cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic stress elevates telomerase activity in rats

The enzyme telomerase lengthens telomeres—protective structures containing repetitive DNA sequences at chromosome ends. Telomere shortening is associated with diseases of ageing in mammals. Chronic stress has been related to shorter immune-cell telomeres, but telomerase activity under stress may be low, permitting telomere loss, or high, partially attenuating it. We developed an experimental model to examine the impacts of extended unpredictable stress on telomerase activity in male rats. Telomerase activity was 54 per cent higher in stressed rats than in controls, and associated with stress-related physiological and behavioural outcomes. This significant increase suggests a potential mechanism for resilience to stress-related replicative senescence.
The neurology of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

HIV-infected patients are at markedly increased risk for neurological dysfunction, which may occur at any level of the neuraxis (see Table 1). The most common syndromes–AIDS dementia complex, vacuolar myelopathy, and possibly distal symmetric peripheral neuropathy–appear to be related to HTV infection within the nervous system, rather than due to the immunoincompetence caused by HIV. However, the mechanism(s) by which HIV causes these syndromes, e.g., infecting neurons or oligodendroglia directly, interfering with neurotrophic factors, effecting toxic monokine production, etc., is unknown. Early, albeit incomplete, success with azidothymidine is encouraging. Less commonly, neurological syndromes may be secondary to the immunoincompetence produced by HIV. Many different etiologies - most of which are treatable - have been encountered, but a few of these (cerebral toxoplasmosis, cryptococcal meningitis, primary CNS lymphoma, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) are responsible for most of the opportunistic complications. Marked differences in symptoms and signs between AIDS patients and immunologically normal patients may complicate recognition of some of these diseases (e.g., herpes simplex encephalitis). Finally, some HIV-associated syndromes, e.g., inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and retinal raicrovasculopathy, are of unknown etiology.
Cloning, sequencing, and characterization of a complementary DNA from Haematobia irritans irritans (Diptera: Muscidae) that shares significant homology to a yeast ATPase

A study of the molecular genetics of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans irritans (L.), has resulted in the isolation and sequencing of a 2316-bp complementary DNA (cDNA) clone, HFN2b. An open reading frame was found, the deduced 464 amino acid sequence of which encodes a protein with 40% identity to AFG1, a member of a yeast family of ATPases; it contains an ATP- or GTP-binding P-loop motif. Northern and Southern blot analyses do not reveal significant differences in the expression of the gene homologous to HFN2b when comparing laboratory-reared horn flies that are susceptible or resistant to pyrethroid insecticides.
Parent-Child Discrepancies in Reporting of Child Depression in Ethnic Groups

Although parent-child discrepant reporting of child depressive symptoms has been an issue, it is not well understood whether there are ethnic differences and what factors influence such differences. Using data from a large community-based study, our sample included 516 sixth-grade students and their parents. Results indicate that African and Asian students had greater discrepancies than European students on depressive symptoms and suicide ideation. Parenting was a significant predictor of discrepant reporting, but not parent history of depression. Future research should investigate underlying mechanisms of family factors in ethnic groups and barriers to utilization of mental health services.
Phenol Sulphotransferase in Human Platelet and other Tissues: Endogenous Inhibitors, Assay Conditions, Tissue and Substrate Correlations

Phenol sulphotransferase (E.C. 2.8.2.1, PST) plays an important role in the sulfate conjugation of catecholamines, catecholamine metabolites, and a variety of drugs such as acetaminophen and alpha-methyldopa (Richter, 1940; Axelrod et al., 1959; Levy et al., 1975; Saavedra et al., 1975; Alam et al., 1977). Individual variation in neurotransmitter function and in response to phenolic and catechol drugs might be due, in part, to individual variations in PST activity. Very little is known about the regulation of PST activity in man. One initial step in the study of individual variation in this important enzyme would be to measure PST activity in an easily obtained peripheral tissue. Since blood is the most easily obtained human tissue, the measurement of PST activity in formed blood elements such as erythrocytes and platelets represents one approach to the study of PST activity in man. However, it cannot be assumed that variations in PST activity in blood elements necessarily reflect significant functional variations in sulfate conjugation. It must first be demonstrated that the biochemical characteristics and the regulation of the enzyme in blood are similar to those in other tissues.
Band structure and optical properties of pseudomorphic Ge 1−x−y Si x Sn y on Ge

Ge is an indirect band gap material. The band structure of Ge is a strong function of strain and alloy composition, and a transition from an indirect to a direct band gap has been observed for y∼6–10% for relaxed Ge 1_y Sn y indicating the possibility of widespread applications of Ge-based photonic devices. The pseudomorphic nature of the Ge-based alloy layer on a substrate is important to keep dislocation densities low at the interface to improve the performance of the device. Band gap engineering of Ge by controlling strain and alloying with Si and Sn has attracted great interest since Ge 1−x−y Si x Sn y ternary alloy with two compositional degrees of freedom allows decoupling of the lattice constant and electronic structures. Hence the knowledge of the compositional and strain dependence of the Ge 1−x−y Si x Sn y band structure is critical for the design of photonic devices with the desired interband transition energies.
Energetics of the Eukaryotic Edge

The most conspicuous feature in the landscape of cell evolution is the tremendous rift that separates eukaryotes from prokaryotes. This is not apparent at the level of ribosomal RNA sequences, or of molecular biology in general, but leaps to the eye of anyone intrigued by form, function, and evolutionary potential. Prokaryotes have been biochemically most inventive, and found access to all the practicable energy sources our planet has to offer. It’s a good rule of thumb that, if a chemical reaction yields sufficient energy to support life, a prokaryote exists that exploits it. But when judged by their morphology and organization, prokaryotes seem to have advanced little beyond their fossil ancestors of 2 to 3 billion years ago. Some, it is true, have attained structural and behavioral complexity beyond the norm: cyanobacteria and planctomycetes with their internal membranes come to mind, and so do myxobacteria with their elaborate fruiting bodies and wolf-pack hunting habit. Still, these pale by comparison with even the plainest of eukaryotic protists, whose cells are typically a thousand times larger and stuffed with functional machinery. It is almost seems as though the prokaryotes made repeated starts up the ladder of complexity, but always fell short. By contrast eukaryotes, despite their meager metabolic repertoire, burst whatever constraints hampered prokaryotes to experiment with the opportunities afforded by greater cell size and more elaborate organization. Just what is it that made the eukaryotic mode of life so much more “evolvable” than the prokaryotic one?
Planar Supported Membranes with Mobile SNARE Proteins and Quantitative Fluorescence Microscopy Assays to Study Synaptic Vesicle Fusion

Synaptic vesicle membrane fusion, the process by which neurotransmitter gets released at the presynaptic membrane is mediated by a complex interplay between proteins and lipids. The realization that the lipid bilayer is not just a passive environment where other molecular players like SNARE proteins act, but is itself actively involved in the process, makes the development of biochemical and biophysical assays particularly challenging. We summarize in vitro assays that use planar supported membranes and fluorescence microscopy to address some of the open questions regarding the molecular mechanisms of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion. Most of the assays discussed in this mini-review were developed in our lab over the last 15 years. We emphasize the sample requirements that we found are important for the successful application of these methods.
The Expanded Use of Autoaugmentation Techniques in Oncoplastic Breast Surgery.

Background:Autoaugmentation techniques have been applied to oncoplastic reductions to assist with filling larger, more remote defects, and to women with smaller breasts. The purpose of this report is to describe the use of autoaugmentation techniques in oncoplastic reduction and compare the results
On the Induced Ramsey Number IR(P3, H)

The induced Ramsey number IR(G, H) is the least positive integer N such that there exists an N-vertex graph F with the property that for each 2-coloring of its edges with red and blue, either some induced in F subgraph isomorphic to G has all its edges colored red, or some induced in F subgraph isomorphic to H has all its edges colored blue. In this paper, we study IR(P 3, H) for various H, where P 3 is the path with 3 vertices. In particular, we answer a question by Gorgol and Luczak by constructing a family {H n n=1 ∞ such that \( \mathop {lim}\limits_{n \to \infty } \sup \tfrac{{IR(P_3 ,H_n )}} {{IR_w (P_3 ,H_n )}} > 1 \), where IR w(G, H) is defined almost as IR(G,H), with the only difference that G should be induced only in the red subgraph of F (not in F itself) and H should be induced only in the blue subgraph of F.
A modified Mueller medium without native protein for tetanus toxin production.

BENEDICT, R. G., SCHMIDT, W. H., AND COGHILL, R. D. 1946 The stability of penicillin in aqueous solution. J. Bacteriol., 51, 291-292. CLARKE, H. T., JOHNSON, J. R., AND ROBINSON, R. 1949a The chemistry of penicillin. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N. J., p. 96. CLARKE, H. T., JOHNSON, J. R., AND ROBINSON, R. 1949b The chemistry of penicillin. Princeton University Press, Princeton, N. J., p. 672. CORSE, J. W., JONES, R. G., SOPER, Q. F., WHITEHEAD, C. W., AND BEHRENS, 0. K. 1948 Biosynthesis of penicillins V. substituted phenylacetic acid derivatives as penicillin precursors. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 70, 2837-2843. EAGLE, H. 1947a The therapeutic activity of penicillins F, G, K, and X in experimental infections with Pneumococcus Type I and Streptococcus pyogenes. J. Exp. Med., 85, 175-186. EAGLE, H. 1947b The varying blood levels afforded by penicillins F, G, K and X in rabbits and man. J. Exp. Med., 85, 163-173. GAILEY, F. B., STEFANIAK, J. J., OLSON, B. H., AND JOHNSON, M. J. 1946 A comparison of penicillin producing strains of Penicillium notatum-chrysogenum. J. Bacteriol., 52, 129-140. GILMAN, H., AND BLATT, A. H. 1948 Organic synthesis, collected volume I. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, N. Y., pp. 52-53. HEWITr, W. L., AND PIrrMAN, M. 1946 Antibacterial action of penicillin, penicillin X, and streptomycin on Hemophilus influenzae. U. S. Public Health Repts., 61, 768-778. JARVIS, F. G., AND JOHNSON, M. J. 1947 The role of the constituents of synthetic media for penicillin production. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 69, 3010-3017. KARNOVSKY, M. L., AND JOHNSON, M. J. 1949 Filter paper chromatography of penicillin broths. Anal. Chem. 21, 1125-1132. THORN, J. A., AND JOhINSON, M. J. 1950 Precursors fo aliphatic penicillins. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 72, 2052-2058
Proteasome inhibitor bortezomib augments tumor therapy with TRAIL receptor agonist antibody MD5-1.

5483 Resistance to cell death exhibited by growing tumor cells constitutes an important clinical problem. Ongoing work from our laboratory has shown the importance of the death receptor-mediated effector pathway for tumor cytolysis in vivo. Furthermore, we found that a proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (also known as Velcade, PS-341) significantly increased the sensitivity of various mouse tumor cells to death receptor-mediated apoptosis in vitro . Molecular mechanisms of bortezomib sensitization of tumor cells to apoptosis included an increase in the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand death receptor (DR5) and enhanced activation of caspase-8 and 3. A decrease in the cellular Fas-associated death domain-like IL-1-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein (cFLIP) and other downstream cellular inhibitors of apoptosis cIAP-1 and XIAP was also observed. No apparent changes were observed in Bcl-2 family proteins following bortezomib sensitization of these mouse tumor cells. In addition, there was no sensitization of tumor cells to apoptosis by the specific inhibitors of NFκB, helenalin and SN-50, implying that bortezomib sensitizes tumor cells to apoptosis in an NFκB-independent manner. In order to determine the therapeutic role of death-receptor mediated death in vivo, we designed a combination therapy regimen of bortezomib and agonist DR5 monoclonal antibody MD5-1 in renal (Renca) and mammary (4T1) carcinomas. Growth of various mouse tumors following multiple cycles of combination therapy of Bortezomib plus MD5.1 was evaluated. Interestingly, the combination therapy regimen significantly decreased the formation of lung metastases of Renca and mammary 4T1.2 carcinomas following intravenous injection and extended the survival of mice. A significant but less remarkable therapeutic effect was also observed following intraperitoneal injection of tumors. The results show a positive anti-tumor therapeutic benefit in vivo on combining bortezomib and DR5 mAb. The implications of utilizing molecular targeting to both destroy tumor cells and potentially promote subsequent anti-tumor immune responses will be discussed. Funded in part by DHHS #NO1-CO-12400
Integrating Safety Plans for Suicidal Patients Into Patient Portals: Challenges and Opportunities

Safety planning is an emerging evidence-based practice that is effective at decreasing suicidal behaviors. As electronic medical records and patient portals become more prevalent, patients and clinicians have recognized the value of using this technology in the safety planning process. This column describes the experience of one federally qualified health center, the Institute for Family Health, in integrating safety plans into the patient portal. The authors argue that incorporating safety plans into patient portals may unlock a new to way to expand safety planning efforts in health settings-a way that may ultimately save lives.
The Faith of Black Politics: The Relationship Between Black Religious and Political Beliefs:

Scholars argue that the Black church produces religious messages that foster racial cohesion; however, recent examinations of Black religion note the heterogeneity of the messages and beliefs advan...
More than the sum of its parts: how disturbance interactions shape forest dynamics under climate change

Interactions among disturbances are seldom quantified, and how they will be affected by climate change is even more uncertain. In this study, we sought to better understand how interactions among disturbances shift under climate change by applying a process-based landscape disturbance and succession model (LANDIS-II) to project disturbance regimes under climate change in north-central Minnesota, USA. Specifically, we (1) contrasted mortality rates and the extent of disturbance for four individual (single) disturbance regimes (fire, insects, wind, or forest management) vs. all four disturbance regimes operating simultaneously (concurrent) under multiple climate change scenarios and (2) determined how climate change interacts with single and concurrent disturbance regimes to affect carbon stocks and forest composition. Under single disturbance regimes, we found that climate change amplifies mortality, but did not substantially change the overall extent of disturbances. Tree mortality under the concurrent disturbance regime scenario was less than the sum of all single disturbance regimes, providing evidence of significant negative feedbacks among disturbances, particularly under climate change. Finally, we found that climate change was the most critical driver of area harvested (via shifts in species composition), soil carbon, species composition, and diversity, while the disturbance regime (i.e., single or concurrent) had a larger influence on aboveground carbon and the relative dominance of conifers vs. hardwoods. In conclusion, our simulations suggest that disturbance interactions will be strongly mediated by climate change and will produce increasingly negative feedbacks, preventing worst-case disturbance outcomes. Our results underscore the importance of running simulations with multiple disturbances on the landscape concurrently rather than focusing on any one or two disturbances.
Community acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis: a case report.

Introduction Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis is most commonly seen as a nosocomial infection and in post-neurosurgical patients. Reports of community acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis cases are rare in the United States. The objective of this case report is to discuss an uncommon pathogen causing meningitis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, its risk and prognostic factors and to emphasize the importance of early recognition and appropriate antibiotic treatment. Case report We report a clinical case of adult community acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae meningitis with recovery. A 54-year-old diabetic male presented with two-week history of intermittent fevers, acute bilateral ear pain, headache and unsteady gait. Broad spectrum antibiotics were initiated. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated in the cerebrospinal fluid cultures. The patient recovered with only mild hearing loss in his left ear. Conclusion Our case highlights the importance of suspecting Klebsiella pneumoniae in community acquired meningitis.
An Intelligent Software Agent Architecture for Distributed Cartographic Knowledge Bases and Internet Mapping Services

Publisher Summary The Internet can provide interactive display and multimedia functions for digital maps and remotely sensed imagery. One major problem for the development of Internet mapping facilities is information overload. It is a challenge for the cartographic community to make Internet mapping accessible to users and to help users adapt cartographic concepts and rules to their web mapping applications at the same time. This chapter also introduces a possible solution by adopting software agents in the architecture of Internet mapping facilities. In contrast to a traditional expert systems approach, the use of software agents emphasizes that their knowledge bases are located in hundreds of distributed small agent programs instead of a single huge omnipotent computer machine. The design of an intelligent software agent can facilitate the establishment of distributed cartography knowledge bases (CKB), which can help map users to access/distribute/exchange different cartographic rules, map symbols, color schemes, and design layouts through the Internet.
Invasive group A streptococcal disease: race, hypotension, and immunogenetics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there was an association between race and the incidence of hypotension among patients hospitalized for invasive group A streptococcal disease (IGASD). DESIGN: Data were obtained from a retrospective cohort study of IGASD patients. The subjects were hospitalized throughout Florida for IGASD between 1996 and 2000 (N=151). The exposure variable for the current study was race (African Americans, Caucasians). The binary outcome was the presence of hypotension within 48 hours of hospital admission. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine if a particular human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II haplotype (DRB1*1501/DQB1*0602) confounded the association between race and the risk of hypotension. IGASD patients possessing this haplotype are less likely to experience hypotension with multiple organ failure. RESULTS: We found that Caucasians had three times the odds of developing hypotension than African Americans (adjusted odds ratio=3.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.10-8.29, P=.03). The sensitivity analysis revealed that the HLA class II haplotype DRB1*1501/DQB1*0602 was most likely not a confounder. CONCLUSIONS: Caucasians were significantly more likely than African Americans to develop the adverse outcome of hypotension within 48 hours of being hospitalized for IGASD. This excess risk is most likely not due to a particular host genetic factor, the HLA class II haplotype DRB1*1501/DQB1*0602.
The Formation of the English Common Law: Law and Society in England from King Alfred to Magna Carta

The Formation of English Common Law provides a comprehensive overview of the development of early English law, one of the classic subjects of medieval history. This much expanded second edition spans the centuries from King Alfred to Magna Carta, abandoning the traditional but restrictive break at the Norman Conquest. Within a strong interpretative framework, it also integrates legal developments with wider changes in the thought, society, and politics of the time. Rather than simply tracing elements of the common law back to their Anglo-Saxon, Norman or other origins, John Hudson examines and analyses the emergence of the common law from the interaction of various elements that developed over time, such as the powerful royal government inherited from Anglo-Saxon England and land holding customs arising from the Norman Conquest. Containing a new chapter charting the Anglo-Saxon period, as well as a fully revised Further Reading section, this new edition is an authoritative yet highly accessible introduction to the formation of the English common law and is ideal for students of history and law.
Pneumocystis Jirovecii: Quality Improvement of Prophylaxis in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

Introduction Pneumocystis jirovecii is an uncommon life threatening infection with a predilection towards immune compromised individuals. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend anti-Pneumocystis prophylaxis in all hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) patients. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is a category 1 recommendation due to its significant reduction in Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) occurrence and related mortality, as well as its activity against other infectious agents, such as Nocardia. Objectives A retrospective chart review was performed to assess if our medical center's practice aligned with the standard guidelines for PCP prophylaxis in HCT patients. We aimed to identify factors contributing to deviation from guidelines as potential targets for process interventions. Methods Chart review was performed on all patients who received a stem cell transplant from 2011 to 2017. Information collected included: type of PCP prophylaxis, factors contributing to use of alternative therapy, breakthrough cases of Pneumocystis jirovecci or other infections. Results Of 204 charts reviewed, 11 were excluded due to early death. Most patients 85% (n=165) received TMP-SMX, 14.5% (n=27) received alternative therapy and 0.5% (n=1) received no prophylaxis. Reasons for alternative therapy included: allergy/intolerance, pancytopenia, renal insufficiency and elevated liver enzymes. There were no breakthrough cases of PCP. There were two breakthrough cases of Nocardia in patients not receiving TMP-SMX and a single case where a patient did not receive PCP prophylaxis due to miscommunication between the transplant physician and the primary oncologist. Conclusion Over the past several years there has been a trend towards choosing alternative agents, especially in the allogenic population, without impacting the incidence of PCP. However, there were two cases of breakthrough Nocardia when alternative agents were used. Development of a checklist, which outlines antibiotic prophylaxis and duration of treatment, may enhance communication between the transplant physician, primary oncologist and medical team.
Bayesian Framework Approach for Prognostic Studies in Electrolytic Capacitor under Thermal Overstress Conditions

Electrolytic capacitors are used in several applications ranging from power supplies for safety critical avionics equipment to power drivers for electro-mechanical actuator. Past experiences show that capacitors tend to degrade and fail faster when subjected to high electrical or thermal stress conditions during operations. This makes them good candidates for prognostics and health management. Model-based prognostics captures system knowledge in the form of physics-based models of components in order to obtain accurate predictions of end of life based on their current state of heal th and their anticipated future use and operational conditions. The focus of this paper is on deriving first principles degradation models for thermal stress conditions and implementing Bayesian framework for making remaining useful life predictions. Data collected from simultaneous experiments are used to validate the models. Our overall goal is to derive accurate models of capacitor degradation, and use them to remaining useful life in DC-DC converters.
Opportunity for performance measurement: 30-day mortality following cancer surgeries across U.S. hospitals.

e18221Background: While public reporting of surgical outcomes for non-cancer conditions is common, measures of outcomes following surgery for cancer have generally been excluded. This is true even ...
Enabling machine learning in X-ray-based procedures via realistic simulation of image formation.

Machine learning-based approaches now outperform competing methods in most disciplines relevant to diagnostic radiology. Image-guided procedures, however, have not yet benefited substantially from the advent of deep learning, in particular because images for procedural guidance are not archived and thus unavailable for learning, and even if they were available, annotations would be a severe challenge due to the vast amounts of data. In silico simulation of X-ray images from 3D CT is an interesting alternative to using true clinical radiographs since labeling is comparably easy and potentially readily available. We extend our framework for fast and realistic simulation of fluoroscopy from high-resolution CT, called DeepDRR, with tool modeling capabilities. The framework is publicly available, open source, and tightly integrated with the software platforms native to deep learning, i.e., Python, PyTorch, and PyCuda. DeepDRR relies on machine learning for material decomposition and scatter estimation in 3D and 2D, respectively, but uses analytic forward projection and noise injection to ensure acceptable computation times. On two X-ray image analysis tasks, namely (1) anatomical landmark detection and (2) segmentation and localization of robot end-effectors, we demonstrate that convolutional neural networks (ConvNets) trained on DeepDRRs generalize well to real data without re-training or domain adaptation. To this end, we use the exact same training protocol to train ConvNets on naive and DeepDRRs and compare their performance on data of cadaveric specimens acquired using a clinical C-arm X-ray system. Our findings are consistent across both considered tasks. All ConvNets performed similarly well when evaluated on the respective synthetic testing set. However, when applied to real radiographs of cadaveric anatomy, ConvNets trained on DeepDRRs significantly outperformed ConvNets trained on naive DRRs ( $$p<0.01$$ ). Our findings for both tasks are positive and promising. Combined with complementary approaches, such as image style transfer, the proposed framework for fast and realistic simulation of fluoroscopy from CT contributes to promoting the implementation of machine learning in X-ray-guided procedures. This paradigm shift has the potential to revolutionize intra-operative image analysis to simplify surgical workflows.
The Heart is a Dust Board: Abu'l Wafa Al-Buzjani, Dissection, Construction, and the Dialog Between Art and Mathematics in Medieval Islamic Culture. An Article

Penrose tilings and Arabic Mathematical explorations. One single article published in the 2010 HOM-SIGMAA publication by the Mathematical Association of America.
African Communication Paradigms Between Yesterday and Tomorrow: Preserving and Enhancing Africanity in the Digital Age

One of the innate characteristics of innovation is that it is disruptive, and the main attribute of innovation-induced disruption is generally positive in some respects and negative in others. The current revolution in information and communication technology (ICT) is no exception. On the contrary, the disruptiveness of this revolution has been particularly pervasive and far-reaching. This chapter examines some of the disruptive effects of the ICT revolution on African communication paradigms that are central to African communitarianism, itself a primordial component of African civilization. Those are the socio-philosophical, culturological, and axiological paradigms. The chapter stems from the postulate that Africans are ultimately responsible for making the new ICTs an instrument for building viable communities, creating knowledge, and solving problems while preserving authentic African values.
Who Is in the Crowd? Characterizing the Capabilities of Prize Competition Competitors

This article leverages a unique field experiment to characterize who in the crowd is willing and able to solve complex engineering design problems for the prospect of a prize. Contrary to popular skepticism, we find that the crowd is highly capable of not only providing quality point solutions but also contributing valuable engineering insight. However, although a diverse population of more than 9000 registrants showed initial interest in the competitions, of the 255 judgeable solutions received, the majority of good solutions came from solvers with prior within-discipline experience. Of those, more of the good solutions came from solvers who perceived the relevant problem as “at the boundary” of their expertise. This suggests that while complex engineering design problems do require some threshold of relevant training and skills, prize competitions still play an important role in attracting solvers who perceive themselves to be adjacent to the problem. Furthermore, the submissions revealed a role for solvers in the crowd in augmenting traditional concept generation and tradespace exploration processes, by leveraging the independence of solvers in the crowd. These findings contribute an empirical basis for resolving how and when the crowd can be used most effectively, as part of an innovation toolkit.
Treatment Strategies and Outcomes of Pediatric Esthesioneuroblastoma: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Esthesioneuroblastoma, also known as olfactory neuroblastoma, is a small round blue cell tumor of nasal neuroepithelium first described in 1924. Though this tumor is especially rare in the pediatric population with an incidence of less than 0.1 per 100,000, it is the most common pediatric nasal cavity neoplasm. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the treatment modalities utilized for pediatric esthesioneuroblastoma and overall survival. Methods: A systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Pubmed, EMBASE, and Ovid MEDLINE databases were queried for studies pertinent to treatment modalities for pediatric esthesioneuroblatoma and survival outcomes. Results: 276 articles were identified, with seven meeting inclusion criteria. Ninety-four patients with an age range of 0.9 to twenty-one years old with esthesioneuroblastoma were included. Nearly 90% of patients were of stage Kadish B or C at time of presentation, while 20% presented with cervical lymphadenopathy. Only about 10% of patients underwent single modality therapy. Overall, five-year survival ranged from 44% to 91% with a median follow-up of 3 to 13 years. Conclusion: Children with esthesioneuroblastoma usually present at an advanced stage and undergo multi-modality therapy at a higher rate than adult patients. There is a wide range of documented overall survival though this lack of precision could be due to a paucity of patients.
Sub-triangle opacity masks for faster ray tracing of transparent objects

We propose an easy and simple-to-integrate approach to accelerate ray tracing of alpha-tested transparent geometry with a focus on Microsoft® DirectX® or Vulkan® ray tracing extensions. Pre-computed bit masks are used to quickly determine fully transparent and fully opaque regions of triangles thereby skipping the more expensive alpha-test operation. These bit masks allow us to skip up to 86% of all transparency tests, yielding up to 40% speed up in a proof-of-concept DirectX® software only implementation.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Sunitinib and its Active Metabolite SU012662 in Pediatric Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors or Other Solid Tumors.

Population pharmacokinetic analysis explored the pharmacokinetics of sunitinib and its primary active metabolite, SU012662, in children and evaluated the sunitinib dose(s) that produce comparable plasma exposures to adults receiving the approved daily dose. Data were from 65 children with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) or solid tumors. Pharmacokinetic models of sunitinib and SU012662 were developed using a systematic multi-step approach employing nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. The effect of predefined covariates on pharmacokinetic parameters was assessed. Final models were validated using visual predictive check and statistical techniques. The final dataset comprised 439 sunitinib and 417 SU012662 post-baseline plasma observations. Base models were characterized by two-compartment models with first-order absorption and lag time. Body surface area (BSA) was the only covariate that affected (P < 0.001) pharmacokinetic parameters for sunitinib and SU012662 and was incorporated into the final models. Bootstrap results indicated that the final models represented the final dataset adequately. Based on the final models, a sunitinib dose of ~ 20mg/m2/day in children with GIST aged 6–17 years would be expected to lead to similar total plasma exposures of sunitinib and SU012661 as a dose of 50 mg/day in an adult with GIST on schedule 4/2. In children with GIST or solid tumors receiving sunitinib, population pharmacokinetic analysis identified BSA as the only covariate that affected pharmacokinetic parameters and predicted a dose of ~ 20 mg/m2/day as achieving equivalent exposure to 50 mg/day in adults with GIST on schedule 4/2. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers (date registered): NCT01396148 (July 2011); NCT01462695 (October 2011); NCT00387920 (October 2006).
Improvements to Sanov and PAC Sublevel-set Bounds for Discrete Random Variables

We derive an improvement for probably approximately correct (PAC) sublevel-set bounds for the multinomial distributed discrete random variables. Previous bounds (including Sanov's Theorem) show that the Kullback Leibler (KL) divergence between the empirical probability mass function (pmf) and the true PMF converges with rate O(log(N)/N), where $N$ is the number of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) samples used to compute the empirical pmf. We interpret the KL divergence as bounding the probability that a multinomial distributed random variable (RV) deviates into a halfspace and construct improved uniform PAC sublevel-set bounds that converge with rates $O$ (log (log (N)) / N). These results bound the worst case performance for a number of machine learning algorithms. Finally, the ‘halfspace bound’ methodology suggests further improvements are possible for non-uniform bounds. In this paper, we derive an improvement (on the convergence rate) for various Probably Approximately Correct (PAC) bounds (including Sanov's Theorem) for multinomially distributed discrete random variables.
Particle Filtering-Based System Degradation Prediction Applied to Jet Engines

This paper investigates a real-time fault detection and degradation prediction scheme for dynamical systems such as jet engines, based on Regularized Particle Filtering (RPF). Particle Filtering is a prognosis method for the prediction of state degradation and remaining useful life (RUL) due to its demonstrated performance in handling non-linear and non-Gaussian situations. RPF overcomes the problem of sample impoverishment among particles over the resampling process. Based on measured data from hybrid sensing and nonlinear models, which link system parameters and degradation state to the measurement, RPF has been applied to establishing a framework for both state and parameter estimation, to achieve prognosis at the component level. In addition, a modified system evolution model is proposed to track both exponential and transient types of system performance degradation. The developed method is evaluated using simulated data created with C- MAPSS, which contains measured parameters associated with engine degradation under nominal and varied fault types (fan, compressor and turbine) during a series of flights. The developed system-parameter estimation method is found effective in state estimation and degradation prediction in jet engines.
Writing Practices Associated With Electronic Progress Notes and the Preferences of Those Who Read Them: Descriptive Study

Background: Hospital progress notes can serve as an important communication tool. However, they are criticized for their length, preserved content, and for the time physicians spend writing them. Objective: We aimed to describe hospital progress note content, writing and reading practices, and the preferences of those who create and read them prior to the implementation of a new electronic health record system. Methods: Using a sample of hospital progress notes from 1000 randomly selected admissions, we measured note length, similarity of content in successive daily notes for the same patient, the time notes were signed and read, and who read them. We conducted focus group sessions with note writers, readers, and clinical leaders to understand their preferences. Results: We analyzed 4938 inpatient progress notes from 418 authors. The average length was 886 words, and most were in the Assessment & Plan note section. A total of 29% of notes (n=1432) were signed after 4 PM. Notes signed later in the day were read less often. Notes were highly similar from one day to the next, and 26% (23/88) had clinical risk associated with the preserved content. Note content of the highest value varied according to the reader’s professional role. Conclusions: Progress note length varied widely. Notes were often signed late in the day when they were read less often and were highly similar to the note from the previous day. Measuring note length, signing time, when and by whom notes are read, and the amount and safety of preserved content will be useful metrics for measuring how the new electronic health record system is used, and can aid improvements.
An empirically based power primer for laboratory aggression research

Recent reviews suggest that, like much of the psychological literature, research studies using laboratory aggression paradigms tend to be underpowered to reliably locate commonly observed effect sizes (e.g., r = ~.10-.20, Cohen's d = ~0.20-0.40). In an effort to counter this trend, we provide a "power primer" that laboratory aggression researchers can use as a resource when planning studies using this methodology. Using simulation-based power analyses and effect size estimates derived from recent literature reviews, we provide sample size recommendations based on type of research question (e.g., main effect vs. two-way vs. three-way interactions) and correlations among predictors. Results highlight the large number of participants that must be recruited to reach acceptable (~80%) power, especially for tests of interactions where the recommended sample sizes far exceed those typically employed in this literature. These discrepancies are so substantial that we urge laboratory aggression researchers to consider a moratorium on tests of three-way interactions. Although our results use estimates from the laboratory aggression literature, we believe they are generalizable to other lines of research using behavioral tasks, as well as psychological science more broadly. We close by offering a series of best practice recommendations and reiterating long-standing calls for attention to statistical power as a basic element of study planning.
Transport and lymphatic uptake of monoclonal antibodies after subcutaneous injection.

Abstract The subcutaneous injection has emerged to become a feasible self-administration practice for biotherapeutics due to the patient comfort and cost-effectiveness. However, the available knowledge about transport and absorption of these agents after subcutaneous injection is limited. Here, a mathematical framework to study the subcutaneous drug delivery of mAbs from injection to lymphatic uptake is presented. A three-dimensional poroelastic model is exploited to find the biomechanical response of the tissue by taking into account tissue deformation during the injection. The results show that including tissue deformability noticeably changes tissue poromechanical response due to the significant dependence of interstitial pressure on the tissue deformation. Moreover, the importance of the amount of lymph fluid at the injection site and the injection rate on the drug uptake to lymphatic capillaries is highlighted. Finally, variability of lymphatic uptake due to uncertainty in parameters including tissue poromechanical and lymphatic absorption parameters is evaluated. It is found that interstitial pressure due to injection is the major contributing factor in short-term lymphatic absorption, while the amount of lymph fluid at the site of injection determines the long-term absorption of the drug. Finally, it is shown that the lymphatic uptake results are consistent with experimental data available in the literature.
Shareholder wealth, information signaling and the specially designated dividend

Abstract This paper examines common stock returns and dividend and earnings patterns surrounding specially designated dividends labeled by management as ‘extra’, ‘special’ or ‘year-end’ and compares them to those surrounding regular (unlabeled) dividend increases. The results support the notion that management uses the labeling of dividend increases to convey information to the market about the future potential of the firm. Unlabeled increases appear to contain the most positive information. Contrary to the sometimes suggested view, specially designated dividends appear to convey positive information about future dividends and earnings beyond that relating to the current period.
STUDIES OF ABNORMAL LEUKOCYTE BODIES IN THE MINK.

The occurrence of abnormal bodies in the cytoplasm of neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and lymphocytes of Aleutian ( aa ) mink is reported. Similarities of these bodies to the leukocyte abnormalities of Chediak-Higashi syndrome of children are pointed out.
Healing from War and Trauma: Southeast Asians in the U.S., A Buddhist Perspective and the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma

This paper is the written counterpart to a presentation given in Ha Noi, Vietnam, May 15, 2008 during the United Nations Day of Vesak 2008 Convention, on the effects of war and healing. The paper introduces the work of the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma (HPRT) located in Boston, Massachusetts. It describes the HPRT Global Mission of education and capac- ity building of health care professionals, international relief workers and policy makers in the area of mental health in nations suffering post-conflict and disaster recovery. In particular the paper discusses the HPRT's unique approach to assisting individuals with severe traumatic his- tories as seen through the lens of the author's work as a psychopharmacologist with Southeast Asians and a team member of the HPRT in Lynn, Massachusetts, through the Lynn Community Health Center (LCHC). LCHC is a multi-disciplinary outpatient health service clinic located north of Boston, Massachusetts. Many patients who have survived genocide, torture, imprison- ment, and war suffer from chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with the sequellae of depression, nightmares, inability to work gainfully, and panic anxiety. Two stories of actual patients (their identifying data protected) are presented to illustrate self-healing and the role of mindfulness, the function of memory in storytelling and recovery, and the value of spirituality, work and altruism in healing.
THERMAL STRESSES IN CERAMIC WALL FLOW DIESEL FILTERS

Thermal stresses constitute a major portion of the total stress which the ceramic wall flow filter experiences in service. The primary source of these stresses is the temperature gradients, both in radial and axial directions, which attain their maximum values during regeneration. The level of particulate loading, the flow rate, the filter size and the mounting design govern the severity of temperature gradients which, together with physical properties and aspect ratio of the filter, dictate the magnitude and distribution of thermal stresses. The filter, the mounting, and the regeneration conditions should be so designed as to minimize these stresses to insure reliable and fracture-free performance of the filter throughout the lifetime of the vehicle. In this paper we present a thermal stress model, based on finite element method, which computes stresses in the axisymmetric filter subjected to linear or step temperature gradients in radial and axial directions. The model is useful for assessing the effects of aspect ratio and expansion anisotropy, both of which play a key role in filter design, and is illustrated by way of examples taken from simulated regeneration conditions. The importance of thermal fatigue in this application is also discussed.
Some combinatorics of binomial coefficients and the Bloch-Gieseker property for some homogeneous bundles

A vector bundle has the Bloch-Gieseker property if all its Chern classes are numerically positive. In this paper we show that the non-ample bundle Ω p Pn (p+1) has the Bloch-Gieseker property, except for two cases, in which the top Chern classes are trivial and the other Chern classes are positive. Our method is to reduce the problem to showing, e.g. the positivity of the coefficient of t k in the rational function (1+t) (n/p) (1+3t) (n/p-2) …(1+(p-1)t) (n/2) (1+(p+1)t)/(1+2t) (n/p-1) (1+4t) (n/p-3) …(1+pt) (n/1) (for p even).
The cost of equity capital: A simplification

Abstract Modigliani-Miller's theorem, which asserts that corporate financing policy is of no consequence, has been shown to hold true under a set of assumptions which is less restrictive than the original set used by MM. Preceding proofs were based on the theory of general equilibrium. Basically, this paper examines MM's second proposition—the linearity of the cost of equity capital with respect to financial leverage—when dropping a few of their basic assumptions but retaining their assumption about incomplete markets. In particular, this paper relaxes the assumptions that (a) the inflows are perpetual and that (b) the firm's future returns belong to the same risk class. The results of the analysis indicate that the linearity will be sustained. The nature of the financial risk premium (the slope), however, has to be modified.
The impact of malicious agents on the enterprise software industry

In this paper, a competitive software market that includes horizontal and quality differentiation, as well as a negative network effect driven by the presence of malicious agents, is modeled. Software products with larger installed bases, and therefore more potential computers to attack, present more appealing targets for malicious agents. One finding is that software firms may profit from increased malicious activity. Software products in a more competitive market are less likely to invest in security, while monopolistic or niche products are likely to be more secure from malicious attack. The results provide insights for IS managers considering enterprise software adoption.