cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Association between ESR and CRP and Systemic Hypertension in Sarcoidosis

Introduction. The association between the level of systemic inflammation and systemic hypertension (sHTN) among subjects with sarcoidosis has not been previously explored. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the relation between the level of systemic inflammation in sarcoidosis, measured by various serum inflammatory markers, and sHTN. Results. Among a total of 108 cases with sarcoidosis (mean age: 53.4 years, 76.9% females), 55 (50.9%) had sHTN and 53 (49.1%) were normotensive. ESR was highly associated with sHTN. The patients with sHTN had higher mean ESR levels compared with normotensives (48.8 ± 35 versus 23.2 ± 27 mm/hr, resp.; P = 0.001). ROC curve analysis for ESR revealed an AUC value of 0.795 (95% CI: 0.692-0.897; P = 0.0001). With regard to CRP, there was a trend towards higher mean values in sHTN group (3.4 versus 1.7 mg/L; P = 0.067) and significantly higher prevalence of sHTN in the highest CRP quartile compared to the lowest one (69.6% versus 30%; OR 4.95; P = 0.017). ROC curve analysis for CRP revealed an AUC value of 0.644 (95% CI: 0.518-0.769; P = 0.03). On multivariate analysis, ESR and the CRP remained independent predictors for sHTN among subjects with sarcoidosis. Conclusion. Systemic inflammation is associated with the presence of sHTN in sarcoidosis.
TAU-FIVE: A Multi-tiered Architecture for Data Quality and Energy-Sustainability in Sensor Networks

Current research on wireless sensor networks "WSNs" in the Internet of Things "IoT" has focused on performance, scalability and energy efficiency. Innovations in these areas have many challenges due to the increasing volume of smart device data streams in the internet of Everything "IoE". Data feeds from future IoE systems such as the internet of vehicles, smart homes and smart-cities will need real time consolidation. This merger of technologies will require innovative big data algorithms and architectures that authenticate the data streams. A primary concern is in dynamically quantifying the data quality "DQ" of the streams while constructing real-time metrics to assess the energy efficiency "EE" of these IoE devices. In order to define the relationship between sensor stream DQ and EE, we propose our multi-tiered cloud-service architecture TAU-FIVE. The technical contributions of our framework includes data quality and energy efficiency models based on 7 DQ attributes and multiple reprogrammable smart sensors that dynamically modify and regulate the DQ and EE of a WSN. Our research maintains that WSN's can balance sustainability with quality of service by creating real-time metrics that merge energy usage with data stream integrity. This equilibrium will impact energy awareness in the IoT as the multitude of batch device data streams are integrated with the variety of social and professional networks and evolve into the IoE.
Neonatal Porencephaly, Adult Stroke, and Collagen IV A1 Mutation

The relation of leukoencephalopathy, lacunar infarcts, micro- and macro-bleeds to a defect in collagen IV Al gene was examined in a family with the mutation and autosomal dominant porencephaly followed at VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
3D force/torque characterization of emergency cricothyroidotomy procedure using an instrumented scalpel

Emergency Cricothyroidotomy (CCT) is a surgical procedure performed to secure a patient's airway. This high-stakes, but seldom-performed procedure is an ideal candidate for a virtual reality simulator to enhance physician training. For the first time, this study characterizes the force/torque characteristics of the cricothyroidotomy procedure, to guide development of a virtual reality CCT simulator for use in medical training. We analyze the upper force and torque thresholds experienced at the human-scalpel interface. We then group individual surgical cuts based on style of cut and cut medium and perform a regression analysis to create two models that allow us to predict the style of cut performed and the cut medium.
Adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence for bacteriologic surveillance and reprocessing strategies for minimizing risk of infection transmission by duodenoscopes

Background and Aims Recent outbreaks of duodenoscope-transmitted infections underscore the importance of adequate endoscope reprocessing. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence testing allows rapid evaluation of endoscopes for bacteriologic/biologic residue. In this prospective study we evaluate the utility of ATP in bacteriologic surveillance and the effects of endoscopy staff education and dual cycles of cleaning and high-level disinfection (HLD) on endoscope reprocessing. Methods ATP bioluminescence was measured after precleaning, manual cleaning, and HLD on rinsates from suction-biopsy channels of all endoscopes and elevator channels of duodenoscopes/linear echoendoscopes after use. ATP bioluminescence was remeasured in duodenoscopes (1) after re-education and competency testing of endoscopy staff and subsequently (2) after 2 cycles of precleaning and manual cleaning and single cycle of HLD or (3) after 2 cycles of precleaning, manual cleaning, and HLD. Results The ideal ATP bioluminescence benchmark of P P Conclusions ATP testing offers a rapid, inexpensive alternative for detection of endoscope microbial residue. Re-education of endoscopy staff and 2 cycles of cleaning and HLD decreased elevator channel RLUs to levels similar to sterile water and may therefore minimize the risk of transmission of infections by duodenoscopes.
Multiobjective fireworks optimization framework for economic emission dispatch in microgrids

This paper proposes a new multi-objective optimization technique for economic emission dispatch in microgrids. This new technique is developed based of fireworks algorithm and is implemented in a microgrid with dispatachable microsources and non-dispatachable renewable energy resources such as solar generators. In this paper the multi-objective fireworks optimization is developed to find the most economic operating condition not only to minimize the fuel cost, but also to find the best environmentally friendly solution without violating any constraints. This method is a swarm intelligence algorithm which solves a multi-objective optimization problem much faster than other well-known algorithms with the help of a quality measure known as S-metric. The results of this new method are compared with the well-accepted methodology, non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) as the benchmark.
Abstract 4920: The detection of circulating tumor DNA using Quantstudio 3D digital PCR

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to employ the Quantstudio 3D (Q3D) system to detect circulating tumor DNA in cancer patients’ plasma. Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a non-invasive biomarker plays roles in monitoring solid tumor progression, metastasis, and therapeutic effects. The identification of ctDNA depends on mutant determination. The digital PCR technology is a powerful tool to identify ctDNA. The Q3D platform is a relatively new digital PCR systemwhcih has not been extensively tested in the detection of ctDNA. In this study, we tested the capacity of Q3D in detecting ctDNA. Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from tumor tissue of patients. Variants were identified in tumor tissue DNA by Illumina9s TruSeq Amplicon Cancer Panel. To detect the circulating tumor DNA, DNA was extracted from the plasma of the patient with known variants identified by targeted-sequencing. The circulating DNA was isolated from 400μl of plasma from 12 patients using QIAamp DNA Blood kit. The DNA concentration was measured using the Qubit 2.0. The quality and size of the circulating DNA was determined using the Agilent 2100. The circulating DNA size was approximately 170-180 nucleotides in length, as reported in literatures. The variant determination by Q3D was tested with custom TagMan SNP Genotyping Assays. The absolute copy number of variant was determined with QuantStudio® 3D AnalysisSuite™ Software. Results: We first tested several assays with known-variant tumor tissue DNA samples in Q3D. The mutants identified by assays are BRAF V600E, KRAS G12D, KRAS G12V, and PIK3CA E542K. The results showed that data points of mutant call, wild type call were well separated from non-signal data points. We examined the sensitivity of these assays using serial dilution of tumor DNA sample in non-tumor human tissue DNA. 0.1% to 1% of mutants were detectable depending specific assays. We collected circulating DNA from XX Patients’ plasma. The DNA concentrations ranged from 5 ng/ml to 30 ng/ml of plasma. KRAS G12D and G12V was detected with circulating DNA from patients carrying KRAS mutant. The mutant frequency of KRAS G12D and G12V determined by Q3D is 3.2% and 3.7%, respectively. The absolute mutant copy number for KRAS G12D is 9 and for KRAS G12V is 8. Conclusions: Q3D with validated custom TagMan SNP Genotyping Assays is applicable in detecting ctDNA. We will expect to utilize the technique to evaluate ctDNA. Citation Format: Adam H. Greer, Glenn Mills, Hong Yin. The detection of circulating tumor DNA using Quantstudio 3D digital PCR. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4920. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4920
Evolution of specificity in cartilaginous fish glycoprotein hormones and receptors

Glycoprotein hormones (GpH) interact very specifically with their receptors to mediate hypothalamic-pituitary-peripheral gland endocrine signaling. Vertebrates typically have three functionally distinct GpH endocrine signaling complexes: follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, and their receptors. Each hormone consists of a common α subunit bound to one of three different β subunits. Individual hormone subunits and receptors are present in genomes of early metazoans, and a subset of hormone subunits and receptors has been recently characterized in sea lamprey. However, it remains unclear when the full complement of hormone and receptor protein families first appeared, and when specificity of interactions between GpH hormones and receptors first evolved. Here we present phylogenetic analyses showing that the elephant shark (Callorhinchus milii) genome contains sequences representing the current diversity of all hormone subunits and receptors in these co-evolving protein families. We examined specificity of hormone and receptor interactions using functional assays testing reporter gene activation by elephant shark follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors. We show highly specific, dose-responsive hormone interactions for all three complexes. Our results suggest that co-evolution of specificity between proteins in these endocrine signaling complexes occurred prior to the divergence of Chondrichthyes from the chordate lineage.
The search for a measure of fatigue cracking in asphalt binders – a review of different approaches

Fatigue cracking is a common form of pavement failure and is strongly tied to the properties of the asphalt binder used in the mix. The Superpave grading procedure is currently used in the United States and in other parts of the world to classify and select asphalt binders for the design of asphalt mixtures. The parameter, , in the Superpave grading system is used to control the quality of the binder at intermediate temperatures. It is also used by many as a metric to measure the inherent fatigue cracking resistance of an asphalt binder. It is widely recognised that while this parameter was a significant improvement over previous binder grading and selection methods, it does not accurately measure the inherent fatigue damage resistance of asphalt binders. This paper provides a review of several studies that have attempted to develop methods to measure the fatigue damage resistance of asphalt binders during the last two decades. The studies reviewed in this paper have been classified into four main categor...
Molecular characterization of clinically defined aggressive variant prostate cancer (AVPCa) in prospectively collected tissues and corresponding patient derived xenografts (PDX).

5055 Background: AVPCa shares clinical features with small cell carcinoma (SCC) such as resistance to androgen signaling inhibition and frequent visceral metastases. A prospective clinical trial of...
Time Together: A Feasible Program to Promote parent-infant Interaction in the NICU

Music therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is often restricted to infants and families most in need because of limited time. This study explored the translation of basic aspects of the therapist-delivered contingent singing method into a program of parent-infant interaction information. A purposive sample of 13 mothers evaluated the parent education program called Time Together. The feasibility issues of acceptability and implementation were qualitatively evaluated usingRallis and Rossman's (2003)program evaluation method to identify both strengths and weaknesses. Participants reported the program to be useful, with the most positive response for the content about infant behavioral cues for interaction. The weakest aspects of translation were for key language and some aspects of visual content in the program booklet. Findings indicated that for these participants, the Time Together program provided meaningful learning about parent-infant interaction in one session.
A Game Theoretic Approach for Energy-Efficient Clustering in Wireless Sensor Networks

Selection of clusterheads using energy efficient clustering algorithms in a wireless sensor network (WSN) is very crucial as it affects the lifetime and performance of the network. As clusterheads and cluster members (i.e., non-clusterhead nodes) have a different energy consumption rates, it is necessary that all nodes resort to some rational scheme such that the connectivity and proper functioning of the network is not compromised. In this paper, we propose a Cost and Payment-based clustering Algorithm (CoPA) for achieving energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks under a game theoretical framework. The analysis is based on a non-cooperative, repeated general sum game, where each node behaves selfishly in order to maximize its lifespan (payoff). We demonstrate that the correlated equilibrium is a practical solution for clusterhead selection, which provides better performance than the Nash Equilibria. Correlated equilibrium provides a balance between the fully cooperative solution and the fully non-cooperative solution in terms of implementation overhead. CoPA produces a balanced distribution of responsibilities and energy consumption between the sensor nodes as well as maximizes the minimum payoff for every node. Results show that CoPA achieves better performance in terms of network lifetime and throughput compared to other popular clustering techniques.
Current-Induced Phase Segregation in Mixed Halide Hybrid Perovskites and its Impact on Two-Terminal Tandem Solar Cell Design

Mixed halide hybrid perovskites are of significant interest because their bandgap can be tuned as a current-matched top-cell in tandem photovoltaics. However, several mixed halide perovskites phase segregate under illumination, exhibit large voltage deficits, and produce unstable photocurrents. We investigate the origin of phase segregation and implication for tandems with mixed halide large-bandgap (∼1.75 eV) perovskites. We show explicitly that MAPb(I0.6Br0.4)3 and (MA0.9,Cs0.1)Pb(I0.6,Br0.4)3, termed “MA” and “MACs”, respectively, rapidly phase segregate in the dark upon 1 sun equivalent current injection. This is direct experimental evidence that conduction band electrons or valence band holes are the culprit behind phase segregation. In contrast, (FA0.83,Cs0.17)Pb(I0.66,Br0.34)3, or “FACs,” prepared at only 75 °C resists phase segregation below 4 sun injection. FACs prepared at 165 °C yields larger grains and withstands higher injected carrier concentrations before phase segregation. The FACs and MAC...
Microarray analysis of subcutaneous adipose tissue from mature cows with divergent body weight gain after feed restriction and realimentation.

Abstract Body weight response to periods of feed restriction and realimentation is critical and relevant to the agricultural industry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differentially expressed genes identified in subcutaneous adipose tissue collected from cows divergent in body weight (BW) gain after feed restriction and realimentation. We compared adipose samples from cows with greater gain based on average daily gain (ADG) during realimentation with samples from cows with lesser gain. Specifically, there were four comparisons including two comparing the high and low gain animals across each feeding period (feed restriction and realimentation) and two that compared differences in feed restriction and realimentation across high or low gain classifications. Using microarray analysis, we provide a set of differentially expressed genes identified between the high and low gain at both periods of nutrient restriction and realimentation. These data identify multiple differentially expressed genes between these two phenotypes across both nutritional environments.
The Effect of Pitch and Rhythm Difficulty on High School String Sight-Reading Performance:

Reading music at sight is a complex skill, requiring the musician to perform pitch and rhythm simultaneously. Previous research has identified difficulty levels for pitch and rhythm skills for stri...
Tau Phosphorylation is Impacted by Rare AKAP9 Mutations Associated with Alzheimer Disease in African Americans

We studied the effect of two rare mutations (rs144662445 and rs149979685) in the A-kinase anchoring protein 9 (AKAP9) gene, previously associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) in African Americans (AA), on post-translational modifications of AD-related pathogenic molecules, amyloid precursor protein (APP) and microtubule-associated protein Tau using lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from 11 AA subjects with at least one AKAP9 mutation and 17 AA subjects lacking these mutations. LCLs were transduced by viral vectors expressing causative AD mutations in APP or human full-length wild type Tau. Cell lysates were analyzed for total APP, Aβ40, and total and T181 phospho-Tau (pTau). AKAP9 mutations had no effect on Aβ40/APP, but significantly increased pTau/Tau ratio in LCLs treated with phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor rolipram, which activates protein kinase A. Proteomic analysis of Tau interactome revealed enrichment of RNA binding proteins and decrease of proteasomal molecules in rolipram-treated cells with AKAP9 mutations. This study shows the impact of rare functional AKAP9 mutations on Tau, a central mechanism of AD pathogenesis, in LCLs derived from AD and control subjects.
Incremental UML for agile development with PREXEL

UML creates useful visualizations but they become monolithic, complex, and expensive to maintain. In agile development, documentation is secondary, which discourages the use of UML even further. We introduce an in-code, just-in-time, maintainable approach to UML, supported by a tool called PREXEL. PREXEL minimizes interruptions in coding by allowing concise in-line specifications which automatically synthesize in-code graphical ASCII class models, class and method skeletons, and class relationships.
The effect of sodium on the MoO3$z.sbnd;SiO2-catalyzed partial oxidation of methane

The effect of sodium on the partial oxidation of methane over MoO{sub 3}-SiO{sub 2} in the presence of molecular oxygen has been investigated. As in the sodium-free case, the major products are formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water. Kinetic analysis indicates that methane is directly oxidized to formaldehyde and carbon dioxide. Formaldehyde is oxidized to carbon monoxide, which is itself further oxidized, providing an alternative route to carbon dioxide. The kinetic model shows that sodium poisons the direct oxidation of methane to formaldehyde and carbon dioxide, but promotes the oxidation of formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. Model predictions of rates and selectivities are in good agreement with the experimental data. A mechanism that explains both the poisoning and promotion effects of sodium on MoO{sub 3}-SiO{sub 2} is proposed.
Relationships between Blood and Extravascular Pco2, [H+] and [HCO3−] in Lung, Cerebrospinal Fluid, and Brain

Several investigators have observed, under conditions of little or no gas exchange, that large differences in Pco2 (APco2) occur between mixed venous blood and alveolar gas (JONES, et al. [1969]; GURTNER, SONG, and FARHI [1969]; DENNISON, et al. [1969]; GUYATT, et al. [1971]. Gurtner and his colleagues have found that ∆Pco2 was related to both [H+] and [HCO3 −] activity by the mixed venous blood. They developed a model explaining their results that involves a coupling of bulk flow, diffusion, and chemical reaction near a negatively charged capillary wall. This model was considered in their article that appeared in Respiration Physiology and will be considered only briefly at the present time. The model postulates an intracapillary H+ difference due to a negatively charged capillary wall. There is a large amount of evidence that walls of blood vessels carry fixed negative charges. This evidence is reviewed in the 1969 paper.
Commentary: The Teaching Community Health Center

The community health center (CHC), or neighborhood health center as it was originally known, was an innovation developed under President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty to address the needs of poor urban and rural Americans. The ranks of CHCs have grown from 8 pilot health centers in 1965 to more than 1,100 health centers serving over 19 million Americans in 2012. The capacity of CHCs is limited by the availability of primary care clinicians (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) who are trained to work in these settings. Primary care residency program faculties have long recognized the value and importance of educating physicians in CHCs, but productivity pressures over the past decade forced the dissolution of many CHC-medical school and residency program partnerships. Advocacy and research conducted in the 1990s and 2000s laid the groundwork for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program, funded under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which enables funding for residency training to flow directly to CHCs. This new federal initiative aligns the graduate medical education (GME) mission of preparing competent professionals with the CHC mission of providing quality and comprehensive care; it also helps address health care reform and the need for more primary care clinicians. Of the first 21 THCGME grants, 15 (71%) were awarded for family medicine residency training. As Chen and colleagues suggest in this issue of Academic Medicine, the THCGME program is an important step in reform of GME financing and training.
Medical management of aortic disease in children with Marfan syndrome.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Marfan syndrome (MFS) is the most common cause of aortic aneurysm in children and is associated with premature mortality. Whereas surgical therapy remains the primary treatment to prevent aortic complications, medical therapy may slow or prevent aortic growth. Pediatricians and pediatric cardiologists should become familiar with the diagnosis and management of MFS. This review focuses on the medical management for the most important life-threatening manifestation of MFS, thoracic aortic disease. RECENT FINDINGS Several large-scale clinical trials and one meta-analysis have been reported comparing angiotensin receptors blockers with the standard therapy, beta blockers. SUMMARY From the assembled evidence described in this review, beta blockers and angiotensin receptors blockers show clinical equivalence and either class of agent may be an appropriate choice for the medical management of aortic growth in children with MFS.
Eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein as an oncogene in breast cancer

Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4E-Binding Protein (EIF4EBP1, 4EBP1) is overexpressed in many human cancers including breast cancer, yet the role of 4EBP1 in breast cancer remains understudied. Despite the known role of 4EBP1 as a negative regulator of cap-dependent protein translation, 4EBP1 is predicted to be an essential driving oncogene in many cancer cell lines in vitro, and can act as a driver of cancer cell proliferation. EIF4EBP1 is located within the 8p11-p12 genomic locus, which is frequently amplified in breast cancer and is known to predict poor prognosis and resistance to endocrine therapy. Here we evaluated the effect of 4EBP1 targeting using shRNA knock-down of expression of 4EBP1, as well as response to the mTORC targeted drug everolimus in cell lines representing different breast cancer subtypes, including breast cancer cells with the 8p11-p12 amplicon, to better define a context and mechanism for oncogenic 4EBP1. Using a genome-scale shRNA screen on the SUM panel of breast cancer cell lines, we found 4EBP1 to be a strong hit in the 8p11 amplified SUM-44 cells, which have amplification and overexpression of 4EBP1. We then found that knock-down of 4EBP1 resulted in dramatic reductions in cell proliferation in 8p11 amplified breast cancer cells as well as in other luminal breast cancer cell lines, but had little or no effect on the proliferation of immortalized but non-tumorigenic human mammary epithelial cells. Kaplan-Meier analysis of EIF4EBP1 expression in breast cancer patients demonstrated that overexpression of this gene was associated with reduced relapse free patient survival across all breast tumor subtypes. These results are consistent with an oncogenic role of 4EBP1 in luminal breast cancer and suggests a role for this protein in cell proliferation distinct from its more well-known role as a regulator of cap-dependent translation.
Free Edge Problem for Bonded Orthotropic Elastic Layers

In this paper the plane elasticity problem of two bonded orthotropic infinite strips containing collinear cracks perpendicular to the interface is considered. By extending the cracks to the boundaries and to the interfacethe problem of a crack terminating at an interface and the free edge problem are addressed. An asymptotic analysis of the kernels of the related integral equations reveals that the stresses may display a singular behaviour at the intersection of the edge and the interface. Determination of these singularities and the stress intensity factors associated with them for various material pairs and thickness ratios is the main purpose of this study. For a crack terminating at or crossing the interface it is shown that the singularity depends on two material and three bimaterial parameters. A number of numerical examples are presented for some material pairs and different crack configurations.
Systemic Arterial Pulsatility Index Predicts Adverse Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock

Background Ventricular-arterial (VA) coupling has previously been shown to have physiologic importance in heart failure (HF). We hypothesized that a decreased systemic arterial pulsatility index (SAPi = [systemic systolic pressure - systemic diastolic pressure] / pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) would be associated with the adverse clinical outcomes in patients with systolic heart failure in cardiogenic shock (CS). Methods This was a retrospective study from a tertiary academic center. Patients with CS admitted to the coronary care unit (wedge pressure ≥15, cardiac index ≤2.2, and systolic blood pressure ≤90) were included. Using logistic regression analysis, we evaluated the association of SAPi to the outcomes of death or left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Results Among 119 patients with complete data (mean age 60.3 ± 14.7 years, 29% female), the median SAPi was 1.24 (IQR 0.91-1.68). Decreasing SAPi was strongly associated with outcome of death or LVAD [OR 0.52 (95% CI 0.29-0.95, chi square 4.54, p=0.03)]. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.62 ± 0.06 (95% CI 0.490.73). Conclusion SAPi, an index of VA coupling, integrates pulse pressure and a proxy of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. A decreased SAPi is strongly associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with CS and warrants consideration as a risk stratification tool.
PERSIANN Dynamic Infrared–Rain Rate Model (PDIR) for High-Resolution, Real-Time Satellite Precipitation Estimation

AbstractPrecipitation measurements with high spatiotemporal resolution are a vital input for hydrometeorological and water resources studies; decision-making in disaster management; and weather, cl...
When Network Slicing meets Deep Reinforcement Learning

5G will serve various new use cases that have diverse requirements of multiple resources, e.g., radio, transportation, and computing. Network slicing is a promising technology to slice the network according to the requirements of different use cases. In this work, we present an end-to-end network slicing system that leverages deep reinforcement learning to efficiently orchestrate multiple resources in radio access network, transportation network, and edge computing servers to network slices.
Enhancing Profit by Predicting Stock Prices using Deep Neural Networks

Financial time series forecasting is a challenging task, which has attracted the interest of several researchers and is immensely important for investors. In this paper, we present a deep learning system, which uses a variety of data for a subset of the stocks on the NASDAQ exchange to forecast the stock price. The prediction model is trained on the minutely data for a specific stock ticker and predicts the closing price of that stock ticker for multi-step-ahead. Our deep learning framework consists of a Variational Autoencoder for removing noise and uses time-series data engineering to combine the higher-level features with the original features. This new set of features is fed to a Stacked LSTM Autoencoder for multi-step-ahead prediction of the stock closing price. Besides, this prediction is used by a profit-maximization strategy to provide advice on the appropriate time for buying and selling a specific stock. Results show that the proposed framework outperforms the state-of-the-art time series forecasting approaches with respect to predictive accuracy and profitability.
Material anisotropy and sweep effects on the hydroelastic response of lifting surfaces

Abstract The objective is to study the hydroelastic response of composite cantilevered plates as a combined function of the material anisotropy and geometric sweep angle. For plates with a positive incidence angle, if the fibers are aligned towards the leading edge, nose-down deformations occur, which reduces lift and delays static divergence. If the fibers are aligned towards the aft, nose-up deformations occur, and the deformations increase (decrease) with forward (backward) sweep. For the cases examined, coupled-mode flutter was observed for plates in air. In water, however, flutter was caused by the emergence of a new low-frequency mode at high flow speeds. Backward sweep accelerates flutter in air, but delays flutter in water. The effect of the sweep angle was found to be secondary in contrast to the effective fiber angle. For the plates in air, the highest critical speed corresponds to a foil with a slight forward sweep with fibers aligned along the spanwise direction. For the same plate in water, a backward swept hydrofoil with fibers aligned toward the inflow was found to be the best combination to avoid divergence and flutter.
A taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional comparison of restoration seed mixes and historical plant communities in Midwestern oak savannas

Abstract Ecological restoration offers an effective way to promote recovery of natural communities and is particularly important for ecosystems that have experienced extensive habitat loss, such as oak savannas in the Midwestern USA. Seeds are commonly added to restoration sites to introduce desired species, but the identity and composition of which species are included in seed mixes varies greatly and may be influenced more by seed availability and cost rather than historic prevalence or ecological function. Therefore, a key question is how the composition and function of seeded species differs from what was historically present. Here, we compare the taxonomy, phylogeny, and functional traits of savanna seed mixes that are commercially available in the Midwest with historical vegetation surveys of savannas in southern Wisconsin. Species composition differs greatly between historical savannas and seed mixes; most species are unique to either seed mixes or historical savannas rather than shared between them. The functional overlap of species (measured via functional traits: seed mass, SLA, and plant height), however, is remarkably similar between seed mixes and historical savannas. The phylogenetic representation between the two groups is also similar, however seed mixes tend to not include certain plant families and species are more clustered across the phylogeny in seed mixes. Together, this suggests that restoration efforts using commercially available seed mixes may only partially recover the species composition of historical oak savannas, but that the functional capacity of restored sites is similar to the past. Determining how restoration seeding efforts compare to historical reference conditions is an important aspect of assessing whether restoration goals related to species composition and ecosystem function are being achieved and may identify gaps that can be filled when designing seed mixes.
Looking at Road and Railroad Development Data in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya: Rock-Solid Impacts Created by Globalization, the World Bank and Its Affiliates, As Well as by the Great Himalaya Trail

Connectivity and transportation are key topics for vast and remote wilderness areas. It usually relates to obtain resources and to connect with coastal areas and oceans; human society has always been wrapped around such schemes. However, modern forms, approaches and specifically globalization have taken havoc on wilderness landscapes by now. Here I show road, railways and airport GIS data for the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region and elaborate patterns of impact. Findings display huge disturbances (socially, environmentally, economically and overall) from such a development and show that only a few areas are left with low construction impacts of roads, railways and airports. The future plans to develop and connect the regions further, and to connect them even more globally, must be seen as a wholesale write-off for wilderness areas in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region; an iconic area of global spiritual value.
Via Ripetta 155: The last piece of Clara Sereni’s life writing story:

Clara Sereni’s writing journey began in 1974 with Sigma Epsilon and went on to flourish through the years with the publication of numerous inspiring and thought-provoking literary works. Many of he...
Virtual Telesimulation for Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PROBLEM: In March 2020, the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) became a global pandemic. Medical schools around the United States faced difficult decisions, temporarily suspending hospital-based clerkship rotations for medical students due to potential shortages of personal protective equipment and a need to social distance. This decision created a need for innovative, virtual learning opportunities to support undergraduate medical education. APPROACH: Educators at Yale School of Medicine developed a novel medical student curriculum converting high-fidelity, mannequin-based simulation into a fully online virtual telesimulation format. By using a virtual videoconferencing platform to deliver remote telesimulation as an immersive educational experience for widely dispersed students, this novel technology retains the experiential strengths of simulation-based learning while complying with needs for social distancing during the pandemic. The curriculum comprises simulated clinical scenarios that include live patient actors, facilitator interactions, and real-time assessment of vital signs, labs, and imaging. Each 90-minute session includes two sets of simulation scenarios and faculty-led teledebriefs. A team of three students performs the first scenario while an additional team of three students observes. Teams reverse roles for the second scenario. OUTCOMES: The six-week virtual telesimulation elective enrolled the maximum 48 medical students and covered core clinical clerkship content areas. Communication patterns within the virtual telesimulation format require more deliberate turn-taking than normal conversation. Using the chat function within the video-conferencing platform allowed teams to complete simultaneous tasks. A nurse confederate provided cues not available in the virtual telesimulation format. NEXT STEPS: Rapid dissemination of this program, including online webinars and live demonstration sessions with student volunteers, support the development of similar programs at other universities. Evaluation and process improvement efforts include planned qualitative evaluation of this new format to further understand and refine the learning experience. Future work is needed to evaluate clinical skill development in this educational modality.
Claudin-3 and Claudin-4: New targets for the treatment of chemotherapy resistant uterine serous papillary carcinoma using clostridium perfringens enterotoxin

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 4627 Objectives: Uterine serous papillary carcinoma (USPC) represents a highly aggressive variant of endometrial cancer characterized by early lymphatic and intra-abdominal spreading and an inborn resistance to chemotherapy. The discovery of novel and effective therapy against advanced or recurrent USPC remains a high priority. Methods: Using expression profiling we have recently reported claudin-3 and claudin-4 genes to be highly expressed in USPC. Because these tight junction proteins represent the low and high affinity receptors, respectively, for the cytotoxic Clostridium Perfringens Enterotoxin (CPE), and are sufficient to mediate CPE binding and trigger subsequent toxin-mediated cytolysis within few minutes, in this study we investigated the potential use of CPE as a novel therapy against chemotherapy resistant USPC. Results: We report that 100% (13 out of 13) of the primary flash frozen USPC tested overexpress one or both CPE-receptors by quantitative RT-PCR. Both cytoplasmic and membranous staining for claudin-4 protein expression was noted in the majority of USPC specimens (i.e., 90% score 3+ and 2+ by immunohistochemistry). In contrast, only low levels of membranous staining for claudin-4 protein was found in normal endometrial control (NEC) tissue samples. When primary USPC cell lines were incubated with different concentrations of CPE in vitro a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect was demonstrated. Importantly, all four primary chemotherapy resistant USPC cell lines available to this study were found to express claudin-3 and claudin-4 genes at high levels and, regardless of their resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, died within 1 hr to the exposure to 3.3 μg/mL of CPE in vitro. Conclusions: Our results highlight novel molecular features of USPC and provide a foundation for the development of new type-specific therapies against this highly aggressive variant of endometrial cancer.
Abstract P6-14-06: CCR5 antagonists suppresses the migration and invasion of human inflammatory breast cancer cells

Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare and highly metastatic variant of breast cancer with a poor prognosis and lower survival rate. The disease has a peculiar pattern of early recurrence to soft tissue, bone and central nervous system irrespective of molecular subtype. Currently, there are no specific therapeutic options for IBC patients, particularly there are no therapeutic agents aimed at controlling metastatic spread. Chemokine CCL5 and its receptor CCR5 play a significant role in breast cancer progression and metastasis. We have recently shown that CCR5 promotes breast cancer invasiveness and metastatic potential, and CCR5 inhibition by the FDA approved CCR5 antagonists Maraviroc and Vicriviroc reduced in vivo metastasis in a basal-like breast cancer model (Cancer Res 2012;72:3839-3850). Here, we examined the expression of CCR5, as well as the effects of CCR5 inhibition on the migration and invasion in vitro in human IBC cells. Methods: IBC cell lines SUM149, SUM190, and FC-IBC-02 derived from pleural effusion fluid of an IBC patient were examined for the CCR5 expression by immunofluorescence staining. The effects of CCR5 antagonists (Maraviroc and Vicriviroc) on cell migration and invasion in vitro were examined using matrigel-coated Boyden chamber assay in FC-IBC-02 cells, which are triple-negative, basal-like, cancer stem cell phenotype, and rapidly developed primary tumors and metastasis in vivo (Breast Cancer Res Treat 2013;140:23–33). Cells were treated by Maraviroc and Vicriviroc at 100 µM. Results: CCR5 was expressed at low positive component comprising only about 5-7 % of the total cell population in SUM 149 cells. CCR5 expression was not detected in SUM190 cells. CCR5 was expressed at significantly higher levels with a higher percentage of positive population (50-60%) in FC-IBC-02 cells compared with SUM149 cells. FC-IBC-02 cells have a relatively high percentage of CCR5 positive cells in suspension culture. CCR5 inhibition by both CCR5 antagonists Maraviroc and Vicriviroc significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of IBC cells in vitro. Maraviroc and Vicriviroc demonstrated effective agents in controlling migrations (55% and 60% relative inhibition). Conclusions: CCR5 is highly expressed in human IBC cells. CCR5 antagonists demonstrated the inhibition of migration and invasion of IBC cells. Further studies are warranted to determine the effects of CCR5 antagonists in combination with standard treatment in the ability to control IBC progression and metastasis. These results may suggest a potential antimetastatic role for CCR5-inhibitors in IBC. Citation Format: Zhaomei Mu, Xuanmao Jiao, Richard G Pestell, Massimo Cristofanilli. CCR5 antagonists suppresses the migration and invasion of human inflammatory breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-14-06.
Hydrocortisone and/or desiccated thyroid in physiologic dosage: XIX. Muscular dystrophy: Creatine phosphokinase during thyroid and alpha-tocopheryl acetate therapy

Abstract The administration of desiccated thyroid (up to 9 grains/day) and d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (500 I.U.) for 7 months to 10 patients with muscular dystrophy was accompanied by a return of increased serum CPK levels toward or to normal. Muscle strength did not change during treatment. Therapy with thyroid and the tocopheryl acetate was associated with the expected increase in serum PBI, and T 3 binding to blood cells. The serum total and beta lipoprotein cholesterol and the serum total protein and albumin decreased. Serum inorganic phosphorus rose slightly. All the other blood, serum, and urine solutes measured did not change, including serum and urine creatine and creatinine, and the urinary steroids. The half-hour blood sugar level during an oral glucose tolerance test rose slightly during thyroid-tocopheryl acetate treatment, but the values reached were still within the normal range. Evidence of iron deficiency and slight reduction in erythrocyte survival was found in several subjects during treatment with thyroid and alphatocopheryl acetate, but pretherapy findings were unavailable.
An integrated first-year engineering curriculum at North Carolina State University

A pilot offering of an integrated freshman engineering curriculum took place at North Carolina State University in the 1994-95 academic year under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation SUCCEED Coalition. In each semester the students took a calculus course, a physics course, and a one-credit engineering course, taught by a multidisciplinary team of professors. The instruction involved just-in-time presentation of fundamental material in the context of engineering problems and systems, hands-on experimentation and computer-based data analysis within most class sessions engineering design projects in each semester, extensive cooperative (team-based) learning, both in and out of class, and training in a variety of problem-solving, study, and communication skills. The paper outlines the curriculum structure and instructional approach, sketches the outcomes for the first year (detailed assessment and evaluation results will appear elsewhere), discusses obstacles to implementation of such integrated curricula, and suggests necessary conditions for overcoming the obstacles.
Biotic Integrity Index to Evaluate Water Resource Integrity in Freshwater Systems

Many varied and complex environmental problems, particularly row crop and grazing agriculture, urbanization, highway building, timber harvesting, and water projects such as dams, water withdrawals, and stream channel modifications have seriously affected the health of freshwater resources in many parts of the world. The health of aquatic resources can be measured in many ways. Among them, biotic (or biological) integrity is a concept most commonly used by the public, biologists, resource managers, and policy makers to measure the status of aquatic systems. Biotic integrity is “the capability of supporting and maintaining a balanced, integrated, adaptive community of organisms having a species composition, diversity, and functional organization comparable to that of natural habitat of the region.” Aquatic systems of high biotic integrity have a biological community in which composition, structure, and function have not been seriously altered by human activities. Such systems can withstand or rapidly recover from some perturbations imposed by natural environmental processes and survive many major disruptions induced by humans. Aquatic systems that lack integrity are often degraded and when further perturbed by natural or human-induced events are likely to change rapidly to an even more undesirable status. Keywords: index of biotic integrity; freshwater resource health; fish; macroinvertebrate; periphyton
Theoretical pharmacokinetic drug alterations in pediatric celiac disease

Introduction: The incidence of pediatric celiac disease has risen and many of these children will receive medications at some time in their life. However, the absorption of drugs in pediatric patients with celiac disease has never been studied. The few studies that do exist have only been performed in adults and indicate that drug concentrations can be altered for some drugs. It is also noteworthy that few researchers have conducted studies to determine if the distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs are altered in celiac disease.Areas covered: The pharmacokinetics of drugs greatly differ between children and adults. Combined with the pathophysiological changes known to occur with celiac disease, there is compelling evidence to support that drug exposure in pediatric celiac disease may be altered. Relevant characteristics of celiac disease that may affect drug disposition include intestinal atrophy, hypoalbuminemia, reduced CYP3A enzymes, and thyroid dysfunction.Expert opinion: The safety and effi...