cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case-control studies: research in reverse.

Summary Epidemiologists benefit greatly from having case-control study designs in their research armamentarium. Case-control studies can yield important scientific findings with relatively little time, money, and effort compared with other study designs. This seemingly quick road to research results entices many newly trained epidemiologists. Indeed, investigators implement case-control studies more frequently than any other analytical epidemiological study. Unfortunately, case-control designs also tend to be more susceptible to biases than other comparative studies. Although easier to do, they are also easier to do wrong. Five main notions guide investigators who do, or readers who assess, case-control studies. First, investigators must explicitly define the criteria for diagnosis of a case and any eligibility criteria used for selection. Second, controls should come from the same population as the cases, and their selection should be independent of the exposures of interest. Third, investigators should blind the data gatherers to the case or control status of participants or, if impossible, at least blind them to the main hypothesis of the study. Fourth, data gatherers need to be thoroughly trained to elicit exposure in a similar manner from cases and controls; they should use memory aids to facilitate and balance recall between cases and controls. Finally, investigators should address confounding in case-control studies, either in the design stage or with analytical techniques. Devotion of meticulous attention to these points enhances the validity of the results and bolsters the reader's confidence in the findings.
New parallel algorithms for thinning binary images

The authors propose a fast sequential thinning algorithm and its parallelization, and also a parallel one-pass thinning algorithm. Implementation of the sequential thinning algorithm has been carried out and its run time was compared with other standard thinning algorithms. The results indicate that the proposed algorithms are efficient and fast. The algorithms have the advantage as compared to other existing methods in that they do not change the topological properties of the connectivity and the shape of the object. >
Survival in patients with paraaortic lymph node metastases from endometrial adenocarcinoma clinically limited to the uterus

Abstract Purpose : The purpose of this study was (a) to evaluate the incidence of paraaortic lymph node metastasis from adenocarcinoma of the endometrium clinically limited to the uterus (1971 FIGO Stages I and II) and (b) to report the 5 year disease-free survival of patients with histologically documented paraaortic lymph node metastasis from endometrial adenocarcinoma clinically limited to the uterus treated on two separate protocols. Methods and Materials : From June 1979 to June 1990, 109 patients underwent staging paraaortic lymphadenectomy or paraaortic lymph node biopsy at the time of total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for adenocarcinoma of the endometrium clinically limited to the uterus. Patients with histologically documented paraaortic lymph node metastasis were treated on two protocols: (a) pelvic radiation (5,040 cGy) plus progestins or (b) pelvic radiation therapy (5,040 cGy) plus paraaortic radiation (4,500 cGy). Results : Paraaortic lymph node metastases was primarily associated with grade 3 tumors (34.4%) and deep myometrial invasion (42%) and was present in 17.4% (19) of 109 patients. None of the women treated with pelvic radiation therapy and progestins survived five years disease-free. In contrast, the 5 year disease-free survival was 27% for patients treated by pelvic and paraaortic radiation. Conclusions : Since all patients with macroscopic metastases to the paranortic lymph nodes developed recurrent cancer and only a small percentage of those with microscopic metastases to the parasortic lymph nodes survived disease-free at 5 years, improved survival for patients with paaaortic lymph node metastases will necessitate the addition of effective cytotoxic chemotherapy to pelvic and parnaortic radiation.
Rapid mood switching and suicidality in familial bipolar disorder.

Methods: The analysis included 1574 family members with bipolar disorder interviewed for a multi-site bipolar disorder genetic linkage study. Two models were tested, using the same set of demographic and clinical data points as independent variables. One model tested the influence of rapid switching and other variables on self-reported suicidal thought or action (i.e., suicidality), while the other tested the influences on suicidal action only among those who reported a history of suicidality. Results: Over 75% of subjects had contemplated suicide and 38% reported a history of suicidal behavior. A history of rapid switching was associated with higher likelihood of a history of suicidality, as was panic disorder. Familial suicidal behavior, as well as drug abuse, increased the likelihood of suicidal action among suicidal individuals, but did not increase the likelihood of becoming suicidal. Female sex, early age at onset, and several demographic factors were associated with both facets of suicidality. Conclusions: Factors associated with high acuity of distress, such as panic attacks and unstable moods, appear to enhance the risk of suicidality in general. Factors that affected the threshold for action without increasing suicidality overall can also be seen as markers of impulsive decision-making. Of the two distinct kinds of suicidal risk, the latter – the likelihood of action given intent – appears to be the more familial.
Conduction velocity distribution of the retinal input to the hamster's superior colliculus and a correlation with receptive field characteristics

Cells driven reliably by shocks delivered to the optic nerve or optic chiasm were encountered throughout the depth of the colliculus. The incidence of such cells, however, decreased markedly in the laminae ventral to the stratum opticum. The distribution of conduction velocities for the retinal afferents to the tectum was quite broad (range: 1.7-25.5 m/sec) and clearly biomodal with peaks at about 6 and 12 m/sec. A small number of cells were innervated by rapidly (greater than 15 m/sec) conducting axons. No evidence of an indirect-fast pathway from the retina to the colliculus via the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex was obtained. Afferent conduction velocity was not correlated with retinal eccentricity, collicular depth or speed selectivity. It was, however, clearly related to directional selectivity. Ninety percent of the tectal neurons receiving inputs from axons having conduction velocities of less than 5 m/sec were directionally selective while only 41% of those neurons innervated by more rapidly conducting fibers (greater than 5 m/sec) exhibited selectivity. One hundred and sixteen cells in the anterior portion of the colliculus were tested with shocks delivered to the ipsilateral optic nerve and photic stimulation of the ipsilateral eye. Of these, 11% exhibited some degree of binocularity and only 6% were responsive to optic nerve shocks. These electrophysiological findings were correalted with the limited nature of the retinal input to the ipsilateral superior colliculus.
The Role of Acculturation in the Attitudes, Norms, and Expectancies of Hispanic Smokers

Data from 263 Hispanic smokers in the San Francisco area showed that, in general, among the highly acculturated, attitudes, norms, and expectancies toward smoking resembled those held by an equivalent group of white non-Hispanic smokers. Level of acculturation had no significant effect on generalized attitudes toward smoking, but it was associated with the level of certainty with which five stereotypes were assigned to smokers. Acculturation level also affected the perceived normative influence of parents and the willingness to follow the desires of parents and physician. Acculturation had a more significant effect on discriminating the importance assigned to antecedents and consequences of smoking; responses of the highly acculturated again resembled those of the white non-Hispanics. The implications of these findings in the development of culturally appropriate smoking cessation materials for less acculturated Hispanics are discussed.
Thermal expansion kinetics: Method to measure permeability of cementitious materials: II, Application to hardened cement pastes

A new approach to determine the permeability of cementitious materials is presented in this paper. The method involves the measurement of the thermal dilatation of thin slabs of saturated cement paste. On heating and subsequent isothermal holding, the sample first expands, then gradually contracts over time. The paste is treated as a porous solid with low permeability in which the initial expansion is partly due to the liquid expanding within the pores, putting both solid and liquid under stress. The time-dependent contraction is due to the liquid flowing out of the pores to restore the pressure to equilibrium. By analyzing the kinetics of the thermal expansion and contraction, the liquid permeability of the porous solid can be calculated. The theoretical analysis (presented in a previous paper) is applied to determine the water permeability coefficients of selected cement pastes modified with silica fume and made with different water/solid ratios.
The History and Formation of East Asian Sports Leagues

This chapter considers the creation and growth of professional sport leagues throughout East Asia. In this, the different leagues and sport are examined, and noted for their hybrid use of both North American and European methods of business and regulation of sport leagues. Notably, prominent Japanese, Chinese, South Korean, and Taiwanese sport organizations are covered in their emergence as the top sport businesses within the region. The creation of these leagues varies from the old (Japanese baseball) to the new (Chinese football). As the dynamics of political and economic power has shifted in East Asia in the last several decades, so has the popularity and importance of many of the sport leagues in the region. At the same time, as these leagues have grown, many of the top stars have begun to leave for more popular and competitive leagues in North America and Europe. This chapter concludes in considering the future potential of sport leagues in Asia, and whether the teams and leagues will be able to continue to survive in their current formats.
Walking or Dancing Patterns of Physical Activity by Cross-Sectional Age Among U.S. Women

Objectives:To identify age differences in physical activity (PA) participation for women. Methods: Data from 3,952 women 25+ from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) were used to analyze participation patterns for 17 PA types. Results: The top five leisure PAs by participation rate for all ages were walking (42%), dancing (20%), treadmill (15%), biking (11%), and yoga (10%). Participation in running, dancing, treadmill, and team sports declined around ages 35 to 44, and participation in household PA, walking, weightlifting, and hiking declined around ages 55 to 64. At age 75+ further substantial decline in most activities occurred. Nativity status was the most important moderator for age-related PA decline. Conclusions: Total PA declines with age but significant decline does not occur until ages 55 to 64. Major decline in leisure PA participation starts earlier at ages 35 to 44. While age-related declining patterns differ for different activities, the top five most pop...
On-Line Reoptimization of Filter Designs for Multivariate Optical Elements

An automated method for producing multivariate optical element (MOE) interference filters that are robust to errors in the reactive magnetron sputtering process is described. Reactive magnetron sputtering produces films of excellent thickness and uniformity. However, small changes in the thickness of individual layers can have severe adverse effects on the predictive ability of the MOE. Adaptive reoptimization of the filter design during the deposition process can maintain the predictive ability of the final filter by changing the thickness of the undeposited layers to compensate for the errors in deposition. The merit function used, the standard error of calibration, is fundamentally different from the standard spectrum matching. This new merit function allows large changes in the transmission spectrum of the filter to maintain performance.
Adsorption Characteristics of Dye onto Sludge Particulates

Abstract The dye adsorption characteristics of sludge particulates, both primary and secondary, were studied. Major factors such as pH, SS (suspended solid), and ionic strength on dye adsorption were evaluated. An anionic dye, new coccine acid red #18 was used as the adsorbate. Results show that dye adsorption is a fast process and can reach equilibrium in 30 min. Results also show that pH is the most important factor determining the dye adsorption. Decreasing pH can significantly increase the adsorption of the dye. Greater adsorption density can be achieved at SS less than 1 g/L. However, at SS concentration greater than 1 g/L, the dye adsorption density remains relatively unchanged. It is found that the increase in the ionic strength decreases the dye adsorption density. Dye adsorption can be described by a multilayer adsorption isotherm. The multilayer adsorption model allows the calculation of both the monolayer adsorption density (i.e., the maximum first layer adsorption density) and the equilibrium constants for the first layer and subsequent adsorption. Based on the monolayer adsorption capacity, it is possible to determine the specific surface area of various sludge particles.
The Association Between Extreme Precipitation and Waterborne Disease Outbreaks in the United States, 1948–1994

Objectives. Rainfall and runoff have been implicated in site-specific waterborne disease outbreaks. Because upward trends in heavy precipitation in the United States are projected to increase with climate change, this study sought to quantify the relationship between precipitation and disease outbreaks. Methods. The US Environmental Protection Agency waterborne disease database, totaling 548 reported outbreaks from 1948 through 1994, and precipitation data of the National Climatic Data Center were used to analyze the relationship between precipitation and waterborne diseases. Analyses were at the watershed level, stratified by groundwater and surface water contamination and controlled for effects due to season and hydrologic region. A Monte Carlo version of the Fisher exact test was used to test for statistical significance. Results. Fifty-one percent of waterborne disease outbreaks were preceded by precipitation events above the 90th percentile (P = .002), and 68% by events above the 80th percentile (P = .001). Outbreaks due to surface water contamination showed the strongest association with extreme precipitation during the month of the outbreak; a 2-month lag applied to groundwater contamination events. Conclusions. The statistically significant association found between rainfall and disease in the United States is important for water managers, public health officials, and risk assessors of future climate change. (Am J Public Health. 2001;91:1194‐1199)
A region-based active contour method for extraction of breast skin-line in mammograms

In this work, we present a novel region-based active contour technique to extract the breast boundary in mammograms. Skin-line extraction in mammograms is non-trivial due to the presence of noise, intensity inhomogeneities, and scanning artifacts. Also, weak contrast near the skin-line boundary, especially in the case of low-density breasts, poses a lot of difficulty in its extraction. Here, we represent the breast boundary by a smooth, parametric curve. The region based data term of the active contour energy is based on the assumption that in a small neighborhood around the skin boundary, the intensity is piece-wise constant. Further, to achieve a good initial guess, we make use of the assumption that at a large scale, the breast image is binary with a fuzzy boundary. A PDE based energy is employed to get the fuzzy membership function. The smoothness term of the above energy allows us to handle noise/ scanning artifacts in mammograms, and allows easy extraction of a single contour, which is then input to the active contour energy. Our experiments on the MIAS database gave promising results as validated by an experienced radiologist.
Teacher Effectiveness in Special Education Programs

The instructional behavior of teachers of mildly retarded (EMR) and learning-disabled (LD) elementary-aged students was used to predict reading achievement gain. Teachers were observed for five 80-minute sessions using the Classroom Activity Recording Form (CARF). The 16 behaviors of the CARF are organized into three major headings; Teacher-Directed Instruction (TDI), Independent Work (IND), and Non-Instructional Activities (NIA). Achievement gain was measured using the vocabulary and comprehension subtests of the California Achievement Test. For both EMR and LD teachers, time spent in TDI was predictive of achievement gain; the single best predictor among the TDI behaviors was time spent in Teacher Questioning (TQ). These results are consistent with previous studies of elementary teachers in which effectiveness derived from an active, questioning approach to instruction. The results are less compatible with findings in special education programs, in which achievement was most closely associated with time...
Assessment of fungal contamination in moldy homes: comparison of different methods.

In an effort to better understand the relationship between different fungal sampling methods in the indoor environment, four methods were used to quantify mold contamination in 13 homes with visible mold. Swab, fungal spore source strength tester (FSSST), and air samples (total of 52 samples) were analyzed using both the microscopic (total spore count) and culture-based (CFU count) enumeration techniques. Settled dust samples were analyzed for culturable fungi only, as the microscopic enumeration was restricted by the masking effect. The relationships between the data obtained with the different sampling methods were examined using correlation analysis. Significant relationships were observed between the data obtained from swab and FSSST samples both by the total counting (r = 0.822, p < 0.05) and by the CFU counting (r = 0.935, p < 0.01). No relationships were observed between air and FSSST samples or air and settled dust samples. Percentage culturability of spores for each sampling method was also calcu...
Substrate utilization during arm and leg exercise relative to the ventilatory threshold in men and women

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to determine variations in substrate utilization in men during arm and leg exercise at 70 and 90% of mode specific ventilatory threshold (Tvent). METHODS Ten males served as subjects. Limb total and muscle volumes were estimated in the right arm and leg with anthropometry. Ventilatory equivalence, excess CO2, and modified V-slope methods were used to determine Tvent. Subjects performed 15 min of exercise at 70 and 90%Tvent arm cranking (AC) exercise, and 70 and 90%Tvent leg cycling (LC) exercise. RESULTS VO2, VE, and HR were higher during LC exercise at both intensities. However, arm and leg RPE were not different at 70 and 90%Tvent. There were no significant differences between modes at 70%Tvent in relative carbohydrate use (54.5+/-9.5 and 57.8+/-8.2% for AC and LC, respectively) and relative fat oxidation (45.5+/-9.5 and 42.2+/-8.2% for AC and LC, respectively). However, at 90%Tvent, relative carbohydrate oxidation was significantly higher during AC versus LC exercise (75.4+/-10.6 versus 68.6+/-9.0%, p<0.05). Energy expenditure (total kJ x min(-1) was significantly lower during AC exercise (14.5+/-2.9 and 18.4+/-3.4 for the 70 and 90%Tvent, respectively) versus LC exercise (27.1+/-3.3 and 34.8+/-4.1 for the 70 and 90%Tvent, respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that substrate use during AC exercise is similar to LC exercise at 70%Tvent. However, as the exercise intensity increases, the smaller arm musculature becomes more dependent on carbohydrate utilization compared to the legs.
“A place you haven't visited before”: Creating the conditions for community dialogue

This essay presents a case study of some critical moments in the initiation of a community movement based on dialogue. The World Health Organization's Healthy Communities movement provides a concrete context in which to examine the problems and promises of dialogue for reinvigorating public discourse. This essay, based upon a six‐month field study, describes three tensions that the community encountered as they attempted to initiate dialogue. These tensions included those between collaboration and hierarchy, between valuing communication as a medium for an impediment to social change, and between representing diversity and developing consensus. Using dialogic and feminist theory, read with and against the experiences of this community, I explore some possible ways to ease these conflicts.
The Single Locus Model

We cannot use the simple quantitative model, $${P_{ij}} = \mu + {G_i} + {E_{ij}},$$ to estimate genetic effects on a metric trait. We can measure Pij, the phenotypic value of individual ij, but we cannot identify the genotype of that individual. Many loci with quasi duplicate effects act upon the trait, so that any of a number of different genotypes may produce the same Gi value. The genotype is further obscured by environmental variation, so that the same Pij may result from any of a number of different Gi values.
Injection Molding of Rubber Compounds: Experimentation and Simulation

Abstract Results of experimental and theoretical studies of injection molding of rubber compounds have been reported. Characterizations on the rheological properties and the vulcanization kinetics ...
A method for measuring removal of bacteria from the blood by the various organs of the intact animal.

Summary1. A method of constant intravenous infusion of bacteria combined with the determination of bacterial counts in the circulation at various sites by venous catheterization is described, which provides a means of determining the site and of quantitating the rate of removal of bacteria from the blood stream of the intact animal.2. The total canine splanchnic removal of hemolytic Micrococcus aureus averaged 74 ± 16% (S.D.); splenic removal, 78 ± 17% (S.D.). No organisms were lost in circulation through the lungs.3. The total rabbit splanchnic removal of encapsulated Klebsiella pneumoniae type B averaged 20 ± 10% (S.D.).
State Health Mapper: An Interactive, Web-Based Tool for Physician Workforce Planning, Recruitment, and Health Services Research.

Objectives Health rankings in Mississippi are abysmal. Mississippi also has fewer physicians to serve its population compared with all other states. Many residents of this predominately rural state do not have access to healthcare providers. To better understand the demographics and distribution of the current health workforce in Mississippi, the main objective of the study was to design a Web-based, spatial, interactive application to visualize and explore the physician workforce. Methods A Web application was designed to assist in health workforce planning. Secondary datasets of licensure and population information were obtained, and live feeds from licensure systems are being established. Several technologies were used to develop an intuitive, user-friendly application. Custom programming was completed in JavaScript so the application could run on most platforms, including mobile devices. Results The application allows users to identify and query geographic locations of individual or aggregated physicians based on attributes included in the licensure data, to perform drive time or buffer analyses, and to explore sociodemographic population data by geographic area of choice. This Web-based application with analytical tools visually represents the physician workforce licensed in Mississippi and its attributes, and provides access to much-needed information for statewide health workforce planning and research. Conclusions The success of the application is not only based on the practicality of the tool but also on its ease of use. Feedback has been positive and has come from a wide variety of organizations across the state.
Rodent Models of Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a condition affecting premature infants, is characterized by pathological ocular angiogenesis, or retinal neovasculariztion (NV). Much of what is known about the development of the retinal vasculature and the progression of ROP has been acquired through the use of animal models of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), which approximate ROP. Animal models of OIR have provided a wealth of information regarding the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of ROP. This information has contributed to a better understanding of other, non-ocular, neovascular conditions. The aim of this chapter is to explore the significance of the two most prevalent animal models of OIR, the mouse and the rat.
How task uncertainty and coordination impact the appropriation of GSSs

Appropriate coordination mechanisms support goal attainment. The structural characteristics of the group and the nature of the task determine the type of coordination that promotes effective group performance. When group size and cohesiveness are controlled for, the coordination mode is determined by the complexity of the task. Task complexity depends upon the amount of relevant information available, and by the task's ill-structured or unstructured nature. According to the adaptative structuration theory, group outcomes are determined by a rather complex and continuous process in which technological artifacts are appropriated by the group. When groups select a particular set of structural features, they also choose the coordination structure that enables them to accomplish their goals. This study explores the effects that effective coordination has on the ways in which group appropriate GSSs.
Diet of a Nearctic Species, the Evening Bat (Nycticeius humeralis), at the Northern Edge of Its Range

Evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) are ubiquitous in the southeastern United States, but only one maternity colony occurs in the Great Lakes region, in Michigan, and it is the northernmost colony known in North America. We hypothesized that diet would vary throughout the season and between years and that diet of evening bats in northern areas would differ from diet of those in more southern parts of the continent. Almost 600 fecal pellets of evening bats were collected and analyzed from May through August 2006–2007. Thirteen orders of insects and two orders of arachnids were found, but Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Hemiptera composed 87% of dietary volume. Lepidoptera, which forms a substantial portion of the diet for most vespertilionids in eastern North America, contributed only 4.7% to the volume. Diet was broadly similar to evening bats in the core of their range, although evening bats in Michigan incorporated substantially more Diptera into their diet. Dietary composition and diversity differed little between years but showed variation among weeks within years. The lack of dietary specialization and similarity in major components in different parts of the range suggest that availability of prey or dietary competition with other species at the ordinal level are not factors limiting the northern distribution of the evening bat.
LayerFish: Bimanual Layering with a Fisheye In-Place

We introduce, LayerFish, a bimanual interaction technique for layering overlapping content in large 2D design spaces. Designers compose visual elements, often producing overlap and requiring layering in the z-dimension. A common approach in design tools is to provide a scene index, as an ordered list of layered elements. Scene indexes become difficult, in terms of physical effort and human cognition, to deal with when working with hundreds of elements. LayerFish renders an in-place scene index as a fisheye to reduce demands on effort and attention. Bimanual gestures support selection, scrolling, and manipulation. We evaluated layering task performance with LayerFish in comparison to a traditional scene index. Findings indicate that the fisheye reduces time to find an element and selection reduces layering time when elements do not heavily overlap.
Loss of the mismatch repair protein MSH6 in glioblastomas recurrent after temozolomide

1974 Glioblastomas are treated by surgical resection followed with radiotherapy (XRT) and the alkylating chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide (TMZ). Recently, inactivating mutations in the mismatch repair (MMR) gene MSH6 were identified in two glioblastomas recurrent post-TMZ. Since MMR pathway inactivation is a known mediator of alkylator resistance in vitro, these findings suggested MSH6 inactivation was causally linked to these two recurrences. However, the extent of involvement of MSH6 in glioblastoma is unknown. We sought to determine the overall frequency and clinical relevance of MSH6 alterations in glioblastomas. The MSH6 gene was sequenced in pre-treatment and recurrent glioblastomas. MSH6 mutation was not observed in any pre-treatment glioblastoma, while a significant subset of recurrent cases had somatic mutations. MSH6 and MGMT immunohistochemistry was systematically scored in a second panel of clinically well-characterized glioblastomas. MSH6 protein expression was detected in all pre-treatment cases examined but, notably, expression was lost in significant subset of recurrences from matched post-XRT+TMZ cases. Loss of MSH6 was not associated with MGMT status. We conclude that loss of MSH6 occurs in post-XRT+TMZ glioblastoma recurrences, mirroring the MMR pathway inactivation observed during in vitro emergence of alkylator resistance. MSH6 deficiency may therefore contribute to the progression of recurrent glioblastomas during TMZ treatment.
The Impact of Public Health Spending on California STD Rates

This study assesses the impact of county-level public health spending on rates of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in California. Across a variety of empirical specifications, increases in own-county public health spending reduce rates of gonorrhea and syphilis. Indeed, a $1 increase in per capita public health spending reduces the gonorrhea (syphilis) rate by approximately 0.30 (0.60) percent. Spillover effects are also associated with public health spending, as increases in border-county spending reduce STD rates. To varying degrees of significance, county STD rates are also sensitive to lagged STD rates, county racial composition, whether or not a public university is located within the county, and a yearly time trend.
Weak Convergence in Two Player Stochastic Differential Games

Much of stochastic game theory is concerned with diffusion models, as we have seen in Chapters 3 through 5. It is well known that such models are often only idealizations of the actual physical processes, which might be driven by a wide bandwidth process or be a discrete parameter system with correlated driving noises. Optimal strategies derived for the diffusion models would not be of much interest if they were not “nearly optimal” for the physical system which the diffusion approximates. Using the models of this Chapter, for many typical problem formulations, we can show that the optimal strategies derived for the “limit” system are also good strategies for the system which is driven by wide bandwidth noise processes. Such results not only gives robustness statement on the game problem, but also substantially simplifies the computational aspects, as we will see in Chapter 8. The results in this chapter will show that we need only to compute the value of the limiting system and proceed to obtain corresponding strategies and adapt these strategies in the nth (actual) system instead of computing the saddle points or optimal strategies at each step and show the convergence.
Densification and mechanical properties of WC particulate reinforced Cr3C2 matrix composites

The mechanical properties of Cr3C2 can be improved by adding 14–25 vol % of WC particulates through a hot-pressing process. The Cr3C2-20 vol % WC composite exhibits a fracture strength and fracture toughness of 883 MPa and 6.8 MPa m1/2, respectively, which is a better than 60% increase over the monolithic Cr3C2(σf = 526 MPa, KIC = 4.1 MPa m1/2). The possible strengthening and toughening mechanisms are disscussed in terms of microstructures, fracture modes (intergranular or transgranular) and micromechanics. The microstructural evolution and fractography which were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) will be discussed.
The negative predictive value of Amyloid Imaging in differentiating patient’s with depression and prodromal Alzheimer’s diseas

1625 Objectives Patients with depressive syndromes in late life present with cognitive impairment is difficult to differentiate from dementia patients who present with depression symptoms in the clinical setting. The aim is to evaluate Amyvid PET in differentiating patient’s with depression and prodromal AD. Methods Evaluate 32 consecutive patients in our clinic who underwent clinical Amyvid PET scans. These patients were later confirmed to be 11 diagnosed major depressive patients and 21 with clinical diagnosed AD or MCI. Amyloid images were interpreted by nuclear medicine physicians according to the Amyvid guideline. Whole brain voxel-based group comparisons were performed. Results Patients with confirmed diagnosis of major depression had significant less amyloid accumulation compared with those dementia patients. The percentage of positive amyloid scan is significantly lower among the depression group (2/13, NPV 85%) compared with those dementia group (19/19). Those two positive Amyvid patients from the depression group eventually received diagnosis of dementia in their follow-up clinical evaluations. The depression group has significantly less amyloid deposition in the posterior cingulate, bilateral parietal and frontal cortices (p Conclusions Significant less amyloid burden is found in patients with major depression relative to dementia subjects in specific brain regions, despite no differences in age, sex, education between the two groups. Great negative predictive value of Amyvid PET scan is seen in differentiating patients with depressive syndrome and those dementia patients with presentation of depression symptoms.
Identifying tumor vascular genes regulated by Aflibercept (VEGF Trap)

2497 VEGF blockade has been shown to be effective at inhibiting tumor growth in various preclinical models and in diverse human cancers. Treatment of tumors with VEGF blockers results in a rapid loss of tumor vessels and changes in the phenotype of the tumor vessels, including decrease sprouting and branching. In this study, we sought to characterize in more detail the rapid changes in tumor vessels following VEGF blockade, by identifying vascular genes that are under direct regulation by VEGF in tumors. SCID mice bearing established tumors of different origins (two human renal cell carcinomas (786-0, A498), a human and a rat glioblastoma (U87-MG, C6), and a human colorectal carcinoma (Colo205) were treated with a single subcutaneous dose of aflibercept (VEGF Trap, 25 mg/kg), a potent inhibitor of all isoforms of VEGF-A and placental growth factor (PlGF) that is currently in Phase III clinical trials. At 8, 24 or 72 hr after treatment, tumors were excised and divided in half with one half processed for gene expression analysis, and the other half stained by immunohistochemistry for blood vessels (PECAM/CD31) and measured morphometrically for tumor vessel density. We found that expression levels of a number of vascular genes, including ICAM2, eNOS, and VE-cadherin, were decreased by VEGF Trap at 24 and 72 hr, but not at 8 hr. The time course and magnitude of the reduced expression of these genes correlated with the decrease in vessel density in the different tumor types, thus these genes may serve as markers of tumor vessel density. In comparison, expression levels of several other vascular genes, including Angiopoietin-2 and Nidogen2, were already decreased at 8 hr after treatment of multiple tumor types with VEGF Trap, and remained decreased at 24 and 72 hr. Expression of these latter genes appears to be dependent upon continued VEGF signaling, suggesting that these represent direct VEGF target genes. These results show that at least 2 phases of vascular gene expression changes can be discerned in tumors following VEGF blockade: the initial phase involves VEGF target genes and the latter phase involves constitutive endothelial cells genes. The most rapidly changed genes may provide biomarkers of VEGF-blockade, whereas the slower changing genes may be useful as indicators of overall tumor vascularity.
Increased Frequencies of Myelin Reactive CCR6+ Pathogenic IL-17/GM-CSF/IFNγ Secreting CD4+ T Cells in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (P03.225)

OBJECTIVE: While autoreactive T cells are thought to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), the cytokine program of myelin reactive CD4 cells remains unknown. BACKGROUND: MS is a genetically mediated autoimmune disease characterized by infiltration of immune cells in the CNS resulting in demyelination. It was recently shown that IL-17 secreting CD4 cells could be divided into inflammatory GM-CSF/IFNγ as opposed to IL-10 secreting subsets. Moreover, recent work in MS models indicates that the pathogenic myelin reactive CD4 cells secrete IL-17, GM-CSF, and IFNγ while IL-10 secreting myelin reactive cells are protective. DESIGN/METHODS: Using a newly described amplified T library assay, CD4 cells were sorted into naive, CCR6– and CCR6+ memory populations and seeded at 2,000 cells/well in 96-well plates followed by stimulation with PHA and IL-2 in the presence of irradiated allogeneic feeder cells for 2 weeks. The frequencies of myelin (MOG, PLP and MBP) antigen-specific T cells and cytokine profiling were measured after cells were re-stimulated by autologous monocytes and peptides for another 5 days. RESULTS: The frequency of myelin-specific autoreactive CD4 T cells characterized by the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IFNγ (MS vs controls, 236.4 ± 4.21 vs 154.1 ± 9.37 pg/ml), IL-17 (155.5 ± 10.31 vs 3.6 ± 0.49 pg/ml), and GM-CSF (25.4 ± 5.74 vs 10.2 ± 3.23 pg/ml) was increased in patients with MS compared to healthy control subjects. These CD4 T cells resided in CCR6 + memory CD4 T cell compartment. Moreover, in age-matched healthy controls, the myelin reactive CD4 cells secreted the anti-inflammatory IL-10 (15.8 ± 1.38 vs 32.2 ± 5.99 pg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: Pathogenic IL-17/GM-CSF/IFNγ-secreting autoreactive CD4 T cells are more prevalent in patients with MS while myelin reactive CD4 cells secrete IL-10 in healthy subjects. Disclosure: Dr. Cao has nothing to disclose. Dr. Raddassi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hafler has received personal compensation for activities with Wyeth, Beckman Coulter, and Novartis.
Bringing Up Cybersecurity Degree Programs: (Abstract Only)

Due to the ongoing demand for cybersecurity professionals, universities have begun to step up to the challenge of providing degrees in cybersecurity or related disciplines. However, growth in academic programs has been unfocused, in part because there is no standard definition of what a cybersecurity undergraduate program should contain and no cohesive community of practice with which those programs are aligned. This session is intended to establish dialog intended to lead to a community of practice for undergraduate cybersecurity education. The presenters will briefly review prior efforts in defining cybersecurity at the collegiate level, including the Centers for Academic Excellence (CAE), National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE), Cyber Education Project, CSEC2017 curricular guidelines and ABET cybersecurity accreditation. Session participants will examine current efforts, explore the development of a cybersecurity community of practice, and get clarity about where their own efforts fit into overall computing education.
Diagnosing clinical malnutrition: Perspectives from the past and implications for the future.

Summary This review, intended for both researchers and clinicians, provides a history of the definition of clinical malnutrition. Despite global efforts, we remain without one clear, objective, internationally accepted definition; clarity in this regard will ultimately improve our evaluation and monitoring of nutritional status to achieve optimal patient outcomes. In this review we explore the development of the term malnutrition and its diagnosis and application in the setting of acute and chronic disease. We begin in the second century A.D. with the work of the Greek physician Galen who is credited as the first to apply the term marasmus to characterize three categories of malnutrition, which are surprisingly similar to components of current international definitions. We then highlight significant developments over the next 2000 years culminating in our current application of the clinical diagnosis of malnutrition. A perspective on historical practices may inform current efforts toward a global definition and diagnosis of malnutrition.
Premotor Cortex and the Mirror Neuron Hypothesis for the Evolution of Language

Mirror neurons for grasping, each active during both execution of some actions and observation of similar actions, are contained in premotor area F5 of the macaque brain; a homologous mirror system for grasping is found in or near Broca’s area in humans. The mirror system hypothesis holds that brain mechanisms supporting language evolved from an F5-like mirror system to support language parity and the multimodality of language performance. The article examines how macaque F5 and human Broca’s area are embedded in frontal-parietal-temporal networks, and explains the role of complex imitation in bridging from the brain of the macaque–human common ancestor to the human brain.
A Novel Therapy for Lymphedema Complicated by Lymphorrhea

Lymphorrhea is a rarely described complication of chronic lymphedema, in which the disrupted flow through diseased lymphatic channels gives rise to the external drainage of lymph, often heralded by the presence of an enlarging lymphocele. This report documents the applicability of the Reid sleeve, a novel, conservative form of therapy, in an unusually severe and protracted example of lymphorrhea.
A conservative aggressive subspace tracker.

The need to track a subspace accurately describing well a stream of points arises in many signal processing applications. In this work, we present a very efficient algorithm using a machine learning approach, which its goal is to de-noise the stream of input points. The algorithm guarantees the orthonormality of the representation it uses. We demonstrate the merits of our approach using simulations.
Fundamentals of volume visualization

This paper is a brief tutorial on the fundamentals of volume visualization. Volume visualization provides mechanisms to peer inside volumetric objects in order to view that which is not ordinarily viewable and to probe into the voluminous and complex structures and their dynamics to comprehend that which is not ordinarily comprehensible. It encompasses an array of techniques, a technology, and a nomenclature, and holds substantial challenges. This paper presents a brief introduction to the fundamentals of these techniques, the nomenclature, representation techniques, viewing and shading techniques, volume synthesis, architectures for volume visualization, and applications thereof.
Direct Resonance Raman Characterization of a Peroxynitrito Copper Complex Generated from O2 and NO and Mechanistic Insights into Metal‐Mediated Peroxynitrite Decomposition

We report the formation of a new copper peroxynitrite (PN) complex [CuII (TMG3 tren)(κ1 -OONO)]+ (PN1) from the reaction of [CuII (TMG3 tren)(O2 .- )]+ (1) with NO. (g) at -125 °C. The first resonance Raman spectroscopic characterization of such a metal-bound PN moiety supports a cis κ1 -(- OONO) geometry. PN1 transforms thermally into an isomeric form (PN2) with κ2 -O,O'-(- OONO) coordination, which undergoes O-O bond homolysis to generate a putative cupryl (LCuII -O. ) intermediate and NO2 . . These transient species do not recombine to give a nitrato (NO3 - ) product but instead proceed to effect oxidative chemistry and formation of a CuII -nitrito (NO2 - ) complex (2).
Tau isoform–specific stabilization of intermediate states during microtubule assembly and disassembly

The microtubule (MT)-associated protein tau regulates the critical growing and shortening behaviors of MTs, and its normal activity is essential for neuronal development and maintenance. Accordingly, aberrant tau action is tightly associated with Alzheimer's disease and is genetically linked to several additional neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies. Although tau is known to promote net MT growth and stability, the precise mechanistic details governing its regulation of MT dynamics remain unclear. Here, we have used the slowly-hydrolyzable GTP analog, guanylyl-(α,β)-methylene-diphosphonate (GMPCPP), to examine the structural effects of tau at MT ends that may otherwise be too transient to observe. The addition of both four-repeat (4R) and three-repeat (3R) tau isoforms to pre-formed GMPCPP MTs resulted in the formation of extended, multiprotofilament-wide projections at MT ends. Furthermore, at temperatures too low for assembly of bona fide MTs, both tau isoforms promoted the formation of long spiral ribbons from GMPCPP tubulin heterodimers. In addition, GMPCPP MTs undergoing cold-induced disassembly in the presence of 4R tau (and to a much lesser extent 3R tau) also formed spirals. Finally, three pathological tau mutations known to cause neurodegeneration and dementia were differentially compromised in their abilities to stabilize MT disassembly intermediates. Taken together, we propose that tau promotes the formation/stabilization of intermediate states in MT assembly and disassembly by promoting both longitudinal and lateral tubulin-tubulin contacts. We hypothesize that these activities represent fundamental aspects of tau action that normally occur at the GTP-rich ends of GTP/GDP MTs and that may be compromised in neurodegeneration-causing tau variants.
microRNA‐139‐5p confers sensitivity to antiepileptic drugs in refractory epilepsy by inhibition of MRP1

Aim Drug resistance is an intractable issue urgently needed to be overcome for improving efficiency of antiepileptic drugs in treating refractory epilepsy. microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proved as key regulators and therapeutic targets in epilepsy. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to identify a novel differentially expressed miRNA which could improve the efficiency of antiepileptic drugs during the treatment of refractory epilepsy. Methods and results Serum samples were collected from children with refractory epilepsy. An in vivo refractory epilepsy model was developed in SD rats by electrical amygdala kindling. We identified that miR-139-5p was decreased and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) was remarkably upregulated in the serum samples from children with refractory epilepsy and the brain tissues from rat models of refractory epilepsy. After phenobarbitone injection in rat models of refractory epilepsy, the after discharging threshold in kindled amygdala was detected to screen out drug-resistant rats. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that MRP1 was a target of miR-139-5p. In order to evaluate the effect of miR-139-5p/MRP1 axis on drug resistance of refractory epilepsy, we transfected plasmids into the hippocampus of drug-resistant rats to alter the expression of miR-139-5p and MRP1. TUNEL staining and Nissl staining showed that miR-139-5p overexpression or MRP1 downregulation could reduce the apoptosis and promote survival of neurons, accompanied by alleviated neuronal damage. Conclusion Collectively, these results suggest an important role of miR-139-5p/MRP1 axis in reducing the resistance of refractory epilepsy to antiepileptic drugs.