cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computing Power of Tests of the Variance of Treatment Effects in Designs With Two Levels of Nesting

Experiments that involve nested structures may assign treatment conditions either to entire groups (such as classrooms or schools) or individuals within groups (such as students). Although typically the interest in field experiments is in determining the significance of the overall treatment effect, it is equally important to examine the inconsistency of the treatment effect in different groups. This study provides methods for computing power of tests for the variability of treatment effects across level-2 and level-3 units in three-level designs, where, for example, students are nested within classrooms and classrooms are nested within schools and random assignment takes place at the first or the second level. The power computations take into account nesting effects at the second (e.g., classroom) and at the third (e.g., school) level as well as sample size effects (e.g., number of level-1 and level-2 units). The methods can also be applied to quasi-experimental studies that examine the significance of the variation of group differences in an outcome or associations between predictors and outcomes across level-2 and level-3 units.
Testing conditions influence the race gap in cognition and achievement estimated by household survey data

Abstract The present study investigates the hypothesis that the race gap estimated using achievement test scores administered during household surveys may partly be accounted for by measurable testing conditions such as interviewer characteristics, interviewer–child interactions, and the testing environment in the home. Using the child assessments of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) in 1992, the findings clearly indicate that the factors related to testing conditions in the home have significant effects on the test score gap between African American and White children of 6–9 years of age. The agreement between the race of the interviewer and the race of the child especially showed the positive effects on child test scores.
The Incidence of Central Line-Associated Bacteremia After the Introduction of Midline Catheters in a Ventilator Unit Population.

Hypothesis Our objective was to evaluate whether the use of midline venous catheters in place of central line venous catheters, when appropriate, decreased the overall incidence of central line–associated bacteremia in a ventilator unit.
Thin-line de-sense capability for database mode inspections with KLA-Tencor TeraScanHR

Sub-resolution assist features (SRAF) are a common optical proximity correction method to preserve main feature patterns upon imaging into a photoresist during the lithographic process. The presence of SRAF can often reduce the inspectability and usable sensitivity in high resolution inspections of these reticles. KLA-Tencor has developed an improved Thin-Line De-sense capability for Die-to-Database inspections (dbTLD) on the TeraScanHR that addresses this challenge. The dbTLD capability provides sensitivity control focused on SRAF, thus improving inspectability without compromising high sensitivity to main features. The key feature of the improved dbTLD capability is that it provides greater flexibility to effectively de-sense non-critical defects on SRAF in variable sizes oriented at any angle and in variety of shapes including challenging L- and U-shaped structures. This paper will demonstrate the value of dbTLD on improving inspectability where aggressive SRAF structures exist. The selective application of sensitivity on main features and assist features is the key to improvement in database inspections without impacting throughput.
Are surgical outcomes for lung cancer resections improved at teaching hospitals

Background Defining centers of excellence for complex surgical procedures, including pulmonary resection, reveals lower mortality at high-volume centers. We postulate that short-term outcome after lung cancer resection is better at teaching hospitals (TH) compared with nonteaching hospitals (non-TH), independent of volume. Methods Lung cancer resections in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) dataset from 1998 to 2004 were stratified by resection type (segmentectomy, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy). The TH identified in the NIS include those with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved general surgery (GSTH) and thoracic surgery (TSTH) residency programs. The association of hospital teaching status with in-hospital mortality was assessed by multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for patient demographics and comorbidities. Results Of 46,951 lung resections (5,651 segmentectomies, 37,027 lobectomies, 4,273 pneumonectomies), 56% were performed at TH. Overall mortality was significantly lower at TH versus non-TH (3.2% vs 4.0%; p p = 0.002). At TH, odds of death for pneumonectomy and lobectomy were significantly reduced independent of surgical volume, except for the latter at the highest hospital volume strata. Conclusions In-hospital mortality is reduced for patients undergoing lung cancer resections at teaching hospitals, with results prominent at all but the highest volume institutions. Lower mortality rates persisted at GSTH and TSTH. Understanding and disseminating the processes of care associated with these settings may improve quality of care for lung cancer patients, and decrease patient bias against teaching hospitals.
Ketoconazole and Other Imidazole Derivatives as Inhibitors of Steroidogenesis

Background IMIDAZOLE antifungal drugs are effective therapeutic agents in the treatment of mycotic infections (1). Because ketoconazole can be administered orally and has a broad spectrum of activity against both superficial and deep mycoses, this imidazole derivative has become widely used throughout the world as an antifungal agent (1, 2). In recent years it as become apparent that ketoconazole has additional potent actions to inhibit steroidogenesis. Much of the discussion to follow will be directed at the specific drug ketoconazole and its ability to suppress the synthesis of steroid hormones. However, other structurally related imidazole antifungal agents share in these antihormonal actions. In addition, other categories of drugs contain imidazole or azole structures, and some element of the hormonal effects to be discussed for ketoconazole may also apply to these drugs as well. Prominent examples are cimetidine, thiobendazole, and metronidazole. The ability to inhibit steroidogenesis is especially r...
The Fine Structure of Trophozoites and Gametocytes in Plasmodium coatneyi

SYNOPSIS. An electron microscope study of Plasmodium coatneyi in the rhesus monkey supplied information on the fine structure of trophozoites, gametocytes and of the host cell. The trophozoites resemble other mammalian malaria parasites. They do not have typical protozoan mitochondria, but instead a concentric double-membraned organelle, which, it is assumed, performs mitochondrial functions. They feed on the host cell by pinocytosis, engulfing droplets of erythrocytes thru invaginations of the plasma membranes at any region of the cell or thru the cytostome. Digestion of hemoglobin takes place in small vesicles pinched off from the food vacuole proper. Gametocytes can be clearly distinguished into macro- and microgametocytes. Macrogametocytes are covered by 2 plasma membranes, the inner one appearing thicker in some places. The cytoplasm is filled with Palade's particles and has numerous vesicles of endoplasmic reticulum and toxonemes. In microgametocytes most of the inner membrane is thickened, the cytoplasm has few Palade's particles and vesicles of the endoplasmic reticulum and does not have toxonemes. Erythrocytes with trophozoites are irregularly scallop-shaped and have elevated points with knob-like protrusions covered by a double membrane. If these protrusions are sticky they might be in part responsible for clumping and arresting the schizonts and segmenters in the capillaries. The host cell contains numerous Maurer's clefts which in some instances are continuous with the membranes of the parasite suggesting that they might originate from them.
Human aging and CD31+ T-cell number, migration, apoptotic susceptibility, and telomere length.

CD31+ T cells, or so-called “angiogenic T cells,” have been shown to demonstrate vasculoprotective and neovasculogenic qualities. The influence of age on CD31+ T-cell number and function is unclear...
Superconducting sextupoles and trim quadrupoles for RHIC

RHIC requires 288 sextupole and 72 trim quadrupole magnets. These iron poletip superconducting magnets have been constructed by Everson Electric Co. Room temperature field measurements have been completed for 75% of these magnets with acceptable results. Approximately 15% of them have been tested at 4.6 K for maximum (quench) current. The quench performance for the early magnets was good and improved to excellent during the production run. These magnets have more than 100% margin at quench.
Test Structures Utilizing High-Precision Fast Testing For 32nm Yield Enhancement

We describe the development and use of various test structures for 32nm yield enhancement. These DC defect test structures are tested in parallel mode on a functional tester using special V/I and Pico-Amp measurement cards. This new test method provides measurement accuracy as high as ± 10 pA along with up to 9x reduction in test time over conventional parametric testing. The large critical area enables reliable estimation of defect densities by failure mechanism.
The Impact of Information Technology Investment Announcements on the Market Value of the Firm

Determining whether investments in information technology IT have an impact on firm performance has been and continues to be a major problem for information systems researchers and practitioners. Financial theory suggests that managers should make investment decisions that maximize the value of the firm. Using event-study methodology, we provide empirical evidence on the effect of announcements of IT investments on the market value of the firm for a sample of 97 IT investments from the finance and manufacturing industries from 1981 to 1988. Over the announcement period, we find no excess returns for either the full sample or for any one of the industry subsamples. However, cross-sectional analysis reveals that the market reacts differently to announcements of innovative IT investments than to followup, or noninnovative investments in IT. Innovative IT investments increase firm value, while noninnovative investments do not. Furthermore, the market's reaction to announcements of innovative and noninnovative IT investments is independent of industry classification. These results indicate that, on average, IT investments are zero net present value NPV investments; they are worth as much as they cost. Innovative IT investments, however, increase the value of the firm.
Enforcing enterprise-wide policies over standard client-server interactions

We propose and evaluate a novel framework for enforcing global coordination and control policies over interacting software components in enterprise computing environments. This framework combines a per-node reference monitor with two existing coordination and control systems to enforce policies that, among other properties, are stateful and communal. Each reference monitor filters messages exchanged between the interacting software components similar to a firewall, passing only messages that are allowed by the policies in effect. This filtering approach decouples coordination and control from application implementation, allowing the coordination and control mechanism and application implementations to evolve independently of each other. We demonstrate the power of our framework by using it to specify and enforce an RBAC policy with delegation, revocation, and separation-of-duty over accesses to a cluster of NFS and SMB file servers without changing any client or server implementations. Measurements show that our framework imposes acceptable overheads when enforcing this policy.
Multi-rate nonlinear state estimation in a polymerization reactor: a real-time study

Real-time implementation of a robust multi-rate state estimator on a continuous stirred tank, free-radical, styrene polymerization reactor is presented. The estimator was designed on the basis of a first-principles model of the process. The estimator had "integral action", which permitted robust estimation of polymer weight-average and number-average molecular weights, and monomer concentration. These were estimated from (a) on-line frequent measurements of the reactor temperature, and (b) off-line, infrequent and delayed measurements of polymer weight-average and number-average molecular weights and monomer concentration. Infrequent measurements of monomer concentration were obtained by gas chromatography and gravimetry, and those of weight-average and number-average molecular weights by gel permeation chromatography. The real-time study presented was carried out in DuPont's Marshall Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA.
Adaptation of photosynthetic apparatus of marine ultraphytoplankton to natural light fields

The discovery of widely distributed populations of chroococcoid marine cyanobacteria (Synechococcus spp.) deep in the water column has focused attention on the autotrophic potential of small (<10 µm) size classes of marine phytoplankton1–5. These organisms contain light-harvesting pigments which specifically absorb in the blue and green regions of the spectrum6–11. Despite the fact that sea water acts as a monochromatic filter, allowing only the blue and blue-green wavelengths to penetrate12, essentially all estimates of the photosynthetic rate of ultraphytoplankton at depth have ignored the changing spectral composition of the natural light field and simulated only the in situ light intensity4,5,13. Here I show that the spectral composition of available light must be considered in estimates of water column productivity and that the depth of the euphotic zone varies between different ultraphytoplankton strains depending on the composition and organization of the photosynthetic apparatus.
Nurse practitioner-based models of specialist palliative care at home: sustainability and evaluation of feasibility.

Abstract Context Patients with serious medical problems who live at home may not be able to access specialist-level palliative care when the need develops. Nurse practitioner (NP)-based models may be able to increase the availability of specialist care in the community. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the financial sustainability and feasibility of two NP-based models in an urban setting. Methods In one model, an NP was linked with a social worker (SW) to create a new palliative home care team (PHCT-NP-SW), which would provide consultation and direct care to referred homebound elderly patients with advanced illnesses. In a second model, an NP was assigned to a hospice program (Hospice-NP) for the purpose of enhancing the reach and impact of a home care team. The revenue generated by each model was compared with direct costs; the PHCT-NP-SW model also was evaluated for its feasibility and impact on patient-level outcomes. Results Over a two-year period, the NP in the PHCT-NP-SW model made 350 visits and followed 114 patients at home. Annualized revenue through reimbursement from patient billing offset less than 50% of the NP's salary costs. In contrast, the Hospice-NP model led to a 360% increment in hospice referrals, yielding sufficient new revenue to support this position indefinitely after only seven months. The PHCT-NP-SW model provided numerous interventions that yielded a significant decline in symptom distress during the initial two weeks after referral ( P =0.003), 100% compliance with advance care planning, 21% admission rate to hospice, access to other community services, and crisis management. Nonetheless, lack of funding led to closure of this model after the two years. Conclusion This experience suggests that a PHCT-NP-SW model is not sustainable in this urban environment through reimbursement-based revenue, whereas a Hospice-NP model for hospice can be sustainable based on the growth of hospice census. The PHCT-NP-SW model appears to offer benefits, and additional efforts are needed to establish the funding mechanisms to sustain such programs, create mixed models of hospice and nonhospice funding, or provide a basis for sustainability through cost reduction.
Morphology of the Alimentary Canal of Chrysoperla rufilabris (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Adults in Relation to Microbial Symbionts

A study of the internal morphology of the alimentary canal of Chrysoperla rufilabris (Brumeister) adults in relation to yeast symbionts was conducted using light, scanning, and transmission electron and epifluorescence microscopy. The alimentary canal of field-collected adults possessed a single large (≈300–400 μm in length) diverticulum at the posterior end of the foregut. Although yeast cells (4.0–6.5 μm) were distributed throughout the alimentary canal, large numbers of blastically dividing cells (i.e., yeast) were observed within the diverticulum. The diverticulum interior was highly convoluted and folded transversely and longitudinally, and yeast cells were observed to accumulate within the folds. Large tracheal trunks were attached to the lateral side of the diverticulum, suggesting a high demand for gas exchange within this organ. The diverticulum was lined with cuticle, and the underlying tissues did not contain large amounts of endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, or Golgi complex, indicating that minimal absorption occurred within this gut region. This suggested that the high potential for gas exchange in the diverticulum by the tracheal trunks was primarily to support yeast metabolic activity. All size classes (i.e., 0.1, 4.0, and 10.0 μm) of fluorescence particles ingested by newly eclosed adults eventually ended up in the midgut and hindgut regions, indicating that the foregut and/or diverticulum do not possess an absolute mechanism for retaining particles based on size. However, all size classes of the fluorescent particles typically persisted within the diverticulum. The evident confluence between the diverticulum lumen and the gut lumen suggested a free exchange or flow of fluids between these regions. The proventriculus (proximal to the diverticulum) was pronounced and consisted of a series of long “hairs,” short “hairs,” and small spine-like structures projecting into the midgut. Large numbers of yeast cells were observed in association with the proventricular hairs, and these hairs may play a role in the retention of yeast cells. The midgut possessed typical absorptive structures (i.e., microvilli), and large numbers of mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi complex were observed in midgut epithelial cells. Because evidence indicated no or minimal absorption of nutrients within the diverticulum, it was concluded that nutritional factors provided by the yeast must be transferred to the midgut where absorption occurs. Large numbers of yeast cells enclosed within a well-developed peritrophic matrix were observed in the midgut, suggesting that the yeast themselves may serve as a source of nutrients. Whereas the exact mechanism by which yeast contribute to the nutrition of C. rufilabris adults was not determined, morphological evidence obtained in this study supported the hypothesis that chrysopids form a mutualistic symbiosis with yeast and that the esophageal diverticulum was a specialized structure for housing them.
Design Principles for Online Instruction: A New Kind of Classroom

In the 1900’s, distance education attempted to mimic the traditional classroom lecture via the transmission of live or “canned” broadcasts, regardless of the technologies used: satellite, television, film, or radio. These kinds of media predisposed DE to closely adhere to the lecture (sit and absorb) model, where content was disseminated in about the same time constraints as a traditional class: taught at scheduled times throughout the week–almost anywhere but not always anytime. Moreover, the modes of presentation in classic DE seemed to hinder the kinds of human interactions normally experienced in the traditional classroom, fostering individualized and isolated learning experiences. Online learning is a hybrid between the traditional classroom and the DE experience. Like the traditional classroom, instruction is teacher-facilitated. The student is enrolled in a conventional course with topic (lecture) presentations, reading and homework assignments, classroom discussions, and class projects. Unlike the traditional classroom, courses are web-based and distributed from a distance, using an assortment of synchronous and asynchronous computer technologies and offered anywhere and anytime. In this way, online learning is different from the classic DE model by encouraging decentralized and collaborative learning environments. So that in this presentation will be discuss design principles for online instruction as being a new kind of classroom.
Endomyocardial gene expression during development of pacing tachycardia-induced heart failure in the dog.

Selective and specific changes in gene expression characterize the end-stage failing heart. However, the pattern and relation of these changes to evolving systolic and diastolic dysfunction during development of heart failure remains undefined. In the present study, we assessed steady-state levels of mRNAs encoding a group of cardiac proteins during the early development of left ventricular dysfunction in dogs with pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. Corresponding hemodynamic assessments were made in the conscious state in the same animals and at the same time points at baseline, after 1 week of ventricular pacing, and at the onset of clinical heart failure. Systolic dysfunction dominated after 1 week of pacing, whereas diastolic dysfunction was far more pronounced with the onset of heart failure. Atrial natriuretic factor mRNA was undetectable in 7 of 12 hearts at baseline but was expressed in all hearts at 1 week (P < .01 by chi 2 test), and it increased markedly with progression to failure (P = .05). Creatine kinase-B mRNA also rose markedly with heart failure (P < .01). Levels of mRNA encoding beta-myosin heavy chain, mitochondrial creatine kinase, phospholamban, and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase did not significantly change from baseline, despite development of heart failure. Additional analysis to determine if these mRNA changes were related to the severity of diastolic or systolic dysfunction revealed that phospholamban mRNA decreased in hearts with larger net increases in end-diastolic pressure (+19.2 +/- 1.9 mm Hg) compared with those hearts in which it did not change (+4.0 +/- 4.9, P < .02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Second harmonic nanoprobes for femtosecond laser pulse characterization in complex microstructures

Femtosecond pulse characterization in air-core region of a photonic crystal fiber is presented. The proposed nanoprobe can be a promising candidate for probing optical fields at nano-femto spatiotemporal scale in complex 3D micro- or nanostructures.
Intraoperative Cortical Mapping Techniques and Limitations

Cortical mapping is the gold standard for intraoperative localization of eloquent cortex. Stimulation mapping provides a tool to balance the benefits of maximal surgical resection with the risks of damage to eloquent cortex or subcortical fiber tracts. Certain mapping techniques, such as cortical stimulation sensory and language mapping, require an awake cooperative patient, and necessitate specific anesthetic considerations when performing mapping or evoked potential monitoring. Somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) can be used to quickly and reliably locate Rolandic cortex. SSEPs and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) can be used for continuous monitoring of sensory and motor cortex and subcortical fiber tracts during surgical resection. Language mapping is performed when there is a surgical lesion in the language-dominant temporal, posterior frontal, or anterior parietal lobe. Wada testing may be needed to lateralize language function preoperatively when language lateralization is in doubt, and is required in certain patient subgroups based on handedness and lesion location. The specific intraoperative techniques of SSEP mapping and monitoring, MEP mapping and monitoring, and cortical stimulation mapping of motor, sensory, and language cortices are presented.
The Challenge of Chamber Stiffness Determination in Chronic Atrial Fibrillation vs. Normal Sinus Rhythm: Echocardiographic Prediction with Simultaneous Hemodynamic Validation.

Echocardiographic diastolic function (DF) assessment remains a challenge in atrial fibrillation (AF), because indexes such as E/A cannot be used and because chronic, rate controlled AF causes chamber remodeling. To determine if echocardiography can accurately characterize diastolic chamber properties we compared 15 chronic AF subjects to 15, age matched normal sinus rhythm (NSR) subjects using simultaneous echocardiography-cardiac catheterization (391 beats analyzed). Conventional DF parameters (DT, Epeak, AT, Edur, E-VTI, E/E’) and validated, E-wave derived, kinematic modeling based chamber stiffness parameter (k), were compared. For validation, chamber stiffness (dP/dV) was independently determined from simultaneous, multi-beat P-V loop data. Results show that neither AT, Epeak nor E-VTI differentiated between groups. Although DT, Edur and E/E’ did differentiate between groups (DTNSR vs. DTAF p < 0.001, EdurNSR vs. EdurAF p < 0.001, E/E’NSR vs. E/E’AF p < 0.05), the model derived chamber stiffness parameter k was the only parameter specific for chamber stiffness, (kNSR vs. kAF p < 0.005). The invasive gold standard determined end-diastolic stiffness in NSR was indistinguishable from end-diastolic (i.e. diastatic) stiffness in AF (p = 0.84). Importantly, the analysis provided mechanistic insight by showing that diastatic stiffness in AF was significantly greater than diastatic stiffness in NSR (p < 0.05). We conclude that passive (diastatic) chamber stiffness is increased in normal LVEF chronic, rate controlled AF hearts relative to normal LVEF NSR controls and that in addition to DT, the E-wave derived, chamber stiffness specific index k, differentiates between AF vs. NSR groups, even when invasively determined end-diastolic chamber stiffness fails to do so.
Cigarette taxes as cigarette policy

The taxation of tobacco products is universal in the modern state.1 Wherever tobacco products are consumed, they are taxed. Further, while taxation policy varies widely from state to state, the taxation of tobacco products is almost always an important element of government policy toward tobacco and toward smoking. Tobacco taxation policy varies over time as well as cross-sectionally. For example, recent years have witnessed relatively sharp increases in tobacco tax policy in Canada and major efforts to create harmonisation of cigarette taxation policy in the European Community by substantial increases in tax for low income tax nations.2,3 Since the autumn of 1993, a substantial increase in the per package cigarette tax has been proposed by the Clinton administration as a major funding vehicle for comprehensive health care reform in the United States. Cigarette tax policy also serves as a window into social attitudes about smoking because cigarette taxation policies not infrequently reflect shifts in views about cigarettes and smokers.4 The aim of this paper is to provide a policy context for reviewing what is currently known about the effect of cigarette taxes on smoking and what needs to be determined to provide an adequate factual basis for informed policy. In the first part of the analysis we discuss three different purposes of cigarette taxation and the relationship between each of these and the level of taxation that would be regarded as optimally appropriate. In this section we also probe the relationship between various purposes of taxation and theories of justice. In the second part of the paper we discuss current knowledge about the behavioural effects of cigarette taxation. In this section we examine the impact of tax levels on the prevalence and incidence of smoking, as well as the impact of taxation and price changes …
Fall Risk Among Older Adult High-Risk Populations: a Review of Current Screening and Assessment Tools

Falls are a leading cause of injury and accidental death among older adults. This is especially true for high-risk populations such as those who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebrovascular accidents, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias. We outline general concerns related to falls for those who belong to these populations. This is followed with a description of general fall risk screening instruments and an introduction to fall risk tests and measures. We provide a brief overview of their applicability to high-risk populations. We conclude with guidance on how practitioners can use existing tools to conduct appropriate fall risk prevention screening and assessment activities that lead to the appropriate selection of evidence-based fall prevention programs for older adult high-fall-risk populations.
Alteration of RhoH Expression Is Associated with Human Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Abstract An increasing number of Rho GTPase family proteins have been demonstrated to play critical roles in blood and immune cell development and function. The newly defined RhoH gene has been previously demonstrated to be mutated in lymphoma samples (Dallery et al, 1995; Pasqualucci et al, 2001). These alterations include chromosomal rearrangements and a high frequency of somatic mutations (up to 46%) in human non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The RhoH gene encodes a novel hematopoietic-specific member of the RhoE subfamily, which is GTPase deficient, remaining in the active, GTP-bound state. Thus the activity of RhoH is likely regulated by the level of the protein expressed in the cell. The somatic mutations in the RhoH gene have been mapped to a 1.6kb hypermutable region in the intron 1, suggesting the possibility of dysregulated RhoH expression. However, levels of RhoH expression have not been directly measured in these hematopoietic tumors and so it remains unclear whether these mutations translate into aberrant RhoH expression. We utilized quantitative real-time RT-PCR to measure RhoH transcript levels in primary DLBCL patient samples. Based on morphologic and immunophenotypic analysis, 17 DLBCL positive samples and 14 normal control samples were used for our study. The levels of TATA-box binding protein (TBP) and human phosphogycerate kinase (HPGK) cDNAs were also examined simultaneously for relative expression normalization. RhoH transcript levels in a subset of the DLBCL samples were markedly reduced. In particular, 6 of 17 (~35%) tested samples showed a greater than 3-fold reduction in RhoH expression based on both RhoH/TBP and RhoH/HPGK ratios when compared with the median RhoH expression level of 14 normal samples. Overall, RhoH expression levels of the DLBCL group were significantly altered (mainly decreased) as compared with those of the normal group (p http://trafac.cchmc.org ) to identify evolutionarily conserved putative transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) between human and other species in the hypermutable region. 13 conserved TFBS between human and mouse were identified in the hypermutable region. Mutations in the DLBCL patients are localized in 6 of these predicted TFBS, including pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), zinc-finger binding protein-89 (ZBP-89), lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF-1), BRIGHT, engrailed 1 and myelin transcription factor 1 (MyT1). Interestingly, LEF-1 and BRIGHT are B cell-specific transcription activators. These results suggest that RhoH expression is frequently altered in 35–40% of DLBCL samples and mutations in the hypermutable region of the RhoH gene in several cases encompass core binding sequences of transcription factors important in B cell development.
A unified theory of heuristic evaluation functions and its application to learning

We present a characterization of heuristic evaluation functions which unifies their treatment in single-agent problems and two-person games. The central result is that a useful heuristic function is one which determines the outcome of a search and is invariant along a solution path. This local characterization of heuristics can be used to predict die effectiveness of given heuristics and to automatically learn useful heuristic functions for problems. In one experiment, a set of relative weights for the different chess pieces was automatically learned.
Investigating the Origins of Intrinsic Motivation in Human Infants

One of the earliest behaviors driven by intrinsic motivation is visual exploration. In this chapter, I highlight how the development of this capacity is influenced not only by changes in the brain that take place after birth but also by the acquisition of oculomotor skill. To provide a context for interpreting these developmental changes, I then survey three theoretical perspectives that are available for explaining how and why visual exploration develops. Next, I describe work on the development of perceptual completion, which offers a case study on the development of visual exploration and the role of oculomotor skill. I conclude by discussing a number of challenges and open questions that are suggested by this work.
Microbial metabolites and graft versus host disease

The health of mammals is a reflection of the diversity and composition of the intestinal microbiota. Alterations in the composition and functions of the intestinal microbiota have been implicated in multiple disease processes. The impact of the microbiota in health and disease is in part a function of the nutrient processing and release of metabolites. Recent studies have uncovered a major role for microbial metabolites in the function of the host immune system by which they influence disease processes such as acute graft versus host disease (GVHD), which is the main complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). The mechanisms of acute GVHD regulation by the complex microbial community and the metabolites released by them are unclear. In this review we summarize major findings of how microbial metabolites interact with the immune system and discuss how these interactions could impact acute GVHD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Innovation and new product development in textiles

Abstract: This chapter reviews the nature of innovation, particularly the concept of ‘disruptive innovation’ and the forces driving market change. It then discusses ways companies can innovate, before specifically considering the nature of innovation in the textile industry. The chapter concludes with a series of case studies of how both larger and smaller textile companies have successfully developed innovative products.
Preparation of Unsymmetrical 1,2,4,5-Tetrazines via a Mild Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction

N-Alkyl substituted chlorotetrazines were coupled with various boronic acids under Suzuki conditions in high yield at room temperature, giving a mild and straightforward synthetic route toward diverse unsymmetrical 1,2,4,5-tetrazines, a rare heteroarene. This chemistry not only expands the known substrate scope of tetrazine cross-coupling reactions but also allows for the synthesis of novel, tetrazine-containing biologically active molecules with improved DMPK properties.
HoneyProxy: Design and implementation of next-generation honeynet via SDN

Honeynet is a network architecture that utilizes multiple honeypots to deceive attackers and analyze their malicious behaviors. However, existing honeynet has not evolved much since its latest architecture, Gen-III, which was proposed in 2004. Meanwhile, security threats and techniques used by adversaries have been continuously advanced. As a result, honeypot architecture is suffering from its limited functionalities of ‘data control’ and ‘data capture’. Existing data control mechanism does not monitor internal propagation of malwares in the network and also does not support honeypot transition from one to another (e.g., a low-interaction honeypot to a high-interaction honeypot). The data capture capability of traditional honeynet is also insufficient as it is vulnerable to fingerprinting attacks. To address these challenges, we design and implement an innovative SDN-based honeynet named HoneyProxy as a next generation honeynet. To prevent internal propagation of malwares within honeynet, HoneyProxy globally monitors all internal traffic with the help of Software-defined Network (SDN) controller. HoneyProxy utilizes a novel connection management mechanism across different honeypots in the network to support honeypot transitions. To this end, a HoneyProxy-enabled SDN controller centrally programs the reverse proxy module that operates in three specific modes. In addition, HoneyProxy improves the data capture capability in the existing honeynet by circumventing fingerprinting attacks through multicasting malicious traffic to relevant honeypots and selecting the response which does not contain fingerprinting indicator(s). Experimental results show that HoneyProxy can support almost line rate throughput (8.23 Gbps) on 10 Gbps link with a negligible latency overhead (0.5–1.2 milliseconds)
The Use of Microelectrodes for Very Rapid Cyclic Voltammetry

The small time constants and ohmic drop associated with microelectrodes allows their use in very high speed cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, since the sources of distortion at these electrodes are well understood, these can be removed by appropriate methods.
Predictors of Weeks to Opioid Cessation after Lumbar Fusion: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Abstract Background: Although the use of prescription opioid analgesics to treat acute, postoperative pain is a well-established practice, the role of opioids in the management of persistent, postoperative pain remains ill-defined. Nevertheless, high rates of long-term opioid use following lumbar fusion have been reported. Aim: The goal of this prospective, longitudinal study was to identify predictors of weeks to opioid cessation in a cohort of patients undergoing elective lumbar fusion. Methods: Prior to surgery, participants self-reported demographic and clinical data and completed a validated measure of pain catastrophizing. Three months following surgery, participants self-reported prescription opioid use. Results: Forty-four percent (n = 22) of participants reported opioid use 12 weeks following lumbar fusion. Bivariate analysis identified a strong correlation between weeks to opioid cessation and preoperative opioid use, r = .46, and a moderate correlation between weeks to opioid cessation and disability, r = .29. The multiple regression model predicting weeks to opioid cessation from age, sex, employment status, educational level, preoperative pain intensity, preoperative opioid use, disability status, and pain catastrophizing was significant, F(8, 38) = 2.254, p = .044, and accounted for 18% of the variance. Among preoperative patient characteristics, only preoperative opioid use significantly predicted weeks to opioid cessation, β = .466; p = .005. Conclusion: Thus, nurses and nurse practitioners may be able to identify patients at risk for long-term opioid use following lumbar fusion by screening patients for preoperative opioid use.
Applicability of Industrial Sisal Fiber Waste Derived Activated Carbon for the Adsorption of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Agricultural waste produced by the industry is a huge threat for the global environment. Utilization of agricultural waste is necessary and there is an urgent need to develop new techniques to solve this important problem. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the applicability of the activated carbon (AC) derived from industrial sisal fiber waste as passive samplers in monitoring toluene by comparing them to industry standard wafer and granular activated carbon (GAC). Carbonization time and ball milling effect on sisal fiber derived AC sample adsorption properties were investigated. Toluene adsorption isotherms were used to predict toluene adsorption capacities. Surface characteristics including surface area and pore volume were used to determine the relationships between them and adsorption capacity. Even though prepared AC samples have mesoporous structure, commercial samples have microporous structure. Surface area from 1245 m2/g to 1297 m2/g and toluene adsorption capacity from 21.4 % to 26.6 % was improved by increasing carbonization time from 1 h to 3 h at 650 °C carbonization temperature and 94.4 ml/min flow rate. Conversely, ball milling technique had negative effect by decreasing the surface area (674 m2/g) and the adsorption capacity of toluene (12.27 %). It is concluded that industrial sisal fiber waste have great potential as a precursor of AC for application in passive monitoring against toluene, particularly the produced mesoporous AC with 3 h carbonization time performs higher adsorption capacity (26.6 %) than commercially available microporous passive sampler (24.1 %) and GAC (22.8 %).
The Significance of Alternative Time Metrizations in Newtonian Mechanics and in the General Theory of Relativity

On the conception of time congruence as conventional, the preference for the customary definition of isochronism—a preference not felt by Einstein in the general theory of relativity (GTR), as we shall see in Section B—can derive only from considerations of convenience and elegance so long as the resulting form of the theory is not prescribed. Hence, the thesis that isochronism is conventional precludes a difference in factual import (content) or in explanatory power between two descriptions one of which employs the customary isochronism while the other is a “translation” (transcription) of it into a language employing a time congruence incompatible with the customary one. As a test case for this thesis of explanatory parity, the general outline of a counter-argument has been suggested which we shall be able to state after some preliminaries.
Illness as a Social Construct: Understanding What Asthma Means to the Patient to Better Treat the Disease

Article-at-a-Glance Background Improved medical outcomes and patient satisfaction with health care may not always result from effective interventions on disease. Asthma is increasing in prevalence, morbidity, and mortality, despite a revolution in medical technology. Patient-created illness narratives were used to move beyond the biomedical model of disease to understand the social forces at work on the patient's experience of illness and his or her responses to it. Methods Children and adolescents with moderate to severe asthma used Video Intervention/Prevention Assessment (VIA) to create visual narratives of their experiences living with and managing asthma. The illness narratives included documentation of the patients' day-to-day lives and medical management, interviews of family and friends, and personal monologues of their thoughts and feelings. Narratives were coded for illness-related attitudes and behaviors. Emerging themes were identified using grounded theory and analyzed through the theoretical frameworks of medicine, psychology, clinical social work, and anthropology. Results Visual narratives were created by 20 participants from 8 to 25 years of age and of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. The patients' illness responses varied, presenting in one or more psychological categories–disability, denial, self-comforting, and "specialness"–and in three distinct social domains–family/home, friends/school or work, and patient–clinician encounters. Conclusions Participants' visual narratives yielded a unique understanding of illness as a social construct. Patients with comparable disease states had different illness experiences, sometimes motivating health-related behaviors that appeared inconsistent with the management needs of the disease. Improvement in outcomes and patient satisfaction may be achieved through a broader understanding of illness in the social context of patients' lives.
Nitrate Esters as Inhibitors and Substrates of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase

Nitrate esters are used clinically as the smooth muscle relaxants (Needleman, 1975) in the treatment of angina pectoris. Guanine cyclase-mediated relaxation of aortic strips is dependent on the conversion of nitrate esters to nitric oxide by tissue sulfhydryl groups (Needleman and Johnson, 1973).
Characteristics of Crack Failure

Part I describes plane strain yielding, stresses and fracture about notches and cracks in terms of flow and fracture stresses and crack tip radii and, using generally appropriate dimensionless variables, it presents a graph of sub-surface fracture loci and a Table (I) from which notch and crack failure can be computed.
MAGNETOELASTIC EFFECTS IN RECORDING HEADS AND MEDIA

In magnetic recording, thin films are used in magnetoresistive (MR) heads, inductive heads and media. These films are subject to stress from a variety of sources. These stresses can give rise to magnetoelastic (ME) contributions to the anisotropy if the ME coupling is non-zero. After an overview of elastic and ME fundamentals, important ME effects in thin films used in recording are reviewed. The ME coefficients in very thin films (t > 10 nm) are shown to differ significantly from those of the bulk material. Proper inteoretation of these effects may require expressing ME effects in reduced symmetry.
The Formation/Nucleation of Fatigue Cracks in Aircraft Structural Materials

The issue of crack formation/nucleation and propagation related to model development for accurate fatigue life estimation/prediction of aircraft materials has been and is currently a vexing challenge.
Abstract LB-065: An enzyme-directed pro-immunotherapeutic activated by muliti-drug resistance

Synthetic agonists of innate immune cells are of interest to immunologists due to their synthesis from well-defined materials, optimized activity, and monodisperse chemical purity. Recently we have reported the approach of Bystander-Assisted ImmunoTherapy (BAIT) that exploits the phenomenon of drug efflux in multi-drug-resistant cancers to elicit a localized anti-cancer immune response. In this context we examine the imidazoquinoline class of immunostimulants for susceptibility to drug efflux and begin to determine structural characteristics that drive efflux susceptibility for the Toll-Like Receptor agonist family of immmunsotimulants. Citation Format: Amy E. Nielsen, Rock J. Mancini. An enzyme-directed pro-immunotherapeutic activated by muliti-drug resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-065.