cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics of potential kidney donors with asymptomatic kidney stones

Background. Patients with symptomatic kidney stones are characterized by older age, male gender, white race, hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease. Whether these characteristics differ in patients with asymptomatic kidney stones is unknown. Methods. All potential kidney donors who underwent protocol computed tomography angiograms/urograms (2000–08) at the Mayo Clinic were identified. Renal abnormalities, including kidney stones, were assessed radiographically. Comorbidities, including past symptomatic kidney stones, were abstracted from the medical record. Characteristics of persons with and without radiographic stones were compared. Stone burden among persons with and without past symptomatic stones was compared. Results. Among 1957 potential kidney donors, 3% had past symptomatic stones and 11% had radiographic stones (10% had only asymptomatic radiographic stones). Asymptomatic stone formers were more likely to be of white race, have low urine volumes and have radiographic findings of renal parenchymal thinning, focal renal scarring, medullary sponge kidney and polycystic kidney disease. Asymptomatic stone formers were not characterized by older age, male gender, hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, abnormal kidney function, hyperuricemia, hypercalcemia or hypophosphatemia. Among persons with radiographic stones, those with past symptomatic stones had a slightly higher number of stones (mean 2.7 versus 2.4; P = 0.04), but a much greater diameter for the largest stone (mean 4.8 versus 1.6 mm; P < 0.001). Conclusions. Asymptomatic kidney stone formers have different demographic characteristics and many lack the comorbidities that have been described in persons with symptomatic kidney stones. These findings suggest that different pathophysiologic mechanisms could be involved in asymptomatic stone formation versus symptomatic stone passage.
A technique for the exchange of tunneled polymeric silicone catheters and implantable infusion ports

Tunneled polymeric silicone catheters and implantable infusion ports are used with increasing frequency. Complications may occur with catheter placement or ongoing use. A new technique is described that minimizes the risks associated with catheter reinsertion in patients with tunneled polymeric silicone catheters that are either malfunctioning or mispositioned. This procedure allows for the exchange of these catheters without incurring the risk of a new venipuncture.
Predictive Planning for Heterogeneous Human-Robot Teams

This research was supported in part by AFOSR (FA9550-08-1-0086) and MURI (FA9550-08-1-0356).
Inference of blood glucose concentrations from subcutaneous glucose concentrations: applications to glucose biosensors.

An approach for inference of blood glucose concen- trations in real time is considered. First, a model that predicts the subcutaneous glucose concentration from the blood glucose concentration is presented. The model includes diffusive trans- port from the blood to the subcutaneous tissue and reactive-like cellular uptake of glucose. Next, the Phillips-Tikhonov regular- ization method is considered to solve the real-time input esti- mation problem that determines the blood glucose concentra- tion given the subcutaneous glucose concentration. The inverse problem is regularized by imposing a smoothing condition to obtain a stable solution. Three different penalization functionals were considered in evaluating the regularization method using a synthetic function that approximates the subcutaneous glucose response to an oral glucose tolerance test in a human subject. Various levels of either white noise or time-correlated noise were superimposed onto the synthetic response to evaluate the sensitivity of the inverse to measurement error. For inversion assuming only diffusive transport, the optimal time interval of integration of previous subcutaneous measurements was found to be about 1.5/a ˆ, where a ˆ 21 is the dominant time constant for the exchange of glucose between the blood and subcutaneous tissue. The optimal sampling rate was found to be 54a ˆ. Linear regularizations based on minimization of first or second deriva- tives of the blood glucose concentration were found to be satisfactory, each yielding a minimum error that was about 50% greater than the measurement error. Including nonlinear, reactive-like uptake of glucose was found to decrease the error magnification factor slightly. Both the model and the inverse method relating blood and subcutaneous glucose concentrations are successfully applied to experimental measurements using glucose biosensors reported by Schmidtke et al. ~Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:294-299, 1998! .© 1999 Biomedical En- gineering Society. @S0090-6964~99!01304-1#
An intelligent hand-held microsurgical instrument for improved accuracy

This paper presents the development and initial experimental results of the first prototype of Micron, an active hand-held instrument to sense and compensate physiological tremor and other unwanted movement during vitreoretinal microsurgery. The instrument incorporates six inertial sensors, allowing the motion of the tip to be computed. The motion captured is processed to discriminate between desired and undesired components of motion. Tremor canceling is implemented via the weighted-frequency Fourier linear combiner (WFLC) algorithm, and compensation of non-tremorous error via a neural-network technique is being investigated. The instrument tip is attached to a three-degree-of-freedom parallel manipulator with piezoelectric actuation. The actuators move the tool tip in opposition to the tremor, thereby suppressing the erroneous motion. Motion canceling experiments with oscillatory motions in the frequency band of physiological tremor show that Micron is able to reduce error amplitude by 45.3% in 1-D tests and 34.3% in 3-D tests.
The Stability of Dummy Variable Price Measures Obtained from Hedonic Regressions

Although the stability of coefficients from hedonic regressions has received much attention recently, that of dummy variable (DV) price indexes obtained from these regressions has not. In principle, one problem translates into the other only when some prices are not observed in the data. Numerically, however, DV measures obtained from a "typical" specification can be quite unstable even when the number of missing prices is small. To the extent that collinearity is an important source of the problem, functional forms that use (orthogonal) fixed effects to control for quality differences across goods should yield more stable estimates. Data for Intel's microprocessors are used to illustrate these points.
Collateral Sensitivity to Nitrosoureas in Multidrug-resistant Cells Selected with Verapamil

We have examined the effects of the nitrosoureas, streptozotocin (STZ) and 1,3-bis(chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), on a human multiple myeloma cell line, RPMI 8226, and its drug-resistant variants. Cell lines selected for doxorubicin (DOX) resistance alone displayed a STZ and BCNU cytotoxicity profile similar to that of the parent cell line. In contrast, two of the drug-resistant variants selected with DOX plus verapamil, an agent which inhibits P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance, displayed a collateral sensitivity to STZ and BCNU. Verapamil was included in the selection protocol because it has been shown to inhibit the P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance phenotype and is now in clinical trials as a chemosensitizing agent. The collateral sensitivity to these nitrosoureas seen in the DOX plus verapamil-selected cell lines is due to the functional loss of a DNA repair molecule, O6-Methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). The functional loss of MGMT is secondary to the loss of MGMT gene expression. The loss of MGMT gene expression is not due to loss or gross rearrangement of the MGMT-coding region. If this selection pressure applied in vitro reflects the in vivo situation, then new chemotherapeutic strategies may be devised to exploit this phenomenon. These cell lines will serve as useful models for delineating mechanisms which govern MGMT expression.
Design and implementation of ubiquitous smart cameras

Design aspects and software modelling for ubiquitous real-time camera system are described in this paper. We propose system architecture using a network of inexpensive cameras and perform video processing in-network. In general, ubiquitous systems have to perform spatial and temporal calibration in advance to determine timing and coordination relationship between sensor nodes, and other application specific design considerations, such as system architecture, distributed software, control authority and communication channel. A methodology for transforming well-designed single-node algorithm to distributed system is also proposed. Applications for ubiquitous cameras can be modelled as the composition of system finite state machine, functional services and middleware. A service oriented software architecture is proposed to dynamically reconfigure services when system state changes. We have developed a distributed gesture recognition system with true in-network processing to analyze video in real time. By exchanging data and control messages between neighboring sensors, each node can maintain broader view of the environment with integrated video processing results. Our prototype system is built on Windows machines, and uses Webcams as sensors and local network as communication channel.
Generalized and Specific Attachment Representations: Unique and Interactive Roles in Predicting Conflict Behaviors in Close Relationships

The authors expected that associations between the representations individuals possess regarding romantic partners and their conflict behavior would be moderated by generalized attachment representations (GAR). To test this premise, college students (N =130) were administered two attachment measures and were observed during conflict negotiation with their partners. The Relationship Styles Questionnaire assessed specific representations regarding partners and GAR were measured by the Adult Attachment Interview. The relationship between romantic partner representations and conflict tactics were dependent on GAR. Individuals who possessed secure GAR generally displayed good conflict management skills, regardless of their attachment representations regarding their romantic partners. Individuals who held more anxious or avoidant perceptions of romantic partners displayed more problematic conflict tactics if they possessed insecure GAR; however, these associations were dependent on the type of conflict behavior and the type of insecure GAR. Implications for future research are discussed.
A Test Of The M&M Capital Structure Theories

Modigliani and Miller (1958, 1963) predict two very specific relationships between firm value and the amount of debt in the firm’s capital structure, depending on whether or not the firm pays corporate income taxes. Although there has been some testing of the implications of these equations, I have been unable to find anyone who has tested them in the exact forms specified by MM. In this paper, the MM equations are tested exactly as specified. The results of these tests indicate that neither the MM tax nor the no-tax valuation equations are accurate predictors of firm value. Specifically, the value of the unlevered firm accounts for much less of firm value than predicted and the sign of the coefficient of the interest tax shield variable is negative, instead of positive as MM predict. These results are robust to the inclusion of control variables for firm growth, earnings variability, and the existence of other tax shields.
Nonlinear functions interrelating neural activity recorded simultaneously from olfactory bulb, somatomotor, auditory, visual and entorhinal cortices of awake, behaving cats

Population coding algorithms have been designed to retrodict sensory stimuli or predict motor behavior from neuronal responses (Georgopoulos et al., 1986). These include calculation of Jacobian matrices in nonlinear systems (Gaal, 1995). which made it possible to model the visuomotor hand movement task of reaching in a plane, in adaptive feedback control while updating the joint angles of a three-joint arm (Lee and Kil, 1994). The control signal was the dot product between the visual error signal and the transpose of the Jacobian matrix of the direct kinematic equation of hand movement. The trajectories of the hand were synchronized with the x and y time series outputs of coupled nonlinear equations. The equations used to calculate the adaptive feedback signal were similar to those used by Kocarev et al. (1993) to show that two different nonlinear systems could synchronize, when the difference between the goal (Lorenz system) and target signals (Chua system) was added as an adaptive feedback signal to modify the equations of the entrained (Chua) system. In robotics, the Jacobian matrix was defined by the makers of the robots. In biological systems, the matrix needs to be derived from observed time series. Experimental control and synchronization of chaos in nonlinear dynamical systems by self-controlling feedback have already been demonstrated (Pyragas, 1992; Pecora and Carroll, 1990; McKenna et al., 1994; Kelso and Ding, 1992), with applications in neurobiological control, prediction and synchronization.
A wearable vibration glove for improving hand sensation in persons with spinal cord injury using passive haptic rehabilitation

We define Passive Haptic Rehabilitation (PHR) as an improvement in haptic sensations or abilities using methods which require little or no attention on the part of the user. We present a study that suggests improvement in hand sensation in participants with partial Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in C4-T1 after use of our Mobile Music Touch (MMT) glove. The MMT glove is designed to teach piano melodies passively. It stimulates the participant's fingers repeatedly in the order of notes in the songs to be learned. In a study of ten hands, seven people with incomplete SCI participate in simple piano lessons three times a week for thirty minutes a session for eight weeks. The experimental group also attends these lessons but also wear our Mobile Music Touch (MMT) glove for two hours a day, five times a week to reinforce these lessons passively. Participants were injured over a year before the beginning of the study. The Semmes-Weinstein test is used to measure sensation at eight points on the hand before and after the piano lessons. The mean improvements between the experimental group and control group show a difference that is statistically significant. All hand areas in the experimental group show an improvement in average Semmes-Weinstein scores.
Evolutionary-guided de novo structure prediction of self-associated transmembrane helical proteins with near-atomic accuracy

How specific protein associations regulate the function of membrane receptors remains poorly understood. Conformational flexibility currently hinders the structure determination of several classes of membrane receptors and associated oligomers. Here we develop EFDOCK-TM, a general method to predict self-associated transmembrane protein helical (TMH) structures from sequence guided by co-evolutionary information. We show that accurate intermolecular contacts can be identified using a combination of protein sequence covariation and TMH binding surfaces predicted from sequence. When applied to diverse TMH oligomers, including receptors characterized in multiple conformational and functional states, the method reaches unprecedented near-atomic accuracy for most targets. Blind predictions of structurally uncharacterized receptor tyrosine kinase TMH oligomers provide a plausible hypothesis on the molecular mechanisms of disease-associated point mutations and binding surfaces for the rational design of selective inhibitors. The method sets the stage for uncovering novel determinants of molecular recognition and signalling in single-spanning eukaryotic membrane receptors.
Mean Transit Time: Proof and Esophageal Example

The transit of radioactive tracers in human systems provides information of physiologic and diagnostic importance. A simple, non-technical proof is offered for the formula for computation of mean transit time as area/height of a time-activity curve. It is specifically applicable to esophageal transit, and may also serve to illuminate other uses in nuclear medicine. The alternative centroid formula for mean transit time differs in meaning but is compatible with the area/height formula. Considerations regarding mean transit time suggest ways to determine the attenuation of radioactivity that affects a compartment under study.
Can Transabdominal Cervical Length Measurement Exclude Short Cervix

Objective This study aims to determine if transabdominal (TA) cervical length may be used to rule out a short cervix on transvaginal (TV) ultrasound. Study Design We conducted a prospective cohort study of women undergoing routine anatomic survey at 17 to 23 weeks gestation. TA and TV cervical length measurements were obtained in each patient. A short cervix was defined as TV cervical length Results There were 404 patients enrolled, a TA cervical length could not be obtained in 83 women (20.6%) and 318 women had both TA and TV measurements. Of those, 14 (4.4%) had a TV cervical length Conclusion ATA cervical length of at least 35 mm excludes a short cervix of
Robust principal component analysis via re-weighted minimization algorithms

Many standard procedures in statistics such as linear regression and principal component analysis (PCA) are inconsistent in high-dimensional settings, where the number of unknown parameters is larger than the number of available observations. This implies that consistency can only be achieved by polynomial-time methods through additional structural assumptions on the data, e.g., sparsity or manifold constraints. In Robust PCA the goal is to recover the intrinsic data structure lying in a low-dimensional subspace from noisy measurements. One formulation of this problem capitalizes on the decomposition of the data matrix into low-rank and sparse error components, which form the aforementioned structural constraints. This formulation yields a convex problem that can recover the exact components via the minimization of a weighted combination of the low-rank component's nuclear norm and the l1-norm of the sparse noise component subject to linear constraints. In this paper, we extend this approach by proposing methods that can be formulated in the general framework of majorization-minimization algorithms. The proposed methods perform at least as well as the state-of-the-art schemes for Robust PCA, while they allow for larger rank and sparsity regimes of the component matrices under exact recovery requirements. Convergence results are discussed and efficient implementations based on the general Augmented Lagrange Multiplier framework are presented.
Shape-Controlled Synthesis of SnE (E = S, Se) Semiconductor Nanocrystals for Optoelectronics

We report new methods of synthesizing colloidal SnE (E = S, Se) nanocrystals (NCs) with morphologies including quantum dots (QDs), nanoplates, single-crystalline nanosheets, nanoflowers, and nanopolyhedra. Both the selection of chalcogenide precursors and the combination of ligands play essential roles in determining the morphology of the SnS and SnSe NCs. In contrast with previous methods for synthesis of tin chalcogenide NCs, which generally used a relatively expensive and flammable organic tin precursor, bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)amino]tin(II), we employ inexpensive SnCl2 and identify chalcogenide precursors with appropriate reactivity to enable production of nearly monodisperse SnSe NCs and SnS nanostructures. A metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) device was fabricated to study the optoelectronic properties of SnSe NC thin films, spin-cast from colloidal SnSe NC dispersions. The photoresponse of the SnSe thin film to AM 1.5 simulated solar illumination demonstrates the potential of SnSe NCs for use in optoel...
Simulation of Surface Roughness Effects on Residual Stress in Laser Shock Peening

Laser peening (LP) has shown to be a viable method by which the fatigue life of metallic components can be extended. Although current commercial implementation of LP techniques has not developed much beyond a trial-and-error methodology to implement the process, researchers at several institutions have examined various parameters that affect residual stress fields induced by LP, using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and semi-empirical eigenstrain methods. This research is a preliminary investigation of a potentially under-considered variable in laser peening — material surface roughness. The influence of surface roughness on laser peening has not previously been studied through finite element modeling. The main point of interest for this work is to discover the amount that surface roughness magnitude affects the residual stresses created by LP.The FEA models, used in the exploration of surface roughness effects, had a simulated roughness produced by displacing surface nodes a pre-determined distance orthogonal to the original, smooth model surface. The amount that each node was moved was based on Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), a statistical method used to quantify uncertainties in random variables according to non-standard probability distribution functions. The KDEs were created from surface-roughness measurements taken from three separate 6061-T6 aluminum tubes. Two separate roughness sample sets were tested at magnifications of 1×, 10×, and 20× times the measured average roughness (Ra). Each roughness magnitude was simulated at peening pressures of 2, 2.5 and 3 times the Hugonoit Elastic Limit (HEL) for Al6061-T6. The 10× and 20× magnitude roughness samples produced significant changes in residual stress components relative to a smooth model, for all pressure loadings.© 2013 ASME
Wideband streaming signal analysis in PXI system

Engineers require tools to overcome the challenges of capturing gapless data and quickly locate the target signal from the data record for analysis. Today, signal analyzer operating at well 100MHz bandwidth, are being used in a diverse range of range including of LTE-advanced and 802.1 lac technologies. In this paper presents the methods of microwave vector signal streaming analysis with 100 MHz bandwidth signal capture. This application, with its 12-bit IF digitizer, enables long gapless capture of signals up to 100 MHz bandwidth to RAID storage solutions. This application includes software tools to enable signal identification and signal export to analysis software.
An Analysis of Content in Introductory Sociology Courses

The findings summarized above impress the writer as having considerable psychiatric and social significance. They indicate that in Georgia Negro mental patients have a generally unfavorable status as compared with white mental patients. Out of a total of 134 direct interracial comparisons, Negroes compare favorably with whites in only 49 instances. As compared with Georgia whites, Georgia Negroes have high hospitalization rates, notably high death rates and notably low discharge rates. Georgia Negroes are hospitalized at earlier ages, die during shorter periods of hospital residence, and die at much earlier ages, than do Georgia whites. However, Georgia Negroes compare favorably with Georgia whites in having high percentages of discharged patients classified as ''recovered" or "improved," and in having low percentages of discharged patients readmitted for further hospital treatment. The apparent relative superiority of Negroes over whites in these two series of comparisons may be, and probably is, more apparent than real, since the very high death rates of Negroes tend to make discharged Negroes a more highly selected group as to therapeutic prognosis than are discharged whites. To the extent that discharged Negroes are actually a more highly selected group therapeutically than discharged whites the latter comparisons are only spuriously favorable to Negroes. It is not the province of this paper to generalize concerning the causes of the racial differences, generally favorable to whites, herein reported. It should be said, however, that the present data do not justify the assumption of an unquestioned constitutional inferiority among Negroes; nor do they prove conclusively that Negroes have been subjected to socioeconomic or institutional discrimination prejudicial to mental health.
The lysozyme spectrum of the gram-negative bacteria.

containing lysozyme indicated that the enzyme is one of nature's defensive mechanisms. Lysozyme is currently associated with ulcerative conditions of the intestine. As a part of this syndrome, the role of lysozyme as it affects the ever-present gram-negative bacteria in the intestine is yet to be shown. The literature indicates general acceptance of the concept that these bacteria are not sensitive to the enzyme and therefore are not lysed. However, inhibition of growth and occasional lysis were observed with certain strains of pathogenic gram-negative bacteria when exposed to egg white, sputum, tears, or purified lysozyme.1"7 In 1952, Myerholtz and Hartsell8 re-
Surveillance and analysis on the suspected adverse events following immunization in Haidian District,Beijing City in 2012

Objective To analyze the occurrence features of the suspected adverse events following immunization( AEFI) in Haidian District,Beijing City in 2012,and to evaluate the implementation running status of AEFI surveillance system.Methods The data of AEFI cases in 2012 were collected from the national AEFI information system,and the descriptive methodology was employed to conduct epidemiological analysis. Results A total of 174 AEFI cases were reported in Haidian District in 2012,with the reported incidence rate and common reaction incidence rate being 12. 0 /100,000 and 6. 4 /100,000,respectively. The rates of reporting and investigation within 48 h were both 100%. 82. 2% of the AEFI cases were children aged 2 years or less,and the ratio of male to female cases was 1. 24: 1. The vaccine reactions often occurred within the first24- hour post- vaccination,without obvious clustering in seasonal distribution. The classification diagnoses of the AEFI cases showed that common and minor reactions,abnormal reactions and coincidental illness accounted for 53. 5%,31. 0% and 15.5%,respectively. Among common and minor reactions,the incidence rate of DTaP- induced fever,local swelling and scleroma was the highest( 38. 2 /100,000). Among abnormal reactions,the incidence rate of PPCV7- induced anaphylactic rash was the highest( 53. 3 /100,000). Conclusions The surveillance of AEFI cases in Haidian District is sensitive and timely,but it is still necessary to intensify the monitoring of common reactions and post- vaccination care.
Obstructive jaundice: Causes and surgical interventions

Biliary obstruction can be caused by a number of conditions and can occur in persons of all ages. In every case, prompt diagnosis affords the best opportunity for surgical therapy. Accurate preoperative diagnosis can be difficult because benign and malignant causes may appear similar radiographically. Options in surgical management can be as simple as extraction of a solitary common duct stone or as extensive as pancreaticoduodenectomy or hepatectomy and liver transplantation. Because of the risk of infection with biliary surgery, prophylactic antibiotic treatment should be considered.
Ultrafast laser studies of vibrational energy transfer in gases, liquids, and molecules on surfaces

Vibrational excitation in particular bonds strongly influences chemical reaction rates in all phases. Energy transfer at surfaces is important in physical processes such as sticking, desorption, diffusion and chemistry of oxidation, catalysis, and electronic materials processing. Until recent ultrafast laser experiments, information on rates and mechanisms of vibrational energy dissipation in large molecules or in condensed phases came from theory or was inferred from linewidths of optical spectra. We have used tunable picosecond and femtosecond IR laser pulses in pump-probe experiments to obtain time-resolved information about energy flow for high-frequency vibrations (e.g., NH, OH, NO, CO stretching modes) of molecules in the gas phase or dissolved in solvents and for ordered monolayer and submonolayer coverage of CO on the surface of single crystal Pt(111).
Magnesium-Based Corrosion Nano-Cells for Reductive Transformation of Contaminants

Magnesium, with its potential to reduce a variety of aqueous contaminants, unique self-limiting corrosion behavior affording long active life times, natural abundance, low cost, and environmentally friendly nature, promises to be an effective technology. However, nanoparticles of Mg are difficult to produce by reduction of its aqueous salts owing to the low reduction potential of Mg2+. Alternately, a top-down synthesis pathway of breaking down micro-sized Mg to nanosized particles in an inert atmosphere may be used. In the synthesis of Pd/Mg using nanotechniques, depositing nanoscale Pd islands onto microsized Mg substrates produces Pd islands with high catalytic activity at low Pd content, reduced bioavailability of Pd during the application of Pd/Mg systems, and more selective and stable Pd islands. Upon corrosion during application to aqueous systems, Mg transforms to its oxides and hydroxides, which have been reported to have anti-biofouling properties. Also, nanocrystalline MgO is known to be an efficient adsorbent for acid gases, chlorocarbons, organophosphorus compounds, alcohols, and other organics. Further, the high oxidation potential of Mg can be exploited by coupling it with a number of metals (Ni, Ag, Cu, etc.) to provide an array of efficient corrosion nano-cells. In wider environmental terms, Mg-based composites such as Pd/Mg, Ni/Mg intermetallics are being explored for hydrogen storage toward sustainable solutions to the energy crisis.
Divination, Material Culture, and Chance

Chance poses a rich field of inquiry for the material culture of divination, stretching back to antiquity. Managing randomness is a significant demand for human beings, for whom regularity is at a ...
Protocol for Biomarker Ratio Imaging Microscopy with Specific Application to Ductal Carcinoma In situ of the Breast.

This protocol describes the methods and steps involved in performing biomarker ratio imaging microscopy (BRIM) using formalin fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of human breast tissue. The technique is based on the acquisition of two fluorescence images of the same microscopic field using two biomarkers and immunochemical tools. The biomarkers are selected such that one biomarker correlates with breast cancer aggressiveness while the second biomarker anti-correlates with aggressiveness. When the former image is divided by the latter image, a computed ratio image is formed that reflects the aggressiveness of tumor cells while increasing contrast and eliminating path-length and other artifacts from the image. For example, the aggressiveness of epithelial cells may be assessed by computing ratio images from N-cadherin and E-cadherin images or CD44 and CD24 images. These ratio micrographs reveal the mesenchymal or stem cell nature of the constituent cells, respectively. This methodology is illustrated for tissue samples of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive breast cancer. This tool should be useful in tissue studies of experimental cancer as well as the management of cancer patients.
Multilevel control optimization using subsystem relative performance index sensitivity

A method is presented for the design of optimal feedback controllers for large multivariable systems with subsystem sensitivity constraints. The weighted sum of subsystem and/or operational mode relative performance index sensitivities is defined as the overall performance index. The method is developed for linear systems with quadratic performance criteria and either full or partial state feedback. An example concerning the design of a stability augmentation system for a VTOL aircraft in the transition mode demonstrates the effectiveness of the design method.
Public Health Literature Review of Fragile X Syndrome

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this systematic literature review is to describe what is known about fragile X syndrome (FXS) and to identify research gaps. The results can be used to help inform future public health research and provide pediatricians with up-to-date information about the implications of the condition for individuals and their families. METHODS: An electronic literature search was conducted, guided by a variety of key words. The search focused on 4 areas of both clinical and public health importance: (1) the full mutation phenotype, (2) developmental trajectories across the life span, (3) available interventions and treatments, and (4) impact on the family. A total of 661 articles were examined and 203 were included in the review. RESULTS: The information is presented in the following categories: developmental profile (cognition, language, functional skills, and transition to adulthood), social-emotional profile (cooccurring psychiatric conditions and behavior problems), medical profile (physical features, seizures, sleep, health problems, and physiologic features), treatment and interventions (educational/behavioral, allied health services, and pharmacologic), and impact on the family (family environment and financial impact). Research gaps also are presented. CONCLUSIONS: The identification and treatment of FXS remains an important public health and clinical concern. The information presented in this article provides a more robust understanding of FXS and the impact of this complex condition for pediatricians. Despite a wealth of information about the condition, much work remains to fully support affected individuals and their families.
Chalk House : Trying Again Using the Lessons of Anytown

This chapter gives an overview of the approach taken to develop the Chalk House learning game in response to the lessons learned from the Anytown design experience. Specifically, we built a more compact game that could be played within the constraints of the average public school day and computer lab, while adding better tracking of student activity and a substantially better development interface. We explore how state standards for writing practice were employed, with a goal of building a game that would be better accepted by teachers into classrooms and computer labs and address some of the weaknesses of the Anytown game design.
Hendee's Radiation Therapy Physics, 4th ed. TPawlicki, DJScanderbeg & GStarkschall. New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell, 2016. Hardcover 352. pp. Price: $159.95. ISBN: 978-0-470-37651-5.

This is the 4th edition of a book on the physics of radiation therapy that covers basic principles and new technologies in the field and how these apply to the clinical practice. It is a well-referenced and easy to read text. The text is designed as an alternative or supplement to other well-established books in the field of radiotherapy physics. In addition, the authors have made an extra effort to provide a concise summary of the objectives for every chapter. They even set aside a chapter on patient safety and quality improvement. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Automated Gameplay Generation from Declarative World Representations.

An open area of research for AI in games is how to provide unique gameplay experiences that present specialized game content to users based on their preferences, in-game actions, or the system’s goals. The area of procedural content generation (PCG) focuses on creating or modifying game worlds, assets, and mechanics to generate tailored or personalized game experiences. Similarly, the area of interactive narrative (IN) focuses on creating or modifying story worlds, events, and domains to generate tailored or personalized story experiences. In this paper we describe a game engine that utilizes a PCG pipeline to generate and control a range of gameplay experiences from an underlying IN experience management construct.
"Gender, Emotion, and Ethical Decision Making"

Although several studies have demonstrated that men view unethical behaviors as more permissible than women, the precise mechanisms for this gender difference remain uncertain. Two correlational st...
Physical validation of UF-RIPSA: A rapid in-clinic peak skin dose mapping algorithm for fluoroscopically guided interventions.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to experimentally validate UF-RIPSA, a rapid in-clinic peak skin dose mapping algorithm developed at the University of Florida using optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) and tissue-equivalent phantoms. METHODS The OSLDs used in this study were InLightTM Nanodot dosimeters by Landauer, Inc. The OSLDs were exposed to nine different beam qualities while either free-in-air or on the surface of a tissue equivalent phantom. The irradiation of the OSLDs was then modeled using Monte Carlo techniques to derive correction factors between free-in-air exposures and more complex irradiation geometries. A grid of OSLDs on the surface of a tissue equivalent phantom was irradiated with two fluoroscopic x ray fields generated by the Siemens Artis zee bi-plane fluoroscopic unit. The location of each OSLD within the grid was noted and its dose reading compared with UF-RIPSA results. RESULTS With the use of Monte Carlo correction factors, the OSLD's response under complex irradiation geometries can be predicted from its free-in-air response. The predicted values had a percent error of -8.7% to +3.2% with a predicted value that was on average 5% below the measured value. Agreement within 9% was observed between the values of the OSLDs and RIPSA when irradiated directly on the phantom and within 14% when the beam first traverses the tabletop and pad. CONCLUSIONS The UF-RIPSA only computes dose values to areas of irradiated skin determined to be directly within the x ray field since the algorithm is based upon ray tracing of the reported reference air kerma value, with subsequent corrections for air-to-tissue dose conversion, x ray backscatter, and table/pad attenuation. The UF-RIPSA algorithm thus does not include the dose contribution of scatter radiation from adjacent fields. Despite this limitation, UF-RIPSA is shown to be fairly robust when computing skin dose to patients undergoing fluoroscopically guided interventions.
The Pursuit of Understanding

I was born in New York in 1920 and was educated in public schools from kindergarten to City College, where I received my BS in 1941. In June 1942 I received my master’s degree in social psychology from Columbia University; that fall I was married to Etta Weissman.
CAPTOR: a class adaptive filter pruning framework for convolutional neural networks in mobile applications

Nowadays, the evolution of deep learning and cloud service significantly promotes neural network based mobile applications. Although intelligent and prolific, those applications still lack certain flexibility: For classification tasks, neural networks are generally trained online with vast classification targets to cover various utilization contexts. However, only partial classes are practically tested due to individual mobile user preference and application specificity. Thus the unneeded classes cause considerable computation and communication cost. In this work, we propose CAPTOR - a class-level reconfiguration framework for Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). By identifying the class activation preference of convolutional filters through feature interest visualization and gradient analysis, CAPTOR can effectively cluster and adaptively prune the filters associated with unneeded classes. Therefore, CAPTOR enables class-level CNN reconfiguration for network model compression and local deployment on mobile devices. Experiment shows that, CAPTOR can reduce computation load for VGG-16 by up to 40.5% and 37.9% energy consumption with ignored loss of accuracy. For AlexNet, CAPTOR also reduces computation load by up to 42.8% and 37.6% energy consumption with less than 3% loss in accuracy.
An Intraoral Closed-Loop Monitoring and Stimulation System for Treatment of Swallowing Problems

One in every 25 Americans suffer from swallowing disorders, referred to as Dysphagia. Problems in the pharyngeal phase of swallowing are hard to treat because of the neuromuscular complexity in the region and the quick passage of food (< 1 s) through the pharyngeal region. This paper proposes a new closed-loop neural stimulation approach for treating swallowing problems. This approach monitors the start of involuntary phase of swallowing by detecting the tongue-tip pressure and stimulating the soft palatal area inside the 2nd molar, potentially lesser palatine nerve, as a closed-loop. We hypothesize that the closed-loop stimulation on the soft palatal area inside the 2nd molar, timed with the onset of the pharyngeal swallowing, augments the sensory feedback and promotes triggering of the pharyngeal swallowing phase. Two experiments were performed to test the hypothesis. In the first experiment, the swallowing time and acceleration of laryngeal excursion was recorded without any stimulation. In the second experiment, stimulation was provided to the lesser palatine nerve for 500 ms when tongue tip was detached from the incisors, and the swallowing time and acceleration of laryngeal excursion was recorded. Two human subjects participated in the study. Without stimulation, both subjects showed consistent swallowing in both duration and amplitude. Stimulation reduced the peak-to-peak duration of laryngeal excursion, but the peak-to-peak amplitude of laryngeal excursion was not changed by stimulation. This study found that closed-loop stimulation onto the palatal area inside the 2nd molar, timed with the onset of the pharyngeal swallowing, can reduce the duration of the pharyngeal swallowing.
Standardizing Opioid Prescribing Practices for Cancer-Related Pain Via a Novel Interactive Documentation Template at a Public Hospital.

PURPOSE:Opioid misuse during cancer pain management places patients at risk for harm and physicians for legal liability. Identifying and monitoring patients who are at risk is challenging given the...
p-Adic Properties of Hauptmoduln with Applications to Moonshine

The theory of monstrous moonshine asserts that the coefficients of Hauptmoduln, including the $j$-function, coincide precisely with the graded characters of the monster module, an infinite-dimensional graded representation of the monster group. On the other hand, Lehner and Atkin proved that the coefficients of the $j$-function satisfy congruences modulo $p^n$ for $p \in \{2, 3, 5, 7, 11\}$, which led to the theory of $p$-adic modular forms. We combine these two aspects of the $j$-function to give a general theory of congruences modulo powers of primes satisfied by the Hauptmoduln appearing in monstrous moonshine. We prove that many of these Hauptmoduln satisfy such congruences, and we exhibit a relationship between these congruences and the group structure of the monster. We also find a distinguished class of subgroups of the monster with graded characters satisfying such congruences.
Dynamics of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria with heterocysts: a stoichiometric model

A simulation model for nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria was formulated to predict population and nutrient dynamics in water quality studies. The model tracks population biomasses of nitrogen and phosphorus, which potentially limit population growth. Lack of intracellular nitrogen cues the differentiation of specialised heterocysts for nitrogen fixation. Ecoevolutionary analysis presented here predicts that natural selection optimises heterocyst differentiation in relation to external supplies of nitrogen and phosphorus. Modelling the production of N-rich toxins (e.g. anatoxins, saxitoxins) suggests that both total biomass and the biomass N:P ratio can predict concentrations of toxins. The results suggest hypotheses that major taxa of nitrogen-fixing, nuisance cyanobacteria are differentially adapted to varying nitrogen and phosphorus supplies, and that biomass stoichiometry is related to toxins production in this major group of harmful algae. This approach can be extended into models of community and ecosystem dynamics to explore implications of nitrogen fixation for cyanobacterial biomass and toxins production.
Sustaining and Scaling Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: Implementation Drivers, Outcomes, and Considerations:

Positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) was first introduced with the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act in 1997. In this article, we describe the 25-yea...
Long-Acting Injectable Paliperidone Palmitate: A Review of Efficacy and Safety.

Objective Summarize and synthesize the current literature regarding long-acting injectable paliperidone palmitate for the treatment of schizophrenia. Methods A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted in February 2016, using the following search terms in varying permutations: schizophrenia; antipsychotic medication; long-acting injectable; paliperidone palmitate; 3-monthly injectable. Results Once-monthly injectable paliperidone palmitate (PDP) has demonstrated comparable efficacy as 1st-generation long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIAs) in reducing disease severity and re-hospitalizations in schizophrenic patients. However, PDP leads to significantly less extrapyramidal symptoms than these older medications indicating a superior safety profile. Compared to oral 2nd-generation antipsychotics, PDP has shown less incidence of disease relapse related to medication non-compliance, particularly in real world populations. It also showed a similar safety profile as oral 2nd-generation antipsychotics, but with greater incidence of mild injection-site pain. A novel 3-monthly formulation of PDP has shown similar safety and efficacy as once-monthly PDP compared to placebo. Conclusions Overall, both 1-month and 3-month formulations of PDP are safe and effective in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. They may be most effective in patients with prior failed treatment of oral antipsychotics or other LAIAs, in patients with a history of medication noncompliance, or in patients with an individual preference for less frequent dosing.
Effects of extended stance time on a powered knee prosthesis and gait symmetry on the lateral control of balance during walking in individuals with unilateral amputation.

Individuals with lower limb amputation commonly exhibit large gait asymmetries that are associated with secondary health issues. It has been shown that they are capable of attaining improved temporal and propulsive symmetry when walking with a powered knee prosthesis and visual feedback, but they perceive this pattern of gait to be more difficult. Rather than improving the efficiency of gait, improved gait symmetry may be increasing individuals’ effort associated with maintaining lateral balance. In this study, we used a simple visual feedback paradigm to increase the prosthesis-side stance time of six individuals with unilateral TFA or KD as they walked on a powered knee prosthesis at their self-selected speed. As they walked more symmetrically, we evaluated changes in medial-lateral center-of-mass excursion, lateral margin of stability, stride width, and hip abductor activity. As the subjects increased their prosthesis-side stance time, their center-of-mass excursion and hip abductor activity significantly increased, while their lateral margin of stability significantly decreased on the prosthesis-side only. Stride width remained relatively unchanged with testing condition. Extended stance time on a powered knee prosthesis (yielding more symmetric gait) challenged the lateral balance of individuals with lower limb amputation. Lateral stability may be a reason they prefer an asymmetric gait, even with more advanced technology. Hip muscular changes post-amputation may contribute to the decline in stability on the prosthesis side. Interventions and advancements in prosthesis control aimed at improving their control of lateral balance may ameliorate the difficulty in walking with improved gait symmetry.