cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Highly scalable, low-delay video compression

We propose a class of scalable video compression algorithms, within which compression performance may be exchanged for end-to-end delay. Each of the algorithms in this class produces a highly scalable bit stream, from which subsets may be extracted for compatibility with a wide range of display frame sizes, frame rates and bit rate constraints. Moreover, with modest end-to-end delay, the reconstructed video quality associated with any of these subsets is often superior to that obtained using an implementation of the inherently non-scalable MPEG-1 compression standard, operated with equivalent resolution and bit rate constraints. We describe scalable compressed data structures based on a layered substream abstraction, with simple, generic scaling operations, for both constant bit rate and constant distortion scaling criteria. >
Defective immunoregulation in primary biliary cirrhosis: CD4+, Leu–8+ T cells have abnormal activation and suppressor function in vitro

To determine whether abnormalities of lymphocyte function in primary biliary cirrhosis are due to altered function of immunoregulatory T cell subpopulations, phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD4+ T cells were examined. The proportion of CD4+ T cells expressing the Leu-8 and CD45R antigens was normal in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. The capacity of CD4+, Leu-8-T cells to provide helper function for pokeweed mitogen-stimulated immunoglobulin synthesis by B cells in vitro was similar in patients and controls. However, in contrast to normal individuals and patients with other liver diseases, CD4+, Leu-8+ T cells from six of 10 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis did not suppress, but enhanced immunoglobulin synthesis. Whereas treatment of CD4+ T cells from normal individuals with anti-Leu-8 monoclonal antibody enhanced their suppressor function, similar treatment of CD4+ T cells from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis did not increase their suppressor function. To determine whether the abnormal regulatory function of CD4+, Leu-8+ T cells was due to a defect of cell activation, the proliferative response of CD4+ T cell subpopulations to mitogenic stimulation was examined. The proliferative responses of CD4+, Leu-8-T cells from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and controls were similar, but the proliferative responses of CD4+, Leu-8+ T cells from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis were lower than those of control cells. Since the CD4+, Leu-8+ T cell population plays a role in suppressing immunoglobulin synthesis and is contained within the autoreactive T cell population, the abnormal function of this T cell subpopulation in some patients with primary biliary cirrhosis may play a role in defective immunoregulation found in this disease.
The origin recognition complex: from simple origins to complex functions

Eukaryotic DNA replication is an intricate process that requires the coordinate and tightly regulated action of numerous molecular machines. Eukaryotic cells must choose hundreds if not thousands of origins of replication and assemble multiple proteins or protein complexes at these sites. During S phase, these complexes are activated in a reproducible, temporal program to generate twice this number of replication fork machines dedicated to DNA synthesis. Moreover, these machines must overcome the highly packaged nature of the eukaryotic genome to access all DNA sites, without excep
SOME ASPECTS OF LINEAR KARST DEPRESSION DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY

ABSTRACT This investigation attempts to analyze the spatial patterns of karst depression elongation and orientation relative to structural trends in a part of south central Kentucky. Depression elongation is defined by the ratio of the long axis of the depression to its short axis. Depression orientation is measured by the azimuth of the long axis in relation to the azimuth of an associated line of structural fracture. From these data the percentage of structurally aligned depressions was determined. The percentage of structurally aligned depressions was found to be highest where the following conditions prevailed: 1) in areas where limestones were characterized by low insoluble residue contents; 2) in areas where hydraulic gradients were high, as indicated by the existence of high karst relief ratios; 3) in areas where a high proportion of the surface runoff was concentrated in the subterranean drainage systems; and 4) in areas, which were located near the mouth of the subterranean drainage system. (Loca...
Cryptosporidiosis in the Elderly Population of the United States

Cryptosporidium is an important cause of gastrointestinal illness, particularly among immunocompromised persons. The elderly may be especially sensitive to cryptosporidiosis [1, 2], although few studies have specifically assessed the burden of infection in this population. In the United States, cryptosporidiosis has been a nationally notifiable disease since 1995. State health departments report cases of cryptosporidiosis to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a weekly basis. Since 1998, the reported annual rate of cryptosporidiosis among persons aged ≥65 years varied between 0.29 and 0.70 cases per 100,000 population. Surveillance inherently identifies a minimum number of cases, because reporting to the CDC is not mandatory, and the decision to make a disease notifiable is made by each state. In addition, existing mechanisms for waterborne disease surveillance do not address the specific risks to sensitive populations, such as the elderly population [3]. Surveillance estimates of cryptosporidiosis are also undermined by the limited use of diagnostic tests. For instance, of 32,408 specimens evaluated for ova and parasites in Connecticut during 1994, only 1714 (5.3%) were tested for Cryptosporidium [4]. Of 83 Cryptosporidium-positive samples, only 10 were reported to state health authorities. In 2000, fewer than 11% of FoodNet laboratories routinely included Cryptosporidium testing as part of ova and parasites exams, unless specifically requested by the health care provider [5]. The situation is not very different today (J. Jones, personal communication), and the extent to which underdiagnosis and nonreporting of cases continues to affect surveillance estimates is unknown. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) databases present a novel means to investigate the burden of cryptosporidiosis among elderly persons in the United States, because they include information on all hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries nationwide. These records include information on ~96% of the US elderly population [6]. We sought to describe trends in hospitalization, demographic characteristics, and temporospatial characteristics of cryptosporidiosis among elderly persons in the United States with use of CMS databases. We also contrasted estimates of the burden of cryptosporidiosis derived from the CMS databases with those published by the CDC.
Observation following Tonsillectomy May Be Inadequate Due to Silent Death

The focus on the first 24 hours of care for respiratory events following tonsillectomy may be misplaced and a broader focus is warranted. Nocturnal hypoxemia, an elevated apnea-hypopnea index, or obstructive sleep apnea contributes to an increased sensitivity to narcotics and postoperative complications. Narcotic pain management depresses respiration through an increase in the frequency of central sleep apnea, decreased minute ventilation, increased hypercarbia pressure, and a decrease in the hypoxic ventilator response. Residual pain gives some margin of safety as it stimulates respiration. Children dying following tonsillectomy do so silently during sleep, often without arousing the attention of caregivers or nursing personnel in close proximity. Perioperative education of caregivers, use of the least morbid surgical technique, and the control of pain rather than its elimination are prudent steps in the management of tonsillectomy patients.
The Crippling Legacy of Monomanias in DSM-5

Since the disjunctive change of DSM-III, architects of the DSMs, including the recent DSM-5, have tended to ignore the problematic status of disorder categories limited by single symptoms or single symptom clusters. These disorders include kleptomania, pyromania, intermittent explosive disorder, paraphilic disorders, factitious disorder, among others. Single symptom/cluster disorders resemble Esquirol’s nineteenth-century French concept of monomania, which is defined as an “idee fixe, a single pathological preoccupation in an otherwise sound mind” (Goldstein 1998, p. 388). Monomania is also a variation on the early idea of partial insanity, where the patient’s reasoning remained unaffected, while insanity was circumscribed by either a single delusional belief or overwhelming irrational impulses. In this chapter I briefly review the history of monomania and why it came to be rejected by Anglo-European alienists. These historical critiques are then related to contemporary DSM-5 single symptom/cluster disorders. I then supplement this historical-to-contemporary critique with an original conceptual critique of single-symptom/cluster disorders. The chapter concludes with some methodological approaches to classification which address the crippling legacy of monomanias in today’s DSMs.
Notions about the Origins of Trading

THE origins of trade have been the concern of economists and anthropologists in the past in order to trace or to relate the present functions of trade to their primeval beginnings and to discover the basic character of this economic usage. While this preoccupation with origins is disappearing from the scientific literature, it is not uncommon to find its implications and assumptions in the more popular literature of business, and particularly on the subject of salesmanship. References are often made to premises concerning the origin of trading as a means of explaining or analyzing the ethical position of modern selling, imputing to present practices in the market place the circumstances and virtues of an assumed primeval genesis. It is, for example, not uncommon to hear trading spoken of as universal and natural. On the other hand, anthropological evidence reveals primitive cultures with a complete lack of competitive trading and with insignificant exchange practices. In the face of these opposing positions, it is desirable to examine the various notions concerning the origins of trading and to appraise them in the light of their usefulness in the analysis of trading in our own society. It is possible to do this without a true chronological history of trading, or without attempting to formulate an organic-evolutionary concept of trading which takes the form of extracting from succeeding cultures certain common characteristics, with the conclusion that these have been passed
Technetium 94m-labeled methoxyisobutyl isonitrile: dosimetry and resting cardiac imaging with positron emission tomography.

Development of a positronemitting form of technetium has allowed the imaging of technetium radiopharmaceuticals with positron emission tomography (PET). We used94mTc to compare the distribution of the myocardial perfusion agent sestamibi at rest with the conventional PET perfusion tracer13N-labeled ammonia (13N-ammonia). Dosimetry calculations were performed with the known wholebody distribution of99mTc-labeled sestamibi. Dynamic PET imaging of13N-ammonia and94mTc-labeled sestamibi (94mTc-sestamibi) for 32 minutes was performed in eight patients with previous myocardial infarction. Initial myocardial and extramyocardial distribution of94mTc-sestamibi was compared with that of13N-ammonia by qualitative and quantitative analysis. Quantitative comparison of the two tracers was performed with region-of-interest analysis and circumferential profiles. Qualitatively, the cardiac distribution of the tracers was similar in normal and infarcted myocardium. A decrease in the definition of the epicardial and endocardial borders of the heart was seen with94mTc-sestamibi, presumably because of the lower dose of radionuclide injected. Quantitatively, there was no difference in infarct size, defined prospectively as tracer activity less than 20% of maximum activity for the section, between the two tracers. Circumferential profile analysis with 12-degree radial sections similarly demonstrated no difference in regional cardiac distribution of the tracers. These results revealed no significant difference in myocardial uptake compared with13N-ammonia suggesting that the myocardial uptake of sestamibi correlates with that of myocardial perfusion.
Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Involving the Nervous System

This article will discuss eight diseases that alter normal nervous system function: hypovitaminosis A, water deprivation/salt toxicity, ammonia toxicosis, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, nervous ketosis, hepatoencephalopathy, and rumen metabolic acidosis.
Abstract 1806: AP-1 transcriptionally regulates expression of miR-155 in colon cancer cells.

Accumulating evidence indicates elevated S100P promotes the pathogenesis of cancers, including colon cancer. S100P exerts its effects by binding to and activating the Receptor for Advance Glycation End-products (RAGE). The effects of up-regulated S100P/RAGE signaling on cell functions are well documented. Despite these overwhelming evidences, little is known about the downstream targets of S100P/RAGE signaling. In the present study, we demonstrated for the first time that activation of RAGE by S100P regulates oncogenic microRNA-155 (miR-155) expression through Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) stimulation in colon cancer cells. Both S100P and miR-155 expressions are up-regulated in colon tumor specimens. Ectopic S100P expression leads to elevation of miR-155 level. Conversely, knockdown of S100P results in a decrease in miR-155 levels. Exogenous S100P induces miR-155 expression, but blockage of the RAGE receptor with anti-RAGE antibody suppresses the induction of miR-155 by exogenous S100P. Attenuation Blockage of AP-1 activation by S100P, through pharmacological inhibition of MEK activation or genetic inhibition of c-Jun activation using dominant negative c-Jun (TAM67) suppresses miR-155 induction by exogenous S100P. Exogenous S100P treatment stimulates the enrichment of c-Fos, an AP-1 family member at the miR-155 promoter site. Finally, functional study shows that miR-155 knockdown decreases colon cancer cell cell cell growtholon formation and motilityotility in S100P stably transfected cells and parental cells. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the expression of miR-155 is regulated by S100P is dependent on RAGE activation and stimulation of AP-1. Furthermore, the results show that miR-155 is a downstream target of S100P/RAGE signaling and a critical player in S100P functions in colon cancer cells. Citation Format: Benjamin C. Onyeagucha, Melania Mercado-Pimentel, Erik Flemington, Mark A. Nelson. AP-1 transcriptionally regulates expression of miR-155 in colon cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1806. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1806
Heritability of lenticular myopia in English Springer spaniels

Purpose We determined whether naturally-occurring lenticular myopia in English Springer spaniels (ESS) has a genetic component. Methods Streak retinoscopy was performed on 226 related ESS 30 minutes after the onset of pharmacologic mydriasis and cycloplegia. A pedigree was constructed to determine relationships between affected offspring and parents. Estimation of heritability was done in a Bayesian analysis (facilitated by the MCMCglmm package of R) of refractive error in a model, including terms for sex and coat color. Myopia was defined as ≤-0.5 diopters (D) spherical equivalent. Results The median refractive error for ESS was 0.25 D (range, -3.5 to +4.5 D). Median age was 0.2 years (range, 0.1-15 years). The prevalence of myopia in related ESS was 19% (42/226). The ESS had a strong correlation (r = 0.95) for refractive error between the two eyes. Moderate heritability was present for refractive error with a mean value of 0.29 (95% highest probability density, 0.07-0.50). Conclusions The distribution of refractive error, and subsequently lenticular myopia, has a moderate genetic component in ESS. Further investigation of genes responsible for regulation of the development of refractive ocular components in canines is warranted.
A Comparison of Techniques for Sampling Beneficial Arthropod Populations Associated with Cotton

Comparisons were made between 4 methods of sampling beneficial arthropod populations in cotton in the Delta Area of Mississippi. One of the methods, an area sampler, was used as a standard for comparing the efficiency of the other methods. All methods had similar population trends although variation did occur between methods. The data indicate that the 2 less time-consuming methods (sweep net and D-Vac) can be used to determine population fluctuations and these data can be adjusted to more absolute values for quantitative use.
Acute Urinary Morbidity Following Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer with Prophylactic Alpha-Adrenergic Antagonist and Urethral Dose Reduction.

Background: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers high doses of radiation to the prostate while minimizing radiation to adjacent critical organs. Large fraction sizes may increase urinary morbidity due to unavoidable treatment of the prostatic urethra. This study reports rates of acute urinary morbidity following SBRT for localized prostate cancer with prophylactic alpha-adrenergic antagonist utilization and urethral dose reduction (UDR). Methods: From April 2013 to September 2014, 102 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer were treated with robotic SBRT to a total dose of 35-36.25 Gy in 5 fractions. UDR was employed to limit the maximum point dose of the prostatic urethra to 40 Gy. Prophylactic alpha-adrenergic antagonists were initiated five days prior to SBRT and continued until resolution of urinary symptoms. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed before and after treatment using the American Urological Association Symptom Score (AUA) and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26 (EPIC-26). Clinical significance was assessed using a minimally important difference (MID) of one half standard deviation change from baseline. Results: 102 patients underwent definitive prostate SBRT with UDR and were followed for 3 months. No patient experienced acute urinary retention requiring catheterization. A mean baseline AUA symptom score of 9.06 significantly increased to 11.83 one-week post-SBRT (p = 0.0024) and 11.84 one-month post-SBRT (p = 0.0023) but returned to baseline by 3 months. A mean baseline EPIC-26 irritative/obstructive score of 87.7 decreased to 74.1 one-week post-SBRT (p < 0.0001) and 77.8 one-month post-SBRT (p < 0.0001) but returned to baseline at 3 months. EPIC-26 irritative/obstructive score changes were clinically significant, exceeding the MID of 6.0. At baseline, 8.9% of men described their urinary function as a moderate to big problem, and that proportion increased to 37.6% one week following completion of SBRT before returning to baseline by three months. Conclusions: SBRT for localized prostate cancer with utilization of prophylactic alpha-adrenergic antagonist and UDR was well tolerated as determined by acute urinary function and bother, and symptoms were comparable to those observed following conventionally fractionated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Longer follow-up is required to assess long-term toxicity and efficacy following SBRT with UDR.
Jejunal Conduits: Technique and Complications

AbstractThirty patients underwent jejunal urinary diversion: 27 bilateral cutaneous ureterojejunostomies, 2 cutaneous pyeloureterojejunostomies and 1 bilateral pyelocutaneous jejunostomy. In the majority of the cases this high diversion was indicated for malignant disease with preoperative and postoperative irradiation of the pelvis. Postoperative morbidity in these cases is not different from that in cases of ileal conduit operation, except for a high incidence of reversible hypochloremic acidosis with hyponatremia, hyperkalemia and uremia. This electrolytic syndrome is the consequence of a continuous exchange of ions between the jejunal content and the extracellular fluid with resultant loss of sodium chloride and absorption of potassium and urea. An important link in the pathophysiology of the jejunal syndrome is the hypersecretion of renin-aldosterone, which aggravates the disturbance. Limited renal function (glomerular filtration rate less than 50 cc per minute), long loop and inadequate salt intake ...
On stabbing queries for generalised longest repeats

A longest repeat query on a string, motivated by its applications in many subfields including computational biology, asks for the longest repetitive substrings covering a particular string position point query. In this paper, we extend the point query to interval query, allowing the search for longest repeats covering any position interval. Our method for interval query takes a different approach using the insight from a recent work on shortest unique substrings, as the prior work's approach for point query becomes infeasible in the setting of interval query. We propose an indexing structure, which can be constructed in the optimal On time and space for a string of size n, such that any future interval query can be answered in O1 time. Further, our solution can find all longest repeats covering any given interval using optimal Oocc time, where occ is the number of longest repeats covering that given interval.
Notes on Logics of Vagueness and Some Applications

Spatial representations of vague predicates indicate that logics of vagueness should retain classical theorems. This can be accomplished either by super-valuations or by non-truth-functional multivalued semantics. These approaches can be combined. Logics of vagueness are usefu l in dealing with arguments concerning infinity, arguments which purport to show the inconsistency of our ordinary concepts, and the distinction between simple and complex predicates.
How Pantry Stockpiling Influences the Usage Frequency of a Brand

Both researchers and managers have suggested that price promotion-induced stockpiling can increase a household’s usage frequency of a product. Empirical evidence of any stockpiling effect, however, is mixed. In reconciling the inconsistent findings of these empirical studies, this paper shows that stockpiling only increases a person’s usage of a product when that person has highly salient thoughts of the product. This model and these findings have critical implications for the advertising versus promotion debate. They suggest that consumer promotions and advertising play a joint and complementary role in increasing usage: promotions by encouraging stockpiling, and advertising by building the salience needed to deplete the stockpiled inventory.
Smart Growth and the Great Recession

Smart Growth building projects are only viable if they house both residential and commercial tenants—as in other conventional business, vacancies can be ruinous. After the market crash of 2007, several commercial spaces in mixed-use developments fared poorly, struggling to keep various retail businesses as consumers pulled back on spending or purchased products online. Proponents of Smart Growth blamed the recession, while critics blamed the Smart Growth model itself.
Heparanase Promotes Osteolysis by Upregulating RANKL– A Novel Role for Heparanase in Multiple Myeloma.

Abstract 2821 Poster Board II-797 Heparanase, an enzyme that cleaves the heparan sulfate chains of proteoglycans, is upregulated in a variety of human tumors including multiple myeloma. We have previously demonstrated that heparanase promotes robust myeloma tumor growth and supports spontaneous metastasis to bone. In addition we showed that expression of heparanase is a major determinant of the osteolytic phenotype in myeloma and that heparanase expression in a distal tumor can promote systemic osteolysis due to enhanced osteoclastogenesis within distal bones prior to metastasis. Because it has been shown that myeloma cells can produce and secrete RANKL, we hypothesized that heparanase upregulates the expression of RANKL thereby leading to osteolysis. To test this idea, CAG myeloma cells transfected with human heparanase cDNA (heparanase-high) or empty vector (heparanase-low) were injected into SCID mice and the levels of human RANKL expression were evaluated by immunohistolochemical staining and western blotting. A significant elevation of RANKL was observed in heparanase-high tumors compared to heparanase-low tumors formed in human bones implanted in SCID mice (SCID-hu), as well as in subcutaneous myeloma tumors. In addition, RANKL levels were significantly elevated in both in vitro cell extracts and conditioned medium of myeloma cells when heparanase expression was enhanced. The elevation of RANKL expression was also found in other myeloma cell lines (MM.1S and U266) when cells were cultured in the presence of recombinant human heparanase (50 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml each cell line, added every 12 hours) for 48 hours. In addition, in vitro osteoclastogenesis is significantly enhanced by the medium conditioned by heparanase-high cells as compared to heparanase-low cells and this enhanced osteoclastogenesis is completely abolished by addition of OPG (a RANKL inhibitor) to the medium. From these data, we conclude that elevated heparanase in myeloma cells increases RANKL expression and secretion, resulting in the increased osteolysis in myeloma. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Class Shaming in Post-Recession U.S. Advertising:

Class is an issue rarely foregrounded in advertising criticism, although the emphasis on consumption and commodity-defined images of the good life frequently makes advertising a class-oriented disc...
Cerebrospinal fluid markers detect Alzheimer's disease in nonamnestic dementia

Abstract Introduction The accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for detecting Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology has not been fully validated in autopsied nonamnestic dementias. Methods We retrospectively evaluated CSF amyloid β 1–42, phosphorylated-tau, and amyloid-tau index as predictors of Alzheimer pathology in patients with primary progressive aphasia, frontotemporal dementia, and progressive supranuclear palsy. Results Nineteen nonamnestic autopsied cases with relevant CSF values were included. At autopsy, nine had AD and 10 had non-AD pathologies. All six patients whose combined CSF phosphorylated-tau and amyloid β levels were "consistent with AD" had postmortem Alzheimer pathology. The two patients whose biomarker values were "not consistent with AD" had non-AD pathologies. The CSF values of the remaining eight non-AD cases were in conflicting or borderline ranges. Discussion CSF biomarkers reliably identified Alzheimer pathology in nonamnestic dementias and may be useful as a screening measure for inclusion of nonamnestic cases into Alzheimer's trials.
Symptomatic Cholelithiasis Following Continent Urinary Diversion Using Ileocolonic Bowel Segments

Cholelithiasis is uncommon prior to adulthood. Several risk factors have been identified as causing cholelithiasis but continent urinary diversion has not been considered a factor. To our knowledge there has been no other report of cholelithiasis developing after urinary tract reconstruction. Between 1979 and 1992, 116 patients younger than 23 years underwent urinary tract reconstruction at our clinic. Symptomatic cholelithiasis developed in 4 patients (3.4%) following continent urinary diversion with an Indiana pouch.
Treatment recidivism in adolescents with mental illness: A focused applied medical ethnography.

PROBLEM Treatment recidivism, described as frequent unplanned relapse readmissions, is a national problem predominant in adolescents with mental illness. Because the main triggers of treatment recidivism are not fully understood, the purpose of this study was to explore treatment recidivism (i) to better understand treatment recidivism from the perspectives of recidivist adolescents with mental illness, (ii) to describe major factors that contribute to treatment recidivism and how best to minimize them from the perspectives of these adolescents, and (iii) to describe their interaction with the medical culture. METHODS A focused applied medical ethnography was used to study 16 purposively selected adolescents. Interviews were conducted together with unobtrusive unit observation of the participants and collection of demographic and clinical information. FINDINGS The participants were nearly unanimous in identifying the "additional stressors" of problematic parental relations and school bullying as the main triggers of treatment recidivism over and above their "routine stressors" of adolescence and mental illness. They had mixed perceptions of treatment recidivism and described their interaction with the medical culture as positive. CONCLUSION Further research is needed to determine the impact of parental relations and school bullying on recidivism in adolescents with mental illness.
Forschungsziel und Hypothesen

Ziel der Untersuchung soll es sein, den Begriff der Resilienz weiter zu erforschen und Uberschneidungen mit der Personlichkeitsdisposition emotionale Stabilitat bei Managern herauszuarbeiten.
Using Software Engineering Knowledge to Drive Genetic Program Design Using Cultural Algorithms

In this paper, we use Cultural Algorithms as a framework in which to embed a white and black box testing strategy for designing and testing large-scale GP programs. The model consists of two populations, one supports white box testing of a genetic programming system and the other supports black box testing. The two populations communicate by sending information to a shared belief space. This allows a potential synergy between the two activities. Next, we exploit this synergy in order to evolve an OEM pricing strategy in a complex agent-based market environment. The new pricing strategy generated over $2 million dollars in revenue during the assessment period and outperformed the previous optimal strategy.
Primary cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma: A report of five cases with primary cutaneous involvement and review of the literature.

Abstract Introduction Histiocytic sarcoma is an extremely rare hematologic malignancy of histiocytic origin. Five cases of primary cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma are presented. Materials and methods Cases of primary cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma were identified using a natural language search from the dermatopathology data base of Cornell University. Results There was a male predominance (4 males and 1 female) ranging in age from 33 years to 92 years (mean age of 73 years); all presented with a solitary nodule which involved the head and neck area in four and thigh in one. The 73-year-old male had chronic myeloproliferative disorder. Biopsies showed a nonepitheliotropic dermal-based atypical large cell histiocytoid appearing infiltrate dermis showing positivity for common leukocyte antigen, CD4, CD14, CD68, CD163, CD2, CD11c, and lysozyme. Markers of terminal histiocytic differentiation such as S100, langerin, MXA, and CD83 were not seen. In two of the cases there was evidence of extracutaneous dissemination. The treatment in three of the cases was wide excision; there was no evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease. One case was given palliative radiation; the patient died. The other patient with underlying myelodysplastic syndrome died within a few weeks of initial cutaneous presentation. Conclusion HS must be differentiated from other malignant histiocytoid lesions. Staining for common leukocyte antigen and CD163 are the most reliable markers allowing this distinction. Patients who present with primary involvement of the skin may have a favorable outcome but only if treated relatively early in the course of the disease with complete excision.
Impact of the INBRE summer student mentored research program on undergraduate students in Arkansas

The Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program, housed within the National Institute for General Medical Sciences, administers the Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) as a strategic mission to broaden the geographic distribution of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding within the United States. Undergraduate summer student mentored research programs (SSMRP) are a common feature of INBRE programs and are designed to increase undergraduate student interest in research careers in the biomedical sciences. Little information is available about student perspectives on how these programs impact their choices relative to education and careers. Therefore, we conducted qualitative interviews with 20 participants from the Arkansas INBRE SSMRP in the years 2002-2012. Each telephone interview lasted 30-45 min. An interview guide with a broad "grand tour" question was used to elicit student perspectives on SSMRP participation. Interviews were digitally recorded, then transcribed verbatim, and the transcript checked for accuracy. Content analysis and constant comparison were used to identify nine themes that were grouped into three temporal categories: before, during, and after the SSMRP experience. Students viewed the experience as positive and felt it impacted their career choices. They emphasized the value of mentoring in the program, and some reported maintaining a relationship with the mentor after the summer experience ended. Students also valued learning new laboratory and presentation skills and felt their research experience was enhanced by meeting students and scientists with a wide range of career interests. These data suggest that the Arkansas INBRE and the NIH IDeA program are successfully meeting the goal of increasing interest in research among undergraduates.
Are Manipulation Checks Necessary

Researchers are concerned about whether manipulations have the intended effects. Many journals and reviewers view manipulation checks favorably, and they are widely reported in prestigious journals. However, the prototypical manipulation check is a verbal (rather than behavioral) measure that always appears at the same point in the procedure (rather than its order being varied to assess order effects). Embedding such manipulation checks within an experiment comes with problems. While we conceptualize manipulation checks as measures, they can also act as interventions which initiate new processes that would otherwise not occur. The default assumption that manipulation checks do not affect experimental conclusions is unwarranted. They may amplify, undo, or interact with the effects of a manipulation. Further, the use of manipulation checks in mediational analyses does not rule out confounding variables, as any unmeasured variables that correlate with the manipulation check may still drive the relationship. Alternatives such as non-verbal and behavioral measures as manipulation checks and pilot testing are less problematic. Reviewers should view manipulation checks more critically, and authors should explore alternative methods to ensure the effectiveness of manipulations.
High Pressure Vibrational Spectroscopic Studies of Aqueous Biological Systems: From Model Systems to Intact Tissues

A review is given for our high-pressure vibrational spectroscopic studies on a wide range of biological systems from aqueous biomolecular assemblies to intact biological tissues and cells. Our work in this area has been focused on the study of structural and dynamic properties in model biomembranes, intermolecular interactions between various exogenous molecules and membrane lipids, pressure effects on the secondary and tertiary structure and hydrogen isotope exchange in proteins and polypeptides, hyperbaric manipulation of enzyme kinetics, protein aggregation and dissociation, and cell anomalies at the molecular level in various diseases including human cancers. These studies have been classified into five categories and examples from each category are given here for illustration.
Allosteric L-Threonine Dehydrases of Microorganisms

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the L-threonine dehydrases of microorganisms, which have contributed materially to current concepts of allosteric behavior of enzymes that function as the variable velocity elements in metabolic systems. Virtually, all the L-threonine dehydrases of microorganisms are under some sort of metabolic control. The great majority of Escherichia coli (E. Coli ), Salmonella typhimurium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae , photosynthetic bacteria, bacilli, and Acetobacter suboxydans are regulated by the isoleucine concentration whereas two—those of E. coli and Clostridium tetanomorphum— are activated by adenine nucleotides. It would appear that homotropic interactions are not a cardinal characteristic of all allosteric enzymes. Site–site interactions do explain sigmoidal behavior when it is observed, and the concept is of considerable value when relevant. There are, however, a number of allosteric enzymes that apparently do not display sigmoidicity and yet are sensitive to a variety of effectors both for activation and inhibition. Sigmoidicity in the S. typhimurium and E. coli dehydrases is not an all important feature. Apparently, it can be abolished to a considerable degree at high ionic strength, even though isoleucine inhibition remains.
Flow Solvers and Validation

Up to this point, we have reviewed numerical algorithms for computing viscous incompressible flows, primarily using primitive variables along with finite difference and finite volume frameworks. The solution methods for incompressible flows are based on the assumption that the flow can be approximated by incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. Once a solution algorithm is developed, flow solvers and software procedures need to be developed to compute fluid dynamic problems. This process includes setting up the problem, solving the flow with the proper initial and boundary conditions, and then post-processing the computed results. These solutions include several levels of approximations including algorithmic, geometry-related and physical-modeling related approximations.
Bleeding, Thrombosis, and Transfusion With Two Heparin Anticoagulation Protocols in Venoarterial ECMO Patients.

Objective To compare the incidence of bleeding and thrombosis between adult venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients managed with an activated clotting time (ACT)-guided heparin anticoagulation protocol and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) protocol. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary care, academic medical center. Participants Consecutive adult VA ECMO patients during a 6-year period. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Demographic, medical, transfusion, and ECMO data were collected for all patients. Primary study outcomes were bleeding and thrombosis. Secondary outcomes were stroke and in-hospital mortality. One hundred twenty-one patients were included in the cohort. Fifty patients had ACT monitoring, and 71 had aPTT monitoring. There was no difference in the incidence of bleeding or thrombosis between the 2 groups (78.0% v 67.6% for bleeding [p = 0.21] and 16.0% v 19.7% for thrombosis [p = 1.0]). After adjusting for age and total ECMO days, patients managed with ACT received approximately 30% more red blood cell, fresh frozen plasma, and platelet transfusion (all p Conclusion There is no apparent difference in the incidence rate of bleeding or thrombosis between VA ECMO patients managed with an ACT- or aPTT-guided heparin anticoagulation protocol. Patients managed with an ACT-guided protocol received more blood transfusion, which could reflect greater total bleeding. Future randomized controlled trials would help to elucidate optimal anticoagulation strategies for VA ECMO patients.
Abstract TP189: Hip Hop Stroke: Adapting a Facilitator-driven Evidence-based Multimedia Program into a Scalable Digital-only Version

A major barrier to timely care for ischemic stroke is delayed hospital arrival, often due to failure to identify symptoms as those of a stroke or serious enough to seek immediate care. We developed a facilitator-driven multimedia stroke literacy intervention - Hip Hop Stroke (HHS) - to improve knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, urgent action, treatment and prevention. HHS uses Hip Hop music and child-centric media (e.g., cartoons) to engage 4th-6th graders and their parents in high-risk minority communities. We have previously published on the efficacy of our 3-day program to improve short and long-term knowledge of children and transmission of key principles to adults. In an effort to widely disseminate HHS in an effective, cost-efficient way, we developed a pilot study to test a self-guided digital adaptation of the program. We conducted focus groups with fifth graders to inform the modification of the existing HHS curriculum into six 20-minute, self-guided computer modules. We pilot tested the digital program with 4th and 5th graders (N=55) and assessed the effect on stroke knowledge through pre/post surveys embedded into the first and last modules. Data were analyzed using Pearson χ2 and Fisher exact tests. Stroke knowledge improved after the program to a degree consistent with data from our facilitator-driven program. The proportion of students able to correctly identify symptoms of stroke significantly increased from pre to post-test on all symptoms. At post-test, 96% identified that a stroke occurs in the brain, compared to 44% at baseline (p These results show promise for computer-based stroke literacy programming for elementary school children and may serve as a conduit for health messages into the home when child mediation techniques are incorporated. This method may represent a novel strategy for broad dissemination of stroke information or other chronic diseases.
Donate Today so Your Loved One Can Receive a Future Live Donor Kidney: Are Kidney Vouchers Enforceable Contracts?

The kidney voucher program was started by the National Kidney Registry (NKR) in December 2014. Under the program, live donors can donate a kidney in return for a voucher that entitles their intended recipients to a live donor kidney from the end of a future kidney chain. The purpose of the program is twofold. First, it allows live donors to donate when it is convenient or possible for them to do so. For example, the first voucher donor was 64 years old and had a four-year-old grandson with one poorly functioning kidney. Under the kidney voucher program, the grandfather could donate his kidney before he was too old to donate and provide an advantage for his grandson, who was not expected to need a kidney for ten to fifteen years. Second, voucher donors will help alleviate the shortage of live donors needed to start kidney chains. To make the kidney voucher program a success, live donors must trust that their intended recipients will receive kidneys when they need them. Viewing the voucher as an enforceable contract would help engender this trust. This article addresses the major legal and policy issues related to whether vouchers should be considered enforceable contracts. The article first confronts whether kidney vouchers violate the proscription in the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) against trading organs for valuable consideration. The article demonstrates that, with the current safeguards in place, the legislative history of NOTA supports the legality of trading a live donor kidney for a voucher that entitles the intended recipient to an end-of-chain kidney. The article also tackles the issues of whether a voucher agreement can be considered binding given that the live kidney donor cannot be compelled to donate even if he or she agrees to do so and whether the voucher agreement is illusory because the NKR does not guarantee that the intended voucher recipient will ever receive a kidney. The article concludes that the voucher agreement is binding, discusses the policy implications of reaching this conclusion, and makes some suggestions to deal with the policy concerns.
Rollover crashworthiness analyses – an overview and state of the art

Rollover crashes are the most severe crash mode among all types of traffic crashes. They consist of sequential complex dynamic events with contributions of the vehicle, human, environmental element...
ARASID: Artificial Reverberation-Adjusted Indoor Speaker Identification Dealing with Variable Distances

Indoor speaker identification systems have been researched for a long time and are widely used in many human interaction acoustic monitoring systems. Many works have focused on improving accuracy in dealing with different realisms, including noise and varying distances from the microphone. However, these works either require significant extra effort such as measuring room types and dimensions, obtaining many speakers’ samples, or requiring expensive hardware such as microphone arrays and complex deployment settings. In this paper, we introduce a complete speaker identification solution using an artificial reverberation generator with different parameters to adjust the original close-distance speech samples so that each speaker has different artificial voice samples. Samples in different environments are not required because these artificial samples are close approximations to different environments. Two kinds of models, GMM-UBM and the i-vector, are evaluated. The models are trained on all samples separately, and testing is done against all in parallel. A score fusing approach with two thresholds, a minimum value and a minimum difference, is applied to the scores in producing the final result. Also, several standard acoustic pre-processing routines, including a voice activity detection algorithm and an overlapped speech remover, are included to make the system fully deployable. Finally, to assess the improvements when applying a reverberation adjustment, we evaluate our system with two literature speech databases, one has 251 people and the other one has four kinds of emotions. Further, we perform an inlab speaking experiment. The evaluation results show our system has more than 90% accuracy in identifying speakers within 6 meters if the emotion is neutral, and a 10% improvement over no reverberation adjustments when speakers have non-neutral emotions.
Examining gender differences in opioid, benzodiazepine, and antibiotic prescribing

Abstract While gender differences have been explored across several areas of medicine, our study is the first to present a systematic comparison of drug prescribing behavior of male and female providers, including opioid, benzodiazepine, and antibiotic prescribing. Our work is of particular relevance to the current opioid crisis and other iatrogenic harms related to injudicious prescribing. Our objective is to explore prescribing differences between male and female providers across medical specialties and for different prescription drug categories in Medicare Part D. To this end, we performed a descriptive, retrospective study of 1.13 million medical providers who made drug claims to Medicare Part D in 2016, analyzing by gender, specialty, and drug category. We found that male providers across diverse specialties prescribe significantly more medications, including opioids, benzodiazepines, and antibiotics than female providers by volume, cost, and per patient. These observed gender differences in prescribing, while agnostic to the quality of care provided, nonetheless inform the design of prevention strategies that seek to reduce iatrogenic harms related to prescribing.