cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing tangible programming languages for classroom use

This paper describes a new technique for implementing educational programming languages using tangible interface technology. It emphasizes the use of inexpensive and durable parts with no embedded electronics or power supplies. Students create programs in offline settings---on their desks or on the floor---and use a portable scanning station to compile their code. We argue that languages created with this approach offer an appealing and practical alternative to text-based and visual languages for classroom use. In this paper we discuss the motivations for our project and describe the design and implementation of two tangible programming languages. We also describe an initial case study with children and outline future research goals.
Error Estimation Approaches for Progressive Response Surfaces

Response surface functions are often used as simple and inexpensive replacements for computationally expensive computer models that simulate the behavior of a complex system over some parameter space. "Progressive" response surfaces are built up incrementally as global information is added from new sample points added to the previous points in the parameter space. As the response surfaces are globally upgraded, indications of the convergence of the response surface approximation to the exact (fitted) function can be inferred. Sampling points can be incrementally added in a structured or unstructured fashion. Whatever the approach, it is usually desirable to sample the entire parameter space uniformly (at least in early stages of sampling). At later stages of sampling, depending on the nature of the quantity being resolved it may be desirable to continue sampling uniformly (progressive response surfaces), or to switch to a focusing/economizing strategy of preferentially sampling certain regions of the parameter space based on information gained in previous stages of sampling ("adaptive" response surfaces). Here we consider progressive response surfaces where a balanced representation of global response over the parameter space is desired. We use Kriging and Moving-Least-Squares methods to fit Halton quasi-Monte-Carlo data samples and interpolate over the parameter space. On 2-D test problems we use the response surfaces to compute various response measures and assess the accuracy/applicability of heuristic error estimates based on convergence behavior of the computed response quantities. Where applicable we apply Richardson Extrapolation for estimates of error and asymptotic convergence, and assess the accuracy of these estimates. We seek to develop a robust methodology for constructing progressive response surface approximations with reliable error estimates.
Abstract C172: Efficacy of AMG 479, alone and in combination with cisplatin, in ovarian carcinoma xenograft models

AMG 479, a fully human monoclonal antibody raised to the type I insulin‐like growth factor receptor (IGF1R), is currently being studied in the treatment of patients with ovarian carcinoma. We have previously shown that AMG 479 inhibits the growth of pancreatic and sarcoma tumor models by inhibiting IGF1R signaling through ligand blockade and receptor internalization and degradation. In the present study, we tested the ability of AMG 479 to inhibit the growth of four human ovarian carcinoma xenografts (OV‐90, SK‐OV3, TOV‐21G, and OV‐CAR3) in nude mice. Recent evidence has shown that multiple players in the IGF‐axis are differentially regulated in human ovarian serous carcinomas, suggesting that the IGF1R pathway may play an important role in the growth of these tumors. The OV‐90 model showed exquisite sensitivity to single‐agent AMG 479, reaching significant (p Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C172.
Biogenic Amine Content of New York State Wines

Biogenic amines in New York State wines were determined using high pressure liquid chromatography. Histamine, putrescine, and cadaverine were present in detectable amounts in all samples. Tyramine was present in low concentrations compared to other studies. Red wines, in general, had a higher histamine content than white wines. White wines had higher putrescine, cadaverine, and tyramine levels than the red wines. Histamine and cadaverine were lower in sparkling wines compared to still wines. Fermentation temperature had little influence on amine formation. Amine levels in various locations within New York State showed considerable variations. There were differences due to variety and vinification processes.
A Novel Subspace-Based Approach to Parameter Estimation

Abstract The known eigendecomposition-based subspace techniques for parameter estimation of multiple signals in additive white noise or the directions of arrivals of wavefronts at an array of sensors use either the information generated from the noise subspace or the signal subspace. Here, we directly use information from both the noise and signal subspaces to estimate the parameters. Comparisons with other subspace techniques are made and an illustrative example is provided.
Co-dergocrine, cerebral glucose utilization and maze performance in middle-aged rats.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of co-dergocrine in rats on local cerebral glucose utilization and performance in a complex T-maze. Middle-aged (12–16 months) male Fischer-344 rats were given injections of codergocrine (3 or 10 mg/kg, IP) 35 min before behavioral testing or the administration of 2-deoxy-D-[1-14C]glucose([14C]DG), a radiotracer for local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU). Both doses stimulated LCGU in the locus ceruleus and median raphe nucleus and in subcortical structures associated with learning and memory (hippocampus and subiculum). The higher dose also stimulated LCGU in motor areas (caudate-putamen, globus pallidus, internal capsule). In contrast, co-dergocrine decreased LCGU in the frontal cortex. Poorer performance in a complex maze (increased shocks, errors and run time) was observed in middle-aged as compared with younger animals (3 months). Acute co-dergocrine treatment did not improve performance of middle-aged rats in this task. Thus, in the present experimental paradigm employing single dose administration, co-dergocrine's stimulation of LCGU was not associated with an alteration of maze performance in age-matched animals.
Implications of the Introduction of the Doctor of Education Degree in British Universities: can the EdD reach parts the PhD cannot?

Abstract At a time of continuing concern about the nature and meaning of doctoral education in the United Kingdom, this paper outlines the moves by an increasing number of universities towards ‘part‐taught’ doctorates. Focusing on the new degree of Doctor of Education now offered by over seven British universities, the paper outlines the differences between EdD and PhD in education, and questions the need for any differentiation. Arguing that the ‘statistics of failure’ in doctoral education in the United Kingdom continue to mount a challenge to universities in the United Kingdom, the paper argues for a refocus on process as well as product, where the goal should be on learner empowerment and transformation, rather than on the misassumptlons that doctoral study is primarily an ‘academic apprenticeship’. Finally, the paper indicates an agenda to establish doctoral programmes and structures capable of developing and fostering creative talent whether the individuals undertaking doctoral study are going to be...
Geometric moments computed from the Hartley transform

Geometric moments are useful in pattern recognition, and several optical methods have been proposed for their calculation. In this paper, we present a new hybrid optical/digital processor that computes the geometric moments using the recently introduced Hartley transform (HT). This transform has the attractive property of being real when the signal is real. We prove an important result, that all geometric moments of an image can be computed recursively from the various partial derivatives (near origin) of the HT intensity. An analytical example is provided to illustrate the proposed method.
Folds in firn

Folds in firn on glaciers of the Gilkey Trench, Alaska, have been observed during years of heavy snowfall and reduced ablation. The firn folds were formed by up-buckling and decollement resulting from intense lateral shortening within the underlying glacier ice. Trends of the firn fold axes were normal to the shortening direction (σ 1 ), and subparallel to foliations in the glacier ice and the ice-flow direction (σ 3 ). Extension crevasses normal to the fold trends were also common in the area of the firn folds. Peculiar parallelogram patterns formed by recrystallization of the lowermost centimetre of firn were exposed in the ablated cores of some folds. The patterns were consistently oriented with respect to the firn fold axes and englacial structures, and they seem to reflect the same stress field.
Helical Porous Protein Mimics Self-Assembled from Amphiphilic Dendritic Dipeptides

This manuscript reports the synthesis and the self-assembly of (4-3,4,5-3,5)nG2-CH2-Boc-l-Tyr-l-Ala-OMe dendritic dipeptides (n = 12, 16). These dendritic dipeptides self-assemble both in solution and in solid states into helical porous supramolecular columns that mimic porous transmembrane proteins. These supramolecular assemblies provide also a new class of tubular supramolecular polymers.
Improving dependability of network configuration through policy classification

As a network evolves over time, multiple operators modify its configuration, without fully considering what has previously been done. Similar policies are defined more than once, and policies that become obsolete after a transition are left in the configuration. As a result, the network configuration becomes complicated and disorganized, escalating maintenance costs and operator faults. We present a method called NetPiler, which groups common policies by discovering a set of shared features and which uses the groupings for the configuration instead of using each individual policy. Such an approach removes redundancies and simplifies the configuration while preserving the intended behavior of the configuration. We apply NetPiler to the routing policy configurations from four different networks, and reduce more than 50% of BGP communities and the related commands. In addition, we show that the reduced community definitions are sufficient to satisfy changes as the network evolves over nearly two years.
Evaluation of a teflon helix liquid-liquid extractor for concentration of trace organics from water into methylene chloride

Abstract A continuous liquid-liquid extraction system (CLLE) for concentrating trace organics from water into methylene chloride for analysis was designed, built and evaluated. The CLLE uses Teflon coils for phase contact and gravity phase separation. The system includes a self-contained excess solvent distillation chamber, so the methylene chloride is recovered and recycled. A 901. Milli-Q water blank was run on the system. The CLLE extract was concentrated to 4 ml by Kuderna-Danish distillation, giving a 22,500:1 concentration ratio. Aqueous mixtures of organic compounds were used as test probes to evaluate the CLLE. Recovery values were determined for these compounds using CLLE and batch LLE (separatory funnel liquid-liquid extraction), and CLLE recoveries were found to be similar to those of batch LLE. Several statistical methods were applied to the data. For 9 of the 12 compounds that could be evaluated statistically, recoveries of 1 and 12.51. aqueous samples extracted by CLLE were found to be equivalent to l liter batch LLE recovery values. The units are portable, and are currently in service sampling raw and treated water at locations in the northeastern United States.
3D Model based Object Class Detection in An Arbitrary View

In this paper, a novel object class detection method based on 3D object modeling is presented. Instead of using a complicated mechanism for relating multiple 2D training views, the proposed method establishes spatial connections between these views by mapping them directly to the surface of 3D model. The 3D shape of an object is reconstructed by using a homographic framework from a set of model views around the object and is represented by a volume consisting of binary slices. Features are computed in each 2D model view and mapped to the 3D shape model using the same homographic framework. To generalize the model for object class detection, features from supplemental views are also considered. A codebook is constructed from all of these features and then a 3D feature model is built. Given a 2D test image, correspondences between the 3D feature model and the testing view are identified by matching the detected features. Based on the 3D locations of the corresponding features, several hypotheses of viewing planes can be made. The one with the highest confidence is then used to detect the object using feature location matching. Performance of the proposed method has been evaluated by using the PASCAL VOC challenge dataset and promising results are demonstrated.
Downward Trends in Bronchoscopies Performed Between 1991 and 1997

Study objective To examine the frequency of bronchoscopy performance in a large tertiary medical center over a period of 8 years. Design Retrospective data analysis. Setting Academic medical center. Materials and methods Using a computerized database of all bronchoscopies performed between 1991 and 1997, we analyzed trends in (1) the total number of bronchoscopies; and (2) the numbers of bronchoscopies performed for patients on the basis of the postbronchoscopic diagnosis in the following three main disease groups: AIDS, interstitial lung disease (ILD), and lung cancer. We measured the following outcomes in the patients of high-volume and low-volume bronchoscopists: procedure length (time to perform procedure), nondiagnostic rate, and repeat-bronchoscopy rate. In addition, we compared total admissions, outpatient visits, and insurance status of the patients during the same period. Results In total, 5,580 bronchoscopies were performed. A 17% decline in the number of procedures was noted between 1991 and 1997 (from 943 to 783, respectively; p Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP; p Conclusions We noted a significant decline in the number of bronchoscopies performed between 1991 and 1997. The significant reduction in the number of AIDS-associated bronchoscopies accounted for 87% of the decline. Other possible factors include the introduction of a management pathway for the empiric treatment of PCP in 1996, a reduction in the number of pulmonary admissions, an increase in the number of managed care patients, and a reduction in the remuneration for the performance of bronchoscopy.
Queers in the American City: Transgendered perceptions of urban space

This paper explores the complex relationship between transgendered people and cities in the USA, and, in particular, their relationship with queer spaces within those cities. Some have argued that queer spaces occur at the margins of society and constitute a safe haven for LGBT oppressed by the hetero-normative nature of urban areas. Data from a survey of 149 transgendered individuals indicate that although queer spaces provide a measure of protection for gender variant people, the gendered nature of these spaces results in continued high levels of harassment and violence for this population. The author argues that the strongly gendered dimensions of these spaces suggests that a discursive re-visioning of gender is needed to create more transgender friendly urban spaces.
Nonlinear optical effects in electrets of polymers and sol-gel processed glass: polymer composites

In this review, a brief background is presented on photonics and nonlinear optical processes, the latter providing many of the operational functions for the photonics technology. Nonlinear-optical processes in polymeric electrets are discussed along with the structural requirements. New developments using sol-gel processed electrets of inorganic glass:polymer composites for nonlinear optics are discussed. Femtosecond Kerr optical gate studies in the composite films have been successfully completed. Also, results are presented on novel polymeric photorefractive materials. >
Tuning fidelity of acoustooptically controlled external-cavity semiconductor lasers

External cavity semiconductor lasers in extended- and ring-cavity configurations were tuned with chirp-compensating pairs of acoustooptic filters. Nanometer-size tuning gaps observed by previous workers were eliminated. The tuning range was approximately 80 nm for the extended cavity and at least 55 nm for the ring cavity. The root-mean-square tuning error was 0.036 nm for the extended cavity and 0.018 nm for the ring cavity. The output could be swept up to 35 mm in as little as 10 msec, limited by the radio-frequency generator. Transmittance measurements made on spare acoustooptic filters using the extended-cavity laser as a swept source were in good agreement with quasi-static measurements made using a grating-tuned laser. >
Component-based design for the future

The specific root causes of the design problems that are haunting system companies such as automotive and avionics companies are complex and relate to a number of issues ranging from design processes and relationships with different departments of the same company and with suppliers1 to incomplete requirement specification and testing.2
The Impact of Telework on Performance: A Social Network Approach

Despite almost thirty years of research in the area of telework, the findings regarding outcomes remain equivocal (Bailey and Kurland, 2002). This research in progress hopes to advance understanding by identifying a key mechanism by which telework affects performance, specifically its influence on the social network properties of cohesion, power and structural holes. With knowledge of how the number, frequency and diversity of relationships influence performance, practitioners and academics can develop processes to improve teleworker social networks. This in turn will enhance the use of social capital and also facilitate shared attitudes and behaviors, which will lead to higher organizational commitment and promotability in a teleworking environment.
A linear prediction land mine detection algorithm for hand held ground penetrating radar

Land mine detection using ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a difficult task because the background clutter characteristics are nonstationary and the land mine signatures are inconsistent. A particularly difficult scenario is the case for which a GPR is mounted on a hand held device with no position or velocity information available to a signal processing algorithm. This paper proposes the use of linear prediction in the frequency domain for land mine detection in this scenario. A frequency domain clutter vector sample is partitioned into subbands. Each subband is modeled by a linear prediction model; the current vector sample is expressed as a linear combination of the past few vector samples plus random noise. The detector first computes the maximum likelihood estimate of the prediction coefficients, and then uses the generalized likelihood method to determine if a land mine is present. The effect of subband processing on the accuracy of the detector is evaluated. Detection results are presented on data collected from a variety of geographical locations. The data sets contain over 2300 mine encounters of different size, shape and content, and a larger number of measurements from locations with no mines. The proposed detector is compared to the baseline differential energy detector. The proposed algorithm reduces the false alarm rate by 60% for all the targets at 90% probability of detection, and 70% for the deep anti-tank mines at 90% probability of detection.
Consumer-Level Determinants of Wine Purchases in Canadian Restaurants*

Logistic regressions identified determinants of red and white wine purchases in formal and casual restaurants, using a detailed dataset of over 26,000 consumer-level food away-from-home purchases in two Canadian provinces during 2000–2005. Meal context regressors, and prior behavior associated mainly with unobserved heterogeneity, contributed most of the explanatory power, with observable demographic regressors playing a modest role. The main strategic recommendation is thus to focus wine marketing resources on the restaurant environment, with less emphasis on targeting specific audiences. (JEL Classification: C25, D12)
Band saw injury in a butcher

BACKGROUND: While treating an unusual amputation caused by a meat band saw in a 35-year-old butcher, we sought information from the medical literature that would be useful to other physicians who might encounter similar occupational injuries. METHODS: Using the Medline database and relevant search terms, we reviewed the literature concerning occupational saw blade injuries and porcine microbiology as they related to this injury. RESULTS: Among meat workers using powered cutting equipment, hand injuries and distal fingertip amputations appear to be common. The greatest risk for a wound infection after open exposure to raw pork meat appears primarily related to environmental flora rather than enteric-borne porcine pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: Decision-making strategy when formulating a treatment plan for debridement or reconstruction of saw blade amputations should rely on a detailed understanding of the injury and occupational environment to achieve an optimal patient outcome. When considering operative and antibiotic treatment for porcine meat-related amputation injury, surgeons should adhere to open fracture-related guidelines, since porcine-borne illnesses are most often caused by ingestion rather than transcutaneous inoculation. Language: en
Training to Use Motivational Interviewing Techniques for Depression: A Cluster Randomized Trial

Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the effects of training primary care providers (PCPs) to use Motivational Interviewing (MI) when treating depressed patients on providers9 MI performance and patients9 expressions of interest in depression treatment (“change talk”) and short-term treatment adherence. Methods: This was a cluster randomized trial in urban primary care clinics (3 intervention, 4 control). We recruited 21 PCPs (10 intervention, 11 control) and 171 English-speaking patients with newly diagnosed depression (85 intervention, 86 control). MI training included a baseline and up to 2 refresher classroom trainings, along with feedback on audiotaped patient encounters. We report summary measures of technical (rate of MI-consistent statements per 10 minutes during encounters) and relational (global rating of “MI Spirit”) MI performance, the association between MI performance and number of MI trainings attended (0, 1, 2, or 3), and rates of patient change talk regarding depression treatments (physical activity, antidepressant medication). We report PCP use of physical activity recommendations and antidepressant prescriptions and patients9 short-term physical activity level and prescription fill rates. Results: Use of MI-consistent statements was 26% higher for MI-trained versus control PCPs (P = .005). PCPs attending all 3 MI trainings (n = 6) had 38% higher use of MI-consistent statements (P .05 for both). Conclusions: MI training resulted in improved MI performance, more depression-related patient change talk, and better short-term adherence.
The use of blood lactate concentration as an indicator of temperament and its impact on growth rate and tenderness of steaks from Simmental × Angus steers.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of blood lactate concentration as an objective measure of beef cattle temperament and determine if the temperament of steers affected growth rate and tenderness of beef steaks. Angus × Simmental steers (n = 154) were evaluated for blood lactate (BL), exit velocity (EV) and chute score (CS), and humanely harvested. Carcass characteristics were assessed and loin samples were obtained for tenderness evaluation. All measures of the temperament were significantly correlated to each other (r = 0.14–0.47; P ≤ 0.04). Steaks from steers in the medium BL classification were significantly more tender than steaks from steers from the high BL classification. The steers with faster EV tended to result in steaks with higher shear force values (P = 0.07). The steers classified as fast growing resulted in steaks with lower shear force values (P = 0.02) compared to steaks from steers classified as slow growing. Results suggest that the temperament contributes to variations in growth rate, blood lactate, and tenderness.
Interpretation and Application of the AMC Format

The USMARC Archival and Manuscripts Control (AMC) form at is a standard format for the administrative and descriptive control of archives and manuscript materials, primarily in automated systems. This article describes the history of the AMC format's development, as well as the characteristics of its various parts. Information on AMC format implementation and use is provided, covering such topics as functional requirements analysis, information gathering, and system selection/design. The article concludes with recommendations for future action related to the format's ongoing development and use.
Exclusive Contract in Health Insurance

Competition between insurance companies for employees of a firm often increases the prices and reduces the availability of high-quality health plans offered to employees. An insurance company can reduce competition by signing an exclusive contract, which guarantees that the company is the only insurance provider. The study assesses whether exclusive contracts can alleviate the negative consequences of competition. Using the nation-wide survey of employers, I find that exclusive insurers charged 39-42% less for a unit of insurance quality than non-exclusive insurers. Furthermore, I find that the pattern of insurance quality dispersion is consistent with the exclusive insurers offering more high quality plans.
LSH Hamster Model of Syphilitic Infection and Transfer of Resistance with Immune T Cells

The immunologic basis of host defense in syphilis has not been elucidated. The humoral immune response appears to afford only negligible protection. The disease progresses from a local lesion to secondary syphilis with 24% of patients developing relapsing secondary lesions despite the development of a vigorous antibody response. Passive immunization of rabbits or hamsters with immune serum (1–5) or immunoglobulin (6) has failed to prevent infection of animals with Treponema pallidum.
Postnatal lethality and abnormal development of foregut and spleen in Ndrg4 mutant mice

NDRG4 is a member of the NDRG family (N-myc downstream-regulated gene), which is highly expressed in brain and heart. Previous studies showed that Ndrg1-deficient mice exhibited a progressive demyelinating disorder of peripheral nerves and Ndrg4-deficient mice had spatial learning deficits and vulnerabilities to cerebral ischemia. Here, we report generation of Ndrg4 mutant alleles that exhibit several development defects different from those previously reported. Our homozygous mice showed growth retardation and postnatal lethality. Spleen and thymuses of Ndrg4(-/-) mice are considerably reduced in size from 3 weeks of age. Histological analysis revealed abnormal hyperkeratosis in the squamous foregut and abnormal loss of erythrocytes in the spleen of Ndrg4(-/-) mice. In addition, we observed an abnormal hind limb clasping phenotype upon tail suspension suggesting neurological abnormalities. Consistent to these abnormalities, Ndrg4 is expressed in smooth muscle cells of the stomach, macrophages of the spleen and neurons. Availability of the conditional allele for Ndrg4 should facilitate further detailed analyses of the potential roles of Ndrg4 in gut development, nervous system and immune system.
75 Eligibility for neoadjuvant/adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy among radical cystectomy patients

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We evaluated our experience with radical cystectomy (RC) to investigate patient eligibility for perioperative cisplatin-based chemotherapy. METHODS: Using the Mayo Clinic Cystectomy Registry, we identified 768 patients treated with RC without neoadjuvant chemotherapy for urothelial carcinoma from 1980-2005. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the CKD-EPI equation and a value 60ml/ min was considered eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Change in GFR, from preoperative to 3 months postoperative, was evaluated using linear regression models. RESULTS: Among the 768 patients, median age was 68 years and median GFR was 60ml/mim both preoperatively and at 3 months after RC. Overall, 405 (47%) patients had a GFR 60 before surgery and 387 (50%) had a GFR 60 at 3 months after RC, thus excluding them from cisplatin use. Patients with hydronephrosis (n 209) had significantly lower preoperative GFR compared with patients without hydronephrosis (median 52 vs 62, respectively; p 0.0001). Among the 363 patients with a GFR 60 before RC, 91 (25%) had a decline in renal function with a GFR 60 at 3 months after RC. In a multivariable analysis, older patient age (p 0.001), higher preoperative GFR (p 0.001), and continent urinary diversion (p 0.011) were significantly associated with a negative change in GFR following RC. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that about 50% of patients undergoing RC are not eligible to receive perioperative cisplatinbased chemotherapy based on renal function alone. Approximately one in four patients eligible for cisplatin before surgery are no longer eligible following surgery. Older patients and those treated with a continent diversion are more likely to experience a negative change in GFR after RC and should be counseled accordingly.
Hematology: Neutrophils Fight Infectious Disease but May Promote Other Human Pathologies

Continued human survival through numerous bouts of infectious disease depends on the nonspecific defense response mediated by neutrophils. Their microbiocidal response consists of both oxidative and nonoxidative mechanisms of cell destruction that are activated as they migrate from the vasculature to sites of infection in the tissues. Reactive oxidants produced during this response are implicated as causative factors underlying a number of inflammatory disorders and carcinogenic events. This article reviews and updates current understanding of neutrophil function in both fighting infectious disease and promoting inflammatory-induced disease.
Successful canine infection with cultures of Leishmania infantum (Ch. Nicolle)

By the collective term Leishmaniasis we may designate three apparently distinct diseases (1) Kala-azar or tropical splenomegaly of India and the East; (2) Oriental sore, otherwise known as Delhi, Biskra, Aleppo, etc., boil; and (3) infantile splenic anemia. These are characterized by the presence of peculiar intracellular parasites commonly known as the Leishman-Donovan bodies. The work of Rogers and others has shown that the parasite of Kala-azar develops in a citrate solution, into flagellate or trypanosome-like organisms, but attempts at cultivation on blood agar have given negative results. The recent investigations of Ch. Nicolle on the parasites of Oriental sore and of infantile splenic anemia establish the important fact that the Leishman bodies found in these two diseases can be cultivated on blood agar with the same ease as in the case of many trypanosomes. Nicolle has further shown that the infantile splenic anemia can be transmitted to dogs and monkeys by injection of suspensions of the disease...
Mass Rearing Banded Cucumber Beetles, with Notes on Rearing Spotted and Striped Cucumber Beetles

Large numbers of the banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata LeConte, can be reared in the laboratory with relatively simple equipment and at reasonable cost. The adults are fed semisynthetic diet and natural foods and the larvae are fed sprouting corn. No loss of adult vigor or fecundity was noted through 17 generations.
In Utero Diagnosis of Fetal Abnormalities

Sonographic examination of the obstetrical patient is well recognized as a valuable tool in evaluation of fetal age, number, status, presentation and placental localization. Further information available from this study is the in utero detection of fetal abnormalities, congenital or secondary to maternal systemic disease.
Analysis of Test Results of HBsAg and Anti-HBs among Korean and Han Students of Primary and Secondary School in Hunchun City of Jilin Province

[Objective]To understand the HBsAg carrying status and anti-HBS levels among primary and secondary school students, and provide scientific evidence for preventive measures of Hepatitis B. [Methods] Cluster random sampling method was adopted, 2126 students from primary and secondary schools were selected to conduct HBsAg and anti-HBs detection with ELISA. [Results]Of 2126 students, HBsAg positive rate was 1.69%, among which the positive rate of Korean students was higher than that of Han students. However, the difference was not statistically significant(P0.05). The positive rate of secondary school students was higher than that of primary school students, the difference was significant(P0.05): anti-HBs positive rate was 55.69%, the positive rate of Korean students was higher than that of Han students, the difference was significant (P0.01). The positive rate of primary school students was higher than that of secondary school students, the difference was significant. (P0.01). [Conclusion]Students without immunity against hepatitis B should be given Hepatitis B immunization of whole course; the anti-HBs weakly positive ones should be given a booster immunization.to throughout hepatitis B immunization
Abstract IA07: The application of integrative sequencing for precision oncology

Studies of the genomic landscape of human cancers have demonstrated that most solid cancers have a multitude of mutations, a subset of which may be “actionable” with current drugs. Thus, the personalization of therapy for cancer will require molecular characterization of unique and shared genetic aberrations. Patients who have advanced/refractory cancer and are candidates for clinical trials could potentially benefit by identifying eligibility for “targeted” drugs based on the “actionable” genes in their specific tumor. Growing technological advances in genomic sequencing has now made it possible to consider the use of sequence data in a clinical setting. MI-ONCOSEQ initiative brings together expertise at the University of Michigan including clinical oncology, cancer genetics, bioinformatics, clinical pathology, social and behavioral sciences, and bioethics in order to implement clinical cancer sequencing. Our study identifies patients with advanced or refractory cancers that are eligible for clinical trials, consent them to the study, obtain biospecimens (tumor tissue, germline tissue) and store clinical data. The clinical sequencing team processes biospecimens, performs comprehensive sequencing and analysis of tumors to identify point mutations, copy number changes, rearrangements/gene fusions, and aberrant gene expression. Finally, a multi-disciplinary Precision Medicine Tumor Board deliberates on return of actionable or incidental genomic results. Citation Format: Arul Chinnaiyan. The application of integrative sequencing for precision oncology. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Integrating Clinical Genomics and Cancer Therapy; Jun 13-16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(1_Suppl):Abstract nr IA07.
Maternal sensitivity and effortful control in early childhood as predictors of adolescents’ adjustment: The mediating roles of peer group affiliation and social behaviors.

Longitudinal links between early childhood temperament, maternal sensitivity, and adolescents' adjustment have been proposed and found in several longitudinal studies, but the mechanisms of influence have not been explored. The authors examined the paths from maternal sensitivity and temperament in early childhood to adolescents' prosocial, aggressive, and delinquent behaviors via childhood social behaviors and peer group affiliation. Data at 54 months, Grade 3 (M age = 9.03, SD = .31), Grade 6 (M age = 11.95, SD = .34), and Grade 9 (M age = 15.57, SD = .78) from the NICHD SECCYD longitudinal investigation of 1,364 participants (52% boys) was analyzed. Overall, results yielded evidence that maternal sensitivity and child temperament at 54 months of age predicted prosocial, aggressive, and delinquent outcomes at age 15. Affiliation with peer groups (especially with prosocial peers) and social behaviors in childhood mediated the aforementioned paths for effortful control, but not for maternal sensitivity. Discussion focuses on the implications for understanding the long-term effects of early childhood predictors on behavioral outcomes in adolescence. (PsycINFO Database Record
Equalization matching of speech recordings in real-world environments

When different parts of speech content such as voice-overs and narration are recorded in real-world environments with different acoustic properties and background noise, the difference in sound quality between the recordings is typically quite audible and therefore undesirable. We propose an algorithm to equalize multiple such speech recordings so that they sound like they were recorded in the same environment. As the timbral content of the speech and background noise typically differ considerably, a simple equalization matching results in a noticeable mismatch in the output signals. A single equalization filter affects both timbres equally and thus cannot disambiguate the competing matching equations of each source. We propose leveraging speech enhancement methods in order to separate speech and background noise, independently apply equalization filtering to each source, and recombine the outputs. By independently equalizing the separated sources, our method is able to better disambiguate the matching equations associated with each source. Therefore the resulting matched signals are perceptually very similar. Additionally, by retaining the background noise in the final output signals, most artifacts from speech enhancement methods are considerably reduced and in general perceptually masked. Subjective listening tests show that our approach significantly outperforms simple equalization matching.
EIL IN PRACTICE: INDONESIAN AND CHINESE INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS NEGOTIATE MEANING

Interaction in English as an International Language (EIL) setting provides myriad opportunities for negotiation of meaning, arguably beneficial for language acquisition. The present study aims at finding out how meaning is negotiated in EIL interaction among two groups of postgraduate TESOL international students from two Asian countries, Indonesia and People’s Republic of China (PR China). The findings reveal that the students indeed utilized various strategies such as clarification requests, confirmation checks, comprehension checks, word-coinage, and use of approximation, self-repetition, other repetition, self-correction, and non-verbal expression of non-understanding. The relative frequency of strategies used appears to have been influenced by the interaction tasks. The variation of strategies across the three pairs is relatively similar. Some EIL features corresponding to pronunciation and grammatical structures also emerge in the present study. Finally, the study suggests that negotiation strategies need to be included in the English teaching syllabus. Moreover, current foreign or second language teaching methodology needs to pay serious attention to EIL features and to develop learners’ intelligibility and communication strategies by making them aware of standard varieties of English.
Theoretical Perspectives for the Psychology of Aging in a Lifespan Context

Most of the editions of the Handbook of the Psychology of Aging have contained a chapter on theoretical issues, some combined with some methodological issues and/or the history of geropsychology. In this introductory chapter some of the major theoretical perspectives in studying normal aging from a lifespan perspective are summarized. This discussion is begun by challenging the often-voiced assumption that pathology is an inevitably aspect of normal aging, and then examples of theories of aging that cover the adult lifespan are described.
PD-L1 expression in EBV-negative diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: clinicopathologic features and prognostic implications

// Wei Xing 1 , Karen Dresser 1 , Rui Zhang 2 , Andrew M. Evens 3 , Hongbo Yu 1, 4 , Bruce A. Woda 1 , Benjamin J. Chen 1 1 Department of Pathology, UMass Memorial Medical Center and University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA 2 Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA 3 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA 4 Present Address: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, USA Correspondence to: Benjamin J. Chen, email: benjamin.chen@umassmemorial.org Keywords: programmed cell death ligand 1, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, immune checkpoint, immunotherapy Received: December 28, 2015 Accepted: July 18, 2016 Published: August 04, 2016 ABSTRACT Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a cell surface glycoprotein that regulates the cellular immune response and serves as a targetable immune checkpoint molecule. PD-L1 is expressed on tumor cells and the immune microenvironment of several human malignancies, including a subset of aggressive lymphomas. We sought to investigate further the clinical and pathologic features of EBV-negative diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cases that express PD-L1. Immunohistochemical staining using an anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody was performed on DLBCL cases from 86 patients. These patients received standard chemotherapy treatment and were followed for up to 175 months. Overall, 14 cases (16%) were considered positive for PD-L1 in tumor cells. In comparison with PD-L1 negative cases, PD-L1 positive cases had a higher rate of non-GCB type (71% vs. 30%, P=0.0060), and higher Ann Arbor stage (II-IV) (100% vs. 73%, P=0.0327). No significant differences were seen in the immunohistochemical expression of BCL2, MYC, or Ki67. Patients with tumors expressing PD-L1 demonstrated inferior overall survival (OS) upon long term follow up (P=0.0447). Both age/sex-adjusted and multivariate analyses identified PD-L1 as an independent predictor for OS (P=0.0101 and P=0.0424). There was no significant difference, however, in terms of remission rates after first treatment, relapse rates, and progression free survival between the groups. Identification of DLBCL cases that express PD-L1 may serve to select a subset of patients that could further benefit from targeted immunotherapy.
The use of natural language processing for augmentative-alternative communication utterance generation

Converser is a computer program designed to serve as an augmentative/alternative communication (AAC) aid. AAC users have difficulty communicating due to a slow rate of expressive language and due to a passive communication style during interactions. The goal of Converser is to recognize and parse interlocutor speech input in order to generate conversationally relevant responses for the AAC user. This may improve rate and decrease passiveness in communication. This dissertation focuses on Converser's use of natural language processing to recognize speech input and identify noun phrases. Converser then produces two responses related to the interlocutor input: “Tell me more about ” and “I want to say something about .” Converser also allows the user to select the noun phrase by itself to combine with spelled text. In the main study, seventeen dyads (consisting of a user and an interlocutor participant) were used to test Converser's efficacy for communication. The dyads participated in two communication tasks: a conversation and an interview task. Two conditions were applied: a simple alphabet board aid without Converser (Alpha-only condition), and an identical aid with Converser (Alpha-Converser condition). Objective measurements were made concerning the user's rate and Converser usage. Subjective data was gathered through rating questionnaires and written comments. The results showed that the Alpha-Converser condition generated a faster communication rate than the Alpha-only condition. User participants also rated the speed of communication faster in the Alpha-Converser condition. User ratings of quality and interlocutor ratings of speed and quality showed no difference between the two conditions, although the participant comments about Converser were positive. These results suggest that Converser may be efficacious for both rate and quality for AAC.
A new actuation approach for human-friendly robotic manipulation

Human-centered robotics involves the close interaction between robotic systems and human beings, including direct human-manipulator contact. In such applications, we must consider the requirements of safety in addition to traditional performance metrics. While there has been significant progress in manipulator and actuator design, there has yet to be a successful manipulator design that possesses the characteristics of both safety and performance. To address this need, a new actuation method, referred to as Distributed Macro-Mini actuation (DM2), has been developed. Recognizing that manipulator torque requirements, as a function of frequency, fall-off sharply at higher frequencies, the DM2 approach partitions the actuation into separate macro- and mini-actuators that provide the low- and high-frequency torques, respectively. Locating the actuators at arm locations where they are most effective, referred to as distributed actuation, is an essential feature of this new approach. Large, macro actuators provide the low-frequency torque required to compensate gravity and provide acceleration torques. Locating the macro actuators at the base of a manipulator reduces the size and weight of the manipulator substantially. The use of a compliant element between the macro actuator and drive-train decouples the reflected inertia of the macro actuator from the manipulator, further reducing the effective inertia. To recover high-frequency torque capability, the mini actuators are collocated at the joints, providing the high mechanical bandwidth necessary for high performance tasks. Because the required high-frequency torque magnitude is small, the mini motors can be kept small enough so that they contribute only a minor increase in manipulator size and weight. Using a two-axis testbed, the DM2 approach was evaluated for impact behavior, position tracking performance, force tracking performance, and haptic performance. Experimental results demonstrated that by drastically reducing the effective inertia of the manipulator, while maintaining high-frequency torque capability, the competing design requirements of performance and safety can be successfully integrated into a single manipulation system. Finally, an extension to multi-degree-of-freedom manipulator control is presented in the form of a six-degree-of-freedom robot composed of a torso with two three-degree-of-freedom manipulators arranged in an anthropomorphic configuration. A description of the design and fully-assembled hardware is included.