cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Size dependence of inherent image quality of a 2nd generation dual source CT scanner

The fast developing CT technologies have complicated the protocol optimization process. Since there are increasing numbers of free parameters that can be adjusted, it is imperative to know exactly how these parameters affect the image quality. This paper examines the effect of varying dose level, tube voltage, reconstruction methods and the AEC function on the CT image quality across different sizes. A size varying phantom, consisting of five cylindrical tiers, was used. To assess the image quality, task transfer function (TTF), noise power spectra (NPS), contrast, and detectability index was computed and compared across sizes. It was found that from small to large size, detectability increased more as the dose increased. When the CTDIvol increased from 0.7 to 22.6 mGy, the detectability for the smallest size section increased by four fold but increased by eight fold for the largest section. Low tube voltage exhibited superior detectability and contrast for all sections, especially for the small size sections, where detectability doubled for the smallest section when tube voltage decreased from 120 kV to 80 kV. TTF curves showed considerable dependence on size, but more pronounced dependence on reconstruction techniques. In conclusion, small size phantoms were affected very differently from large size phantoms by dose levels, reconstruction methods, and tube voltage selection. Low tube voltage and iterative reconstruction technique can deliver superior image quality for small patients. Due to beam hardening and substantially increased noise at low tube voltage for large patients, high tube voltage is still recommended for large patients to retain image quality.
Using an Er,Cr:YSGG laser to remove lithium disilicate restorations: A pilot study

Abstract Statement of problem The use of lasers is growing widely in dentistry. Despite its clinical implications, most information and clinical data related to the removal of ceramic restorations with the aid of a laser is either anecdotal or in the form of clinical reports. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to establish a parameter on the removal of lithium disilicate crowns with a laser and conduct an in vitro trial of crown removal based on the wattage and time of application. Material and methods Twenty extracted molars were prepared to accommodate a lithium disilicate disk specimen, which was cemented with resin cement. An erbium, chromium-doped yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser was applied at different wattages (3, 3.5, 4, and 5 W) to determine the optimal wattage for the removal of the lithium disilicate specimens. Once the optimal wattage was established, 25 extracted teeth were mounted in stone, then prepared to receive milled lithium disilicate computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing complete coverage crowns. The crowns were cemented with a dual-polymerizing resin cement. The groups comprised 3.5 and 4 W output with 30-, 60-, and 90-second application time (n=5), and 5 crowns were removed using traditional handpiece and electric handpiece with coarse grit diamond rotary instruments. The results and time required to remove the crown were recorded. The chi-square test was performed to assess any significant differences in removing the crown with the laser according to wattage or time of application (α=.05). Results Laser application at 3.5 and 4 W was best for removing crowns conservatively. Eight crowns (40%) of 20 specimens were successfully removed at the first attempt. The majority of the crowns came off during the second attempt. The chi-square test revealed no significant difference between the combination of wattage and time of application ( P = .92). The mean time to remove the lithium disilicate crown with a diamond rotary instrument was 6 minutes, and removal required 1.8 instruments on the average. Conclusions An Er,Cr:YSGG laser can safely remove lithium disilicate crowns with the settings used this study.
Protracted development of bioturbation through the early Palaeozoic Era

Mobile organisms first appeared in the fossil record prior to the Precambrian–Cambrian transition. Sediment textures indicate that the degree of sediment mixing by animal activity remained low for 120 million years following the transition.
A Treatment Selection Model for Sibling Conflict Based on Observational Measurements

When presented with sibling aggression in pre-adolescent referrals, child clinical psychologists are likely to consider dysfunctions in both motivational and interpersonal skill domains. The distinction is important. Motivational dysfunctions suggest interventions involving parent training (e.g., immediate timeout and/or token economies), while interpersonal deficits invite skill building approaches. Three projects are presented in which two clinic observational methods, the Sibling Conflict Resolution Scale (SCRS III) and the Sibling Play Analog (SPA), were developed, refined, and/or evaluated. Outcome data support the clinical use of the SCRS III and SPA in conjunction with parent-collected home frequency counts of sibling aggression on Behavior Record Cards (BRCs). A treatment selection model based on observations obtained from the BRC, SCRS III, and SPA is proposed to guide clinicians in evidence-based decision making: intervention (yes or no), the target of intervention (sibling aggression, sibling conflict resolution skill deficits, or both), the type of intervention (parent-mediated motivational approaches, sibling conflict resolution skill building, or both), and the effectiveness of that intervention at home and in the clinic.
Self-Hardening Calcium Phosphate Cement-Mesh Composite: Reinforcement, Macropores, and Cell Response

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) self-hardens to form hydroxyapatite, has excellent osteoconductivity and bone-replacement ability, and is promising for craniofacial and orthopedic repair. However, its low strength limits CPC to only nonstress repairs. This study aimed to reinforce CPC with meshes to increase strength, and to form macropores in CPC for bone ingrowth after mesh dissolution. A related aim was to evaluate the biocompatibility of the new CPC-mesh composite. Absorbable polyglactin meshes, a copolymer of poly(glycolic) and poly(lactic) acids, were incorporated into CPC to provide strength and then form interconnected cylindrical macropores suitable for vascular ingrowth. The composite flexural strength, work-of-fracture, and elastic modulus were measured as a function of the number of mesh sheets in CPC ranging from 1 (a mesh on the tensile side of the specimen) up to 13 (mesh sheets throughout the entire specimen), and as a function of immersion time in a physiological solution from 1 to 84 days. Cell culture was performed with osteoblast-like cells and the cell viability was quantified using an enzymatic assay. The strengths (mean +/- SD; n = 6) of CPC containing 13 or 6 meshes were 24.5 +/- 7.8 and 19.7 +/- 4.3 MPa, respectively, not significantly different from each other; both were significantly higher than 8.8 +/- 1.9 MPa of CPC without mesh (Tukey's at 0.95). The work-of-fracture of CPC with 13 or 6 meshes was 3.35 +/- 0.80 and 2.95 +/- 0.58 kJ/m(2), respectively, two orders of magnitude higher than 0.021 +/- 0.006 kJ/m(2) of CPC without mesh. Interconnected macropores were formed in CPC at 84 days' immersion. The new CPC-mesh formulation supported the adhesion, spreading, proliferation, and viability of osteoblast-like cells in vitro. In conclusion, absorbable meshes in CPC increased the implant strength by three-fold and work-of-fracture by 150 times; interconnected macropores suitable for bone ingrowth were created in CPC after mesh dissolution. The higher strength may help extend the use of CPC to larger stress-bearing repairs, and the macropores may facilitate tissue ingrowth and integration of CPC with adjacent bone.
A Comparison of Overset Methods and Unstructured Remeshing for Modeling Large Rigid Body Motion

A comparison of overset methods and unstructured remeshing was performed using the overset CFD solver Beggar and the unstructured commercial solver FLUENT. The goal of the comparison was to identify the method best suited for modeling the unsteady flows resulting from the large amplitude wing rotations that are characteristic of flapping wing flight. Mesh motion solutions were computed using each solver and compared on the basis of the computational resources required and how well the method preserved the quality of the solution domain. Beggar demonstrated the best performance in terms of resources required for the mesh motion solutions and preserved the quality of the computational domain. Complete flow solutions were computed using Beggar for a full set of Hawkmoth wing kinematics. The flow solutions followed the same computational trends as the mesh motion solutions in terms of computational resources used, and shows promise for preserving solution quality about the wing and in the highly unsteady wake region.
Differentiation of antiheparin and thromboplastin-generating factors in human platelets.

SummaryLyophilized human platelet material can be separated into thromboplastin-generating and heparin-antagonizing fractions. The heparin-antagonizing fraction does not, in itself, possess any thromboplastic activity but it reverses the effects of heparin on thromboplastin formation and thrombin activity. The material responsible is present in an aqueous extract of lipid-extracted platelets.
Abstract 2960: Factor dependent chromatin structure and nucleosome dynamics

Transcription factor cistromes are highly cell-type specific. Chromatin accessibility, histone modifications and nucleosome occupancy have all been found to play a role in defining these binding locations. Here, we show that hormone-induced DNase I hypersensitivity changes (≥DHS) are highly predictive of androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) binding in prostate cancer and breast cancer cells, respectively. The chromatin structure prior to binding and the nucleosome occupancy after binding are strikingly different for ER and AR. AR binding is associated with changes in both the local nucleosome occupancy and the DNase I hypersensitivity. In contrast, while globally ER binding is unrelated to changes in nucleosome occupancy, DNase I hypersensitivity dynamics predict the ER cistrome. These findings suggest that AR and ER have distinct modes of interaction with chromatin and that DNase I hypersensitivity dynamics provides a general approach for predicting cell-type specific cistromes. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2960. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2960
Taphonomic method for determining muscular articulations in fossil crinoids

A new taphonomic method is proposed and used to confirm that muscular tissue was present in the arms of Early Mississippian advanced cladid crinoids. The method relies on the assumption of differential tissue decay rates, with muscle decaying more rapidly than ligament. In a crinoid with muscular arms, the arms should disarticulate prior to disarticulation of the ligament bound column segments, whereas in a crinoid with only ligaments in the arms, the arms and column segments will begin to disarticulate at approximately the same time. This method provides an independent means to test for the existence of muscles, and it avoids some problems encountered by relying exclusively on morphological characters
Symplastic/pseudoanaplastic giant cell tumor of the bone

Objective Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a locally aggressive primary bone tumor. Its malignant counterpart is quite rare. Rarely, a conventional GCTB shows marked nuclear atypia, referred to as symplastic/pseudoanaplastic change, which can mimic sarcomatous transformation. Recently, somatic driver mutations of histone H3.3 exclusively in H3F3A have been described in GCTB. We report a series of 9 cases of GCTB with symplastic/pseudoanaplastic change, along with analysis of H3F3A variants.
Failure Prediction Model and ESR Modeling of Electrolytic Capacitor With Application to Predictive Maintenance

Being one of the most used passive components in power electronics, electrolytic capacitors have the shortest life span due to their wear-out failure which is mainly caused by vaporization and deterioration of capacitor electrolyte. Knowing these two phenomena increase Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) of the capacitor, tracking ESR value over the system operating time can be a good indicator for state of health of an electrolytic capacitor. In order to set the maintenance schedule, various ESR monitoring algorithms computing remaining time before failure have been investigated in literature. These real-time algorithms use classical models for ESR and life-time estimation which are not precise enough and leads the maintenance program to be either risky if the prediction is more than the actual life-time or more expensive if it is much less than the actual life span.This paper presents a generalized equivalent model using fractional order element for electrolytic capacitor to estimate the ESR and impedance of faultless running capacitor. Unlike other existing fractional order models, proposed model considers a fractional order dynamic only in the dielectric losses and the terminal capacitor remains integer order as observed in actual capacitor’s behavior.Furthermore, a novel failure predictive model using Mittage-Leffler function is proposed to track the ESR increment due to aging of the capacitor and estimate the failure time based on the information which are provided through ESR monitoring system. Using this model increase the life-time prediction accuracy. Hence the predictive maintenance of the system with capacitors nearing their failure time can be set more precisely. These two fractional order models are compared against classical ESR and life-time prediction models to illustrate the enhanced performances of the proposed models.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Middle Egyptian Literature: Eight Literary Works of the Middle Kingdom

A companion volume to the third edition of the author's popular Middle Egyptian, this book contains eight literary works from the Middle Kingdom, the golden age of Middle Egyptian literature. Included are the compositions widely regarded as the pinnacle of Egyptian literary arts, by the Egyptians themselves as well as by modern readers. The works are presented in hieroglyphic transcription, transliteration and translation, accompanied by notes cross-referenced to the third edition of Middle Egyptian. These are designed to give students of Middle Egyptian access to original texts and the tools to practise and perfect their knowledge of the language. The principles of ancient Egyptian verse, in which all the works are written, are discussed, and the transliterations and translations are versified, giving students practice in this aspect of Egyptian literature as well. Consecutive translations are also included for reference and for readers more concerned with Middle Egyptian literature than language.
An investigation into strain rate dependent constitutive properties of a sandwiched epoxy interface

Abstract A composite material fracture strength can significantly depend on the constitutive description of interfaces. A computational model of composite deformation should, therefore, incorporate interface constitutive behavior. However, separating main phase constitutive behavior from interface constitutive behavior in mechanical property measurement experiments is an arduous task. In this work, an epoxy interface is analyzed under quasistatic and dynamic loading conditions to obtain a description of interfacial constitutive response at strain rates from 10− 2 to 103 s− 1. The approach relies on describing interfaces as a confined material phase between two unconfined phases. Dynamic microscale impact tests are used to obtain stress-strain response as a function of strain rate for the analyzed interface. The rate dependent stress-strain response is fitted to the Johnson-Cook constitutive model. Based on the analyses of confinement effects, a power law constitutive model is proposed to predict the interface deformation behavior with a dependence on both strain rate and interface thickness.
Protesting Corruption on Twitter: Is It a Bot or Is It a Person?

In studying how activists use technology to express public dissatisfaction online, we discover that what we assumed to be human protestors were in some cases bots—automated accounts in online socia...
Orange Carotenoid Protein Picosecond Dynamics Changes with Photo and Chemical Activation

Orange carotenoid protein (OCP) is the only photosensory protein described to date having a carotenoid as the active chromophore. Upon strong green-blue (or white) illumination, OCP goes from the orange inactive state (OCPO) to the red active state (OCPR) [1]. OCPR interacts with the phycobilisome (PB), assisting in thermal energy dissipation. This dissipation diminishes the formation of reactive oxygen which damages the photosynthetic apparatus and leads to cell death [2]. OCP has a large conformational change as it goes from OCPO to OCPR, and this structural change is thought to be essential to the energy quenching interaction with the PB. However, the conversion from inactive to active state has been recently shown to also occur with high chaotrope concentrations. Specifically high concentration NaSCN produces a long lived red state in the absence of photoexcitation [3]. We suggest that both the susceptibility of OCP to large conformational change and its interaction with PB are associated with changes in the long range picosecond structural flexibility. We measure OCP protein flexibility changes with photoactivation and chemical activation using terahertz absorption spectroscopy. Temperature dependent terahertz time domain spectroscopy is measured in the 100 - 290 K range on OCP solutions as a function of illumination and NaSCN concentration. A rapid increase in the THz absorbance is observed in the 180-220 K range. We quantify the picosecond structural flexibility by both the net THz absorption and the dynamical transition temperature, which scales with structural stability. R.E.B acknowledges DOE award DE-FG02-07ER15902 and A.G.M acknowleges NSF awards DBI 1556359 and MCB 1616529, and DOE award DE-SC0016317 for support of the work.1. Wilson, A. et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 105:12075-12080(2008).2. Wilson, A. et al. Plant Cell, 18:992-1007(2006).3. King, J.D. et al. FEBS Lett, 588:4561-4565(2014).
Zebrafish embryo toxicity of 15 chlorinated, brominated, and iodinated disinfection by-products

Disinfection to protect human health occurs at drinking water and wastewater facilities through application of non-selective oxidants including chlorine. Oxidants also transform organic material and form disinfection by-products (DBPs), many of which are halogenated and cyto- and genotoxic. Only a handful of assays have been used to compare DBP toxicity, and researchers are unsure which DBP(s) drive the increased cancer risk associated with drinking chlorinated water. The most extensive data set employs an in vitro model cell, Chinese hamster ovary cells. Traditionally, most DBP research focuses on the threat to human health, but the effects on aquatic species exposed to DBPs in wastewater effluents remain ill defined. We present the developmental toxicity for 15 DBPs and a chlorinated wastewater to a model aquatic vertebrate, zebrafish. Mono-halogenated DBPs followed the in vivo toxicity rank order: acetamides>acetic acids>acetonitriles~nitrosamines, which agrees well with previously published mammalian in vitro data. Di- and tri-halogenated acetonitriles were more toxic than their mono-halogenated analogues, and bromine- and iodine-substituted DBPs tended to be more toxic than chlorinated analogues. No zebrafish development effects were observed after exposure to undiluted or non-concentrated, chlorinated wastewater. We find zebrafish development to be a viable in vivo alternative or confirmatory assay to mammalian in vitro cell assays.
Validity and diagnostic accuracy of a measure of parental stress in parents with typically developing children

ABSTRACTThe Parental Stress and Coping Inventory (PSCI), a 5-point, 18-item questionnaire was evaluated and validated as a screening measure for parental stress in the current sample of 126 mostly low income and ethnic minority parents with typically developing children. One hundred twenty-six participants contributed data to the current receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. ROC analyses were conducted to determine the cutoff scores of PSCI parental distress, social support, and family-based support measures. We found an optimal parental distress cutoff point of 14.5 with an associated sensitivity of 73% and 82% specificity. The optimal cutoff point of social support measure was 23.5 associated with 76% sensitivity and 49% specificity. And, the optimal cutoff point of family-based support measure was 13.5 associated with 79% sensitivity and 56% specificity. This study not only provided evidence for the reliability and validity of PSCI, but also proved the inventory to be a simple, sensitive, ...
Modeling Opportunities in mHealth Cyber-Physical Systems

Cyber-physical systems, with their focus on creating closed-loop systems, have transformed a wide range of areas (e.g., flight systems, industrial plants, robotics, etc.). However, even after a century of health research we still lack dynamic computational models of human health and its interactions with the environment, let alone a full closed-loop cyber-physical system. A major hurdle to developing cyber-physical systems in the medical and health fields has been the lack of high-resolution data on changes in both outcomes and predictive variables in the natural environment. There are many public and private initiatives addressing these measurement issues and the health research community is witnessing rapid progress in this area. Consequently, there is an emerging opportunity to develop cyber-physical systems for mobile health (mHealth). This chapter describes research challenges in developing cyber-physical system models to build effective and safe mHealth interventions. Doing so involves significant advances in modeling of health, biology, and behavior and their interactions with the environment and response of humans to the mHealth interventions.
Using Q-methodology to identify local perspectives on wildfires in two Koyukon Athabascan communities in rural Alaska

Sustainable resource management depends upon the participation of resource-dependent communities. Competing values between community members and government agencies and among groups within a commun...
Failure Is an Option: Using Errors as Teaching Opportunities.

* Abbreviation: I-HELP — : introduction, homework, emotional support, learning > Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. > > Winston Churchill In this article, we continue the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics series describing the characteristics and skills of effective clinical teachers by providing a practical framework for using errors as opportunities to promote the professional growth of students. For our purposes, a medical error is “the failure of a planned action to be completed as intended or the use of a wrong plan to achieve an aim.”1 Because medical students are closely supervised during their clinical rotations, it is unlikely that a student error would lead to major patient harm. However, many students will experience an error during medical school2 and may be reluctant to report their own errors for fear of negatively impacting their evaluations.3 The hidden curriculum, which refers to the implicit culture of rules and norms present in the clinical learning environment, may also discourage a student from speaking up.4 Furthermore, students who have a negative experience after an error occurs are less likely to take responsibility for future errors,5 whereas students who witness their attending physicians take ownership of errors are more likely to emulate that behavior.6 Rather than minimizing errors, great clinical teachers acknowledge errors as opportunities to teach students to reflect and take helpful action.4 Despite the potential benefits of using errors as teaching opportunities, … Address correspondence to Jimmy B. Beck, MD, MEd, Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sandpoint Way NE, M/S FA.2.115, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98105. E-mail: jimmy.beck{at}seattlechildrens.org
Breast care problems on call: training residents to manage effectively

Our aim was to assess and address the challenges radiology residents face when managing breast imaging emergencies on call and to determine if targeted educational interventions improved resident confidence and knowledge. We created surveys to determine resident comfort level with and knowledge of appropriate management of breast imaging emergencies. We also created structured educational interventions to improve resident confidence and knowledge. The effectiveness of these interventions was assessed with pre- and post-intervention surveys given to the 43 residents at our institution. Thirty-six of the 43 residents at our institution completed both surveys. The results showed that 33 of 36 residents (91.7%) felt an increase in their comfort level after utilizing one or both of the interventions. There was also significant improvement in resident knowledge; the average resident score on the knowledge questions improved from 40 to 68% (p < 0.0001). Managing breast imaging emergencies on call can be challenging and stressful for residents. Educational interventions such as our targeted teaching tools can significantly improve resident confidence and knowledge. Presenting dedicated teaching materials directed at a previously identified knowledge deficit and source of stress significantly improved resident knowledge base and confidence in managing breast imaging emergencies on call.
A motor rehabilitation BCI with multi-modal feedback in chronic stroke patients (P5.300)

Objective: Apply BCI technology to improve stroke rehabilitation therapy Background: Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) measure brain activity to generate control signals for external devices in real-time. BCIs are especially well suited for motor rehabilitation. Motor imagery BCIs can analyze patients’ sensorimotor regions and control conditionally gated feedback devices that allow the patient to regain motor functions. Design/Methods: Patients with sub-acute stroke were trained for 25 30-minute sessions in which they imagined left or right hand movement. A computer avatar indicated which hand the patient should imagine moving (80 trials left hand; 80 trials right). The BCI system analyzed EEG in real time, deciphered intention for left or right hand movement, and triggered functional electrical stimulation that elicited movement in the corresponding hand and in the computer avatar only when the patient produced the correct corresponding EEG pattern. Motor function improvements were assessed with a 9-hole PEG test. Results: In a chronic stroke patient the 9-hole PEG test showed an improvement in affected left hand movement from 1 min 30 seconds to 52 sec after 24 training sessions (healthy right hand: 26 sec). BCI accuracy increased from 70% to 98.5 % across sessions. Mean accuracy for the first 3 sessions was 81%; 88% for the last 3. Before training, the patient could not lift his affected arm. After training the patient could reach his mouth to feed himself. Conclusions: BCI accuracy is an objective marker of a patient’s participation in the task; 50% means that patient doesn’t follow (or cannot follow) the task. This patient’s continued improvement and high final accuracy indicates motivated participation. Most importantly, there was objective improvement in motor function within only 25 training sessions. We attribute these results to the conditionally gated reward from the BCI (inducing Hebbian plasticity), and mirror neuron system activation by the avatar. Disclosure: Dr. Guger has received personal compensation for activities with g.tec Medical Engineering GmbH as an employee. Dr. Coon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Swift has nothing to disclose.
Newly Revised Quantitative PCR-Based Assay for Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA Damage

Given the crucial role of DNA damage in human health and disease, it is important to be able to accurately measure both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA damage. This article describes a method based on a long-amplicon quantitative PCR-based assay that does not require a separate mitochondrial isolation step, which can often be labor-intensive and generate artifacts. The detailed basic protocol presented here is newly revised, with particular attention to application in Homo sapiens, Rattus norvegicus, and Caenorhabditis elegans resulting from changes in availability of PCR reagents. Optimized extraction support protocols are also described for high-quality DNA from multiple rat tissues for which these procedures had not previously been described. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
HGF/c-Met Signaling and Targeted Therapeutics in Brain Tumors

The receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met and its ligand the growth factor hepatocyte growth factor [HGF] are key determinants of malignancy of human cancers including brain tumors. c-Met is often aberrantly activated in high-grade gliomas, embryonal brain tumors, ependymomas, and meningiomas. c-Met activation in brain tumors is associated with poor clinical outcomes and is mostly caused by transcriptional overexpression of receptor and ligand and autocrine loop formation. c-Met activation in brain tumors enhances malignancy and tumor growth by inducing cell proliferation, inhibiting cell death, inducing cell migration and cell invasion, and promoting tumor angiogenesis. The oncogenic effects of HGF/c-Met are mediated by a complex downstream signaling network, the most prominent components of which are the Ras/MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways. Based on their widespread and profound involvement in human cancer, HGF and c-Met have emerged as attractive targets for cancer therapy. Different approaches to inhibiting HGF and c-Met have been developed. These include HGF and c-Met gene expression inhibition with ribozymes and antisense oligonucleotides, receptor antagonism with HGF fragments such as NK4, competitive ligand binding with soluble Met receptors, neutralizing antibodies to HGF or c-Met, and small-molecule inhibitors of c-Met kinase.
Radical Improvements Require Radical Actions: Simulating a High-Maturity Software Organization.

Abstract : This report describes the methodology used to create a simulation of a high-maturity software organization and the results of this simulation. The goal of this research was to find the quantitative value of improving from Capability Maturity Model (sm ) (CMMsm) Level 3 to Level 5. The method was to simulate a high-maturity organization using its actual empirical data and then 'cut out' the high-maturity elements of the simulation. The resulting change in software size, effort, schedule, and quality would be a more accurate measure of the value of high maturity than working forward with a low or medium-maturity organization and merely hypothesizing the activities and values of high maturity. The author used computer simulations based on systems thinking and systems dynamics, which reasonably modeled the 'soft variables' of the people aspects of an organization (personnel attitudes, learning curve, participation in software process improvement, etc.). The simulation also related the soft variables to the hard variables of a software organization's life cycle process (software size, effort, schedule, quality, etc.).
Bringing Trusts & Estates to the Front and Center of Legal Education

In this short essay I make 10 modest suggestions for bringing Trusts & Estates to the front and center of American legal education. Many students take the basic school T&E course with some sense that it is part of a well-rounded legal education, but the field has a reputation for being staid, static and - well, old. For those of us who teach and write in the field, we know nothing could be further from the truth. But how can we convince students and colleagues otherwise? How can we make Trusts & Estates a more integral part of legal education? My proposals cluster in three main areas: curriculum, community and scholarship.
Psychosomatic elaboration of distress.

Even though a patient's suffering does not appear to have a physical basis, physicians have a duty to deliver standard tests and compassionate care. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Sterculia xolocotzii (Sterculiaceae), A New Species of Rain Forest Canopy Tree from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico

The new species Sterculia xolocotzii represents the second native New World Sterculia species with palmately compound leaves to be described, the first being S. mexicana R. Br. Sterculia xolocotzii is known only from Mexico, where it has been collected in lowland rain forests of the Uxpanapa-Chimalapa region of Veracruz and Oaxaca and once in the Los Tuxtlas area of Veracruz. It can be distinguished from S. mexicana, with which it often grows, by habit, phenology, and numerous morphological characters. The morphology and ecology of S. xolocotzii are detailed, and the distribution and typification of S. mexicana are also discussed.
Toward a Sociology of Biodiversity Loss

Social processes are setting in motion a crisis of global biodiversity loss, yet those who study social processes are largely absent from discussions about this crisis. Recognizing that developing ...
Côte d’Ivoire: mutineers’ paradise?

The West African country of Cote d’Ivoire, which had just emerged from a protracted, bloody intra-state conflict, was hailed in 2016 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the fastest growing ...
In vivo label-free multiphoton microscopy for monitoring delayed skin wound healing

Using an optical redox ratio of FAD/(NADH+FAD) autofluorescence and fluorescence lifetime imaging, we demonstrate differences in skin wound metabolism between aged and young mice through longitudinal monitoring over 10 days.
Photoinduced valence tautomerism of a cobalt-dioxolene complex revealed with femtosecond M-edge XANES

Cobalt complexes that undergo charge-transfer induced spin-transitions or valence tautomerism from low spin CoIII to high spin (HS) CoII are potential candidates for magneto-optical switches. We use M2,3-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy with 40 fs time resolution to measure the excited-state dynamics of CoIII(Cat-N-SQ)(Cat-N-BQ), where Cat-N-BQ and Cat-N-SQ are the singly and doubly reduced forms of the 2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl-imino)-4,6-di-tert-butylcyclohexa-3,5-dienone ligand. The extreme ultraviolet probe pulses, produced using a tabletop high-harmonic generation light source, measure 3p → 3d transitions and are sensitive to the spin and oxidation state of the Co center. Photoexcitation at 525 nm produces a low-spin CoII ligand-to-metal charge transfer state which undergoes intersystem crossing to high-spin CoII in 67 fs. Vibrational cooling from this hot HS CoII state competes on the hundreds-of-fs time scale with back-intersystem crossing to the ground state, with 60% of the population trapped in a cold HS CoII state for 24 ps. Ligand field multiplet simulations accurately reproduce the ground-state spectra and support the excited-state assignments. This work demonstrates the ability of M2,3-edge XANES to measure ultrafast photophysics of molecular Co complexes.
Robust Learning Rate Selection for Stochastic Optimization via Splitting Diagnostic

This paper proposes SplitSGD, a new dynamic learning rate schedule for stochastic optimization. This method decreases the learning rate for better adaptation to the local geometry of the objective function whenever a stationary phase is detected, that is, the iterates are likely to bounce at around a vicinity of a local minimum. The detection is performed by splitting the single thread into two and using the inner product of the gradients from the two threads as a measure of stationarity. Owing to this simple yet provably valid stationarity detection, SplitSGD is easy- to-implement and essentially does not incur additional computational cost than standard SGD. Through a series of extensive experiments, we show that this method is appropriate for both convex problems and training (non-convex) neural networks, with performance compared favorably to other stochastic optimization methods. Importantly, this method is observed to be very robust with a set of default parameters for a wide range of problems and, moreover, yields better generalization performance than other adaptive gradient methods such as Adam.
Coordinated Use of Multiple Sensors in a Robotic Workcell

Three issues pertinent to a coordinated use of multiple sensors in a robot workcell are described. First we discuss how range maps obtained from multiple viewpoints — these viewpoints may correspond to range sensors located at different locations — can be fused to generate a single combined representation of an object. We then take up the subject of how to reason over all the viewpoints and all the available sensors so that the best sensor and the best viewpoint are selected for the maximum disambiguation of all the currently held hypotheses about object identities and their poses. Finally, we discuss how we may use multiple sensors for robotic assembly, each sensor helping execute a portion of the overall task.
Variable DEM generalization using local entropy for terrain representation through scale

An automated method of variable digital elevation model (DEM) smoothing is presented. Using variably sized kernels to perform filtering, the method is driven by the entropy of local z-values in the...
AN EYE FOR AN AI: THE STORY OF A VALVE IN VALVE IN VALVE

As TAVR experience has grown and our complication rates have decreased, we continue to face unique complications that require rapid identification and quick intervention. A 74-year-old male who underwent CABG and aortic valve replacement using Magnum Ease 25 mm in July 2012 presented with
Cetuximab Induced Hidrocystomas: A Case Report

Cetuximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor that commonly results in follicular-based acneiform eruptions. EGFR is expressed in the epidermis, hair follicle epithelium, sweat gland apparatus, and plays an important role in the differentiation and development of the hair follicle. In this report we describe a 70-year-old man who developed an acneiform eruption on his nose, cheeks, neck, and back when cetuximab was started for metastatic colorectal carcinoma. This initial eruption improved with cessation of cetuximab but left residual cystic papules on his nose and multiple superficial white cysts on his bilateral cheeks, neck and back. Skin biopsy of a representative lesion on the nose revealed a cyst-like cavity lined with epithelium similar to sweat glands within the dermis consistent with a hidrocystoma. In this case, it is plausible that the use of an EGFR inhibitor resulted in a cutaneous inflammatory reaction, that subsequently healed with blockage of the sweat duct apparatus causing the formation of cutaneous cysts, including both hidrocystomas and milia. Alternatively, the blockage of the duct may have resulted from inhibition of basal cell migration and increased cell adhesion within the eccrine gland causing accumulation of eccrine gland secretion, and eventually hidrocystomas. To our knowledge, this is the first case describing the resolution of a typical cetuximab-induced acneiform eruption with residual hidrocystomas and milia.
Anchors Aweigh: How the Choice of Anchor Items Affects the Vertical Scaling of 3PL Data with the Rasch Model

Vertical scaling is used to put tests of different difficulty onto a common metric. The Rasch model is often used to perform vertical scaling, despite its strict functional form. Few, if any, studi...
Network Level Science, Social-Ecological Research and the LTER Planning Process

This chapter provides a personal perspective and history of the LTER Planning Process that took place from 2004 through 2007 with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Decadal reviews of LTER in 1990 and 2000 commissioned by NSF emphasized the need for interdisciplinary science, greater cross-site synthesis and the desire for a network-level research agenda. The purpose of the Planning Process was to develop the scientific basis and conceptual framework for network-level science that would facilitate synthesis and integration from the start. Many researchers from the biophysical and social sciences were involved in the process, which resulted in a conceptual framework for integrated, long-term, social-ecological research that has been widely embraced globally. Although the LTER Network did not get to implement its Network-level science initiative, the process demonstrated that LTER scientists could work together across sites to develop a research agenda essential for understanding how global environmental change will affect the dynamics of social-ecological systems during the Anthropocene.
Early findings after integration of donor-derived cell-free DNA into clinical care following pediatric heart transplantation.

Background Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is costly and discomforting yet remains a key component of surveillance after pediatric heart transplantation (HT). Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) has been histologically validated with high negative predictive value, offering an alternative to surveillance EMB (sEMB). Methods We implemented an alternative surveillance protocol using commercially available dd-cfDNA assays in place of sEMB after pediatric HT. Recipients ≧7 months post-HT with reassuring clinical assessment were referred for dd-cfDNA. When not elevated above the manufacturers' threshold, sEMB was deferred. Subsequent clinical status and results of follow-up EMB were analyzed. Results Over 17 months, 58 recipients [34% female, median age at HT 3.1 years (IQR 0.6-10.6)] had dd-cfDNA assessed per protocol. Median age was 14.8 years (8.4-18.3) and time from HT 6.0 years (2.2-11.2). Forty-seven (81%) had non-elevated dd-cfDNA and 11 (19%) were elevated. During a median of 8.7 months (4.2-15), all are alive without allograft loss/new dysfunction. Among those with non-elevated dd-cfDNA, 24 (51%) had subsequent sEMB at 12.1 months (6.9-12.9) with 23 showing no acute rejection (AR): grade 0R/pAMR0 (n = 16); 1R(1A)/pAMR0 (n = 7). One had AR (grade 2R(3A)/pAMR0) on follow-up sEMB after decreased immunosuppression following a diagnosis of PTLD. All 11 with elevated dd-cfDNA had reflex EMB at 19 days (12-32) with AR in 4: grade 1R(1B-2)/pAMR0 (n = 3); 1R(1B)/pAMR2 (n = 1). Conclusions dd-cfDNA assessment in place of selected, per-protocol EMB decreased surveillance EMB by 81% in our pediatric HT recipient cohort with no short-term adverse outcomes. Individual center approach to surveillance EMB will influence the utility of these findings.
Enterprise Risk Management: Understanding the Role of Cyber Risk

Data breaches and security incidents have become commonplace, with thousands occurring each year, and some costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Consequently, cyber risk has become one of the gravest risks facing organizations, and has attracted boardroom-level attention. On the other hand, companies -- and their enterprise risk functions -- already manage many kinds of difficult and growing risks, such as workforce, regulatory, and supply chain risks. Research has also shown that most firms lose less than 1% of annual revenues as a result of cyber incidents. And so, the problem becomes, how should firms appropriately address cyber risk? Is it indeed a materially different kind of risk area that requires entirely new management and oversight? Or is it simply just one more risk that while new, can seamlessly be integrated into existing enterprise risk management (ERM) practices? In this qualitative research, we seek to answer two main questions. First, how do firms manage enterprise risks, generally? And second, how are they integrating cyber risk into these existing processes? Our results show considerable variation in the approach and sophistication in ERM practices across firms, such as whether it is driven more like an auditing function, or as a risk champion. Further, we find that despite the novelty of cyber risk, it can be – and is being – managed like other forms of uncertain enterprise risks. Finally, we find that cyber risk is most often seen as an operational risk (similar to workplace accidents or fraud), rather than a strategic risk, emerging from, for example, technology innovation and R&D.
Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. Looking Beyond Traditional Chemotherapy and Radiation

About a third of all pancreatic cancer is found to be locally advanced at the time of diagnosis, where the tumor is inoperable but remains localized to the pancreas and regional lymphatics. Sadly, this remains a universally deadly disease with progression to distant disease being the predominant mode of failure and average survival under one year. Optimal treatment of these patients continues to be an area of controversy, with chemotherapy alone being the treatment preference in Europe, and chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation in selected patients, preferred in the USA. The aim of this paper is to summarize the key abstracts presented at the 2013 ASCO Annual Meeting that address evolving approaches to the management of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The late breaking abstract (#LBA4003) provided additional European data showing non-superiority of chemoradiation compared to chemotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer patients without distant progression following 4 months of chemotherapy. Another late breaking abstract, (#LBA4004), unfortunately showed a promising new complement to gemcitabine and capecitabine using immunotherapy in the form of a T-helper vaccine did not translate to improved survival in the phase III setting. Image: Tufts University Medford/Somerville campus. Medford, MA, USA.
Removing or Impeaching the New York State Comptroller

The article explains the laws and options in New York State governing the removal of the State Comptroller. It also explains how a vacancy in the office of the State Comptroller would be filled.