cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Model-based risk assessment

In this research effort, we focus on model-based risk assessment. Risk assessment is essential in any plan intended to manage software development or maintenance process. Subjective techniques are human intensive and error-prone. Risk assessment should be based on architectural attributes that we can quantitatively measure using architectural level metrics. Software architectures are emerging as an important concept in the study and practice of software engineering nowadays, due to their emphasis on large-scale composition of software product, and to their support for emerging software engineering paradigms, such as product line engineering, component based software engineering, and software evolution. In this dissertation, we generalize our earlier work on reliability-based risk assessment. We introduce error propagation probability in the assessment methodology to account for the dependency among the system components. Also, we generalize the reliability-based risk assessment to account for inherent functional dependencies. Furthermore, we develop a generic framework for maintainability-based risk assessment which can accommodate different types of software maintenance. First, we introduce and define maintainability-based risk assessment for software architecture. Within our assessment framework, we investigate the maintainability-based risk for the components of the system, and the effect of performing the maintenance tasks on these components. We propose a methodology for estimating the maintainability-based risk when considering different types of maintenance. As a proof of concept, we apply the proposed methodology on several case studies. Moreover, we automate the estimation of the maintainability-based risk assessment methodology.
Motivation and Innovation in Online Collaborative Community: An Application of Expectancy Theory

Nowadays, innovation is increasingly important for firms to build and/or sustain their competitive advantages, and thus they seek outside innovators to help them solve innovation problems. Online collaborative community, which can combine diverse intelligence across geographic borders and promote collaborative innovation effectively and efficiently, has been adopted by many leading companies in the past few years. As a new form of organization, however, collaborative community lacks theoretical guidance, especially in the community members’ motivation and its relationship with innovation performance. This study leverages expectancy theory to examine why community members (i.e. innovators) commit their efforts to collaborative projects, how their efforts influence innovation performance, and how this influence is moderated by their ability. Overall, this study suggests that practitioners manage their collaborative community through improving perceived valence and expectancy and that researchers further decompose, extend, or examine our conceptual model.
Delegation and the Regulation of Financial Markets

We explore the determinants of U.S. financial market regulation with a formal model of the policy-making process in which government regulates financial risk at both the firm and systemic levels, and test these predictions with a novel, comprehensive data set of financial regulatory laws enacted since 1950. We find that political factors impact Congress' decision to delegate regulatory authority to executive agencies, which in turn impacts the stringency of financial market regulation. In particular, Congress delegates authority to regulators when: 1) policy preferences between Congress and executive officials become more similar; 2) Firms' investment risks become more uncertain; and 3) Congress' concerns about a bailout are greater. As a result, financial markets are more heavily regulated when firm-specific and systemic risks are uncertain. However, when inter-branch preferences differ or perceived systemic risk is low, Congress may allow risky investments to be made that, ex post, it wished it had regulated.
Therapeutic governmentality and biopower in a Canadian mental health court

Mental health courts (MHCs) are a response to the structural violence experienced by people with severe mental illness (SMI) involved in the criminal justice system. My ethnographic research of an MHC in urban Canada serves as the foundation for a discussion of court processes that are an example of biopower. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how strategies for intervention in the name of life and health, truth discourses and forms of self-governance operate among criminal justice-involved individuals with SMI. This study reveals the tensions between the intense forensic gaze and invisibility and between treatment strategies that are beneficial for some people with SMI yet ultimately coercive and oppressive. The governance of this population is discussed, as well as what happens to people who fail or refuse to self-govern as the court compels them.
Integration of Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) and inductive signature data for truck body classification

Abstract Transportation agencies tasked with forecasting freight movements, creating and evaluating policy to mitigate transportation impacts on infrastructure and air quality, and furnishing the data necessary for performance driven investment depend on quality, detailed, and ubiquitous vehicle data. Unfortunately in the US, currently available commercial vehicle data contain critical gaps when it comes to linking vehicle and operational characteristics. Leveraging existing traffic sensor infrastructure, we developed a novel, readily implementable approach of integrating two complementary data collection devices, Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems and advanced inductive loop detectors (ILD), to produce high resolution truck data. For each vehicle traversing a WIM site, an inductive signature was collected along with WIM measurements such as axle spacing and weight which were then used as inputs to a series of truck body classification models that encompass all truck classes in the most common axle-based Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) classification scheme in the US. Since body configuration can be linked to commodity carried, drive and duty cycle, and other distinct operating characteristics, body class data is undeniably useful for freight planning and air quality monitoring. A multiple classifier systems (MCS) method was adopted to increase the classification accuracy for minority body classes. In all, eight separate body classifications models were developed from an extensive data set of 18,967 truck records distinguishing an unprecedented total of 23 single unit truck and 31 single and semi-trailer body configurations, each with over 80% correct classification rates (CCR). Remarkably, the body class model for five axle semi-tractor trailers – the most diverse truck category – achieved MCS CCRs above 85% for several industry specific classes including refrigerated and non-refrigerated intermodal containers, livestock, and logging trailers.
18F-sodium fluoride PET/CT in oncology: an atlas of SUVs.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution of 18F Sodium Fluoride (18F-NaF) uptake in the normal skeleton, benign and malignant bone lesions, and extraskeletal tissues, using semiquantitative SUV measurements.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed data from 129 patient
On the application of value management in China and the existent problems

The construction industry is an important material production sectors of the national economy,which with the entire national economic development and improving people's lives are closely related.To the value of managing the introduction of modern methods of management construction projects that can effectively address the issue of the construction industry in the development process,but the application of value management in China has not been enough attention to the value of knowledge management,there are still errors.In this paper,application of value-based management of China's actual situation,summed up the application of value management problems and put forward the recommendations of optimizing the value of management applications and countermeasu res.
Identification of a gene encoding a tumor-specific antigen that causes tumor rejection.

Transplantation experiments have clearly demonstrated the existence of unique (individual) tumor-specific antigens on cancers induced by physical or chemical carcinogens. These antigens often induce a tumor-specific immune response upon immunization with a tumor which protects the host against a subsequent challenge with the same tumor, but not against a challenge with any other independently induced tumor [1]. Unique antigens were observed even when the tumors were induced with the same carcinogen in the same organ system in the same strain of mice [2]. This finding of unique tumor specificity raises questions about the mechanism by which these tumorspecific antigens are generated. The critical questions regarding such unique tumor-specific antigens are their composition, genetic origin, and possible role as target antigens for the immune system.
Color Doppler ultrasonography in the evaluation of the acute scrotum.

AbstractColor Doppler ultrasonography was used to assess 20 patients with the acute onset of scrotal pain. Patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the initial clinical impression of the examining physician: ischemia, inflammation or trauma. Color Doppler ultrasonography correctly predicted the need for surgery in 8 of 9 operated patients (89%) and correctly predicted the outcome in all 11 nonoperated patients (100%). The anatomical resolution possible, as well as information regarding blood flow made color Doppler ultrasonography a useful tool in the assessment of acute scrotal processes.
Mesangiopathies: IgA Nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is an IgA-dominant immune complex (IC) disease, which is the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide. It has protean clinical manifestations, may result in renal failure, and occurs in sporadic and familial forms. There are known risk factors for the development and progression of IgAN, but no specific treatments currently are available.
Development of Odor Hedonics: Experience-Dependent Ontogeny of Circuits Supporting Maternal and Predator Odor Responses in Rats.

A major component of perception is hedonic valence: perceiving stimuli as pleasant or unpleasant. Here, we used early olfactory experiences that shape odor preferences and aversions to explore developmental plasticity in circuits mediating odor hedonics. We used 2-deoxyglucose autoradiographic mapping of neural activity to identify circuits differentially activated by biologically relevant preferred and avoided odors across rat development. We then further probed this system by increasing or decreasing hedonic value. Using both region of interest and functional connectivity analyses, we identified regions within primary olfactory, amygdala/hippocampal, and prefrontal cortical networks that were activated differentially by maternal and male odors. Although some activated regions remained stable across development (postnatal days 7–23), there was a developmental emergence of others that resulted in an age-dependent elaboration of hedonic-response-specific circuitry despite stable behavioral responses (approach/avoidance) to the odors across age. Hedonic responses to these biologically important odors were modified through diet suppression of the maternal odor and co-rearing with a male. This allowed assessment of hedonic circuits in isolation of the specific odor quality and/or intensity. Early experience significantly modified odor-evoked circuitry in an age-dependent manner. For example, co-rearing with a male, which induced pup attraction to male odor, reduced activity in amygdala regions normally activated by the unfamiliar avoided male odor, making this region more consistent with maternal odor. Understanding the development of odor hedonics, particularly within the context of altered early life experience, provides insight into the development of sensory processes, food preferences, and the formation of social affiliations, among other behaviors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Odor hedonic valence controls approach–avoidance behaviors, but also modulates ongoing behaviors ranging from food preferences and social affiliation with the caregiver to avoidance of predator odors. Experiences can shape hedonic valence. This study explored brain circuitry involved in odor hedonic encoding throughout development using maternal and predator odors and assessed the effects of early life experience on odor hedonic encoding by increasing/decreasing the hedonic value of these odors. Understanding the role of changing brain circuitry during development and its impact on behavioral function is critical for understanding sensory processing across development. These data converge with exciting literature on the brain9s hedonic network and highlight the significant role of early life experience in shaping the neural networks of highly biologically relevant stimuli.
Photonics in homeland and national security

Photonics is a key enabling technology for many emerging systems for homeland and national security. The range of applications encompasses visible and IR imaging, 3-D ladar imaging, IR countermeasures, laser range finders and designators, chem.-bio sensing, OE networking of sensors, directed energy, and a host of others. The PhAST track on this topic will present the state of the art in many important facets of this exciting field of defense R&D.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Program on Risk-Informing the Materials and Waste Arenas: A Decision-Making Framework

This paper describes a process for risk-informed decisionmaking of regulatory issues and actions by the Office of Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The process, currently under development, consists of screening the issue to determine its suitability for risk-informing, and using relevant risk information combined with suggested decision algorithms to arrive at a risk-informed decision.
Nuclear Arms Control in the Future: Heading Towards a Nuclear Weapon Free World

Despite the feeling that the nuclear threat has gone, the risks inherent to nuclear deterrence have not by any means disappeared in the post-Cold War era. The so-called stabilizing effect of nuclear deterrence is being questioned for two reasons: (1) the incredibility of the current nuclear doctrines, especially nuclear deterrence against conventional and CBW attacks; (2) the further spread of nuclear weapons. The possibility that nuclear weapons — authorized or not — will be used again increases.
Conformal Electroplating of Azobenzene-Based Solar Thermal Fuels onto Large-Area and Fiber Geometries

There is tremendous growth in fields where small functional molecules and colloidal nanomaterials are integrated into thin films for solid-state device applications. Many of these materials are synthesized in solution and there often exists a significant barrier to transition them into the solid state in an efficient manner. Here, we develop a methodology employing an electrodepositable copolymer consisting of small functional molecules for applications in solar energy harvesting and storage. We employ azobenzene solar thermal fuel polymers and functionalize them to enable deposition from low concentration solutions in methanol, resulting in uniform and large-area thin films. This approach enables conformal deposition on a variety of conducting substrates that can be either flat or structured depending on the application. Our approach further enables control over film growth via electrodepsition conditions and results in highly uniform films of hundreds of nanometers to microns in thickness. We demonstrat...
The Importance of Filter Collection for Accurate Measurement of Cigarette Smoking.

Objectives We examined the impact of cigarette filter collection on reports of cigarettes per day (CPD) versus self-reported CPD and to assess the utility of a pre-intervention baseline period in smoking studies. Methods Using baseline data from 522 non-treatment seeking smokers, we assessed differences in self-reported CPD via phone screen (CPD PS) and during baseline (CPD BL). We analyzed self-reported cigarette measures to predict carbon monoxide (CO), a measure of smoke exposure. Results On average, CPD PS was 2.8 CPD more than CPD BL, and reporting multiples of 10 were more often found in CPD PS compared with CPD BL (54.7% vs17.2%, respectively). CPD BL was more strongly associated with CO than self-report CPD. Number of cigarettes smoked today, time since last cigarette, and nicotine dependence were significantly associated with CO. Conclusions CPD BL using filter collection is a more accurate measure of cigarette consumption than self-report, which may have implications for assessment of nicotine dependence. When feasible, studies should include a pre-intervention baseline period for comparison data with study outcomes. In addition to CPD BL, studies should assess time since last cigarette and the number of cigarettes smoked today when using CO as a biological measure of smoke exposure.
SÃ SOY BILINGÃœE, Butâ€¦: Latino Teachers Preparedness on The Border

Improving educational achievement is critical for the long-term success of the majority Latino population on the Texas-Mexico border which includes identifying and mediating gaps in teacher preparation.Â This study examined beginning teachers'perception of how well they were prepared within an educator preparation program on the border.Â One-hundred and eight teachers were surveyed.Â Results indicated taht these teachers felt prepared in the areas of desigining lesson plans, maintaining order, and implementing new methods of teaching.Â They felt less prepared to address the needs of special education students and enlgish language learners.Â Consequently, courses are being redesigned to address these gaps.
The inefficiency of point-source regulation of stormwater flows in ex-urban communities

Despite great success in coping with point-source pollution, over 55% of our waterways remain impaired; and are likely to remain that way so long as we continue to use point-source permitting strat...
Sex Specific Sacroiliac Joint Biomechanics During Standing Upright: A Finite Element Study.

Study design The comparison of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) angular motions, pelvis ligaments strain, load sharing, and stress distribution across the joint for male and female spine-pelvis-femur models using finite element analysis. Objective To quantify biomechanical parameters at SIJ for all motions for both male and female models. Summary of background data SIJ has been recognized as a main source of pain in 13% to 30% of patients with low back pain. It is shown that the SIJ rotation and translation in different planes are not exceeding 2° to 3° and 2 mm, respectively. Due to limitation of in vivo and in vitro studies, it is difficult to quantify certain biomechanical parameters such as load-sharing and stress distribution across the joint. Finite element analysis is a useful tool which can be utilized to understand the biomechanics of the SIJ. Methods The validated finite element models of a male and a female lumbar spine-pelvis-femur were developed from computer tomography (CT) scans. The models were used to simulate spine physiological motions. The range of motion, ligament strains, load sharing, and stress distribution across the left and right SIJs were compared between male and female models. Results Motions data at SIJs demonstrated that female model experienced 86% higher mobility in flexion, 264% in extension, 143% in left bending, and 228% in right bending compared with the male model. The stresses and loads on SIJs were higher on the female model compared with the male model. Female model ligaments underwent larger strains compared with the male model ligaments. Conclusion Female SIJ had higher mobility, stresses, loads, and pelvis ligament strains compared with the male SIJ which led to higher stress across the joint, especially on the sacrum under identical loading conditions. This could be a possible reason for higher incidence of SIJ pain and pelvic stress fracture in females. Level of evidence N/A.
Risk Factors for Neonatal Venous and Arterial Thromboembolism in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit-A Case Control Study.

Objective To identify risk factors associated with venous and arterial thrombosis in sick neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Study design A case-control study was conducted at 2 centers between January 2010 and March 2014 using the Children's Hospital Neonatal Database dataset. Cases were neonates diagnosed with either arterial or venous thrombosis during their neonatal intensive care unit stay; controls were matched in a 1:4 ratio by gestational age and presence or absence of central access devices. Bivariable and conditional logistic regression analyses for venous and arterial thrombosis were performed separately. Results The overall incidence of neonatal thrombosis was 15.0 per 1000 admissions. A higher proportion of neonates with thrombosis had presence of central vascular access devices (75% vs 49%; P Conclusions The incidence of thrombosis was higher in our neonatal population than in previous reports. After matching for central vascular access device and gestational age, male sex and blood stream infection represent independent risk factors of neonatal venous thrombosis. A larger cohort gleaned from multicenter data should be used to confirm the study results and to develop thrombosis prevention strategies.
Regulation of protein turnover in skeletal and cardiac muscle.

The aim of this review is to assess the current understanding of the regulation protein synthesis and degradation in striated muscle, a tissue which constitutes the largest single element of the protein-bound nitrogen pool in the mammalian organism. Numerous experimental interventions alter protein turnover rates in vitro and we will discuss whether or not these might fulfil regulatory functions in vivo. We will also consider the molecular mechanisms that may be involved in the regulation of protein turnover.
Counting snowbirds: The importance of and the problems with estimating seasonal populations

Using the example of the seasonal population of ``snowbirds'' that spend the winter in Arizona and other Sunbelt states, this paper examines the issues involved with estimating temporary populations. Specifically using the experience of ASU's ongoing research efforts on Arizona snowbirds, the paper discusses some of the problems associated with estimating a seasonal population – in particular: (1) defining the population under study and (2) developing effective procedures to collect information relating to the population. The concluding section emphasizes the growing national importance of temporary populations and the needs of both the public and private sector to have better information on both their size and characteristics.
PHOTOVOLTAICS IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

ABSTRACT Analysis of the viability of PV systems may be enhanced by the development of a parameter which combines insolation and price/kWh. An economic case study which allows seven other parameters to vary against price per peak watt is outlined.
Brief communication: Rapid machine learning-based extraction and measurement of ice wedge polygons in airborne lidar data

Abstract. We present a workflow for rapid delineation and microtopographic characterization of ice wedge polygons within high-resolution digital elevation models. The workflow, which is extensible to other forms of remotely sensed imagery, incorporates a convolutional neural network to detect pixels representing troughs. A watershed transformation is then used to segment imagery into discrete polygons. Regions of non-polygonal terrain are partitioned out using a simple post-processing procedure. Results from training and validation sites at Barrow and Prudhoe Bay, Alaska demonstrate robust performance in diverse tundra landscapes. The methodology permits fast, spatially extensive measurements of polygonal microtopography and trough network geometry.
Effect of Renal Diagnosis on Survival in Simultaneous Liver-Kidney Transplantation

Background Simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation is lifesaving, however, the utility of allocating 2 organs to a single recipient remains controversial, particularly in the face of potentially inferior survival. This study aims to determine the effect of renal indication for transplantation on simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation outcomes. Methods All adult recipients of combined whole liver-kidney transplants in the United Network for Organ Sharing database from 2003 to 2016 with a renal diagnosis of hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), acute tubular necrosis (ATN), or hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) were examined. Comparisons were made between the HTN/DM group and the ATN/HRS group using standard statistical methods. Results There were 1,204 patients in the HRS/ATN group vs 1,272 patients in the HTN/DM group. The HTN/DM patients were slightly older (58.1 vs 56.4 years; p Conclusions Despite a lower acuity of illness, HTN/DM patients have inferior survival after simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation than those with ATN/HRS. This should be considered in risk adjustment and allocation schemes.
Electronic Children's Books: Promises Not Yet Fulfilled.

The infant-toddler period is increasingly recognized as crucial for early brain and child development and school readiness.1 Parents can support cognitive, language, and social-emotional development during this period through positive parenting activities, such as reading aloud and playing together. Although parents are inundated with information suggesting that new technology can enhance or even replace books to enhance child development, little is known about whether this is true, especially in early childhood. In this issue of Pediatrics , Munzer et al2 have sought to narrow the data gap by studying interactions that take place when parents and children engage using electronic children’s books. Ideally, electronic books could increase access to a range of children’s literature through adaptation to ubiquitous digital platforms, such as tablets and electronic readers, and by offering books in multiple languages. They could make developmentally and culturally appropriate reading materials easily accessible at low cost to low-income families in the United States and globally. However, it could also be that tablet-based interfaces are less effective at supporting beneficial interactions than reading print books, especially … Address correspondence to Suzy Tomopoulos, MD, Department of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine550 First Ave, New York, NY 10016. E-mail: tomops01{at}nyulangone.org
A case of mistaken identity: classic Kaposi sarcoma misdiagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer in an atypical patient

The presentation of Kaposi sarcoma is divided into four known clinical subtypes. In this case report we describe classic Kaposi sarcoma in an African-American heterosexual, diabetic, seronegative human immunodeficiency virus male. Classic Kaposi sarcoma is rare in this patient demographic and can be easily misdiagnosed. The patient presented with a lesion between the fourth and fifth digits of his right foot which was initially diagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer. Despite local wound care, the lesion did not resolve. A shave biopsy was performed and histopathology findings were consistent with classic Kaposi sarcoma. The patient tolerated local radiotherapy well and had complete resolution of his pedal lesion. There have been emerging associations between diabetes and Kaposi sarcoma. As such, clinicians should have a low threshold when considering the biopsy of suspicious pedal lesions in patients with diabetes. The utilization of appropriate biopsy technique may lead to the diagnosis of classic KS tumors in populations outside of the current four widely accepted clinical subtypes.
Aberrant Expression of ERG Promotes Resistance to Combined PI3K and AR Pathway Inhibition through Maintenance of AR Target Genes.

Based on our previous work defining the molecular rationale for combined targeting of the PI3K and AR pathways in PTEN loss prostate cancer, the first clinical trial was recently reported demonstrating a significant benefit for combination therapy in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. In this phase II trial loss of PTEN was a biomarker predictive of response to combined AKT and AR inhibition. Given that PTEN loss prostate cancers are significantly enriched for ERG genomic rearrangements we evaluated how the aberrant expression of ERG may impact response to PI3K/AR targeted therapy. Here we show that over-expression of ERG in the setting of Pten loss promotes resistance to combined PI3K and AR pathway inhibition with associated maintenance of AR target gene expression. Importantly, following AR knock-out in the setting of ERG over-expression there is maintenance of a subset of AR lineage specific target genes making AR dispensable in this context. This has important clinical implications as even in the setting of the androgen regulated TMPRSS2:ERG genomic rearrangement, ERG expression is never abolished following AR inhibition and may allow for cell survival following AR (lineage) targeted therapies.
Relationship between left atrial volume and ischemic stroke subtype.

OBJECTIVE Atrial cardiopathy without atrial fibrillation (AF) may be a potential cardiac source of embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS). Atrial volume is a feature of atrial cardiopathy, but the relationship between atrial volume and ESUS remains unclear. METHODS We compared left atrial volume among ischemic stroke subtypes in the Cornell Acute Stroke Academic Registry (CAESAR), which includes all patients with acute ischemic stroke at our hospital since 2011. Stroke subtype was determined by neurologists per the TOAST classification and consensus ESUS definition. Left atrial volume index (LAVI) was obtained directly from our echocardiography image system (Xcelera, Philips Healthcare). We used t-tests and analysis of variance for unadjusted comparisons and targeted minimum loss-based estimation for comparisons adjusted for demographics and comorbidities. RESULTS Among 2116 patients in CAESAR from 2011 to 2016, 1293 had LAVI measurements. LAVI varied across subtypes (P < 0.001) from 48.8 (±30.0) mL/m2 in cardioembolic strokes to 30.3 (±10.5) mL/m2 in small-vessel strokes. LAVI was larger in ESUS (33.3 ± 13.6 mL/m2 ) than in small- or large-vessel stroke (30.9 ± 10.7 mL/m2 ) (P = 0.01). The association between LAVI and ESUS persisted after the adjustment for demographics and comorbidities: a 10 mL/m2 increase in LAVI was associated with a 4.4% increase in ESUS probability (95% CI, 2.3%-6.4%). Results were similar after excluding patients with AF during post-discharge heart-rhythm monitoring. INTERPRETATION We found larger left atria among patients with ESUS versus non-cardioembolic stroke. There was significant overlap in left atrial size between ESUS and non-cardioembolic stroke, highlighting that many ESUS cases are not cardioembolic.
Shear wave velocity is sensitive to changes in muscle stiffness that occur independently from changes in force.

Shear wave ultrasound elastography is a noninvasive tool for characterizing the material properties of muscle. This study is the first to compare direct measurements of stiffness with ultrasound me...
Sleep disturbance in patients with cancer: a feasibility study of multimodal therapy

Background Our aim was to determine feasibility and effect sizes of bright light therapy (BLT), melatonin (MLT), methylphenidate (MP) and eight combinations (BLT+MLT+MP, BLT+MLT, BLT+MP, BLT alone, MLT+MP, MLT alone, MP alone, placebo for BLT, MLT and MP) defined as multimodal therapy (MMT), to improve sleep quality (SQ) (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)) from baseline to day 15. We also examined the effects of MMT on insomnia, fatigue, depression, quality of life and actigraphy. Methods Patients with advanced cancer with poor SQ (PSQI ≥5) were eligible. Using a double-blind randomised factorial study design, patients were randomised into 1 of the 8 arms for 2 weeks. Feasibility and effect sizes were assessed. Results 81% (54/67) of randomised patients completed the study. There were no differences in the demographics and SQ between groups. The adherence rates for BLT, MLT and MP were 93%, 100% and 100%, respectively. BLT+MLT+placebo of MP; BLT+placebo of MLT+placebo of MP; BLT+MLT+MP showed an effect size (Cohen’s d) for change in PSQI scores of 0.64, 0.57 and 0.63, respectively. PSQI change using linear regression showed BLT (n=29) has effect size of 0.46, p=0.017; MLT (n=26), 0.24, p=0.20; MP (n=26), 0.06, p=0.46. No significant differences were observed in scores for insomnia, fatigue, depression, quality of life and actigraphy. There were no differences in adverse events by groups(p=0.80). Conclusions The use of MMT to treat SQ disturbance was feasible. BLT+MLT showed the most promising effect size in improvement in SQ, and additional larger studies are needed. Trial registration number NCT01628029.
CRT-100.82 5-Year Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Artery Dysfunction Using Pressure Drop Coefficient Versus Fractional Flow Reserve: A Pilot Study

The objective of this study is to compare the 5-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) outcomes between the pressure drop coefficient (CDP) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) groups. We hypothesize that the CDP, our fundamental fluid dynamics based coronary diagnostic index that combines pressure
Sage: practical and scalable ML-driven performance debugging in microservices

Cloud applications are increasingly shifting from large monolithic services to complex graphs of loosely-coupled microservices. Despite the advantages of modularity and elasticity microservices offer, they also complicate cluster management and performance debugging, as dependencies between tiers introduce backpressure and cascading QoS violations. Prior work on performance debugging for cloud services either relies on empirical techniques, or uses supervised learning to diagnose the root causes of performance issues, which requires significant application instrumentation, and is difficult to deploy in practice. We present Sage, a machine learning-driven root cause analysis system for interactive cloud microservices that focuses on practicality and scalability. Sage leverages unsupervised ML models to circumvent the overhead of trace labeling, captures the impact of dependencies between microservices to determine the root cause of unpredictable performance online, and applies corrective actions to recover a cloud service’s QoS. In experiments on both dedicated local clusters and large clusters on Google Compute Engine we show that Sage consistently achieves over 93% accuracy in correctly identifying the root cause of QoS violations, and improves performance predictability.
The Role of GIP in the Regulation of GLP-1 Satiety and Nausea.

Gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) is best known for its role as an incretin hormone in control of blood glucose concentrations. As a classic satiation signal, however, the literature illustrates a mixed picture of GIP involvement with an at best weak anorectic response profile being reported for GIP receptor (GIPR) signaling. Not surprisingly, the pursuit of exploiting the GIP system as a therapeutic target for diabetes and obesity has fallen behind that of the other gastrointestinal-derived incretin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). However, recent discoveries highlighted here support potential therapeutic advantages of combinatorial therapies targeting GIP and GLP-1 systems together, with perhaps the most surprising finding that GIPR agonism may have antiemetic properties. As nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects of all existing GLP-1 pharmacotherapies, the ability for GIP agonism to reduce GLP-1–induced illness behaviors but retain (if not enhance) weight loss and glycemic control may offer a new era in the treatment of obesity and diabetes.
Curating Research Careers

Providing for the long term care of and access to archaeological collections is a multifaceted area of concern. One particularly problematic class of collections are those materials resulting from research projects on federal lands conducted before long-term curation concerns were given much consideration. These collections may have enormous research potential but how to provide for their curation is not clear. We argue, using the Cedar Mesa Collection as a case in point, that such collections should be stimulating discussion about federal agency policies regarding the role of archaeological research and research collections in federal cultural resource management responsibilities.
Period-Two Solutions to Some Systems of Rational Difference Equations

We consider period-two solutions to various cases of the difference equations \(x_{n+1} = \frac{A+Bx_{n}+Cy_{n}} {D+Ex_{n}+Fy_{n}}\), \(y_{n+1} = \frac{J+Kx_{n}+Ly_{n}} {P+Qx_{n}+Ry_{n}}\). We give several examples of period-two solutions and in some cases categorize prime period-two solutions. We also apply our techniques to a single second-order rational difference equation to get circumstances leading to a prime period-two solution.
Penicillin administered vaginally and orally; comparison of plasma concentrations and urinary recoveries.

THE administration of 100,000 or more units of penicillin by the vaginal route can produce an assayable penicillemia.*ls 2l 3 Similarly, therapeutically eff ective pIasma concentrations can be obtained consistently following oral administration of penicillin in a dose of at least 100,000 units42 5~ 63 7 and there is ample justification for employing this route of administration for systemic therapy.8s s It therefore seemed purposeful to compare in the same subjects and under strict experimental conditions the plasma concentrations and urinary recoveries of penicillin obtained after the intravaginal and oral administration of the antibiotic agent.
To Emerge or Not to Emerge

Seeds Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination. Carol C. Baskin and Jerry M. Baskin. Academic, San Diego, 1998. 680 pp. $99.95. ISBN 0-12-080260-0. This is a comprehensive consideration of the phase in the life cycle of seed plants that extends from seed maturity to germination. It reflects Baskins9 three decades of detailed studies on the topic.
Cloning and expression of a smooth muscle caldesmon.

Abstract Caldesmon is a smooth muscle and nonmuscle regulatory protein that interacts with actin, myosin, tropomyosin, and calmodulin. Two overlapping clones, isolated from a chicken oviduct cDNA plasmid library and a chicken gizzard cDNA lambda NM1149 library, were used to generate a 4108-base pair sequence coding for one caldesmon. Expression of the coding sequence confirms this is one of the large smooth muscle caldesmons. The deduced protein molecular weight is 86.974, significantly less than the molecular weights estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The protein has a high content of Gly, Lys, Arg, and Ala; there are two cysteine residues, one at either end of the molecule. Comparison with the Protein Identification Resource database demonstrates a similarity with a tropomyosin binding domain of troponin T, but none with any calmodulin or actin binding proteins. The center of the protein has an 8-fold repeat of a 13 amino acid sequence whose general motif is -Glu3-(Lys/Arg)2-Ala2-Glu2-(Lys/Arg)1-X-(Lys/Arg)1-Ala1-, where X is Glu, Gln, or Ala. Comparison with peptide sequences from a chymotryptic fragment that binds actin and calmodulin places this domain on the C terminus of caldesmon adjacent to the troponin T similarity. A tentative map of the major binding domains is proposed on the basis of available data.
A Petri net with negative tokens and its application automated reasoning

A modified Petri-net model is introduced with negative tokens for automated reasoning programs. In this model, Horn and non-Horn clauses are represented by transitions and predicate symbols by places. UR-resolution is simulated by either forward or background firing of a transition and demodulation by a transition which rewrites tokens. This model is intended to provide a means to analyze structural properties of automated reasoning programs and an operational semantics of programs. >
Tourism impacts: The need for regional planning

Abstract Hudman, Lloyd E., “Tourist Impacts: The Need for Regional Planning,” Annals of Tourism Research , Vol. V, No. 1, January/March 1978, pp. 112–125. There is increased awareness and travel to third world countries particularly to Latin America. This increased tourism has both negative and positive implications. Chichicastenango is used as a case study to illustrate both and point out some problems that result which would require proper planning policies in order not to destroy the unique nature of town. Several alternatives and implications are explored.
Phosphorylation of Xanthine Dehydrogenase/Oxidase in Hypoxia

The enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several disease processes, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, because of its ability to generate reactive oxygen species. The expression of XO and its precursor xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) is regulated at pre- and posttranslational levels by agents such as lipopolysaccharide and hypoxia. Posttranslational modification of the protein, for example through thiol oxidation or proteolysis, has been shown to be important in converting XDH to XO. The possibility of posttranslational modification of XDH/XO through phosphorylation has not been adequately investigated in mammalian cells, and studies have reported conflicting results. The present report demonstrates that XDH/XO is phosphorylated in rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (RPMEC) and that phosphorylation is greatly increased (∼50-fold) in response to acute hypoxia (4 h). XDH/XO phosphorylation appears to be mediated, at least in part, by casein kinase II and p38 kinase as inhibitors of these kinases partially prevent XDH/XO phosphorylation. In addition, the results indicate that p38 kinase, a stress-activated kinase, becomes activated in response to hypoxia (an ∼4-fold increase after 1 h of exposure of RPMEC to hypoxia) further supporting a role for this kinase in hypoxia-stimulated XDH/XO phosphorylation. Finally, hypoxia-induced XDH/XO phosphorylation is accompanied by a 2-fold increase in XDH/XO activity, which is prevented by inhibitors of phosphorylation. In summary, this study shows that XDH/XO is phosphorylated in hypoxic RPMEC through a mechanism involving p38 kinase and casein kinase II and that phosphorylation is necessary for hypoxia-induced enzymatic activation.
Control theory: Measuring drug performance with a new optimization algorithm

Multi stage Monte Carlo optimization (MSMCO) is a new computer mathematics solution technique that shows promise in solving the general nonlinear model. (It also works on many linear systems). This new multi-purpose multivariate solution technique allows one to fit response curves by methods other than least squares. This paper will present several hypothetical multivariate drug interaction studies, where the curve fits (modeling the response function) are done using least absolute deviation and mini max deviation with the MSMCO algorithm. (Mini max curve fitting finds the curve, from the family of functions under consideration, such that the maximum error is minimized). Least absolute deviation and mini max curve fitting help to overcome some of the problems inherent in the least squares technique, namely the squaring of the error term tends to overemphasize outlier points. Also least squares tends to use families of functions such that the resulting normal equations are linear in the betas making the curve fit easier to solve. MSMCO can free one from these problems and allow families of functions for fitting without concern about the form of the normal equations, because the curve fitting is done directly. A sample problem would be a medical condition that has shown signs of remission with six different drugs given to patients separately. Therefore a study is conducted to see if a combination of the six different drugs could provide even better results than just separately. So various amounts of the six drugs (the six independent variables) are given to the patients over time and a response variable (that measures the remission) is recorded. These dependent variable values are then regressed on the six independent variables (using the multivariate nonlinear or linear family of functions selected for the study) with the MSMCO algorithm. Least absolute deviation, mini max (or even least squares) could be used for fitting. The resulting model is then optimized using MSMCO (representing maximum remission) or set equal to a constant, hence an equation, (which is a target goal for remission measurement) and the resulting equation is solved with MSMCO. This technique also allows for multiple health goals for the patient to be pursued simultaneously. This could give rise to systems of nonlinear equations which are also solved with MSMCO. The MSMCO technique will be illustrated and generalized with the sample problems. MSMCO could give the medical researcher one more tool in trying to understand complex multivariate drug interactions.
Constitutionalizing Information Privacy by Assumption

For more than three decades, the hypothetical constitutional right of information privacy has governed by assumption in the lower courts. The Supreme Court assumed the right into being in two cases decided in 1977, Whalen v. Roe and Nixon v. Administrator of General Services, and persisted in assuming the right exists without deciding recently in NASA v. Nelson. In the fertile murk of indecision, a hodgepodge of standards from interest balancing all the way up to strict scrutiny and a quasi-constitutional law of intuitions have arisen in the lower courts. What constitutes a violation of this assumed right? The law struggles for a standard to define a violation, but we know it when we feel it. The article contends that the very fuzziness of the hypothetical right comes from its nature as an affectively saturated moral intuition regarding the proper balance of state and citizen power and unease over incursions in times of social change. The article is also about how to translate the powerful moral intuition that the Constitution should have something to say (even if its text does not quite say it) when the government does something creepy or outrageous with our intimate information into respectable law that helps sort out the manifold meritless claims predicated on privacy as knee-jerk reaction rather than right and allows policy innovation in the laboratories of states and political branches. The article argues that privacy is a transitional lens that opens up our vision of the liberty and freedoms safeguarded in the Constitution. We need not invent or recognize a new atextual right of information privacy. Rather the concept of information privacy is a lens that brings into focus a richer vision of the meanings of textually inscribed constitutional freedoms and what it means to vindicate them.