- 58/10(6) MNC, n = 12). Collection efficiency for E-rosette-positive cells approximated that for total lymphocytes and was variable for other LSP. Recovery of CFU-GEMM after freezing in 10% dimethylsulfoxide at a controlled rate and storage in liquid N2 was 54% +/- 8% (n = 8). Cytapheresis collection of large numbers of pluripotent hematopoietic precursors and demonstration of adequate recovery of these after cryopreservation, both previously unreported, are significant steps toward eventual CHR using nonleukemic PSC.
Principles of Patient Care

This chapter assesses the knowledge of all aspects of patient care. Students are tested on their knowledge of patient education and communication techniques. They are also assessed on radiation therapy side effects, vital signs, and patient assessment. Finally, medical emergencies and contrast reactions are also addressed in this chapter.
The Analysis of 8281 Women's Cervical Scraping Smear Cytology Results

OBJECTIVE To get the incidence situation of women's cervix uteri disease in Haizhu District of Guangzhou City and so as to achieve the objective of early finding,early diagnosis and early treatment.METHODS It were analyzed that 8 281 cases cervical scraping smear cytology results were collected between January,2010 and December,2010 in women in Haizhu District of Guangzhou City.These cases with abnormal results were carried on "three steps technique".RESULTS In 8281 cases cervical scraping smear cytology results,8 197 cases were NSIL,82 cases were abnormal and 2 cases were uterine cervix cancer.CONCLUSION The regular cervical scraping smear cytological examination was important for uterine cervix cancers were found,diagnosed and treated in the early stage.
Janus Blocks: A Binary System Wear Instability

In this manuscript, a simple binary model is devised that describes the wear behavior of two blocks coupled under a constant, dynamically partitioned normal load. In this simple system, the frictional force is reacted by two independent springs and the blocks are allowed to move and wear independently based on system dynamics and kinematics. The only coupling between the blocks occurs through the partitioning of the applied normal load, which uses a pair of springs in parallel to model elasticity. This system is found to preferentially wear one of the blocks until two disparately unique conditions of steady wear are reached in the system: (1) a condition in which the partitioning of the load between the blocks yields equal wear and thus steady partitioning of the load and (2) a condition in which the pair of blocks go to zero wear by having one block not sliding but carrying all of the load and the other block completely slipping but carrying none of the load. These “Janus blocks,” the simplest of binary spring–block systems, begin life in a nominally identical state and then their behavior bifurcates, producing runaway or irregular wear. The onset of this instability can initiate from any differences in load partitioning, spring constants, friction coefficient, or wear rates (no matter how small).
The PAMS/GDP Process for Production of ICF Target Mandrels

AbstractAn improved process for production of ICF Target Mandrels has been developed. Shells made from PAMS (poly-α-methylstyrene) are coated with GDP (glow discharge polymer). The PAMS is then removed by depolymerization and volatilization at 300°C, leaving a GDP mandrel. Compared to past polymer mandrels, this process yields GDP mandrels with significant improvements in wall thickness control, sphericity and concentricity, and the complete absence of vacuoles. The process is capable of making GDP shells with a wide size range (from 300 < o.d. < 2700 µm), and an independently controlled wall thickness (from 1 to 30 µm). The GDP can be doped with a variety of elements.
Physician-Patient Boundaries: Professionalism Training Using Video Vignettes.

Abstract Introduction The concept of professional boundaries is often not included in medical training. Historically, the field of psychiatry has given much consideration to the topic of boundaries...
Functional status predicts postoperative mortality after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND Frail patients are more vulnerable to perioperative stressors of liver transplantation (LT). Program Specific Reports, used in transplant center auditing, risk-adjust for frailty using the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale. We evaluate the extent to which functional impairment/disability is associated with increased risk of postoperative death. METHODS We included 24 505 first-time LT recipients from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (2006-2011). We categorized patients as Severe, Moderate, or Normal function/disability using the KPS scale and evaluated risk of 30- and 90-day mortality. Analyses took potential center-specific differences in KPS measurement protocols into account using hierarchal logistic modeling. RESULTS Over one-quarter of our population was Severely impaired/disabled, and 30.5% had no functional limitations. Severely and Moderately impaired/disabled patients had 2.56 (95% CI 1.91-3.44) and 1.40 (95% CI 1.10-1.78) times the odds of 30-day mortality, respectively, after adjusting for key recipient and donor factors. Estimates remained consistent regardless of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, medical condition, or clustering analyses by center. Technical/operative complications and multiorgan failure/hemorrhage were more common causes of death among more Severely disabled patients than in higher functioning groups. CONCLUSIONS Pre-transplant functional status, assessed using the KPS scale, is a reliable predictor of post-LT mortality in the United States.
Carnitine PT II Deficiency and Cerebral Dysgenesis

A newborn female infant with neonatal lethal multiorgan carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT II) defiency is reported from the Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA; and the Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
Student demographics and teacher characteristics as predictors of elementary-age students' history knowledge: Implications for teacher education and practice

Abstract Using student- and teacher-level data from the United States National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), we attempted to disentangle the relationship among student demographics, teacher characteristics, and performance on the fourth grade assessment of U.S. history. Our findings suggest that teacher subject matter background, reported time spent on history/social studies and instructional decision-making were positively associated with learning outcomes. The implications of our study include greater emphasis on subject matter knowledge in history teacher education, increased prioritization of history in elementary classrooms, and the incorporation of interdisciplinary resources and in-class discussion as potential high-leverage practices for early grade history teachers.
The Right Ventricle in Left Heart Failure

The right ventricle (RV) because of its low pressure working conditions and its complex geometry stands in stark contrast to the left ventricle (LV). Thus, under normal baseline conditions the RV’s unique anatomy, myocardial ultrastructure, and coronary physiology reflect a high volume low pressure pump. Early work by Starr et al. (Am Heart J 26:291–301, 1943), Bakos (Circulation 1:724–731, 1950), Kagan (Circulation 5:816–823, 1952), Donald and Essex (Am J Physiol 176:155–161, 1954) described the RV as a passive conduit with minimal pumping capability. Despite the marked differences in loading conditions and geometry in the normal state, RV myocardial and chamber dynamics respond in a manner similar to the LV pump mechanics. Over the years with improved functional imaging capabilities, it is now well appreciated that through its own unique properties and a mechanism of ventricular interdependence, RV systolic function and diastolic load are extremely important in the prognosis and treatment of congestive heart failure.
Proposed Approach for Sarcasm Detection in Twitter

Background: Sarcasm detection in twitter is a very important task as it had helped in the analysis of tweets. With the help of sarcasm detection, companies could analyze the feelings of user about their products. This is helpful for companies, as the companies could improve their quality of product. Methods: For preprocessing of data TextBlob is used. TextBlob is a package installed in Natural Language Toolkit. The preprocessing steps include tokenization, part of speech tagging and parsing. The stop words are removed using python programming. The stop words corpus which consist of 2400 stop words and which is distributed with NLTK have been used. RapidMiner is used for finding polarity and subjectivity of tweets. TextBlob is used for finding the polarity and subjectivity confidence. Weka is used for calculating the accuracy of tweets based on Naive Bayes classifier and SVM classifiers. Findings: The paper provides the polarity of tweets which include whether the tweet is positive, negative or neutral. Polarity confidence and subjectivity confidence are also found. Accuracy of tweets are found using Naive Bayes and SVM classifiers. Applications: Sarcasm Detection could be helpful in analyzing the exact opinion of the user about a certain thing.
The association of folate and depression: A meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Previous research suggested that folate levels play an important role in the etiology and course of depression. However, the literature has been inconsistent with regard to differences in folate level between individuals with and without depression. The present meta-analysis synthesized the results of previous studies to examine whether individuals with depression had lower levels of folate than individuals without depression. Methods Meta-analytic procedures were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies evaluating folate levels in individuals with and without depression via red blood cell folate, serum folate, or dietary intake of folate methods were identified via PsycINFO and PubMed. Random-effects meta-analysis was conducted using Hedge's g, and moderation analysis was used for both folate measurement method and population type. Study heterogeneity was assessed with I2 and publication bias was qualitatively assessed via funnel plot and quantitatively assessed with the trim-and-fill method and Begg's adjusted rank test. Results We found a significant, small effect size, such that individuals with depression had lower folate levels than those without depression, Hedge's g = −0.24 (95% CI = −0.31, −0.16), p Conclusions Individuals with depression have lower serum levels of folate and dietary folate intake than individuals without depression. Given that previous literature suggested folate supplementation improved the efficacy of traditional antidepressant medications, future research on folate supplementation in depression is warranted and clinicians may wish to consider folate supplementation for patients with depression.
Mutation Detection in Patients With Advanced Cancer by Universal Sequencing of Cancer-Related Genes in Tumor and Normal DNA vs Guideline-Based Germline Testing

Importance Guidelines for cancer genetic testing based on family history may miss clinically actionable genetic changes with established implications for cancer screening or prevention. Objective To determine the proportion and potential clinical implications of inherited variants detected using simultaneous sequencing of the tumor and normal tissue (“tumor-normal sequencing”) compared with genetic test results based on current guidelines. Design, Setting, and Participants From January 2014 until May 2016 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 10 336 patients consented to tumor DNA sequencing. Since May 2015, 1040 of these patients with advanced cancer were referred by their oncologists for germline analysis of 76 cancer predisposition genes. Patients with clinically actionable inherited mutations whose genetic test results would not have been predicted by published decision rules were identified. Follow-up for potential clinical implications of mutation detection was through May 2017. Exposure Tumor and germline sequencing compared with the predicted yield of targeted germline sequencing based on clinical guidelines. Main Outcomes and Measures Proportion of clinically actionable germline mutations detected by universal tumor-normal sequencing that would not have been detected by guideline-directed testing. Results Of 1040 patients, the median age was 58 years (interquartile range, 50.5-66 years), 65.3% were male, and 81.3% had stage IV disease at the time of genomic analysis, with prostate, renal, pancreatic, breast, and colon cancer as the most common diagnoses. Of the 1040 patients, 182 (17.5%; 95% CI, 15.3%-19.9%) had clinically actionable mutations conferring cancer susceptibility, including 149 with moderate- to high-penetrance mutations; 101 patients tested (9.7%; 95% CI, 8.1%-11.7%) would not have had these mutations detected using clinical guidelines, including 65 with moderate- to high-penetrance mutations. Frequency of inherited mutations was related to case mix, stage, and founder mutations. Germline findings led to discussion or initiation of change to targeted therapy in 38 patients tested (3.7%) and predictive testing in the families of 13 individuals (1.3%), including 6 for whom genetic evaluation would not have been initiated by guideline-based testing. Conclusions and Relevance In this referral population with selected advanced cancers, universal sequencing of a broad panel of cancer-related genes in paired germline and tumor DNA samples was associated with increased detection of individuals with potentially clinically significant heritable mutations over the predicted yield of targeted germline testing based on current clinical guidelines. Knowledge of these additional mutations can help guide therapeutic and preventive interventions, but whether all of these interventions would improve outcomes for patients with cancer or their family members requires further study. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01775072
Change in Alcohol Intake in Relation to Weight Change in a Cohort of US Men with 24 Years of Follow‐Up

Objective The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the potential effects of alcohol by subtype on reported long-term weight change. Methods This study examined changes in alcohol intake (total, wine, light beer, regular beer, and liquor) and simultaneous changes in reported body weight within 4-year periods from 1986 to 2010 from US men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. The study adjusted for age, changes in lifestyle and dietary covariates, and cardiovascular risk factors. Results The study included observations of 44,603 four-year periods from 14,971 men. Total alcohol, total beer, regular beer, and liquor intakes, modeled as the increase in weight per increase in drinks per day, were each directly associated with moderate weight gain over the 4-year periods, in pounds: total alcohol: 0.23 (0.10 to 0.35); total beer: 0.29 (0.08 to 0.51); regular beer: 0.61 (0.22 to 1.00); and liquor: 0.28 (0.09 to 0.48). Results for wine and light beer were as follows: wine: 0.16 (−0.04 to 0.36) and light beer: −0.38 (−1.07 to 0.08). Results were strongest for men < 55 years old. Conclusions Increased alcohol consumption was associated with minor reported weight gain at levels unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Beverage-specific differences were not substantial enough to make dietary recommendations for weight loss or maintenance by beverage type. The greatest risk of weight gain was among men who increased consumption to levels well above moderation.
Bilinguals' Social Flexibility

Is bilingualism better than monolingualism? Previous work shows that bilinguals have an advantage over monolinguals in cognitive flexibility, the ability to shift between different mental sets. In this study, we explore if bilingualism also provides an advantage in social flexibility, which we define as the ability to (a) switch with ease and adapt between different social environments and (b) accurately read social cues in the environment. Data was collected from 465 monolinguals and 206 bilinguals. Bilinguals reported higher social flexibility than monolinguals. Mediation analyses demonstrated that bilinguals’ social flexibility gave them an advantage over monolinguals in the self-reported frequency of social interactions. This study reports the first evidence of a social flexibility advantage of bilinguals, and it suggests that as bilinguals alternate between two languages, they might also alternate between two cultural worlds, providing tools to adapt to different social environments and facilitating the frequency of social interactions.
Physical and Mental Health in Adults Hospitalized with Sickle Cell Disease: Impact on Resource Use

Background It is commonly perceived that patients with sickle cell disease have increased hospital length of stay (LOS) because of mental health issues, including depression and drug-seeking behavor. However, the effect of mental and physical functional status on acute care resource use is unknown. Objective To assess Short Form (SF)-12 physical and mental health scores in adults with sickle cell disease and their impact on hospital LOS and costs. Design We identified 145 adults with sickle cell disease admitted to the general medicine ward at the University of Chicago Medical Center between July 1997 and June 2003. Seventy-nine patients (54%), with a total of 103 admissions, completed the SF-12 for at least one admission. Administrative data were used to obtain demographic information, LOS, and costs. Multivariate regression was used to measure the association between SF-12 physical and mental composite scores (by quartile), and LOS and costs. Results Twenty-five percent of patients accounted for nearly 80% of total hospital days and costs. The mean SF-12 physical score was 40 (SD, 12), and mental score 49 (SD, 12). Adjusted for age, gender, race, and comorbidities, admissions in the lowest quar-tile of the SF-12 physical composite score had an average LOS of 7.11 days and costs of $9060, compared to 4.6 days and $5520 in the highest quartile (p Conclusions Poor physical function rather than poor mental function independently predicts greater use of acute health care resources in adults with sickle cell disease.
Impact of Cyrillic on Native English Speakers' Phono-lexical Acquisition of Russian.

We investigated the influence of grapheme familiarity and native language grapheme-phoneme correspondences during second language lexical learning. Native English speakers learned Russian-like words via auditory presentations containing only familiar first language phones, pictured meanings, and exposure to either Cyrillic orthographic forms (Orthography condition) or the sequence (No Orthography condition). Orthography participants saw three types of written forms: familiar-congruent (e.g., -[kom]), familiar-incongruent (e.g., -[rɑt]), and unfamiliar (e.g., -[fil]). At test, participants determined whether pictures and words matched according to what they saw during word learning. All participants performed near ceiling in all stimulus conditions, except for Orthography participants on words containing incongruent grapheme-phoneme correspondences. These results suggest that first language grapheme-phoneme correspondences can cause interference during second language phono-lexical acquisition. In addition, these results suggest that orthographic input effects are robust enough to interfere even when the input does not contain novel phones.
Identifying How Metacognitive Judgments Influence Student Performance During Learning with MetaTutorIVH

Students need to accurately monitor and judge the difficulty of learning materials to effectively self-regulate their learning with advanced learning technologies such as intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs), including MetaTutorIVH. However, there is a paucity of research examining how metacognitive monitoring processes such as ease of learning (EOLs) judgments can be used to provide adaptive scaffolding and predict student performance during learning ITSs. In this paper, we report on a study investigating how students’ EOL judgments can influence their performance and significantly predict their learning outcomes during learning with MetaTutorIVH, an ITS for human physiology. The results have important design implications for incorporating different types of metacognitive judgements in student models to support metacognition and foster learning of complex ITSs.
An Assessment of Experimental Evidence on Agricultural Technology Adoption in Developing Countries

This article reviews recent results on technology adoption in developing countries, primarily from field experiments. It focuses on studies that highlight three constraints to adoption: credit, ins...
Do Moments Sum to Years? Explanations in Time

In this final chapter, Lehrer and Schauble review the contributions of the commentary chapters with an eye to evaluating whether and how fine-grained analyses of brief slices of time illuminate long-term development and learning. The authors conclude that interaction analysis can lend richness, depth, and complexity that are difficult to pursue at larger time-scales. At the same time, this kind of close focus can miss larger patterns, because there is no guarantee that what happens within a relatively brief period will resemble or predict the forms of reasoning, disciplinary knowledge, and identity that a student develops over the years of his or her educational history. These conclusions articulate a tension that goes to the heart of our field – we do not yet have either satisfactory mechanisms of account or even many extent cases that can assist us in reconciling perspectives and explanations at different scales of time. As the field of education research matures, seeking this kind of articulation among levels of description will become increasingly important.
More than Numbers: R&D-related Disclosure and Firm Performance

This study examines the relation between reported financial performance and qualitative disclosure in the R&D disclosure setting. Prior disclosure research focuses largely on firms‟ decisions to provide stakeholders with quantitative financial information that directly summarizes financial performance. However, a significant amount of disclosure is not directly captured in the financial statements (e.g., narratives or text). This information is important to help market participants understand the economics underlying firms‟ operations. Specifically, I investigate whether current performance influences firms‟ incentives to disclose qualitative R&D-related information. Based on a detailed analysis of R&D-related disclosures, I find that current performance is negatively related to qualitative disclosure. This relation is more pronounced for firms that place more importance on R&D and for firms with higher outside monitoring. In contrast to my main results, I find that firms‟ decisions to provide earnings guidance, a more quantitative type of disclosure, are positively related to current performance. These findings highlight the complexity of firms‟ disclosure strategies and suggest that performance influences different types of disclosures in different ways.