cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Language modeling using efficient best-first bottom-up parsing

In this paper we present a two-stage best-first bottom-up word-lattice parser which we use as a language model for speech recognition. The parser works by using a "figure of merit" that selects lattice paths while simultaneously selecting syntactic category edges for parsing. Additionally, we introduce a modified version of the inside-outside algorithm used as a pruning stage between syntactic context-free parsing and lexicalized context-dependent parsing. We report our results in terms of word error rate on the HUB-1 word-lattices and compare these results to other syntactic language modeling techniques.
Statistical Methods for Data Center Thermal Management

A data center is an integrated IT system housing multiple-unit servers intended for providing various application services. A significant portion of the costs associated with operating and maintaining a data center is used for heat removal. A growing trend in the IT industry is to use computer experiments to study thermal properties of data centers because the corresponding physical experimentation can be time consuming, costly, or even infeasible. This chapter presents useful statistical methods for the design and analysis of data center computer experiments.
Antimicrobial actions of the human epididymis 2 (HE2) protein isoforms, HE2alpha, HE2beta1 and HE2beta2

The HE2 gene encodes a group of isoforms with similarities to the antimicrobial beta-defensins. We demonstrated earlier that the antimicrobial activity of HE2 proteins and peptides is salt resistant and structure dependent and involves permeabilization of bacterial membranes. In this study, we further characterize the antimicrobial properties of HE2 peptides in terms of the structural changes induced in E. coli and the inhibition of macromolecular synthesis. E. coli treated with 50 micro g/ml of HE2alpha, HE2beta1 or HE2beta2 peptides for 30 and 60 min were visualized using transmission and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the impact of these peptides on bacterial internal and external structure. The effects of HE2alpha, HE2beta1 and HE2beta2 on E. coli macromolecular synthesis was assayed by incubating the bacteria with 2, 10 and 25 micro g/ml of the individual peptides for 0–60 min and measuring the incorporation of the radioactive precursors [methyl-3H]thymidine, [5-3H]uridine and L-[4,5-3H(N)]leucine into DNA, RNA and protein. Statistical analyses using Student's t-test were performed using Sigma Plot software. Values shown are Mean ± S.D. E. coli treated with HE2alpha, HE2beta1 and HE2beta2 peptides as visualized by transmission electron microscopy showed extensive damage characterized by membrane blebbing, thickening of the membrane, highly granulated cytoplasm and appearance of vacuoles in contrast to the smooth and continuous membrane structure of the untreated bacteria. Similarly, bacteria observed by scanning electron microscopy after treating with HE2alpha, HE2beta1 or HE2beta2 peptides exhibited membrane blebbing and wrinkling, leakage of cellular contents, especially at the dividing septa, and external accumulation of fibrous materials. In addition, HE2alpha, HE2beta1 and HE2beta2 peptides inhibited E. coli DNA, RNA and protein synthesis. The morphological changes observed in E. coli treated with epididymal HE2 peptides provide further evidence for their membrane dependent mechanism of antibacterial action. HE2 C-terminal peptides can inhibit E. coli macromolecular synthesis, suggesting an additional mechanism of bacterial killing supplementary to membrane permeabilization.
Noninvasive, neuron-specific gene therapy can be facilitated by focused ultrasound and recombinant adeno-associated virus.

Noninvasive, neuron-specific gene therapy can be facilitated by focused ultrasound and recombinant adeno-associated virus
Assessment of Impervious Surface Estimation Techniques

Impervious surfaces have been identified as a reliable indicator of the impacts of development on water resources. Research has found that imperviousness has a direct effect on local surface water as well as indirect effects on downstream receiving waters. Some of the affected characteristics of a given watershed due to the increase of impervious surfaces include hydrological impacts (the amount of runoff, peak discharge rates, and baseflow are altered), physical impacts (stream morphology and temperature are changed), water quality impacts (nutrient and pollutant loads increase), and biological impacts (stream biodiversity decreases). While attention has been focused on quantifying these relationships, little work has been done to assess the efficacy of various methods for estimating and mapping impervious surfaces. This paper assesses the results from six techniques for estimating the percent of impervious surface compared to photogrammetrically derived calibration and validation data from high spatial ...
Dynamics of spatial correlation and implications on MIMO systems

The use of multiple antennas has found various applications in the area of wireless communications. One such application has recently become very popular and is referred to as the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system. The main idea behind MIMO is to establish independent parallel channels between multiple transmit and receive antennas. Each channel uses the same frequency, and the transmissions occur simultaneously. In such a configuration, the amount of data transmitted increases linearly with the number of parallel channels, which is what makes MIMO so popular in the wireless world. The enormous capacity offered by MIMO systems is not realizable when the parallel channels are highly correlated. The goal of this article is to highlight the correlation concept and its impact on MIMO systems. Although correlation can be defined in many dimensions, here we focus on spatial correlation, and specifically consider antenna correlations in mobile units. We provide an overview of spatial correlation and present its underlying parameters in detail. Special attention is given to mutual coupling since it has signal decorrelation and antenna gain reduction effects. We then present how correlation in a MIMO system affects the amount of data that can be transmitted (MIMO capacity) and briefly review how power should be distributed with the knowledge of correlation. Analyses indicate that in real propagation environments, the high capacity gain of MIMO systems can be realized with improved antenna selection algorithms and power allocation strategies.
The Substantial Authority Conduct Standard for Undisclosed Tax Positions: Establishing the Weight Afforded Acceptable Authorities

ABSTRACT: The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provides that tax return preparers who have taken undisclosed positions on tax returns must be able to demonstrate that they have met the “substantial authority” standard of conduct to avoid IRC §6694 preparer penalties. However, there is limited guidance regarding: (1) the weight to afford an authority in an analysis of the law, and (2) the level of confidence tax return preparers must have that a position taken will be upheld if challenged. In the absence of definitive guidance, tax return preparers are left to their own subjective determination regarding whether they have met the provisions of the conduct standard. This article reviews the statutory conduct provisions and factors considered by the courts in determining the precedential value, or deference, to be afforded authorities acceptable under the Code. In this article, the authors show how an analysis of case law can be used when there is uncertainty regarding the weight to afford an authority available ...
Investigating the optimal soy protein and isoflavone intakes for women: a perspective.

Traditional soyfoods have been consumed for centuries throughout much of East Asia and, recently, these foods have also become popular in the West. Soyfoods and specific soybean components, such as the protein and isoflavones, have attracted attention for their possible health benefits. Isoflavones are classified as phytoestrogens and have been postulated to be natural alternatives to hormone therapy for menopausal women. To provide guidance on optimal soy intake, this article evaluates Asian soy consumption and both clinical and Asian epidemiologic studies that examined the relationship between soy intake and a variety of health outcomes. On the basis of these data and the standard principles of dietary practice the author suggests that optimal soy protein and isoflavone intakes are 15–20 g/day and 50–90 mg/day, respectively. In addition, an intake of 25 g/day soy protein can be specifically used as the recommendation for cholesterol reduction.
Routine intravascular ultrasound scanning guidance of coronary stenting is not associated with improved clinical outcomes

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the current study was to determine whether there is any incremental benefit to routine intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance of percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods and results We compared the outcome of 796 patients who underwent an IVUS study (IVUS group) during the index stent procedure with 8274 patients who did not have an IVUS study (angiography group). The primary end point was the composite end point of death, myocardial infarction, or ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization within 9 months of the index stent procedure. There were statistically significant differences in multiple procedural characteristics. Most importantly, those patients who underwent an IVUS study had a larger postprocedural minimal lumen diameter and smaller postprocedural percent diameter stenosis. However, there was no significant difference between the IVUS group and the angiography group with respect to the primary end point (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.91, 1.32) or any of the individual clinical end points. Adjustment for multiple clinical and procedural characteristics did not significantly alter these findings. Conclusions These data suggest that the routine performance of IVUS during stent placement influences the performance of the procedure, as judged by differences in procedural characteristics, but does not improve clinical outcome at 9 months.
How to see the light cone

New experiments which probe the behavior of products of electromagnetic currents at short and lightlike distances are investigated. They require the detection of a massive $\ensuremath{\mu}$ pair in electron-positron annihilation or in electroproduction. The former reaction is studied in detail and the (considerable) background is discussed. It is shown that, in suitable kinematic regions, one can approach both the Bjorken-Johnson-Low limit and the scaling limit, and put to severe test many recent ideas regarding products of currents. In the Bjorken-Johnson-Low limit one can test models of equal-time commutation relations and measure the spectral functions of an axial-vector current. In the scaling region one can measure the matrix elements of the bilocal operators appearing in the light-cone expansion of the product of electromagnetic currents, and test the tensorial structure of this expansion which emerges from quark models. Finally, in the inclusive reaction, where a massive $\ensuremath{\mu}$ pair is produced in addition to any number of hadrons, the large hadronic mass limit of the cross section is completely determined in terms of a commutator of bilocal operators.
THE EVOLUTION OF WING COLOR IN COLIAS BUTTERFLIES: HERITABILITY, SEX LINKAGE, AND POPULATION DIVERGENCE

We investigated the genetic background of intraspecific variation in wing color across an elevational gradient in the butterfly Colias philodice eriphyle. The degree of wing melanization was an accelerating function of elevation, and differences in wing melanization persisted in a common environment. Full-sibling analysis and parent-offspring regression yielded consistent, moderate to high heritabilities for the degree of wing melanization. The breeding experiments also demonstrated that wing melanization is strongly sex linked. Because traits that differentiate sister species also tend to be sex linked, our results suggest that the genetic mechanisms underlying intraspecific differences in wing melanization are not fundamentally different from those that have been shown to differentiate sister species.
Lateral entry compared with medial and lateral entry pin fixation for completely displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children. Surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: Closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation is the treatment of choice for completely displaced (type-III) extension supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children, although controversy persists regarding the optimal pin-fixation technique. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of lateral entry pin fixation with that of medial and lateral entry pin fixation for the operative treatment of completely displaced extension supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. METHODS: This prospective, randomized clinical trial had sufficient power to detect a 10% difference in the rate of loss of reduction between the two groups. The techniques of lateral entry and medial and lateral entry pin fixation were standardized in terms of the pin location, the pin size, the incision and position of the elbow used for medial pin placement, and the postoperative course. The primary study end points were a major loss of reduction and iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury. Secondary study end points included radiographic measurements, clinical alignment, Flynn grade, elbow range of motion, function, and complications. RESULTS: The lateral entry group (twenty-eight patients) and the medial and lateral entry group (twenty-four patients) were similar in terms of mean age, sex distribution, and preoperative displacement, comminution, and associated neurovascular status. No patient in either group had a major loss of reduction. There was no significant difference between the rates of mild loss of reduction, which occurred in six of the twenty-eight patients treated with lateral entry and one of the twenty-four treated with medial and lateral entry (p = 0.107). There were no cases of iatrogenic ulnar nerve injury in either group. There were also no significant differences (p > 0.05) between groups with respect to the Baumann angle, change in the Baumann angle, humerocapitellar angle, change in the humerocapitellar angle, Flynn grade, carrying angle, elbow flexion, elbow extension, total elbow range of motion, return to function, or complications. CONCLUSIONS: With use of the specific techniques employed in this study, both lateral entry pin fixation and medial and lateral entry pin fixation are effective in the treatment of completely displaced (type-III) extension supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. ORIGINAL ABSTRACT CITATION: “Lateral Entry Compared with Medial and Lateral Entry Pin Fixation for Completely Displaced Supracondylar Humeral Fractures in Children. A Randomized Clinical Trial” (2007;89:706-12).
When the Spirit Speaks: Self-Taught Art of the South (Allen)

This work is a book review considering the title When the Spirit Speaks: Self-Taught Art of the South by Margaret Day Allen.
Turbulence Measured by Electrokinetic Transducers

An electrokinetic transducer was used to measure the electro-kinetic-potential fluctuations produced by turbulent flow of tap water in an open channel. The distributions of turbulent intensities across the channel and the mixing of wakes behind a circular cylinder in the turbulent shear flow were then inferred from the measured electrokinetic data. The results show good agreements with available data taken with a hot-wire anemometer in air flows.
Loyalty to One's Convictions: The Prosecutor and Tunnel Vision

This essay, written as part of a symposium on loyalty, examines the dynamics leading to the disturbing phenomenon of prosecutorial tunnel vision. Specifically, it asks why prosecutors become loyal to a particular version of events - the guilt of a particular suspect - even when that version of events has been discredited. The essay begins with an examination of the concept of loyalty and the ambiguities inherent in that concept. It next discusses the relevance of these ambiguities to the divided loyalties of the prosecutor within the complex group dynamics of the prosecutor's office. It then considers the prosecutor's divided loyalties as one aspect of the larger issue of divided loyalties within the adversary system. Finally, it draws on psychological insights, particularly from the field of cognitive neuroscience, to place these conflicts in the broader context of loyalty to one's beliefs. It concludes by suggesting that reforms are more likely to succeed when they recognize and attempt to ameliorate our ingrained and tenacious loyalty to pre-existing beliefs.
Children's Voice and Justice: Lawyering for Children in the 21st Century

This paper was one of the opening papers for a working conference at William S. Boyd School of Law, UNLV, in January 2006, "Representing Children in Families: Children's Advocacy & Justice Ten Years After Fordham." The conference was a reflection on and continuation of the Conference on Ethical Issues in the Legal Representation of Children. This paper introduces the project and establishes a framework for the exploration of the relationships between children's advocacy and justice. The paper is built on two premises: children's lawyers want to help children; and the natural dominance and myopia of lawyers is exacerbated when representing children in ways that can easily mask children's disparate identities and needs. The paper asserts that because children are not able to direct their lawyers as forcefully or coherently as adults, lawyers for children should exercise extra care and strategies to ascertain children's needs and wishes, such as viewing children through multiple lenses (not just "developmental" and legal) and engaging children's families and communities in our work. The paper presents three conceptual approaches for child advocacy and justice: procedural, legal and social. It then explores a manner of advocacy that might amplify the voice of children (and families and communities) both in legal proceedings to which children are parties and in defining justice.
Functional ionotropic glutamate receptors on peripheral axons and myelin.

INTRODUCTION Neurotransmitter-dependent signaling is traditionally restricted to axon terminals. However, receptors are present on myelinating glia, suggesting that chemical transmission may also occur along axons. METHODS Confocal microscopy and Ca(2+) -imaging using an axonally expressed FRET-based reporter was used to measure Ca(2+) changes and morphological alterations in myelin in response to stimulation of glutamate receptors. RESULTS Activation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors induced a Ca(2+) increase in axon cylinders. However, only the latter caused structural alterations in axons, despite similar Ca(2+) increases. Myelin morphology was significantly altered by NMDA receptor activation, but not by AMPA receptors. Cu(2+) ions influenced the NMDA receptor-dependent response, suggesting that this metal modulates axonal receptors. Glutamate increased ribosomal signal in Schwann cell cytoplasm. CONCLUSIONS Axon cylinders and myelin of peripheral nervous system axons respond to glutamate, with a consequence being an increase in Schwann cell ribosomes. This may have implications for nerve pathology and regeneration. Muscle Nerve 54: 451-459, 2016.
Thin-film Magnetism: PEEM Studies

X-ray PhotoEmission Electron Microscopy X-PEEM is a standard technique for high resolution imaging of nanometer-scale magnetic domains, surfaces, and exchange coupled ultra-thin films. This paper introduces the PEEM technique, discusses contrast mechanisms, shows examples of thin film studies, utilizing X-ray magnetic circular/linear dichroism effects (XMCD and XMLD).
Title VII Protections for Inmates: A Model Approach for Safeguarding Civil Rights in America’s Prisons

Since the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the federal courts have disagreed on whether the powerful employment protections of this Act apply to one of the largest workforces in American society: prison inmates. Despite dozens of opinions from the federal courts, there has been no resolution of this issue. This Note examines the circuit split on Title VII rights for prison inmates and proposes a model for facilitating Title VII claims by prisoners. Part I explains the development of the prison labor system in the United States and the importance of Title VII employment protections for American society. Part II examines the split of authority among the circuit courts on Title VII protections for inmates. The Tenth Circuit prohibits Title VII suits by inmates, while the Ninth Circuit and others have allowed inmates to bring Title VII claims. Part III argues that the Tenth Circuit has adopted a flawed analysis for denying these employment protections. Rejecting the Tenth Circuit’s analysis, Part III argues that the federal courts should engage in a detailed fact-intensive inquiry into the relationship between the inmate and the prison facility to determine whether a qualified employment relationship exists. Finally, Part III proposes a more thorough analysis to guide courts in determining whether an inmate is covered by Title VII.
Minority Stress, Body Shame, and Binge Eating Among Lesbian Women Social Anxiety as a Linking Mechanism

Minority stress, which includes discrimination as well as internalized negative attitudes, is an important factor associated with maladaptive health behaviors such as binge eating among sexual mino...
Electronic Transport and Doping Effects in Reduced Graphene Oxide Measured by Scanning Probe Microscopy

We present a Scanning Probe Microscopy study of doping and sensing properties of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based nanosensors. rGO devices are created by dielectrophoretic assembly of rGO platelets onto interdigitated electrode arrays, which are lithographically pre-patterned on top of SiO2/Si wafers. The availability of several types of oxygen functional groups allows rGO to interact with a wide range of organic dopants, including methanol, ethanol, acetone, and ammonia. We perform sensitive Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy (SKPM) measurements on patterned rGO electronic circuits and show that the local electrical potential and charge distribution are significantly changed when the device is exposed to organic dopants. We also demonstrate that SKPM experiments allow us to quantify the amount of charge transferred to the sensor during chemical doping, and to spatially resolve the active sites of the sensor where the doping process takes place.
Airway vasodilation by bradykinin is mediated via B2 receptors and modulated by peptidase inhibitors

We studied the effect of exogenous bradykinin on blood flow in the airway microcirculation of anesthetized F344 rats in vivo. We made three successive determinations of airway blood flow and cardiac output using a modification of the reference sample microsphere technique. Injection of bradykinin into the left ventricle increased airway blood flow in a dose-related manner. Pretreatment with the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, Hoe 140, completely abolished bradykinin-, but not histamine-induced vasodilation. A bradykinin B1 receptor agonist, [des-Arg9]bradykinin, did not affect airway blood flow. We also studied the effect of inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (captopril) and neutral endopeptidase (phosphoramidon) on bradykinin-induced vasodilation. Pretreatment with captopril, but not phosphoramidon, potentiated the bradykinin-induced vasodilation. However, the addition of phosphoramidon further potentiated the effect of captopril. We conclude that injection of bradykinin into the left ventricle produces a dose-related vasodilation in the airway microcirculation mediated via B2 receptors, an effect that is modulated primarily by angiotensin-converting enzyme and, to a lesser extent, by neutral endopeptidase.
Superhydrophobic Coatings on Asphalt Concrete Surfaces: Toward Smart Solutions for Winter Pavement Maintenance

Millions of dollars are annually spent for ice or snow removal from the roadways and airport paved surfaces in cold regions. The presence of snow or ice on paved areas can cause traffic accidents and financial loss because of flight cancellations or delays. For mitigating winter pavement maintenance issues, the use of superhydrophobic (super-water-repellent) coating techniques is gaining attention as a smart and cost-effective alternative to traditional snow and ice removal practices. This study focuses on creating, characterizing, and evaluating innovative superhydrophobic coatings on asphalt concrete surfaces for ice- and snow-free flexible pavement applications. The layer-by-layer (LBL) method was used to create an asphalt concrete surface coating with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a well-known super-ice- and super-water-repellent material. Superhydrophobicity and skid resistance of the coated asphalt concrete surface were characterized by the water contact angle, the work of adhesion, and the coef...
Auto-immune diseases. General considerations.

Autoantibodies may develop against denatured or normal tissue components. In some instances, these autoantibodies seem to occur as a result of tissue damage; in others, they may appear without known antecedent tissue damage. In either case, an immunologic contribution to disease may evolve. The mechanisms by which immunologic factors contribute to disease are being clarified in the laboratory and are providing major bases for our understanding of auto- sensitivity diseases.
HPLC-ESI/MS determination of itraconazole in human plasma

Objective:To establish a method of liquid chromatography electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry to determine itraconazole in human plasma.Method:Diazepam as internal standard;After extraction with methylt-bu- tyl ether,plasma sample was separated on a Kromasil 100 C~(18)colum(5 μm,10 mm×0.21 mm),with mobile phase 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile(30:70),at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min~(-1)。The electrospray ion trap mass spec- trum in the positive mode and selected reaction monitor(SRM)were adopted to detect the concentration of itracon- azole.Results:The standard curves were linear over the range 5.0-400.0 ng·mL~(-1)tor itraconazole in human plasma,the lower limits of assay was 1.0 ng·mL~(-1);The mean inter-and intra-day variation coefficients were less than 15%;The relative recovery averaged between 90%-110%.Conclusion:The method is simple,sensitive and reproducible,and the results are reliable and accurate for determination of itraconazole.
PET imaging: update on sarcomas.

Sarcomas are a group of tumors with highly variable character istics and clinical outcomes. Their locations in almost all body locations present unique challenges for diagnosis and management. These challenges have presented opportunities for evaluation and validation of new imaging techniques. Positron-emission tomography (PET) has been evaluated for use in cancer over the years, and in particular, it has been evaluated in sarcoma diagnosis and treatment evaluation.
Agriculture in Taiwan and South Korea

US economic and political policies and interventions supported materially beneficial development in Taiwan and South Korea. They were intended to serve as models of noncommunist, politically stable and economically successful societies operating with freemarket institutions within the US sphere of influence. The generalization of their actual experience as a model of foreign-assisted, state-led development would, if replicated currently, be quite costly: politically, socially and economically. The following chapter will show that the actual model East Asian countries followed contrasts with the ‘free-market’ model that is currently touted by the US and international agencies. The East Asian model involves high direct costs associated with significant changes in class relations and extensive economic aid as well as high indirect costs associated with providing access to developed country (especially US) markets. In the geopolitical context of post-WWII East Asia, the US was willing and able to pay these costs to demonstrate the superiority of freemarket institutions within the sphere of US influence.
Association of Integrated Team-Based Care With Health Care Quality, Utilization, and Cost

Importance The value of integrated team delivery models is not firmly established. Objective To evaluate the association of receiving primary care in integrated team-based care (TBC) practices vs traditional practice management (TPM) practices (usual care) with patient outcomes, health care utilization, and costs. Design A retrospective, longitudinal, cohort study to assess the association of integrating physical and mental health over time in TBC practices with patient outcomes and costs. Setting and Participants Adult patients (aged ≥18 years) who received primary care at 113 unique Intermountain Healthcare Medical Group primary care practices from 2003 through 2005 and had yearly encounters with Intermountain Healthcare through 2013, including some patients who received care in both TBC and TPM practices. Exposures Receipt of primary care in TBC practices compared with TPM practices for patients treated in internal medicine, family practice, and geriatrics practices. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes included 7 quality measures, 6 health care utilization measures, payments to the delivery system, and program investment costs. Results During the study period (January 2010-December 2013), 113 452 unique patients (mean age, 56.1 years; women, 58.9%) accounted for 163 226 person-years of exposure in 27 TBC practices and 171 915 person-years in 75 TPM practices. Patients treated in TBC practices compared with those treated in TPM practices had higher rates of active depression screening (46.1% for TBC vs 24.1% for TPM; odds ratio [OR], 1.91 [95% CI, 1.75 to 2.08), adherence to a diabetes care bundle (24.6% for TBC vs 19.5% for TPM; OR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.11 to 1.42]), and documentation of self-care plans (48.4% for TBC vs 8.7% for TPM; OR, 5.59 [95% CI, 4.27 to 7.33]), lower proportion of patients with controlled hypertension ( P > .008). Payments to the delivery system were lower in the TBC group vs the TPM group ($3400.62 for TBC vs $3515.71 for TPM; β, −$115.09 [95% CI, −$199.64 to −$30.54]) and were less than investment costs of the TBC program. Conclusions and Relevance Among adults enrolled in an integrated health care system, receipt of primary care at TBC practices compared with TPM practices was associated with higher rates of some measures of quality of care, lower rates for some measures of acute care utilization, and lower actual payments received by the delivery system.
Bleeding risk with clopidogrel and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Aim To compare bleeding within 48 h in patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) with or without clopidogrel. Methods After institutional review board approval, a retrospective study involving a single center was conducted on adult patients having PEG (1/08-1/14). Patients were divided into two groups: Clopidogrel group consisting of those patients taking clopidogrel within 5 d of PEG and the non-clopidogrel group including those patients not taking clopidogrel within 5 d of the PEG. Results Three hundred and nineteen PEG patients were found. One hundred and sixty-eight males and 151 females with mean body mass index 28.47 ± 9.75 kg/m(2) and mean age 65.03 ± 16.11 years were identified. Thirty-three patients were on clopidogrel prior to PEG with 286 patients not on clopidogrel. No patients in either group developed hematochezia, melena, or hematemesis within 48 h of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). No statistical differences were observed between the two groups with 48 h for hemoglobin decrease of > 2 g/dL (2 vs 5 patients; P = 0.16), blood transfusions (2 vs 7 patients; P = 0.24), and repeat endoscopy for possible gastrointestinal bleeding (no patients in either group). Conclusion Based on the results, no significant post-procedure bleeding was observed in patients undergoing PEG with recent use of clopidogrel.
Nonadherence to Oral 6-Mercaptopurine (6MP) in a Multi-Ethnic Cohort of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Its Impact On Relapse – a Children's Oncology Group (COG) Study (AALL03N1)

Abstract 882 Background: Nearly 20% of children with ALL relapse within 5y from diagnosis. Second-line therapies are toxic and salvage is poor. Systemic exposure to 6MP is critical for durable remissions; low systemic exposure due to nonadherence to oral 6MP could potentially increase relapse risk. We have previously reported on adherence to oral 6MP in non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics, (J Clin Oncol 2012;30:2094-101 ); this report extends follow-up for assessment of disease status by 68,250 person-days for non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics; it also includes adherence data for a previously unreported cohort of African American and Asian children. The goal of this report was to: i) describe adherence to oral 6MP in a multi-ethnic cohort of children with ALL; ii) identify determinants of adherence; iii) describe impact of adherence on relapse; and iv) define a clinically-relevant level of adherence needed to minimize relapse risk. Methods: Microprocessor chips in Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) caps recorded date/time of 6MP bottle openings for 6 mos/ patient. Adherence rate was defined as days of 6MP bottle opening, divided by days of prescribed 6MP (removing days when 6MP was withheld for toxicity/illness from denominator). Monthly red cell thioguanine nucleotide (TGN) levels were used to demonstrate that MEMS bottle openings were accompanied by 6MP ingestion. Analyses used Generalized Estimating Equations. Results: 462 patients (168 Hispanics; 157 non-Hispanic whites; 69 Asians; 68 African Americans) yielded 76,055 person-days of adherence data. Median age at participation was 6y (2-20); 67% were males; 40% had high-risk disease per NCI criteria; 61% reported income · 10 8 red cells) increase in TGN (p=0.01). Adherence declined from mo 1 (94.4%) to mo 6 (89.2%, p Fig C); and Hispanics (90.5±1.6%), Asians (85.3±3.7%) and African Americans (85.3±2.9%) compared with non-Hispanic whites (95.3±1.2%, p st CR. Conclusions: Non-adherence to 6MP is prevalent in children with ALL; 45% consume Disclosures: Relling: St. Jude Children9s Research Hospital: Dr. Mary Relling receives a portion of the income St. Jude receives from licensing patent rights related to TPMT polymorphisms and GGH polymorphisms. Dr. Mary Relling receives a portion of the income St. Jude receives from licensing patent rights related to TPMT polymorphisms and GGH polymorphisms. Patents & Royalties; Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding.
Artifacts and allegiances: how museums put the nation and the world on display

There is more international migration and settlement in the world today than ever before; people are more cosmopolitan than ever before; there are more museums than ever before; and there are more ...
Developing an Obesity Prevention Intervention in Virtual Worlds: The International Health Challenge in Second Life

Normal.dotm 0 0 1 176 1007 University of Texas at Austin 8 2 1236 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Virtual worlds (VW) present an exciting range of possibilities for health researchers and practitioners. The value of this technology lies its ability to tap into non-traditional participant pools, to use innovative and effective forms of social interaction, and to facilitate cost-effective solutions to common challenges. The International Health Challenge (IHC) was a health intervention study done entirely in the VW of Second Life (SL) aimed at determining the feasibility and effect of obesity prevention interventions in VWs. The IHC initially started as a strategy to develop a multicultural obesity prevention project in SL as evidenced by a full service build, activities, and participating resident avatars. Using existing resources and extensive social networks, together with volunteer assistance, the IHC flourished into a full scale health intervention with the goals of improving health knowledge, attitudes and behavior among resident avatars. In the absence of clear technological and methodological precedence, our multidisciplinary team developed a novel system of in-world and Web-based interactive measurement tools, data management solutions, and participant recruitment and retention strategies.
Pre-meal inulin consumption does not affect acute energy intake in overweight and obese middle-aged and older adults: A randomized controlled crossover pilot trial:

Background:Three-fourths of adults older than 55 years in the United States are overweight or obese. Prebiotics including inulin-type fructans may benefit with weight management.Aim:We aimed to inv...
Is statin therapy safe and effective in patients with chronic Kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk. This elevated risk for cardiovascular events exists even in the largest subpopulation with milder stages of CKD, prior to the development of significant reductions in renal excretory function. Statin therapy is a critical component of primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention efforts for at-risk patients. Efficacy in the CKD population, however, has appeared less robust across the spectrum of CKD, particularly in hemodialysis patients. This article will review the current state of knowledge on statin therapy in CKD, effects on renal outcomes, safety in this population and alternative lipid therapies.
Comments on: Big data in finance and the growth of large firms, by Juliane Begenau & Maryam Farboodi & Laura Veldkamp

Abstract “Big Data in Finance and the Growth of Large Firms” (BFV) investigate how big data is connected to firm size via the impact of bid data on cost of external financing. This short comment notes that big data may impact firm size directly via investment.
The Hippocampal System and Recombinant Processing

Last night, during surgery, a graduate student, in discussing his future, made the comment that the hippocampus was the black hole of the neurosciences. Surveying the four volumes that Isaacson and I have edited on the subject, I began to wonder whether perhaps he was correct, especially when I recalled that these four volumes do not contain their own reviews of the prodigious efforts of Brenda Milner, Ross Adey, James Olds, Mortimer Mishkin, and the teams of Squire and Zola-Morgan and of O’Keefe and Nadell, all of whom were asked but for one reason or other could not participate.
QUANTITATION OF LYMPHOCYTE BLAST TRANSFORMATION BY FLOW CYTOFLUOROMETRY

Publisher Summary This chapter describes an experiment in which lymphocyte responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), common antigen, and allogeneic cell stimulation in the in vitro culture was quantitated by counting blastoid “pyroninophilic” cells using acridine orange staining, flow cytofluorometry, and a technique that stains DNA green and RNA metachromatically red. Mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood were incubated in microtiter plates under standard conditions up to 7 days in the presence of stimulators of blast transformation. At 24-hour intervals, duplicate cultures were assayed for radiothymidine incorporation into DNA by standard techniques and assayed for percent stimulated cells using flow cytofluorometry. Stimulated cells with red fluorescence values—falling outside the locus of unstimulated cells—were counted and percentages of transformed cells were calculated. Studies of lymphocyte transformation in response to different doses of PHA show variation in both the percent of responding cells and the amount of RNA synthesized per cell. Percent blast cells correlate with 14 C -thymidine incorporation after 72 hours in microculture.
Reasons for Living Among U.S. Army Personnel Thinking About Suicide

Reasons for living are associated with reduced suicide risk, but have not received much empirical attention among U.S. military personnel, a population with elevated suicide risk. The present study examined the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Brief Reasons for Living Inventory (BRFLI) in a clinical sample of 97 treatment-seeking Army personnel with recent suicide ideation and/or a history of suicide attempts. Results supported a five-factor structure for the BRFLI. Each factor had good internal consistency (ω’s > 0.94) and demonstrated convergent and divergent validity. Survival and coping beliefs and responsibility to family subscale scores were negatively correlated with recent suicidal thinking. Responsibility to family subscale scores were associated with significantly reduced risk of suicide attempts during follow-up. BRFLI subscale scores showed little to no clinical responsivity following intervention. Results suggest survival and coping beliefs and responsibility to family may be protective for high-risk military personnel.
Abstract 2287: Precise common and rare germline CNV calling with GATK

We propose, implement, and evaluate a novel method (GATK gCNV) for accurate discovery of rare and common copy-number variations (CNVs) from read-depth data obtained from whole genome sequencing (WGS), whole exome sequencing (WES), or custom gene panels. GATK gCNV utilizes a sophisticated Bayesian model to learn bias factors arising from sequencing and library preparation. This model accounts for ploidy of sex chromosomes and autosomal aneuploidies, treats GC bias probabilistically, and automatically determines the necessary level of model complexity in a data-driven manner. Unlike most existing read-depth methods, GATK gCNV maintains a high level of sensitivity in common CNV regions, due to a hierarchical hidden Markov model used for accurate genotyping of multi-allelic loci. Furthermore, GATK gCNV performs bias modeling and CNV discovery simultaneously and self-consistently, resulting in significantly improved sensitivity and precision. Our implementation utilizes the PyMC3/Theano framework for performing automatic differentiation variational inference (ADVI). In addition, GATK gCNV automatically scatters large tasks across multiple machines using the Cromwell/WDL framework, enabling the scalable processing of large cohorts. We use GATK gCNV to compute copy-number transmission and de novo rates in a cohort of WES trios and observe consistency with observed population metrics. Furthermore, we benchmark GATK gCNV for sensitivity, precision, and reproducibility of both rare and common CNV calls. Using a cohort of WES blood normal samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we show that GATK gCNV calls are in remarkable concordance with Genome STRiP calls on matched WGS data and gCNV substantially outperforms XHMM and CODEX. We also validate GATK gCNV calls on WGS data against calls made using PacBio long reads. Citation Format: Mehrtash Babadi, Samuel K. Lee, Andrey Smirnov, Lee Lichtenstein, Laura D. Gauthier, Daniel P. Howrigan, Timothy Poterba. Precise common and rare germline CNV calling with GATK [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2287.
Structured Public Health Scenario Analyses Promote Critical Thinking in Undergraduate Students

Critical thinking is an important skill for students and public health practitioners alike, but ensuring and measuring its development beyond a theoretical framework is challenging. In this article...
FRACTURE TOUGHNESS ASSESSMENT OF DEEP WELL ROCK USING CCNBD AND SCB TEST PROTOCOLS

Fracture mechanics is widely deployed in stone fracture modeling, digging with hydraulic, and dynamic fracture techniques for assessing the effects of rock fracture mechanical properties on different hydraulic fracture digging process. To get a better insight about the process, testing the actual rock samples can be extremely imperative. This study, indeed, attempts to evaluate the fracture toughness of actual rock samples using two different test protocols, i.e., Cracked Chevron Notched Brazilian Disc (CCNBD) and Semi-Circular Bend (SCB). The results indicate that similar behavior is observed for the samples under the two tests. However, due to the geometry, created a crack, and the loading conditions of the prepared samples, the fracture occurs for the SCB samples under a less needed force. The results also indicate that the SCB test samples yield more fracture toughness.
VISUAL SYSTEMS VIEW OF LARGE SCALE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FROM OIL SHALE DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST

ABSTRACT The author explores visual Environmental Impact Statements as an alternative to more usual written Environmental Impact Statements pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of the United States Congress. Oil shale plant development in Western Colorado is considered as an opportunity to view large scale environmental systems change using primarily visual means. Visual Environmental Impact Statement procedure is compared to present written Environmental Impact Statement procedure and the advantages and disadvantages in each method is discussed.
Off-Target Impacts: Tracing Public Participation in Policy Making for Agricultural Biotechnology:

Drawing on public comments and drafts of an environmental impact statement, this article examines public participation in policy making via the federal Web site Regulations.gov. Aiming to be our “v...
Utility of Commercial Satellite Shortwave Infrared Multispectral Imagery for Precise Geo-location of Active Wildfires Through Heavy Smoke Clouds over the California Camp Fire

The California Camp Fire, which began on November 8, 2018, is California’s deadliest fire to date. Largely a result of extremely dry fuel and weather conditions, extensive drought, and directional winds, the fire killed 85 people in Butte County and the town of Paradise. As I aimed to apply remote sensing to the enhancement and expedition of wildfire detection, this research specifically investigates the implementation of commercial satellite shortwave infrared (SWIR) multispectral imagery (MSI) for precise geo-location of active wildfires through heavy smoke clouds over these areas of California. Utilizing Environment for Visualizing Images (ENVI) analysis software and data collected by DigitalGlobe’s WorldView-3 satellite, which has an 8-band SWIR MSI sensor with a peak spatial resolution of 3.7 meters, I was able to identify the exact locations of the wildfires and track their movement through the dense smoke from November 15 to November 20. Particularly, I derived class images based on areas termed regions of interest (ROIs) where the detected radiance of Band 8, the longest wavelength band, was over 500 mW/cm 2 -sr-nm, a minimum threshold determined by analysis of a SWIR Band 8 radiance histogram. I further employed ArcMap of ArcGIS to provide geospatial registering of the data, displaying both the WorldView-3 SWIR MSI false-color with RGB from Band 8, Band 2, and Band 1, respectively, and the accompanying class images of wildfire regions. Additionally, I affirmed that Band 8 is the optimal SWIR MSI band for detection due to its greatest sensitivity, or the ratio of intensity of the fire and non-fire pixels, in comparison to the other bands. Ultimately, this research illuminated the significance of SWIR MSI for high-accuracy detection of wildfires through smoke in the context of the California Camp Fire. Such results may have global implications, enabling officials and emergency response teams to rapidly determine the extent of a wildfire. As such, future work could involve implementing a plan in fire-prone regions to incorporate satellite SWIR MSI through communicating with local departments, thus contributing to the improvement of safety worldwide.