cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alteration of the protein kinase binding domain enhances function of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae molecular chaperone Cdc37.

Cdc37 is a molecular chaperone that has a general function in the biogenesis of protein kinases. We identified mutations within the putative “protein kinase binding domain” of Cdc37 that alleviate the conditional growth defect of a strain containing a temperature-sensitive allele, tpk2(Ts), of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). These dominant mutations alleviate the temperature-sensitive growth defect by elevating PKA activity, as judged by their effects on PKA-regulated processes, localization and phosphorylation of the PKA effector Msn2, as well as in vitro PKA activity. Although the tpk2(Ts) growth defect is also alleviated by Cdc37 overproduction, the CDC37 dominant mutants contain wild-type Cdc37 protein levels. In addition, Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ste11 protein kinase has an elevated physical interaction with the altered Cdc37 protein. These results implicate specific amino-terminal residues in the interaction between Cdc37 and client protein kinases and provide further genetic and biochemical support for a model in which Cdc37 functions as a molecular chaperone for protein kinases.
Insulin receptor in rat peripheral nerve: its localization and alternatively spliced isoforms.

Background Diabetic neuropathy accompanies both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, although it shows in both humans and animal models distinct differences between the two types of diabetes. Progressive paranodal degenerations occurring in Type 1, but not in Type 2, diabetes is believed to account for the more severe functional deficits in Type 1 diabetic rats. This suggests that factors other than hyperglycemia, such as insulin deficiency, may play a pathogenetic role. In this study, we investigated the immunolocalization of the insulin receptor (IR) and the expression of its two alternatively spliced isoforms in adult rat peripheral nerve. Methods Adult male Wistar rats 6–8 months of age were examined. Both light and ultrastructural immunohistochemistry was employed for localization of IR. The antibody was a mouse monoclonal antibody raised against the β-subunit of human IR. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to identify the two IR isoforms in peripheral nerve and seven other organs. Localization of the mRNA message was assessed by in situ hybridization. Results IR was localized to paranodal terminal Schwann cell loops and microvilli and to the paranodal axolemma. Furthermore, IR immunoreactivity was also present in Schmidt-Lantermann incisures. Endoneurial vessels showed IR localization on plasma membranes and in endocytotic vesicles of endothelial cells and pericytes. A high intensity of immunostained IR was found in close proximity to interendothelial tight junctions. Peripheral nerve showed, like the brain, predominantly the high affinity IR lacking exon 11. The mRNA message was localized to Schwann cells, endothelial cells and pericytes. Conclusion Peripheral nerve expresses predominantly the high affinity IR, which is localized to strategic structures associated with the blood–nerve barrier and the paranodal ion-channel barrier. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reflection Electron Diffraction and Structural Behavior of GaAs / GaAs (111)B Grown Via MBE

In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the problem of macroscopic surface features with GaAs films grown on GaAs (111)B substrates is tied to the surface phase region employed. It is possible to define a region in phase space wherein mirror-smooth films can be grown. There is direct correlation between the nature of the RHEED specular spot intensity variation during growth and the macroscopic quality of the surface morphology. Dynamic RHEED can be used to monitor, predict and control the macroscopic morphology of a growing film in real time. A combination of using the correct phase regime and exploiting the in situ capabilities of dynamic RHEED has allowed us to achieve the long sought objective of growing specular-surfaced GaAs films on GaAs (111)B reproducibly.
Decrease in alkaline secretion during duodenal ulceration induced by mepirizole in rats

The mechanisms by which the potent antiinflammatory agent, mepirizole, causes duodenal ulceration were investigated in the rat. After subcutaneous administration of 200 mg/kg of mepirizole, basal gastric acid secretion remained unchanged for 5 h but duodenal alkaline output, reliably measured, decreased significantly (p less than 0.05) within 2 h. The decrease was maximal (-45%) at 3 h and persisted for a total of 6 h. The duodenal alkaline secretion returned to near normal by 24 h. A dose-response study showed that the threshold ulcerogenic dose of mepirizole (30 mg/kg) did not significantly reduce alkaline secretion, whereas higher doses did. Plasma levels of immunoreactivity of gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and secretin were not changed at either 6 or 24 h after oral mepirizole. Vasoactive intestinal peptide levels in the duodenal mucosa were increased by 158% at 24 h after administration. Secretin levels in the duodenal mucosa were decreased by greater than 60% at both 6 and 24 h after drug treatment. Intravenous secretin (1 CU/kg X h) had no effect on duodenal alkaline secretion in either saline- (154 mM NaCl) or mepirizole-treated animals. Exogenous 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (10 micrograms/kg X h, i.v.) reversed the action of mepirizole on duodenal alkaline secretion. These findings suggest that mepirizole causes a reduction in duodenal alkaline secretion that can be reversed by administration of an exogenous prostaglandin.
Consolidation and Bank Performance: The Argentine Experience

We examine a large panel of more than 100 banks from Argentina to study the effects of bank consolidation on performance between December 1995 and December 2000, a period of heavy bank consolidation and relative calm. Overall, we find a positive and significant effect of bank consolidation on bank performance. Bank returns increase with consolidation, and insolvency risk is reduced. Additionally, the study suggests that mergers and privatizations have a beneficial effect on bank returns. The effects of a bank acquisition on return on equity is, however, negative. Acquisitions do not seem to have any effect on risk-adjusted returns. The study also finds that a bank's insolvency risk is reduced significantly through mergers and privatization and is unrelated to bank acquisitions.
Enteral glutamate is almost completely metabolized in first pass by the gastrointestinal tract of infant pigs

We studied the absorption of enteral glutamate and phenylalanine using isotopic tracer and arteriovenous difference techniques. Six piglets, implanted with portal, carotid, and gastric catheters and an ultrasonic portal flow probe received a 6-h intragastric infusion of [U-13C] glutamate and [2H] phenylalanine, with a high-protein diet offered one time each hour. Amino acid concentrations and the isotopic enrichments of all mass isotopomers of glutamate, glutamine, and phenylalanine were measured in portal and arterial blood over the last hour. There was significant (P<0.025) net absorption of the indispensable amino acids as well as arginine, proline, serine, and alanine. There was no portal uptake of glutamate, aspartate, and glycine, and arterial glutamine was removed by the portal drained viscera (P<0.05). At isotopic steady state, 72% of the [2H] phenylalanine but only 5% of the [U-13C] glutamate tracer appeared in the portal blood. We conclude that, in fed infant pigs, the gut metabolizes virtually all of the enteral glutamate during absorption. Therefore, glutamate and glutamine in the body as a whole must derive almost entirely from synthesis de novo.
Toward minimizing overtreatment and undertreatment of ductal carcinoma in situ in the United States

Radiation therapy (RT) is an effective adjuvant local therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast. RT decreased ipsilateral breast events by approximately half after breastconserving surgery (BCS), from 18% to 8% at 5 years and from 28% to 13% at 10 years in a meta-analysis of randomized prospective studies that enrolled patients with diverse pathologic features. However, this local benefit never translated into a survival benefit in these meta-analytic data. This is in contrast to adjuvant RT after BCS for early-stage invasive breast cancer, where prospective studies clearly demonstrated up to a 7.8% improvement in risk of breast cancer death at 15 years, particularly in patients at higher baseline risk of local recurrence. Thus, to date, for any individual patient with DCIS, the risk-benefit discussion for or against adjuvant RT has generally hinged upon the patient’s expected absolute local benefit from RT. Fundamentally, the absolute local benefit from RT depends on the patient’s baseline risk features. For example, in a patient with high-risk pathologic features such as high histologic or nuclear grade, the risk of in-breast recurrence is estimated to be 24% at 5 years with BCS alone, compared with a risk of 12% at 5 years with BCS plus RT. In such a patient, with such a high absolute recurrence risk and a large absolute benefit with RT, adjuvant treatment is typically recommended. In contrast, in a patient with lower risk features, in-breast recurrence is only 3% at 5 years with BCS alone. A local benefit of adjuvant RT is still seen in such patients, with an in-breast recurrence rate of only 0.4% at 5 years after RT. However, with low absolute recurrence risk after BCS alone and small absolute benefit after adding RT, BCS alone is frequently considered an acceptable treatment recommendation.
Chapter 5 Palaeogeographic and tectonic evolution of the Arctic region during the Palaeozoic

Abstract The Palaeozoic motion of the future Arctic continents is presented in the animation found in the accompanying CD-ROM. The animation shows snapshots of the motion of the tectonic blocks from 550 to 250 Ma in 3 million year steps. The locations of the blocks are controlled mainly by palaeomagnetic pole values for the blocks tied to known geological events, particularly the three main Arctic orogenies: the Scandian Caledonian which began in the Silurian, the Ellesmerian in the Late Devonian and the Uralian that began in the Late Pennsylvanian. Perhaps the most significant observation to come out of the animation is that the future Arctic continents were never very far from one another during the Palaeozoic. The maximum distance from Baltica to Laurentia may have reached 6000 km during the Middle Cambrian but the Arctic continents all surrounded the same eastern Iapetus Ocean and, by Silurian, they were quite close. Reliance on the ‘Y-loop’ palaeomagnetic data causes extremely rapid motion of Gondwana during the Silurian. Consequently the ‘X-path’ for that period is used. The palaeomagnetic poles for 422 and 406 Ma have been eliminated so that Gondwana motion is within the bounds of present day plate motion. Supplementary material: A Quicktime™ movie of palaeogeographic and tectonic evolution of the Arctic region during the Palaeozoic is available at http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18472.
Intoxication with sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080).

The highly toxic sodium monofluoroacetate (SMFA) was banned as a rodenticide in the U.S. in 1972. We report the first case of intentional ingestion in this country in over IS y. A 47-y-old male was brought to the emergency room status post tonic clonic seizure. At 34 h post ingestion, he responded only to noxious stimuli and at 48 h, he was unresponsive to painful stimuli, was intubated and placed on a ventilator. Over the following 3 d, he was became minimally responsive to external stimuli with bouts of agitation and hypertension. Two days later he was discharged with no evidence of neurologic sequelae. We report this patient to increase awareness of SMFA toxicity, and its ability to cause anion gap metabolic acidosis.
Susceptibility of adult phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis var. israeliensis.

(1989). Susceptibility of adult phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis var. israeliensis. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology: Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 195-196.
Unmasking adverse birth outcomes among Hispanic subgroups

The 1988 Upstate New York Live Birth Certificate was the first to record Hispanic ethnicity and country of origin. This registry was used to compare low birthweight and preterm delivery among non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic infants. Risk of low birthweight and preterm delivery was assessed for Hispanics by country of origin. Unconditional backward elimination logistic regression analysis, controlling for confounders was used to assess risk of low birthweight and preterm delivery of Hispanic subgroups compared to non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black mothers. The data showed that non-Hispanic black mothers are at greatest risk of low birthweight and preterm delivery. Hispanics as a group have rates similar to non-Hispanic white mothers, although risk of preterm delivery and low birthweight differs among Hispanic ethnic subgroups. This study supports the need to assess Hispanic subgroups separately rather than as a single entity.
Highly branched polyethylenes as lubricant viscosity and friction modifiers

Abstract A series of highly branched polyethylene (BPE) were prepared and evaluated in a Group I base oil as potential viscosity and friction modifiers. The performance of these BPEs supports the expected dual functionality. Changes in polarity, topology, and molecular weight of the BPEs showed significant effects on the lubricants' performance with respect to viscosity index and friction reduction. This study provides scientific insights into polymer design for future lubricant development activities.
Long Term Survival of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance (MGRS): An Analysis of Nhanes III

Introduction: Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) is present in 2.4% of general population of age 50 years or older. Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) is defined as subjects with MGUS, and renal insufficiency who demonstrate monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits in kidney biopsy by immunofluorescence in abscess on any other cause. As renal biopsy is not routinely indicated in the individuals with MGUS, we defined clinical MGRS (cMGRS) as subjects with renal insufficiency without obvious reason except MGUS itself. As there is very little known about cMGRS in literature our aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of cMGRS in MGUS population, and to compare the survival of cMGRS with rest of MGUS individuals. Methods: Data is obtained from NHANES III, a nationally representative health survey conducted from 1988-1994 with follow-up mortality data updated in December 2006. Subjects who were diagnosed with MGUS were included in the study. They were divided into two groups; Group A (GpA)(cMGRS) subjects with serum creatinine of ≥1.5 mg/dL and without any apparent reason for renal insufficiency and group B (GpB) comprising rest of MGUS subjects with Serum creatinine < 1.5 mg/dL or ≥1.5 mg/dL with a known cause of renal insufficiency, particularly diabetes, hypertension, or lupus. Prevalence of MGUS and MGRS was analyzed using chi-square test. Median overall survival between two groups was obtained using Kaplan Meier curve. Age adjusted hazard ratio for death between two groups was obtained using cox-proportional regression model. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant in the analysis. Analyses were performed in SAS 9.3 (SAS Institute, Cary NC). Results: Of 33,994 subjects in the NHANES III database, 6574 subjects age 50 yrs or older were screened for MGUS with serum protein electrophoresis. Of those, 320 subjects had abnormal protein band or equivocal results. After further evaluation by immunofixation studies, 196 subjects had MGUS. The median age of subjects was 71 yrs, 62% (121) were males and 38% (75) females. Median follow-up was 127 months. There were 11 subjects in GpA and 185 in GpB. The weighted prevalence of MGUS is 2.4%(95% CI 1.9-2.9). Among the MGUS subjects 6%( 95%CI 0.01-13) were classified as cMGRS. Median overall survival was 77 months for GpA and 130 months for GpB (p= 0.003)(fig 1). The age adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) showed a significant increase in the risk of death in GpA with aHR 3.7 (95% CI 1.89- 7.35) compared to GpB. Conclusion: The prevalence of clinical MGRS is 6% among MGUS subjects in NHANES III. Subjects with clinical MGRS had worse survival and higher risk for death compared to rest of MGUS subjects. Further prospective studies are needed to validate our findings and to investigate whether clinical MGRS subjects need an early intervention than current standard management of watchful-waiting. ![Fig: 1][1] Fig: 1 Median over all survival between two groups: Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. [1]: pending:yes
A novel traffic capacity planning methodology for LTE radio network dimensioning

Traffic capacity planning is a challenging task in multiple input multiple output (MIMO) & orthogonal frequency division (OFDM) based long term evolution (LTE) cellular networks, resulted from emerging diverse multimedia traffic requirement, together with highly open & flexible air interface design in LTE. In this paper, a new methodology for dynamic real-time capacity planning is proposed for LTE radio network dimensioning, based on unified traffic process mechanism, fresh simulation methodology for air interface, and smart self-evaluation and optimization. By corresponding software design and implementation, it provides powerful tool for LTE network planners to get efficient, accurate and professional capacity planning outcome without much manual effort.
CO2 Laser Resurfacing Immediate Postoperative Care Prior to Complete Epithelialization

Wound care is designed to hasten the resolution of erythema and minimize postinflammatory hyperpigmentation subsequent to reepithelialization (Table 136.1). Topical application of hydrocortisone cream 1% at bedtime for up to 6 weeks after surgery will minimize both conditions. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is also reduced by the prophylactic use of sunscreen SPF 30 or greater for 12 weeks after surgery. Topical hydroquinone cream 4% may be applied at bedtime to speed the resolution of hyperpigmentation. Open image in new window Table 136.1 Resurfacing Postoperative Care Prior to Epithehalization
Corrosion of copper and authigenic sulfide mineral growth in hydrothermal bentonite experiments

Abstract The focus of this experimental work is to characterize interaction of bentonite with possible used-fuel waste container materials. Experiments were performed up to 300 °C at 150–160 bars for five to six weeks. Bentonite was saturated with a 1900 ppm K-Ca-Na-Cl-bearing water with Cu-foils. Copper rapidly degrades into chalcocite (CuS2) and minor covellite (CuS) in the presence of H2S. Chalcocite growth and corrosion pit depths were measured for four different experimental runs yielding corrosion rates between 8.8 and 116 μm/yr depending on duration of experiment, brine composition, and clay type (bentonite vs. Opalinus Clay). Results of this research show that although pit-corrosion is demonstrated on Cu substrates, experiments show that the reactions that ensue, and the formation of minerals that develop, are extraordinarily slow. This supports the use of Cu in nuclide-containment systems as a possible engineered barrier system material.
Acquired and Congenital Abnormalities of the Pediatric Globe and Optic Nerve

Abnormalities of the pediatric globe and optic nerve present with different clinical features than adults. While many of these lesions are benign, most have a significant impact on vision, and therefore, the radiologist can play a key role in patient care. This article will review the radiologic features of retinoblastoma, the most common pediatric orbital tumor, as well as other congenital abnormalities such as persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, Coats disease, and retinopathy of prematurity. Abnormalities of globe development, such as coloboma and vascular lesions, will also be discussed, as these should prompt imaging of the entire neuroaxis due to association with systemic syndromes. Tumors of the optic nerve can also unmask an underlying syndrome, the most common being an optic nerve glioma occurring in the setting of neurofibromatosis type I.
5.13 – Small Molecule Immunosuppressants in Inflammatory Disease

The treatment of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis has dramatically changed since the last century with the understanding that these diseases should be treated as aggressively as necessary and as early as possible and with the introduction of targeted medications affecting the disease processes. These medications include the use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs including those that block tumor necrosis factor, T-cell co-stimulation, interleukin 6, interleukin 17, and B-cell production. In spite of these successful treatments, there are still a number of patients who do not respond adequately, which has led to great interest in the development of oral medications which block intracellular pathways, which may be advantageous to these patients. This article will discuss the rationale for use and clinical trial results of many of these molecules.
Study of the operating conditions of axial compression columns for preparative chromatography

The packing behavior and the stability of a spherical-particle, silica-based packing material and the operation of an axial compression column are discussed. The coupling between the axial compression pressure and the inlet pressure at constant flow-rate was investigated. The results demonstrated also an excellent column efficiency, a rapid packing consolidation, and a long-term stability of the column performance. Reduced height equivalents of theoretical plate (HETPs) around 2 were routinely obtained and the column did not show any sign of degradation of its efficiency or stability after 700 h of continuous use. These results are attributed primarily to the spherical nature of the material used. Finally, a procedure for opening the top flange of a column packed under axial compression without loosing any stationary phase nor degrading the column efficiency is described.
A history of the "new math" movement in the United States

ion is not in the progressive tradition, and a careful reading of Bruner's arguments in favor of structure reveals that they hold only for Bruner's sense of that word. The consequences of this confusion were unfortunate. Educators were generally favorably disposed toward structure—in Bruner's sense. Mathematicians were generally favorably disposed toward structure—in the sense of deductive systems. Because of the way mathematicians used the irord, they were sometimes able to sell a program to educators because the educators thought the promised
Specific Refractive Index Increment (∂n/∂c) of Polymers at 660 nm and 690 nm

The specific refractive index increment (∂n/∂c) is an essential datum for the accurate quantitation of molar mass averages and distributions (inter alia) of macromolecules when refractometry, static light scattering, and/or viscometry detection are coupled on-line to size-based separation techniques. The latter include methods such as size-exclusion and hydrodynamic chromatography, and asymmetric and hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation. The ∂n/∂c is also needed for accurate determination of the weight-average molar mass of polymers by off-line, batch-mode multi-angle static light scattering. However, not only does ∂n/∂c differ among chemical species, it also depends on experimental conditions such as solvent, temperature, and wavelength. For the last 17 years, the author’s laboratories have measured the ∂n/∂c of a variety of natural and synthetic polymers, at both 690 nm and, more recently, 660 nm, under a variety of solvent and temperature conditions. In all cases, this has been done by off-line, batch-mode differential refractometry, not by assuming 100% analyte column recovery and 100% accurate peak integration. Results of these determinations are presented here, along with the relevant experimental data.
Understanding CARD Tricks in Apoptosomes.

While earlier studies of Apaf-1 holo-apoptosome architecture revealed the spectacular heptameric wheel-like structure formed by Apaf-1, the central CARD disk responsible for caspase-9 recruitment remained incompletely resolved. In a recent issue of Structure, Su et al. (2017) describe a crystal structure of the complex between Apaf-1 CARD and caspase-9 CARD. Together with two recent cryo-EM structures, this work brings us closer to a full view of the holo-apoptosome.
Mental Health Peer Navigators: Working With Criminal Justice–Involved Populations:

Although peer navigators have gained traction within health care, they are still a relatively new feature of criminal justice–involved organizations. Based on data gathered from interviews, nonparticipant observations, and focus groups from a nonprofit that employs peer navigators to assist clients returning from prison with diagnosed mental illnesses, we argue that peer navigators play multiple roles that extend beyond the client level by influencing the organization and its interaction with the community. Importantly, we discuss these implications for the organization and suggest structure and socialization issues for the integration of criminal justice–involved peer navigators.
A retrospective study on how primary care providers manage specialists' recommendations after an e-consultation.

INTRODUCTION E-consultations are asynchronous text-based consultations between providers which can facilitate patient access to timely specialty care. In contrast to traditional face-to-face consults, conveying and completing recommendations of the specialist is the responsibility of the referring provider. This presents a new workflow for primary care providers who have multiple options (face-to-face, telephone, letter, secure message) to communicate the e-consultation recommendations. This study examines how primary care providers are managing this new workflow. METHODS We performed a retrospective random sampling of e-consultations with individual medical record review and classified e-consultations by type of recommendation, how recommendations were communicated to patients, and whether recommendations were carried out. RESULTS We randomly selected 220 e-consultations in 13 different specialties for review. In all, 85% of e-consultations contained recommendations for referring providers. Recommendations on medication(s) were most common (35%) followed by recommendations on ordering laboratory tests (29%). In all, 25% of the time e-consultants gave multiple possible courses of action for referring providers to choose from. Patient notification of recommendations was found for 192 (87%) of e-consultations with providers performing the notification 63% of the time and nursing staff performing the notification 37% of the time. The communication back to the patients included communication via nurse telephone calls (37%), provider telephone calls (23%), secure messages (24%), face-to-face visits (11%), and by written correspondence (5%). DISCUSSION Managing recommendations from e-consultations results in a new workflow for primary care providers. Healthcare institutions that utilize e-consults should be aware of this new workflow. Further study is needed to determine best practices for this task that is now increasing in primary care.
Geospatial Distribution of Local Health Department Tweets and Online Searches About Ebola During the 2014 Ebola Outbreak.

OBJECTIVE This study compared the geospatial distribution of Ebola tweets from local health departments (LHDs) to online searches about Ebola across the United States during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. METHODS Between September and November 2014, we collected all tweets sent by 287 LHDs known to be using Twitter. Coordinates for each Ebola tweet were imported into ArcGIS 10.2.2 to display the distribution of tweets. Online searches with the search term "Ebola" were obtained from Google Trends. A Pearson's correlation test was performed to assess the relationship between online search activity and per capita number of LHD Ebola tweets by state. RESULTS Ebola tweets from LHDs were concentrated in cities across the northeast states, including Philadelphia and New York City. In contrast, states with the highest online search queries for Ebola were primarily in the south, particularly Oklahoma and Texas. A weak, negative, non-significant correlation (r=-0.03, P=0.83, 95% CI: -0.30, 0.25) was observed between online search activity and per capita number of LHD Ebola tweets by state. CONCLUSIONS We recommend that LHDs consider using social media to communicate possible disease outbreaks in a timely manner, and that they consider using online search data to tailor their messages to align with the public health interests of their constituents. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 287-290).
Using Tracing and Sketching to Solve Programming Problems: Replicating and Extending an Analysis of What Students Draw

Sketching out a code trace is a cognitive assistance for programmers, student and professional. Previous research (Lister et al. 2004) showed that students who sketch a trace on paper had greater success on code 'reading' problems involving loops, arrays, and conditionals. We replicated this finding, and developed further categories of student sketching strategies. Our results support previous findings that students who don't sketch on code reading problems have a lower success rate than students who do sketch. We found that students who sketch incomplete traces also have a low success rate, similar to students who don't sketch at all. We categorized sketching strategies on new problem types (code writing, code ordering, and code fixing) and find that different types of sketching are used on these problems, not always with increased success. We ground our results in a theory of sketching as a method for distributing cognition and as a demonstration of the process of the notional machine.
Neural field model of memory-guided search

Many organisms can remember locations they have previously visited during a search. Visual search experiments have shown exploration is guided away from these locations, reducing redundancies in the search path before finding a hidden target. We develop and analyze a two-layer neural field model that encodes positional information during a search task. A position-encoding layer sustains a bump attractor corresponding to the searching agent's current location, and search is modeled by velocity input that propagates the bump. A memory layer sustains persistent activity bounded by a wave front, whose edges expand in response to excitatory input from the position layer. Search can then be biased in response to remembered locations, influencing velocity inputs to the position layer. Asymptotic techniques are used to reduce the dynamics of our model to a low-dimensional system of equations that track the bump position and front boundary. Performance is compared for different target-finding tasks.
Assessment of Three Affiliated Tribes Primary Seat Belt Intervention

Tribal populations experience a greater risk for traffic injuries than other populations. The Three Affiliated Tribes on the Fort Berthold Reservation recently enacted a primary seat belt law to improve public safety on its roads. A comparison of field observation study results from early in the intervention and from a later observation study revealed that gains in seat belt use may have eroded in towns. On highways, however, the intervention appears to have produced sustained gains in seat belt use by male drivers of cars and sport utility vehicles. Previous studies showed that the longer-term success of the primary law intervention requires ongoing reinforcement with respect to education and enforcement activities.
Using Machine Learning to Explain Violations of the 'Law of One Price'

Substantial price variation for homogeneous goods in online markets is a well-known puzzle that has withstood attempts by empirical researchers to explain it. Economic theory suggests two possible sources of the dispersion: either market frictions are more important than previously thought, or there are subtle differences between product listings presented to e-commerce consumers that applied econometricians have failed to detect. We use a very detailed data set consisting of posted-price listings for new Kindle Fire tablets from eBay to determine if observable listing heterogeneity can explain the price dispersion of seemingly homogeneous products. By combining a richer set of variables than previous studies with more sophisticated machine learning techniques, we can explain 42% of the dispersion. We interpret this as a bound on the influence of market frictions on price dispersion. Variables describing the amount of information in the listing are good predictors of the price, but variables describing the style of a listing's text are good predictors as well. We identify readily interpretable groups of words that are also good predictors of price. We find a high degree of heterogeneity of the marginal effects of seller reputation and including an image in the listing, but the patterns of heterogeneity largely conform to economic intuition. A smaller, but non-trivial, latitude for market frictions remains, and we discuss their possible sources.
Nanoantenna Infrared Detectors

This project focuses on devices that can be used for detection of thermal or long-wave infrared radiation, which is a frequency range for which developing detectors is of special interest. Objects near 300 K, such as humans and animals, emit radiation most strongly in this range, and absorption is relatively low in the LWIR atmospheric window between 8 and 14 μm. These facts provide motivation to develop detectors for use in this frequency range that could be used for target detection, tracking, and navigation in autonomous vehicles. The devices discussed in this chapter, referred to as dipole antenna-coupled metal-oxide-metal diodes (ACMOMDs), feature a half-wavelength antenna that couples electromagnetic radiation to a metal-oxide-metal (MOM) diode, which acts as a nonlinear junction to rectify the signal. These detectors are patterned using electron beam lithography and fabricated with shadow evaporation metal deposition. Along with offering CMOS compatible fabrication, these detectors provide high-speed and frequency-selective detection without biasing, a small pixel footprint, and full functionality at room temperature without cooling. The detection characteristics can be tailored to provide for multi-spectral imaging in specific applications by modifying device geometries. This chapter gives a brief introduction to currently available infrared detectors, thereby providing a motivation for why ACMOMDs were chosen for this project. An overview of the metal-oxide metal diode is provided, detailing principles of operation and detection. The fabrication of ACMOMDs is described in detail, from bonding pad through device processes. Direct-current current–voltage characteristics of symmetrical and asymmetrical antenna diodes are presented. An experimental infrared test bench used for determining the detection characteristics of these detectors is detailed, along with the figures of merit which have been measured and calculated. The measured performance of fabricated ACMOMDs is presented, including responsivity, noise performance, signal-to-noise ratio, noise-equivalent power, and normalized detectivity. The response as a function of infrared input power, polarization dependence, and antenna-length dependence of these devices is also presented.
Do industry returns predict the stock market? A reprise using the random forest

Abstract The prior work reports conflicting evidence on the information content of industry returns for the market index return. We reexamine the out of sample predictive ability of industry returns by considering several relatively advanced methods from the statistical learning literature. We show that when the random forest method, which accounts for both linear and nonlinear dynamics, is used for regression, industry returns indeed contain significant out of sample forecasting power for the market index return. Moreover, our analysis also presents evidence for lead-lag relations among individual industry returns. The reported findings are consistent with the implications of the gradual diffusion of information hypothesis.
Hospital and ED charges for spina bifida care in the United States between 2006 and 2014: Over $2 billion annually.

Abstract Background More children with spina bifida (SB) are surviving into adulthood. Unfortunately, little data exist regarding the economic implications of modern SB care. Objective We examined economic data from two national databases to estimate the annual nationwide hospital and emergency charges of SB from 2006–14. Methods We analyzed the 2006–2014 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS). SB patients were defined using ICD-9-CM codes. Demographic and charge data were obtained from each database. Multiple imputation was used to estimate missing data (1.6% for NIS and 22% in NEDS). The principal outcomes were mean, median, and total charges for encounters each year. Results There were 725,646 encounters for individuals with SB between 2006 and 2014. The average age of captured SB patients who were admitted to a hospital or seen in an ER was 29 years. In 2014, the median charge for inpatient encounters was $31,071 (IQR: $15,947, $63,063) and for ER encounters was $2407.02 (IQR: $1321.91, $4211.35). In total, the sum of charges from all SB-related admissions in 2014 was $1,862,016,217 (95% CI: $1.69 billion, $2.03 billion), while the sum of charges of all SB-related ER encounters in 2014 was $176,843,522 (95% CI: $158 million, $196 million). There was a steady increase in charges over the study period. Conclusion Charges for SB-related inpatient and emergency care in the US in 2014 was in excess of $2 billion in contrast to $1.2 billion in 2006, after adjusting for inflation; this is an impressively high figure for a relatively small number of patients.
Immunopathology of acute rejection

Acute transplant rejection may be the result of two immunologic mechanisms, T-cell-mediated and antibody-mediated processes, acting alone or together. Cell-mediated rejection occurs as T cells react to donor alloantigens which are expressed in context of MHC. The major forms of cellular rejection may affect tubulo-interstitium, arteries and glomeruli. The former type is characterized by infiltration of the interstitium and tubules with activated T cells. Typically less than 50% of the cells are CD3 (T3), while the majority are usually CD8 (T8) cells. In the tubulo-interstitial form, lymphocytes migrate from peritubular capillaries into the interstitium and into the walls of tubules (tubulitis). The arterial form is characterized by the accumulation of lymphocytes and monocytes beneath endothelial cells of arteries. Endarteritis is mediated by T cells and affected arteries are devoid of antibody or complement deposits. There are two distinctive forms of acute antibody-mediated rejection, affecting different vascular beds: arterial and peritubular capillary. The arterial form is characterized by mural necrosis and inflammation. In contrast, the peritubular capillary form may have little or variable morphologic changes; it is diagnosed by identifying C4d, a stable breakdown product of complement and an indicator of immune complex deposition, in peritubular capillary walls. C4d deposition correlates with circulating antidonor antibodies.
A Partially Successful Attempt to Integrate a Web-Recruited Cohort into an Address-Based Sample

We use a web-and-mail survey on attitudes towards and use of marijuana to demonstrate how a web-recruited cohort could be integrated into an address-based sample using a calibration-weighting procedure in the software language SUDAAN 11®. A Holm-Bonferroni procedure is employed to test whether a pivotal assumption underlying the integration is supported by the data for individual survey items as well as for the survey as a whole. Delete-a-group jackknife weights for the integrated sample are then developed.
Pharmacodynamic study using FLT PET/CT in patients treated with axitinib.

2537 Background: Axitinib (AX) is a potent VEGFR2 TKI. The objective of this study was to characterize tumor vascular and proliferative changes in patients treated with AX. Methods: Thirty pts with...
Amplified CO2 reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with C2CNT carbon nanotube composites

Abstract Production of cement, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and steel structural materials generate more than 2 gigatonnes of CO2 globally per year. Replacement of structural materials with lightweight, stronger carbon nanotube (CNT) composites reduces the structural material's production aggregate requirements by achieving the same strength with less material. This averts a massive CO2 emission in the production of structural materials. CNTs have the highest measured tensile strength of all materials and form strong composites, but until recently, they were produced only by high carbon footprint processes. CNTs are synthesized in this study from CO2 (are carbon negative) by low-energy C2CNT (CO2 to CNT) molten electrolysis. Four tonnes of CO2 electrolyzed forms one tonne of CNTs. This avoids several hundred tonnes of CO2 by replacing structural materials with CNT composites. For example, a 2-tonne cement block with 0.001 tonne of CNTs has the same strength as a 3-tonne block without CNTs. The 1-tonne cement avoided eliminates its CO2 production emission. Specifically, a 0.048 wt% CNT-cement composite eliminates 840 tonne of CO2/tonne CNT. CO2 is eliminated from the anthropogenic carbon cycle at less than $1 per tonne. High carbon footprint materials such as aluminum trigger larger CO2 composite elimination effects, and 1 tonne of CNT extraordinarily eliminates more than 4000 tonne CO2/tonne CNTs.
A review of biomarker utilization in the diagnosis and management of acute pancreatitis reveals amylase ordering is favored in patients requiring laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Abstract Background Despite widespread recommendations to favor lipase over amylase in the diagnosis and management of acute pancreatitis, many routine hospital laboratories still offer amylase testing. This study sought to evaluate and compare ordering patterns of amylase and lipase in patients with acute pancreatitis. Methods We analyzed 438 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to our hospital. Data collection included pancreatitis etiology and management as well as biochemical profiles of amylase and lipase. We compared serial ordering patterns, degree of biomarker elevation, and normalization kinetics. Results All patients had at least one lipase ordered during their admission, and only 51 patients (12%) had at least one amylase ordered. On average, lipase was elevated 5 times higher above its respective upper reference limit than amylase at admission. Pancreatitis etiology was skewed toward gallstones in the amylase group as compared to the lipase only group (69% vs. 43%), and surgical patients (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) were more likely to have amylase ordered and/or trended. Conclusions Amylase measurement was not necessary in the diagnosis and management of 88% of patients with acute pancreatitis. Of patients for whom amylase was ordered, it was common for these patients to be those referred to surgical procedures, possibly because amylase normalization may be documented faster than that of lipase.
An Interprofessional Approach to Clinical Workflow Evaluation Focused on the Electronic Health Record Using Time motion Study Methods

Documentation burden has become an increasing concern as the prevalence of electronic health records (EHRs) has grown. The implementation of a new EHR is an opportunity to measure and improve documentation burden, as well as assess the role of the EHR in clinician workflow. Time-motion observation is the preferred method for evaluating workflow. In this study, we developed and tested the reliability of an interprofessional taxonomy for use in time-motion observation of nursing and physician workflow before and after a new EHR is implemented at a large academic medical center. Inter-observer reliability assessment sessions were conducted while observing both nurses and physicians. Four out of five observers achieved reliability in an average of 5.75 sessions. Our developed taxonomy demonstrated to be reliable for conducting workflow evaluation of both nurses and physicians, with a focus on time and tasks in the EHR.
Necrotizing pancreatitis: A review for the acute care surgeon.

Abstract Background Necrotizing pancreatitis is a common condition with high mortality; the acute care surgeon is frequently consulted for management recommendations. Furthermore, there has been substantial change in the timing, approach, and frequency of surgical intervention for this group of patients. Methods In this article we summarize key clinical and research developments regarding necrotizing pancreatitis, including current recommendations for treatment of patients requiring intensive care and those with common complications. Articles from all years were considered to provide proper historical context, and most recent management recommendations are identified. Results Epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment in the acute phase, and complications (both short-term and long-term) are discussed. Images of surgical interventions are included from our institutional experience. Conclusion Necrotizing pancreatitis management remains heavily based on clinical judgement, although technological advances and clinical trials have made decision making more straightforward.
The influence of cognitive load on balance control during steady-state walking.

Abstract For an individual to successfully walk, they must maintain control of their dynamic balance. However, situations that require increased cognitive attention may impair an individual’s ability to actively control their balance. While dual-task studies have analyzed walking-while-talking conditions, few studies have focused specifically on the influence of cognitive load on balance control. The purpose of this study was to assess how individuals prioritize their cognitive resources and control dynamic balance during dual-task conditions of varying difficulty. Young healthy adults (n = 15) performed two single-task conditions (spelling-while-standing and treadmill walking with no cognitive load) and three dual-task conditions (treadmill walking with increasing cognitive load: attentive listening and spelling short and long words backwards). Cognitive performance did not change between the single- and dual-task as measured by spelling percent error and response rate (p = 0.300). Balance control, assessed using the range of whole-body angular momentum, did not change between the no load and listening conditions, but decreased during the short and long spelling conditions (p